Sunset Crater Arizona

Sunset Crater Volcano is approximately one thousand years old. The last eruption took place sometime between about 1080 and 1150 AD. Sunset Crater, located in north-central Arizona, actually the youngest volcano found on the 130,000-square-mile at Colorado Plateau. The series of volcano eruption reshaped the nearby landscape, persistently changing the lives of human beings, plants, and animals.

It is named for it’s dazzlingly colored scoria deposits on the cone and only one of more than 550 vents of the vast San Francisco volcanic field. The Sunset main crater at the summit of the cone measures approximately 400 feet across, though the base of the cinder cone measures around one mile. Source: CP

The Gobi Bear of Mongolia

The rare Gobi Bear “Mazaalai” is a subspecies of the Brown Bear lives on the harshest places on Earth. It is in the list of critically endangered species by the Zoological Society of London. Gobi Bear is found in Gobi Desert of Mongolia. The flimsy eco-system of the Gobi desert is being threatened by the advance of the human activities that strengthen the process of desertification and shrinks the traditional natural habitat of the species.

The appearance of Gobi Bear

Gobi Bears is relatively small with brown fur, their head, belly, and legs are noticeably darker and lighter patches on the neck or chest.  Its population is decreasing as only 30 adults alive till 2009. The Gobi Desert is separated by enough distance from other brown bear populations to achieve reproductive isolation. The Gobi desert is the fifth largest desert in the world sprawling across half a million square miles of Mongolia and China. The Gobi desert temperatures are minus 40°F in winter and 120 in summer.

The Ecology, Genetic Diversity and Behavior of Gobi Bear

Gobi Bear normally eat roots, Wild rhubarb rhizomes, nitrebush berries, rodents, and other plants all of them can be scarce when the bears emerge from hibernation. Female bears make winter hibernation mostly place in rock caves or amidst deep bushes. The Hibernation period lasts from Nov to May.  Only around one percent of the diet consists of meat, mainly rodents, and carrion. They don’t rely on prey on large mammals. An adult male bear weighs about 96 to 138 kg; however, females are about 51 to 78 kg.  As far as genetic diversity which is the lowest ever observed in any species of brown bear? A small population of brown bears in the Pyrenees Mountains on the border of Spain and France has similar levels of genetic diversity.

Based on the study of morphology, the bear has historically been classified as the same subspecies as the Tibetan Blue Bear. A phylogenetic analysis has shown that Gobi Bear represent a relict population of the Himalayan Brown Bear. Sadly so far only 22 Gobi Bears left in the world. Historically, the decline of Gobi Bear started in the 1960s due to increase in livestock production around the desert.

Facts of Gobi Bear

Gobi bear (Ursus arctos gobiensis) average life span is 20 to 25 Year. It is also badly affected by climate change. Average annual rainfall in the Gobi desert fell from 100 to 50 millimeters during a 14-year drought between 1993 and 2007. There is no evidence found that the bears attack or eat any of the other large animals that live in the desert, such as ibex or camels. Although the Mongolian Government has banned hunting in Gobi Desert and formed a working group to explore ways of boosting the bear's population and new nature reserve to protect their habitat.

Researchers have fitted GPS in some bears to collect their habitat data. Which has shown low genetic diversity and no evidence of inbreeding based disorders? The Year 2013 was declared “Year of Protecting the Gobi Bear” by Mongolian Government.  Also, Mongolian people have embraced the beleaguered bear as a national treasure, all the more precious for its rarity. Gobi bears a distinct subspecies, gobiensis, to be an isolated group of the subspecies isabellinus, still found in China’s Tien Shan Mountains and the Himalaya. Hence time is really running out for this largely forgotten bear in the weird and inhospitable landscape of the desert. Source: CP

Lava Butte Oregon

There is a 500 feet tall Cinder Cone Lave Butte in central Oregon between the towns of Bend Oregon and Sunriver Oregon. Lava Butte is a 7,000-year-old cinder cone located on the flanks of Newberry Volcano. It is part of a system of small cinder cones is capped by a crater, normally extends about 60 feet deep beneath its south rim and 160 feet deep from the north side. Lava Butte only single eruption in 1977, started the fissure spewing hot cinders to form the cone.

California Condor Vulture

A New World vulture, the California condor is the largest North American land bird. In 1987, it became extinct in the wild due to poaching, lead poisoning and habitat destruction. However, the species has been successfully reintroduced to parts of Arizona, Utah and California.  But this does not mean, this majestic bird remains critically endangered.

California Condor Wingspan

This vulture is distinguished from other birds by its large black body with white triangles under-wing and its red-orange bald head.  California Condor with a wingspan reaching 3 meters (9 ft.) long. When it soars, the wings spread more than nine feet from tip to tip. It can soar and glide for hours without beating their wings. California condor is the largest flying bird in North America. They inhabit the forests, rocky shrub land and oak savannas of California, Arizona, Utah and Baja California, Mexico.

California Condor Habitat

California condors live in rocky, forested regions including canyons, gorges and mountains. They historically ranged throughout the western U.S. from Canada to Mexico, with some populations as far east as Florida and New York. The endangered bird is uniquely adapted to carrying out their role as nature’s cleanup crew.

With a robust immune system, condors do not get sick when feasting on carrion despite consuming various strains of bacteria. From the air, they search for dead animals, like deer or cattle. They feed only on carrion (dead animals that they find).  Although they do not have sharp talons, they have long, potent beaks which can tear through tough hides.

Their heads are bald for hygienic reasons; a featherless face stays cleaner when submerged into carcasses. After feasting, condors bathe often in rock pools and devote hours preening their feathers. Hence, if they are unable to find water, they clean their heads and necks by rubbing them on grass, rocks, and branches.

California Condor Extinct

The condors forage exclusively on dead animals, especially susceptible to lead exposure from carcasses left in the field. Although, lead poisoning from spent ammunition is the number one cause of death among endangered condors in the wild.

California Condor Facts

California condors can reach speeds of 88 km/h and altitudes of 15,000 ft. They have powerful ability of travel 150 miles per day in search of dead animals to scavenge. Which include large mammals like cattle, deer, and sheep as well as smaller mammals like rodents and rabbits? Without a good sense of smell, they rely solely on their keen eyesight to find food. Several times, this bird simply looks for groups of other scavengers and uses their size to scare them off the carcass. They can eat over 1 kg of food at a time, and then go for days without eating anything.

California condors lay their eggs in caves, rock crevices, or large trees (like redwoods or sequoias). They do not build nests but instead just lay the egg directly on the floor of the cave, cavity or tree hollow. They sometimes move rocks around with their beak to improve the nesting site. Living an average of 60 years, California condors are slow to mature and reproduce. At 6-8 years old, they start to breed. A male condor will perform ritualized displays to attract a mate. The skin on his head may turn an intense red-pink color during courtship. Once bonded, condor pairs perform acrobatic flights together. The pair will stay together throughout the years unless one is lost or they are unsuccessful in breeding.

Every two years, the female will lay just one egg. If it is removed, she can lay a replacement egg a month later. The male and female bird shares in the responsibility of rearing the young. They alternate in incubating the egg for a few days at a time. Once the chick hatches, they take turns feeding it (by regurgitation) and warming it. At 5-6 months, the fledgling practices flying, and by two years, the juvenile is ready to forage on its own.

California Condor Population

By 1987, there were only 10 California condors living in the wild. Biologists brought them all in for a captive breeding program. Currently, there are around 463 California condors alive in total, with a little over 200 living in the wild. But the California condor is still considered critically endangered by the IUCN Redlist. The total world population of California condors increased by 6.4 percent in 2017 from 435 at the end of 2016, to 463 the end of 2017.

Source: CP

Difference Between Aptitude and Attitude?

Well, an Attitude is a set of beliefs and opinions about anything but technically an attitude object. However, an aptitude for something is the innate potential to acquire a skill with practice and developing it. There are numerous means for an individual to acquire knowledge. Although we are gaining knowledge every minute from various resources, the school happens to be the primary and most common reservoir of knowledge. We attend school to learn new things, to groom our personalities, to refine our ideas and to prepare ourselves for all of life’s challenges.

The knowledge being imparted in schools advances with every grade, broadening our perspectives and bringing newer facts and figures to our notice. However, with knowledge come the assessments and marks. They happen to be part and parcel of this wonderful learning journey. From the time our students begin, they're learning journey in school, the first and foremost thing they learn is that they will be assessed and marked on everything that goes on in the classroom and the mark-sheet will be sent home to the parents for signatures.

At home, they know their parents would evaluate there progress through there report cards. Thus begins a mad race to top in class every year. And in going to the students to forget the main purpose of attending school to acquire and cherish knowledge. It’s important that I gain good marks in exams otherwise students will be scolded by there parents. The questions that arise here is that are marks really a depiction of one’s potential and intelligence? If yes, then why has the world experienced examples of geniuses who seem to have contradicted this answer?

Take Albert Einstein’s example. He did not speak until he was four and could not write until he was seven. His teachers and parents thought he was mentally handicapped, slow and anti-social. Thomas Edison was told by his teachers that he was too stupid. Winston Churchill struggled in school and failed 6th grade, Louis Pasteur was an ordinary student and ranked 15th out of 22 students in chemistry. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates are both college dropouts. Marks are nothing but numbers. They do not necessarily test or represent a child’s intelligence.

They are obtained after answering a set of questions which prompt a child to recall what was taught in the class one or two months ago. How can you possibly label any child weak or brilliant only on the basis of exam questions? Potential is truly tested when one enters a practical life. Good report cards and degrees won’t help you then; your attitude is what will really matter then. However, we are compelled to appear for exams because parents and the educational systems require it.  

If academician feels that marks do not judge a student’s capability and if students have taken exams more like competition then as a part of the learning process, than why do parents, the third most important stakeholders of the learning triangle focus so much on report cards. All went in for a child who's progress in life. This is precisely what most parents think when sending their children to school. And in the cut-throat competitive world of today, there thinking is justified too.

They are only securing there ward’s future, however, what they overlook is how much knowledge their ward has acquired throughout his school, college and university days. Whether their child is applying that knowledge in everyday life, essentially the main purpose of attending institution colleges and universities do not only admit students with good marks they prefer will versed students who can be groomed into becoming a confident articulate and responsible citizen of this country also.

Students can become well versed only if they stop fretting over marks and develop an interest in what’s happening in the classroom. Reflect over it and then endeavor to implement it in they're daily lives. Good grades are requisites. True, however, our entry tests are designed to solely test student knowledge, they aren’t a test of student’s memory but a test of what they’ve understood in school.

We need to prepare them for an extremely competitive job market around the world. Many employees have now shifted from CV based recruitments to competency-based recruitments, which thoroughly evaluate each candidate skills, attitude attributes, and personal integrity. So what’s become of the precious degrees our students strive to achieve almost one-fourth of they're lives.

Degrees help us in sieving the most appropriate candidates from the rest. They show that job seekers know what the books in the there chosen field say are. They help the candidates in winning an interview; it’s the candidate’s knowledge which counts. You can tell if he/she has been rote learning of understanding. If you have the knowledge, you're assessment, exams and entry tests will go well. Expand your knowledge bank by reading more and experimenting and contributing to taking your country forward. Source: CP

Survival Hiking Tips Every Hiker Needs To Know

If you plan to hike a little bit soon. Then it’s a great idea and it’s a good way to exercise, to shove your limits, and the connection with nature. But like all outdoor activities, will be its share of great risks: bad weather, wild animals, poisonous plants, and so on many things. So, if you do not go out and make yourself at home, dust off these Hiking Tips for safety purpose.

Tell Your Nearest People Where You are Going

The first Hiking Tips is to mention, when you would be expecting to be back, whether going alone or in groups. In case you do not because you are hurt or lost, somebody will notice, and search parties sent immediately. It will actually help if they know where you came, there is plenty of nature there, and one you find.

Respect the Nature

If you were hoping for a sunny weekend of hiking, but it means that there is a thunderstorm, may postpone your trip. Nature does not think about to ruin your weekend, he does not think about if you get hurt or make at home. Keep remembering that turning back is not an admitting defeat, it is the respect for nature while enjoying.

And the Right Gear

A small pocket knife, compass, and a map make sure you know how to use them are at the top of the list. I exactly remember a first aid kit, matches or lighters, and the abundance of food and water. If you are hiking in cold weather, wear warm clothing absolutely necessary. If you are at night, bring what you need for camping and so on.

Beware of Wild Animals

One of the most excellent parts of the faces of the nature of the creatures that share the planet with humans. So be remember, they are called wild animals for any reason. Bear attacks are rarer than you imagine but still, come about. And just because it hits the wisdom of an animal as safe exercise, mountain goats have even killed the hikers on occasion.

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Suppose you have got lost

Make a Plan and Stick

It is easy to fright when you see neither you nor anyone else knows where you are. But the most vital thing is to stay calm, work as anticipated, that will help the rescue team to find you. Sit back and relax don’t take any tension. Well, you decide if you are going to get food or water, build protection or fire the first signal, and then to stay the course.

Try to Remain Visible

Doing all the work of all those who want the easiest possible way. If you have some brightly colored clothing, so to speak. Stay open, high. Call the whistle at regular intervals.

Distress Signals

In addition to staying, try to signal your location to possible rescuers. One more impotent thing, build a fire where it will be easily visible and will not start a wildfire. The weak signal field will be able to be seen from the air. Skip the typical “Help” for three symbols in a triangle symbol wild international distress.

And be Motivated, don’t be Afraid

If you are Bear Grylls himself, you will sense the pangs of fear together so do not let your emotions control, keep your head and think clearly and quickly. In its place, use that fear and adrenaline to stimulate yourself to do whatever must be done. If you can do this, you will be moving rapidly and professionally, rather than running around like a chicken head cut off

Find water

If you find that one day hike has become an open situation, you need to find some extra water. Do not waste your time in searching for any edible berries not even what to eat in a crisis is a good call, you can even go for months without eating, but be remind only three days without drinking.

I do not be familiar with where to look for water: the dew on the plants, trees, bananas, and plantains, and tropical vines are good starting points. But be sure to spotless all water before drinking, cleaning tablets, filter, or by boiling it.

Build a shelter

If you are really missing, it is expected that it takes a little ‘time to find. Making a secluded spend the night should be the main concern. And to defend from rain, wind, snow, insects, and the sun during the day. It does not need to be a large, just big adequate for you.

No matter the time of day temperature, it can get cold at night. Insulate the shield is leaves, grass and even snow and Isolate yourself. So, these are very important Hiking Tips you should follow before to make any plan.  Also Read: Thilafushi: A Garbage Island of Maldives

Happiness Linked to Longer Life

According to the latest study that being happy is not only to get better your life but also it can add to the amount of your life. The elderly were 35 percent less expected to die during the five-year study if they reported themselves pleased, excited, and the contents of a typical day.

And it is true, even though the researchers took factors such as chronic health problems, depression and the financial security of the equation. We expected that we might observe a correlation between how pleased people felt during the day and their future mortality, but we were struck by the vigor of the effect was.

Earlier research on happiness and longevity has been based on the aptitude of participants. But it is to remember how they felt during a definite period of time in the past. These memories are not always precise. Though, to avoid this and asked more than 3,800 people to register their level of happiness, anxiety, depression and other emotions least four specific times during a solitary day.

The participants, who were aged between 52 and 79 when the study started, were separated into three groups according to how they felt pleased and optimistic. Even though the groups differed somewhat some of the measures such as age, wealth, and smoking were similar to the ethnic composition, health, employment, education, and in general.

After five years, 7 percent of people in the group of less lucky were killed, compared to only 4 percent between the happiest and 5 percent in the middle. When the researchers controlled for age, chronic diseases, depression, health habits.  Such as exercise and alcohol consumption and socio-economic issue. They have found that people are better-off and the average was 35 percent and 20 percent less expected to have died, in that order, than their darker.

It may appear strange that a person’s way of thinking on a particular day be able to forecast the probability of dying in the near future, but these emotional snapshots turned out to be a good indicator of temperament all earlier studies.

There’s always room for mistake, of course, if I take delivery of a parking ticket or receipt of my toe on the way to the studio, I will not be very pleased, who was not involved in the study But research on the crash of happiness on health. But since the study worked, he proposes that, on average, the day was fairly typical for the participants.

Unlike measures of happiness, depressive symptoms were not linked with mortality after adjusting for in general health. According to the study, this result proposed that the lack of happiness can be a main health problem among the elderly that the presence of negative emotions. Optimistic emotions can contribute to better physical health in a number of ways.

The brain regions connected in happiness are also involved in blood vessel function and inflammation; i.e. recent studies have shown that levels of cortisol, a stress hormone have a tendency to go up and down with excitement. The study does not show that fortunate or unfortunate directly affects their lives, but the results may mean that doctors and caregivers should be very helpful to the emotional well-being of older patients.

The researchers also say. We do not come from this study that tries to be happier would have direct health benefits. Though, this and alike studies should add to happiness as a legitimate area of concern to health professionals. There are still people who see happiness as somewhat soft and something less scientific and those they should not be concerned, i.e. stress or depression, and fortunately.

Maybe something those doctors ask their patients about. The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the biggest participants in the long-term British study on aging. The authors received funding from the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, and the U.S National Institute on Aging.

Also Read: How to Figure Out Ideal Body Weight?

Indian Black-lored Tit

The Indian Black-lored Tit (Machlolophus aplonotus) Indian tit, Indian yellow tit, or Himalayan Black-lored is a passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. The closest relative is yellow-cheeked tit, which also has yellow tit. The Indian Black-lored Tit is a resident breeder on the Indian subcontinent. This species is very active and agile feeder. The bird Food includes small invertebrates and larvae to eat fruits, taking insects and spiders from the canopy. The black-lored tit is a common bird in open tropical forests. It is 13cm in large size with a broad black line down its otherwise yellow front.

The bird is an easy tit to recognize in most of India.  Because, the large crest, neck, throat and head are black with yellow cheeks and supercilia. Moreover, the upperparts are olive-green with two white or yellowish wingbars and white outer tail feathers. Yellow Tit may always have been uncommon; the population has been further reduced by felling of broadleaved forests. It is unable to occupy marginal habitats such as edge and scrub, plantations of conifers and bamboo.

However, female birds are bit duller than males. The bird underpart color becomes gradually dull from north to south through this tit's range. Indian Black-lored Tit like other tits, a vocal bird, and has a large variety of calls, of which the most familiar is a si-si. The song is a sometimes nuthatch-like chi-chi-chi, “tzee-tzee-wheep-wheep. The month of May is mixed-species foraging flocks in non-breeding season. Normally bird breeds in April and their nest on the tall trees.

They are also used nets of woodpecker or barbet holes. This species will also excavate its own hole or use man made sites. Indian Black-lored Tit clutch is typically 3 or 5 white eggs, spotted red. The bird is a close sitter, hissing when disturbed. The bird was previously one of the many species in the genus Parus but was moved to Machlolophus after a molecular phylogenetic analysis published in 2013 showed that the members of the new genus formed a distinct clade.

 

 

 

 

 

Red Breasted Nuthatch "Sitta canadensis"

The red-breasted nuthatch is a small songbird. The adult has blue-grey upperparts with cinnamon underparts, a white throat and face with a black stripe through the eyes, a straight grey bill and a black crown. It's call, which has been likened to a tin trumpet, is high-pitched and nasal.  It forages on the trunks and large branches of trees, often descending head first, sometimes catching insects in flight. It eats mainly insects and seeds, especially from conifers. It excavates it's nest in dead wood, often close to the ground, smearing the entrance with pitch.

 

Great White Egret

The great egret, also known as the common egret, large egret or great white egret or great white heron is a large, widely distributed egret, with four subspecies found in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and southern Europe. Distributed across most of the tropical and warmer temperate regions of the world.

 

Hide and Seek Beach: The Miracles of Nature in Odisha

This world is full of so many places to discover, that even a lifetime of travelling will not be sufficient for it. An Indian strange Chandipur beach, located in the Balasore district of Odisha, is a place waiting to be discovered. This is called the Hide and Seek Beach, actually a miracle of nature. Hide and Seek beach always spellbound us by its lovely and unusual creations. Due to its rare and exclusive phenomenon, it is globally popularized as ‘vanishing sea’. Apart from this, there are other amazing features which add to its exceptionality.

One place which is every person would look at through his own perspective, and that's what discovery really means. A phenomenon that is rarely seen in any other part of the world, the sea here recedes by as much as 5KM every day.  Odisha, fondly called the “Soul of India”, is highly rich in its culture and heritage, making it one of the most visited tourist destinations in India. Also, every year in the month of February, a beach festival takes place here to setting folk dance, art, and culture of the State. The beach is also home to biodiversity and supports a wide variety of sea animals.

Well, believe us or not, the beach is not a constantly existing feature on the map. At least it doesn't look the same every time. Is it surprised? Hence, whenever you are at the Chandipur beach, you can actually see the sea disappear in front of your eyes, and come back again and see the area of sand dunes. So, when you are at the beach during the ebb, you can see the water receding massively from the beach and then coming back during the high tide in order to fill up the emptiness. This Hide and Seek of the sea comes to play with you twice a day. However, the locals are fully aware of the time of the high and low tides.

This is the reason why the beach is home to a host of unique species, i.e., horseshoe crab and the red crab. It’s a surreal experience to watch the sea disappear before your eyes and walked on the exposed sea bed. One can find pearls, seashells, crabs and tiny fish on the shore during the times of low tide. This is not something that every other beach offers. The sight of Casuarina trees and sand dunes also call for a visual treat. The ultimate golden colored sea beach has gorgeous casuarina trees and the solitary sand dunes which make the ambiance over there more peaceful and soothing.

However, travelers can visit this dramatic beach anytime. The best time according to the locals is from November to March. Hide and Seek Beach is in depth feel of magic of nature, to feel the wet soft sand under your feet and live up the unforgettable experience. A trip to Hide and Seek Beach will leave you mesmerized on how beautiful and interesting place in India. If you’re visiting beach in the afternoon, then don't miss the spectacular sunset here.

 

Unbelievable Beauty of Socotra Island

Socotra is an isolated island, situated around 250 miles off the coast of Yemen. It is a small archipelago of four islands in the Indian Ocean. The exclusive characteristic of Socotra Island is to home of some of weirdest looking plants that are found nowhere else on planet earth. The largest member of the archipelago also called Socotra.

The Socotra is also spelled Sokotra, Arabic Suquṭrā, Island. Actually, Socotra Island is an archipelago formed of four islands, near the Gulf of Aden. It is very isolated, and has a harsh, hot, and dry climate, used to be part of Africa six million years ago. The trees are out of Land of the Lost and the feeling you have is like nowhere else.

Tabebuia Tree Care

Tabebuia tree is commonly known as the golden trumpet tree. It is semi-evergreen/semi-deciduous shedding foliage for a short period in late spring tree. Tabebuia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Bignoniaceae. Tabebuia is very similar to Tabebuia ochracea. Tabebuia “Handroanthus chrysotrichus, synonym Tabebuia chrysotricha,” is the national tree of Brazil. The golden trumpet tree is grown outside Brazil as a street tree and garden tree. Tabebuia genus is being a flowering tree and comes in a variety of colors. It has big yellow, pink and rose-colored and even white Tabebuia

Growth of Tabebuia

This tree normally grows at a height of 15 to 25 ft, sometimes up to 50 ft.  Tabebuia spread around 25 to 35 ft. This tree is evergreen in the warmer zones. It blooms before the new leaves appear and it puts on a flamboyant show of color. Tabebuia trees are deciduous trees meaning they will lose their leaves in the fall and winter. It has a moderate growth rate and can even be grown in a container when small. Tabebuia “buffer strips” is good where temperatures are high and soil space limited.

Tabebuia Tree Care

The plant is the seed pods, anywhere from 3 to 12 inches. It dangles long into the cold season, providing winter interest. Tabebuia tree care is very easy, perfect and breezy in warmer zones in many locations and has no root problems. White, magenta or red blooms Tabebuia is harder to find. Tabebuia growing conditions must include a warm location with no freezing possibility.

To grow Tabebuia in containers, choose a well-drained potting medium to prevent root rot. Tabebuia trees are attractive and adjust too many growing conditions. Adding this tree to your landscape is worth as the rewards are great and the care is minimal. Trees should be protected from frost, as some leaf out following a freeze; the tree is often weakened and grows poorly.  

Tabebuia is rich in nectar and thus the tree is a useful honey plant. Tabebuia is not especially popular with hummingbirds, i.e. glittering-bellied emerald and white-throated hummingbird. The tree seems to prefer them over the flowers of other Tabebuia species. Tabebuia are not very messy and have never had to rake the leaves as they fall gradually over time. Tabebuia yellow varieties do better on the sides of the home or to add color in the rear of the home.

A concern has been raised, that it is a weed in tropical and sub-tropical Australia, but yet not declared. Tabebuia tree produces long, slender seedpods late in the season and can be propagated by seeds from those pods. It is recommended that developing high, arching branches in many years by removing the lower, drooping branches for the first few years.

The wood becomes brittle with age and can break easily in strong winds. However this is not usually a problem since trees are small with an open canopy and should not be cause to eliminate this beautiful tree from your tree palette. The tree will provide good shade when mature, and no pest problems were mentioned. Therefore, no doubt that one of these beauties would be a fine addition to any landscape and could likely give our old standby, the orchid tree, a run for its money. Hence, wear protective gear when pruning trees. Source: CP

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cherries from the Orient

For hundreds of years, cherry trees have been cultivated in the Far East for their ornamental blossoms. These same trees are now being planted in Britain there they bring a welcome splash of color to our towns and cities in spring.

Among the most attractive of all the trees in Britain are the ornamental cherries. So called because they are planted for their appearance rather than for their fruits, which are usually inedible. Ornamental cherries are becoming increasingly popular in towns and cities since many are small compact trees, ideal for growing in the confined space of a street or a small garden,

There is now a wide range of varieties to choose from, with differing flower colors and branching patterns. Even outside their flowering period, some ornamental cherries have distinct and beautiful harks and on many the leaves are brightly colored, both in spring when they emerge and in autumn before they fall.

Oriental cherries ! Britain's native cherries, the gean or wild cherry and the bird cherry, have been valued for their ornamental qualities for hundreds of years. But almost all the ornamental cherries being planted nowadays originate in the Far East, especially in China and Japan. Both these countries have a profusion of cherry species growing wild. Which have long been cultivated for their ornamental value rather than for their fruits. In Japan, especially, flowering cherries are venerated.

Temples, shrines and other holy places are planted with them. They are frequent subjects for Japanese art and there is a host of legends and traditional stories surrounding them. Japan is famous for its massed plantations of cherries, which attract hundreds of thousands of visitors at blossom time each year.

The oriental cherries were introduced to Europe during, the 19th century, when trade routes to the Far East were opened up. But many of the varieties that had been cultivated in the East for so long arrived in Britain only during this century. Their introduction and subsequent popularization was due to one man-Captain Collingwood Ingram.

Japanese cherry ! The first oriental cherry to be introduced to Britain was the Japanese cherry (Prunus serrulata), also known as the oriental cherry. It arrived in Britain in 1822 from Canton in China, though it is more commonly grown in Japan. Where are varieties of this species are greatly treasured and known as Sato Zakura (Japanese liar 'village cherries`). Despite its popularity in Japan, this species is actually native to China but was introduced to Japan many hundreds of years ago.

The Japanese cherry is the most widely planted ornamental cherry in Britain. And the hundreds of varieties that have been developed around the world, at least 60 are grown here. They differ mainly in the color and arrangement of the flowers and in the flowering period. They all have purple-brown barks with rows of protruding lenticels. The leaves, which are oval with a long, tapering point and toothed margins, turn a handsome pink, red or golden-yellow in the autumn. Japanese cherries can grow as tall as 15m (50ft), but most are much shorter than this.

Common varieties The most popular variety of Japanese cherry grown in Britain is 'Kanzan', which hears masses of deep pink, produced that the branches, which for most of the year are fairly upright, hang down under the weight.

Another commonly grown variety is 'Shimidsu', which has pendulous branching clusters of flowers. Each cluster consists of three to six large, white, double flowers. They open just after `Kanzan1 in late April or early May. Two other common varieties with very different habits are `Amanogawa' and `Cheat's Weeping'. The former has a narrow upright shape and resembles a Lombardy poplar; its flowers are pink and semi-double. The latter variety has very pendulous branches that may almost touch the ground; its flowers can be either pink or white. Both these varieties flower earlier than `Kanzan'.

The variety 'Tai-Haku' has a most unusual history. In 1923, Captain Collingwood Ingram noticed an unusual cherry tree growing in a garden in Sussex. At first he could not identify it; but, during a visit to Japan, he discovered that it used to grow there but became extinct during the 18th century. The Japanese called it 'Tai-Haku'. Ingram later reintroduced it into its native country, but no one yet knows how it came to be growing in a Sussex garden. The flowers of `Tai¬1-1aku' are white and spectacularly large up to 8cm (3in) across, which is larger than those of any other variety.

Sargent's cherry is another popular ornamental species is Sargent's cherry (Prunus sargentii). This is named after Charles Surgent, of the Arnold Arboretum in Boston USA.  Who on a visit to Japan in 1890 discovered it growing on the slopes of Mount Fujiyama? Sargent's cherry sometimes grows as tall as 20m (65ft), which is a notable height for a cherry. The bark resembles that of the Japanese cherry, except that it is smoother and glossy. The flowers open in the middle of April and are borne in clusters of two to five densely massed along the branches. The flowers themselves are pink and single.

The leaves on a Sargent's cherry are also attractive. Appearing slightly after the flowers have opened, they are reddish-purple at first and, with the pink flowers, make a striking combination of colors. As the leaves mature they turn dark green, but in autumn become a spectacular bright orange or crimson. Sargent's cherry is one of the first trees to change color in the autumn, often as early as the beginning of September. In shape, its leaves resemble the leaves of a Japanese cherry.

Rose-bud Cherry! This is another species of ornamental cherry native to Japan. The rose-bud cherry (Prunus subhiriella) is also known as the spring cherry was introduced to Britain in 1895. There are many varieties of this species, including those with double flowers and others with a weeping habit. But one variety in particular, `Autumnalis', is especially popular since it flowers throughout the winter.

Not surprisingly, it is also known as the winter-flowering cherry. The majority of its pale pink flowers appear in November or April, but in between these months a small number of flowers regularly appear on its otherwise bare branches. In the wild, the rose-bud cherry can grow to a height of 20m (651t), though cultivated trees are usually much smaller.

Tibetan Cherry! not all ornamental cherries are grown for their flowers. The Tibetan cherry (Prunus serrula) is planted primarily for its unusual and attractive bark. In autumn the outer bark peels away in narrow bands from the trunk and branches to reveal new bark of a rich mahogany-brown color with rings of paler lenticels.

Unfortunately, the flowers are relatively insignificant for an ornamental cherry, being small and white. Since they emerge at the same time as the leaves, they tend to be obscured.

The Tibetan cherry is native to western China and was introduced to Britain in 1908. In cultivation it grows to a height of about 8m. Also Read: The Tree of 40 Fruits

A Profusion of Hybrids

These four species and their varieties cover most of the ornamental cherries grown in Britain. But there are also many hybrids that have been developed from these and other species. One particularly common hybrid is the Yoshino cherry (Prunus x yedoensis), which is a cross between the rose-bud cherry and the Oshino cherry. The Yoshino is one of the earliest cherries to flower, appearing in March. The single flowers are pink or white. Many other hybrids and varieties are still being developed.

The Tibetan cherry is unusual among ornamental cherries in being planted for its brightly colored bark rather than its flowers. Its bark is at its best in the autumn, when the outer layer peels away in bands to reveal rich mahogany-Coloured new bark. Source: CP

Relaxing Video of Lake Saiful Muluk

Relaxing Video of Saiful Muluk, Feels The Clam, Serenity, and Soothing. Saiful ul Muluk is one of most beautiful lake in the world, as no one can judge the depth of it. Its a wonderful lake, but somehow tourists are destorying its natural beauty by dumping garbage in them. Which is so sad. Whenever you go there, please feel the real natural beauty. If you like the video, plz hit the like button and smash to share.

The UFO Shaped Lenticular Clouds

Lenticular Clouds are also called Altocumulus lenticularis are stationary lens-shaped clouds that form in the troposphere. It is usually in perpendicular alignment to the wind direction. Lenticular clouds can be separated into ACSL, (Altocumulus Standing Lenticularis) or SCSL (Stratocumulus Standing Lenticular), and CCSL, (Cirrocumulus Standing Lenticular). Because of their rare shape, they’ve been observed as an explanation for some UFO (Unidentified Flying Object), sightings. As air flows along the surface of the Earth, it comes across obstacles. However, our atmosphere, the envelope of air surrounding of planet, is always in motion. We have a tendency to to think of the motion of our atmosphere as horizontal across the ground, namely wind. Though, air can move vertically as well. Also Read: Glowworms Transform Cave into a Fascinating Starry Sky
Source: CP

Rainbow Mountains China

Rainbow Mountains China had a hard time believing that this mind-blowing mountain formation was actually real. But believe it or not this Technicolor range actually exists. It is located inside of the Zhangye Danxia National Geopark 30km west of Zhangye City, Gansu Province, China.

The park covers an area of 322 square km and contains 2 separate Danxia regions. Seven Colored Mountains and Ice Valley (Bing Gou Danxia) is its own separate park. The naturally formed landscape is alive with shades of green, orange, blue, emerald, red and yellow. Also See: Amazing Cambodian Bamboo Bridge Rebuilt Every Year

Source: CP

Kalabagh PAF Base, The Coolest Places in Nathia Gali

Kalabagh PAF Base is a nice and clean place in Nathiagali. It was designed as old England, and that’s what they got— Unpredictable weather. The cool breeze, low clouds, sporadic rain, and fog greets you while walking along the old England road in Nathiagali.Everything is nicely set and clean and functional. Food is very basic, but freshly cooked and tasty. This is undoubtedly a very scenic place, like most other places in the area. However, it is not accessible to general public. It is Pakistan Airforce property and one has to be a guest of someone from Pakistan Air Force to enter the property. If you do not have a booking through someone known to you in Pakistan Air Force, you will NOT BE ALLOWED to enter this place. Its strictly not available to the foreigners.