Fireflies in Southern Michigan
a night of fireflies
has arrived…
my spring-planted willow ~ Issa
Photographer: Ken Scott; Ken’s Web site
Summary Author: Ken Scott; Jim Foster
Shown above on this long exposure (40 minute) is a flock of fireflies on a midsummer’s eve, beneath a starry sky as observed near Willis, Michigan. With dimming light after sunset, fireflies (also called glow worms or lightning bugs) emerge from their daytime lair in grassy lawns, meadows and tree canopies. Initially they cling close to the ground but tend to drift higher up — though rarely above the tree tops. As the sky darkens their blinking bioluminescent glow, used to attract mates or prey, seems to increase. Note the lone fire-walker; seemingly daring others to cross its yellow-green line. Photo taken on July 19, 2014.
http://epod.usra.edu/blog/2014/08/fireflies-in-southern-michigan.html
Miniature Donkeys are the CUTEST Things Ever
The miniature donkeys at the Amelia Rise Donkey farm in Australia are some of the cutest creatures on this earth. They are small, they are happy and they are fuzzy.
Prepare for your blood pressure to be lowered and your day to be brightened:
Partial solar eclipse visible in Syria on November 3rd ~ 2013
Damascus, (SANA) – Several countries in the world, including Syria, will witness a partial solar eclipse on Sunday November 3rd.
Chairman of the Syrian Astronomical Society Mohammad al-Asiri said that the eclipse will be partial in Syria, ranging between 15% in the north and 25% in the south of Syria, lasting around 1 hour and 25 minutes.
He said the eclipse will be around21% in Damascus and will occur during sunset, finishing minutes before the sun sinks below the horizon, starting at 3:13 PM, peaking at 3:58 and ending at 4:38.
Al-Asiri warned against staring at the sun during the partial eclipse as this is harmful to the human eye and may result in permanent loss of vision, noting that the Society will specify areas for monitoring this event using special goggles and telescopes.
H. Sabbagh
Hedgehog Cacti in Bloom
Photographer: Kathleen Kiefer; Kathleen’s Web site
Summary Author: Kathleen Kiefer
The photo above shows hedgehog cacti blooming in the Ancient Lakes area of Washington State. I had always wanted to see the illusive crimson to cherry colored blooms of the “hedgehog,” which grow on rocky hillsides and flat lands, usually in lithosol areas. Because collectors have been known to dig them up, even though seldom survive under propagation, they’ve become increasingly rare where they were once common. The ones above were found in a rather secluded part of the Columbia Basin, pictured against a backdrop of lichen-covered rocks, larkspur, phlox, and sulphur lupine. Photo taken on April 13, 2013.
Photo details: Top – Camera Model: Canon EOS 7D; Lens: EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM; Focal Length: 22.0mm; Aperture: f/25.0; Exposure Time: 0.0016 s (1/640); ISO equiv: 1250; Software: Adobe Photoshop CS4 Macintosh. Inset – Same except: Lens: EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS; Focal Length: 52.0mm.
Misty Morning ~ Louisiana
The Greenwood Plantation’s Oak Alley on a Misty Morning
Photo of the Day: April 19, 2013. An Editors’ Pick from our 2012 Photo Contest.
Photo by Bonnie Marquette (Wakefield, LA); Photographed February 2012, St. Francisville, LA
Night Sky Observed from Paros Island, Greece
Photographer: Stavros Hios
Summary Authors: Stavros Hios; Jim Foster
The image above shows a view of an illuminated, old sailing ship and the glow of the Milky Way as observed from the island of Paros, Greece, in the Aegean Sea. Since the Moon was in the new phase and because this area (southernmost point of Paros) is quite isolated, the night sky was nearly pitch black. The camera is facing in the direction of the constellation of Sagittarius — toward the center and densest portion of the Milky Way. Sagittarius has more Messier objects than any other constellation. The brightest of these is the Lagoon Nebula (Messier object M8), visible with the naked eye — at top. Just above M8 is the Trifid Nebula (M 20). Photo taken on July 15, 2012.
Photo details: NIKON D7000 camera; F/5; 70mm lens; ASTROTRACK
essere nella merda lol :) raccontare barzellette
my “creek ” forming off front steps to porch … is time to build boat and sail to Cuba ? lol
How To Create A Moon Garden
A moon garden is just as it sounds, a garden meant to be viewed by moonlight. Moon gardens usually feature flowers that bloom exclusively at night or at dusk, flowers and plants that reflect moonlight well in shades such as silver or white, and fragrant aromatic plants and flowers to entice your other senses in the dark of the night when you may be able to see less.
Historically moon gardens were not only enjoyed for romantic strolls and evening pleasure as they are today but were used in religious practices in honor of the moon. Through out time many cultures have worshiped the moon and so the plants and flowers that flourish more in its glow. In some cultures only women or “witches” tended gardens believing they produced more powerful herbs for potions. Traditional gardens are not only enjoyed by moonlight, but planted, sown and tended by moonlight as well. Everything about a garden was done by the phases of the moon.
Whether your motivation is simple enjoyment during the night or for more historic purposes a moon garden in a beautiful thing.
Step 1:Choosing a Location for Your Moon Garden
The first thing you need to figure out to plant a moon garden is where to put it. Like any garden the location of a night garden will affect your overall result.
In the case of a moon garden you want to be sure you choose a location that receives good moonlight. Naturally planting a moon garden against your home where it will always be in shadow is an unwise choice. However most people do prefer to place night gardens close to their homes where they can easily stroll out into the night and enjoy them.
Not to worry if you don’t have a location that receives good moonlight, this will not bar your way from having your own garden to be enjoyed at night. Modern advances allow today’s gardeners the advantage of artificial lighting. Even grown indoors a plant that blooms at night still blooms. You can strategically place lights throughout your garden to provide your own “moon light” if needed. You may want to include a few lights anyway for evenings that the moon is obscured by clouds or not as full.
Also be sure to consider existing architecture or any you may plan on adding. Many moon blooming flowers are vine or creeping plants. You can cut costs by choosing locations that have existing structures for these elements to “crawl”. Consider placing your garden near fences, large stones or existing trees. Try to use existing architecture that allows substantial moonlight of course though.
If you plan on creating some of your own architectural elements, be sure to choose a location that has amble space. Water and koi ponds are often used in conjuncture with moon gardens to add the soft soothing sounds of water to the garden at night and a bit of activity during the day when moon garden’s can be less spectacular.
Step 2: Choosing Plants and Flowers for Your Moon Garden
The next step in planting a moon garden is to decide what you want in it. Outside of the architectural decisions made in step one of this guide, plants and flowers are naturally the star of the garden.
What plants make good choices for moon gardens?
- Plants or flowers that bloom at night or dusk.
- Plants or flowers that are pale, silver or white in color and so catch the eye in darker sittings.
- Fragrant plants, flowers or herbs.
Here is a sampling of some ideas for plants and flowers that fit the above mold. Some of these actually fit all three categories such as the Night Blooming Cereus which blooms solely at night producing massive and fragrant white blooms.
- Evening Primrose
- Moonflowers
- Angel’s Trumpet
- Night Phlox
- Evening Stock
- Four O’Clocks
- Nottingham Catchfly
- Night Blooming Cereus
- Day lilies
- Moon Frolic
- Toltec Sundial
- Yucca
- Flowering Tobacco
- Night Gladiolus
- August Lily
- Fragrant Columbine
- Fairy Lily
- Climbing hydrangea
- Sweet autumn clematis
- Honeysuckle
- Mock Orange Shrub
- Cherry/Apple/Orange Trees
- Purity Cosmos
- Armour White
- Summer Hyacinth
- Bride Impatiens
- Moonraker Cape fuchsia
- White Oriental Poppy
- White Swan Camellia
- White Forsythia
- Alba Columbine
- Whitelace Dianthus
- Silver Artemesia
- Lamb’s ears
- Silver sage
- White Christmas Caladiums
- Variegated Cannas
- Silver Thyme
- Alba Eggplant
- Casper or Boo white pumpkins
- Basils
- Mints
- Oreganos
Step 3: Planting Your Moon Garden
Now to bring all your moon garden elements together.
First test your soil. Be sure it is suitable for the plants and flowers you have chosen for your garden. If you have voted to go with plants that are not common to your area you my have to create some soil locations for certain plants by adding sand or more rich soil, etc. This is why it is important to have your moon garden planned entirely before planting. You need to know what type of environment each plant you chose needs. Also be sure to note the zone or hardiness for the plants. Many moon flowering plants are not suited for colder weather.
One option is to set your moon garden up to have different seasonal looks. In the winter you could have simply evergreens living, back dropped by the spindly fingers of deciduous trees with a frozen pond for affect. Remember moonlight can make the simplest of things amazing.
In the summer you could use more warm blooded plants for a magnificent show of blooms. Planting your moon garden is as easy as following your plan. Every gardener’s plan will vary by their personal tastes, desires and skill level.
This guide is intended to inspire and provide tips and advice to create a moon garden, the planting itself is all up to you.
Butterfly and Rhododendron
Butterfly and Rhododendron
Photograph by Julia Baverstock, My Shot
This Month in Photo of the Day: Nature and Weather Photos
This beautiful rare butterfly was on a rhododendron bush in my grandfather’s garden, Dartmoor, Devon.
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
************
February 24, 2013 Eruption of Sakurajima
Photographer: Marc Szeglat
Summary Author: Marc Szeglat
Shown above is an impressive fusillade from Sakurajima volcano, on the island of Kyushu, Japan, as viewed on the night of February 24, 2013. Throughout the past four years, Sakurajima has been in a state of elevated activity. During the first two months of 2013, approximately 200 explosive events were recorded. On occasion, an eruption is accompanied by lightning. As can be seen on the picture, the lightning seems to emanate from near the crater rather than from a cloud above the volcano’s 3,665 ft (1,117 m) summit. This phenomenon isn’t fully understood. Our small exploration group (Richard Roscoe, Martin Rietze and Marc Szeglat) noticed that the flashes appeared in the first seconds following very powerful explosions. Scoria and very fine-grained volcanic ash were observed during such eruptions. For five consecutive nights we were stationed in front of the volcano and saw two eruptions with lightning. Photo taken on February 24, 2013.
Yo vengo de la Habana ;)
Seaside, Havana
Photograph by Paolo Pellegrin
This Month in Photo of the Day: National Geographic Magazine Features
The century-old stone wall of the Malecón, Havana’s famous oceanside esplanade, shields the city—imperfectly—from the battering of roiling seas. On calmer nights people come out to stroll on the street.
See more pictures from the November 2012 feature story “Cuba’s New Now.”
Go behind the words with a podcast from the story’s author »
Take a visual tour of Cuba »
**********
Tutti siami rei ~ le lacrime sono la miglior preghiera
Kyrgyz Girls, Afghanistan
Photograph by Matthieu Paley, National Geographic
This Month in Photo of the Day: National Geographic Magazine Features
After a hailstorm, nomadic Kyrgyz girls venture outside their mud hut beside the Aksu River in a remote part of Afghanistan. The nomads sometimes stop here for a few weeks between migratory seasons if grass for their herds is too scarce at the summer or winter camps.
See more pictures from the February 2013 feature story “Stranded on the Roof of the World.”
Novice Shaman, Mongolia ~ Бөөгийн хонхорын тахилга Shaman Byambadorj
Novice Shaman, Mongolia
Photograph by Carolyn Drake, National Geographic
This Month in Photo of the Day: National Geographic Magazine Features
A novice shaman makes an offering of milk to the spirits at her initiation outside the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar.
See more pictures from the December 2012 feature story “Masters of Ecstasy.”
~ Frozen Misurina Lake, Veneto, Italy ~
Photographer: Marco Zante; Marco’s Web site
Summary Authors: Marco Zante; Jim Foster
The photo above shows Misurina Lake in Veneto, Italy covered with snow and ice. The light conditions this foggy morning lent an ethereal look to the wintry landscape. Snow depths in wooded areas ranged from approximately 15-20 in (38-50 cm); the average thickness of the ice on Misurina Lake was perhaps 12 in (30 cm). Actually, when the ice thickness approaches 24 in (60 cm), polo is occasionally played on the frozen surface. Note the incremental contours that show patterns of ice formation and, in some cases, patterns of ice disturbance. Forest trees include, silver fir (Abies alba), Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra), larch (Larix deciduas), black pine (Pinus nigra), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway spruce (Picea abies).
Photo details: Camera Model: Canon EOS 1100D; Lens: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II; Focal Length: 35mm; Aperture: f/14.0; Exposure Time: 0.0025 s (1/400); ISO equiv: 100; Software: Adobe Photoshop CS6 (Windows).
- Misurina Lake, Italy Coordinates: 46.5819, 12.2539
********************
*********************
Codfish Vicenza-style
Time ~3 hours and 30 minutes
Ingredients
Servings 4
- 1 lb stockfish
- ½ lb milk
- 3 ½ oz onion
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 oz salted anchovies
- a pinch of parsley
- 2 oz all-purpose flour
- grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese to taste
- salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
30 minutes preparation + 3 hours cooking
Step 1
Soak the codfish for 24 hours. Remove the spinal bone and the other fish bones. In a casserole with oil, brown the onion, add a little salt.
Step 2
Add crushed anchovies and chopped parsley.
Step 3
Cut the codfish into chunks, flour the chunks then sprinkle grated cheese on them.
Step 4
Add a little milk to the casserole, keep on low heat, add codfish and cook.
Step 5
Add more milk if necessary, season with a little salt and pepper and cook till ready.
Chef’s Tips
The casserole with the codfish should never have the lid on because this will make the fish turn dark. There should be abundant oil, low heat, as it should not fry but cook lightly. Do not stir with a ladle as the fish tends to come apart, simply move the casserole in a clockwise direction.
more recipes @ original link Academia Barilla
//www.academiabarilla.com/italian-recipes/step-step-recipes/codfish-vicenza-style.aspx
Rough Green Snake
Rough Green Snake
Photograph by ~ Jason Wiles, My Shot
This Month in Photo of the Day: Your Photos
Rough green snake in a Japanese maple tree. The irony of this photograph is that this incredibly angry looking pose is actually the snake yawning.
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? The focus of the frame, the snake’s yawning mouth, is tack-sharp, which is what makes this a success. I also appreciated the extra information from the photographer, as I too would have assumed this was one disgruntled fellow. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
February 19, 2013 Eruption of Mount Etna ~ Sicily
Photographer: Marco Restivo; Marco’s Web site
Summary Authors: Marco Restivo; Jim Foster
Mount Etna, on the island of Sicily, Italy, has long been one of Europe’s most active volcanoes — eruptions have been observed here for approximately 3,500 years.
The most recent series of eruptions were initiated during the early morning hours of February 19, 2013, when glowing fountains of lava erupted from Mount Etna’s southeast crater.
Four separate outbursts were recorded within about a 48-hour period. Even though eruptions of Etna (about 10,900 ft or 3,325 m) occur quite frequently, it hasn’t exploded with successive episodes such as this since at least 2000.
Photo details: Camera Model: Canon EOS 7D; Lens: EF70-200mm f/4L USM; Focal Length: 200mm; Aperture: f/4.0; Exposure Time: 0.067 s (1/15); ISO equiv: 400; Software: Adobe Photoshop CS5 Windows.
- Mount Etna Coordinates: 37.750000, 15.000000
Mount Etna, on the island of Sicily, Italy, has long been one of Europe’s most active volcanoes — eruptions have been observed here for approximately 3,500 years.
The most recent series of eruptions were initiated during the early morning hours of February 19, 2013, when glowing fountains of lava erupted from Mount Etna’s southeast crater.
Four separate outbursts were recorded within about a 48-hour period. Even though eruptions of Etna (about 10,900 ft or 3,325 m) occur quite frequently, it hasn’t exploded with successive episodes such as this since at least 2000.
Photo details: Camera Model: Canon EOS 7D; Lens: EF70-200mm f/4L USM; Focal Length: 200mm; Aperture: f/4.0; Exposure Time: 0.067 s (1/15); ISO equiv: 400; Software: Adobe Photoshop CS5 Windows.
- Mount Etna Coordinates: 37.750000, 15.000000
Arno River, Florence ~ Italy
Arno River, Florence
Photograph by Heather Anne Campbell, My Shot
This Month in Photo of the Day: Your Photos
Spending the holidays traveling means fewer tourists and more clouds. This photo was taken on Christmas in Florence, Italy. Very few people were walking around, and the air was very still.
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? This photograph has a delicate, painterly quality, which is lovely. The soft, gray light and the choice to show more sky above the bridge than water below reinforces the stillness of the day the photographer describes. —Alexa Keefe
***************
Collection of Florentine Recipes ~ one of my favorites
Carciofi ripieni
Carciofi ripieni = Artichokes filled with bread and….
Artichokes (two per person)
One bunch of parsley
Garlic (3 coves)
Olive oil
Breadcrumbs
Salt and pepper
Clean the artichokes cutting off the stalk and the tough leaves.
Grind the parsley and the garlic together, in a bowl place: a cup of breadcrumbs, add water, salt a little oil, the parsley and the garlic and mix all (the breadcrumbs will soak up about 1 or two glasses of water).
Open the leaver of the artichokes and with a tea spoon insert the mixture among the leaves. Place the filled artichokes in a saucepan so that they are standing one near the other. Cook (adding some water if necessary) until they are tender (test with a fork).
dip leaves into seasoned olive oil or melted butter with garlic
more florentine recipes @ link
A waning moon and its halo as seen through a willow tree ~ Earth Sky
Today’s image of a waning moon and its halo as seen through the branches of a willow tree comes from EarthSky Facebook friend Michael Flood.
Earth Sky
Fisherman, Satkhira, Bangladesh
Photo of the Day: January 20, 2013. An Editors’ Pick from our 2012 Photo Contest.
Photo and caption by Md. Khalid Rayhan Shawon (Dhaka, Bangladesh); Photographed July 01, 2012, Satkhira, Bangladesh
Tornadic Waterspouts off the Island of Rhodes, Greece
Photographer: Stratos Koufos
Summary Authors: Stratos Koufos; Jim Foster
The photo above shows twin tornadic waterspouts sweeping across the Mediterranean Sea between Rhodes and southwestern Turkey. During the winter season, there’s occasionally a strong southerly flow (winds from the southern quadrant) in the eastern Mediterranean. On this January day in 2002, the winds were blowing especially hard (9 on Beaufort Scale). Just before the funnels descended, however, winds shifted to the north and rain began to fall. Tornadic waterspouts are tornadoes that happen to form over water, or move from land to water. Unlike the weak “fair weather” spouts that sometimes occur over water bodies on hot, humid summer days with light winds, tornadic waterspouts are associated with powerful thunderstorms. Fortunately, there were no reports of deaths or injuries from these twisters. Photo taken on January 15, 2002.
- Rhodes, Greece Coordinates: 36.1667, 28.0000
L'amore e forte come la morte 