Stone Head Of Zeus On Eastern Terrace Of Mount Nemrut Turkey

 The mountain lies 40 km (25 mi) north of Kahta, near Adıyaman. In 62 BC, King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene built on the mountain top a tomb-sanctuary flanked by huge statues 8–9 m (26–30 ft) high of himself, two lions, two eagles and various Greek, Armenian, and Iranian gods, such as Vahagn-Hercules, Aramazd-Zeus or Oromasdes (associated with the Iranian god Ahura Mazda), Bakht-Tyche, and Mihr-Apollo-Mithras. These statues were once seated, with names of each god inscribed on them. The heads of the statues have at some stage been removed from their bodies, and they are now scattered throughout the site.

 The pattern of damage to the heads (notably to noses) suggests that they were deliberately damaged as a result of iconoclasm. The statues have not been restored to their original positions. The site also preserves stone slabs with bas-relief figures that are thought to have formed a large frieze. These slabs display the ancestors of Antiochus, who included Armenian,

 The same statues and ancestors found throughout the site can also be found on the tumulus at the site, which is 49 m (161 ft) tall and 152 m (499 ft) in diameter. It is possible that the tumulus was build to protect a tomb from tomb-robbers since any excavation would quickly fill with loose rock.^[1] The statues appear to have Greek-style facial features, but Armenian / Persian clothing and hairstyling.

 The western terrace contains a large slab with a lion, showing the arrangement of stars and the planets Jupiter, Mercury andMars on 7 July 62 BC. This may be an indication of when construction began on this monument. The eastern portion is well preserved, being composed of several layers of rock, and a path following the base of the mountain is evidence of a walled passageway linking the eastern and western terraces. Possible uses for this site is thought to have included religious ceremonies, due to the astronomical and religious nature of the monument.

 The arrangement of such statues is known by the term hierothesion. Similar arrangements have been found at Arsameia on Nymphaios at the hierothesion of the father of Antiochus, Mithridates I Callinicus. 
Source : http://goo.gl/Mpyo31

The largest hot water "gusher" in Japan. Various strange sites can be viewed on a tour of "Hell."

The largest hot water "gusher" in Japan. Various strange sites can be viewed on a tour of "Hell."

 Beppu is located in the central part of Oita, on the coast of Beppu Bay faces the sea, with Mt. Tsurumi and the rest of the Tsurumi Volcanoes in the rear. Hot water gushes at many spots in the city. Beppu ranks first in gush volume in Japan and is in a high place in the world in the number of sources and the variety of chemical properties. The Beppu-onsen Spa consists of eight hot spring areas including Hamawaki, Beppu, Kankaiji, Myoban and Kannawa, which are collectively called "Beppu Hatto". In addition, there are many modern spa resorts also supplied from the rich sources in those areas.

 The Tour of Hell along a path in the Kannawa area is the highlight of sightseeing in the Beppu Spa. Eight spots including the Umi-jigoku (sea hell) made up of bright cobalt blue hot water, the Chi-no-ike-jigoku (blood pond hell) where hot water containing red melted clay gushes out and the Tatsumaki-jigoku (tornado hell), a geyser, are usually on the itinerary of the tour.

 On the outskirts of Beppu are comfortable resort areas with many leisure activity facilities such as the Takasaki Shizen-dobutsu-en(Mt. Takasaki Monkey Land Natural Park) featuring a specifies of monkey native of Japan designated as a Natural Monument and Lake Shidaka-ko amid Mt. Tsurumi-dake, Mt. Yufu-dake and other mountains.
Source : http://goo.gl/2Qqzo8

THE SWASTIKA EVOLVED IN MANY CULTURES AND REPRESENTED GOOD LUCK!!

THE SWASTIKA EVOLVED IN MANY CULTURES AND REPRESENTED GOOD LUCK!!

The word swastika came from the Sanskrit word svastika, meaning any lucky or auspicious object, and in particular a mark made on persons and things to denote good luck. It is composed of su- meaning "good, well" and asti "to be" svasti thus means "well-being." The suffix -ka either forms a diminutive or intensifies the verbal meaning, and svastika might thus be translated literally as "that which is associated with well-being," corresponding to "lucky charm" or "thing that is auspicious. SEE PIC BELOW.

The Incredible Climbing Mountain Goats

You might think you have mad mountain-climbing skills, but nature’s got you beat. I don’t know how they do it, but these mountain goats climb on to the most precarious places.
Living in mountainous regions around North America, mountain goats can be found at altitudes of up to 13,000 feet, climbing cliffs all day long, in search of food. Thanks to their cloven hooves, each featuring two widely-spaced toes that provide great balance, mountain goats can challenge any seasoned climber and probably best him.
Their double-layered, thick white coats provide camouflage in snowy settings, but the altitude they can reach provides enough protection from most predators. And if they happen to run into trouble, they can jump 12 feet in one leap, and reach a safe point. Just check out the pics to get an idea of their climbing capabilities.

Source : http://goo.gl/8qrfWF

Lake Hillier - Middle Island, Australia

Lake Hillier is a pink-coloured lake on Middle Island, the largest of the islands that make up the Recherche Archipelago off the coast of Esperance.

From above the lake appears a solid bubble gum pink. The lake is about 600 meters long, and is surrounded by a rim of sand and dense woodland of paperbark and eucalyptus trees. A narrow strip of sand dunes covered by vegetation separates it from the blue Southern Ocean.

No-one fully knows why the lake is pink. Scientists speculate that the colour comes from a dye created by bacteria that lives in the salt crusts.

 Middle Island's pink lake dates back to the journals of explorer Matthew Flinders in 1802. Flinders had climbed Middle Island's highest peak (now known as Flinders Peak) to survey the surrounding waters when he came across the remarkable lake. Middle Island and its pink lake are located in a pristine wilderness. The only way to view this lake is from the air. You can also explore the islands and abundant wildlife of the Recherche Archipelago on a cruise from Esperance.

 Pink Lake near Esperance is another pink lake set against a backdrop of some of Australia's most stunning coastal scenery, seven kilometres from the town of Esperance.

In the right weather conditions, the lake turns a soft shade of pink due to the high concentration of algae in the water. For the best views and excellent take a walk to Pink Lake lookout

 The lake has been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA) because it supports significant numbers of native and migratory birds.

source : http://goo.gl/A5NAwB

HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINS

The Himalayas, or Himalaya, (/ˌhɪməˈleɪ.ə/ or /hɪˈmɑːləjə/;Sanskrit: हिमालय, Urdu: ہمالیہ‎, hima (snow) + ālaya (dwelling), Sanskritword literally meaning "abode of the snow")^[1] is a mountain range inSouth Asia which separates the Indo-Gangetic Plain from the Tibetan Plateau. This range is home to nine of the ten highest peaks on Earth, including the highest, Mount Everest. The Himalayas have profoundly shaped the cultures of South Asia. Many Himalayan peaks are sacred in both Buddhism and Hinduism.

The Himalayas are bordered on the north by the Tibetan Plateau, on the south by the Indo-Gangetic Plain, on the northwest by theKarakoram and Hindu Kush ranges, and on the east by the Indian state of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh. The western anchor of the Himalayas — Nanga Parbat — lies just south of the northernmost bend of the Indus River, while the eastern anchor — Namcha Barwa — is situated just west of the great bend of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. The Himalayas span five countries: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China (Tibet), andPakistan

Three of the world's major rivers — the Indus, the Ganges and theBrahmaputra — arise in the Himalayas. While the Indus and the Brahmaputra rise near Mount Kailash in Tibet, the Ganges rises in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Their combined drainage basin is home to some 600 million people.

The flora and fauna of the Himalayas vary with climate, rainfall, altitude, and soils. The climate ranges from tropical at the base of the mountains to permanent ice and snow at the highest elevations. The amount of yearly rainfall increases from west to east along the southern front of the range. This diversity of altitude, rainfall and soil conditions combined with the very high snow line supports a variety of distinct plant and animal communities. For example the extremes of high altitude (low atmospheric pressure) combined with extreme cold allow extremophile organisms to survive.^[4]

The unique floral and faunal wealth of the Himalayas is undergoing structural and compositional changes due to climate change. The increase in temperature may shift various species to higher elevations. The oak forest is being invaded by pine forests in the Garhwal Himalayan region. There are reports of early flowering and fruiting in some tree species, especiallyrhododendron, apple and box myrtle. The highest known tree species in the Himalayas is Juniperus tibetica located at 4,900 metres (16,080 ft) in Southeastern Tibet.^[5]

Rescued: Orphaned Baby Dolphin!

Rescued: Orphaned Baby Dolphin!

An adorable orphan baby dolphin was rescued in Uruguay. Read on to hear her story, and how YOU can help! Plus, she's so cute you won't believe it.

 An adorable orphan baby dolphin was rescued in Uruguay. Read on to hear her story, and how YOU can help! Plus, she's so cute you won't believe it.

1. Baby Dolphin Found

 This adorable, one week old baby dolphin was found on the beach in Uruguay. The baby was found with her umbilical cord still attached! She suffered injuries and displacement from her family due to a fishing net. It makes us sad to think that the reason she is orphaned and alone is because of a human error. Regardless, we're glad that she was rescued and taken to a marine wildlife rehabilitation center.

2. Little Nipper

 At the rescue, this sweet baby dolphin was named Nipper. She is a special type of dolphin, called a La Plata. Unfortunately, about two to four thousand La Plata dolphins die each year due to human interference in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South America. Here, Nipper can be seen with the head of the marine wildlife rehabilitation center (called SOS Rescate de Fauna Marina), Richard Tesore.

3. Bottle Feeder

 Nipper is so young, she had to be bottle fed! She's also a bottle-nosed dolphin - and she is so cute. Could you imagine caring for a baby dolphin?

4. A Dangerous Catch

 Nipper has become a symbol of animals everywhere who are susceptible to dangers caused by humans. Unfortunately, she has a very small chance of survival since she was separated from her mother at such a young age. She is so sweet, we are all hoping for the best!

5. Tiny Friends

 Nipper makes friends with another rescued marine animal, a baby penguin! Look how intrigued the penguin looks, and how happy Nipper is. We hope they stay friends forever.

6. Time for a Swim

 After getting her strength and health back, it was time to teach Nipper to swim! The rescuers had to pretend to be dolphins and teach the little one how to swim in the ocean. Guess where she started her training? In a kiddie pool!

7. Flipper

 Soon enough, Nipper was swimming and flipping like a champ! She even braved some waves. Dolphins are one of the smartest animals, which is part of the reason she was able to learn so quickly. It takes human babies months to learn to walk!

8. The Sweetest Thing

 This photo is just too cute. Nipper looks happy, healthy, and growing! She's under care 24/7, and is bottle fed every three hours. Despite how well she seems to be doing, the prognosis is not great.

9. A Gentle Hero

After 12 days of diligent and loving care, little Nipper passes away due to hypothermia and breathing difficulty. It's so sad, but rescued baby dolphins only have a 20% chance of survival. This is why Nipper has become a hero - she is now a perfect story of why humans need to be more careful. The whole reason she had to be rescued is because some hasty fishermen harmed her.

10. How You Can Help

Nipper's story is so sad - but you can help! Dolphins are amazing creatures, and there are some simple changes you can make in your daily life to help them thrive. First, RECYCLE! Next, try to save water. If you really love marine animals, we recommend that you stop eating fish all together. Fishing causes the most marine deaths! Alternatively, you can donate to an animal rescue foundation, or the World Wildlife Fund.
Source : http://trending.ly/stories/rescued-orphaned-baby-dolphin/