Oleg Valeriyevich Kotov was born October 27, 1965, in Simferopol, Crimean oblast in Ukrainian SSR. After a career as a physican assigned to space program, he joined the Russian cosmonaut corps. He has flown two long duration spaceflight on the International Space Station logging just short of a year in space. Kotov is currently assigned to the Soyuz TMA-10M/Expedition 37/Expedition 38 long duration spaceflight scheduled for 2013-2014.
Flying squirrels are not capable of powered flight like birds or bats; instead, they glide between trees. They are capable of obtaining lift within the course of these flights, with flights recorded to 90 meters (295 ft). The direction and speed of the animal in midair is varied by changing the positions of its two arms and legs, largely controlled by small cartilaginous wrist bones. This changes the tautness of the patagium, a furry parachute-like membrane that stretches from wrist to ankle. It has a fluffy tail that stabilizes in flight. The tail acts as an adjunct airfoil, working as an air brake before landing on a tree trunk.
The Marble Caves of Patagonia, Chile, are beautiful vibrant blue caverns, partially submerged in the equally stunning turquoise waters of Carrera Lake. The lake itself is on the border of Argentina and Chile, with the caves located on the Chilean side. The caves are comprised of three main caverns: the Chapel (La Capilla), the Cathedral (El Catedral), and the Cave (La Cueva). Visitors to the caves can explore them in a small boat or kayak, but only when Carrera Lake’s waters are calm and gentle. A rare and invaluable natural wonder, the existence of these caves is currently threatened by plans to build five large dams in the area. If you visit these caves, please treat them with the utmost respect and care.
Fula people or Fulani or Fulbe are an ethnic group spread over many countries, predominantly in West Africa, but found also in Central Africa and Sudanese North Africa. African countries where they are present include Mauritania, Ghana, Senegal, Guinea, The Gambia, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Niger, Chad, Togo, the Central African Republic, Liberia, and as far as Sudan and Egypt in the East. Fula people form a minority in every country they inhabit, but in Guinea they represent a plurality of the population (40%).
Child beauty pageants are a billion-dollar industry in the U.S. While some critics see the pageants as an exploitation of innocents, others—particularly pageant parents—view the competitions as a way for a young talent to enter the entertainment industry. Shows such as Toddler & Tiaras have examined the behind-the-scenes drama of these tightly orchestrated contests, but now a show of Susan Anderson’s photographs at L.A.’s Kopeikin Gallery (through December 24), puts the glamour and excess of child beauty pageants on a pedestal for our contemplation.
Dramatic photos show the measure of a man in contrast to the enormity of nature.
A series of photos from the Humboldt State University Library capture lumberjacks working among the redwoods in Humboldt County, California.
The photos are part of the Ericson Collection....
Slow walks along the river or lake in a small boat, meant for two passengers, this is a very nice and romantic. This game is very popular among honeymooners or couples who have recently together and have not lost to the heat and intensity of feelings that push young people to the incredible things. How to convert such travel in a more romantic, and healthy, invented Dutch designer Frank de Bruijn , “crossed” a boat and a bath-tub and calling a hybrid HotTug Boat.
Steve Wheen understands that nobody likes to pay a pile of taxes only to hit potholes on their way to work every day, so he started filling up the pesky cracks in East London with mini living worlds comprised of soil, plants, and adorable props. The guerrilla gardener creates these mini (mostly domestic) scenes on quiet streets, dead end lanes, and foot paths, snaps photographs of his work, and then removes the props so that nobody gets a chair in their tire! When he's satisfied with his projects, he documents them over at The Pothole Gardener.
