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According to google, Mysticism is: "belief that union with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute, or the spiritual apprehension of knowledge inaccessible to the intellect, may be attained through contemplation and self-surrender." Vedic tradition provides us with many ancient technologies for self-awareness, for experiencing Mysticism, a dimension that every human being has. Surya Namaskar is an ancient yoga sequence that has a perfect set of asanas to be in sync with your true self. Not only consist of asanas, but it also includes the chants or invocations of mantras that bring the power of the sun into you. Sun Namaskar app is great because it includes mantra chanting with a beautiful female voice, a woman that since childhood knows how to pronounce these devotional chants. Download Sun Namaskar app on the app store: apple.co/3uwrHUo #suryanamaskar #sunsalutation #sunsalutations #sunnamaskarapp #yoga #yogaforbeginners #yogaforseniors #gentleyoga #suryamantras #mantras #yogapractice #yogainspiration #yogaeveryday #yogaeverydamnday #traditionalsuryanamaskar #suryanamaskarwithmantras #sunsalutationswithmantras #sunnamaskar #yogaapp #appsforyoga #yogaapp #yogaonline #consistency #yogaconsistency #thepowerofhabit #sunnamaskarapptwitter #sunnamaskarapptumblr #sunnamaskarapp #vedicmantra #vedicscience #vedicchanting #Sanskrit
Download Sun Namaskar App on the App Store
via Instagram instagr.am/p/CPqYrfLMq-W/
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Sonata Class A rated Acoustic panels are used within a wide variety of buildings to reduce reverberation and give a suitable acoustic environment.
Sonata Aurio Class A acoustic absorption panels installed within the sports hall at Birches Head Academy in Stoke on Trent to reduce noise and reverberation
Sonata Aurio Class A acoustic absorption panels installed within music room to reduce reverberation during practice
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An illustration of The Blue Hour and the effect of ozone absorption in the atmosphere after sunset. The upper image is processed with a 'daylight' white balance setting while the lower image uses an 'as-shot' auto white balance.
The upper image has a 'real' blue colour cast but the human visual system in the outdoors compensates much as the digital camera computes its auto balance.
The colour temperature of the ambient illumination in twilight can reach 15,000K.
Sonata Aurio Class A acoustic absorption panels installed within the hall at Kingfield Primary School by SRS's professional installation team
Las baldosas de piedra natural Polardur de Piedra del Alto Aragón se caracterizan por su alta calidad, dura resistencia mecánica, alta resistencia al deslizamiento, bajo coeficiente de absorción, bajo desgaste y gran belleza que ponemos a su disposición.
Póngase en contacto con nosotros para consultarnos en el (+34) 974 50 31 20 o a través de nuestro email : info@polardur.com
The natural stone Polardur floor tiles of Piedra del Alto Aragon are characterised by their beauty and high quality, hard mechanical resistance, high sliding resistance, low absorption coefficient, low erosion.
Please contact us for any questions at (+34) 974 50 31 20 or at: info@polardur.com
Les dallages en pierre naturelle Polardur de Piedra del Alto Aragón se caractérisent par leur grande qualité, grande résistance mécanique, grande résistance au glissement et leur faible coefficient d’absorption, faible usure et grande beauté.
Les dallages sont à votre disposition, contactez-nous au (+34) 974 50 31 20 ou par e-mail: info@polardur.com
Wetlands are biodiversity rich sensitive ecosystems that harbor hundreds of plants, insects, birds and other animals uniquely adapted to their wetland mode of life.They are crucial to maintain the regional water balance through ground water recharge and absorption of flood waters and also serve as the rice bowl of developing countries. Nevertheless, wetlands play immense role in the socio-economic and livelihood aspects of local communities living around the wetland. In India, rural communities depend wetland for livelihood through farming, mat making etc; for food through fishing and hunting; for roof thatching by collection of reeds and palm leaf ; for firewood; for fodder etc. However, these wetlands are now under a threat of conversion for big industrial and real estate projects, change in lifestyle of local community, over extraction of resources by increased population, pollution,waste dumping, eutrophication and pesticide farming. There are three important wetlands in the Puducherry region namely Oussudu, Bahour and Kaliveli that provide important resources for local communities and also are a home to tens of thousands of migratory birds that visit the Puducherry region in winter. These wetlands have been acknowledged as Important Bird Areas(IBAs) by IBCN, since many of these birds are represented in more than 1% of their global population.
The recent threat on wetlands of Puducherry is more due to the change in life style of local community living around these wetlands. The younger generation is not much dependent on wetland resources, The younger and modern generation has lost the compassion and bonding to the wetland which their forefathers maintained through sustainable livelihood practices. This has resulted in a change in attitude and perception of the community towards unsustainable farming and resource extraction, game hunting, intensive fishing and reclamation, ultimately resulting in shrinking of wetland area and loss of biodiversity at an alarming pace. Local community is leaving the traditional farming practices for more fertilizer and pesticide based farming; fish stock is depleted using invasive Gill nets. Since Puducherry is fast developing region with rapidly growing commercial tourism and industrial establishments, these wetlands are under the threat of reclamation for resort construction and other commercial establishments. Poaching for a sport as well as open selling of birds including the threatened species is common. School drop-out are noticed to get attracted to such practices to make easy money as well as hunting for a sport with peers. With time, they may grow into expert hunters who will depend on poaching as the main source of income for the family. There are many wetland awareness programs organized by Forest Department as well as NGOs targeting school kids and educated community through workshops. School drop-outs are often not specially targeted by any of such programs and often not brought under the ambit of such programs. This gap needs to be addressed for local conservation efforts to be fully effective. We have chosen birds as the umbrella species whose conservation will in turn protect the lake and biodiversity as a whole. Birds are attractive and beautiful; ,which may easily get compassion from drop-out kids if guided appropriately. With proper efforts, the poachers can be turned to protectors and expert tour guides to facilitate ecotourism.
Sonata Aurio Class A acoustic absorbers installed within the hall at Belford School to reduce reverberation and noise during use
Sonata Aurio Class A mineral fibre-free acoustic panels installed within the dining room at Cambridge School in Barrow in Furness
A red giant whose spectrum is dominated by strong absorption bands of carbon-containing molecules. The Swan bands of C2 are especially prominent, with absorption by CN, CH, C3, SiC2, and C aII present to varying degrees, with often a strong sodium D line.
Carbon stars, also known as C stars, have carbon/oxygen ratios that are typically four to five times higher than those of normal red giants and show little trace of the light metal oxide bands that are the usual red giant hallmark. They resemble S stars in their relative proportion of heavy and light metals, but contain far more carbon in their upper layers. The carbon is likely the dredged-up ashes of nuclear helium burning in the stellar interior. Carbon stars lose a significant fraction of their total mass in the form of a stellar wind which ultimately enriches the interstellar medium – the source of material for future generations of stars.
Carbon stars were previously classified as stars of spectral type R (hotter, with surface temperatures of 4,000 to 5,000 K) and N (up to 10 times more luminous but cooler, with a temperature of about 3,000 K). They are typically associated with some circumstellar material in the form of sooty shells, disks, or clouds.
www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/C/carbon_star.html
Nice contrast here, FU Aurigae surrounded by blue stars!
SAO 58449
Distance: ~1,750 light years
B-V Index: ~2.5
Absolute Magnitude: -0.40
RA: 05 48 08
DEC: +30 37 51
R-Bessell Photometric Filter: 15 seconds x6 exposures, flat fielded, aligned and median combined
G-Bessell Photometric Filter: 29 seconds x6 exposures, flat fielded, aligned and median combined
B-Bessell Photometric Filter: 63 seconds x6 exposures, flat fielded, aligned and median combined
B-V-R folder images were then aligned and stacked to give Master B, V and R images; these were then colour combined in CCDSoft v5
CCD Operating Temperature: -37 Degrees Centigrade
Field of View: 46 x 37 arcmins
Pixel Array: 1280 x 1024
Pixel Size: 16um x 16 um
Plate Scale: 2.17 arcsec/pixel
0.2-m SCT+SBIG STL 1301E CCD
f/ratio: 7.6
Date: 05th March 2016
Wetlands are biodiversity rich sensitive ecosystems that harbor hundreds of plants, insects, birds and other animals uniquely adapted to their wetland mode of life.They are crucial to maintain the regional water balance through ground water recharge and absorption of flood waters and also serve as the rice bowl of developing countries. Nevertheless, wetlands play immense role in the socio-economic and livelihood aspects of local communities living around the wetland. In India, rural communities depend wetland for livelihood through farming, mat making etc; for food through fishing and hunting; for roof thatching by collection of reeds and palm leaf ; for firewood; for fodder etc. However, these wetlands are now under a threat of conversion for big industrial and real estate projects, change in lifestyle of local community, over extraction of resources by increased population, pollution,waste dumping, eutrophication and pesticide farming. There are three important wetlands in the Puducherry region namely Oussudu, Bahour and Kaliveli that provide important resources for local communities and also are a home to tens of thousands of migratory birds that visit the Puducherry region in winter. These wetlands have been acknowledged as Important Bird Areas(IBAs) by IBCN, since many of these birds are represented in more than 1% of their global population.
The recent threat on wetlands of Puducherry is more due to the change in life style of local community living around these wetlands. The younger generation is not much dependent on wetland resources, The younger and modern generation has lost the compassion and bonding to the wetland which their forefathers maintained through sustainable livelihood practices. This has resulted in a change in attitude and perception of the community towards unsustainable farming and resource extraction, game hunting, intensive fishing and reclamation, ultimately resulting in shrinking of wetland area and loss of biodiversity at an alarming pace. Local community is leaving the traditional farming practices for more fertilizer and pesticide based farming; fish stock is depleted using invasive Gill nets. Since Puducherry is fast developing region with rapidly growing commercial tourism and industrial establishments, these wetlands are under the threat of reclamation for resort construction and other commercial establishments. Poaching for a sport as well as open selling of birds including the threatened species is common. School drop-out are noticed to get attracted to such practices to make easy money as well as hunting for a sport with peers. With time, they may grow into expert hunters who will depend on poaching as the main source of income for the family. There are many wetland awareness programs organized by Forest Department as well as NGOs targeting school kids and educated community through workshops. School drop-outs are often not specially targeted by any of such programs and often not brought under the ambit of such programs. This gap needs to be addressed for local conservation efforts to be fully effective. We have chosen birds as the umbrella species whose conservation will in turn protect the lake and biodiversity as a whole. Birds are attractive and beautiful; ,which may easily get compassion from drop-out kids if guided appropriately. With proper efforts, the poachers can be turned to protectors and expert tour guides to facilitate ecotourism.
Sonata Aurio and Vario Class A acoustic absorption panels used within Ashampstead Village Hall to reduce reverberation and noise during use
Sonata Aurio Class A sound absorption panels used within Shrewley Village Hall to reduce reverberation
Sonata Aurio Class A acoustic absorption panels installed within the hall at Kingfield Primary School by SRS's professional installation team
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Sonata Aurio Panels installed within Gwesty Ty Newydd Bar and Hotel to reduce reverberation in the restaurant
Known Abilities: Super strength, Super speed, Invulnerability, Kryptonite absorption due to the Prometheus project.
History:
Lana Lang is a Smallville native who was adopted by her aunt when her parents were killed in the meteor shower that brought Clark to Smallville. her and Clark have had a struggling relationship since they met and despite her wanting to get close to him his great secret always pushed him away until she got married to Lex Luthor. Her marriage to him became so abusive she was forced to fake her death to escape him but soon returned afterward. She then started the Isis foundation to help others who had been hurt by LuthorCorp. Later on after getting back together with Clark after she learned his secret she stole Lex's new Prometheus suit, a invisible nanotechnology infusion that allowed the subject to gain remarkable powers. However an unknon ability of the suit caused Lana to absorb Kryptonite and she absorbed so much of it that she would never be able to be around Clark again. She said goodbye to him and left. Later it was found out that Tess Mercer may have captured Lana to learn regain the Prometheus technology.
My photowalk with my Semflex Standard 3.5, a French TLR camera year 1959, Lyon, France June 18, 2024.
The camera was equipped with a Semflex yellow filter x2 and the Semflex metal shade hood. An Ilford PanF+ 120 film was loaded and exposed for 32 ISO (Instead of 50 ISO to compensate in part the filter absorption) using a Minolta Autometer III equipped with a 10° finder for selective measures privileging the shadow areas.
Typically I used the 1/100s (one at 1/50s) with aperture ranging from f/8 to f/4.5.
Place Rouville, June 18, 2024
69001 Lyon
France
After the view #12 exposed, the film was fully rolled to the taking spool and was developed in a Paterson tank with a spiral adapted to the 70mm large film. 500 mL of Adox Adonal (Agfa Rodinal) developer were prepared at the dilution 1+25 and the film processed for 6min at 20°C.
Digitizing was made using a Sony A7 camera (ILCE-7, 24MP) held on a Minolta vertical macro stative device and adapted to a Minolta MD Macro lens 1:3.5 f=50mm. The light source was a LED panel (approx. 4x5') CineStill Cine-lite fitted with film holder "Lobster" to maintain flat the 70mm films.
The RAW files obtained were inverted within LR and edited to the final jpeg pictures without intermediate file. They are presented either as printed files with frame or the full size JPEG.
About the camera and lenses :
New in my camera collection this French Semflex TLR year 1959-1960 equipped with f=75mm SOM Berthiot lenses.
The SEM company ("Société des Etablissements Modernes de Mécanique") was founded in France by Paul Royet in 1946, in the small city of Aurec near Saint-Etienne (Loire). The SEM camera's was known essentially for the TLR Semflex that were a great commercial success in France until the 70's. The camera's are constructed around an injected aluminum alloy chassis, very resistant and rigid permitting precise optical alignments. The focusing mechanism is made of a cam system like the Rolleiflex giving an accurate and smooth focusing. SEM constructed their own shutters called Orec with 5 leaves capable of the 1/400s to 1s with B.
Semflex received in majority French optics Berthiot with 3 or 4 lenses (Tessar type). Some camera's were also mounted with Angénieux lenses.
Semflex were trusted TLR camera's used by amateurs and for professional purposes. From 1949 to 1976, 171.000 Semflex were produced in many different types and versions.
My Semflex in a middle grade version Standard 3.5 type-10 (1959-1960). It was the last version mounted with the 3-lens SOM Berthiot 1:3.5 f=75mm. I got the camera with set of accessories and several documents including the user manual of the Semflex Standard 4.5 versions. The accessories include a leather SEM ever-ready bag, a Semflex push-on shade hood, a Semflex push-on yellow filter x2 in its original box, and close-focusing lenses. The 1D one is constructed with a prism for the finder lens that compensates the parallax in the zone 1m to 0.5m.
The decorative ring around each lenses can also receive push-on accessories in 36mm diameter as the FOCA or Leitz 36mm filter series. I adapted two protective lens caps from Kodak film canister snapped covers.
Sonata Aurio Class A acoustic absorbers installed within the hall at Gaywood Primary School to reduce reverberation and noise during use
Collection: Caley Postcards
Filename: 9015-028-000-06483.jpg
State:
County:
City/Town: Delawareana
Color/BW: Color
Image Type:
Publisher:
Stamp: 4c Lincoln
Postmark year: 1963
Size: 5.5 x 3.5
Comments:
A Fomapan Action 400 black-and-white film to test the effect a the special Foca filter "Dyma" produced in France in the 50's.
The filter is called "Dyma" due to the presence of neodymium in the glass giving an unusual absorption by bands in the visible spectrum. In particulier blue and yellow color ans more absorbed than the rest of the spectrum. The filter existed in two different versions with the coefficient x2.5 or 3.5. Here the 42mm push-on Foca Dyma filter used is a x 3.5.
As a consequence, I exposed the Foma 400 for 80 ISO using a Minolta Autometer III with a 10° finder for selective measurements privileging the shadow areas. I used my FOCA camera PF2B year 1956 and its normal Oplar lens1:2.8 f=5cm equipped for all the views with the Dyma filter and a Genaco metal shade hood.
Typical settings during the session : 1/100s f/8 to f/11.
Rue des Fantasques, May 29, 2023
69001 Lyon
France
After exposure, the film was processed using Adox Adonal (Agfa Rodinal) developer at dilution 1+25, 20°C for 6 min.
The film was then digitalized using a Sony A7 body adapted to a Minolta Auto Bellows III and a Minolta Slide Duplicator using a lens Minolta Bellow Macro Rokkor 50mm f/3.5 at a reproduction ratio of 1:1. The reproduced RAW files obtained were processed in LR prior the the final JPEG editions.
All views of the film are presented in the dedicated album either in the printed framed versions and unframed full-size jpeg.
About the camera and the lens:
The Foca type PF2B (PF for "Petit Format") was constructed in France by the company "Optique & Precision de Levallois" (OPL) starting from 1947. It was manufactured in the Chateaudun OPL factory, route de Jallans, France, in 1956 among a late series of the PF2B. The factory, constructed in 1938, is still at the same place under the name of SAFRAN now producing precision devices for aerospace appliances.
The camera is equipped with the collapsible OPLAR lens (a Tessar formula) 1:2.8 f=5cm. The focal shutter of the PF2B has timing of 1/1000, 1/500, 1/200, 1/100, 1/50 and 1/25s plus the B pose. A slow exposure device below 1/25s could be installed by the aftermarket service and was installed basically for the FOCA PF3 and Foca Universel.
I received recently an unusual 35mm range-finder camera Graflex Graphic 35 made in the U.S.A. in 1955 (see below the details about Graflex company and the camera). After a complete inventory and blank mechanical/optical checking, I did a test film with a FOMAPAN 100. The light was metered using a Minolta Autometer III fitted with a 10° viewfinder for selective metering privileging this shadow areas.
The camera was equipped with an adapted French FOCA « Dyma » x3.5 36mm push-on filter plus the metal shade hood made for the FOCA Standard camera. To compensate the Dyma filter absorption the Autometer was set on 32 ISO instead of the nominal 100 ISO of the film. The Dyma FOCA filter is an original glass formula containing neodymium giving band-selective visible spectrum absorptions in the green and yellow so that proximate tonalities in these bands are better separated.
I did the all photos along the way to Lyon Saint-Jean, Lyon, France.
View Nr. 5: 1/50s f/4.5 focusing at 30 ft
July 30,, 2026
Place Bellevue
69001 Lyon
France
After the last view #37 exposed, the film was rewound to the taking cartridge and revealed in a Posso tank with 350 mL of Adox Adonal developer (identical to the original Agfa Rodinal in its formula of 1891) prepared at the dilution 1+50. The film was processed for 9min at 20°C.
The frames were then digitized using a Sony A7 camera (ILCE-7, 24MP) adapted to a macro Minolta Auto Bellow III with Minolta Bellow MD Macro lens 1:3.5 f=50mm and the dedicated slide duplicator Minolta. The light source was a LED panel (approx. 4x5') CineStill Cine-lite.
The RAW files obtained were inverted within the latest version of Adobe Lightroom Classic (version 15.4.1, June 2026) and edited to the final jpeg pictures without intermediate file. They are presented either as print files with frame or the full size JPEG's together with some documentary smartphone color pictures.
———————————————
About the Graflex company and Graphic 35 camera:
Graflex (originally the Folmer & Schwing Manufacturing Company, founded in 1887 in New York) had long been renowned for its large- and medium-format press cameras (notably the Speed Graphic), which became the standard for photojournalism in the first half of the 20th century. After its acquisition by Kodak in 1905–1907, the works were moved to Rochester, New York. In 1926, following antitrust rulings, Graflex became independent again and continued production in Rochester until the early 1970s.
By the mid-1950s, large-format press cameras were losing ground to smaller, easier-to-use 35 mm cameras aimed at amateurs. Graflex responded by entering the 35 mm market. It had already marketed the Ciro 35 (derived from the earlier Cee-ay 35 of Candid Camera Corp., acquired via Ciro). In 1955 this design was thoroughly reworked into the Graphic 35.
Launch and Production
* Introduction: First shipments on 25 February 1955; press presentation on 8 March 1955 in New York.
* Manufacture: Body and final assembly in Rochester, N.Y. Lenses and shutters were imported from West Germany (Rodenstock or occasionally Enna “Graflar” 50 mm f/3.5 or f/2.8 lenses; Prontor-SVS leaf shutter, 1 s to 1/300 s + B, M/X sync, self-timer).
* Production period: Roughly August 1954 to July 1957 (sometimes listed as ending in 1958). Advertising continued into late 1960.
* Volume: Approximately 68,000 units (Graflex internal figures list 68,269 cameras distributed). Serial numbers began at 550,000 and later restarted at 1,100,000.
Introductory prices were about $77.50 (f/3.5) to $98–99.50 (f/2.8), making it one of the more affordable fully featured 35 mm rangefinders of its day.
Distinctive Features
* Push-button focusing on either side of the lens (“wing focusing”), invented by Graflex instrument maker Louis M. Traino, who received a $4,000 company award (roughly $35,000–40,000 in today’s money). A “Visi-Ready” distance scale was visible from above.
* Front-mounted, sideways-pull shutter-release lever.
* Spectramatic (later Universal Spectramatic) flash system, devised by engineering director Vernon Whitman: colour-coded bands that simplified aperture selection according to distance and guide number.
* Separate viewfinder and split-image rangefinder windows; film advance by knob (not coupled to shutter cocking, allowing intentional double exposures).
* Solid die-cast metal body with satin chrome finish and silver-grey leatherette covering (some later examples darker).
These features—especially the push-button focusing—were heavily promoted and helped the camera sell strongly in its first year.
After 1957–58 Graflex shifted to Japanese-made models (the Graphic/Century 35 series by Kowa, the Graphic Jet, etc.). The original Rochester-built Graphic 35 remains a characteristic mid-1950s American design: robust, unusually ergonomic in its controls, and still relatively affordable on the used market today.
It is one of the few non-Kodak 35 mm cameras actually made in Rochester and illustrates Graflex’s attempt to adapt to the postwar 35 mm amateur boom.
I did not find at now the optical formula of the lens. The lens takes 27mm screw-on filter and the external diameter is 32mm. With a little adaptation (rind made in a film canister cap...) one could fit the French FOCA filter push-on 36mm.
It seems that no lens cap was proposed for the Graphic 35. With a cap of Kodak 35mm canister, I made a plastic one to protect the front lens.
The range-finder is slightly off calibrated at infinite but it easy to correct the small shift to set the correct value on the distance scale that is only engraved in feet.
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What Are Bromeliads?
Bromeliads are members of a plant family known as Bromeliaceae (bro-meh-lee-AH-say-eye). The family contains over 3000 described species in approximately 56 genera. The most well known bromeliad is the pineapple. The family contains a wide range of plants including some very un-pineapple like members such as Spanish Moss (which is neither Spanish nor a moss). Other members resemble aloes or yuccas while still others look like green, leafy grasses.
In general they are inexpensive, easy to grow, require very little care, and reward the grower with brilliant, long lasting blooms and ornamental foliage. They come in a wide range of sizes from tiny miniatures to giants. They can be grown indoors in cooler climates and can also be used outdoors where temperatures stay above freezing.
Bromeliad History
Bromeliads entered recorded history some 500 years ago when Columbus introduced the pineapple (Ananas comosus) to Spain upon return from his second voyage to the New World in 1493. On that voyage he found it being cultivated by the Carib Indians in the West Indies. Within 50 years this tropical fruit was being cultivated in India and other Old World countries.
Click on the pineapple to view a terrific article on the symbolism of the pineapple.
It took some time for additional bromeliads to enter cultivation. It wasn't until 1776 that another bromeliad (Guzmania lingulata) was brought to Europe. Aechmea fasciata followed in 1828 and Vriesea splendens in 1840.
Within the last hundred years, bromeliads have become more widely used as ornamental plants. Originally only found in royal botanical gardens or the private greenhouses of wealthy Europeans, their popularity has spread to the masses. Today bromeliads are more available to the enthusiast than ever before. New species are still being discovered and plant breeders are developing ever more stunning hybrids to choose from.
Uses for Bromeliads
Although the pineapple is the only member of the family cultivated for food, several species including Caroa (Neoglaziovia variegata) are cultivated as a source of fiber. Pineapple stems are a source of the protein-digesting enzyme bromelain used as a meat tenderizer. Because fresh pineapple also contains bromelain, it cannot be used in gelatin molds since the enzyme breaks down the congealing proteins. Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides) contains a tough, wiry core that was once used as a material for stuffing upholstery.
Where they Grow
Bromeliads are a Neotropical family which means they grow virtualy exclusively in the New World tropics (and subtropics). Most come from South America with the greatest number of species found in Brazil. They range from Chile and Argentina in South America through Cental America and the Caribbean reaching their northern limit aroung Virginia in the southeastern United States. A single species (Pitcairnia feliciana) is found in western Africa. Bromeliads altitude range is from sea level to over 14,000 feet. They can be found in a wide variety of habitats from hot, dry deserts to moist rainforests to cool mountainous regions.
They are found in a variety of growing situations: Terrestrial species are found growing in the ground (the way we expect most plants to grow). They may be found growing in bright sun along sandy beaches to the shady understory of a forest among the leaf litter and debris. Saxicolous species are found growing on rocks. They may grow on hard rocky outcrops where their roots may penetrate cracks and fissures to locate moisture or organic nutrients or sometimes they are found growing tenuously on sheer cliff faces. Epiphytic species are found growing on other plants, usually trees, shrubs or cactus but somtimes they can be found on telephone poles or even on the telephone lines themselves. This capability to take their nutrition and moisture from the atmosphere has earned these bromeliads the name "Air Plants".
How They Grow
All bromeliads are composed of a spiral arrangement of leaves sometimes called a "rosette". The number of degrees between successive leaves varies from species to species with a few having a 180 degree separation between leaves. This causes the plant to grow in a flattened configuration with its leaves lined up in a single plane. The bases of the leaves in the rosette may overlap tightly to form a water reservoir. This central cup also collects whatever leaf litter and insects happen to land in it. The more ancestral terrestrial bromeliads do not have this water storage capability and rely primarily on their roots for water and nutrient absorption. Tank bromeliads (as the water storing species are often called) rely less heavily on their roots for nourishment and are more often found as epiphytes. The roots of epiphytic species harden off after growing to form holdfasts as strong as wire that help attach the plant to its host. Even though bromeliads are commonly called parasitos in Spanish-speaking countries, these epiphytes do not take sustenance from their host but merely use it for support. In some species, the bases of the leaves form small chambers as they overlap and these protected spaces are often home to ants. In exchange for shelter, the ants' waste may provide the bromeliad with extra fertilizer.
All bromeliads share a common characteristic: tiny scales on their leaves called trichomes. These scales serve as a very efficient absorption system. In species found in desert regions where the air is hot and dry and the sun beats down relentlessly, these scales also help the plant to reduce water loss and shield the plants from the solar radiation. These plants are so covered with scales that they appear silvery-white and feel fuzzy. On many species (especially in more humid areas), the scales are smaller and less noticeable. Sometimes the scales can form patterns and banding on the leaves that add to the plant's beauty.
With few exceptions, the flower stalk is produced from the center of the rosette. The stalk (or scape as it is called), may be long with the flowers held far away from the plant (either erect or hanging pendantly) or the scape may be short with the flowers nestled in the rosette. The scape may produce a single flower or many individual flowers and may have colorful leaf-like appendages called scape bracts that serve to attract pollinators and delight bromeliad enthusiasts. With rare exceptions, bromeliads only flower a single time - once the plant stops producing leaves and produces its flower, it will not start making leaves again. It will, however, vegetatively produce new plantlets called "offsets" or "pups". These plants will feed off the "mother" plant until they are large enough to set roots of their own and survive as a separate plant. The mother may sometimes survive a generation or two before finally dying off. Pups are usually produced near the base of the plant - inside the sheath of a leaf. Sometimes, however, pups may be produced on long stolons or atop the inflorescence (flower spike) of the mother plant. The green, leafy top of a pineapple is in fact a pup that may be removed and planted to start a new plant.
**http://www.bsi.org/brom_info/what.html
Nice bright full Moon tonight. These images have been more extensively processed using devolution, sharpness, stacking, and HDR. Both images were acquired with a Questar Q3.5. The white image is a stack of 50 Nikon D500 images and infrared image is a HDR stack of 4 Nikon D7100 images differing by 0.7stops with a camera modified by LifePixel for 830 nm cutoff (sensor range 830 to 1000 nm ). The infrared image is significantly flatter somewhat improved by HDR. The Sun radiates much of its light in infrared and in the vacuum of space it illuminates the Moon without being attenuated but Tucson AZ being dusty evidenced by red Sunsets markedly reduces seeing in infrared impeding a crisp focus (the imagery mimics the Moon near the horizon in white light although with these photos the Moon was high in the sky),. Side by side comparison of white light and infrared does not show infrared features such as might be seen in a flower photograph but rather there is an overall flatness with less differential reflection and absorption of IR. Less dusty sky conditions might make the Moon in IR more interesting.
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