Showing posts with label Nature. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

The wonderful world of David Attenborough

BBC Nature Presenter and documentary legend David Attenborough is one of my personal heroes. My nature-loving son's too. So it was sad to hear that the aged voice of nature will probably not make another show.

The BBC paid tribute to one of its legends with this compilation of breathtaking footage from some of his shows to that voice giving us a spoken-word rendition of jazz standard "What a Wonderful World":

Mr. Attenborough just recently wound up his last series, Frozen Planet. You may know it from this amazing video that is making the viral rounds:

What a wonderful world. And it's all the more wonderful when described by someone who loves it so much.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Scientists develop tool to measure Photoshop Disasters

Via Wired

Scientists in the United States have developed tools to quantify the amount that an image has been digitally manipulated — but only of they have access to the original image.

While Wired talks about the breakthrough as a way to regulate image manipulation in advertising, at a time when some jurisdictions are cracking down on altered images, Nature says the system was developed as a way of combatting image fraud in scientific journals.

Nature also quotes developer Hany Farid, a computer scientist who studies digital forensics, wo points out that this system is no magic bullet:

"The requirement for both original and retouched images is an obvious flaw in his system, admits Farid, as researchers can’t always find their originals. But, in his opinion, it is impossible to get an accurate score for the extent of manipulation without the original image. Moreover, for both scientific journals and popular magazines, the very act of requiring original images to be provided could act as a deterrent against manipulation, he says."

In advertising and the fashion industry, therefore, the system will only work if media or regulators institute a scale of manipulation and insist on access to unaltered images. Which won't do much to deter dishonest marketers, who are not bound by the same honour and reputation system as scientists.

So, while this is pretty cool, we'll probably have to keep discovering image fraud the old fashioned way.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Top 10 Beaches in USA

Top 10 the best beaches in America, which was compiled by an expert Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman. “Dr. Beach” as it is called Stephen, is the head of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at the National University of Florida.

Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Florida

Beach Siesta, Sarasota County, Florida, famous for fine white sand and warm water, often ranks last in the annual ranking of the best beaches in America, in the same year it was the first time tops the list.

Coronado Beach in San Diego, California

Located about a mile from San Diego lies one of its best treasures. Coronado Beach is a great destination for the whole family. Your little ones can look for shells while the older kids will love body boarding in the gentle waves.

Kahanamoku Beach, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii

Almost everyone has heard of Waikiki Beach in Hawaii, which is surely one of the world's most beaches, with a location just steps from Honolulu's busy streets. Waikiki is actually a two-mile stretch with nine individually named beaches. Kahanamoku Beach is at the north end, near the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort.

Main Beach, East Hampton, NY

Main Beach has white sand, dunes, surf, lifeguards during summer, and spectacular fireworks on Labor Day weekend.

Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

Surfer love this beach on the coast of North Carolina.

National Park on the island of St. George, FL

In summer air temperature is 50-60 'Fahrenheit, it is cool enough to swim and sunbathe. Attracts fans for secluded relaxation. This place is also called "Forgotten Coast", because the majority of tourists still prefer the warmer coast and sent on vacation to the southern beaches of Florida.

Beachwalker Park, South Carolina

Located on Kiawah Island, Beachwalker Park offers 11 miles of unspoiled beach on one of the country's most beautiful barrier islands. Located between the Bohicket River and the ocean, the park features a wide boardwalk that weaves through live oaks, pines, palmettos, and yucca plants.

Coast Guard Beach, Massachusetts

The beach stretches for miles, has cliffs, dunes, good swimming in summer, body-surfing and boogie-boarding.

Gulf of Waimanalo, Oahu, Hawaii

Long white beach of the Gulf Waimanalo on displaying the Oahu, Hawaii, attracts thousands of tourists.

National Park on the Gulf of Florida

This beach will satisfy the demands of even the most demanding traveler: clean and clear water, gentle surf and white, fine sand.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Snowmageddon Cometh

Cars and snow make a very lethal combination. While snow can be fun, this is proof that too much of anything is a bad thing. These unlucky people have the thankless task of digging their cars out of a thick coat of snow and driving on snow filled slippery roads. So, would you shovel the snow off your car or would you just chill out and let it melt on its own?

Saturday, November 13, 2010

The Art Of Photographing Trees : 30 Amazing Photos

The Art Of Photographing Trees - Nature photography is probably one of the most popular genres of photography. Though most photographers concentrate on getting great landscape shots, there are special group of nature photography fans who like photographing trees. Photograph a tree? Yes, most people don’t consider trees as interesting photo subjects and they couldn’t be more mistaken.