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The Emergency Medical Retrieval Service (EMRS), provides patients with life threatening conditions in remote and rural areas of Scotland, with rapid access to the skills of a consultant in emergency or intensive care medicine. The consultants are ready to respond to requests for help, by helicopter or plane, within minutes.
SGHD funded a west coast pilot of EMRS for 18 months commencing in June 2008. Over the 18 months to the end of November 2009 EMRS has undertaken 356 retrievals and given advice on a further 283 patients.
Visit their website to find out more.
Dandelions provide pollen and nectar for more than 70 wild bee species. More than half of Germany's 600 wild bee species are rare, threatened or already extinct.
In Germany, three quarters of flying insects have vanished in 25 years ( www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/18/warning-of-ec... ).
One third of all invertebrate species are endangered or have already gone extinct in Germany.
The loss of biodiversity on land worldwide amounts to 20 % ( IPBES (2019): Global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (Version 1). Zenodo. doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5657041, page 31 ).
The Badlands provide unlimited compositions. Here's a shot while just wandering around. I just happened to stumble among these towers and there was some nice soft diffused golden light.
This isn't a long exposure shot, but I softened the clouds within Photoshop to aid the softer golden light in the final image.
Bisti Badlands, New Mexico
I consider this gem special for a number of reasons, the biggest one being the clues it provides to how snowflakes grow bubbles from features inside their “footprint”. I’ll talk about that in a bit, but first let’s take a look at how this “split crystal”-type of snowflake began!
Split crystals are always multi-layered snowflakes which immediately adds a quirky volumetric quality to their design. You can even see shadows where the top half of the snowflake rises about the bottom half. These types of snowflakes usually start from a column that grows plates from either end, each competing for available building blocks: water vapour. As it tumbles through the air, one side of a plate might grow a little faster than the other, and vice versa, resulting in a portion of the branches growing from opposing plates. The portions can change, with a split of 1/5, 2/4 or 3/3 where one plate has more branches than the other, or we have an even split – this one’s an even 3/3 where the bottom plate grew the left three branches and the top plate holds the rest of the of them.
There are surface details also in opposing fashion, something I can’t quite figure out yet – but it’s incredibly consistent with these snowflakes. The bottom plate has surface features facing the camera, and the top plate has surface features facing away from the camera – these features always “face each-other” and not the other way around. I might be able to figure out “why” at some point, but lets’ look into the bubble formations here first.
Here’s a diagram ( skycrystals.ca/bts/PDKP3892.jpg ) with red arrows showing the direction of growth on the upper left branch. These arrows show the inward edges of a “ceiling” forming over valleys in the surface of the snowflake. Some of these have already completed to form bubbles, but it’s very interesting to see many of them partially formed. It provides some fairly clear evidence to how these intricate bubble patterns in snowflake branches actually form. Previously, it had been understood that these bubbles form on the leading edge of the snowflake as cavities in the prism facet. This however shows that they seal themselves off from the top (or bottom) basal facet.
I’ve outlined the one branch, but can you see the same happening on the others? Here’s a full resolution version of the image to explore in more detail: skycrystals.ca/full-res/PDKP3892.jpg . Note that it’s a heck of a lot harder to spot these growth patterns on the right side of the snowflake when the details are on the opposite side of the crystal!
Also, that colourful spot on the lower branch? Look closely and you’ll see indications that bubbles actually formed underneath it. This leaves only one prominent explanation: part of another snowflake had fused here, and was later broken off. This is supported by the sharp-but-curved line at the bottom as a break point. Snowflakes are fun physics puzzles to figure out! It often starts with observing “how” things happen, and I hope I can eventually understand why these features are forming as well. Always an adventure!
If you’d like to learn more about how these snowflakes are photographed, please check out my book on macro photography, the #1 bestseller on B&H Photo: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1637255-REG/don_komarechka...
Monument Valley provides some of the most enduring and definitive images of the American West. Because its red mesas and buttes have been filmed countless times since the late 1930's, I thought it appropriate to frame this scene with an old rusted wagon wheel fence. The area has been featured in movies such as Stagecoach (John Ford, John Wayne), Easy Rider, Forrest Gump, and The Lego Movie. Many video games have been set in Monument Valley. The desert scenery for the Coyote and Road Runner cartoons was inspired by this area as was the Marlboro Man marketing campaign of the 1950's-60's.
GOSPEL Lk 9:11b–17, Corpus Christi-061922
God Provides
In our Gospel from Luke, we learned about the familiar multiplication of the loaves and fishes that fed over five thousand. Before this particular story begins, we read about how the twelve disciples where sent out by Jesus to preach in the surrounding villages. Jesus tells them “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics.” Our Jesus is asking them to rely on their faith in him, to walk empty handed into the mystery of the new ministry without him their teacher-who has been doing this all along. They have just returned to Jesus…they are tired and worn. They have successfully completed what Jesus has asked them to do-and have learned-God provides.
Jesus invites them to leave the city…maybe for some quiet, rest and relaxation, but a massive crowd follows them into a deserted place. The disciples must be thinking how inconvenient. Rather then decompressing with his disciples and out of necessity, Jesus spends his day ministering to the crowd and preaching about the kingdom of God. What must be going through the disciples minds?
As the day turns into evening, the disciples tell Jesus to send the crowd away because it is late and they and the crowds are tired and hungry.
Jesus responds to his the disciples “Give them some food yourselves.” They reply, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have, unless we ourselves go and buy food for all these people.” It appears that they are whining! (The logistics of this moment, calls to my mind what I know we go through feeding and entertaining 150 plus bingo players every other week.)
Jesus gives them not just a teaching moment but a transformative reality. God provides! Jesus maybe satisfying the physical and spiritual hunger of the larger crowds, but more importantly HE is revealing to his disciples a deeper truth…how to do it. What he is asking of his inner circle is to trust God, even when it feels absurd and impossible.
In being a witness to this miracle, their faith in Jesus increased. In the future, they will link this important event with the last supper where the Eucharist is instituted. In the Gospel of John-chapter 6, we read Jesus saying “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him.”
Today, we have many who critique us and our belief in the Eucharist being the actual body and blood of Christ. Whether it be the culture that surrounds us, other Christian denominations or direct family members, we are still here every Sunday to receive the Eucharist. It is not just a symbol as they would like us to believe. Jesus is the bread of life that comes from heaven. He feeds us with this bread. If this bread is not the source and center of all that we do in ministry, we are missing the spiritual food that is necessary to sustain us. It is out of this sacred meal, that Jesus feeds us and strengthen us to do HIS will. The Eucharist binds and unifies us as the Body of Christ.
We are also disciples, in modern terms, it means we accept Jesus as our leader, and we assist HIM in spreading the Good News. Being a disciple of Jesus means the ministry and work is never done. The world needs what we the body of Christ offers. Even when we have doubts and discouragement, we must never forget, God provides.
Jesus is always teaching and forming us-especially in our liturgical worship.
We participate fully in this work when we offer up our hearts, which includes our hopes, joys, pains and sorrow. The 12 disciples, with all their conflicted feelings, leaned into this teaching moment, and participated fully in it. “He must increase and I must decrease.” Not my will, but your will be done!
We are transformed when we receive the Christ in the Mass. We become what we eat. The work of Jesus Christ gets multiplied in us as we carry him out into a spiritually starving world. The crowds that surrounds us are depending on us…just remember God provides.
Waveney Sailability provides sailing for the diasbled. What a great opportunity for them!
Access/Hansa Dinghies are self righting ballasted shallow draft drop-keel dinghies, with "roller-reefing, forward facing seats for comfort, a bucket seat is an additional option for those needing lateral support and joy stick for single handed control. The low freeboard allows for easy access for ambulant people and those requiring a hoist."
I tried one as a guest a couple of times. Steering with a joystick is counter-intuitive if you have steered often with a tiller.
Here they are at the start of a race at the end of Oulton Week.
Explore January 6, 2020.
A couple of B's buzz over Sywell during the 2024 Air Show - Thunderbolt "Nellie B" provides fighter escort to Flying Fortress "Sally B".
Aircraft: United States Army Air Force pair Republic P-47D Thunderbolt 45-49192 (G-THUN) painted as F4-J "Nellie B", of 492nd Fighter Squadron, 48th Fighter Group and Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress 44-85784 (G-BEDF) "Sally B"..
Location: Sywell Aerodrome (ORM/EGBK), Northamptonshire, UK.
Random Song Reference: The Bees, Belly.
Nature constantly provides us with breathtaking spectacles… It’s up to us to appreciate them…
* * *
La nature nous fournit sans cesse d'époustouflants spectacles… A nous de les apprécier…
The Las Vegas Monorail provides a quick and convenient connection along the Las Vegas Strip, linking riders to world-class restaurants, shows, shops, day and nightclubs, spas, hotels, and casinos. In minutes, Monorail riders can travel the famous Las Vegas Strip in a safe, comfortable and clean environment—without the hassles of traffic or wasted time. Las Vegas Monorail carries nearly 5 million people every year and is 100% electric.
-- Las Vegas Monorail 'Did You Know?' --
‧ Las Vegas Monorail has carried over 98 million riders since opening.
‧ Las Vegas is host to countless trade shows, conventions, and public events that draw in millions of visitors per year. During an average 4-day citywide convention, Las Vegas Monorail carries 140,000 passengers.
‧ The Las Vegas Monorail route contains 21,120 feet of track (exactly 4 miles) that averages 30 feet above the ground (highest point is over 60 feet above the ground) and has a 26 inch wide running surface (one of the smallest footprints of any elevated train anywhere).
‧ Las Vegas Monorail provides significant reductions in vehicle miles and emissions for our Southern Nevada community. In fact, the Las Vegas Monorail has been responsible for eliminating over 38 million vehicle miles on our roadways.
‧ In 2022 alone, Las Vegas Monorail carried over 4.3 Million riders. That's almost the entire population of Rome, Italy.
‧ Each train has 48 tires total and our entire fleet uses 432 tires at any given time. The Las Vegas Monorail system went through 363 tires in 2017.
-- Technical Information (or Nerdy Stuff) --
‧ Camera - Nikon D7200 (handheld)
‧ Lens – Nikkor 18-300mm Zoom
‧ ISO – 200
‧ Aperture – f/5.6
‧ Exposure – 1/640 second
‧ Focal Length – 120mm
The original RAW file was processed with Adobe Camera Raw and final adjustments were made with Photoshop CS6.
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11
The best way to view my photostream is through Flickriver with the following link: www.flickriver.com/photos/photojourney57/
Normanton Church, Rutland Water.
Rutland Water provides a scenic setting for the fairy-tale splendour of Normanton Church, a structure that appears to float on the lake when the reservoir is full. Normanton Church is the county of Rutland’s most famous landmark. Yet it could all have been very different.
A public outcry of 1970 that saved Normanton Church from destruction when plans to flood the area around it were being set in motion. When the demands of a growing population had to be met, consultation took place to decide on a suitable site for a much-needed new reservoir and the Gwash valley in Rutland was chosen.
The valley had to be cleared and so Normanton Church was deconsecrated and scheduled for demolition, but the general public had other ideas and their protests were successful. When it came time to flood the area, it became obvious that the church would be partially submerged once the high-water level was reached. This would mean the gradual erosion of its lower walls and foundations. A hastily formed trust was organised with the aim of rescuing the building from a watery demise and various proposals were considered.
Finally, it was decided that the lower level of the church should be filled with rubble and topped with concrete to create a new floor. This would be approximately 60cm above the water level. The church would become a small island once the reservoir was filled, and so a causeway was built connecting it to the nearby shore of the lake and an embankment was constructed around the building. A layer of boulders was then put in place as a defensive breakwater.
It is a modern sculpture project in South Korea.
Its main artist is Yoo Young-ho (South Korean sculptor). The concept provides a man, 6 m high, bowing in a typically Asian greeting gesture. The blue color means lack of prejudice.
In October 2012, a statue was unveiled in the neighbourhood of Buceo, Montevideo, Uruguay, as part of a planned world series in multiple locations.
Another statue was unveiled in October 2013 in South Korea, near the Korean Demilitarized Zone, in Haean, Yanggu County, Gangwon.
A third statue was unveiled in January 2016 in Panama City, Panama, the second to be unveiled in Latin America.
***
The work was donated by the Korean government.
'For the friendship between Korea and Uruguay'
***
Artist:
Yoo Young-ho (born 1965) is a South Korean sculptor.
He graduated in 1991 from the College of Fine Arts, Seoul National University. Later he studied at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf in Germany.
One of his sculptures is located in Seoul's Digital City subsection. It is known as Square-M Communication, a piece of large-scale installation art that resembles a man looking at his own image on a screen. It is 7m in length, 6m in width, and 6m in height using blue-painted stainless steel, representing peace and neutrality. The sculpture is seen briefly in Marvel's The Avengers: Age of Ultron.
He became famous with his Greetingman project, consisting in huge blue-colored statues of a bowing person. One statue was installed in Montevideo, Uruguay. Yoo's intention was to start the project at the farthest place from Korea.
Yoo's idea is to promote peace around the world with his artistic concept; one of his statues has been erected near the Korean Demilitarized Zone, in Haean, Yanggu County, Gangwon, which was the battleground of one of the fiercest battles of the Korean War. Yoo plans to further erect 1000 statues in places like Vietnam, Berlin, and Palestine.
Amtrak provides a "window on America" with views of all sorts of different kind of lifestyles. The northbound City of New Orleans has already left the urban neighborhoods behind and is cutting across the Manchac Wildlife Area with a different kind of "Man shack" standing on piles in the background. Akers, LA 9/26/19
Seaspan ULC [...] provides marine-related services to the Pacific Northwest. Within the Group are three shipyards, an intermodal ferry & car float business, and a tug and barge transportation company that serves both domestic and international markets. Seaspan is part of the Washington Companies, owned by Dennis Washington. Seaspan is run by his son Kyle Washington, as Executive Chairman, who has become a Canadian citizen.[1] Seaspan ULC was formerly known as Seaspan Marine Corporation, and prior to that Washington Marine Group.[2] Wikipedia
Have a great new week and stay safe.
This canvas provides a dazzling glimpse of the transitional period during which Riopelle gradually abandoned the over-all method. We can observe masses of distinct colours and textures, where form begins to detach from the background. In this work, the sun’s rays make their way through the shifting foliage.
The Limehouse Basin provides a navigable link between the Regent's Canal and the River Thames, through the Limehouse Basin Lock. The Basin, built by the Regent's Canal Company, was formerly known as Regent's Canal Dock and was used by seagoing vessels and lighters to offload cargoes to canal barges, for onward transport along the Regent's Canal. Although initially a commercial failure following its opening in 1820, by the mid 19th century the dock (and the canal) were an enormous commercial success for the importance in the supply of coal to the numerous gasworks and latterly electricity generating stations along the canal, and for domestic and commercial use. At one point it was the principal entrance from the Thames to the entire national canal network. Its use declined with the growth of the railways, although the revival of canal traffic during World War I and World War II gave it a brief swansong. The redevelopment of the Basin started in 1983 as part of the London Docklands Development Corporation's overall masterplan for the Docklands area. However, it took many years for the scheme to come to fruition.
Yesterday’s figures continue to provide hope that the corona emergency is easing while the epidemic continues to demand a high toll: 230 corona-related deaths were recorded and 211 patients were hospitalised, bringing the total number of people that are treated in hospital to 4,527. Meanwhile, the corona death toll in Belgium keeps attracting attention of the international press. Whilst the European press acknowledges that our figure is an overestimate and that it’s nearly as we are being too honest some US press is less diplomatic when talking about the mortality rate in Belgium: “Champion of Coronavirus” and “Belgian Corona Riddle” … Our virologists are urging caution when comparing figures and stress that we are the only country to include deaths in care homes. I think we all should realize that the corona crisis is not a race and that we'd be better off concentrating on finding the best way to count deaths instead of pointing fingers. In the midst of all of this, I continue with my daily corona walk documenting Ghent as it unrolls before my eyes… - Brugse Poort, Ghent, Belgium
Floodwater provides a reflection of "A Private View" by Kevin Atherton (1995), public art in Cardiff Bay.
PS. The artist liked this photo and asked for a copy so he could print it out, chuffed!
51°27'19.62"N 3°10'44.23"W
A small opening to the blue sky above provides enough light to make the sandstone walls of Upper Antelope Canyon glow as though lit from within. The previous pictures were from Lake Powell's Antelope Canyon arm. The slot canyons are above lake level and dry except during heavy rainfalls, which can cause flash floods through the canyons with water levels of 10-15 feet or more.
Blended from three exposures.
See other pictures from the set here Arizona and Utah 2013
One more attempt to warm up the parts of the country under the grip of the polar vortex. This shot was taken in the morning, and it was pleasantly cool deep in the slot canyon. See the picture of the thermometer below in comments to see the temperature later that afternoon outside.
After the great flood, even those industries which provide us the most essential commodities in life will be useless.
To get the weekend started off right, suggest to me some music. Those who know me know that I’ve never really been a big “music” person. Late in high school I used to memorize and live my life through the deep meanings behind listen to Rush. Then Iron Maiden, Megadeth… then in college I expanded my mind and listened to all gangsta rap. Then out of college, since I thought I was a “mature business professional” I started listening to jazz & classical. Four months working/living in Australia turned me on to techno/trance, house music and chillout. And then in the twilight of my life here I’ve been listening to a lot of bosa nova, French pop, eclectic music they play on the local NPR station (click on Music at the top) and other crap you’ll find on Youtube. But from time to time I’ll find myself enjoying some Kanye too. I’m all over the map.
After listening to this guy on KCRW, Radio 1 and Triple J, I might actually for the first time in the last… maybe 8 years buy a new CD. Miike Snow has such a great sound and vibe. It’s not fast, it’s not poppy, it just has good music and a voice that goes with it. Anyone else heard of him? This song and video totally describes the kind of sound I’m into at the moment. His first public show was last month! This guy is going to blow up. Doesn't even have a website yet.
So to get this party the weekend started out right, suggest to me some music. Something I can listen to at work, or perhaps crank up in the car with the windows down after work. Link to youtube, or just the name. k, thanks luvyoubyebye.
And have a safe, fun weekend. Emphasis is on fun.
New research on nine craters of Saturn's largest moon provides more details about how weathering affects the evolution of the surface – and what lies beneath.
Scientists have used data from NASA's Cassini mission to delve into the impact craters on the surface of Titan, revealing more detail than ever before about how the craters evolve and how weather drives changes on the surface of Saturn's mammoth moon.
Some of the new results reinforce what scientists knew about the craters – that the mixture of organic material and water ice is created by the heat of impact, and those surfaces are then washed by methane rain. But while researchers found that cleaning process happening in the midlatitude plains, they discovered that it's not happening in the equatorial region; instead, those impact areas are quickly covered by a thin layer of sand sediment.
That means Titan's atmosphere and weather aren't just shaping the surface of Titan; they're also driving a physical process that affects which materials remain exposed at the surface, the authors found.
This composite image shows an infrared view of Saturn's moon Titan from NASA's Cassini spacecraft, captured in 2015. Several places on the image, visible through the moon’s hazy atmosphere, show more detail because those areas were acquired near closest approach.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona/University of Idaho
#NASA #Cassini #JPL #JetPropulsionLaboratory #NASAMarshall #SolarSystemandBeyond #space #astronomy #Saturn #astronomy #planet #Titan
Gloucester Lock provides the only access for barges and canal boats between the docks and the River Severn. It was originally two locks in a staircase; the recesses of the middle gates can still be seen.
The larger windows of Lock Warehouse (1834) date from the 1920s when the building was used for sack cleaning and repairs.
Gloucester Docks is an historic area of the city of Gloucester. The docks are located at the northern junction of the River Severn with the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. They are Britain's most inland port.
The docks included fifteen Victorian warehouses, that are now listed buildings. It also contains the Gloucester Waterways Museum (opened 1988) and the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum (opened 1990); the Robert Opie Collection of Advertising and Packaging was also here from 1984 until 2001.
Riverwood
Riverwood provides a unique outdoor experience. Located in central Mississauga, Riverwood combines the power of nature, history and art to provide visitors with an experience unlike any other. Visitors can enjoy using the Culham Trail and a scenic footpath located on the eastern valley slope. While on the trails, visitors can experience spectacular views of wildlife including deer, birds, squirrels and many other animals that make Riverwood their home.
A little puddle provides a near perfect mirror for my second look at Norfolk Southern local H04. Previously relegated to working overnight under the cover of darkness thanks to pandemic reduced train frequencies on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor they have been working on days starting at 0900 at Baltimore's Bayview Yard and working to the big Clorox plant in Perryman daily and as far north as Havre de Grace at least once a week.
Here they are seen on the old line having just finished working Plastipak Industries they are getting their train back together so they can start back south. The old line is a 1 3/4 mile long stub of the old main line through town that lead to the original 1866 bridge. After the mainline was realigned slightly on the approach to the new and higher 1906 structure still in service the old line into town was retained and more than a century later it still has three rail served customers located on it.
NS 5620 is a GP38-2 that was rebuilt with a chopped nose in 2005 from a Southern high hood GP38AC oroginally blt. Aug. 1971 as CNOTP 2871.
Havre de Grace, Maryland
Friday April 2, 2021
Provide carbon emissions reductions by keeping forests standing which can then offer up to a third of the wildlife-climate solutions.
The mountainous areas embracing the Himalayan, Karakorum and Hindukush Ranges are rich in fauna and flora, as compared to other parts of the country. These areas provide an excellent habitat for wildlife in the form of alpine grazing lands, sub-alpine scrub and temperate forests. These habitats support a variety of wild animals. The areas are difficult for human beings to access, hence, most wildlife is present in reasonable numbers though some are endangered for other reasons. Some of the main wildlife species are the snow leopard, the black and the brown bears, otter, wolf, lynx, Himalayan ibex, markhor, bharal, Marco Polo's sheep, shapu/Urial, musk deer, marmots, tragopan and monal pheasants. The snow partridge and snowcock reside at higher elevations. The Rhesus monkey, common langur, red fox, black bear, common leopard, a variety of cats, musk deer (over a limited area), goral, several species of flying squirrels, chakor, partridge and pheasants (koklass, kaleej and cheer) live in the lower elevations. Amongst these the snow leopard, musk deer, Marco Polo's sheep, and the brown bear are endangered. The Tibetan wild ass and the blue sheep populations have been reduced drastically. The cheer pheasant is reported to be extinct from within Pakistan's boundaries, and is included in the IUCN Red Data Book. The western horned tragopan was reported to have disappeared from within Pakistani territory, but has now been relocated to Indus Kohistan, although its numbers are low.
The main threats to the population of wild animals in the northern mountainous regions include, the competition with domestic livestock for existing natural forage, increasing human interference in the form of cultivation, the construction of roads, and hunting.
The Himalayan foothills and the Potohar region, including the Salt Range and Kala Chitta Range, are covered with scrub forests, which have been reduced to scanty growth in most places. Medium-sized animals like the Punjab urial, barking deer, goral, chinkara, partridges (grey and black), seesee and chakor are supported in these habitats. A variety of songbird fauna also occurs in these areas.
Vast Indus flood plains have been cleared of natural vegetation to grow crops. Very little wildlife habitat has been left untouched. Only animals like the jackal, mongoose, jungle cat, civet cat, scaly anteater, desert cat and the wild hare occur in these areas. Hog deer is found in riverine tracts. The crop residues and wild growth support reasonable populations of black and grey partridges.
Little vegetative cover, severity of climatic conditions and the great thrust of grazing animals on the deserts have left wild animals in a precarious position. Parts of Thall and Cholistan are now being irrigated, with the situation almost identical to that of the flood plains. Chinkara is the only animal, which can still be found in average numbers in Cholistan, but rarely in Thall. The blackbuck, once plentiful in Cholistan has now been eliminated. However, efforts are being made to reintroduce them back into the country. A small number of blue bulls are found along the Pak-Indian border, and some parts of Cholistan. Grey partridge, species of sand grouse and the Indian courser are the main birds of the area. Peafowl occur in some areas in Cholistan.
The Thar Desert supports a fair population of the Chinkara gazelle. Peacocks are only found in the wild, mainly because of the protection they enjoy in Hindu communities. The wild ass migrates from the Indian part of the Rann of Kutch to the Pakistani part in search of food.
The Houbara bustard is a regular winter visitor to the desert. Visiting diplomats have hunted and reduced their numbers. The great Indian bustard is sporadically sighted. The imperial sandgrouse is another migrant visiting these areas. Grey partridges are frequently sighted. The python is also threatened with extinction.
The Sulaiman and Kirthar Ranges present habitats manifesting unique characteristics. The former supports the straight-horned markhor, chinkara and urial, whereas Sindh ibex, urial, chinkara and common leopard occupy the latter. The straight-horned markhor, which is almost extinct from within settled boundaries of Pakistan, occurs in somewhat fair numbers in the Tribal Areas. The chakor, seesee and grey partridge are birds commonly found in the tracts.
The reed beds and tamarisk bushes along the rivers support hog deer and black partridge populations. However, due to occasional heavy floods their numbers have also been reduced. The Indus dolphin, fishing cat, and smooth otter are found in the Indus River waters below the Chashma Barrage. The gavial has become extinct in Pakistan. The crocodile is found in small numbers in lower Sindh. Wild boar numbers have increased because of the immunity they enjoy in a Muslim society that forbids its consumption by humans.
The animals found in the south-western mountains of Balochistan are: Sindh ibex, Chiltan markhor, straight horned markhor, wild sheep, leopard, marbled pole cat, Blandford's fox, chinkara, goitered gazelle and the marsh crocodile. The cheetah, is believed to be extinct and the Makran (baluchistan) bear critically endangered. The Houbara bustard (migratory), sandgrouse, black and grey partridges, and the chakor and see see partridges are also found here.
Irrigated forest plantations have emerged as the prevailing land use practice for the last 100 years. These ideally provide excellent habitat for chinkara, hog deer and blue bull. Forest management does not cater to the needs of these wild animals. This, coupled with the poor implementation of laws has resulted in the extinction of species in the irrigated plantations. Due to habitat disturbances, the ungulates have failed to establish themselves, whereas the partridges have flourished well.
The striped hyena and the wolf are widely distributed in the sparsely populated parts of the country. However, information about them is scanty. Information about carnivores in general is difficult to obtain because of their nocturnal mode of life and high mobility. The black bear and brown bear populations are also not understood completely.
Birds of prey like the peregrine, cherrug or saker falcons, tawny eagle, imperial and greater spotted eagles, osprey, shikra, and the black-winged kite occur throughout Pakistan but their population statuses are unknown.
Pakistan's coastline of 1,050 km consists of a variety of habitat types, supporting a wide range of animals, of which over 1000 are fish species. Pakistan's marine flora and fauna have not been studied properly. Hence, detailed information on these species is deficient. Along the shores, there are four species of marine turtles: the ridley, green, leather back and hawksbill turtle, which are of high economic importance. Due to loss of habitat and human disturbances, their population is also decreasing.
About eight species of freshwater turtles are found in Pakistan. Sand lizards, monitors, geckos, agamas, diamond snakes, sand snakes, vipers, cobras, kraits and the famous Indian python constitute the other reptilian fauna.
Large water bodies in the country support a variety of waterfowl both resident and migratory. The extent of wetlands is constantly being changed. On one hand, swamps and marshes are being drained to reclaim land, whereas on the other hand, new dams (large water bodies) have been created for irrigation purposes. Canal irrigation through seepage has also contributed towards increasing the land area under water in the form of water logging. Such areas support a great number of waterfowl by providing them with an excellent habitat. The wetlands are one of the most important wintering areas and "green routes" of Asia. The important waterfowl in Pakistan are the ducks (mallard, pintail, shoveler, pochard, gargeny, ruddy shellduck, teals, tufted and gadwall), geese (grey lag, bar-headed), coots, flamingoes, pelicans, spoon bills, storks, ibises, plovers, curlews, sand pipers, snipes, and herons. The marbled teal and white-headed duck have decreased in number and now visit the wetlands infrequently. Among the waterfowl are (resident) gallinules, moorhens and rails, gulls, terns, water cock, grebes, cormorants, egrets, bitterns, and jakanas. The spot-billed lesser whistling teal and the cotton teal are resident ducks. A rich wader fauna visits the coastline during the winter.
Efforts have been made to document the status of wildlife and in some cases, the correct status is known, whereas most of the information about their populations is sketchy. With the strengthening of wildlife organisations in the country more reliable information can be obtained.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgJ1t2S7O6M
[Aura Design] Essence SET - FATPACK
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TRUTH Poetry
AVAWAY Felicity necklace, earrings
Indigo Sally Static 2 mirror pose
The Funeral Museum at Vienna's Central Cemetery provides insights into the funeral and cemetery culture of past centuries. Interesting, morbid and wonderfully bizarre. Don't miss the merchandising items in the museum shop, dripping with black humor Das Bestattungsmuseum am Wiener Zentralfriedhof gibt Einblicke in die Bestattungs- und Friedhofskultur der vergangenen Jahrhunderte. Interessant, morbid und herrlich skurril. Nicht versäumen: die vor schwarzem Humor triefenden Merchandising-Artikel im Museumsshop www.bestattungsmuseum.at
Revision provides better color balance.
Turbulent skies resulting from very strong downslope winds off the Rockies. Surface winds reached 40 gusts to 60 during the afternoon. The sky was full of lenticular clouds most of the day as record high temperatures reached into the mid 60's. It got up to the mid 80's near Denver, 100 miles to my south.
Mutually beneficial relationships provide relaxation for those blessed with them, and observing and photographing symbiotic relationships in nature is relaxing for me.
This bumblebee that seems to be hugging a coastal buckwheat (eriogonum latifolium) flower illustrates the essential role of pollinators in nature.
The beautiful petals of a flower exist to attract the bees or other pollinators needed for the plant to produce fertile seeds. Bees, of course, obtain essential nutrients from both nectar and pollen.
Recent decades have taught us much about interdependence in nature. Growing up in New York, I learned that my brother's hayfever was caused by brightly flowering goldenrod that grew wild near us. But the real culprit was, of course, the ragweed that grew in the same places at the same time. Ragweed's nondescript, green flowers drew little attention to it. Ragweed does not need to draw attention from pollinators, because it is wind-pollinated. It is said that a single ragweed plant may produce about a billion grains of pollen per season.
Photo taken in Santa Cruz, California
All plants provide ecological and the enviroments benefits. They filter the air, taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. They play a crucial role in the cycle of the region for all living things in the life of plants as well as animals.
“The Eye Moment photos by Nolan H. Rhodes”
Theeyeofthemoment21@gmail.com
www.flickr.com/photos/the_eye_of_the_moment
“Any users, found to replicate, reproduce, circulate, distribute, download, manipulate or otherwise use my images without my written consent will be in breach of copyright laws.”
Tree along the Manuels River trail in Manuels, Newfoundland.
Her roots lay exposed to the world; yet they provide strength to the land around her.
As photographers we are lucky to have many tools at our disposal to help us create the images we desire. These tools include a variety of cameras, lens, and editing software to choose from. We also have an endless number of workshops, tutorials and guides filled with information to help push us further in our craft. There is one tool though that I feel is key. One that money cannot buy and one that is very hard to teach…and that is the ability to pre-visualize a shot. No matter what camera gear we have or what software knowledge we have I think it is vital that one has the ability to see their shot before even taking a picture…before even looking through the viewfinder.
I have walked by this tree along the Manuels River trail many times and have always been amazed at its exposed roots. It has a creepy almost scary feel to it yet a sense of beauty. For months now I have pre-visualized an image of this tree and I decided to finally make this image come to light.
Photographing this tree from only a foot off the ground helped create a much different scene then looking at it from a standing position. I wanted to place emphasis on the roots and use them as a leading line. I spent two mornings trying to capture the image I wanted and on this foggy morning it all finally came together.
This image was also a personal challenge for me to push my creative abilities and skills with the camera. At such a low perspective and close proximity of the roots I had to use a technique called focus stacking which meant I ended up taking 7 different images at F8 and manually focusing from front to back working my way up the tree to capture all the elements in focus. Even if I had shot this at F22 I would not have been able to have everything in perfect focus from front to back.
Being able to pre-visualize an image in your mind of a photo you want to create is such an important skill to have. It gives you a clear guide on what you want to shoot and how you want to shoot it. It also gives you the ability to see a scene differently than others and see the potential in it while others my just walk past it.
**Feel free to comment, like and share with all your nature loving friends**
Infrared images from Juno provide the first glimpse of Ganymede's icy north pole.
On its way inbound for a Dec. 26, 2019, flyby of Jupiter, NASA's Juno spacecraft flew in the proximity of the north pole of the ninth-largest object in the solar system, the moon Ganymede. The infrared imagery collected by the spacecraft's Jovian Infrared Auroral Mapper (JIRAM) instrument provides the first infrared mapping of the massive moon's northern frontier.
The only moon in the solar system that is larger than the planet Mercury, Ganymede consists primarily of water ice. Its composition contains fundamental clues for understanding the evolution of the 79 Jovian moons from the time of their formation to today.
Ganymede is also the only moon in the solar system with its own magnetic field. On Earth, the magnetic field provides a pathway for plasma (charged particles from the Sun) to enter our atmosphere and create aurora. As Ganymede has no atmosphere to impede their progress, the surface at its poles is constantly being bombarded by plasma from Jupiter's gigantic magnetosphere. The bombardment has a dramatic effect on Ganymede's ice.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/ASI/INAF/JIRAM
Delivery run of brand new LUL tube stock, as this stage moved by Railadventure. The wagons next to the loco provide brakeforce.
From the Washington Trails Association:
The furthest northwest tip of the contiguous United State, Cape Flattery provides a dramatic backdrop to a surprisingly accessible hike. It's managed by the Makah Tribe, who provide permits for parking here at Washburn's General Store, The Makah Museum, and many other locations in Neah Bay. As you drive through on the way to the trailhead, be sure to purchase yours -- they're good for the year, and you can also use it for Shi Shi Beach.
From the trailhead, depart down a wide, graveled trail into open forest. Heading gently downhill, the trail narrows down to boardwalk, keeping hikers out of the worst of the mud before transitioning to rooty tread. Signs along the way encourage you to stay on the trail; please honor these. This area sees enough traffic that a spur trail can quickly impact the area in a bad way. Preserve your future visits here by remaining on trail during this visit.
Eventually, the trail returns to boardwalk, carrying you over a boggy sections as the wind intensifies. You're approaching the point. Three turnoffs exist that allow you to see views from all sides of the point. The first branches off to the left, to a viewing platform that allows you to peer down the sheer south side of the point. The second, a few hundred feet further down the trail, is a two-layered affair, where you can enjoy an expansive view north from the upper deck, and a more intimate view of the sea caves below from the lower layer.
The third and last is, appropriately, the piece-de-resistance: a viewing platform accessed via a very steep but short stepladder. Straight ahead is Tatoosh Island. A lonely lighthouse sits on the island, which is constantly buffeted by waves and wind. To the north, it's the rocks of Cape Flattery reef, while to the south it's Kessiso Rocks. Birds wing in the breeze, and the seas around here teem with life.
The constant pounding surf and the meeting of water with land here provides an ideal place for animals of all sorts to feed. As you gaze out on the Pacific, look for seagulls, cormorants, shorebirds of many other sorts, and marine animals like whales or otters playing in the surf.
When you've had your fill, return the way you came.
The Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) family of vehicles provides Soldiers with highly survivable multimission platforms capable of mitigating improvised explosive devices, rocket-propelled grenades, explosively formed penetrators, underbody mines and small arms fire threats which produce the greatest number of casualties in Overseas Contingency Operations.
The Army MRAP enduring fleet is comprised of two primary vehicle platforms, the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) and the MaxxPro Family of Vehicles. This versatile family of vehicles performs the mission roles of Armored Personnel Carrier, Weapons Carrier, Convoy Protection Platform, Key Leader Vehicle, Command Post and Armored Ambulance.
MRAP's also provide light forces with protected mobility and mounted firepower to perform Wide Area Security while countering threats employing asymmetric tactics. They provide a rapid motorization capability for Brigade Combat Teams as the mission transitions from decisive operations to stability, or perform rear-area security during decisive operations.
--Specification--
‧ Key components (transmissions, engines, etc.) vary between vehicles, consisting of common commercial and military parts
‧ Combat weight (fully loaded without add-on armor): 34,000-48,000 pounds
‧ Payloads: In the 4,000-pound range
‧ Engine: 370-375 horsepower
‧ Operational range: 300-370 miles
This photo was taken in 2013 during my previous Project 365…please visit my album for this “REMASTERED” Project 365 as I revisit each day of 2013 for additional photos to share!!
Three bracketed photos were taken with a handheld Nikon D7200 and combined with Photomatix Pro to create this HDR image. Additional adjustments were made in Photoshop CS6.
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11
The best way to view my photostream is through Flickriver with the following link: www.flickriver.com/photos/photojourney57/
The Afsluitdijk provides a road link between the provinces of Friesland and North Holland. Since North Holland was part of Vesting Holland ("Fortress Holland"), the national redoubt of the Netherlands at the time, and control of the sluices in the Afsluitdijk was necessary for planned defensive inundations in case of a military invasion, Kornwerderzand was considered strategically important by the Dutch government. From 1931 onwards, fortifications consisting of seventeen casemates and three bunkers were constructed. The position was manned with approximately 220 troops in 1939.
During the German invasion of the Netherlands in World War II, the Kornwerderzand position was defended by Dutch troops. On May 13 and May 14, 1940, the fortifications were attacked by the German first Cavalry Division, while the Luftwaffe attacked supporting Dutch naval units. The German troops, initially lacking support by heavy artillery, were unable to take the position. The fortifications also withstood attacks by dive bombers. The next day the Dutch military in the Netherlands (except for the province of Zealand) surrendered, and the battle ended with the surrender of the position.
In 1943, the occupying German military improved the defenses by building three additional bunkers.
Nowadays, some of the fortifications can be visited as part of the Kazemattenmuseum ("casemate museum").
A dramatic Chandra image from 2008 of the nearby galaxy Centaurus A provides one of the best views to date of the effects of an active supermassive black hole. Opposing jets of high-energy particles can be seen extending to the outer reaches of the galaxy, and numerous smaller black holes in binary star systems are also visible.
The image was made from an ultra-deep look at the galaxy Centaurus A, equivalent to more than seven days of continuous observations. Centaurus A is the nearest galaxy to Earth that contains a supermassive black hole actively powering a jet.
A prominent X-ray jet extending for 13,000 light years points to the upper left in the image, with a shorter "counterjet" aimed in the opposite direction. Astronomers think that such jets are important vehicles for transporting energy from the black hole to the much larger dimensions of a galaxy, and affecting the rate at which stars form there.
High-energy electrons spiraling around magnetic field lines produce the X-ray emission from the jet and counterjet. This emission quickly saps the energy from the electrons, so they must be continually reaccelerated or the X-rays will fade out. Knot-like features in the jets detected in the Chandra image show where the acceleration of particles to high energies is currently occurring, and provides important clues to understanding the process that accelerates the electrons to near-light speeds.
This year, NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory celebrates its 20th year in space exploring the extreme universe.
Credit: NASA/CXC/CfA/R.Kraft et al
Montezuma National Wildlife refuge provides resting, feeding, and nesting habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds. Montezuma is situated in the middle of one of the most active flight lanes in the Atlantic Flyway.
Two hundred forty-two species of birds, 43 species of mammals, 15 species of reptiles, and 16 species of amphibians can be found on the refuge for at least part of the year. The wide array of wildlife can be credited to the varied habitat types found there, from marsh to forest, shrub- and grassland.
www.flickr.com/photos/shankargallery/sets/72157603265917514
Dec 26, 2006 Calligraphy by Richard Lazzara
A bamboo photo blind provides semi-hidden viewing and photographing of wildlife surrounding a wetlands meadow and erstwhile 'beaver pond.'
Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve
DeKalb County (Medlock Park), Georgia, USA.
15 December 2019.
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▶ The reverse view: here.
▶ A more expansive view of the (mostly dry) meadow: here.
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▶ Photo by Yours For Good Fermentables.com.
▶ For a larger image, type 'L' (without the quotation marks).
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▶ Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M10 II.
— Lens: Olympus M.14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II R.
— Focal length: 12 mm
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— Olympus WCON-P-01 Wide Converter (12 mm focal length)
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Since we have had a week of rain I had to dig in to last months camping pics!!
We all love photography judges who give us first place, but when our photos slide past unnoticed, well, the judges are simply Philistines. Can't they recognise our brilliance!
There is a part of me that would prefer not to judge photography competitions because all I can offer is a subjective opinion. And often I am asked to provide a comment or suggestion as to how a photograph could be improved or strengthened. Essentially I am being asked how I would have photographed or presented the image to get a higher score. Should I be doing this?
Recently, I listened to judges discuss one of my prints which had a grainy, black and white finish. One said that he didn't know why I had applied the finish as it wasn't something he would have done – and maybe it would be better without the finish.
This set me thinking: does this judge mean that unless I create photographs the way he does, he won't give me a high score? And if this judge doesn't like grainy black and whites, does that mean he will never score such entries highly?
To be fair to the judge in question, he was trying to be helpful by making a suggestion as to how the image could be improved.
So let me give another example. I am not a big fan of HDR (High Dynamic Range) photographs, but I gave an HDR photograph first place in a competition not so long ago. Personally, subjectively, I didn't like the photograph much, but as an example of its kind, it was superlative.
I think that from time to time, judges have to step aside from their biases and judge the photograph as an example of its kind. Perhaps the judge looking at my photo should have assessed it on the basis that the entrant chose to submit a grainy black and white print: was this a good or bad example of its kind?
So, what's different when I'm critiquing a photograph that I think could be improved? For instance, I find a white sky incredibly distracting, so I suggest that the photographer could have found a different camera angle, crop the image, or somehow darken down the sky to improve it. What's the difference between this advice and suggesting that a photograph would be better if it wasn't a grainy black and white?
Context.
In the first situation, the judge seemed to acknowledge that the underlying technique was good, it was the final finish he didn't like. He didn't say the finish was over done or poorly handled, just that it wasn't necessary. So perhaps he didn't judge what had been presented, rather he judged what hadn't been presented.
In the second situation, the base photograph with the bright sky was not communicating correctly and a different approach was required. (In my opinion, I know.)
The difference is subtle and it's not always possible for a judge to know if an entrant is investigating a genre of photography or just doesn't know any better. That's the problem with judges – and for judges. Often we just don't know.
So while a part of me doesn't like judging, on the other hand it's something I greatly enjoy. I love being exposed to different styles of work and new ideas. It is incredibly inspirational and so are photo competitions. Of course, you probably don't expect me to say anything different. Our inaugural International Landscape Photographer of the Year Award has had around 2000 entries, but if you missed out, we'll be announcing our annual Better Photography Photograph of the Year Award later this month!
So, the problem with judges is what?
Visit www.betterphotography.com to decide which works the best? The photo with or the one without stars?
Our local beach provides a wealth of shooting possibilities.
I was going for some long exposures and am in the habit of checking the exposure with a 'straight' exposure first. As it happened I liked the result without the long exposure. The greenery is only visible for half an hour or so, before the tide covers it all. The polariser is really strong and makes a blue sky really dark at the top. I don't know what you think but any thoughts would be welcome. I feel the need for a polariser to give the foreground a purer colour and more contrast to the sky. Can't remember the 2 filters used. I think a 0.6 H and a 0.6 soft.
Exposure: 0.25 sec (1/4)
Aperture: f/18.0
Focal Length: 11 mm
ISO Speed: 100
The moor of Lostmarc’h on the Crozon Peninsula provides some breathtaking landscapes and seascapes. When I took this photo, it was a very dark, damp and desolate end of afternoon in December, and I didn't have much hope as I walked the moor towards the lone standing stone that remains of the alignment that once stood there, millennia ago.
I was quite alone, as the weather was truly miserable, but suddenly, a miraculous swath of sunlight cut through the thick clouds and shone over the ocean in the bay, providing a very nice background. I quickly set up an off–camera cobra flash on the ground to provide some fill–in light on the stone face, and took the shot.
Thirty seconds thereafter, as on a well–set timer, the clouds closed in again and the light was gone. It began to rain (again), and I could but walk back to the car.
This is a recent black-and-white interpretation of the original photo. I will also, some day, upload the color one taken in December 2018.