“God never made an ugly landscape. All that the sun shines on is beautiful, so long as it is wild.”
- John Muir, Atlantic Monthly, January 1869.
A compilation of recent wilderness adventures of the Brass brothers. Locations include Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, North Park, Co., Mount Evans, Co., and Badlands National Park. Enjoy the beauty of Mother Earth and the grace of the animal kingdom.
Music is by by Chris Zabriskie (chriszabriskie.com)
Grahak with Sri Chinmoy at an earlier 3100-miles race
The morning is cool here at the 3100 mile race in Queens, NY, a perfect day to run. A lid of clouds has slipped across the sky, at least for now, to protect this little patch of earth from a fierce July sun. 43 days ago, way back in June, Grahak began his journey here, by this afternoon he will make one last grand circuit of the course and he will need run no more. What comes now for Grahak is the slow and gradual reentry into the world that you and I and the rest of humanity inhabit. One that he so powerfully dashed away from back in June. In one day more the calender peels back another page and will reveal August. A clear note that the dreamy end of a New York summer is fast approaching. From now on, with the inevitable blessings of each new day he will gradually heal from all the pain and hurt he has heaped willingly upon himself. The angry terrible rash that has erupted across his flesh will gradually succumb to the certain soothing cure of long baths, dips in the sea, and the dreamy embrace of real rest. Spread out across the long sweet endless enchantment of a full night in a bed. It is the world we nearly all call heaven. But for 43 days Grahak and for 10 others heaven was listening not to slumber’s enticement but to the clear clarion call of his inner pilot. To sleeplessly travel far beyond the realms of the possible and then on towards the miraculous shores of Self Transcendence. He got there not by his own fierce determination but with the inner strength that comes from within, to aid and guide all those who seek out, and surrender themselves fully to higher goals. Now he and the goal are one, after striving tirelessly for 43 days, his prize is that he has once again transcended himself for a 4th time here. The fog of time will come and dim this bright immortal moment from his eyes. His tremendous record setting experience will gradually fade back into shadowed memory and photographs. Yet what cannot be removed from his heart is that he has truly and deeply tasted satisfaction in a way that we cannot. Gone father and higher than you and I have ever dared to attempt. And if tomorrow we look at him and think that he is just like us we will be wrong. For he has reached and touched the divine reality that most of us are not even aware of. If his feet have not fully and firmly planted themselves on perfection’s shore he has at least made long strides toward it.
Shortly after crossing the finish line he says:
“I want to thank Sri Chinmoy for running with us every step of the way. Obviously this is Sri Chinmoy’s journey and a pilgrimage we all undertake together, and I am so grateful for finishing.”
They’re normally spotted in the more exotic climes of Africa, South America and the Mediterranean. But changing global climates are bringing some unusual avian visitors to Wales, as Sion Morgan reports on “WalesOnline”.
From the African plains to the mountains of the Himalayas, from the wilderness of Alaska to the South American jungle, it seems the world’s most exotic birds are increasingly visiting the Welsh shores. A number of exotic species are now appearing in its gardens and could soon change the landscape of the countryside forever. Bird watching is changing and the scale of rare, colourful and plain alien species in Wales has been revealed by the Welsh Ornithological Society (WOS). According to their records, in the past 12 months African bee-eaters and purple herons have been seen in Anglesey, North American great white egrets in parts of the former Gwent and a stunning South American bobolink in St Davids, Pembrokeshire. The RSPB says that the growing trend has been partly caused by the deep winter freeze across northern Europe and Russia, which drove many exotic and unusual birds into Britain’s back gardens, combined with the fact that the warm springs of the last couple of years have seen migrating Mediterranean birds being attracted further north than usual. Daniel Jenkins-Jones, head of public affairs at RSPB Cymru, said: “With the warmer climate there has certainly been an increase in numbers of little egret, Dartford warbler, and Cetti’s warbler across the UK. “With temperatures warming up, soon we could very well see more exotic visitors, such as the purple heron, grace the Welsh shores.” So far this year, twitchers have been lucky enough to see a North American lesser scaup duck in Cardiff Bay. The birds typically migrate south, as far as the West Indies and Bermuda.
In Little Haven, Pembrokeshire, two months ago, an ivory gull which breeds high in the Arctic was spotted by twitchers. A Siberian chiffchaff which usually winters in the Himalayas turned up in Sudbrook, Monmouthshire, during January. And a month later, a great white egret, typically found in the South American rainforests, was seen in the same county. Richard Dobbins, from Pembrokeshire Birds, said: “We see rare migrants particularly when the weather is warm at this time of year, as migrating Mediterranean birds drift further north than usual because of the rising temperatures. “The trend depends on the weather, but certainly if we see more warm springs we will see more rare migrants.” He added: “As far as the winter goes, it isn’t so much cold temperatures that cause birds to wander further from their natural habitat, it’s the conditions. “Large winds can blow birds off course and into unfamiliar territories. Of course what we also see is British birds being spotted in warmer parts of Europe because of the freezing temperatures here.” Other notable recorded sightings include the stunning purple heron, which breeds in Africa and Asia, turning up in Dwyran on Anglesey, and a black kite, common in tropical parts of Australasia, flying over Marloes Mere in Pembrokeshire. A glossy ibis which loves warmer regions like the Caribbean was also seen at Dunraven Bay in the Vale of Glamorgan in recent months. Scientists have previously stated that with temperatures set to rise even further in years to come because of global warming, new species from France and central Europe will migrate to the UK, putting native birds under strain as they compete for food sources. Those species expected to come across the channel in the next few decades include the hoopoe and bee-eater, colourful birds currently only found in southern Europe, Africa and parts of Asia. Grahame Madge of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said the British landscape will look completely different. By the end of the century, cliff-faces currently covered in kittiwakes and puffins could be colonised by hoopoes and bee-eaters, he believes. “The trend is for birds to fly north with some struggling to survive, while new species colonise the UK,” he said. “We are in an evolutionary maelstrom because species are having to cope with new pests and new parasites, new threats and new opportunities all introduced by climate change. Some species will thrive and others will struggle to survive.”
If you want to relax and enjoy some inspiring videos, check out the channel Moments of Silence and click on the two little arrows to see them in larger size or even in full screen mode with the pop-up window.
In the African jungle, conservationist Damian Aspinall searches for Kwibi, a lowland gorilla he hasn’t seen for 5 years. Kwibi grew up with Damian at his Howletts Wild Animal Park in England. When he was five, he was released into the forests of Gabon, West Africa as part of conservation programme to re-introduce gorillas back into the wild. Now Kwibi’s 10 years old, much bigger and stronger. Will Damian find him? Check out this amazing encounter!
The Young Gallery, Brussels currently shows the amazing photographic work of Nick Brandt. Here is what the artist writes on his pictures: “Few photographers have ever considered the photography of wild animals, as distinctly opposed to the genre of Wildlife Photography, as an art form. The emphasis has generally been on capturing the drama of wild animals IN ACTION, on capturing that dramatic single moment, as opposed to simply animals in the state of being. I’ve always thought this something of a wasted opportunity. The wild animals of Africa lend themselves to photographs that extend aesthetically beyond the norm of 35mm-color telephoto wildlife photography. And so it is, that in my own way, I would like to yank the subject matter of wildlife into the arena of fine art photography. To take photographs that transcend what has been a largely documentative genre. 
Aside from using certain impractical photographic techniques, there’s one thing I do whilst shooting that I believe makes a big difference: I get extremely close to these very wild animals, often within a few feet of them. I don’t use telephoto lenses. This is because I want to see as much of the sky and landscape as possible–to see the animals within the context of their environment. That way, the photos become as much about the atmosphere of the place as the animals. And being that close to the animals, I get a real sense of intimate connection to them, to the specific animal in front of me. Sometimes a deliberate feeling that they’re almost presenting themselves for a studio portrait. Why the animals of Africa in particular? And more particularly still, East Africa? There is perhaps something more profoundly iconic, mythical, mythological even, about the animals of East Africa, as opposed to say, the Arctic or South America. There is also something deeply, emotionally stirring and affecting about the plains of Africa – the vast green rolling plains punctuated by the graphically perfect acacia trees. My images are unashamedly idyllic and romantic, a kind of enchanted Africa. They’re my elegy to a world that is steadily, tragically vanishing.” More of his work can be seen at the portfolio page of the gallery who also sells his original prints.
This is a Yellowstone Wildlife and Scenery video filmed with the new Canon 7D camera. This mid October trip to Yellowstone was the sixth consecutive for Ryan Marshik and Sparky Stensaas; Chris Gibbs joined us for the second time. Guitar music by Russ Viton. To see more wildlife photography of Sparky Stensaas visit photoshelter.com/c/sparkyphotos
On her website, Swiss crystal child Lena speaks about crystal children: “Each person has 7 senses but most of them don’t know them or don’t use them. Crystal children are similar to Indigo children. The aura of Crystal children shines in all pastel colours. Their energy is clear, calme, peaceful and they radiate a lot of love. They are very sensitive and can feel the emotions of other people, feel energies and thoughts. On the other side they are very sensitive and get hurt very soon. They are peacemakers. Because they don’t like fights, they do everythin with love and respect. The Crystal children have a big knowledge. For example they know what they did in past lifes, what happens with people, why they are ill or where their way goes and so on. That’s why they are a bit bossy and don’t like teacher so much. They don’t like if other people instruct them because they know it already. The Crystal children like nature and animals very much; they are very important for them. They know about their feelings and are very clear about what happens in their body or in their life. They love everything. To the angels, ghosts and invisibly friends they have a good contact and can talk to them. Telepathy is easy for them. The eyes of Crystal children are mostly big and shiny. They can talk with their eyes.” For those of you who are interested in the subject, Lena (23) will gave a one hour LIVE interview on 2012 and beyond on December 11th 2009 which still can be seen here or at vimeo.
As the online edition of dailymail reports, a new nature film will be released end of January 2010. The film took four years to shoot and costing a staggering £45 million to produce. But it’s easy to see why: 500 hours of unedited film were shot using remote-controlled mini helicopters, divers, hydrodynamic cameras dragged behind boats and top speeds, and carefully tied poles. The film, Oceans for Pathi, is set to be launched end of January 2010. Cameras have penetrated shoals of hunting tuna fish and flown just metres above dolphins as they leap from the ocean. The film-makers also captured a sand-level view of tiny turtles hatching and scurrying to the ocean. It took two years of planning before 15 cameramen could even begin filming Oceans for Pathi. The crew filmed in 50 locations across the world and captured 80 species of fish, dolphins, whales, squid, lizards, crabs and turtles. The secret to the production is its revolutionary filming carried out in a bid to get within the ocean’s most intimate events.
It seems that I am publishing a lot of videos, but currently I feel that pictures and movies can express more feelings and emotions than words… Watch these amazing animal short film by Valdas Kotovas, cameraman and editor from South Carolina (US). He used the new Canon EOS 5D Mark II still camera in HD video mode. This camera brings amazing film talents to the fore. Enjoy the beauty of the animal kingdom with perfect photography.
Photos HD
Photos of Sri Chinmoy
Daily Artblog of Sri Chinmoy
