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The patrol race, specific to the cadet program, is tailor-made for cadets, because it puts more emphasis on teamwork, and on the interdependence between both teammates. Although they have to cover the ski loop at the same pace, they can also take advantage of each other's strengths on the shooting range and in the penalty loops. Indeed, the teammate who has the most difficulty to hit targets, can count on the other to complete the work by hitting his or her targets in crossfire. In addition, if they must ski penalty loops because of missed targets, the one with the greater physical endurance can perform loops, thus giving a break to the other teammate. Or they may share the task. Real teamwork!
President Van Rompuy has also met with the Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Tun Razak to discuss specific topics.
Very site-specific shower taking place here .... If I was hiking over there, that's probably right where I'd be! .... I remember a couple of times backpacking when it seemed as if one of these spouts was following me around.
North of Kluane Lake, Yukon.
APS
The Final Day of Racing At Brands Hatch for The Superprix Weekend and After a Really Busy and Scattered Set Of Races The Previous day it was time to see which of the Drivers could Brave the Circuit One Last Time and Take Home Either a Championship Win or a Victory in their Specific Race.
Lets Get Straight to the Results.
Classic Formula Ford/Historic Formula 3 (Race 2 Result)
Classic Formula Ford and Historic Formula 3 Were up First and it was Time to see who could be The one to take the Checkered Flag First when they crossed the Line.
In First Place was (Cameron Jackson) in his Winkelmann WDF2 with a Lap Time of 1:39.257 and a Top Speed of 86.59mph. A Fantastic Victory Cameron Showing Incredible Car Control and Commitment to Win the Race.
In Second Place was (Ben Tinkler) in his Van Diemen RF80 with a Lap Time of 1:39.986 and a Top Speed of 85.77mph. A Really Great Drive from Ben to stay so close to Cameron and Keep Him on his toes the entire Time while Fighting for the Lead of the Race.
In Third Place was (Jordan Harrison) in his Lola T540E with a Lap Time of 1:39.994 and a Top Speed of 85.54mph. A Really Wonderfully Deserved Third Place for Jordan Pushing that Lola for everything it Has got to gain Third Place. Well Done.
Three Fantastically Fast Drivers all with Incredible Speed and Talent Showcasing The Best of what they Bring to Brands Hatch Every Year. An Amazing Last Race to Witness. Congratulations to The Race Winner and Keep Trying Hard Everyone Else.
HGPCA Pre 66 Grand Prix Cars (Race 20)
Next It was The Historic Grand Prix Cars and with a Massive Turn out for them it looks like Another Cracking Race to see from Start till Finish. Lets see who came out on Top.
In First Place was (Sam Wilson) in his Lotus 18 with a Lap Time of 1:39.384 and a Top Speed of 86.55mph. Amazing Work Sam Showing Colin Chapman How it Should be Done. He would have been Proud to Witness that Victory.
In Second Place was (Peter Horsman) in his Lotus 18/21 with a Lap Time of 1:41.296 and A Top Speed of 84.90mph. A Fantastic Drive by Peter to take Second Place in the Race.
In Third Place was (Miles Griffiths) in his Scarab Offenhauser with A Lap Time of 1:41.501 and A Top Speed of 84.38mph A Really Good Job there Miles Almost Matching Lap Times with Peter and Showing Some Incredible Car Control during The Race.
Another Fantastic Race for The Historic Grand Prix Cars and a Huge Congratulations to Sam for Taking Victory in the Last Race. Avery Well Done to Both Peter and Miles as well.
HSCC 70's Road Sports (Race 19)
Historic Road Sports took to the Track next and with some Legendary Cars from the Likes of Lotus Morgan and TVR it was Time to see who Had Stormed to Victory in the Last Race and Taken the Victory.
In First Place was (William Plant) in his Morgan Plus 8 with A Lap Time of 1:45.768 and A Top Speed of 70.67mph. Congratulations William on the Victory it was so Good to See a Morgan Take First Place while Watching this Exciting Race. An Amazing Drive.
In Second Place was (Jim Dean) in his Lotus Europa with A Lap Time of 1:46.411 and A Top Speed of 70.66mph. Another Incredible Drive from Jim to Take Second Place. Well Done
In Third Place was (Richard Plant) in his Morgan Plus 8 with A Lap Time of 1:47.697 and a Top Speed of 70.31mph. A Very Committed Drive from Richard and a Fantastic Third Place Finish that I'm sure the Whole Family will be Proud of.
Fantastic Racing from the 70's Road Sports to Finish the Days Racing for them Congratulations to William, Jim and Richard. Hope to see you Three Battling it out Again Soon.
Aurora Trophy With Geoff Lees Trophy
The Arora Trophy Roared onto the Grand Prix Circuit Next with Powerful V8 Engines thease Racing Cars could make the Ground Shake as they Thunder their way around the Race Track. Lets see who Managed to take that All Important Victory for their Final Race.
In First Place was (Martin Stretton) in his March 712 with a Lap Time of 1:25.976 and A Top Speed of 101mph. A Very Brave and Committed drive from Martin to Take Victory, Really Pushing the March to its Limits and hanging onto the Lead thought the Race.
In Second Place was (Mathew Wrigley) in his March 782 with a Lap Time of 1:25.127 and A Top Speed of 100.96mph. Another Incredible Driver Taking his Machinery to New heights and Keeping the March Name Alive in Historic Racing. Amazing Work Mathew.
In Third Place was (Samuel Harrison) in his Dallara 389 with A Lap Time of 1:29.552 and A Top Speed of 95.04mph. Amazing work Sam showing Insane Car Control even when Racing so Fast and for such A Long Time. Congratulations.
Another Amazing Race to Keep the Day going and showing the Amazing work that Each Team Does to ensure that their Driver and His Car are Ready to go. Well Done to all of the Teams and to the First Second and Third Place Winners as well. Looking Forward To seeing more Action this Year from the Aurora Trophy.
Guards Trophy (Race 21)
Next Up Guards Trophy with Another Range of Racing Machines from the Likes of Brabham Chevron and Lotus Lets see what will Happen and Who will be able to Drive their way to Victory in This Race.
In First Place was (Andy Newall) in his Chevron B6 with A Lap Time of 1:38.258 and A Top Speed of 83.84mph. Very Well Driven and Raced by Andy Showcasing the Power of the Chevron and taking it too its Limits in terms of Raw Speed and Performance.
In Second Place was the Duo of (Jackson S and Jackson C) in their Lenham P70 with A Lap Time of 1:38.008 and A Top Speed of 83.45mph. Fantastic Work to The Two Jacks who Really showed what Working Together Can Achieve during A Race. Well Done
In Third Place was the Duo of (Mitchell W and Mitchell B) in their Chevron B8 with A Lap Time of 1:38.368 and A Top Speed of 82.49mph. Another Amazing Duo who Have Taken Third Place and Kept the Fight Alive in their Respective Championship. Amazing work.
A Fantastic Race for the Guards Trophy Showing the Power of Each Race Car and what they Are Capable of When put into The Hands of the Right Drivers. Congratulations to Andy Mitchell W and Mitchell B as well as Jackson S and Jackson C for putting on One Hell of a Race. Keep up the Good Work Everyone Else and Never Stop Fighting for your Own Victories.
Historic Formula Ford (Race 16)
Next Up was Historic Formula Ford and some very Twitchy and Tricky Cars to be Driven Round the Circuit at Hight Speed. With Light Weight Chassis and Small Cockpits this was going to be a Very Exciting Race to Watch. Lets see who Came out Best of the Rest.
In First Place was (Cameron Jackson) in his Winkelmann WDF2 with A Lap Time of 1:38.596 and A Top Speed of 87.95mph. Another Incredible Drive From Cameron to Take Victory and show what A Truly Committed and Self Determined Driver is. He is an Inspiration to All Up Coming Formula Ford Racers.
In Second Place was (Tom Macarthur) in his Titan MK3 with A Lap Time of 1:38.484 and A Top Speed of 87.94mph. Another Really Brave and Heroic Driver Pushing His Formula Ford to its Limits and Keeping his Eye's on the Race Track. Amazing Work Tom.
In Third Place was (Horatio Fitzsimon) in his Merlin MK20A with A Lap Time of 1:38.513 And A Top Speed of 87.90mph. Very Well Done Horatio Fantastic Driving and A Well Deserved Third Place.
An Amazing Final Heat Race for the Formula Fords with Everyone Pushing As Hard as they Could for Victory. Keep Working Hard Everyone and Congratulations to Cameron Tom and Horatio.
Historic Road Sports (Race 17)
Historic Road Sports Next and it was Time to see what Each Driver could do in their Respective Race Car. Lets see how things Stacked up and who Came out on Top in the Race.
In First Place was (Kevin Kivlochan) in his AC Cobra with a Lap Time of 1:46.891 and A Top Speed of 72.19mph. What A Drive From Kevin to Take Victory Keeping that Cobra Far Ahead of the Rest of the Pack and Taking A Dominant Victory. Carol Shelby would have Loved to See That.
In Second Place was (John Davidson) in his Lotus Elan S1 with A Lap Time of 1:46.052 And A Top Speed of 72.16mph. Amazing Work John Keeping that Lotus on the Tarmac and Putting on One Hell of a Race for Everyone. Amazing Job.
In Third Place was (Rupert Ashdown) in his Lotus Elan S1 with A Lap Time of 1:47.481and A Top Speed of 71.61mph. Another Incredible Drive by Rupert Taking Third Place Very Well Deserved.
Historic Road Sports putting on Another Superb Race for the Season and Congratulations to Kevin John and Rupert on their Victories. Hope to see More of that This Year and Good Luck to Everyone Else Racing too.
Historic Touring Cars (Race 22)
The Final Race of The Day was Here and The Historic Touring Car Club did not Disappoint with Lotus Cortina's Mini Cooper S's and Ford Mustangs This was going to be a Final Battle of Titans. Lets See Who Managed to Take that Last Checkered Flag of the Day.
In First Place was (Steve Soper) in his Ford Mustang with A Lap Time of 1.47.084 and A Top Speed of 71.51mph. Awesome Drive Steve Fantastic to see that He Still has it in him After all The Years of Racing.
In Second Place was (Rob Fen) in his Ford Mustang with A Lap Time of 1:49.031 and A Top Speed of 70.93mph. Amazing Work Rob Pushing that Mustang Far and Wide to Hang onto that Second Place. Excellent Drive.
In Third Place was (Mark Martin in his Ford Lotus Cortina with A Lap Time of 1:49.905 and A Top Speed of 70.70mph. Very Well Done Mark Great Driving and Even a Wheel in the Air on Some Occasions Heading onto the Grand Prix Loop. What A Sight that Was to See.
And With that The Days Events came to an End for another year of Superprix Racing at Brands Hatch Amazing work to all of the Organisers and Race Drivers who took Part and Congratulations once again to all of the Race Winners. Keep Fighting Keep Wining and I'm Sure we will do it All Again Next Year.
(details tk on specific images) Cargill Learning Journey to South Africa and Zambia, to explore food security issues in the region. June 20-26. These photos are my personal glimpses and impressions over the course of this trip. More information on the substance of this trip can be found here: www.cargill.com/learning-journey/africa/
A site-specific theater piece based on a classical Persian theatrical procession and performance.
Director: Nikoo Mamdoohi
Dramaturg: Ifa Bayeza
Music Director: Sabrina Victor
Costume Designer: Richard Nguyen
Sound Designer: James Busker
Stage Manager: Liz Diamond
Assistant Director: Urgyen Joshi
Assistant Dramaturgs: Jerry Ng and Afrikah Smith
Assistant Costume Designer: Elizabeth Ponce
Assistant Stage Manager: Maeve Connolly
Cultural Advisor: Mohammad Ghadiri
Photo by Jon Crispin. Do not reuse without permission.
This amused me, he's specific in that he wants a vivacious lady, who enjoys wearing heels, but he's really not fussed about ethinicity, which is nice.
By London area, I suspect he means Guildford. People that are from Guildford say that they're from London.
(details tk on specific images) Cargill Learning Journey to South Africa and Zambia, to explore food security issues in the region. June 20-26. These photos are my personal glimpses and impressions over the course of this trip. More information on the substance of this trip can be found here: www.cargill.com/learning-journey/africa/
Riff, PD#18245, a land art monument celebrating 100 years of the Zuiderzee Act
A collaboration of artist Bob Gramsma and engineer WaltGalmarini AG
Riff, PD#18245 is a site-specific work, a Land Art monument. The tectonic work looks like it is emerging from the natural-cultural landscape and, at the same time, helps to frame it. A mound of soil was heaped up on a foundation of slanted pillars. Large cavities were dug into the mound and then cast in concrete, thus creating an inverted sculptural reproduction of the void in the mound. Afterwards, the mound was removed, and the concrete sculpture cleaned of loose soil and sand. The result is a large-scale work, supported by three stalactite-shaped concrete volumes and the pillars of the foundation, which are partially visible. The monument is in context with the horizon, the landscape and the sunset. A stairway leads up to the top of the structure, inviting visitors to overview its surface.
The process of digging uses the labour of construction to create traces of landscape – space without architecture. The sculpture re-interprets the material and historical conditions of the site. The slightly slanted volume echoes characteristics of the Polder, like dikes, ditches, canals, plots, embankment, drainage, extraction, renaturation and depilution (vertical segregation). At the same time, Riff, PD#18245 also appears foreign in this environment – a hull resting on slanted pillars, aligned with the dikes. It is reminiscent of other interventions in this particular landscape: water management, flood protections, the signs of the transition from fishing to agriculture, and the renaturation of the landscape. It literally emerges from, and melds into, the artificial topography, the geology, the IJsselmeer polder and the Zuiderzee bed.
At the same time, Riff, PD#18245 is a trace of the artistic and the production process, outlining an interstice between the present and the past. The trace as an index of the working process creates a nexus between time and spatiality. The monumental blueprint of an excavation, which has long since disappeared, turns into a poetic sculpture, a hollow resonant body with a natural patina growing over time. Riff, PD#18245 looks southwest westward across the renatured land in the direction of the sunset and the amusement parks, providing a visual link to the Veluwemeer and the Flevopolder, the largest man-made island and its physical vastness.
Riff, PD#18245 becomes a space for the audience to project, or to reanimate, their understanding of the site, its history and its present. The sculpture is at once a tool to reflect on history and an incitement for the viewer to dream those stories. It is a way of visualizing both absence and presence, a sculpted ghost, or spirit, that opens up a new space for rethinking the relationship between material and memory. It is a residue of memory, honouring the past, while serving the present. By means of the elemental exposure of the earth, the missing cast, and the past that it encapsulates, we are reminded that earth and its history — as well as the cosmic forces or energies shaping it — are beyond human intelligibility. But we can try to understand, or appreciate, their unfathomable presence in time as we access this exhumed vestige.
Production
After creating a foundation by driving piles deep into the ground, a huge mound (70 x 40 x 7 m, 15.000 m3) was heaped up on top of it, consisting of sand and clay from the agricultural land and from the bottom of the Zuiderzee on the site. A wide sinkhole, reaching 2 m under sea level, and two narrow deep pits, reaching down to the level of the pillars, were dug into the mound. Reinforcement structures were built, and concrete poured and pneumatically projected into the cavities to produce an inverted sculptural reproduction of the empty space. After the concrete had dried, the heaped-up soil was bulldozed away and returned to build the new environment for the New Nature Programme. An immersive sculpture, whose platform hovers above the ground, is revealed. A small staircase cuts into the platform. The piece is approx. 37,5 m long, 13 m wide and 7 m high.
Using the local soil as false work, as well as formwork, and reusing it after the production for the new reserve is a very ecological, as well as economical, casting technique. It allows to produce an intricate seamless hollow concrete cast in one piece. After the structure was cleaned, it is ready for the public and the winds to take over. Within time, an ecosystem will evolve on the inside of the hollow body, and the surface will be partly covered with moss, chalk, and salt efflorescence. Little gaps in the shell enable insects and animals to build viable habitats inside the hollow body. The whole production process was open to the public to provide an in-depth vision and understanding in the making of Riff, PD#18245. The sculpture itself thus starts to generate memories in the minds of the audience – a process that will continue well into the future as weather and nature gradually take over the sculpture, altering its shape and functions over time, while the wind is playing on its resonant body.
Text: Martin Jaeggi
The new Specific Mechanical brewhouse at Gordon-Biersch Navy Yard consists of this 15-barrel lauter tun and a similarly-sized mash tun/kettle combination vessel.
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A lauter tun is a circular vessel in which sweet wort is separated from spent grain, by means of rakes and a slotted false bottom.
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A pre-opening visit to brewpub Gordon-Biersch Navy Yard.
Washington, D.C.
30 March 2013.
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Due to governmental approval issues, beer is not yet being brewed on-site. Brewer Travis Tedrow expects all to be resolved in short order. Beers for this event —and for the actual public opening (Monday, 1 April 2013: Washington Nationals Opening Day)— were shipped from the Gordon-Biersch in Columbus, Ohio. And, had not suffered from the transit.
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Photo by Yours For Good Fermentables.com.
— Follow on Twitter @Cizauskas.
— Follow on Facebook.
Commercial use requires explicit permission, as per Creative Commons.
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A pre-opening visit to brewpub Gordon-Biersch Navy Yard.
Washington, D.C.
30 March 2013.
*************
Due to governmental approval issues, beer is not yet being brewed on-site. Brewer Travis Tedrow expects all to be resolved in short order. Beers for this event —and for the actual public opening (Monday, 1 April 2013: Washington Nationals Opening Day)— were shipped from the Gordon-Biersch in Columbus, Ohio. And, had not suffered from the transit.
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Photo by Yours For Good Fermentables.com.
— Follow on Twitter @Cizauskas.
— Follow on Facebook.
Commercial use requires explicit permission, as per Creative Commons.
To Share a Photo on Facebook:
1. Click on the set you would like to browse
2. Click on a specific photo
3. Click on the square with an arrow coming out in the bottom corner of the photo
4. Click on the Facebook icon in the popup window
4. Follow instructions in pop-up window
To Download a Photo:
1. Click on the set you would like to see (Awards, Pre/Post Race, Finish, etc.)
2. Click on a specific photo from the set
3. Right click on the photo and select a size
4. Click the download link above the photo sizes above the photo.
Specific Design Assessment
-Stormwater from the roof is channeled through a tiered rain garden where it is filtered and also provides visual interest to pedestrians in the galleria
-Vegetation including trees provide a connection to nature and create a more welcoming experience
-Greenery enhances the experience of building occupants
Relevant Land Use Code Sections
20.25A.160.D.4.h - Provide landscaping to define and animate the space wherever possible
20.25A.160.D.4.i - Incorporate trees and landscaping to provide enclosure and soften the experience of the built environment
20.25A.160.D.4.j - The use of artistic elements and water features is encouraged to provide moments of interest for the user
Iwiński, Mark. Crosscuts : Intersections Between Forest and History. Ithaca, N.Y: Mark Iwiński, 2006.
The book is based on the artist's site-specific works where he gold-leafs tree stumps in the Adirondacks. It chronicles a landscape of absence and loss.
See MCAD Library's catalog record for this book.
A text, in english, from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Ocellaris clownfish
The Ocellaris Clownfish, Clownfish or False Percula Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) is a popular aquarium fish. It is very closely related to A. percula, the Orange Clownfish or "True Percula Clownfish", and often lives in association with the sea anemone Heteractis magnifica, using them for shelter and protection. Generally, Ocellaris clownfish are hardier, and slightly less aggressive than its Percula counterpart. Both species are found in coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the Fiji and Tonga regions.
This clown anemonefish can be recognised by its orange colour with three white bars and black markings on the fins. It grows to about eight centimeters (three inches) in length. One can differentiate between Percula (true) and Ocellaris (false) by their respective colors and patterns. Ocellaris are usually less vibrantly colored, and have 11 dorsal fin-spines instead of 10, as on the Percula. Also, the species have different eye arrangements: Percula have bright orange irises, making their eyes appear smaller, whereas Ocellaris have grey/orange irises which make the species eyes appear bigger.
There is a rare melanistic variety hailing from the reefs around Darwin, Australia, that is a darker colour with the normal white stripes. Although not common in the wild, they are becoming more and more popular in the aquarium hobby.
Phylogeny:
The species Amphiprion ocellaris are related to the class Osteichthyes which contains bony fish and ray-finned fish. A. ocellaris is the most basal species in the genus Amphiprion which is closely related to the genera Premnas. The species' most closely related ancestor is Amphiprion percula, the Orange Clownfish. It is thought that A. ocellaris specialized after diverging from the Premnas genus, and scientific evidence confirms that all clownfish belonging to the genus Amphiprion could withstand the stings of only one type of anemone, after further diverging the 28 different species of clownfish including A. ocellaris specialized to be able to resist the poisonous stings of many different species.
Analogous structures:
Clownfish have many structures which are analogous with other species, the distinctive stripes found on the clownfish can be seen in few animals. Lampropeltis triangulum elapsoidesor otherwise known as the Scarlet King Snake has a well-defined pattern of red, black and yellow bands. These two structures both have characterises that are similar in use, the bands of each species help warn off predators if the animal is in danger. These bands also help camouflage both organisms in each of their different environments. The bright orange base striped with white found on the clownfish allows it to be undetected in its surroundings of fluorescent corals and anemones.
Homologous structures:
All fish have a mucus membrane surrounding their scales. The mucus usually contains high amounts of lipids and glycoproteins; however, the family Pomacentridae (anemone fish) have a special adaptation where the mucus coating the species is a great deal thicker. Also the protective layer lacks a specific substance that triggers nematocysts (the stings of an anemone); this allows the fish immunity against the toxic stings. Little is known about the mucus except that it is a genetically inherited trait and passed through the generations of each species. In other families of fish, the mucus is used as protection against harmful bacteria, an osmotic regulator and also aids the fish in nest making. The difference in mucuses has led to the divergent path of anemone fish and other species.
Clownfish are initially male; the largest fish in a group becomes female.
Popular culture:
he 2003 Disney/Pixar film, Finding Nemo featured the clown fish duo, Nemo (voiced by Alexander Gould) a juvenile clownfish, the title character/Marlin's son, and Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks) as Nemo's overprotective father.
Um texto, em português, da Wikipédia, a Enciclopédia livre:
Peixe-palhaço
Peixe-palhaço, ou peixe-das-anêmonas é o nome vulgar das espécies da subfamília Amphiprioninae na família Pomacentridae. Existem cerca de 27 espécies, uma das quais pertence ao gênero Premnas, pertencendo os outros ao gênero tipo Amphiprion. Deve o seu nome à forma desalinhada como nada.
As espécies assim designadas são nativas de uma vasta região compreendida em águas tépidas do Pacífico, coexistindo algumas espécies em algumas dessas regiões. São famosos devido à relação ecológica de protocooperação que estabelecem com as anêmonas-do-mar ou, em alguns casos, com corais. As anêmonas providenciam-lhes abrigo, apesar dos tentáculos urticantes a que são imunes, devido à camada de muco que os reveste. O peixe-palhaço esconde-se dos predadores nas anêmonas. Na base das mesmas, botam seus ovos, assegurando a proteção de sua prole. Em retorno, os restos do alimento do peixe-palhaço são utilizados pela anêmona. Uma associação que beneficia os dois parceiros.
Em geral, em cada anémona existe um "harém" que consiste em uma fêmea grande, um macho menor e outros machos não reprodutivos ainda menores. No caso de a fêmea ser removida, o macho reprodutor muda de sexo, num processo dito protandria, e o maior dos machos não reprodutivos torna-se reprodutivo.
Nemo, o protagonista do filme Finding Nemo (Procurando Nemo) é um peixe-palhaço.
Peixe fotografado na loja "Brasília Aquários", especializada em aquários de alta tecnologia, localizada no Fashion Mall, na 502 sul Térreo www.brasiliaaquario.com.br
(details tk on specific images) Cargill Learning Journey to South Africa and Zambia, to explore food security issues in the region. June 20-26. These photos are my personal glimpses and impressions over the course of this trip. More information on the substance of this trip can be found here: www.cargill.com/learning-journey/africa/
Specific Design Assessment
-Space blends functional pedestrian through-block access with a welcoming public space
-The vantage point at the top of the steps offer a good view of the Puget Sound
Relevant Land Use Code Sections
20.25A.160.E.2.c - Create attractive views and focal points
20.25A.160.D.4.i - Incorporate trees and landscaping to provide enclosure and soften the experience of the built environment
A further tour to Fourvière, Lyon, France for a specific visit of l'Antiquaille on October 20, 2022. I did also a new Kodak Tri-X film with my Zorki-4K camera and its Jupiter-8 1:2 f=50 mm normal lens.
The Zorki was loaded with the Kodak Tri-X (TX) exposed for 400 ISO using a Minolta Autometer III lightmeter fitted with a 10° viewfinder for selective measuring privileging the shadows. After exposure the film was processed at 20°C using Tetenal Ultrafin developer at dilution 1+10 for 9min.
L'Antiquaille, cachot de Saint Pothin, October 20, 2022
Montée Saint-Barthélémy
69005 Lyon
France
After process the film was digitalized using a Sony A7 body and a Minolta Slide Duplicator with a Minolta Auto Bellows III with a lens Minolta Bellow Macro Rokkor 50mm f/3.5.
After several films, and the range finder adjusted, I found the Zorki-4K very pleasant to use. The camera is clearly very reliable and the film smoothly advanced and rewound. I equipped the lens with a FOCA UV-protection filter (Made in France) and the hood of my Focaflex. All views are presented either framed or full-size.
About the camera :
This camera was manufactured in 1977 by KMZ company ( Красногорский механический завод, Krasnogorskiy Mechanicheskiy Zavod) located in the Moscow region. KMZ also manufactured the ZENIT SLR's among many other productions. Zorki 4K was produced between 1972 to 1978 and the previous Zorki models were inspired by the Leica II since 1949. This model 'Made in USSR" is branded in roman characters, intentionally for exportation. Other Zorki 4K were also branded in Cyrillic as "Зоркий". Zorki 4K was sold basically either with this Jupiter-8 lens 1:2 f=50mm or the Industar lens1:3.5 f=50mm. The Jupiter-8 is a Sonnar Zeiss optical formula and fits to the Zorki body using the screwing M39 Leica mount.
Its was sold to me in August 2022 from Austria with its original ever-ready leather bag, a front lens cap and a small shade hood accessory Minolta D42KA. The shade hood and filter of my Focaflex also fit to the Jupiter lens (Leica standard 42 mm filter)
"The Path of Greatest Resistance" (Der Weg des größten Widerstandes) is a profound site-specific installation by German artist Fabian Knecht, presented at the Langen Foundation in early 2026. The exhibition's centerpiece consists of a massive intervention where the museum’s iconic architecture - a glass and concrete masterpiece by Tadao Ando - is partially draped in hand-knotted camouflage nets. These nets were collected by Knecht during nineteen humanitarian missions to Ukraine following the 2022 invasion, where he exchanged them for professional military-grade materials. Woven by Ukrainian civilians from everyday textiles and donated clothing, the nets represent a "material texture" of war and a quiet, collective form of civilian resistance.
The installation creates a poignant tension between the precise, minimalist geometry of the Langen Foundation and the irregular, organic textures of the nets. By veiling portions of the glass facade and the inner concrete core, Knecht draws a direct historical parallel to the site’s former life as a NATO missile station during the Cold War, when the landscape was literally hidden under military camouflage. This dialogue between the "high art" environment of the museum and the "low-tech" utilitarian objects of survival forces a confrontation between the serene aesthetic of the gallery and the harsh, lived reality of conflict.
Accompanying the physical installation is the sound work Land (2022) by Ukrainian artist Ihor Okuniev. This twenty-minute soundscape explores the acoustic dimension of a war-torn landscape, immersing visitors in a sonic environment that echoes the themes of vulnerability and resilience seen in the textiles. The presence of these sounds within the sterile halls of the foundation serves to blur the boundaries between the safe interior of the museum and the volatile exterior world, making the distant experience of war palpably present through both sight and sound.
Ultimately, the exhibition serves as a monument to the invisible labor of those - largely women and children - who contribute to the defense of their country through domestic acts. By relocating these functional objects into an artistic context, Knecht and Okuniev raise urgent questions about visibility, participation, and the power of belief. The nets are no longer just tools for concealment; they become a complex tapestry of care and determination, challenging the audience to recognize the many forms that resistance takes when a society is under threat.
Publisher: Yutaka Kohata (Korea)
Year: 1976
This assessment measures technical aptitude of participants for specific technical jobs. The assessment is also used to determine particular personality types for technical work.
Bradford Pear or Callery Pear - Pyrus calleryana - is a once beloved and now much hated non-native tree.
The Bradford pear is technically a specific cultivar of the ornamental Callery pear. It usually grows 25-30 feet tall, with a canopy perhaps 20-25 feet wide, noted for its lovely, uniformly rounded form. That consistently rounded shape lends itself to symmetrical landscape plantings, and many homeowners will plant Bradfords to line their driveways. The tree blooms dependably, displays wonderful fall color, and, best of all, has virtually no insect or disease problems. Unfortunately, that’s where the good news about Bradford pears comes to an end.
The same branch structure that makes that rounded canopy shape so pleasing, with branches angled sharply upward from the trunk (called a narrow or tight crotch angle), is simply not as strong as it would be if those branches were closer to horizontal. Further, all of its major limbs diverge from a single point on the trunk. This structural weakness makes the trees very susceptible to storm damage, whether from wind or from ice, and the damage often causes large limbs to rip down one side of the trunk, leaving the homeowner with a lopsided tree that destroys their carefully cultivated symmetry.
Structural weakness is not the only drawback associated with Bradford pears, though. Originally bred to be sterile, this ornamental pear tree was never intended to produce fruit. In reality, though, it is often pollinated by newer Callery pear cultivars (“Aristocrat,” ‘Chanticleer,” “Cleveland Select,” and “Redspire”) that were developed to overcome some of the Bradford’s structural issues. This cross-pollination can lead to viable seeds, and that’s where the real trouble starts. The offspring of those well-mannered ornamental pears are, to put it nicely, aggressive thugs. They spread rapidly with the help of birds dropping their seeds, and the resulting plants are thorny invaders, choking out native wildlife habitat wherever the seedlings take hold. The problem is severe enough that many localities have banned the Bradford pear altogether in certain settings.
The Callery pear is an invasive species in many areas of eastern North America, outcompeting many native plants and trees. In the northeastern United States (and increasingly the South), wild Callery pears sometimes form extensive, nearly pure stands in old fields, along roadsides, and in similar disturbed areas.
While these wild plants are sometimes called "Bradford pear" (for the 'Bradford' cultivar), they are actually wild-growing descendants of multiple genotypes of Pyrus calleryana, and hence more correctly referred to by the common (or scientific) name of the species itself.
The tree is known for its pungent, often unpleasant smell during its flowering stage, which has been described as reminiscent of rotting fish, chlorine, or other things.
If all this weren’t discouraging enough, Bradford pears just don’t live a long time, as trees go. Starting around the age of 20, the trees simply begin to decline, with few of them living past the age of 30.
The species is named after the Italian-French sinologue Joseph-Marie Callery (1810–1862) who sent specimens of the tree to Europe from China.
thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2011/02/28/i-just-hate-b...
guilford.ces.ncsu.edu/2013/10/bradford-pear-a-mixed-bless...
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrus_calleryana
Bradford Pear or Callery Pear - Pyrus calleryana
The guitar is an instrument that can be used in many different genres, from classical music to rock and heavy metal. No matter the genre you’re looking to play (if you have a specific one in mind), we offer guitar lessons for all levels of competency (beginner, moderate and advanced), and to all age groups. Whether you’re looking to learn classical guitar, acoustic guitar or electric guitar, we offer professional, well planned and organised lessons that are both enjoyable and effective.
The popularity of learning guitar in Singapore is on the rise, with more students wanting to learn, as well as more teachers offering their services. Not every student and teacher are a perfect fit however, and you have to choose carefully in order to get the most out of your guitar course; having a good guitar teacher is essential to the learning process. We believe that the enjoyment of the learning experience is important to the learning process itself and we incorporate this value into our curriculum.
The benefits of learning guitar in Singapore with us:
A break from routine:
Singapore can be a busy city, as the stereotype goes, for both adults with demanding jobs, as well as school children and students; working, studying or commuting back and forth can become a monotonous and tiring routine. Learning to play guitar is a good way to escape the busy schedules, obligations and work, and to wind down and relax, while exploring the more creative sides of your personality (that may not get to show very often).
A form of creative relaxation:
What better way to relax and get your creative juices flowing than to engage in your favourite songs in a more active way and on a deeper level?! It is possible to play most songs and pieces on the guitar to varying degrees of complexity, from very simple versions, to more intermediate and advance levels. About Music is a music and guitar school in Singapore that offers a wide variety of guitar courses. With our classical, acoustic and electrical guitar lessons, we’re here to help you start from the very basic levels, so you will have more confidence and skill to eventually play your favourite songs and pieces in richer/fuller ways!
Opportunities to play in bands and ensembles:
Because the guitar is such a versatile instrument, it sounds just as good on its own as it does along with other instruments. This means that both more introverted people wanting to play on their own, as well as people who would like to eventually be able to play in bands can benefit from our guitar courses. At About Music, we encourage and create opportunities for our students to form bands and ensembles to play together and instil confidence in performing. You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy the band experience, many of our students start from playing the basics and develop their skills further as they practice (with their bands and ensembles) what we teach them. When playing in a band, the guitar can be both the leading musical instrument, as well as a good accompaniment – this way, depending on your personality and preferences, you can choose to play prominent solo pieces or supporting background music.
Guitar as a portable instrument:
The guitar is also a very portable instrument, unlike some other larger/heavier ones, which means you can easily carry it around to different places and practice whenever you have the time to. Not to mention how attractive and impressive most guitarists look when they sling on the guitar!
So if you are wondering where you should learn guitar, look no further! Whether you’re looking to start from scratch, or to make the first step in improving your existing skills, we can customise for you fun, exciting, guitar lessons in a friendly and welcoming environment that will greatly improve your skills as well as broaden your outlook in music in general!
Picking Up Guitar Lessons in Singapore first appeared on About Music.
The Ambient Performance of Quiet Spaces is a site-specific exploration of experience at the border of perception and imagination. It was set in Washington DC’s McKinley Theater in the Carnegie Library and performed continually between 8pm-3am. The Carnegie Library, the first public library in Washington, was decommissioned in the late 70’s and it is now a performance and event venue.
In this work, the shared physical, public space of the library is reconfigured so that its new visitors: the audience, robotic cameras and performers are equally engaged in moments of private and public reflection. The form of the work is the active transposition of subject and object and of content and meaning between these three constituencies. This process of transposition is a reference to contemporary digital culture’s ongoing assimilation of earlier cultural forms.
Working with performer Nick Horan, we each took turns on stage, quietly reading and at times engaging with the installation. Two PTZ IP cameras were programed to scan the stage, the audience and each other, similarly pondering their environment. The resulting images were projected onto the screen behind the stage. A soundtrack composed of ambient sounds from existing public libraries, recordings of the preparation of the materials for the installation and ambient sounds from recent installations played quietly throughout the performances.
The Ambient Performance of Quiet Spaces featured an installation of various materials on the stage of the theater that included: card catalog cards, *prepared books (with tape, acetate, LEDs/electronics/code), cables, computers, projectors and IP cameras.
*prepared books included:
> James Joyce’s Ulysses containing excerpts from Emmanuel Levinas’ Totality and Infinity
> John Beecroft’s Kipling: A Selection of His Stories and Poems containing card catalog cards for books related to technology and its impact on the library system
> John B. Noss’ Man’s Religions
> Milan Kundera’s The Unbearable Lightness of Being
video/audio of the project: vimeo.com/147043745
Tom Nicholson
"Comparative Monument (Ma'man Allah)"
Site-specific installation
Khalidi Library
Jerusalem Show VII: Fractures, Intervals
curated by Basak Senova
organized by Al Ma'mal
part of Qalandiya International II
Photo by Issa Freij
Hello. How May We Assist YOU? Our MCI147 and MCI3100 keyboards are designed to make Telephony software more intuitive while increasing the overall value of the total solution. By eliminating keystrokes, the keyboard speeds processing time with callers and enhances operator efficiency. Reduced training time, enjoyed by a utilizing a custom tailored solution, brings employee productivity levels up to speed quickly. ‘Hot Keys’ tailored with embedded programming, automate the most common functions of your software package (e.g., wake up call, message, call transfer, schedule appointment). Prefer to use the Num Pad? We can configure the number pad to look and function like a standard telephone pad! Our assortment of colored key caps provide a more professional look and feel and help even the newest user easily locate the required task.
Following the attacks of November the 13th, the Eiffel tower has had a specific lighting for about 10 days. This made the old lady beautiful and moving.
In specific, Holy Week is the week just before Easter that extends from Palm Sunday until Holy Saturday and marks the last week of Lent. It has earned the name 'Holy', according to the Orthodox Church, due to the significant events that take place for Christianity in regard to the sufferings of Jesus Christ.
Saturday evening is filled with the anticipation of celebrating Easter Sunday. In some areas, people begin to gather in the churches and squares in cities, towns and villages by 11pm for the Easter liturgies. A few minutes before midnight, all the lights are turned off and the priest exits the altar holding candles lit by the Holy Light, which is distributed to everyone inside and outside the church. At midnight, the priest exits the church and announces the resurrection of Jesus. Many people carry large white candles called lambada, and the church bells toll as the priests announce “Christ is Risen!” at midnight. Each person in the crowd replies with a similarly joyous response.
The capital of the Republic of Cyprus is also its cultural heartbeat.
Nicosia is the capital and largest city on the island of Cyprus, as well as its main business centre.
There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment.
We are making photographs to understand what our lives mean to us.
The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people in it do.
The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.
I really believe there are things nobody would see if I didn’t photograph them.
Photographic techniques capture electromagnetic wavelengths beyond human vision, revealing features invisible to the naked eye. These signals are processed into interpretable forms using methods like color mapping.
Pink lacks a specific electromagnetic wavelength, while grey poses a limitation due to its representation of only intensity—a blend of light and dark without spectral specificity. Imaging techniques reliant on spectral variation produce identical results for greyscale images unless non-visible data is present. Deviations from this uniformity may indicate errors, misinterpretations, or unknown phenomena.
Contention persists over analytical debates, including dismissible claims like Van Allen belt dangers and contested evidence of lunar mirrors. The precision of laser reflections targeting a moving 3x3-foot marker on the Moon highlights technical skill but often fails to resolve skepticism. For instance, a 0.1° shift moves a laser spot 670 km across the Moon's surface.
Forensic analysis (2022, 2023) of Apollo 11–17 photographs assessed authenticity claims. Images of humans in space, Earth, and the Moon's distant views were validated, but Moon landing visuals showed variations, suggesting diverse techniques may have replicated certain elements.
PEMi (Photoelectromagnetic Image) software enhances forensic analysis by differentiating natural and artificial light sources, revealing hidden features. Each PEMi-ID links to original sources, ensuring traceability and comparison.
Further exploration is available:
Lehti, A. (2024). The Silence of Inquiry: Forensic Reflections Reveal a Crisis of Perception. figshare. doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.28078982
Credits
2022-2025 © Andrew Lehti
1961–2023 © NASA, ESA
Software: PEMi (GitHub: andylehti/PEMi.git)
Explore PEM-I: pemimage.streamlit.app
CC BY-SA 4.0 License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Research:
Lehti, Andrew (2024). Cognitive Psychology and the Education System. figshare. Collection. doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.7532079
CC BY-SA 4.0
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, PO Box 1866, Mountain View, CA 94042, USA.
(details tk on specific images) Cargill Learning Journey to South Africa and Zambia, to explore food security issues in the region. June 20-26. These photos are my personal glimpses and impressions over the course of this trip. More information on the substance of this trip can be found here: www.cargill.com/learning-journey/africa/
This innovative new building provides specific services tailored to community needs and includes an integrated local library, community centre and child care centre.
Establishing a new Australian standard of excellence for environmentally sustainable design in civic buildings, the building includes: use of planting together with a thermal labyrinth for passive filtering and tempering of air; incorporation of extensive natural light; solar-tracking timber louvre systems; automated fabric shading; mixed mode ventilation; extensive photovoltaic array; geothermal cooling bores; green roof; rainwater collection and recycling; and sustainable material selection.
The project has been rapidly embraced by the community and well received by industry being awarded UDIA Excellence in Sustainable Design award and the Australian Timber Design Awards Public Building high commendation.
A further tour to Fourvière, Lyon, France for a specific visit of l'Antiquaille on October 20, 2022. I did also a new Kodak Tri-X film with my Zorki-4K camera and its Jupiter-8 1:2 f=50 mm normal lens.
The Zorki was loaded with the Kodak Tri-X (TX) exposed for 400 ISO using a Minolta Autometer III lightmeter fitted with a 10° viewfinder for selective measuring privileging the shadows. After exposure the film was processed at 20°C using Tetenal Ultrafin developer at dilution 1+10 for 9min.
Jardin de la Visitation, October 20, 2022
69005 Lyon
France
After process the film was digitalized using a Sony A7 body and a Minolta Slide Duplicator with a Minolta Auto Bellows III with a lens Minolta Bellow Macro Rokkor 50mm f/3.5.
After several films, and the range finder adjusted, I found the Zorki-4K very pleasant to use. The camera is clearly very reliable and the film smoothly advanced and rewound. I equipped the lens with a FOCA UV-protection filter (Made in France) and the hood of my Focaflex. All views are presented either framed or full-size.
About the camera :
This camera was manufactured in 1977 by KMZ company ( Красногорский механический завод, Krasnogorskiy Mechanicheskiy Zavod) located in the Moscow region. KMZ also manufactured the ZENIT SLR's among many other productions. Zorki 4K was produced between 1972 to 1978 and the previous Zorki models were inspired by the Leica II since 1949. This model 'Made in USSR" is branded in roman characters, intentionally for exportation. Other Zorki 4K were also branded in Cyrillic as "Зоркий". Zorki 4K was sold basically either with this Jupiter-8 lens 1:2 f=50mm or the Industar lens1:3.5 f=50mm. The Jupiter-8 is a Sonnar Zeiss optical formula and fits to the Zorki body using the screwing M39 Leica mount.
Its was sold to me in August 2022 from Austria with its original ever-ready leather bag, a front lens cap and a small shade hood accessory Minolta D42KA. The shade hood and filter of my Focaflex also fit to the Jupiter lens (Leica standard 42 mm filter)
"Funeral of President Lincoln Washington" from the MOLLUS-Mass collection, Volume 44, page 2200R
As I continue to experience issues with the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center search engine, in finding specific items in their collection, I thought it might be of benefit to others (i.e., Civil War photo buffs) to post this page, which contains four different views of Lincoln's D.C funeral procession of April 19, 1865. I've annotated how each image here relates to the negatives held by the Library of Congress.
The image in the lower left corner is the "missing" right half (left side in a red cyan anaglyph) to the Library of Congress call number LC-BH823- 145. The LOC does not indicate that this image is from a stereograph, and just looking at it, it appears to have a portrait oriented aspect ratio, different than the landscape oriented matching half seen here from MOLLU-Mass. After determining that they make perfect 3D, it's clear that the Library of Congress LH-BH823- 145 is from a 4x10 stereo glass plate just like the two full stereographs in their collection, LC-B815-1275, and LC-B815-1273.
If you view the LOC half on their website, it's also clear that some portion of this half stereo was cropped out (or broken and missing) in the scanning. Obvious because of the different aspect ratio and the width of the scene - the Capitol is almost totally cropped out on the right and on the left there are many more buildings visible in the MOLLUS-Mass print. My theory is that they only scanned what they thought was the useable portion of the half negative. It's also of note that the LOC scanned this half stereo at four times the resolution of a half stereo from either of their two full stereo 4x10 inch glass plates. If I was able to pick two negatives for the LOC to rescan at a higher resolution, it would be these two full stereographs (links below) due to the presence of the Bell & Bro photographers (with their cameras) atop the roof of their gallery, in the far distance.
All four images, seen here on this MOLLUS-Mass page were full stereographs, most likely all taken by the same camera.
Link to half stereo LC-BH823- 145: www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2017897828/
Link to full stereo LC-B815-1275: www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2018667102/
Link to full stereo LC-B815-1273: www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2018667101/
The specific name officinalis refers to its value as a medicinal herb, and is derived from the word opificina, later officina, meaning a workshop or pharmacy. - Wikipedia
The Final Day of Racing At Brands Hatch for The Superprix Weekend and After a Really Busy and Scattered Set Of Races The Previous day it was time to see which of the Drivers could Brave the Circuit One Last Time and Take Home Either a Championship Win or a Victory in their Specific Race.
Lets Get Straight to the Results.
Classic Formula Ford/Historic Formula 3 (Race 2 Result)
Classic Formula Ford and Historic Formula 3 Were up First and it was Time to see who could be The one to take the Checkered Flag First when they crossed the Line.
In First Place was (Cameron Jackson) in his Winkelmann WDF2 with a Lap Time of 1:39.257 and a Top Speed of 86.59mph. A Fantastic Victory Cameron Showing Incredible Car Control and Commitment to Win the Race.
In Second Place was (Ben Tinkler) in his Van Diemen RF80 with a Lap Time of 1:39.986 and a Top Speed of 85.77mph. A Really Great Drive from Ben to stay so close to Cameron and Keep Him on his toes the entire Time while Fighting for the Lead of the Race.
In Third Place was (Jordan Harrison) in his Lola T540E with a Lap Time of 1:39.994 and a Top Speed of 85.54mph. A Really Wonderfully Deserved Third Place for Jordan Pushing that Lola for everything it Has got to gain Third Place. Well Done.
Three Fantastically Fast Drivers all with Incredible Speed and Talent Showcasing The Best of what they Bring to Brands Hatch Every Year. An Amazing Last Race to Witness. Congratulations to The Race Winner and Keep Trying Hard Everyone Else.
HGPCA Pre 66 Grand Prix Cars (Race 20)
Next It was The Historic Grand Prix Cars and with a Massive Turn out for them it looks like Another Cracking Race to see from Start till Finish. Lets see who came out on Top.
In First Place was (Sam Wilson) in his Lotus 18 with a Lap Time of 1:39.384 and a Top Speed of 86.55mph. Amazing Work Sam Showing Colin Chapman How it Should be Done. He would have been Proud to Witness that Victory.
In Second Place was (Peter Horsman) in his Lotus 18/21 with a Lap Time of 1:41.296 and A Top Speed of 84.90mph. A Fantastic Drive by Peter to take Second Place in the Race.
In Third Place was (Miles Griffiths) in his Scarab Offenhauser with A Lap Time of 1:41.501 and A Top Speed of 84.38mph A Really Good Job there Miles Almost Matching Lap Times with Peter and Showing Some Incredible Car Control during The Race.
Another Fantastic Race for The Historic Grand Prix Cars and a Huge Congratulations to Sam for Taking Victory in the Last Race. Avery Well Done to Both Peter and Miles as well.
HSCC 70's Road Sports (Race 19)
Historic Road Sports took to the Track next and with some Legendary Cars from the Likes of Lotus Morgan and TVR it was Time to see who Had Stormed to Victory in the Last Race and Taken the Victory.
In First Place was (William Plant) in his Morgan Plus 8 with A Lap Time of 1:45.768 and A Top Speed of 70.67mph. Congratulations William on the Victory it was so Good to See a Morgan Take First Place while Watching this Exciting Race. An Amazing Drive.
In Second Place was (Jim Dean) in his Lotus Europa with A Lap Time of 1:46.411 and A Top Speed of 70.66mph. Another Incredible Drive from Jim to Take Second Place. Well Done
In Third Place was (Richard Plant) in his Morgan Plus 8 with A Lap Time of 1:47.697 and a Top Speed of 70.31mph. A Very Committed Drive from Richard and a Fantastic Third Place Finish that I'm sure the Whole Family will be Proud of.
Fantastic Racing from the 70's Road Sports to Finish the Days Racing for them Congratulations to William, Jim and Richard. Hope to see you Three Battling it out Again Soon.
Aurora Trophy With Geoff Lees Trophy
The Arora Trophy Roared onto the Grand Prix Circuit Next with Powerful V8 Engines thease Racing Cars could make the Ground Shake as they Thunder their way around the Race Track. Lets see who Managed to take that All Important Victory for their Final Race.
In First Place was (Martin Stretton) in his March 712 with a Lap Time of 1:25.976 and A Top Speed of 101mph. A Very Brave and Committed drive from Martin to Take Victory, Really Pushing the March to its Limits and hanging onto the Lead thought the Race.
In Second Place was (Mathew Wrigley) in his March 782 with a Lap Time of 1:25.127 and A Top Speed of 100.96mph. Another Incredible Driver Taking his Machinery to New heights and Keeping the March Name Alive in Historic Racing. Amazing Work Mathew.
In Third Place was (Samuel Harrison) in his Dallara 389 with A Lap Time of 1:29.552 and A Top Speed of 95.04mph. Amazing work Sam showing Insane Car Control even when Racing so Fast and for such A Long Time. Congratulations.
Another Amazing Race to Keep the Day going and showing the Amazing work that Each Team Does to ensure that their Driver and His Car are Ready to go. Well Done to all of the Teams and to the First Second and Third Place Winners as well. Looking Forward To seeing more Action this Year from the Aurora Trophy.
Guards Trophy (Race 21)
Next Up Guards Trophy with Another Range of Racing Machines from the Likes of Brabham Chevron and Lotus Lets see what will Happen and Who will be able to Drive their way to Victory in This Race.
In First Place was (Andy Newall) in his Chevron B6 with A Lap Time of 1:38.258 and A Top Speed of 83.84mph. Very Well Driven and Raced by Andy Showcasing the Power of the Chevron and taking it too its Limits in terms of Raw Speed and Performance.
In Second Place was the Duo of (Jackson S and Jackson C) in their Lenham P70 with A Lap Time of 1:38.008 and A Top Speed of 83.45mph. Fantastic Work to The Two Jacks who Really showed what Working Together Can Achieve during A Race. Well Done
In Third Place was the Duo of (Mitchell W and Mitchell B) in their Chevron B8 with A Lap Time of 1:38.368 and A Top Speed of 82.49mph. Another Amazing Duo who Have Taken Third Place and Kept the Fight Alive in their Respective Championship. Amazing work.
A Fantastic Race for the Guards Trophy Showing the Power of Each Race Car and what they Are Capable of When put into The Hands of the Right Drivers. Congratulations to Andy Mitchell W and Mitchell B as well as Jackson S and Jackson C for putting on One Hell of a Race. Keep up the Good Work Everyone Else and Never Stop Fighting for your Own Victories.
Historic Formula Ford (Race 16)
Next Up was Historic Formula Ford and some very Twitchy and Tricky Cars to be Driven Round the Circuit at Hight Speed. With Light Weight Chassis and Small Cockpits this was going to be a Very Exciting Race to Watch. Lets see who Came out Best of the Rest.
In First Place was (Cameron Jackson) in his Winkelmann WDF2 with A Lap Time of 1:38.596 and A Top Speed of 87.95mph. Another Incredible Drive From Cameron to Take Victory and show what A Truly Committed and Self Determined Driver is. He is an Inspiration to All Up Coming Formula Ford Racers.
In Second Place was (Tom Macarthur) in his Titan MK3 with A Lap Time of 1:38.484 and A Top Speed of 87.94mph. Another Really Brave and Heroic Driver Pushing His Formula Ford to its Limits and Keeping his Eye's on the Race Track. Amazing Work Tom.
In Third Place was (Horatio Fitzsimon) in his Merlin MK20A with A Lap Time of 1:38.513 And A Top Speed of 87.90mph. Very Well Done Horatio Fantastic Driving and A Well Deserved Third Place.
An Amazing Final Heat Race for the Formula Fords with Everyone Pushing As Hard as they Could for Victory. Keep Working Hard Everyone and Congratulations to Cameron Tom and Horatio.
Historic Road Sports (Race 17)
Historic Road Sports Next and it was Time to see what Each Driver could do in their Respective Race Car. Lets see how things Stacked up and who Came out on Top in the Race.
In First Place was (Kevin Kivlochan) in his AC Cobra with a Lap Time of 1:46.891 and A Top Speed of 72.19mph. What A Drive From Kevin to Take Victory Keeping that Cobra Far Ahead of the Rest of the Pack and Taking A Dominant Victory. Carol Shelby would have Loved to See That.
In Second Place was (John Davidson) in his Lotus Elan S1 with A Lap Time of 1:46.052 And A Top Speed of 72.16mph. Amazing Work John Keeping that Lotus on the Tarmac and Putting on One Hell of a Race for Everyone. Amazing Job.
In Third Place was (Rupert Ashdown) in his Lotus Elan S1 with A Lap Time of 1:47.481and A Top Speed of 71.61mph. Another Incredible Drive by Rupert Taking Third Place Very Well Deserved.
Historic Road Sports putting on Another Superb Race for the Season and Congratulations to Kevin John and Rupert on their Victories. Hope to see More of that This Year and Good Luck to Everyone Else Racing too.
Historic Touring Cars (Race 22)
The Final Race of The Day was Here and The Historic Touring Car Club did not Disappoint with Lotus Cortina's Mini Cooper S's and Ford Mustangs This was going to be a Final Battle of Titans. Lets See Who Managed to Take that Last Checkered Flag of the Day.
In First Place was (Steve Soper) in his Ford Mustang with A Lap Time of 1.47.084 and A Top Speed of 71.51mph. Awesome Drive Steve Fantastic to see that He Still has it in him After all The Years of Racing.
In Second Place was (Rob Fen) in his Ford Mustang with A Lap Time of 1:49.031 and A Top Speed of 70.93mph. Amazing Work Rob Pushing that Mustang Far and Wide to Hang onto that Second Place. Excellent Drive.
In Third Place was (Mark Martin in his Ford Lotus Cortina with A Lap Time of 1:49.905 and A Top Speed of 70.70mph. Very Well Done Mark Great Driving and Even a Wheel in the Air on Some Occasions Heading onto the Grand Prix Loop. What A Sight that Was to See.
And With that The Days Events came to an End for another year of Superprix Racing at Brands Hatch Amazing work to all of the Organisers and Race Drivers who took Part and Congratulations once again to all of the Race Winners. Keep Fighting Keep Wining and I'm Sure we will do it All Again Next Year.
(details tk on specific images) Cargill Learning Journey to South Africa and Zambia, to explore food security issues in the region. June 20-26. These photos are my personal glimpses and impressions over the course of this trip. More information on the substance of this trip can be found here: www.cargill.com/learning-journey/africa/
With punishments like this, it was no surprise that there was a distinct lack of fly-tipping in Gozo. We should adopt penalties like this in the UK.
Oh, and of course I love professionally produced, official signs with a typo... (hint: bottom line).
'The Light Inside', Site-specific installation of Neon light, gypsum board, plaster, and glass by James Turrell, 1999
When we were driving through a lake area, Chembarambakkam Lake near Chennai to be specific, there were around 10 to15 OBS
were feeding in the soft mud next to the road.....we drove passed them
because they
were so well hidden in the grass,we then backed up and spotted 2 of
them.....then they spotted us and the rest of the 8 took off.Then we
realized that we should be more cautious next time we approached
them,so we drove further down and spotted many other birds we returned
back after an hour then we spotted a OBS feeding on the other side of
the road,and on the side where we had spotted them earlier there were
around 8 of them. This time having learnt our lesson we drove slowly
and did not make much noise, we pulled up right next to this
individual and watched him intently and we froze whenever he seemed to
notice us, just then another OBS flew right over us and landed next to
the first one,we noticed that the first OBS had caught a nice juicy
snail of modest proportion[I do have a picture of this but it hadn't
come out well] The other OBS[OBS 2] which had just flown in seemed to
think that the snail was his rightful property, OBS1 after gulping the
snail, was given a bite from the greedy OBS2 who continued to harrass
OBS1. OBS1 now quite irritated lunged forward and caught the beak of
OBS 2 and pulled him backwards now the OBS2 had learnt his lesson and
gave a submissive stance......but OBS1 energized by the Snail he had
eaten chased away the OBS2 by giving his tail feathers a nip with the
sharp open beak. It was great to watch this at such close quarters,
and the fact that they were unperturbed by our presence meant that
they were either used to people and vehicles or we did the right
things by keeping our cool and keeping quiet.
The Final Day of Racing At Brands Hatch for The Superprix Weekend and After a Really Busy and Scattered Set Of Races The Previous day it was time to see which of the Drivers could Brave the Circuit One Last Time and Take Home Either a Championship Win or a Victory in their Specific Race.
Lets Get Straight to the Results.
Classic Formula Ford/Historic Formula 3 (Race 2 Result)
Classic Formula Ford and Historic Formula 3 Were up First and it was Time to see who could be The one to take the Checkered Flag First when they crossed the Line.
In First Place was (Cameron Jackson) in his Winkelmann WDF2 with a Lap Time of 1:39.257 and a Top Speed of 86.59mph. A Fantastic Victory Cameron Showing Incredible Car Control and Commitment to Win the Race.
In Second Place was (Ben Tinkler) in his Van Diemen RF80 with a Lap Time of 1:39.986 and a Top Speed of 85.77mph. A Really Great Drive from Ben to stay so close to Cameron and Keep Him on his toes the entire Time while Fighting for the Lead of the Race.
In Third Place was (Jordan Harrison) in his Lola T540E with a Lap Time of 1:39.994 and a Top Speed of 85.54mph. A Really Wonderfully Deserved Third Place for Jordan Pushing that Lola for everything it Has got to gain Third Place. Well Done.
Three Fantastically Fast Drivers all with Incredible Speed and Talent Showcasing The Best of what they Bring to Brands Hatch Every Year. An Amazing Last Race to Witness. Congratulations to The Race Winner and Keep Trying Hard Everyone Else.
HGPCA Pre 66 Grand Prix Cars (Race 20)
Next It was The Historic Grand Prix Cars and with a Massive Turn out for them it looks like Another Cracking Race to see from Start till Finish. Lets see who came out on Top.
In First Place was (Sam Wilson) in his Lotus 18 with a Lap Time of 1:39.384 and a Top Speed of 86.55mph. Amazing Work Sam Showing Colin Chapman How it Should be Done. He would have been Proud to Witness that Victory.
In Second Place was (Peter Horsman) in his Lotus 18/21 with a Lap Time of 1:41.296 and A Top Speed of 84.90mph. A Fantastic Drive by Peter to take Second Place in the Race.
In Third Place was (Miles Griffiths) in his Scarab Offenhauser with A Lap Time of 1:41.501 and A Top Speed of 84.38mph A Really Good Job there Miles Almost Matching Lap Times with Peter and Showing Some Incredible Car Control during The Race.
Another Fantastic Race for The Historic Grand Prix Cars and a Huge Congratulations to Sam for Taking Victory in the Last Race. Avery Well Done to Both Peter and Miles as well.
HSCC 70's Road Sports (Race 19)
Historic Road Sports took to the Track next and with some Legendary Cars from the Likes of Lotus Morgan and TVR it was Time to see who Had Stormed to Victory in the Last Race and Taken the Victory.
In First Place was (William Plant) in his Morgan Plus 8 with A Lap Time of 1:45.768 and A Top Speed of 70.67mph. Congratulations William on the Victory it was so Good to See a Morgan Take First Place while Watching this Exciting Race. An Amazing Drive.
In Second Place was (Jim Dean) in his Lotus Europa with A Lap Time of 1:46.411 and A Top Speed of 70.66mph. Another Incredible Drive from Jim to Take Second Place. Well Done
In Third Place was (Richard Plant) in his Morgan Plus 8 with A Lap Time of 1:47.697 and a Top Speed of 70.31mph. A Very Committed Drive from Richard and a Fantastic Third Place Finish that I'm sure the Whole Family will be Proud of.
Fantastic Racing from the 70's Road Sports to Finish the Days Racing for them Congratulations to William, Jim and Richard. Hope to see you Three Battling it out Again Soon.
Aurora Trophy With Geoff Lees Trophy
The Arora Trophy Roared onto the Grand Prix Circuit Next with Powerful V8 Engines thease Racing Cars could make the Ground Shake as they Thunder their way around the Race Track. Lets see who Managed to take that All Important Victory for their Final Race.
In First Place was (Martin Stretton) in his March 712 with a Lap Time of 1:25.976 and A Top Speed of 101mph. A Very Brave and Committed drive from Martin to Take Victory, Really Pushing the March to its Limits and hanging onto the Lead thought the Race.
In Second Place was (Mathew Wrigley) in his March 782 with a Lap Time of 1:25.127 and A Top Speed of 100.96mph. Another Incredible Driver Taking his Machinery to New heights and Keeping the March Name Alive in Historic Racing. Amazing Work Mathew.
In Third Place was (Samuel Harrison) in his Dallara 389 with A Lap Time of 1:29.552 and A Top Speed of 95.04mph. Amazing work Sam showing Insane Car Control even when Racing so Fast and for such A Long Time. Congratulations.
Another Amazing Race to Keep the Day going and showing the Amazing work that Each Team Does to ensure that their Driver and His Car are Ready to go. Well Done to all of the Teams and to the First Second and Third Place Winners as well. Looking Forward To seeing more Action this Year from the Aurora Trophy.
Guards Trophy (Race 21)
Next Up Guards Trophy with Another Range of Racing Machines from the Likes of Brabham Chevron and Lotus Lets see what will Happen and Who will be able to Drive their way to Victory in This Race.
In First Place was (Andy Newall) in his Chevron B6 with A Lap Time of 1:38.258 and A Top Speed of 83.84mph. Very Well Driven and Raced by Andy Showcasing the Power of the Chevron and taking it too its Limits in terms of Raw Speed and Performance.
In Second Place was the Duo of (Jackson S and Jackson C) in their Lenham P70 with A Lap Time of 1:38.008 and A Top Speed of 83.45mph. Fantastic Work to The Two Jacks who Really showed what Working Together Can Achieve during A Race. Well Done
In Third Place was the Duo of (Mitchell W and Mitchell B) in their Chevron B8 with A Lap Time of 1:38.368 and A Top Speed of 82.49mph. Another Amazing Duo who Have Taken Third Place and Kept the Fight Alive in their Respective Championship. Amazing work.
A Fantastic Race for the Guards Trophy Showing the Power of Each Race Car and what they Are Capable of When put into The Hands of the Right Drivers. Congratulations to Andy Mitchell W and Mitchell B as well as Jackson S and Jackson C for putting on One Hell of a Race. Keep up the Good Work Everyone Else and Never Stop Fighting for your Own Victories.
Historic Formula Ford (Race 16)
Next Up was Historic Formula Ford and some very Twitchy and Tricky Cars to be Driven Round the Circuit at Hight Speed. With Light Weight Chassis and Small Cockpits this was going to be a Very Exciting Race to Watch. Lets see who Came out Best of the Rest.
In First Place was (Cameron Jackson) in his Winkelmann WDF2 with A Lap Time of 1:38.596 and A Top Speed of 87.95mph. Another Incredible Drive From Cameron to Take Victory and show what A Truly Committed and Self Determined Driver is. He is an Inspiration to All Up Coming Formula Ford Racers.
In Second Place was (Tom Macarthur) in his Titan MK3 with A Lap Time of 1:38.484 and A Top Speed of 87.94mph. Another Really Brave and Heroic Driver Pushing His Formula Ford to its Limits and Keeping his Eye's on the Race Track. Amazing Work Tom.
In Third Place was (Horatio Fitzsimon) in his Merlin MK20A with A Lap Time of 1:38.513 And A Top Speed of 87.90mph. Very Well Done Horatio Fantastic Driving and A Well Deserved Third Place.
An Amazing Final Heat Race for the Formula Fords with Everyone Pushing As Hard as they Could for Victory. Keep Working Hard Everyone and Congratulations to Cameron Tom and Horatio.
Historic Road Sports (Race 17)
Historic Road Sports Next and it was Time to see what Each Driver could do in their Respective Race Car. Lets see how things Stacked up and who Came out on Top in the Race.
In First Place was (Kevin Kivlochan) in his AC Cobra with a Lap Time of 1:46.891 and A Top Speed of 72.19mph. What A Drive From Kevin to Take Victory Keeping that Cobra Far Ahead of the Rest of the Pack and Taking A Dominant Victory. Carol Shelby would have Loved to See That.
In Second Place was (John Davidson) in his Lotus Elan S1 with A Lap Time of 1:46.052 And A Top Speed of 72.16mph. Amazing Work John Keeping that Lotus on the Tarmac and Putting on One Hell of a Race for Everyone. Amazing Job.
In Third Place was (Rupert Ashdown) in his Lotus Elan S1 with A Lap Time of 1:47.481and A Top Speed of 71.61mph. Another Incredible Drive by Rupert Taking Third Place Very Well Deserved.
Historic Road Sports putting on Another Superb Race for the Season and Congratulations to Kevin John and Rupert on their Victories. Hope to see More of that This Year and Good Luck to Everyone Else Racing too.
Historic Touring Cars (Race 22)
The Final Race of The Day was Here and The Historic Touring Car Club did not Disappoint with Lotus Cortina's Mini Cooper S's and Ford Mustangs This was going to be a Final Battle of Titans. Lets See Who Managed to Take that Last Checkered Flag of the Day.
In First Place was (Steve Soper) in his Ford Mustang with A Lap Time of 1.47.084 and A Top Speed of 71.51mph. Awesome Drive Steve Fantastic to see that He Still has it in him After all The Years of Racing.
In Second Place was (Rob Fen) in his Ford Mustang with A Lap Time of 1:49.031 and A Top Speed of 70.93mph. Amazing Work Rob Pushing that Mustang Far and Wide to Hang onto that Second Place. Excellent Drive.
In Third Place was (Mark Martin in his Ford Lotus Cortina with A Lap Time of 1:49.905 and A Top Speed of 70.70mph. Very Well Done Mark Great Driving and Even a Wheel in the Air on Some Occasions Heading onto the Grand Prix Loop. What A Sight that Was to See.
And With that The Days Events came to an End for another year of Superprix Racing at Brands Hatch Amazing work to all of the Organisers and Race Drivers who took Part and Congratulations once again to all of the Race Winners. Keep Fighting Keep Wining and I'm Sure we will do it All Again Next Year.
Yellow-billed stork
Geelbek ooievaar
Nimmersat
(Mycteria ibis)
The yellow-billed stork (Mycteria ibis), sometimes also called the wood stork or wood ibis, is a large African wading stork species in the family Ciconiidae. It is widespread in regions south of the Sahara and also occurs in Madagascar.
The yellow-billed stork is closely related to 3 other species in the genus Mycteria: the American woodstork (Mycteria americana), the milky stork (Mycteria cinerea) and the painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala). It is classified as belonging to one clade with these 3 other species because they all display remarkable homologies in behavior and morphology. In one analytical study of feeding and courtship behaviours of the wood-stork family, M.P. Kahl attributed the same general ethology to all members of the genus Mycteria, with few species-specific variations. These four species are collectively referred to as the wood-storks, which should not be confused with one alternative common name (wood-stork) for the yellow-billed stork.
Before it was established that the yellow-billed stork was closely related to the American woodstork, the former was classified as belonging to the genus Ibis, together with the milky stork and painted stork. However, the yellow-billed stork has actually long been recognised as a true stork and along with the other 3 related stork species, it should not strictly be called an ibis.
It is a medium-sized stork standing 90–105 cm (35–41 in) tall. The body is white with a short black tail that is glossed green and purple when freshly moulted. The bill is deep yellow, slightly decurved at the end and has a rounder cross-section than in other stork species outside the Mycteria. Feathers extend onto the head and neck just behind the eyes, with the face and forehead being covered by deep red skin. Both sexes are similar in appearance, but the male is larger and has a slightly longer heavier bill. Males and females weigh approximately 2.3 kg (5.1 lb) and 1.9 kg (4.2 lb) respectively.
Colouration becomes more vivid during the breeding season. In the breeding season, the plumage is coloured pink on the upperwings and back; the ordinarily brown legs also turn bright pink; the bill becomes a deeper yellow and the face becomes a deeper red.
Juveniles are greyish-brown with a dull, partially bare, orange face and a dull yellowish bill. The legs and feet are brown and feathers all over the body are blackish-brown. At fledging, salmon-pink colouration in the underwings begins to develop and after about one year, the plumage is greyish-white. Flight feathers on the tail and wing also become black. Later, the pink colouration typical of adult plumage begins to appear.
These storks walk with a high-stepped stalking gait on the ground of shallow water and their approximate walking rate has been recorded as 70 steps per minute. They fly with alternating flaps and glides, with the speed of their flaps averaging 177–205 beats per minute.They usually flap only for short journeys and often fly in a soaring and gliding motion over several kilometres for locomotion between breeding colonies or roosts and feeding sites. By soaring on thermals and gliding by turns, they can cover large distances without wasting much energy. On descending from high altitudes, this stork has been observed to dive deeply at high speeds and flip over and over from side to side, hence showing impressive aerobatics. It even appears to enjoy these aerial stunts.
This species is generally non-vocal, but utters hissing falsetto screams during social displays in the breeding season. These storks also engage in bill clattering and an audible “woofing” wing beat at breeding colonies Nestlings make a loud continual monotonous braying call to beg parental adults for food.
The yellow-billed stork occurs primarily in Eastern Africa, but is widely distributed in areas extending from Senegal and Somalia down to South Africa and in some regions of western Madagascar. During one observation of a mixed species bird colony on the Tana River in Kenya, it was found to be the commonest species there, with 2000 individuals being counted at once.
It does not generally migrate far, at least not out of its breeding range; but usually makes short migratory movements which are influenced by rainfall. It makes local movements in Kenya and has also been found to migrate from North to South Sudan with the rainy season It may also migrate regularly to and from South Africa. However, little is actually known about this bird’s general migratory movements. Due to apparent observed variation in migratory patterns throughout Africa, the yellow-billed stork has been termed a facultative nomad. It may migrate simply to avoid areas where water or rainfall conditions are too high or too low for feeding on prey. Some populations migrate considerable distances between feeding or breeding sites; usually by using thermals to soar and glide. Other local populations have been found to be sedentary and remain in their respective habitats all year round.
Its preferred habitats include wetlands, shallow lakes and mudflats, usually 10–40 cm deep but it usually avoids heavily forested regions in central Africa. It also avoids flooded regions and deep expansive bodies of water because feeding conditions there are unsuitable for their typical grope and stir feeding techniques.
This species breeds especially in Kenya and Tanzania. Although it is known to breed in Uganda, breeding sites have not been recorded there. It has been found to breed also in Malakol in Sudan and often inside walled cities in West Africa from Gambia down to northern Nigeria. Still other breeding sites include Zululand in South Africa and northern Botswana,[12] but are rarer below northern Botswana and Zimbabwe where sites are well-watered. Although there is no direct evidence of current breeding in Madagascar, young birds unable to fly have been observed near Lake Kinkony during October.
Their diet comprises mainly small, freshwater fish of about 60-100mm length and maximally 150g, which they swallow whole. They also feed on crustaceans, worms, aquatic insects, frogs and occasionally small mammals and birds.
This species appears to rely mainly on sense of touch to detect and capture prey, rather than by vision. They feed patiently by walking through the water with partially open bills and probe the water for prey. Contact of the bill with a prey item is followed by a rapid snap-bill reflex, whereby the bird snaps shut its mandibles, raises its head and swallows the prey whole. The speed of this reflex in the closely related American woodstork (Mycteria americana) has been recorded as 25 milliseconds and although the corresponding reflex in the yellow-billed stork has not been quantitatively measured, the yellow-billed stork’s feeding mechanism appears to be at least qualitatively identical to that of the American woodstork.
In addition to the snap-bill reflex, the yellow-billed stork also uses a systematic foot stirring technique to sound out evasive prey. It prods and churns up the bottom of the water as part of a “herding mechanism” to force prey out of the bottom vegetation and into the bird’s bill. The bird does this several times with one foot before bringing it forwards and repeating with the other foot. Although they are normally active predators, they have also been observed to scavenge fish regurgitated by cormorants.
The yellow-billed stork has been observed to follow moving crocodiles or hippopotami through the water and feed behind them, appearing to take advantage of organisms churned up by their quarry. Feeding lasts for only a short time before the bird obtains its requirements and proceeds to rest again.
Parents feed their young by regurgitating fish onto the nest floor, whereupon it is picked up and consumed by the nestlings. The young eat voraciously and an individual nestling increases its body weight from 50 grams to 600 grams during the first ten days of its life. Hence, this species has earned the German colloquial common name “Nimmersatt”; meaning “never full”.
Breeding is seasonal and appears to be stimulated by the peak of long heavy rainfall and resultant flooding of shallow marshes, usually near Lake Victoria. This flooding is linked to an increase in prey fish availability; and reproduction is therefore synchronised with this peak in food availability. In such observations near Kisumu, M.P. Kahl’s explanation for this trend was that in the dry season, most prey fish are forced to leave the dried-up, deoxygenated marshes that cannot support them and retreat to the deep waters of Lake Victoria where the storks cannot reach them. However, fish move back up the streams on the onset of rain and spread out over the marshes to breed, where they become accessible to the storks. By nesting at this time and providing that the rains do not end pre-maturely, the storks are guaranteed a plentiful food supply for their young.
The yellow-billed stork may also begin nesting and breeding at the end of long rains. This occurs especially on flat extensive marshlands as water levels gradually decrease and concentrate fish sufficiently for the storks to feed on. However, unseasonal rainfall has also been reported to induce off-season breeding in northern Botswana and western and eastern Kenya. Rainfall may cause local flooding and hence ideal feeding conditions. This stork appears to breed simply when rainfall and local flooding are optimal and hence seems to be flexible in its temporal breeding pattern, which varies with rainfall pattern throughout the African continent.
As with all stork species, male yellow-billed storks select and occupy potential nest sites in trees, whereupon females attempt to approach the males. The yellow-billed stork has an extensive repertoire of courtship behaviours near and at the nest that may lead to pair formation and copulation. Generally, these courtship behaviours are also assumed to be common to all Mycteria species and show remarkable homology within the genus Mycteria. After the male has initially established at the nesting-site and the female begins to approach, he displays behaviours that advertise himself to her. One of these is the Display Preening, whereby the male pretends to strip down each of his extended wings with the bill several times each side and the bill does not effectively close around the feathers. Another observed display among males is the Swaying-Twig Grasping. Here, the male stands on the potential nesting-site and bends over to gently grasp and release underlying twigs at regular intervals. This is sometimes accompanied by side-to-side oscillations of the neck and head and he continues to pick at twigs in between such movements.
Reciprocally, approaching females display their own distinct behaviours. One such behaviour is the Balancing Posture, whereby she walks with a horizontal body axis and extended wings toward the male occupying the nesting-site. Later, when the female continues to approach or already stands near an established male, she may also engage in Gaping. Here, the bill is gaped open slightly with the neck inclined upward at about 45o . and often occurs in conjunction with the Balancing-Posture. This behaviour ordinarily continues if the male accepts the female and has allowed her to enter the nest, but the female usually closes her wings by this time. The male may also continue his Display-Preening when standing next to the female in the nest
During copulation, the male steps onto the female’s back from the side, hooks his feet over her shoulders, holds out his wings for balance and finally bends his legs to lower himself for cloacal contact, as happens in most birds. In turn, the female holds out her wings almost horizontally. The process is accompanied by bill clattering from the male as he regularly opens and closes his mandibles and vigorously shakes his head to beat his bill against the female’s. In turn, the female keeps her bill horizontal with the male’s or inclined downward at approximately 45 degrees.] Average copulation time in this species has been calculated as 15.7 seconds.
The male and female build the nest together either in high trees on dry land away from predators, or in small trees over water. Nest building takes up to 10 days. The nest may be 80–100 cm in diameter and 20–30 cm thick. The female typically lays 2-4 eggs (usually 3) on alternate days[ and average clutch size has been recorded as 2.5. The male and female share duties to incubate the eggs, which takes up to 30 days. As in many other stork species, hatching is asynchronous (usually at 1- to 2-day intervals), so that the young in the brood differ considerably in body size at any one time. During food shortage, the smaller young are at risk of being outcompeted for food by their larger nest-mates.
Both parents share duties of guarding and feeding the young until the latter are about 21 days old. Thereafter, both parents forage to attend to the young’s intense food demands. Alongside parental feeding by regurgitation of fish, parents have also been observed to regurgitate water into the open bills of their nestlings, especially on hot days. This may aid the typical thermoregulatory strategy of the young (common to all stork species) to excrete dilute urine down their legs in response to hot weather. Water regurgitated over the young serves as a water supplement in addition to fluid in their food, so that they have sufficient water to continue urinating down their legs to avoid hyperventilation. Additionally, parents sometimes help keep the young cool by shading them with their open wings.
The nestlings usually fledge after 50–55 days of hatching and fly away from the nest. However, after leaving the nest for the first time, the offspring often return there to be fed by their parents and roost with them for another 1–3 weeks. It is also thought that individuals are not fully adult until 3 years old and despite lack of data, new adults are thought to not breed until much later than this.
Fledglings have also been observed to not differ considerably in their foraging and feeding strategies from adults. In one investigation, four adult, hand-reared yellow-billed storks kept in captivity showed typical grope-feeding and foot stirring shortly after they were introduced to bodies of water. Hence, this suggests that such feeding techniques in this species are innate.
These birds breed colonially, often alongside other species; but the yellow-billed stork is sometimes the only occupant species of a nesting site. A subset of up to 20 individuals may nest close together in any one part of a colony; with several males occupying potential nest sites all in the same place. If many of these males do not acquire mates, the whole group moves on with the unpaired females to another tree. These “bachelor parties” are a noticeable feature of colonies of this species and usually consist of 12 or more males and at least as many females. As many as 50 nests have been counted all at once in a single breeding area.
Despite their gregariousness during breeding, most individuals generally ignore each other outside nesting-sites; although some hostile encounters may occur. Some of these encounters involve one individual showing an unambiguous attack or escape response if there is a large difference in social status between the two individuals. However, if two individuals are equally matched, they slowly approach each other and show a ritualised display called the Forward Threat. Here, one individual holds its body forward horizontally and retracts the neck so that it touches the crown, with the tail cocked at 45 degrees and all feathers erect. It approaches the opponent and points its bill at it, sometimes gaping. If the opponent does not capitulate, the attacker may grab at it with its bill and the two may briefly spar with their bills until one retreats in an erect stance with compressed plumage.
Hostility can also arise between opposite sexes when a female approaches a male on a potential nest site. Both sexes may display a similar aforementioned Forward Threat, but clatter their bills after grabbing with them at the other stork and extend their wings to maintain balance. Another hostile behaviour between sexes is the Snap Display,whereby they snap horizontally with their bills while standing upright. This may occur during and immediately after pair formation, but subsides later in the breeding cycle as the male and female become familiar with each other and it eventually disappears.
Nestlings show remarkable behavioural transformations at 3 weeks of age. During the constant parental attendance before this time, the young show little fear or aggression in response to intruders (such as a human observer), but are found to merely crouch low and quietly in the nest. After this time, when both parents go foraging and leave the young in the nest, a nestling shows strong fear in response to an intruder. It either attempts to climb out of the nest to escape or acts aggressively toward the intruder.
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