| Author | Content |
goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
12:41 PM Post #6327471
| Hello everyone!
I'm sipping coffee with my computer right now. And I felt like "chatting" a bit, so here's my question:
Did you check this? http://www.earthhour.org/home/ . Our friends "Down Under" started this a couple years ago.
Will you be turning off the lights this Saturday? Earth hour will happen on Saturday, March 28th, 8:30pm for each timezone. I'm planning to do this, and have a romantic dinner with my hubby, starting 8:30. The food should be ready by then, there's no point in turning the lights but keeping the oven going... Candles, a stroll in the garden to check the stars and the moon? Sounds good?
Come join me for a candle-lit dinner!
Alexandra
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
12:54 PM Post #6327530
| If you will, travel with me (and give me more reasons to travel) to see our beautiful world!
I think it's a good time to take you to a trip! Feel free to jump in with photos of places or things that impressed you and that are worth turning the lights off an hour a year.
The first pictures are from the not-so-often seen Romania, because the best way to travel is the non-organized way. These are old pictures, taken with an old-fashioned camera, and scanned by me, so their quality is not the best (well, my scanning device isn't)
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
12:58 PM Post #6327556
| This is in Moldova region (not the country), close to the little village of Manastirea Casin
(geographically, Romania has 4 regions: Tara Romaneasca (south), Dobrogea (south-east), Transilvania (north-west) and Moldova (north-east)
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
12:59 PM Post #6327561
| On top of the world, same location 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
01:04 PM Post #6327593
| Muddy volcanoes (Vulcanii noroiosi), close to the city of Buzau, located in the Subcarpathian hills, where the Carpathian mountains bend, to turn from their North-to-South travel to the East-West. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
01:12 PM Post #6327623
| The Red lake, a lake formed by a natural dam on the Bicaz river (Transilvania). One can see flooded trees that go through their petrification process. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
01:14 PM Post #6327633
| Bicaz "Canyon" (I know, maybe it's too much to call it canyon, but in lack of the proper word...) (Cheile Bicazului) is carved by the Bicaz river through the Eastern Carpathian mountains, and connects Transilvania to Moldova.
A narrow road travels parallel to the river, along the whole canyon. Do you see me pointing down to show the river?
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
01:15 PM Post #6327637
| The Bicaz river through the canyon, passing furiously and muddy during a good rain 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
01:19 PM Post #6327647
| Bicaz lake/Poiana Largului is an artificial lake, created by a man-made dam on the Bicaz river, on the Moldavian side of the Bicaz Canyon. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
01:22 PM Post #6327660
| I'm going to jump all the way to the western Romania, in Retezat mountains, the largest natural preservation site in Romania.
Here there are many glacier lakes.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
01:23 PM Post #6327667
| Retezat mountains - view from a top 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
01:24 PM Post #6327669
| wild flowers growing through rocks 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
01:25 PM Post #6327672
| ... and in the wind-blown meadows 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
01:29 PM Post #6327689
| The stork living on my Grandma's house (newer picture, from last year) 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
01:34 PM Post #6327708
| and some more familiar views (for the American traveler, or the International tourist in US)
Grand Canyon, AZ (picture taken by my father)
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
01:36 PM Post #6327720
| Painted Desert, AZ 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
01:40 PM Post #6327743
| Petrified Forest, AZ 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
March 27, 2009
01:43 PM Post #6327756
| Gorgeous shots.
I have a question: should we/can we keep our computers on for Earth Hour?
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
01:47 PM Post #6327771
| Hey, Dutchlady, thanks for coming over! I don't know what to say, I'll turn mine off, the only thing on in my house will be the fridge, I think. Do as you feel. |
goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
01:47 PM Post #6327772
| Guadalupe Mountains - El Capitan peak 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
01:48 PM Post #6327777
| spring in Guadalupe Mountains Natl. Park. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
01:52 PM Post #6327796
| Tx mountain laurel flowering at Carlsbad Caverns, NM (March 09) 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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2racingboys
Bartlett, TN
(Zone 7b)
March 27, 2009
01:54 PM Post #6327809
| Honestly, if we were to do this once a week, once a month - think of how much power would be saved.
Every day I turn off everything & open blinds and windows well, except for the puter. :D
I am the only one here so I love the natural light & no big deal.
I unplug things that are not necessary, hair dryer, toaster, etc.
These things pull power wether we realize it or not. Not only do I save on my utility bill, but saving our power sources is a great thing. I do as much as I can everyday. Don't get me into recycling either! lol
if people were to do this just for Saturday though, it'd be awesome. BUT if it were practiced more often, that would be even better!
Thanks for the great pics. Mother Earth always has something breathtaking to offer us!
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
01:56 PM Post #6327814
| a view inside the Carlsbad Caverns 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
02:02 PM Post #6327841
| Welcome, 2racingboys to my bipolar tour (Romania and US)! and thanks for turning the lights off! (and recycling). If you like, please share some beautiful things worth preserving!
desert view at the base of the Organ Mountains, walking to Dripping Springs (NM)
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
02:06 PM Post #6327853
| some greenery on rocks, because of the Dripping Springs (Organ Mountains, NM) 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
02:08 PM Post #6327857
| White Sands Natl Monument, January 2009 - picture taken by my father 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
02:11 PM Post #6327866
| I'll search for some more pics, but until then, it's your turn!
Hats off to all!
(pic taken by my father)
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
March 27, 2009
02:17 PM Post #6327883
| Silversword fern on Maui 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
March 27, 2009
02:18 PM Post #6327887
| plumeria, rainbow and American Flag 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
March 27, 2009
02:19 PM Post #6327890
| Sunset on Naples beach on Christmas Day 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
March 27, 2009
02:21 PM Post #6327895
| The Taj Mahal 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
March 27, 2009
02:22 PM Post #6327897
| petroglyphs on Hawaii 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
March 27, 2009
02:24 PM Post #6327903
| Plumeria tree 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
02:46 PM Post #6327982
| Wonderful! please keep them coming! |
goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
03:02 PM Post #6328031
| Oh, I found one, I found one really sweet! taken by my sister (late March 2006) 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
03:18 PM Post #6328095
| sunset on Miami river (Miami, FL) 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
03:19 PM Post #6328102
| Manatee in Miami river, pic taken from our balcony 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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2racingboys
Bartlett, TN
(Zone 7b)
March 27, 2009
03:21 PM Post #6328118
| wow, love them all!!!! |
RachelLF
Rural Retreat, VA
March 27, 2009
03:30 PM Post #6328150
| Enjoying the tour's everyone and what a grand idea on "Earth Hour".
Some ruin's in Greece.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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RachelLF
Rural Retreat, VA
March 27, 2009
03:31 PM Post #6328156
| pic. 2 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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RachelLF
Rural Retreat, VA
March 27, 2009
03:32 PM Post #6328160
| pic 3 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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RachelLF
Rural Retreat, VA
March 27, 2009
03:34 PM Post #6328169
| a beautiful museum piece I would love to have.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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RachelLF
Rural Retreat, VA
March 27, 2009
03:35 PM Post #6328174
| I can't resist taking pic's of sunset's.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
03:37 PM Post #6328180
| Welcome, Rachel! Share the beauty!
dolphins close to Key Largo, FL
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
March 27, 2009
04:34 PM Post #6328381
| Being off-grid, we have Earth Hour everyday here!
Below is Old Growth (10,000 yrs. +) Hawaiian Rainforest.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
March 27, 2009
04:49 PM Post #6328432
| Can you see the turtle in the water? 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
March 27, 2009
05:02 PM Post #6328478
| Mauna Kea from Hilo. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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RachelLF
Rural Retreat, VA
March 27, 2009
10:23 PM Post #6329686
| St. Augustine is one place my heart/mind/body/soul...rest's in when I visit.
Rachel
This message was edited Mar 27, 2009 10:28 PM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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RachelLF
Rural Retreat, VA
March 27, 2009
10:26 PM Post #6329697
| A few more. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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RachelLF
Rural Retreat, VA
March 27, 2009
10:34 PM Post #6329718
| Croton's surrounding a beautiful landmark.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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RachelLF
Rural Retreat, VA
March 27, 2009
10:41 PM Post #6329748
| last one.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
March 27, 2009
10:58 PM Post #6329808
| Thanks for the photos!
Here are reflections off a pond in Kapoho, Puna, Hawai'i.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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RachelLF
Rural Retreat, VA
March 27, 2009
11:08 PM Post #6329832
| Another interesting piece.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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RachelLF
Rural Retreat, VA
March 27, 2009
11:12 PM Post #6329850
| Pretty. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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RachelLF
Rural Retreat, VA
March 27, 2009
11:17 PM Post #6329865
| The "white" peacock's are stunning to view. This one was strutting her stuff for male's to view.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
11:37 PM Post #6329942
| Dave, beautiful as always! I can see the turtle! Funny how the cartoons make us expect a round turtle every time! I must be very water-deprived, but I really want/need a pond with duckies!
Rachel, great shots, I love St Augustine! That white peacock is stunning! and that is a serious rain-barrel.
Little crabs on San Marco beach, FL
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
11:40 PM Post #6329949
| I wonder if these came for seafood dinner? 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
11:42 PM Post #6329954
| January, February, March, April,... 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
11:45 PM Post #6329968
| have no idea what these are, I've seen them in Naples, FL in January. But I love them, they are almost like some crazy fluffy pets! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 27, 2009
11:52 PM Post #6329986
| AAAHHH! My two favorite things! Vicious, I tell you! Now don't laugh, but I love a little coffee-shop, with umbrellas and coffee in a ceramic cup! Call me a snob, but it tastes different than the paper-cup or plastic ones! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
March 28, 2009
05:45 AM Post #6330468
| goofy, those are the blooms of the Pandanus. When fully developed they look like rags hanging in the tree.
Great closeup shot.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
March 28, 2009
05:45 AM Post #6330470
| RitterSport with hazelnuts used to be my favorite chocolate when we lived in Europe! |
tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
March 28, 2009
09:20 AM Post #6330840
| Well, I'll throw a few reptiles into the mix:
This is one of the many Flat-backed Turtles I wrestled with making it back to the water with dignity barely intact.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
March 28, 2009
09:34 AM Post #6330871
| Varanus panoptes, Northern Sand Goanna, grows up to about a metre and a half. At that size they look quite impressive. This one was a bit over a metre long. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
March 28, 2009
09:55 AM Post #6330924
| Rock Monitor, Varanus glebopalma, only grow to about half a metre. I certainly haven't seen them bigger. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
March 28, 2009
10:23 AM Post #6331042
| Varanus giganteus, Perentie, doesn't live here (in the north) but is a dweller of the central desert areas of Australia. Second largest lizard in the world, after the Komodo Dragon of Indonesia, it grows to over 2.5 metres. This photo is of a baby of just under a metre long I found in the Gibson Desert. A few years earlier I came across a huge one in western Queensland, near the Simpson Desert, close to the 2.5 metre mark. Only had a film camera and it was overcast weather. The photo didn't come out all that well and scanning didn't improve anything. You never tangle with them, they can do serious damage. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
March 28, 2009
10:37 AM Post #6331079
| Camouflage is important in the animal world. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
March 28, 2009
11:32 AM Post #6331321
| aloe blooming today in my yard 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
March 28, 2009
11:33 AM Post #6331324
| closeup of bloom 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 28, 2009
08:26 PM Post #6333250
| Beautiful pictures, everyone! Welcome, Tropicbreeze, I always enjoy your pictures! I miss the little Miami lizards...
Dutchlady, now that I see the Pandanus whole, I think I saw one in Fairchild as well, I'll have to find my pictures from our walk. A wonderful conic shape they have!
Gotta love chocolate! I recently found it in a store close to me, a bit expensive, but it doesn't matter!
Our dinner is on the make, and if not too cold, we'll be looking up the sky!
Keep the photos coming! Happy earth hour everyone!
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 28, 2009
08:27 PM Post #6333254
| looking up the sausage tree... 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 28, 2009
08:35 PM Post #6333277
| ... about 2 hours left until switch-off
Think of all the pretty things! (this one's not mine)
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
March 28, 2009
10:09 PM Post #6333618
| We did all that yesterday, it's just before noon now, the day after Earth Hour Day.
Our local Aboriginal rock art.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 28, 2009
10:22 PM Post #6333654
| Well, I have 10 minutes left, and I'm starting to turn them off. here's my Southwestern candle...
Thank you for all the beautiful images, and Happy Earth Hour, everyone, everywhere!
Hugs,
Alexandra
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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RachelLF
Rural Retreat, VA
March 28, 2009
10:29 PM Post #6333689
| Tropicbreeze, Picture's drawn on rock's alway's hold a meaning.
This one remind's me of a woman and her child.
Rachel
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tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
March 28, 2009
10:35 PM Post #6333710
| I puzzled some people (non-plant types) with this photo. They thought it was something made for a shop window display, for showing off fashion accessories. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
March 28, 2009
10:50 PM Post #6333755
| Rachel, in the X-ray tradition of art the male was frequently depicted smaller than the female. This is a husband/wife couple and represents procreativity.
Rhizophora stylosa, one of a number of Rhizophora species mangrove common along our coast and estuaries. Although, Rhizophora usually prefer to be closer to the open sea.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
March 29, 2009
03:09 AM Post #6334350
| What is that feather-duster type plant. Dracaena? |
tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
March 29, 2009
03:35 AM Post #6334369
| Hey, you should be telling me Dave. :P I'll leave it a while and see if there are any other takers.
Okay every/anybody, what's in the photo in post #6333710 (3 above this post).
|
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
March 29, 2009
04:15 AM Post #6334387
| After an hour of mindless searching, I'm thinking it's some kind of funny Australian Cycad. |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
March 29, 2009
04:53 AM Post #6334403
| Here is Coprosma ernodeoides, an unusual member of the Coffee Family, found in montane and sub-alpine habitats. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
March 29, 2009
05:11 AM Post #6334407
| This is a rare variety of Pelea clusiifolia (Citrus Family) found only in kipuka along the Saddle Rd. at about 5,000 ft. elev. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Dutchlady1
Naples, FL
(Zone 10a)
March 29, 2009
06:01 AM Post #6334450
| tropoicbreeze, that is a stunning photograph, I suggest you enter it in the competition this year!
I mean the one of the cycad (I assume) |
tropicbreeze
noonamah
Australia
March 29, 2009
07:31 AM Post #6334534
| Dave, Dutchlady, you're both on the right track. It's Cycas armstrongii, a native to this area and very common. I've got lots on my place, lots of seedlings coming up everywhere. Threw a whole lot of seeds along the driveway before the start of the wet season and now have an avenue (one side anyway) of small cycads. They germinate reasonably fast but grow real slow.
Locally they're often called "Fire Ferns". After fires they rapidly regrow fronds, resembling ferns, however no crozier. But the average person isn't aware of that characteristic of most ferns.
All mine are really 'straight-laced', very rigidly upright. But a small percentage of individual plants throw convention to the wind and develop a 'free-form' style of growth. When I do my early morning walks I go cross-country through the bush and see many of these non-conformist individuals.
Branching is common amongst them, even branching with a flair. No other cycad I know of has that artistic talent. Both the one in the first photo and this one are only just over a kilometre from my place, why won't mine show a little individuality? :O( 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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RachelLF
Rural Retreat, VA
March 29, 2009
09:11 PM Post #6337911
| Dave and Tropicbreeze, thank's for posting pic's of some very unusal plant's. tropicbreeze I don't mind showing my ignorance but I was going to say that your plant look's like some kind of fern tree that I have never ever seen before. I can understand why that plant would "mind boggle" most though. It is a very unique plant to say the least;-) I have to agree with DutchLady...that plant need's to be shown more.. any way possible.
I really enjoy learning and viewing about Tropical place's!
Rachel
This message was edited Mar 29, 2009 9:18 PM |
goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 29, 2009
11:46 PM Post #6338542
| Thank you everyone for posting all the beautiful things that impressed you! I saw and visited a lot these couple of days, because of you! Tropicbreeze, I knew it's a plant, but had no idea which... it's really strange and captivating! I'd like to see the cycad avenue!
Dave, are those coffee and citrus cousins edible?
We've spent yesterday evening having our dinner and playing backgammon by candlelight.
Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead,
Alexandra |
Metrosideros
Keaau, HI
March 30, 2009
12:16 AM Post #6338620
| Hi Alexandra, the Coprosma plant makes fruit that the Nene Goose (Branta sandwichensis) eats. Most native Hawaiian plants evolved with few large fruit eating animals around them; this and the fact that fruit with fleshy edible parts are usually too big to get to Hawai'i on their own, has kept the Hawaiian flora simple in some ways.
Plants native to Hawai'i have generally made food that is attractive to birds and insects, rather than to larger animals.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 30, 2009
12:37 AM Post #6338664
| I love the Nene goose! |
synda
Carrollton, OH
(Zone 6a)
March 30, 2009
12:45 AM Post #6338693
| Alexandra,Earth hour worked out perfect for us ,because I had that planned long before ever seeing this thread.March 28th was our 12th Anniversary.Candle light steak dinner for two.
Synda
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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goofybulb
El Paso, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 30, 2009
12:56 AM Post #6338729
| Happy anniversary Synda! Wonderful rose bouquet, I bet you had a great time celebrating!
Here's a rose for the two of you, it's called 'Promise'!
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
synda
Carrollton, OH
(Zone 6a)
March 30, 2009
01:00 AM Post #6338741
| Thank you,each year has just gotten easier and better. |
