(Really) Stunning Pictures and Photos

1. Water and a Girl
Beautiful composition, excellent scenery, amazing play of colors.

2. The Ball is Coming!
Analogue shot with Seagull 6×6 (Chinese clone of Rolleiflex), made in 1983. “The gulfball is suspended on a fishing line in front of the camera. It was a stormy day. So I had to shoot 5 or 6 films for getting one image with the ball in the center position AND a light reflection on the golf club.”

3. Sky
The sky is reflected in a drop of water. Beautiful scenery.

4. Returning to the same ocean
Beautiful sand textures, beautiful composition and somehow a very sad story hidden behind the image.

5. Tree
A colorful tree from a different perspective.

6. Glittery Ball
“The reflection in this water droplet, it looks like the glitter is stuck to the water, but NO, it is reflections from the glitter on the feather.”

7. Leap of Faith
What does being one step away from falling into the abyss feel like? The photo is taken by Paul Perton.

8. Astronaut Self-shot Over Earth
Could this be the best self-shot ever? It’s truly out of this world.

9. Autumn in red
Pure beauty. No words are necessary.

10. FlickrMeeting – Genova – G3
Blue baloon, a small detail, gives the picture an incredible power.

11. If I was an old building…
“If I was an old building I would want to be by the ocean. Till’ the end of times”. Photographed at the old fishing piers of the Texas Bolivar Peninsula.

12. Bee the Cat
“It’s hard to get the right exposure, with them being white, and with the fact they don’t stay still unless they’re sleeping.”

13. Passing the Golden Gate Bridge

14. Glow
Smoke from a leaf pile.

15. Swimming pool
Taking a look at the swimming pool. From a quite different perspective.

16. Reflect
A reflection from the louvre’s pyramid.

17. Time To Go Home…
“Tthe way the birds are lined up makes the composition extraordinary fantastic.”

18. Seagull on a sign
This seagull seems to have its own personal understanding of human’s rules.

19. Marshmellow girl
A beautiful composition.

20. Refashioned Dahlia
Photo taken at Duncan Garden in Spokane, WA.

21. Bird and Meat

22. Water drop
A photo taken at the exact right time. Available as a desktop wallpaper in various resolutions.

23. Mt. Fuji

24. Two ways at looking at a fish

25. Blessed fog
A shot of Grande Madre di Dio in Torino, Italy.

26. Family of bugs

27. Pigeon Point Lighthouse
“Once per year at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse they shut down the weak insipid modern (presumably electric) light and switch over the the 5 kerosene lamps and fresnel lens of the original, as it was 135 years ago.”

28. Fire Shot
Location: Changa Beach, Coquimbo.

29. A conversation
Fox, bird and snow. This picture is titled “Good afternoon, my name is chikiricuatro”.

30. Shanghai – Acrobatic
Picture taken during an acrobatic show in a Shanghainese theatre.

31. Northern lights as seen from space

32. Red October Rise
Sunrise over Bogie Lake, Michigan.

33. Crystal clarity

34. Skier’s Paradise
“Climbing partner at 17,000′ on Denali carrying his skis down to around 16,200′ where he will be able to ski down the rest of the way to base camp at 7200′.”

35. Bird and Water

36. Photograph Taken at the Exact Right Time

37. All alone.
This shot is taken on a Norway’s cliff Prekestolen (also known as Preacher’s Pulpit).

38. Looking out of the window

39. Above the clouds
The shot taken during the flight from Vienna to Frankfurt, approaching Frankfurt.

40. The Waves

41. The Waves. One more time.

42. Cockfight
Taken by Jan Sochor.

43. Polar lights
Öxarárfoss in Iceland – Aurora Borealis taken by Arnar Valdimarsson.

44. Concentra

Read more: http://www.news-world.us/pics/2008/10/29/really-stunning-pictures-and-photos/#ixzz1Cxn5mMEa

Lighthouses Vs Waves

Mouro Lighthouse, Spain
Image via wunderground

From Cuba to Wales, coastal regions around the world are exposed to their fair share of storms. Yet while coastal residents get cozy inside with a good book and a hot thermos, what if “inside” meant being stuck in a lighthouse? Nothing more than a few bricks in a ferocious sea really. Tirelessly guiding those stuck in bad weather, lighthouses suffer silently, maybe slightly creaking in the wind and braving any storm like true pillars of strength. See for yourself.

Speaking of pillars of strength, it’s interesting how many websites with a religious touch use lighthouses in storms as a metaphor for their message. It’s probably because it’s easy to grasp: haven’t we all felt as if we were being pounded by big waves while still standing our ground? Oh, got it, guess the lighthouse would be a metaphor for God. Righto. But undoubtedly, when waves as big as the one in the next picture loom large, anyone would start praying for help.

Kereon Lighthouse in Brittany, France:

Image: Jean Guichard

One would think that the most spectacular images of lighthouses being pounded by a fierce storm would be those battling it out in the ocean. Residents of Lake Michigan, however, will disagree as they can’t complain of not having their fair share of spectacular lakeshore action. The frequent storms draw spectators happy to get drenched as long as their cameras get away unscathed.

South Haven Lighthouse – don’t miss the huge icicles on the bridge:

Image: Sarah Spaulding

Sheboygan Lighthouse on Lake Michigan, clearly weather beaten:

Image via University of Wisconsin

Lake Michigan’s Grand Haven lighthouse pounded by the waves:

Image: Lori Niedenfuer Cool

And here, totally frozen over and in a storm – can’t beat this image:

Image: Michigan Travel Bureau via EPA

Here’s the Oswego Lighthouse on Lake Ontario in New York state:

Image via lakeshoreimages

And the lighthouse keepers? Do they have to fear for their lives as the waves crash around them, often engulfing the lighthouse completely? Well, most of the lighthouses pictured here are unmanned even though they may have a house-like structure attached to them. People still need to check on the machinery once in a while, especially the lamps, but in most locations, there’s no need for anyone living in a lighthouse year-round.

The lighthouse in Seaham, Durham County, UK being dwarfed by the waves:

Image: NNP

And another lighthouse in the North Sea getting pounded by waves and 130 km/h winds: 

Image: maessive

The lighthouse in Porthcawl on the South Wales coast getting swallowed by the waves:

Image: Nick Russill

In La Jument, Brittany, in France, however, one lighthouse keeper got the shock of his life when he was waiting for a rescue helicopter during a fierce storm in 1989. Upon hearing the sound of an approaching helicopter, he went outside, ready to be picked up. Only it wasn’t his rescue ‘copter but photographer Jean Guichard’s. Guichard was out to get some amazing shots of the picturesque lighthouse in the storm when he captured the lighthouse keeper as well in a photograph that went around the world.

The photograph that made La Jument in Brittany famous: 

Image: Jean Guichard

The lighthouse keeper who investigated was able to retreat back inside before the big wave crashed around the lighthouse. Phew! Brittany is a region that seems especially storm-prone. The peninsula in northwestern France is situated between the British Channel and the Bay of Biscay and its coastline is dotted with lighthouses.

The lighthouse of Ar-Men in Brittany engulfed by a wave:

Image: Jean Guichard

Three lighthouses braving the storm in Tempete, Brittany:

Image: Alain Feulvarch

Given these kind of dangers, it is not surprising that the last manned lighthouse was built in the US in 1962. Modern lighthouses are automated structures in inaccessible locations where functionality matters more than aesthetics. Lighthouse structures directly constructed in the water are called wave-washed lights because they have to withstand the constant impact of the water.

A fair bit of wave washing at El Malecon, Havannah’s famous seaside walkway: 

Image: kayugee

Mouro Island is a marine nature reserve in the province of Cantabria in northern Spain, just off the port of Santander. Though the region profits from the Gulf Stream bringing warmer water, the coastline is exposed to the Atlantic and does see pretty fierce storms, especially in the winter. Our very first and very last image show the walls of water that the Mouro Lighthouse has to withstand.

Dramatic – Mouro Lighthouse, Spain:

Image: Marina Cano

Read more: http://www.news-world.us/pics/2009/08/26/lighthouses-vs-waves/#ixzz1Cxm05ubM

Amsterdam – Netherlands in Photos

Amsterdam, thanks to its canals, colorful houses and its an incredibly photogenic place, the Dutch are obsessed with different flowers, so you should see a smaller houseboat from the pier, which serves as a front garden.The historical center of Amsterdam is living a very vibrant nightlife, streams of people roll the streets and under construction tripod with a camera would probably be swept aside. Luckily, there are one thousand railings all around bike, the seat can be used as a total usable tripod, the best solution for this situation would Gorilapod.

Source

Read more: http://www.news-world.us/pics/2010/04/27/amsterdam-netherlands-in-photos/#ixzz1CxlcF1hz

Vegetarian Eating: Why Plant Food Is Healthier

Vegetarianism is the lifestyle that involves the exclusion of animal meat and byproducts, but there are various types of vegetarians, and these are ovo-vegetarians, lacto-vegetarians, ovo-lacto vegetarians, and vegans. Ovo-vegetarians are those who include eggs in their diets but exclude dairy products. Lacto-vegetarians include dairy products such as milk and cheese in their diets but exclude eggs. Ovo-lacto vegetarians have the best of both worlds, including both eggs and dairy products. Vegans, however, are strict with their diets, and they exclude eggs and dairy products, or to be more precise, any kind of animal byproduct.

Why is it that these people do not want to eat animal meat? One reason is that animal meat contains certain unhealthy fats and substances, which can be harmful to the body. This is especially true for processed meats. Processed meats contain preservatives and chemicals that have the tendencies to become carcinogenic when taken in large amounts. Not only that, but even in the mere process of cooking meat can there also be presence of carcinogenic compounds. Smoking meats or cooking meat by grill or barbecue may increase the likelihood of consuming these carcinogenic compounds, most especially when there are overcooked portions on the meat. Despite the high content of protein in meat products, too much consumption of meat is not healthy, and this can, in turn, cause complications to the cardiovascular system. Cholesterol and other fatty substances can clog the arterial walls and blood vessels, leading to abnormal cases of hypertension and eventually cardiovascular complications and, ultimately, death.

So, what is the reason why plant food is healthier compared to diets with meat? Vegetables, fruits and other certain plant sources contain dietary fiber as well as essential amino acids needed by the body. Although their protein content is rather low, the content of their dietary fibers make up for this insufficiency. Dietary fibers have various positive effects on the human body, such as assisting in the regulation of blood sugar levels as well as decrease the total and low density lipoprotein levels. These dietary fibers can also reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by balancing the intestinal pH level.

For weight-loss benefits, these dietary fibers can speed up the rate of metabolism by speeding up the passage of food through the digestive system and promote regular excretion habits. Dietary fibers can also make one feel full even after eating just small amounts of food while also reducing one's appetite. Surely, this is why plant food is healthier compared to a diet that includes meat.

There is a saying that nothing beats the natural. These foods are natural and are even relatively cheaper compared to meat diets. A vegetarian diet promotes a healthier lifestyle and lowers the risk and occurrence of diseases, provided that sufficient nutrients are taken in by the body while on this diet. To ensure adequate intake of nutrients such as essential amino acids, it is best to combine or mix a variety of plant sources which contain these essential amino acids. Combinations such as peanut butter with bread and tofu with rice are merely just among of the few popular examples. It is important to treasure health at all times, and one of the best ways to healthier living is by having a vegetarian diet.

Red Wine Headaches - What Actually Causes Them?

Headaches from red wine are a genuine and troubling phenomena, troubling because any certain sufferer will get a headache from certain red wines and not from others. But there doesn't seem to be just one individual cause. Red wine headaches vary in their severity from mildly gentle to full-on migraine.

Just half a glass of wine can trigger an attack within fifteen minutes or thereabouts, and these attacks can last for several hours. Two average sized glasses of wine could even trigger a migraine in those people who are prone to getting them.

Some experts question whether the sulfites in the wine are the source of red wine headaches (RWH), for these reasons:

• Breathing problems (which include asthma attacks), and not headaches, typically react more to sulfites;
• Red wine is most likely to be the trigger, however many sweeter white wines contain considerably more sulfites than red wines, because they have a much higher sugar content;
• Numerous other foodstuffs contain sulfites, so these headaches should not be particular to any red wine.

A few allergy experts think that tannins are responsible for the severe headaches. The Harvard Health Letter noted,

"Some controlled experiments show that tannins cause the release of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Fairly high levels of this serotonin can cause headaches, which may well be the cause for the RWH in people who already suffer from migraines."

Somehow the experiments fail to explain why it is that people get headaches from red wine who are not susceptible to migraines, or why people don't similarly suffer from the high tannin levels in tea and chocolate.

Winemakers use sulfites during the winemaking process to prevent the wine from oxidising, helping to keep it clean and fresh for longer. When a wine is allowed to come into contact with oxygen for a long period of time, it will oxidise and spoil immediately, ultimately turning into vinegar. It's unlikely that sulfites are the only culprit, but as many white wines contain larger amounts than reds, they don't generally seem to cause a reaction.

Research from 30 years ago suggests that prostaglandins may be to blame for these headaches. Prostaglandins are substances that contribute to pain and are blocked easily by drugs that inhibit prostaglandin synthetase, i.e. aspirin, and even Acetaminophen and Ibruprofen.

The majority of researchers believe that one or more of the remaining suspects to be the cause of most red wine headaches. These include tannins, histamines, tryamines, as well as prostaglandins. Histamines and tryamines are by-products of a secondary fermentation in red wine, resulting in amine quantities up to two hundred percent higher in red wine than in white.

Excessive wine drinking can cause almost anyone to get a headache, but for some folk, drinking just a minute amount of wine will bring on a nasty migraine, combined with nausea and flushing. In order to minimise the chance of getting an RWH, just sample a glass of a certain red, and if you suffer within 15 to 20 minutes, obviously don't drink that wine. If you are a sufferer, reduce the risk by lowering your intake first, and remember to go for the best quality red wine you can afford. Cheaper wines tend to be less stable, although not always the case, and therefore could contain more sulfur dioxide.

3 Reasons why sulfur dioxide is used in wine

1. As a prevention for bacterial growth.
2. As a protection agent for the wine against oxygen.
3. To bind to various nasty aroma compounds, like acetaldehyde.

If you try to find wine without any sulfites when shopping, good luck! Sulfites are a natural by-product from the winemaking process, so all wine contains at least small amounts. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is not a bad substance, but used incorrectly or excessively, it can be disastrous for a wine, and not great for your health. But, without it winemakers could not make good wines and wine would not age so well.

In the end it comes down to the usual addage - drink in moderation to gain all the benefits; overdo it, and you may suffer in any number of ways.

To learn more about the fascinating world of wine, please visit Understanding Wine where you will find a wealth of interesting information from wine health issues to food and wine pairing.

Red Wine Health

There is a lot of controversy about red wine health. It has been proven without a doubt, according to scientists, that red wine is good for the heart lowering the risk of heart attack in middle-aged people. What about the elderly? The suggested intake is one glass of red wine a day for women, and two for men. Nevertheless, there is little suggestion of how big or small that glass should be? In addition, if you drink more than the suggested amount, does it increase the protection from heart attack? Or does it add any more protection against other diseases?

Red wine is proven to have certain ingredients that stop blood from clotting, keep arteries clean and clear, and helps with cholesterol. So with this assumption of proven truth, the obvious answer to the question about red wine health would be positive. But what of those who don't drink? Where then, do they get their share of health benefits?

The biggest asset is the antioxidants found in red wine developed from the grape skins and seeds. Other beneficial ingredients that do different things for different conditions, such as acting as an anti-inflammatory can be contributed to the skin of the grape. The colors of skins are also responsible for the color of the wine. In addition, the length of time the skin tincture is in contact with the juice contributes to the darkness or lightness in color.

It is common knowledge that estrogen is a drug that women suffering from menopause consumes, to replace the estrogen being drained from her body by chemical changes and aging. Estrogen is also used (tamoxifen) in follow up treatment of breast cancer patients and for treatment of osteoarthritis patients. It has again been proven, that red wine health comes into play with the ingredient of estrogen contained in wine.

There are still those that have negative reports about red wine health. One scientist claimed, "The discovery that resveratrol is estrogenic means that such supplementation might have undesirable side effects." But, Estrogen proven to provide some defense against heart disease can be absorbed into the body's system with red wine. He also cautioned that "it is not yet known if the body absorbs enough resveratrol from wine to make this plausible."

Despite the contradictory opinions and study results, a glass of wine doesn't do anyone any harm. You should consider the alcohol content, and sweetness as neither of these really contribute to red wine health. They don't do harm, they just don't enhance the positive effects of red wines contribution to good health. There are many positive proven affects, wine has a relaxing effect, which reduces tension. Reducing stress that creates toxins in your body. It also helps digestion and stimulates the appetite. As does the color red strangely enough, this is why many decorate their kitchen, or the inside of a restaurant with bright red paint.

As with most things in the health industry, some say yeah, some say nay, so how does one decide? Try it maybe.

If you would like more detailed information on the health benefits of wine as well as wine in general, be sure and visit our site. It has a world of information.

wine storage refrigerators

Collecting wine has become more and more popular over the past couple of decades, which has increased the wine storage industry as well. Wine collectors vary from amateur to expert, with some collecting five bottles at a time and other collecting hundreds of bottles at a time. Investing in a wine collection will cost a lot of money, which is why you should also invest in storage options such as a storage refrigerator, a cooler, or a cellar. All three of these options will vary in price depending on how many wine bottles they can hold.

Since wine has become so popular, there are all types of wine drinkers and collectors out there today. The first group of drinkers is those who drink every so often, during special occasions, which happen rarely. For these types of drinkers, the best storage option is that of a single bottle chiller. Single bottle chillers can be found almost anywhere, including alcohol stores, on the internet, and department stores. Individual wine chillers hold a single bottle, chills it at a set temperature, and keeps it cool in even the most extreme temperatures.

The second group of wine drinkers consists of those who drink once or twice per week. This means they will not have enough room in their refrigerator to store more than one bottle of wine. This also means that they will have to find a storage option that holds more than two bottles at once while also chilling those bottles. This storage option is a wine cooler. Coolers range in price from under $100 to close to $1,000 depending on how many bottles of wine they hold and the features offered. The cheaper coolers will not have humidity control or temperature control, which can negatively affect the wine.

The third group of wine drinkers consists of those who have a glass of wine each night with dinner, those who host wine tasting parties, and those who serve wine at dinner parties. These wine drinkers will have a large wine collection in their house that needs to be stored properly so that it tastes good when consumed. A storage option for a collection this large is a wine refrigerator. Wine refrigerators can be as large as regular refrigerators, which means they will cost almost as much as regular refrigerators. These refrigerators will be able to hold anywhere from 50-250 bottles of wine, depending on the size you purchase, which is perfect for the avid collector.

The beauty of technology today is that some of these wine storage refrigerators, depending on their size, can be installed in your kitchen cabinets. In fact, the cooler will be in place of a kitchen cabinet. The cooler or refrigerator will look like your dishwasher. It will have a handle to open the door as well as different lights, buttons on the door so that the owner knows the temperature, and can adjust the humidity as needed. Therefore, not only will you be keeping your wine collection safe but you will also not have to use up counter space by placing a wine cooler on top of the counter.

The Best Chocolate Chip Recipes for Perfect Cookies

Beauty comes in small delicious looking packages. So it is with chocolate chip cookies, these tasty items are very easy to adapt in order to cater to specific needs. This includes anything from a particular taste to making cookies that cater to people with diabetes.

When tailoring recipes you already have, try to understand the effects each additional ingredient may have on the end result. Certain substitutions don't work out so well. If you swap out certain ingredients, such as applesauce or bananas this may affect cooking time, make the cookie mixture runnier, and make it harder to judge. There is nothing worse than giving them a bit longer because they don't look ready, but taking them out only to find they cool a lot harder than anticipated. Medium ground is difficult to find, but the more you make cookies the more experience will guide you down the right path when trying new things.

Check online and find cookie related posts in forums where people share their own recipes. There are lots of tricks and tips to be discovered, and many recipes related to lifestyles, weight loss and diabetes. Just be sure to consult a doctor before trying such recipes. The easiest way to do so. Some doctors are quite accessible, and will take questions by email while with others you might need to print it off and take it in when you have an existing appointment. Regardless, when it comes to health it's better to be safe than sorry. If looking for a more authoritative source, there were books available with many chocolate chip cookie recipes and have the advantage of keeping everything in the one place.

In some families, cookie recipes are handed down across the generations and become unchanging, a taste that can always be depended on to bring back the memories. Such a nice effect this has, they certainly turn the cookies into a wonderful and very personal gift. Everyone loves to receive something that has the personal touch, and it seems much nicer than a bought gift as the person made it with their own hands and in their own time. To go along nicely with chocolate chip cookies, other recipes such as chocolate cakes could be used to produce yet more delicious gifts.

Regardless of which recipes is chosen, baking chocolate chip cookies is great fun for all the kids, friends or even just for yourself. It's a great way to spend some time in the afternoon, and fun waiting for them to pop out of the oven and see what magic has occurred.

Simple Valentines Day Ideas for a Great Day

Valentines day shopping and gifts can take a lot of time and energy, but they can also burn lots of credit; people feel pressured into doing something big because everyone else is. Once Valentines Day is over and the effects of champagne and chocolate start to wear off, lots of people end up regretting the outrageous amounts of money they've spent.

Eating out can be seriously expensive, you have to kill yourself just to get reservations and if you wake up one morning and regret the money you've spent it can be a real killer. Instead stay home, and cook something with your partner. If you're not that crazy about cooking, just give your wife/ girlfriend some company in the kitchen while she cooks (women just love that) and help her out with the little things. 

Forget jewelry or flowers; get something that you can enjoy with dinner like gourmet chocolate gift boxes or boxes of chocolate dipped fruit. It can be a great dessert that you can both enjoy. To make it all the more special, go out together to buy everything you need to make dinner.

Fill the day with sentimental mush your wife/ girlfriend will just love! Leave little notes in places you know she'll find them or draw something in chalk on the pavement. You can buy some gourmet chocolate gift boxes and sneak them into her office drawer (you'll need the help of her co-worker) and add a little love note to it.

Valentines day shopping and gifts can take a lot of time and energy, but they can also burn lots of credit; people feel pressured into doing something big because everyone else is. Once Valentines Day is over and the effects of champagne and chocolate start to wear off, lots of people end up regretting the outrageous amounts of money they've spent.

Eating out can be seriously expensive, you have to kill yourself just to get reservations and if you wake up one morning and regret the money you've spent it can be a real killer. Instead stay home, and cook something with your partner. If you're not that crazy about cooking, just give your wife/ girlfriend some company in the kitchen while she cooks (women just love that) and help her out with the little things.

Forget jewelry or flowers; get something that you can enjoy with dinner like gourmet chocolate gift boxes or boxes of chocolate dipped fruit. It can be a great dessert that you can both enjoy. To make it all the more special, go out together to buy everything you need to make dinner.

Fill the day with sentimental mush your wife/ girlfriend will just love! Leave little notes in places you know she'll find them or draw something in chalk on the pavement. You can buy some gourmet chocolate gift boxes and sneak them into her office drawer (you'll need the help of her co-worker) and add a little love note to it.

moNEY tIPS 4 U

You have done the next major thing after getting your education and a job. You have just started your family and it is growing. Ahead of you lies the much traveled road from time immemorial that every family had trudged: how is the family income to be managed. Out in the marketplace in the rush to live it up many fail or refuse to listen to the soft chirping of prudence on money and it's life and death domino role on physical living. Here are three signposts you must never take your eyes off of:

1. Keep 3 to 6 months net income in a rainy day fund. Your rainy day fund is your first line of defence against declining nett left-over pay and rising expenses. There will always exist the possibility of another downturn or emergency down the road.This rainy day fund buys a cushion of time to keep rowing your boat towards a safe harbour.
2. Save 10% of your income each year. Get off the debt path. Financial distress can place the family on crutches. If you can't manage your credit cards lock them away. Get and keep a handle on your eating out entertainment and impulsive expenses.
3. Explore revenue enhancing options. When it comes to the future should you wholly rely on government or your employer or a bank?Self reliant entrepreneurship is the way to take control of your future. Ninety percent of the wealthy own their own business. In staying where you are,are you building your life or someone else's?Entrepreneurship opens doors. Plant an income tree, not plunge into a capital intensive millstone of a business. Here's an income tree you can plant for the cost of a lunch.