View allAll Photos Tagged Tropical_Tree
This is a tropical tree macro shot taken in Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
Macro de árvore tropical.
Este é um macro shot de árvore tropical registrado em Santos, São Paulo, Brasil.
Cannon ball tree .நாகலிங்க மரம்
This large deciduous tropical tree, 75' tall and indigenous to the Amazon rainforest, is listed as a rare tree and flower in India. The leaves, up to 6" long, are simple with serrate margin; it flowers in racemes which is cauliflorus; the yellow, reddish and pink flowers are stunning fragrant. These are 3" to 5" waxy aromatic smelling, pink and dark-red flowers growing directly on the bark of the trunk. Cannon ball flowers are considered of special significance in Buddhist culture in Sri Lanka. In Tamil Nadu, it is called Nagalingam flower. The sivalingam shape is visible at the center of the flower and snake shaped pollen is the specialty of this flower and it has very good fragrance. This rare flower can be used for Shiva Pooja -Flowers of India
View On Black And View Large.
You mob overseas get snow and cold at Xmas, we get heat and humidity, But we do get all of wonderful tropical trees in full flower :)
Such as elegant presentation... vibrant red filaments spring outward tipped in golden pollen. Fuzzy leaves hang in delicate counter balance below.
Lemon bottlebrush is a small tree or large shrub that gets 6-12 ft (2-4 m) tall and 6-9 ft (2-3 m) wide. The leaves are narrow, lance shaped, and leathery, with a distinctly citrus aroma. The bright red fuzzy looking flowers are composed mostly of stamens. These are arranged radially around the stem tips in plump clusters like the bristles on one of those brushes used to clean the inside of bottles. Lemon bottlebrush blooms in early spring when it covers itself in the bright red blossoms and a few flower clusters are also produced throughout the summer.
Callistemon citrinus, Lemon Bottlebrush, Crimson Bottlebrush
Myrtaceae (Myrtle Family)
I shot this tropical tree on the beach in Santos, Brazil.
Um coqueiro ao sol tropical.
Eu fotografei esta árvore tropical na praia em Santos, Brasil.
Photographed at Zealandia, Karori Sanctuary.
New Zealand Pigeon (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) is a bird endemic to New Zealand. Māori call it Kererū in most of the country but kūkupa and kūkū in some parts of the North Island, particularly in Northland. New Zealand pigeons are commonly called wood pigeons but are not the same as the Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus) which is a member of a different genus.
The kererū belongs to the family Columbidae, and the subfamily Treroninae, which is found throughout Southeast Asia, Malaya, Africa and New Zealand. The members of this subfamily feed largely on fruits, mainly drupes. New Zealand Pigeons are members of the pigeon genus Hemiphaga (Bonaparte, 1854), which is endemic to the New Zealand archipelago and Norfolk Island. However recently a Hemiphaga bone was found on Raoul Island. The Parea or Chatham Island Pigeon (Hemiphaga chathamensis) is traditionally considered a subspecies of the Kererū, but is here treated as a separate species.
The New Zealand Pigeon is a large (550 to 850 g) arboreal fruit-pigeon found in forests from Northland to Stewart Island/Rakiura, ranging in habitats from coastal to montane. The general morphology is that of a typical pigeon, in that it has a relatively small head, a straight soft-based bill and loosely attached feathers. It also displays typical pigeon behaviour, which includes drinking by suction, a wing-threat display, hitting with the wing when threatened, a diving display flight, a ‘bowing’ display, ritualised preening and ‘billing’ during courtship. New Zealand Pigeons build flimsy, shallow, twiggy nests and feed crop milk to hatchlings.
The New Zealand Pigeon grows to some 51 cm (20 inches) in length and 650 g in weight. The head, throat and wings are generally a shiny green-purple colour, but with a bronze tinge to the feathers. The breast is typically white and the bill red with an orange-ish tip. The feet and eyes are red. Juveniles have a similar colouration but are generally paler with dull colours for the beak, eyes and feet and a shorter tail.
The New Zealand Pigeons make occasional soft coo sounds (hence the onomatopoeic names), and their wings make a very distinctive "whooshing" sound as they fly. The bird's flight is also very distinctive. Birds will often ascend slowly before making impressively steep parabolic dives; it is thought that this behaviour is often associated with nesting, or nest failure
The New Zealand Pigeons are commonly regarded as frugivorous, primarily eating fruits from native trees. They play an important ecological role, as they are the only birds capable of eating the largest native fruits and drupes (those with smallest diameter greater than 1 cm), such as those of the taraire, and thus spreading the seeds intact. While fruit comprises the major part of their diets, the New Zealand Pigeon also browses on leaves and buds, especially nitrogen rich foliage during breeding. One of their favorite leaves to eat is from an introduced plant, the common plum tree. The diet changes seasonally as the availability of fruit changes, and leaves can comprise the major part of the diet at certain times of the year, such as when there is little fruit around.
Breeding generally depends on the occurrence of ripe fruit, which varies seasonally, annually (good years and bad years), and by location. New Zealand Pigeons, like other frugivorous pigeons, feed on many species with tropical affinities, including the Lauraceae and Arecaceae but live in the temperate forest of New Zealand and also feed on podocarp species, thought to be elements of Gondwana, such as miro (Prumnopitys ferruginea) and Kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides).[10][11][13][12] The more tropical tree species are restricted to the warmer northern half of the North Island, and in these regions pigeons can nest all year round, except when moulting between March and May, provided enough fruit is available. Further south many tropical tree species are missing and in these areas breeding usually occurs between October (early spring) and April (late summer/early autumn), again depending on fruit availability.
New Zealand Pigeons nest in trees, laying a single egg, in a flimsy nest constructed of a few twigs thrown together. The egg is incubated for 28 days. The young bird then takes another 36 days to fledge. In seasons of plentiful fruit the pigeons can successfully nest up to four times.
The population of the New Zealand Pigeon declined considerably after the arrival of humans in New Zealand, and this trend continues, especially in the North Island, but is still relatively common in the west of the South Island and in coastal Otago. They are commonly found in native forests (lowlands in particular), scrub, rural and city gardens and parks.
The introduced Australian common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and introduced species of rats — mainly the ship or black rat (Rattus rattus) but also the kiore or Polynesian rat (Rattus exulans) and brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) — have significantly reduced the amount of fruit available for pigeons and other native birds and also prey on eggs and nestlings.
Pigeon populations are under also threat from hunting, habitat degradation and poor reproductive success. Pigeons were very numerous until about the 1860s and large flocks used to congregate in fruiting trees to feed. Restrictions on the shooting of pigeons were enacted as early as 1864, with total protection since 1921, although the enforcement against hunting was not consistent. Some Māori protested, claiming a traditional right to hunt the pigeon.
Chocolate, what could be better than chocolate for Valentine's day?
This large fruit is from a chocolate tree at Phipps Conservatory. One of the few living/breathing cocoa trees in North America.
Well here is the source of the chocolate, One Amazing Chocolate Tree!
In the Fern Room at Phipps Conservatory stands one of the few Chocolate Trees to be found in the Continental United States of America. Most Chocolate Trees grow in tropical climates, and Phipps has one of the few found in our temperate climate.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a complex of buildings and grounds set in Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (near the Carnegie Museums in Oakland).
"Chocolate trees grow in areas close to the equator in South America and Africa, so unless you have a sophisticated greenhouse, forget about trying to grow one in your backyard. But you can come visit the Phipps' tree, which is more than 50 years old, and then head out for chocolate cake if it tickles a craving."
Try some Rossini String sonata for the holiday:
Click on this image to see the yellow "stitching" that surrounds the forming seeds. Amazing! Such design.
Schefflera trees grow rapidly here in South Florida... from house-plant size to giant trees with huge umbrella-like leaves, in only a few years.
Once mature, they produce huge seed sprays which are usually 20 or 30 feet in the air. Today we had a violent wind and rain storm and one of the seed sprays broke off and fell to the ground. So I got a very close look at these brilliant red seeds... and their surrounding bright yellow dotted lines!
These seeds are favorites of the flocks of wild green parrots that scream through our neighborhood. Then suddenly and silently land in a tree. Hundreds disappear in an instant... camouflaged so they can safely feast on these glorious red seeds.
See my set, Luscious Leaves, Fruits and Seeds.
Schefflera actinophylla
www.susanfordcollins.comSchefflera
Biscayne Park FL
Our 5 year old Datura OR Brugmansia aurea spends winters in Michigan "sleeping" in our entrance hall, which we do not heat so that the young tree can take the winter off. For the the past two years its bloom cycle has been late so this fall it did not open its 30 blooms until November.....way too late to leave it outdoors. I can assure you that if you have allergies to pollen this is not a good thing! However it is soo beautiful we are enjoying it through itchy eyes, ruuny noses and coughs!!!!!
Brugmansia aurea
Our angels trumpet was so behind itself this year that it didnt set buds until mid October ......not a good thing if you are a tropical tree in Michigan! This plant winters in a cool hallway near the front door for a long winters nap. We brought it inside several weeks ago thinking we would miss the dozen plus blooms it was promising. Tonight on November 16th the final flower opened releasing its sweet scent through the house. Next spring will be its fourth with us.
FAMILY: Solanaceae (Nightshade)
GENUS: Brugmansia
SPECIES: Aurea
COMMON NAMES: Borrachero, Datura, Floripondio, Golden Angel’s Trumpet, Golden Tree Datura, Goldene Baumdatura, Guantu, Huacacachu, Huanto, Maicoa, Toe, Tonga, Yellow Tree Datura
Brugmansia Aurea is a perennial woody shrub-like tree, native to the highlands of South America. It can grow up to 30 feet (9 meters ) tall, with long thin oval shaped leaves which can grow up to 16 inches (40 cm) long and 6 inches (15 cm) wide. The flowers are up to 9 inches (23 cm) long, narrow and trumpet shaped, and range in color from white to golden yellow. They are especially noted for their strong aromatic fragrance and large dark brown to black seeds.
Golden Angel’s Trumpet is native to the highland areas around the Andes mountain range in South America. It is very well known throughout southern Columbia, Ecuador and Peru. It has also been transplanted throughout Mexico and Central America, and it is frequently confused with Datura.
The plant’s stems, flowers, leaves and seed are known to contain large quantities of tropane alkaloids. Recent research has shown that the main active compound in this plant is Scopolamine, it also contains aposcopolamine, atropine, hyoscyamine, meteloidine, and norscopolamine. All of these compounds may be illegal in most parts of the world when extracted from their naturally occurring sources.
Brugmansia are large shrubs or small trees, reaching heights of 3–11 m, with tan, slightly rough bark.
The leaves are alternate, generally large, 10–30 cm long and 4–18 cm broad, with an entire or coarsely toothed margin, and are covered with fine hairs.
The name Angel's Trumpet refers to the large, very dramatic, pendulous trumpet-shaped flowers, 14–50 cm to 20 inches long and 10–35 cm across at the wide end. They are white, yellow, pink, orange or red, and have a delicate, attractive scent with light, lemony overtones, most noticeable in early evening. Flowers may be single or double.
[edit] Toxicity
All parts of Brugmansia plants contain dangerous levels of poison and may be fatal if ingested by humans or animals, including livestock and pets. Contact with the eyes can cause pupil diliation (mydriasis) or unequal pupil size (anisocoria).[3] Some municipalities prohibit the purchase, sale, or
Bombax is a genus of mainly tropical trees in the mallow family. They are native to western Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and the subtropical regions of East Asia and northern Australia. It is distinguished from the genus Ceiba, which has whiter flowers.
Common names for the genus include silk cotton tree, simal, red cotton tree, kapok, and simply bombax. In Chinese they are known as Mumian (Chinese: 木棉; pinyin: mùmián), meaning "tree cotton". Currently four species are recognised, although many plants have been placed in the genus that were later moved.[2]
The genus is best known for the species B. ceiba, which is widely cultivated throughout tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. It is native to southern and eastern Asia and northern Australia.
Bombax species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the leaf-miner Bucculatrix crateracma which feeds exclusively on Bombax ceiba.
The tree appears on the flag of Equatorial Guinea.
Description:
Bombax species are among the largest trees in their regions, reaching 30 to 40 metres in height and up to three metres in trunk diameter. The leaves are compound with entire margins and deciduous, being shed in the dry-season. They measure 30 to 50 cm across and are palmate in shape with five to nine leaflets. The calyx is deciduous, meaning it does not persist on the fruits. They bear five to ten cm long red flowers between January and March while the tree is still leafless. The stamens are present in bundles in two whorls, while the staminal column lacks lobes. The ovary matures into a husk containing seeds covered by a fibre similar to that of the kapok (Ceiba pentandra) and to cotton, though with shorter fibres than cotton, that does not lend itself to spinning, making it unusable as a textile product.
Palm Avenue Pan Pac Int. Exposition, San Francisco, 1915
Description on back of the postcard:
Palm Avenue, Panama - Pacific International Exposition, San Francisco, February 20 to December 4, 1915.
One of the marvels of the Exposition is the transformation that has been made on the grounds under the direction of John McLaren, the frostless climate of San Francisco enabling plants and shrubbery and semi-tropical trees to attain the highest perfection.
Published by Pacific Novelty Co. San Francisco
There is also the address and information of the Tivoli Cafe printed in the message space. Perhaps this was given to visitors attending the exposition as advertisement.
Postcard from my collection.
If anyone happens to notice an incorrect ID for any of the photos I took on this trip, please do let me know! Everything was a lifer for me and I'd never even heard of most of the birds we saw.
This photo was taken on the grounds of the Blue Water's Inn, on the island of Tobago. The Flame tree flowers make such a glorious splash of colour in the rain forest, and we saw them on both Trinidad and Tobago. When I was Googling this tree species, I realized that the huge seedpod I posted the other day belonged to the Flame tree.
"The flame tree, also known as royal poinciana or flamboyant, is a member of the bean family (Leguminosae) and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful tropical trees in the world. This aptly named tree produces striking flame-like scarlet and yellow flowers in spring before the leaves emerge. As the trees mature, they develop broad umbrella-shaped crowns, and are often planted for their shade-giving properties. The delicate, fern-like leaves are composed of small individual leaflets, which fold up at the onset of dusk. This tree produces brown, woody seed pods that reach lengths of up to 60 cm; they turn reddish-brown to almost black when ripe." From Arkive.
www.arkive.org/flame-tree/delonix-regia/
Bear with me, everyone, as I think I am going to have to post 5 photos (I posted 6 the first two days) from my trip each day, otherwise it will take me many months (years?) to get them on to Flickr. Obviously, no comments expected, unless you happen to like one photo in particular. Actually, I am so disappointed with my photos - never have so many photos come out blurry, many totally blurry and no use at all. I'm not sure why, though the light was often really bad and maybe the humidity had some effect. For some species, I will be posting awful shots, just for the record.
It will take me forever to do much of a write-up about this trip, but I hope to add an extra bit of information about each photo to the very simple, basic description. Right now, I'm not quite sure where I was and when, lol! We arrived back in Calgary on 21 March 2017, and I have to get myself somewhat organized and should be seeing to all sorts of important things. Instead, of course, I have been stuck in front of my computer all day, each day : ) Totally dead beat after such a busy time away, dealing with extremely early mornings and hot, humid weather. Those of you who know me well, know that I am a dreadful night-owl, so getting up around 5:15 am was an absolute killer. Also, heat and humidity don't agree with my body, so each trip out was quite exhausting. In the morning of 21 March, we had to get up around 2:00 am, as we had such an early flight (5 and a half hours) from Trinidad to Toronto - followed by a four-hour flight back to Calgary. On our very first day, we had three flights in a row, as we flew from Calgary to Toronto, then Toronto to Port of Spain on Trinidad, from where we had a short flight to the island of Tobago.
This adventure was only the second holiday of any kind, anywhere, that I have had in something like 30 or 35 years! The other holiday was a one-week holiday with my great friends from England, Linda and Tony, when we went down south to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons in September 2012. I have had maybe half a dozen weekends away, including to Waterton National Park, which have helped keep me going.
Six birding/photographer friends and I decided that we would take this exciting trip together (from 12-21 March 2017), spending the first two or three days on the island of Tobago and then the rest of the time at the Asa Wright Nature Centre on the nearby, much larger island of Trinidad. We decided to take a complete package, so everything was included - flights (we were so very lucky to get Black Friday prices, which were 50% off!), accommodation at both places, all our food, and the various walks and day trips that we could chose from. Two of my friends, Anne B. and Brenda, saw to all the planning of flights and accommodations, which was so very much appreciated by the rest of us. I could never have done all this myself!
What a time we had, seeing so many beautiful and interesting things - and, of course, everything was a lifer for me. Some of these friends had visited Costa Rica before, so were familiar with quite a few of the birds. There was a lot more to see on Trinidad, so we were glad that we chose Tobago to visit first and then spend a longer time at Asa Wright. It was wonderful to be right by the sea, though, at the Blue Waters Inn on the island of Tobago.
The Asa Wright Nature Centre, on the much larger island of Trinidad, is such an amazing place! We stayed in cabins up or down hill from the main building. Really, one doesn't need to travel away from the Centre for birding, as so many different species visit the Hummingbird feeders that are right by the huge, open veranda, and the trees of the rain forest high up a mountainous road. The drive up and down this narrow, twisting, pot-holed road was an adventure in itself! Never would I ever do this drive myself - we had a guide who drove us everywhere in a van/small bus. I had read many accounts of this road, lol! There was just enough room for two vehicles to squeeze past each other, and the honking of horns was almost continuous - either to warn any vehicle that might be coming fast around the next bend or as a sign that drivers knew each other. The drive along this road took just over an hour each way.
I'm already missing the great food that was provided every single day at Asa Wright and the Rum Punch that appeared each evening. I never drink at all, so I wasn't sure if I would even try the Punch - glad I did, though, as it was delicious and refreshing.
This Yellow Meranti (Richetia faguetiana) is the tallest tropical tree yet known, measured at 100.8m in height. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
*Copyright © 2010 Lélia Valduga, all rights reserved.
*Reprodução proibida. © Todos os direitos reservados.
*Imagem protegida pela Lei do Direito Autoral Nº 9.610 de 19/02/1998.
Macaco-aranha-preto (Ateles paniscus) é um mamífero primata da família Atelidae, a espécie mais conhecida do gênero Ateles. Durante uma fuga, os machos ficam na vanguarda protegendo os demais do bando. Em meio a confusão, quando os filhotes não acham as mães, agarram-se a qualquer adulto e são ajudados por eles, passado o perigo, o bando retorna a sua rotina com se nada houvesse acontecido.
O macaco-aranha, também nomeado como quatá (coatá), praticamente privado do polegar, tem uma capacidade descomunal com a cauda. A cauda funciona com a força e a agilidade dos outros membros, podendo ser considerada uma quinta mão.
O macaco aranha alimenta-se dos frutos das árvores tropicais. Alguns cientistas associam a sua dieta frugívora ao padrão "desinquieto" de seu comportamento contrastando-se com espécies que se alimentam de folhas feito o macaco-barrigudo (Lagothrix lagotricha).
Fonte: Wikipedia
..............................
Black spider monkey (Ateles paniscus) is a primate mammal family Atelidae, the best known species of the genus Ateles. During a flight, the males are at the forefront of protecting the rest of the gang. Amid the confusion, when the young mothers do not think, they cling to any adult and they are helped by them, the danger past, the band returns to his routine as if nothing had happened.
The spider monkey, also named as c (spider), practically deprived of the thumb, has a huge capacity with the tail. The tail works with strength and agility of the other members, can be considered a fifth hand.
The spider monkey eats the fruit of tropical trees. Some scientists associate their frugivorous diet to the standard "restless" in their behavior contrasting with species that feed on leaves made the woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagotricha).
the exotic tropical tree, rare in Brisbane;
this specimen is much better - beautiful spreading crown with lots of flowers, then it is in the nearby botanic garden (mnt Coot-Tha)
The tree is native to South America. It is widely grown, especially by indigenous Amazonians, for shade, food, timber, medicine, and production of the alcoholic beverage cachiri.
Brisbane
A flowering tropical tree and Royal Poinciana trees laded with their percussive seed pods grace the saddle between the fort and the lookout on Pigeon Island.
US Signal Station, 1941
Nearly two centuries after Rodney recognized its importance, Pigeon Island was again used as a strategic base, during World War II. This US Signal Station was built over Rodney’s existing mortar battery dating from 1780, and Pigeon Island served as a US naval communications signal station until 1947.
The inclined cable lift, to the east, was used to haul up diesel fuel to power the generators. The wireless and transmitter receiving mast was atop Fort Rodney.*
* Unknown author. 1975. "US Signal Station, 1941" Saint Lucia National Trust. HISTORIC SIGN 2018-03-11.
SLU_1166
Red-lored Parrot, mating pair (Amazona autumnal). When we stopped on the side of the road to see a Laughing falcon perched way on top of a pole, we saw a few other birds fly across the sky. After some very quick shots at 20fps and I managed to catch a parrot perched on the side of a tall tree. It wasn't until I looked closely at the shot on my camera that I saw there was a second one, inside a hole in the tree. A mating pair!
New article on Jamaican Tourism about "when to eat Ackee and when not to!" features this picture. nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2...
Ackee, related to Lychee and Longan fruit, was brought from West Africa to Jamaica before 1778 probably on a slave ship! Since then it has become a major feature of Caribbean cuisines. The common name is derived from the West African' Akye fufo'. The term Ackee originated from the Akan language. It is a member of the Sapindaceae or soapberry family. The scientific name, Blighia sapida, honors Captain William Bligh who brought the fruit from Jamaica to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England in 1793 and introduced it to science.
Ackee bears a pear-shape, multi-lobed fruit which has waxy red to yellow skin. When the Ackee fruit is ripe, it splits wide open. The edible part is the plump flesh, pale-to-buttery yellow in color, that clings to the lower part of the seed. This portion is called the aril. A shiny black seed sits on top of each aril. Only the aril is edible, and only after the fruit has "yawned open on the tree by itself." The seeds and rind contain high levels of toxins and SHOULD NOT BE EATEN, even when ripe.The seed and husk are always toxic. Ripe arils are boiled, usually in salt water or milk, then fried and eaten.
Ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica. Ackee and saltfish is the national dish. Like tofu, Ackee has a creamy texture and is relatively mild in flavor so does best when paired with strong ingredients like saltfish and peppers in Jamaica’s national dish. When it is paired with such flavors it becomes something worth talking about! But EATER BEWARE, the skin, unripe fruit and seeds of Ackee are highly toxic!
Ackee Poisoning...
When food is scarce and people eat unripe fruits, there are epidemics of hypoglycemia. Children sometimes eat unripe fruits problems are seen chiefly in pediatric departments. More than one family member may be affected if several people have eaten unripe fruit or if the water in which Ackee fruit has been cooked is re-used in the kitchen. The condition is well known in Jamaica and is sometimes called the "vomiting sickness of Jamaica".
There are also Cluster Figs, Ficus auriculata, in the background of this image. These tropical figs are edible but of poor quality. And, to the left, a spiny red Gac.
Ackee, Akee, Vegetable Brain, Akee Apple or Akee, Blighia sapida
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Miami, FL
Fruit and Spice Park, Miami, FL
The rambutan is a medium-sized tropical tree in the family Sapindaceae.
The fruit is a round to oval drupe 3–6 cm (rarely to 8 cm) tall and 3-4 cm broad, borne in a loose pendant cluster of 10-20 together. The leathery skin is reddish (rarely orange or yellow), and covered with fleshy pliable spines, hence the name rambutan, derived from the Malay word rambut which means hairs. The fruit flesh is translucent, whitish or very pale pink, with a sweet, mildly acidic flavour.
The single seed is glossy brown, 1–1.3 cm, with a white basal scar. The seed is soft and crunchy. They are mildly poisonous when raw, but may be cooked and eaten.
Oaxaca de Juarez, Mexico.
Called by the Hawaiians Nāhuku, this lava tube is found in the tropical tree fern forest not too far from the summit of Kilauea at an altitude of 3,900’. The official name of the cave is the Thurston Lava Tube, named after Lorrin Thurston, a local newspaper publisher. The 500 year old lave tube formed when a river of lava was flowing down the side of Kilauea. The top of the flow harden but the still molten lava was moving underneath this crust. When the source of the lava was cut off or the eruption ceased, the molten rock moved out downslope leaving an open space or lava tube.
Such lava tubes are common in basaltic flows and I have walked and crawled through them in Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California, Oregon and Iceland but this may be one of the most accessible i have visited and it has lights! There are many lava tubes like Nāhuku throughout the flows in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Ceiba pentandra is a tropical tree of the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae (previously separated in the family Bombacaceae), native to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, northern South America, and (as the variety C. pentandra var. guineensis) to tropical west Africa. Kapok is the most used common name for the tree and may also refer to the cotton-like fluff obtained from its seed pods. The tree is cultivated for the seed fibre, particularly in south-east Asia, and is also known as the Java cotton, Java kapok, silk-cotton, Samauma, or ceiba.
The so-called Templete, located on the Plaza de Armas in Havana, Cuba has been one of the most influential for the island from an architectural point of view. It was built in the year 1827, as part of a project by Captain General Francisco Dionisio Vives. What makes the building interesting is its neoclassic style, with six Doric columns imitating a Greek temple, alluding to the importance of Greco-Latin culture in the new continent. Every 16th of November, hundreds or thousands of Havana's residents flock to this monument to commemorate the founding of their city (this was the place where the foundation of the town of San Cristóbal de la Habana was celebrated in 1519). They walk three times around the ceiba, a tropical tree deemed sacred in Santeria (the Afrocuban religion that mixes African and Catholic beliefs), and they toss a coin into the air as they ask for a wish. The legend has it that your wish will come true before the end of the year.
Nothofagus moorei
Family : Nothofagaceae
Ancient Beech Trees Springbrook National Park. The little white spot in the middle of the centre one is a hole that went right through. Better to see up close as you can look right through it.
Border Ranges National Park (31,683 hectares), a World Heritage listed rainforest park on the rim of a vast and ancient volcano, adjoins Lamington National Park in Queensland. It stretches 85 kilometres from east to west. Together with the McPherson Ranges, the Springbrook Plateau and the Nightcap National Park, Border Ranges National Park forms part of the caldera of the Mount Warning shield volcano the largest caldera in the southern hemisphere.
Fruit bunch on naturalized tree of Jatropha curcas or "physic nut", a promising biofuel plant. Mount Whenje, Mozambique. Seeds of this tropical tree are rich in a non-edible oil used to process biodiesel.
The Postcard
A postally unused postcard that was published by H. L. Constance of San Diego California. The card was printed in the United States.
The card has a divided back on which the publishers have printed in the right-hand top corner:
"Place the stamp here.
One Cent for United States
and Island Possessions, Cuba,
Canada and Mexico.
Two Cents for Foreign."
The Hotel del Coronado
The Hotel del Coronado, also known as the Del, is a historic beachfront hotel in the city of Coronado, just across the San Diego Bay from San Diego, California.
It is one of the few surviving examples of an American architectural genre: the wooden Victorian beach resort. It is the second largest wooden structure in the United States (after the Tillamook Air Museum in Oregon) and was designated a California Historical Landmark in 1970.
When the hotel opened in 1888, it was the single largest resort hotel in the world. It has hosted presidents, royalty, and celebrities through the years. The hotel has been featured in numerous films and books.
The hotel received a Four Diamond rating from the American Automobile Association, and was once listed by USA Today as one of the top ten resorts in the world.
The San Diego Land Boom
In the mid-1880's, the San Diego region was in the midst of one of its first real estate booms. At that time, it was common for a developer to build a grand hotel as a draw for what would otherwise be a barren landscape.
The Hollywood Hotel in Hollywood, the Raymond Hotel in Pasadena, the Hotel Del Monte in Monterey, and the Hotel Redondo in Redondo Beach were similar grand hotels built as development enticements during this era.
The Coronado Beach Company
In November 1885, a group of five investors bought Coronado and North Island, about 4,000 acres, for $110,000. They were E. S. Babcock, retired railroad executive from Evansville, Indiana; Hampton L. Story, of the Story & Clark Piano Company of Chicago; Jacob Gruendike, president of the First National Bank of San Diego; Heber Ingle; and Joseph Collett.
In April 1886, Babcock and Story created the Coronado Beach Company, then additional enterprises to support the development of Coronado. The Coronado Ferry Company built wharves and storage facilities, and developed a ferryboat service between Coronado and San Diego.
The Coronado Water Company piped fresh water under San Diego Bay from the San Diego River; The Coronado Railroad Company provided rail lines in Coronado, and eventually a "Belt Line" connected Coronado to San Diego via the Strand.
Hotel del Coronado boasted one of the largest electrical power plants in the state, providing service to the entire community of Coronado until the 1920's.
The men hired architect James W. Reid, a native of New Brunswick, Canada. His brother Watson Reid helped supervise the 2,000 laborers needed for the project.
Babcock's Visions for the Del
Babcock's visions for the hotel were grand:
"It will be built around a court... a garden of tropical
trees, shrubs and flowers,... From the south end, the
foyer should open to Glorietta Bay with verandas for
rest and promenade.
On the ocean corner, there should be a pavilion tower,
and northward along the ocean, a colonnade, terraced
in grass to the beach.
The dining wing should project at an angle from the
southeast corner of the court and be almost detached,
to give full value to the view of the ocean, bay and city."
Construction of the Del
One of the numerous problems to overcome was the absence of lumber and labor in the San Diego area. The lumber problem was solved with contracts for exclusive rights to all raw lumber production of the Dolbeer & Carson Lumber Company of Eureka, California, which was one of the West's largest.
Planing mills were built on site to finish raw lumber shipped directly from the Dolbeer & Carson lumber yards, located on the shores of Humboldt Bay.
To obtain brick and concrete, Reid built his own kilns. He also constructed a metal shop and iron works.
Construction of the hotel began in March 1887:
"On a sandspit populated by
jack rabbits and coyotes".
Labor was provided largely by Chinese immigrants from San Francisco and Oakland.
The Crown Room was Reid's masterpiece. Its wooden ceiling was installed with pegs and glue. Not a single nail was used.
Landscaping for the hotel was completed by Kate Sessions.
Planning for Fire Hazards
Reid's plans were revised and added to constantly. To deal with fire hazards, a freshwater pipeline was run under San Diego Bay. Water tanks and gravity flow sprinklers were installed.
He also built two giant cisterns with concrete walls a foot thick in the basement to store rainwater. Although these cisterns were never used for rainwater, they were reputedly very handy for storing alcoholic beverages during Prohibition.
Reid also installed the world's first oil furnace in the new hotel, prompting a Los Angeles oil company to build tankers to carry the oil to Coronado. Electric lighting was also a world first for a hotel. The electric wires were installed inside the gas lines, so if the electricity didn't work, they could use gas to illuminate the rooms.
Contrary to popular rumor, Thomas Edison was not involved in the installation of The Del's electrical system. The electricity was installed by the Mather Electric Company out of Chicago. An early Del brochure touted its:
"Mather incandescent electric
lamps, of which there are 2,500."
In 1904, the Hotel del Coronado introduced the world's first electrically lighted, outdoor living Christmas tree. The San Diego Union reported on the 25th. December 1904:
"The tree selected for the honor is one of the
three splendid Norfolk Island pines on the plaza
(grassy area in front of the hotel).
It has attained a height of fifty feet, and its branches
stand proudly forth. All day yesterday electricians
were busy fitting it up, and by night 250 lights of
many colors gave beauty to the fine old pine.
Lanterns, great and small, hung from its boughs.
And now that an open-air Christmas tree has been
introduced, it is likely that another Christmas Eve
will find many California gardens aglow with light
scattered from living foliage."
Real Estate Bust and Royal Patronage
When the 399-room hotel opened for business in February 1888, 1,440 San Diegans traveled across the bay. Reports of the new grand hotel were wired across the country, but just as the hotel was nearing completion, the Southern California land boom collapsed.
Babcock and Story needed additional funds at a time when many people were deserting San Diego. Babcock turned to Captain Charles T. Hinde and sugar magnate John D. Spreckels, who lent them $100,000 to finish the hotel. The Coronado Beach Company was then capitalized with three million United States dollars. By 1890 Spreckels had bought out both Babcock and Story. The Spreckels family retained ownership of the hotel until 1948.
On the 7th. April 1920, Edward, Prince of Wales was honored with a grand banquet in the Crown Room. Despite speculation that he met his future wife and Coronado resident Wallis Spencer there, most historians believe they met later; Edward and Wallis wrote in their memoirs that they met much later.
The original grounds had many amenities, including an Olympic-sized salt water pool, tennis courts, and a yacht club with architecture resembling the hotel's grand tower.
A Japanese tea garden, an ostrich farm, billiards, bowling alleys, hunting expeditions, and deep sea fishing were some of the many features offered to its guests.
Hollywood's Playground
The popularity of the hotel was well established by the 1920's. It already had hosted Presidents Harrison, McKinley, Taft, and Wilson. By the 1920's, Hollywood's stars and starlets discovered that the Del was the 'in place' to stay, and many celebrities made their way south to party during the 1920's and 1930's, specifically during the era of Prohibition.
Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, Rudolph Valentino, Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, Mae West, Joan Crawford, Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis and Ginger Rogers were a few of the many stars who stayed at the hotel.
On New Year's Day 1937, during the Great Depression, the gambling ship SS Monte Carlo, known for "drinks, dice, and dolls", was shipwrecked on the beach about a quarter mile south of the Hotel del Coronado.
The Del in World War II
During World War II, many West Coast resorts and hotels were taken over by the U.S. government for use as housing and hospitals. The Hotel del Coronado housed many pilots who were being trained at nearby North Island Naval Air Station on a contract basis, but it was never commandeered.
General manager Steven Royce convinced the Navy to abstain from taking over the hotel, because most of the additional rooms were being used to house the families of officers. He pointed out that:
"The fathers, mothers, and wives are given
priority to the rooms because it may be the
last time they will see their sons and husbands."
Ultimately the Navy agreed, and the hotel never was appropriated.
The hotel was designated as a wartime casualty station. It began a victory garden program, planting vegetables on all spare grounds around the hotel.
The Del After World War II
Barney Goodman purchased the hotel from the Spreckels in 1948. From the end of World War II until 1960, the hotel began to age. While still outwardly beautiful, neglect was evident.
In 1960, local millionaire John Alessio purchased the hotel and spent $2 million on refurbishment and redecorating. Popular Hollywood set designer Al Goodman was commissioned by Alessio to oversee the hotel's restoration and refurbishments, which notably included the Grand Ballroom, the Victorian Room Lounge, and the Victorian elevator grille.
Alessio sold the hotel to M. Larry Lawrence in 1963. Lawrence's initial plan was to develop the land around the hotel and ultimately, to demolish it, but he later changed his mind.
During his tenure, Lawrence invested $150 million to refurbish and expand much of the hotel. He doubled its capacity to 700 rooms. He added the Grande Hall Convention Center and two seven-story Ocean Towers just south of the hotel.
The Lawrence family sold the hotel to the Travelers Group after Lawrence's death in 1996. The Travelers Group completed a $55 million upgrade of the hotel in 2001, which included seismic retrofitting.
The Del in the 21st. Century
While retaining its classic Victorian look, the hotel continues to upgrade its facilities. In July 2005, the hotel obtained approval to construct up to 37 limited-term occupancy cottages and villas on the property.
They also received approval to add up to 205 additional rooms.
In August 2017, Hilton Hotels and Resorts took over the management of Hotel del Coronado as part of their Curio Collection.
On the 26th. March 2020, the hotel announced that it would be closing temporarily due to a reduction in business related to the worldwide COVID-19 epidemic. This was the first time in the property's 132-year history that it had closed its doors to guests. The hotel is now open again to the public.
Notable Guests
Notable guests have included Thomas Edison, Marilyn Monroe, L. Frank Baum, Charlie Chaplin, King Kalakaua of Hawaii, Vincent Price, Babe Ruth, James Stewart, Bette Davis and Katharine Hepburn.
More recently, guests have included Kevin Costner, Whoopi Goldberg, Gene Hackman, George Harrison, Keanu Reeves, Brad Pitt, Madonna, Barbra Streisand, and Oprah Winfrey.
The following presidents have stayed at the hotel: Benjamin Harrison, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
Kate Morgan
Another famous resident of the hotel is the purported ghost of Kate Morgan. On the 24th. November 1892, she checked into room 3312, now re-numbered 3327. She told staff that she was awaiting the arrival of her brother who was a doctor.
She said he was going to treat her stomach cancer, but he never arrived. She was found dead on the steps leading to the beach three days later. The case was declared a suicide; she had shot herself.
Another tragedy took place on the beach at the hotel in 1904 when actress Isadore Rush drowned.
The Del In Popular Culture
-- Films
The hotel was first featured in a film when it was used as a backdrop for The Flying Fleet (1927).
Since then, it has featured in at least 12 other films, including: Some Like It Hot (1959), starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, and Tony Curtis, where it represented the "Seminole Ritz" in southern Florida; Wicked, Wicked (1973), which was completely filmed on location there; The Stunt Man (1980), starring Peter O'Toole; The Girl, the Gold Watch & Everything (1980) starring Pam Dawber; and My Blue Heaven (1990), starring Steve Martin and Rick Moranis.
The science historian James Burke filmed his special The Neuron Suite at the Coronado.
The Hotel del Coronado was the primary location for the filming of the fantasy-comedy feature film Daydream Hotel, which had its world premiere at the 1st Annual Coronado Island Film Festival in January 2016.
-- Literature
In Moran of the "Lady Letty": A Story of Adventure Off the California Coast (1898) by Frank Norris, a shanghaied San Francisco dandy wins in a showdown against a Chinese triad gang on the shore of the Baja California Peninsula, teaching them the lesson: "Don't try to fight with white people." Triumphant from the final showdown the protagonist sails to San Diego and makes a dramatic appearance at a society soiree in the hotel's "incomparable round ballroom".
L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, did much of his writing at the hotel, and is said to have based his design for the Emerald City on it. However, other sources say the Emerald City was inspired by the "White City" of the Chicago World's Fair of 1893.
Ambrose Bierce used the hotel as the setting for his short story, "An Heiress From Redhorse".
The Del was also the setting for Richard Matheson's novel Bid Time Return (1975); however, for the movie version, Somewhere in Time (1980), the story setting and filming were moved to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan.
The initial inspiration for Stephen King's short story "1408" came from a collection of real-life news stories about parapsychologist Christopher Chacon's investigation of a notoriously haunted room at the hotel.
Lorin Morgan-Richards, children's author, has frequented the hotel and written and illustrated works while staying in the turret room. The cover of his book Dark Letter Days shows the image of the Del.
-- Music
The Hotel del Coronado is the setting for the Dashboard Confessional song "Stolen".
-- Stage Productions
Each December since 1994, Lamb's Players Theatre and the hotel have presented An American Christmas, a 3-hour "Feast & Celebration" set 100 years earlier, in the hotel's ballroom.
-- Television
The hotel stood in for the fictional Mansfield House during host segments of the NBC anthology series Ghost Story in 1972.
The storylines of Baywatch season 4, episodes 14 and 15, called "Coronado del Soul" Parts 1 and 2, evolve in and around the hotel.
The grounds and some interior areas were used in 3 episodes of Antiques Roadshow broadcast in February and April of 2019.
-- Postage Stamp
The hotel is featured on a US Postage Stamp honoring director Billy Wilder, with images of Marilyn Monroe and the hotel from Some Like It Hot.
Ilha da Madeira -
Ceiba pentandra is a tropical tree of the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae (previously separated in the family Bombacaceae), native to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, northern South America, and (as the variety C. pentandra var guineensis) to West Africa. A somewhat smaller variety is cultivated in southern and southeast Asia. Kapok is a name used in English speaking countries for both the tree and the cotton-like fluff obtained from its seed pods. In Spanish speaking countries the tree is commonly known as "ceiba". The tree is cultivated for the seed fibre, particularly in south-east Asia, and is also known as the Java cotton, Java kapok, silk-cotton or samauma.
Red rambutan Nephelium lappaceum on white board. Fruit tropical tree of the family Sapindaceae , native to South - East Asia , cultivated in many countries in the region
At the time of Sunset - @ New Town Eco Park (officially Prakriti Tirtha) - Calcutta, India.
IN FLICKR EXPLORE ON 15-02-2014.
www.flickr.com/photos/59670248@N05/12543987733/in/explore...
______________________________________________________________________ _______________
______________________________________________________________________ _______________
Copyright © learning.photography.
All rights reserved. All images contained in this Photostream remain the property of learning.photography and is protected by applicable Copyright Law. Any images from this Photostream may not be reproduced, copied, or used in any way without my written permission.
Thanks for your Visit, Comments, Favs and Awards !
Where Rank is specified underneath any Explored Photo, that means that is the highest Rank achieved in Explore.
No private group or multiple group invites please !
Those who have not uploaded any photograph yet, or have uploaded a very few photographs, should not mark me Contacts or comment on my photo. I may block them.
______________________________________________________________________ _______________
New Town Eco Park (officially Prakriti Tirtha) is an urban park in Rajarhat, Kolkata. The park is situated on a 480 acres (190 ha) plot and will surround a 104 acres (42 ha) waterbody with an island in the middle. The park was conceptualised by Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee in July 2011. West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) is the overarching body coordinating the construction of the park, along with different other government bodies responsible for implementation of different works inside the park. The park has been divided into three broad parts; 1) ecological zones like wetlands, grasslands, and urban forest, 2)theme gardens and open spaces, 3)and urban recreational spaces. The Eco Park will be further divided into different sub-parts according to the different types of fauna planted. According to the plan, the park will have different areas like wild flower meadows, a bamboo garden, grasslands, tropical tree garden, bonsai garden, tea garden, Cactus Walk, a heliconia garden, a butterfly garden, a play area and an amphitheatre. Further, there is plan to develop an eco-resort in public-private partnership, and will also include an area where handicrafts from different part of the state will be exhibited. The park was inaugurated on 29 December 2012 by Mamata Banerjee.
Source : Internet
Our angels trumpet was so behind itself this year that it didnt set buds until mid October ......not a good thing if you are a tropical tree in Michigan! This plant winters in a cool hallway near the front door for a long winters nap. We brought it inside several weeks ago thinking we would miss the dozen plus blooms it was promising. Tonight on November 16th the final flower opened releasing its sweet scent through the house. Next spring will be its fourth with us.
Brugmansia aurea
Our angels trumpet was so behind itself this year that it didnt set buds until mid October ......not a good thing if you are a tropical tree in Michigan! This plant winters in a cool hallway near the front door for a long winters nap. We brought it inside several weeks ago thinking we would miss the dozen plus blooms it was promising. Tonight on November 16th the final flower opened releasing its sweet scent through the house. Next spring will be its fourth with us.
FAMILY: Solanaceae (Nightshade)
GENUS: Brugmansia
SPECIES: Aurea
COMMON NAMES: Borrachero, Datura, Floripondio, Golden Angel’s Trumpet, Golden Tree Datura, Goldene Baumdatura, Guantu, Huacacachu, Huanto, Maicoa, Toe, Tonga, Yellow Tree Datura
Brugmansia Aurea is a perennial woody shrub-like tree, native to the highlands of South America. It can grow up to 30 feet (9 meters ) tall, with long thin oval shaped leaves which can grow up to 16 inches (40 cm) long and 6 inches (15 cm) wide. The flowers are up to 9 inches (23 cm) long, narrow and trumpet shaped, and range in color from white to golden yellow. They are especially noted for their strong aromatic fragrance and large dark brown to black seeds.
Golden Angel’s Trumpet is native to the highland areas around the Andes mountain range in South America. It is very well known throughout southern Columbia, Ecuador and Peru. It has also been transplanted throughout Mexico and Central America, and it is frequently confused with Datura.
The plant’s stems, flowers, leaves and seed are known to contain large quantities of tropane alkaloids. Recent research has shown that the main active compound in this plant is Scopolamine, it also contains aposcopolamine, atropine, hyoscyamine, meteloidine, and norscopolamine. All of these compounds may be illegal in most parts of the world when extracted from their naturally occurring sources.
Brugmansia are large shrubs or small trees, reaching heights of 3–11 m, with tan, slightly rough bark.
The leaves are alternate, generally large, 10–30 cm long and 4–18 cm broad, with an entire or coarsely toothed margin, and are covered with fine hairs.
The name Angel's Trumpet refers to the large, very dramatic, pendulous trumpet-shaped flowers, 14–50 cm to 20 inches long and 10–35 cm across at the wide end. They are white, yellow, pink, orange or red, and have a delicate, attractive scent with light, lemony overtones, most noticeable in early evening. Flowers may be single or double.
[edit] Toxicity
All parts of Brugmansia plants contain dangerous levels of poison and may be fatal if ingested by humans or animals, including livestock and pets. Contact with the eyes can cause pupil diliation (mydriasis) or unequal pupil size (anisocoria).[3] Some municipalities prohibit the purchase, sale, or
The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines occupies 152 acres on a prominent plateau, visible at a distance from the east, south and west. It contains the largest number of graves of our military dead of World War II, a total of 17,201, most of whom lost their lives in operations in New Guinea and the Philippines. The headstones are aligned in 11 plots forming a generally circular pattern, set among masses of a wide variety of tropical trees and shrubbery.
One Of Many Old Trees In The Park Which Could Tell Many Stories.
Roundhay parks secret 300 million year history
ONCE – 300m years ago – an orange lizard called the Europs walked the fields that are now Roundhay Park.
It dwelt among tropical trees and baking heat – for the land was close to the Equator. This is the secret history of the north Leeds playground being brought to life by the Friends of Roundhay Park. They have published 5,000 copies of A Walk Back in Time, a glossy guide to the geology of the parkland. A trail with nine marker stones has been created and will be launched officially on Wednesday. The Friends will gather at the Education Centre in the Mansion at 2pm to hear a talk by expert geologist Bill Fraser, a teacher in Garforth, before walking the trail. Mr Fraser has a collection of fossils from Roundhay Park and has provided the scientific basis for the guide book.Bob Reid, one of the Friends, was the driving force behind the creation of the trail "The dates given in the guide are not fictitious – they are real, based on the evidence of radioactive decay," he said.
Glacier
At different times, Roundhay Park has been under both freshwater and sea water. We tend to think the park is as it has always been but over millions of years it has been continually changing . "The V-shaped ravine was formed by melt water from a glacier. "And a geological fault runs in front of the Mansion and is said to form the northern boundary of the Yorkshire coalfields .Bob visited viewing site No. 6 – Dog Mouth Spring – which is found in the woodland. The rock here is sandstone which is porous and allows water to bubble from it. At marker No. 9 by the banks of the Waterloo Lake, visitors can look back to the head of the lake where the fault crosses the valley. And the last marker, No. 10, also by the lakeside, reveals sandstone rock where burrowing worms have left their imprint. A Walk Back in Time costs 1 and can be bought at the Roundhay Park visitor centre, City Stationers at Oakwood, and at the tourist centre in Leeds City Station.
The Gorge at Roundhay Park has recently been cleared and new pathways introduced, a waterfall leaves the Upper Lake and tumbles down into this area of outstanding natural beauty. Take a short walk along the edge of the Gorge and emerge at the Caste Folly. You can also take the longer 'Secret Gorge Walk' This peaceful walk passes through an area of outstanding natural beauty. The walk has rough, good quality footpaths with sections of steep ground - approximately 2.7 km,
Secret Gorge Walk "The Ravine"
This peaceful walk passes through an area of outstanding natural beauty. The walk has rough, good quality footpaths with sections of steep ground.
Approx 2.7Km
Upper Lake Walk
This walk circumnavigates the Upper Lake with wooded areas, natural water space and a host of wildlife.
The walking surface is rough in sections but mainly flat.
Approx 0.7Km
Lake View Walk
This walk circumnavigates Waterloo Lake passing Parkland, Woods and the Dam. The main focus of the walk is the tranquil beauty of the Lake. The walking surface is rough in sections but mainly flat. Approx 2.7Km
Roundhay Park
Roundhay Park in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, is one of the biggest city parks in Europe. It has more than 700 acres (2.8 km2) of parkland, lakes, woodland and gardens which are owned by Leeds City Council. The park is one of the most popular attractions in Leeds, nearly a million people visit each year. It is situated on the north-east edge of the city, bordered by the suburb of Roundhay to the west and Oakwood to the south.
Old History
In the 11th century William the Conqueror granted the lands on which the park stands to Ilbert De Lacy for his support in the Harrying of the North in the winter 1069-70. De Lacy, who founded Pontefract Castle, was a knight from Normandy. During the 13th century, the area was used as a hunting park for the De Lacys who were the Lords of Bowland on the Yorkshire-Lancaster border. Ownership of Roundhay passed through succession to John of Gaunt and then to his son, Henry IV. In the 16th century Henry VIII gave the park (though not the manor) to Thomas Darcy. Through succession and marriage, it was acquired by Charles Stourton (1702-1753) in the 18th century.
In 1803, Charles Stourton's nephew, another Charles Stourton (1752–1816), sold the estate to Thomas Nicholson and Samuel Elam. Nicholson took the northern part which became Roundhay Park. Thomas Nicholson's land had the remains of quarries and coal mines. He disguised these former industrial areas by constructing the Upper Lake and the Waterloo Lake. The mansion house was built between 1811 and 1826 with a view over the Upper Lake. Nicholson constructed a castle folly. The Nicholson family was responsible for building the Church of St John, almshouses and a school on the south side of the park. After Thomas Nicholson's death in 1821, the estate passed to his half-brother Stephen. In 1858, his nephew William Nicholson Nicholson inherited the land on the death of his uncle. In 1871 Roundhay Park was put up for sale. It was purchased for £139,000 by a group including the Mayor of Leeds, John Barran. Leeds City Council was unable to buy such a large tract of land without an Act of Parliament, which was obtained on 21 June 1871. The local authority agreed to pay the same price and gave the estate to the people of Leeds as a public park.
Leeds architect, George Corson, won the competition for landscaping Roundhay Park. Some parts of the estate were then sold for building plots to offset the cost to the council and Barran. Prince Arthur officially re-opened the park in 1872 in front of 100,000 people. In 1891 the first public electric tram with overhead power (trolley system) in Britain was inaugurated linking Roundhay Park with Leeds city centre 3 miles (4.8 km) away. The tram terminus is now a car park but some of the trolley poles remain.
Jacaranda mimosifolia is a beautiful sub-tropical tree native to South America and widely exported everywhere it's warm enough for it to thrive. It has beautiful panicles of long-lasting blue-lilac flowers in the summer. These photos were taken in the Jardin del Turia in Valencia, Spain. The whole city is full of Jacaranda trees and I love it all the more for it. Jacarandas bring joy.