This blogger's favourite place - the wonderful spectacle of the Niagara Falls demonstrate just how well Mother Nature combines visual beauty with immense power.
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| Source: Own Images |
April 18, 2016
February 16, 2016
Waterfalls
Waterfalls are a spectacular formation of nature.
Waterfalls are formed when flowing surface water drops vertically to a lower level. Waterfalls are usually formed in the upper course of a river. The force of descending water starts eroding the surface and pushing back the mouth of the falls.
Waterfalls are formed when flowing surface water drops vertically to a lower level. Waterfalls are usually formed in the upper course of a river. The force of descending water starts eroding the surface and pushing back the mouth of the falls.
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| Angel Falls in Venezeula have the largest uninterrupted drop in the world (876 meters). CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=65920 |
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| By Heribert Dezeo (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons |
The sight of a waterfall relaxes, soothes, inspires and even terrifies the human mind.
"The point is that when I see a sunset or a waterfall or something, for a split second it's so great, because for a little bit I'm out of my brain, and it's got nothing to do with me. I'm not trying to figure it out, you know what I mean? And I wonder if I can somehow find a way to maintain that mind stillness."
"Chris Evans." BrainyQuote.com. Xplore Inc, 2016. 16 February 2016.
February 11, 2016
Water in Literature: Three Men in a Boat
Water is the theme of countless books, poems and songs. My favourite book has a river as the main character.
Three Men in a Boat (to say nothing of the Dog), by Jerome K Jerome is a worldwide humour classic. We were introduced in our school days to the adventures of three young men spending a two week holiday on the River Thames, on a rented boat.
First published in 1889, every thing in the book, whether waking up to alarms or forgetting toothbrushes on trips, remains fresh and contemporary.
“It seems to be the rule of this world. Each person has what he doesn’t want, and other people have what he does want.”
“People who have tried it, tell me that a clear conscience makes you very happy and contented; but a full stomach does the business quite as well, and is cheaper, and more easily obtained. One feels so forgiving and generous after a substantial and well-digested meal—so noble-minded, so kindly-hearted.”
“It always does seem to me that I am doing more work than I should do. It is not that I object to the work, mind you; I like work; it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours.”
“He would use a bit of string this time, and at the critical moment, when the old fool was leaning over the chair at an angle of forty-five, and trying to reach a point three inches beyond what was possible for him to reach, the string would slip, and down he would slide on to the piano, a really fine musical effect being produced by the suddenness with which his head and body struck all the notes at the same time. And Aunt Maria would say that she would not allow the children to stand round and hear such language.”
Three Men in a Boat (to say nothing of the Dog), by Jerome K Jerome is a worldwide humour classic. We were introduced in our school days to the adventures of three young men spending a two week holiday on the River Thames, on a rented boat.
First published in 1889, every thing in the book, whether waking up to alarms or forgetting toothbrushes on trips, remains fresh and contemporary.
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| Cover of Three Men in a Boat. Penguin Publications 1994 edition. |
From the book -
“I can't sit still and see another man slaving and working. I want to get up and superintend, and walk round with my hands in my pockets, and tell him what to do. It is my energetic nature. I can't help it.”
“It seems to be the rule of this world. Each person has what he doesn’t want, and other people have what he does want.”
“People who have tried it, tell me that a clear conscience makes you very happy and contented; but a full stomach does the business quite as well, and is cheaper, and more easily obtained. One feels so forgiving and generous after a substantial and well-digested meal—so noble-minded, so kindly-hearted.”
“It always does seem to me that I am doing more work than I should do. It is not that I object to the work, mind you; I like work; it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours.”
“He would use a bit of string this time, and at the critical moment, when the old fool was leaning over the chair at an angle of forty-five, and trying to reach a point three inches beyond what was possible for him to reach, the string would slip, and down he would slide on to the piano, a really fine musical effect being produced by the suddenness with which his head and body struck all the notes at the same time. And Aunt Maria would say that she would not allow the children to stand round and hear such language.”
Nature's Water Spas - Hot Springs
Fancy unwinding in a hot tub as large as a lake throughout the year and with no electricity bills to pay. Then head to the nearest hot spring in your country or continent.
Hot springs are water bodies that have temperatures above the surrounding region and definitely warmer than normal human body temperature of 98 degree F. The hot water dissolves more minerals and salts than normal water which is why many hot springs are considered to have healing powers.
Hot springs or geothermal springs is groundwater that is heated by geothermal power - heat rising from the earth's core. Below the surface these water bodies are either heated by molten rocks, if they are near a volcanic source, or through convection heating with water seeping deep enough to reach hotter cracks or rocks below.
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| Lake Heviz, the largest thermal lake in Hungary Wikipedia Commons Civerten CC BY-SA 2.5 |
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| Macaques seek comfort in a hot spring in the snow clad mountains of Japan By Yosemite (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons |
Hot springs are water bodies that have temperatures above the surrounding region and definitely warmer than normal human body temperature of 98 degree F. The hot water dissolves more minerals and salts than normal water which is why many hot springs are considered to have healing powers.
Hot springs or geothermal springs is groundwater that is heated by geothermal power - heat rising from the earth's core. Below the surface these water bodies are either heated by molten rocks, if they are near a volcanic source, or through convection heating with water seeping deep enough to reach hotter cracks or rocks below.
February 06, 2016
Water and Life - Oasis in the Desert
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| By Real Distan (Flickr: Oasis in Gobi Desert, (c) not mine!) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons |
Deserts are arid, sandy wastes spread across all five continents and known for one thing - the absence of water. Yet no desert is completely barren. Even the largest desert such as the Sahara, have tiny (relative to the size of the desert) spots where surface water is found, enough to sustain human life, animals and vegetation.
Those who have never been to a desert have heard of two fascinating features - oasis and mirage. Oases have enabled journeys in the desert since ancient times and some of the largest oasis, supplied by underground sources and occasional rainfall, have been around for thousands of years.
Contrary to general perception, not all oases are small pools of water with a couple of swaying palms at the side. The largest oases are magnificent sights even against the grandeur of the deserts. Check out some of the most beautiful oases across the world at Smashing Lists.
January 27, 2016
January 26, 2016
Dams
Dams are solid structures built across rivers to obstruct or divert the flow of water. Dams today are massive engineering superstructures of steel and concrete used to create water supply reservoirs and also generate hydro-electric power.The size and scale of some modern dams can create an adverse impact on the surrounding ecosystem and human settlements.
In ancient times, dams were used mainly to divert or obstruct flood water and protect harvests and habitations. Some dams from the Roman era or even earlier still exist and are functional today. Most ancient dams were gravity dams.
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Dams are created not just by humans but animals. Beavers fell trees and branches across running streams or rivers to create a water reservoir around their underground homes.
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| By Cheryl Reynolds, Worth a Dam CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons |
January 19, 2016
Water in Art: Music
The Water is Wide, thought to have originated from lines of an Irish folk song Carrickfergus. The version in the video is by the The Gothard Sisters, an American Celtic music group.
January 17, 2016
January 15, 2016
Tides
The gravitational pull of the moon and sun has an effect on Earth objects, but none so visible and spectacular as that on water.
The phenomenon of tides is caused by the gravitational forces drawing water from oceans and seas in different directions causing it to rise and ebb. High and low tides fill and empty coastal areas with more prominent effects taking place at the time of full and new moons, the equinox and supermoons.
Tidal ranges record the difference between high and low tide levels on the shore. The highest tides are recorded at the Bay of Fundy in Canada.
The phenomenon of tides is caused by the gravitational forces drawing water from oceans and seas in different directions causing it to rise and ebb. High and low tides fill and empty coastal areas with more prominent effects taking place at the time of full and new moons, the equinox and supermoons.
Tidal ranges record the difference between high and low tide levels on the shore. The highest tides are recorded at the Bay of Fundy in Canada.
January 14, 2016
Dikes and Levees
Dikes and Levees have existed in human civilization from ancient times. These structures natural or manmade, hold water back from adjoining land especially in low lying areas (below water level).
Levees are designed to hold back excess water running into and flooding otherwise dry land. Dikes on the other hand, are embankments designed to hold back water at all times.
‘God created the world, but the Dutch created Holland’ is a saying popular in the Netherlands for more than a 1000 years. Dikes, canals, dams and windmills protect the low lying Netherlands from being overrun with floods from rivers and the North Sea.
Levees are designed to hold back excess water running into and flooding otherwise dry land. Dikes on the other hand, are embankments designed to hold back water at all times.
‘God created the world, but the Dutch created Holland’ is a saying popular in the Netherlands for more than a 1000 years. Dikes, canals, dams and windmills protect the low lying Netherlands from being overrun with floods from rivers and the North Sea.
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| A dike in the Netherlands. Note the North Sea at a higher level on the left. |
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| A levee in hurricane prone Florida in Southern USA. Photo: NPS |
January 13, 2016
Water Fountains
Water fountains are a common sight throughout the world. Used in ancient times primarily as a source of water for drinking and washing, fountains of today are architectural and engineering marvels used for showpieces and a source of relaxation.
Ancient Romans were master builders of decorative fountains which are in existence today also.
Ancient Romans were master builders of decorative fountains which are in existence today also.
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| The iconic Merlion fountain of Singapore (Own Photo) |
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| Trevis Fountain in Rome-One of the oldest fountains in the world Trevinight" by Wjh31 - Own work - http://lifeinmegapixels.com. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Commons |
January 12, 2016
Water in Art: Music (Flowing Water performed on Guqin)
Ancient composition High Mountain, Flowing Water performed on traditional Chinese musical instrument, the guqin.
January 11, 2016
Stars in the Sea: Milky Seas
For centuries, mariners had reported incidents of the surface of the sea glowing an eerie blue at night. This phenomenon is known as the milky seas and is caused by luminous bacteria in sea water creating an effect known as "bioluminescence".
Milky seas are more commonly reported in the Southern Indian Ocean and have been observed from high up in space.
Milky seas inspired some of the spectacular night effects in the Oscar award winning movie, Life of Pi.
These awe-inspiring phenomenon are a great tourist attraction throughout the world. Check out the Sea of Stars on Vaadhoo Atoll in Maldives in the Indian Ocean and the Bio Bays of Peurto Rico for starters.
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| Milky Sea at Yacht Port of Zeebrugge, Belgium © Hans Hillewaert / , via Wikimedia Commons CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
Milky seas inspired some of the spectacular night effects in the Oscar award winning movie, Life of Pi.
These awe-inspiring phenomenon are a great tourist attraction throughout the world. Check out the Sea of Stars on Vaadhoo Atoll in Maldives in the Indian Ocean and the Bio Bays of Peurto Rico for starters.
January 10, 2016
January 07, 2016
January 03, 2016
January 02, 2016
Easter Islands - The Bluest Water on Earth
While all water is blue, there are varying shades of it as covered in this post on the colour of the sea.
But there are spots on earth which boast of crystal clear, blue pristine waters.
And the deepest shade of blue is considered to be found at a spot in the Pacific Ocean, a few hundred metres off the remote Easter Islands in the Southern Pacific. This deep blue shade is attributed to the absence of chlorophyll and plankton in this area. The underwater visibility extends to hundreds of feet making this location a favourite spot for divers.
But there are spots on earth which boast of crystal clear, blue pristine waters.
And the deepest shade of blue is considered to be found at a spot in the Pacific Ocean, a few hundred metres off the remote Easter Islands in the Southern Pacific. This deep blue shade is attributed to the absence of chlorophyll and plankton in this area. The underwater visibility extends to hundreds of feet making this location a favourite spot for divers.
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| Flickr Photo by David Berkowitz Easter Island - Rapa Nui |
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| Flickr Photo By: Nicolas de Camaret Motu Nui Easter Island |
January 01, 2016
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