Sunday, March 30, 2008

Free High-Resolution Tiger Images




Save The Tiger Fund is often approached for tiger images that can be used in various tiger-related publications. This page contains a selection of images of adult tigers and cubs donated by Brian Gratwicke that can be freely used in publications, websites and projects under a creative commons 2.5 licence. Please give credit to Save The Tiger Fund.

Note: These are high-resolution files and may take a while to download.

SEE ALL THE PHOTOS HERE

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Amazing Animal Facts, Parrots-Photos











Parrots cannot bear to be alone; While most mate for life, all live in large social groups, sometimes with multiple species of birds.

Amazing Animal Facts, Parrots-Photos











Parrots cannot bear to be alone; While most mate for life, all live in large social groups, sometimes with multiple species of birds.

Google Earth Hour


Google users in the United States will notice today that we "turned the lights out" on the Google.com homepage as a gesture to raise awareness of a worldwide energy conservation effort called Earth Hour. As to why we don't do this permanently - it saves no energy; modern displays use the same amount of power regardless of what they display. However, you can do something to reduce the energy consumption of your home PC by joining the Climate Savers Computing Initiative.

On Saturday, March 29, 2008, Earth Hour invites people around the world to turn off their lights for one hour – from 8:00pm to 9:00pm in their local time zone. On this day, cities around the world, including Copenhagen, Chicago, Melbourne, Dubai, and Tel Aviv, will hold events to acknowledge their commitment to energy conservation.

Given our company's commitment to environmental awareness and energy efficiency, we strongly support the Earth Hour campaign, and have darkened our homepage today to help spread awareness of what we hope will be a highly successful global event.

Why did Google choose this specific organization?
We believe in doing our part to help combat climate change, and found the Earth Hour initiative to be a timely, important event. Further, we think the "lights out" idea's individual-centered nature is something that millions of people worldwide can participate in. In short, we really like it. So we did something about it.

How can I get Google to do something similar for my organization or project?
We welcome your ideas on how we can become more socially and environmentally responsible. Although we can't guarantee either a placement on the Google homepage or even a response to every query, we do read every email we receive and welcome your ideas of organizations that you believe we should feature. If you'd like to submit a proposal, please send it to us at proposals@google.com.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Galapagos Shark, Raoul Island, Kermadec Islands, New Zealand-free underwater desktop wallpaper


800 pixels x 600 pixels (SVGA)
1024 pixels x 768 pixels (XGA)
1280 pixels x 1024 pixels (SXGA)

Choose the resolution that you are running on your monitor. For those with old 14" monitors, this will probably be VGA. For those with fairly new 15" monitors, this will probably be SVGA. XGA is a common resolution on 17" monitors and those with bigger monitors probably know what you're doing. If you're in doubt, right click on an empty area of your desktop, select properties, select the settings tab, and look at what is shown under screen area.

To make one of these images your Windows wallpaper (background image), click on the resolution you require for the selected image and allow the image to load fully in your web browser. With Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer, right click on the image and select Set as Wallpaper. You're done!

Galapagos Shark, Raoul Island, Kermadec Islands, New Zealand-free underwater desktop wallpaper


800 pixels x 600 pixels (SVGA)
1024 pixels x 768 pixels (XGA)
1280 pixels x 1024 pixels (SXGA)

Choose the resolution that you are running on your monitor. For those with old 14" monitors, this will probably be VGA. For those with fairly new 15" monitors, this will probably be SVGA. XGA is a common resolution on 17" monitors and those with bigger monitors probably know what you're doing. If you're in doubt, right click on an empty area of your desktop, select properties, select the settings tab, and look at what is shown under screen area.

To make one of these images your Windows wallpaper (background image), click on the resolution you require for the selected image and allow the image to load fully in your web browser. With Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer, right click on the image and select Set as Wallpaper. You're done!

Coral Head, Somosomo Strait, Taveuni, Fiji-free underwater desktop wallpaper


800 pixels x 600 pixels (SVGA)
1024 pixels x 768 pixels (XGA)
1280 pixels x 1024 pixels (SXGA)

To make one of these images your Windows wallpaper (background image), click on the resolution you require for the selected image and allow the image to load fully in your web browser. With Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer, right click on the image and select Set as Wallpaper. You're done!

Monday, March 24, 2008

Blunthead Cichlid-care-Blunt-Headed Cichlid ,Moorii,Brabant Cichlid


With more than 40 different color morphs, the Blunthead Cichlid may actually have a variety for every color of the rainbow!

The Blunthead Cichlid Tropheus Moorii was described over a hundred years ago (1898), and was the first of their genus be recognized. This is actually a small genus of fish in Lake Tanganyika, Africa, but with over 120 known color varieties. They are very specialized feeders which restricts their habitat to rocky areas with good algae growth. But they can be found spread throughout this enormous lake at almost every single reef, and each area has a unique color variety.

The Tropheus became a big hit when first introduced in Germany in the mid 1970’s and then into the United States, and are still very popular today. Many of the imports were identified as T. Moorii varieties, but now it is recognized that these fish represent a number of different species. Five species are scientifically described today, and four of the five have various color morphs. Even so, the Blunthead Cichlid T. Moorii contains the largest number of color morphs. They are quite diverse with each having its own unique and beautiful coloration. Many are identified by the geographic location where they are collected, with the name of the locale tagged to the end of Tropheus Moorii, inside of quotation marks. But many are also called by names reflecting their beauty and often colors of the rainbow, such as Blue Rainbow, Yellow Rainbow, Tanzania Red Rainbow, Sunspot, Red Breast Moorii, Orangefleck, and more. The Blunthead Cichlid pictured above is from the northwestern area of Nkamba Bay, Zambia.

A colony of 12 or more Blunthead Cichlids can make an amazing display and their personality is a definite plus. The Tropheus have a really interesting social structure that is built upon a colony of consistent tank mates. They are very active and have individual behaviors, from curiously lining up to watch the goings on in the room to their 'dolphin-like' antics when eating. Feeding time can be very 'wet' for their keepers, but make this fish very fun and desirable. The Blunthead Cichlid has a reputation of being one of the most aggressive of the Tropheus species. In the wild they are very aggressive with conspecifics, but are said to be less aggressive with other fish. In the aquarium their aggression level towards unrelated fish can vary depending on the personalities of the individual fish.

They are rather expensive fish and they can be afflicted with the occurrence of 'bloat', and there seems to be no explainable rational as to its cause. Initial attempts to keep them often met with difficulty until aquarists became familiar with their rather specific, though uncomplicated needs. This hearty cichlid can be easy to moderate to keep as long as attention is paid to its diet and mandatory water changes are done, and difficult if they are neglected. Provide a sandy substrate, strong lighting to encourage algae growth, and several rock piles along with rocks formed into caves. Having a very aggressive nature, they are best kept in a species specific tank. Do not add a new fish to an already established colony as this will cause an upset and death. They may also be kept in a larger aquarium with some other herbivorous rock dwelling African cichlids. The larger the tank and the more hiding places you have will help with aggression. Truly a rewarding fish for the aquarist who is willing to provide the necessary care.

For more Information on keeping freshwater fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Blunthead Cichlid-care-Blunt-Headed Cichlid ,Moorii,Brabant Cichlid


With more than 40 different color morphs, the Blunthead Cichlid may actually have a variety for every color of the rainbow!

The Blunthead Cichlid Tropheus Moorii was described over a hundred years ago (1898), and was the first of their genus be recognized. This is actually a small genus of fish in Lake Tanganyika, Africa, but with over 120 known color varieties. They are very specialized feeders which restricts their habitat to rocky areas with good algae growth. But they can be found spread throughout this enormous lake at almost every single reef, and each area has a unique color variety.

The Tropheus became a big hit when first introduced in Germany in the mid 1970’s and then into the United States, and are still very popular today. Many of the imports were identified as T. Moorii varieties, but now it is recognized that these fish represent a number of different species. Five species are scientifically described today, and four of the five have various color morphs. Even so, the Blunthead Cichlid T. Moorii contains the largest number of color morphs. They are quite diverse with each having its own unique and beautiful coloration. Many are identified by the geographic location where they are collected, with the name of the locale tagged to the end of Tropheus Moorii, inside of quotation marks. But many are also called by names reflecting their beauty and often colors of the rainbow, such as Blue Rainbow, Yellow Rainbow, Tanzania Red Rainbow, Sunspot, Red Breast Moorii, Orangefleck, and more. The Blunthead Cichlid pictured above is from the northwestern area of Nkamba Bay, Zambia.

A colony of 12 or more Blunthead Cichlids can make an amazing display and their personality is a definite plus. The Tropheus have a really interesting social structure that is built upon a colony of consistent tank mates. They are very active and have individual behaviors, from curiously lining up to watch the goings on in the room to their 'dolphin-like' antics when eating. Feeding time can be very 'wet' for their keepers, but make this fish very fun and desirable. The Blunthead Cichlid has a reputation of being one of the most aggressive of the Tropheus species. In the wild they are very aggressive with conspecifics, but are said to be less aggressive with other fish. In the aquarium their aggression level towards unrelated fish can vary depending on the personalities of the individual fish.

They are rather expensive fish and they can be afflicted with the occurrence of 'bloat', and there seems to be no explainable rational as to its cause. Initial attempts to keep them often met with difficulty until aquarists became familiar with their rather specific, though uncomplicated needs. This hearty cichlid can be easy to moderate to keep as long as attention is paid to its diet and mandatory water changes are done, and difficult if they are neglected. Provide a sandy substrate, strong lighting to encourage algae growth, and several rock piles along with rocks formed into caves. Having a very aggressive nature, they are best kept in a species specific tank. Do not add a new fish to an already established colony as this will cause an upset and death. They may also be kept in a larger aquarium with some other herbivorous rock dwelling African cichlids. The larger the tank and the more hiding places you have will help with aggression. Truly a rewarding fish for the aquarist who is willing to provide the necessary care.

For more Information on keeping freshwater fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Sunday, March 23, 2008

This makes a good heading picture. I used it on Haley's site, Haley's Green Planet.

Haley's Feed is the second feed on my profile, it changes,
pictures and all as her blog changes.

Easter Chick Photos-Haley






These photos were taken by photographer Haley Willis, age 11.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Why Ligers are so much larger than Lions or Tigers

Why Ligers are so much larger than Lions or Tigers-Photos




Size:

Hybrid animals usually display what is known as 'hybrid vigor'. This means the offspring grow much larger and faster than either parent, and it appears that many hybridizations cause gigantism.

Ligers are the largest felid in the world and can stand 12 feet tall on their hind legs. There are several photographs within this article which show comparisons between humans and ligers; they give an idea of just how huge these hybrids are. Fortunately, these cats have quite a gentle and easy going disposition. (Note that tigons are quite a different story when it comes to size. They show a tendency towards dwarfism).

Ligers may weigh in at half a ton, up to double the weight of a fully-grown Amur tiger. 'Hobbs', the liger shown below is the offspring of a Bengal tigress and an African lion. He has an estimated weight of between 800 and 1200 pounds. As a comparison, the Guinness Book of World Records lists the heaviest Amur tiger as being a 1,025 pound male, but this is highly unusual for the subspecies and a captive Amur tiger would be very lucky to reach 650-675 pounds.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Free Kids Online Homework Help


  • Encyclopedia Britannica
    Merriam-Webster Dictionary
    Merriam-Webster Thesaurus


  • Kids!--Free "Learning about Leonardo Da Vinci" and the "Mona Lisa"
  • Kids!--Free English Grammar and Proofreading Skills Help Online
  • Kids!--Free Homework Helpers - Online Reference on a Variety Subjects
  • Kids!--Free Algebra Help Online - Help on All Levels of Mathematics
  • Kids!--Free Online Copy of the "Declaration of Independence"
  • Kids!--Free Word Rhymer - Enter Word and Find a Rhyming Word
  • Kids!--Free Translator - Find English/Foreign Word for Any English/Foreign Word
  • Kids!--Free Formula Calculator - Calculate Virtually Anything!
  • Kids!--Free US and Foreign Maps and Books - Check Pumpkins Travel Pages

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Why Are Reef Fish So Colorful?




Why Are Reef Fish So Colorful?

From the Page:

Coral reefs are home to many of the world’s most colorful fish species. But the purposes of the dramatic coloration of reef fish are not well understood. Research on fish that live around Australia’s Great Barrier Reef suggests that fish might use color to frighten enemies or attract mates. In this article from Scientific American Presents, marine biologist Justin Marshall explores several theories that help explain why reef fish are so brightly colored. CLICK HERE to read the article.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Free Desktop Wallpaper-Japanese Koi,symbol for friendship


The word "koi" comes from the Japanese, simply meaning "carp." It includes both the dull grey fish and the brightly colored varieties. A homophone of koi means "love, affection" and koi are therefore symbols of love and friendship in Japan

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Soft Coral-Papua New Guinea


Soft Coral
Purple Anthias Pseudanthias tuka swim over a field of soft coral.

To download your Free Desktop Wallpaper:

Internet Explorer users
Right Click on the image and select Set as Background.

Netscape Navigator users
Right Click on the image and select Set as Wallpaper.

Mac users
Hold down the mouse button over the image and wait for the menu.
Choose Save Image As.
Open the control panel to Desktop Pictures.
Click Select Picture and load the file you just saved.
Choose Position Automatically.

Soft Coral-Papua New Guinea


Soft Coral
Purple Anthias Pseudanthias tuka swim over a field of soft coral.

To download your Free Desktop Wallpaper:

Internet Explorer users
Right Click on the image and select Set as Background.

Netscape Navigator users
Right Click on the image and select Set as Wallpaper.

Mac users
Hold down the mouse button over the image and wait for the menu.
Choose Save Image As.
Open the control panel to Desktop Pictures.
Click Select Picture and load the file you just saved.
Choose Position Automatically.

Lionfish-free Desktop Wallpaper, Indonesia


The face of a Lionfish.
Directions:
Internet Explorer users
Right Click on the image and select Set as Background.

Netscape Navigator users
Right Click on the image and select Set as Wallpaper.

Mac users
Hold down the mouse button over the image and wait for the menu.
Choose Save Image As.
Open the control panel to Desktop Pictures.
Click Select Picture and load the file you just saved.
Choose Position Automatically.

Lionfish-free Desktop Wallpaper, Indonesia


The face of a Lionfish.
Directions:
Internet Explorer users
Right Click on the image and select Set as Background.

Netscape Navigator users
Right Click on the image and select Set as Wallpaper.

Mac users
Hold down the mouse button over the image and wait for the menu.
Choose Save Image As.
Open the control panel to Desktop Pictures.
Click Select Picture and load the file you just saved.
Choose Position Automatically.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

The Sacred Hill of Mandalay, Burma-Photos

Pilgrims applying gold leaf to the Maha Muni Buddha Mandalay, Burma Legends tell that Guatama Buddha once went to teach among the people of Dhannavati (now the northern Rakhine region of Burma/Myanmar). The king, Candra-suriya, requested that Guatama leave an image of himself for the benefit of the people. Buddha sat for a week of meditation under a Bodhi tree while Sakka, a king of the gods, created a life-like image of great beauty. Buddha was pleased with the image and decided to imbue it with his spiritual essence for a period of five thousand years.According to ancient tradition, only five likenesses of the Buddha were said to have been made during his lifetime: Two were in India, two in paradise, and the fifth is the Maha Muni or "Great Sage". Archaeologists believe the image was probably cast during the reign of King Chandra Surya, who ascended the throne in AD 146, some 600 years after the Buddha actually passed away. Little is known of the Maha Muni's travels over the next fifteen hundred years. It was stolen and moved around by various kings. At other times it was buried beneath a crumbling temple in a forgotten jungle. The image was brought to Mandalay in 1784 by King Bodawpaya and placed within the specially built Payagi Pagoda. Since that time it has been the most venerated Buddha image in all of Burma.The statue is 3.8 meters tall. Originally cast of metal, it is now entirely coated with a two-inch thick layer of gold leaf. So much gold leaf has been applied by so many different hands that the figure has developed an irregular outline. Many thousands of pilgrims visit the shrine each day and a great festival in early February draws hundreds of thousands.In a courtyard of the Payagi Pagoda, near the Maha Muni, are six Khmer bronze statues - three lions, a three-headed elephant and two warriors - that originally stood as guardians of Cambodia's Angkor Wat temple. The statues of the warriors are reputed to have miraculous healing qualities. Legends tell that rubbing a body part of either of the statues will cure an affliction in the corresponding part of your own body. When these statues were originally brought to the Maha Muni temple following a long and circuitous journey around southeast Asia, there were no healing legends associated with them. After centuries at the temple the statues came to be regarded as having healing powers, but nothing is known of when or how this legend began. It is fascinating to reflect that the healing powers of the statues seem to have been generated over time by the intention and beliefs of the countless thousands of visiting pilgrims. For some long-forgotten reason, sick persons once began rubbing the statues while making prayers for healing. These prayers have somehow charged or energized the statues with a power that is now held accountable for many thousands of incidents of miraculous healing. While most contemporary scientists will scoff at such an idea, the fact of the matter is that otherwise unexplainable healings have indeed occurred. We can offer no other explanation for this miraculous phenomenon, but remember that merely because conventional science cannot currently explain something does not mean it is impossible. Miraculous healing statues, Maha Muni Shrine, Mandalay, Burma
Sacred Hill of Mandalay, Burma

The Sacred Hill of Mandalay, Burma-Photos

Pilgrims applying gold leaf to the Maha Muni Buddha Mandalay, Burma Legends tell that Guatama Buddha once went to teach among the people of Dhannavati (now the northern Rakhine region of Burma/Myanmar). The king, Candra-suriya, requested that Guatama leave an image of himself for the benefit of the people. Buddha sat for a week of meditation under a Bodhi tree while Sakka, a king of the gods, created a life-like image of great beauty. Buddha was pleased with the image and decided to imbue it with his spiritual essence for a period of five thousand years.According to ancient tradition, only five likenesses of the Buddha were said to have been made during his lifetime: Two were in India, two in paradise, and the fifth is the Maha Muni or "Great Sage". Archaeologists believe the image was probably cast during the reign of King Chandra Surya, who ascended the throne in AD 146, some 600 years after the Buddha actually passed away. Little is known of the Maha Muni's travels over the next fifteen hundred years. It was stolen and moved around by various kings. At other times it was buried beneath a crumbling temple in a forgotten jungle. The image was brought to Mandalay in 1784 by King Bodawpaya and placed within the specially built Payagi Pagoda. Since that time it has been the most venerated Buddha image in all of Burma.The statue is 3.8 meters tall. Originally cast of metal, it is now entirely coated with a two-inch thick layer of gold leaf. So much gold leaf has been applied by so many different hands that the figure has developed an irregular outline. Many thousands of pilgrims visit the shrine each day and a great festival in early February draws hundreds of thousands.In a courtyard of the Payagi Pagoda, near the Maha Muni, are six Khmer bronze statues - three lions, a three-headed elephant and two warriors - that originally stood as guardians of Cambodia's Angkor Wat temple. The statues of the warriors are reputed to have miraculous healing qualities. Legends tell that rubbing a body part of either of the statues will cure an affliction in the corresponding part of your own body. When these statues were originally brought to the Maha Muni temple following a long and circuitous journey around southeast Asia, there were no healing legends associated with them. After centuries at the temple the statues came to be regarded as having healing powers, but nothing is known of when or how this legend began. It is fascinating to reflect that the healing powers of the statues seem to have been generated over time by the intention and beliefs of the countless thousands of visiting pilgrims. For some long-forgotten reason, sick persons once began rubbing the statues while making prayers for healing. These prayers have somehow charged or energized the statues with a power that is now held accountable for many thousands of incidents of miraculous healing. While most contemporary scientists will scoff at such an idea, the fact of the matter is that otherwise unexplainable healings have indeed occurred. We can offer no other explanation for this miraculous phenomenon, but remember that merely because conventional science cannot currently explain something does not mean it is impossible. Miraculous healing statues, Maha Muni Shrine, Mandalay, Burma
Sacred Hill of Mandalay, Burma

Ancient Minoan Palace, Agean Sea-photos

















The Minoans were a pre-Hellenic Bronze Age civilization in Crete in the Aegean Sea, flourishing from approximately 2600 to 1450 BC when their culture was superseded by the Mycenaean culture, which drew upon the Minoans.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Free Desktop Wallpaper,tropical rain forest in Costa Rica


This is a stream through a tropical rain forest in Costa Rica.
640 x 480

800 x 600

1024 x 768

Free Desktop Wallpaper,tropical rain forest in Costa Rica


This is a stream through a tropical rain forest in Costa Rica.
640 x 480

800 x 600

1024 x 768

Free Green Planet Desktop Wallpaper,Rangiroa Atoll, French Polynesia


This tropical palm tree grove has very interesting symmetry and shadows.
Rangiroa Atoll, French Polynesia
640 x 480

800 x 600

1024 x 768

Free Green Planet Desktop Wallpaper,Rangiroa Atoll, French Polynesia


This tropical palm tree grove has very interesting symmetry and shadows.
Rangiroa Atoll, French Polynesia
640 x 480

800 x 600

1024 x 768

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Spotted Dolphins,facts and photos


These animals are highly social and are sometimes found in herds of thousands, especially in offshore forms, though groups of several hundred are more common. Herds contain both sexes and all ages. Pantropical spotted dolphins are often seen in the company of other dolphin species, particularly spinner dolphins.

Spotted dolphins consist of tropical and subtropical species and are widely distributed in all tropical and warm-temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.

Stenella attenuata (worldwide) & Stenella frontalis (Atlantic)


CLASS: Mammalia illustration of Atlantic and pantropical spotted dolphins
ORDER: Cetacea
SUBORDER: Odontoceti
FAMILY: Delphinidae
GENUS: Stenella
SPECIES: attenuata (worldwide) &
frontalis (Atlantic)
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Spotted dolphins are difficult to describe because their size and coloring vary according to their geographic location. Found only in tropical waters, and subtropical waters, there are two recognized species: the worldwide species, the pantropical spotted dolphin, Stella attenuata and the Atlantic species, Stenella frontalis. The spotted dolphin's body is covered with spots and becomes more densely spotted with age. In the eastern Pacific, coastal forms are the most heavily spotted, while those found in the Hawai'ian Islands and in Japanese waters and the eastern Indian Ocean have moderate spotting. The spotted dolphin has a long slim beak containing 35 to 48 small conical teeth in each side of the upper jaw and 34 to 47 small, conical teeth in each side of the lower jaw.