The Rare Golden Penguin Spotted Along the Shore of Antarctica

Tourists aboard the National Geographic Journey to Antarctica cruise were amazed by sightings of a lovely golden penguin in the middle of a black and white flock. This was a distinct event because animals of its coloring are exceptional and hardly ever seen in the wild life. The beautiful blonde bird was determined to be a chinstrap penguin, a member of a species that inhabits the shores of the Southern Pacific and Antarctic Ocean. Therefore, the penguin is seen relaxing just off one of the South Shetland Islands, the gorgeous creature has been categorized as a leucistic penguin due to the unique traces of blonde color running through its coat.

Therefore, Leucism is a condition resulting from a genetic mutation that reduces the production of pigmentation in an animal's skin cells. It is uncommon in wild animals because it makes them stand out from the rest of their species as a target, but does make for an interesting creature to look at, such as this adorable white giraffe Omo in recent times spotted in Tanzania. Specifically in birds, the condition is well-known as “isabellinisim” and is caused by a limited melanin in the plumage and feathers. The chance genetic condition results in the unique creamy, pale gold color that makes this little penguin the odd one out of its colony. Though his penguin mates don’t seem to mind his appearance, and it shouldn't affect his aptitude to find a breeding partner, the typical black and white color of a penguin supports to camouflage it from predators and prey. Therefore, this odd duck’s appearance may affect its chances of existence unless it is able to pay off by being extra stealthy and aware of predators.

Pholisma Sonorae: The Most Bizarre Wildflower

It is commonly observed that nature is extremely strange, and naked eyes sometimes nonplus the human beings. In North America, a flower “Pholisma Sonorae” is most bizarre wildflower generally recognized as sand food.  Pholisma Sonorae normally growing out of sand dunes, with fleshy stems which is stretch two meters below the surface and emerging above a small rounded or ovate form. Therefore, if adequate sand is blown away, the upper part of stem may get exposed and looks like a mushroom.  However, in the spring season, round head bears small centimeter wide flowers which are purple to pink in colors with white margins. The naked eyes

Moreover, “Pholisma sonorae”, is a rare and unusual species of flowering plant endemic to the Sonoran Deserts to the west of Yuma, Arizona in the California Yuha and Colorado Desert, and south in the Yuma Desert, where it is known from only a few locations. The flower lacks chlorophyll to survive and joins the roots of numerous desert shrubs to get nutrients.

Although, the primary host plants do not suffer to be depleted by Pholisma infestation.  Even in many cases, Pholisma plants weight is more than primary plant. So, naked eyes extremely puzzled when see this natural wonder of nature. Hence, it is extremely remarkable when the seedlings of these strange root parasites are even able to find the host root buried deep in the sand.  Pholisma sonorae is extremely rare wonder of nature and only found in few locations in the Algodones Dunes of southeastern California and nearby Arizona, and in the sand dunes of El Gran Desierto in Sonora, Mexico. Therefore, the Native American tribes used to eat their fleshy stem, either raw or roasted over a campfire including the Cocopah and the Hia C-ed O'odham.

A close resemble species “Pholisma Arenarium” has the same parasitic behavior does this by sending out pilot roots, about two feet below the sand surface. However, when they reach the vicinity of a host shrub, the pilot roots send out special “haustorial roots” generally connect and penetrate the host root.
Moreover, the haustorial connection absorbs carbohydrates and amino acids generated by the photosynthetic host shrub. So, the plant may be assisted by other factors such frequently shifting sand dunes that support the seeds to travel further down into the sand, or even they may be carried by harvester ants and by rodents that burrow into the dunes under host shrubs. With the passage of time urban development restrict the plant and declining their habitats of shifting dune sands and lost to development and damaged by off road vehicle use. 

NYC Winter Storm Photo Strangely Look like an Impressionist Painting

In the midst of Winter Storm Jonas, photographer “Michele Palazzo” braved the breezy weather in optimisms that he'd capture a one-of-a-kind shot. Hence, luckily, he came across New York City's Flatiron Building and that's when something supernatural happened. As tufts of snow swirled in the wind, Palazzo aimed his Ricoh GR camera and snapped the building, nearby streets, and snowy meteorological conditions. 

Therefore, after improving the image in VSCO Cam, the artist carefully noticed that the snow swirls shaped patterns resembling swift brush strokes. Thus, as a whole, the photograph amazingly echoes an impressionist painting. So, if you look closely, you'll realize that the Flatiron's windows feature an origami installation by artist Chelsea Hrynick Browne. Her hand-cut paper creations flawlessly add to the ethereal, Winter Storm Jonas moment.

Magnificent Beauty of Radiant Winter Mornings in Belarus

Photographers always think about to capture something different to show their creativity work. So, imagining the winter often conjures up pictures of cold, dark days punctuated by grey skies overcasting icy landscapes. Though, these dreary thoughts don't have to be the main emphasis of the season. Therefore, the skillful photographer “Alex Ugalnikov” shines a light on just how good-looking these months can be. Hence, with his collection of spectacular photographs that showcase the attractive Belarusian landscape awash in soft pinks and blue, he captures the majestic beauty of a winter’s morning.

He’s not professional photographer, but he did the photography as a hobby from Minsk, Belarus, Ugalnikov transports his spectators to an untouched landscape at the crack of dawn. Therefore, as mist rises, and warm golden light rays break through the trees, his brilliant photography radiates a sense of serenity, each mild shot a form of visual poetry. However, his collection has an almost unearthly sense to it, as he joins the raw beauty of nature with faultless lighting to generate pictures that are instantaneously striking and delightful, recapping us that there is still beauty even in the dark days.

Insightful Photographs of 1960’s Afghanistan Reveal What Life Was like before the Taliban Regime

When asked to imagine modern-day Afghanistan, you’ll see photographs of a war-torn nation under the control of the Taliban often come to mind. Though, if you envisage the history of Afghanistan there was once a time when this country showed peace and good fortune. Therefore, University professor Dr. Bill Podlich captured the phase in history when he travelled to Afghanistan in 1967 with his wife Margaret, and Jan and Peg, their two teenage daughters. Moreover the key reason for their relocation revolved around Dr. Podlich's wish to become the Expert of Principles of Education at the Higher Teachers College of Kabul. Thus, aside from teaching, the professor also used his Kodachrome film camera to hold onto 1960s Afghanistan and to capture the relationships he'd forged with several Afghans.

Well, in their tour Dr. Podlich captured a liberal land and Westernized lifestyle. All over smiling boys, girls are learning in classrooms, even women wearing short skirts on a warm day, and families simply loving each other's company outdoors. However, miserably, this uplifting atmosphere totally changed only a decade later. Afghanistan was pulled into war, occupied, and became a country ruled by the Taliban.

When I look at my dad's pictures, I remember Afghanistan as a country with thousands of years of history and culture, Dr. Podlich’s daughter who once attended the American International School of Kabul. We still remember that it was been a gut-wrenching experience to watch and hear about the thoughtful suffering which has happened in Afghanistan during the battles of war for approximately 40 years. Ferocious and proud yet fun loving people have been beaten down by terrible forces." Now, the happier times live on in photographs.