Black Parrot

Common Loon

2011-01-17T01:06:00.000-08:00

The Royal Canadian Mint introduced a beautiful new one-dollar coin in 1987 with the Common Loon on it, the “loonie”. Canada made a good choice with the Common Loon as their national bird.

The Common Loon, is an enchanting bird, a symbol of the country’s rugged wilderness. Common Loons are stunning in their breeding plumage and a joy to watch if you can get close enough.

There are clear and compelling reasons why the Common loon is the logical choice. There is the loonie, flying high at the moment, and the fact that loons, though present throughout the country, are never overabundant. The black bill, the black and white pattern on its back and wings, a white necklace, and its red eyes make it an easy bird to identify, and one that lends itself to graphic representation. Loons also play an important role in the stories and myths of First Nations and Inuit. And finally, loons require water to become airborne, providing a useful reminder to Canadians of the importance of this precious natural resource.
But there is something less definable about the loon that makes it such a strong candidate for Canada’s national bird. The loon’s melancholy call on a still, summer evening evokes a sense of romance and mystery. Though most of us live clustered along the southern border, we have an innate bond with Canada’s vast northern wilderness – the boreal forest that covers 50 per cent of the land mass of the country. The loon is connection to that wilderness.

The ghostly sound of the Common Loon is frequently heard in movies, though sometimes a bit out of place. Their haunting sound is inspiration for music, Loon-calling contests and festivals, and both Minnesota and Ontario claim the Common Loon as theirs.

The Common Loon is a highly devoted bird. Both male and female work to build the nest, share in sitting on eggs, and feeding the young. Parents are also often seen carting chicks on their backs as they swim. You can imagine the countys’ prosperty with word “devoted bird both male and female work to build” the nation.

Canada has a wide range of attractions for tourists. There are large cosmopolitan cities as well as small isolated settlements in Canada. Canada also offers great facility for water sports and fishing. The natural beauty of Canada is an amalgamation of lakes, rivers, Rocky Mountains, breathtaking scenery, beautiful resorts, and great national parks, rich farming, historical sites and much much more.

Places of Interest : Casa Loma, CN Tower, Ontario Place, African lion Safari, Paramount Canada's Wonderland, Basilique Notre-Dame, Beechwood Cemetary, Bruce Peninsula & Fathom Five National Marine Park, Billings Estate Museum, Bytown Museum, Beaver Trails Canada, Canada agricultural museum, Canada Aviation Museum, Canada Science and Technology Museum, Canadian Golf and Country Club, Canadian war museum, Canadian tulip festival, Deer Lake, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Goderich and Lake Huron, Gros Morne National Park, The Gaspé Peninsula, Little Italy, McCord Museum of Canadian History, Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve, Niagara Falls, Parliament Hill, Terra Nova National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park, Writing-on-Stone Provinical Park, 1000 Islands, and many more, find out in: http://www.greatcanadiantravel.com/home ; http://www.canada.travel/selectCountry.html ; http://www.destinationcanada.info/ and http://www.rockymountaineer.com/en/ .

The Emu

2011-01-16T21:40:00.000-08:00

The Emu that support the shield are the unofficial animal emblems of Australia. Australia's first national coat of arms was granted in 1908 and displayed the emu and kangaroo supporting the shield, and standing on a grassy mound. The second coat of arms, made in 1912, included the symbols of the states woven together in the central shield with a border symbolizing federation.

Australia itself was represented by the shield's supporters, the emu to the right and the kangaroo to the left. It was the first time, so far as is known, that these two supports, now so familiar on the Australian Arms, were ever used in this way. Wattle, the official national floral emblem, though the representation of the species is not botanically accurate. The supporters are native Australian animals, the emu and the red kangaroo. It is thought the emu and kangaroo were chosen to symbolise a nation moving forward, reflecting a common belief that neither animal can move backwards easily. It is often claimed these animals were chosen because neither animal can move backward, only forward – i.e. progress of the nation.

They owe this recognition to the fact that they are native Australian fauna, (found only on that continent), and likely chosen because they are the most well-known native Australian animals large enough to be positioned together in scale holding up the shield. The first official coat of arms of Australia was granted by a Royal Warrant of King Edward VII. This coat of arms was used on some Australian coins even after it was superseded in 1912, and last appeared on the sixpenny piece in 1966.

On nineteen of the thirty-three gorgets in the National Museum of Australia's collections are depicted an emu and a kangaroo acting as supporters to the central inscription. With the waratah, these two creatures became the earliest icons or 'symbols' of Australia used by European colonists. The emu and kangaroo appeared as supporters on 'the first flag designed and made in Australia.

The Emu is Australia's largest native bird and the second largest bird in the world after the Ostrich. The word Emu comes from the Portuguese word ‘ema' which means large bird. The Emu grows to be about 185 centimetres (6 feet) tall and weighs 65 kilograms (140 pounds). This is bigger than many adult humans! The Emu belongs to a group of flightless running birds with flat breastbones known as ratites. The Emus have been walking the plains of Australia in something reasonably close to their present form for about 80 million years. The Emu was around when the dinosaurs still walked the plains. They knew Australia when it was covered in rainforest. They saw the McDonald Ranges when they were the height of the Himalayas.
Places of Interest : Taronza Zoo, Blue Mountains, Museum of Sydney, Centrepoint Tower, Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Royal Botanic Gardens, Centennil park, Lamington National Park, Fitzroy, Bondi Beach, Warner Bros Movie World, The Great Barrier Reef, Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise, Dream World, Sea World and many more. Australia a prefect destination for all, find out more:
http://www.emurun.com.au/ ;
http://www.visitaustralia.com/ ;

http://www.lawandtourism.com/ and
http://www.adventuretours.com.au/ .

Peacock

2011-01-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

The Peacock Throne, called Takht-e Tâvus in Persian, is the name originally given to a Mughal throne of India, which was later adopted and used to describe the thrones of the Persian emperors from Nader Shah Afshari and erroneously to Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi whose throne was a reconstruction of the Achemenid throne.

The name comes from the shape of a throne, having the figures of two Peacocks standing behind it, their tails being expanded and the whole so inlaid with sapphires, rubies, emeralds, pearls and other precious stones of appropriate colors as to represent life, created for the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan of India in the 17th century, which was in his imperial capital Delhi's Public audience hall, the Diwan-i-Aam. Emperor Shah Jahan had the famous Koh-i-noor (186 carats) diamond placed in this throne, among the historical diamonds decorating it were, the Akbar Shah (95 carats), the Shah (88.77 carats), the Jehangir (83 carats) and the second largest spinel ruby in the world, the Timur ruby (283 carats). A-20 couplet poem by the Mughal poet-laureate Qudsi, praising the Emperor, was embedded in the throne in emerald letters.
The French jeweller Tavernier, who saw Delhi in 1665, described the throne as of the shape of a bed (a "takhteh" or platform), 6 ft. by 4 ft., supported by four golden feet, 20 to 25 in. high, from the bars above which rose twelve columns to support the canopy; the bars were decorated with crosses of rubies and emeralds, and also with diamonds and pearls. In all there were 108 large rubies on the throne, and 116 emeralds, but many of the latter had flaws. The twelve columns supporting the canopy were decorated with rows of splendid pearls, and Tavernier considered these to be the most valuable part of the throne. Estimates of its value varied between Rs. 40 million (Bernier) and Rs. 100 million (Tavernier).
Nader Shah invaded the Mughal Empire in 1738, and returned to Persia in 1739 with the original Peacock Throne as well as many other treasures taken from the Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah.
Peacock a resident breeder in India. The Peacock is designated as the national bird of India.
The peacock has iridescent blue-green or green colored plumage. The so-called "tail" of the peacock, also termed the "train," is not the tail quill feathers but highly elongated upper tail coverts. The train feathers have a series of eyes that are best seen when the tail is fanned the Peacock have a crest atop at the head.
The Peacock is a forest bird that nest on the ground but roost in trees. They are terrestrial feeders. However, it has been suggested that "females" entering a male Green Peafowl's territory are really his own juvenile or sub-adult young and that Green Peafowl are really monogamous in the wild. The male Peacock flares out its feathers when it is trying to get the female's attention. During the mating season they will often emit a very loud high pitched cry.
India's tourism is defined by the majestic Golden Triangle Tour has it all, which is actually accredited as an unforgettable gift, and unparalleled magnificent view for the eyes of visitors. The North Indian Golden Triangle Tour introduces the tourist's to India's pride in the form of majestic Indian royalty, rich heritage and diverse colorful culture.
The circuit includes journey to Delhi - Indian pride, Agra - House to world's wonder, and Jaipur - Indian Pink Pearl. But, an option of Golden Triangle Tour doubles the joy, excitement, and makes Incredible India's tour a memorable and eternal lifetime experience for holiday makers from every nook and corner of the globe.

New Delhi, part of what is commonly referred to as just Delhi, is the original base of Peacock throne, the city chronicles the history of the various civilizations and dynasties that flourished here for over 3000 years. Their legacy survives in the many ancient monuments left behind is the most ideal base from which to discover the marvels and wonders of India’s ancient subcontinent. Travel to New Delhi to discover India’s capital city, one of the oldest existing cities in the world, Mughal Garden, Jama Masjid(the largest mosque in India built by emperor Shah Jahan), Red Fort, Qutub Minar, India Gate, Rajpath, Rajiv Chowk, Jantar Mantar, Indira Chowk, Safdarjung’s Tomb, Connaught Place, Rashtrapathi Bhavan, Raisina Hill, Sansad Bhavan, a fascinating walk down Chandni Chowk or the Silver Street takes you back to a bygone era, then journey to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, Agra fort, Sikandra and emperor Akbar’s Tomb, and then Jaipur the best to travel with Golden Triangle Tour. Experience Agra and Rajasthan in the luxurious train of Maharajas. Surely there is no better way to experience the cultural heartland of north India than by the Palace on Wheel and Fairy Queen, Fairy Queen will take you to a journey of your lifetime. Enjoy the enchanting Rajasthan on the oldest working broad gauge steam locomotive in the world. The train will stop at every major destination and the ambience of it will provide you an excellent opportunity to feel like a maharaja as you travel through the royal land.

Find out more: http://www.rirtl.com/ and www.tamarindtours.in

Black Parrot

2011-01-05T02:27:00.000-08:00

Black Parrot or Kato Nwar in Creolee. Many bird experts treat it as a local form of a species found in Madagascar and Comores, but some think it is a separate species found nowhere but Seychelles. Here, it was once more widespread, but was killed by humans because it likes to eat cultivated fruit including mango, bilimbi and papaya. It survived on Praslin and is now protected by law. It nests in old hollow trees, which are rare because human cut down trees for timber before they reach old age.

Fortunately, the birds also use special deep nest boxes provided for them as a conservation measure.
Those looking to do a little bird watching in Seychelles will be rewarded with a destination that provides a myriad of exciting opportunities. Migrants, vagrants, sea birds, and land birds are all found inhabiting the Seychelles, which is a sort of African Galapagos in many regards.
A good amount of the Seychelles birds are quite rare, being endemic just to the Seychelles. These are some of the planet's rarest endemic birds, so what Seychelles birding amounts to, more or less, is quality over quantity. One of the best things about bird watching in Seychelles is the fact that you don't necessarily have to arrange a special tour to do so. While you enjoy such renowned reserves as the Vallee de Mai on Praslin Island, and the Veuve Reserve on La Digue, you'll be able to casually spot some unique avian species as you go.
Most folks who are planning Seychelles birding trips start on the main island of Mahe, which is the ideal springboard for island-hopping excursions of all kinds. Mahe itself is an excellent place to do some birdwatching, as are other granitic islands like Praslin and La Digue. Bird Island, which is found relatively close to the main group of granitic islands, has quite a proper name indeed, and many Seychelles bird watching trips based out of Mahe include it. Sooty Terns, Fairy Terns, Saunders Terns, and Terns of other varieties are quite abundant on Bird Island. The granitic islands of the Seychelles are utterly breathtaking, and they are certainly ideal for those for birdwatchers of all ranks. For the most serious birders, trips to the coralline islands of the Seychelles should also be considered.
Some of the best Seychelles birding destinations are the small, granitic islands of Aride and Cousin, which are easy to reach from both Mahe and Praslin. Both of these islands are nature reserves, and there are no overnight accommodations on them, but that doesn't mean you can visit them on day trips. Some of Seychelles birds that you will likely spot on these islands are the Magpie Robin and Seychelles Fody. Aride Island is home to more than a million birds from about 10 different species, and it's the only place in the Seychelles granitic islands where you can spot red-tailed tropicbirds. Cousin Island offers up the Seychelles Warbler, which for a considerable amount of time could only be found here. Not far off on Praslin Island, the Vallee de Mai Reserve is home to the rare Seychelles Black Parrot. And, should you head to the slower-paced La Digue Island, a walk through the Veuve Reserve should reveal at least a few Seychelles Paradise Flycatchers, which are without question among the most rare of Seychelles birds.
Heading further out to the Outer Islands of the Seychelles, among the more interesting birds you will spot are the Frigate Birds, which give name to the country's Fregate Island. These birds are a joy to watch, as they employ some pretty impressive, mid-air acrobatics to steal food away from other sea birds. Frigates can actually be found throughout the Seychelles, much like Grey Plovers. From the smallest frog to the heaviest land tortoise and the only flightless bird of the Indian Ocean, Seychelles nurtures an amazing array of endemic species within surrounds of exceptional natural beauty.
Find out more detail.

http://www.seychelles.travel/en/home/index.php