O Lovely

Tree-Kangaroos Are Just Too Cute!

2018-01-08T17:53:00.001+05:00

We all know that Australia has no shortage of adorable marsupials. We’ve all heard of the wallaby, you probably already love the koala bear, but we bet you’ve never heard of a tree-kangaroo!

Well, they’re quite similar to regular kangaroos, except they’re twice as fluffy, and are almost tree-dwelling bears. These arboreal creatures are extremely shy, and little is known about their behaviour. Though exact population numbers are unknown, tree-kangaroos are becoming less common in the wild thanks to hunting and habitat destruction.

However, in June 2016, the first tree-kangaroo born in captivity in 36 years was welcomed at Perth Zoo, representing a glimmer of hope for their survival.

Keep scrolling to see just how cute and irresistible the tree-kangaroo really is.

TRANSPARENT LIFE FORMS

2017-01-24T12:57:00.001+05:00

GLASSWINGED BUTTERFLY

TRANSPARENT JUVENILE SURGEONFISH

JUVENILE SHARPEAR ENOPE SQUID

TORTOISE SHELL BEETLE

Translucent Pharaoh Ant (Eating colored liquid)

MACROPINNA MICROSTOMA

EUROPEAN EEL

SEE-THROUGH FROG

A JUVENILE OCTOPUS

TRANSPARENT BUTTERFLY

SALPA MAGGIORE

TRANSPARENT IMMORTAL JELLY FISH

TRANSPARENT FISH

JUVENILE COWFISH

GLASS FROG

COSTA RICAN TADPOLES

GHOST SHRIMP

DEEP SEA ANGLERFISH

TRANSPARENT FLATFISH

TRANSLUCENT SNAIL

LA PALMA GLASS FROG

FULLY TRANSPARENT RAIN FOREST FROG

HYDROMEDUSA

SNAIL WITH SEMI -TRANSPARENT SHELL

ICE FISH

SEA ANEMONE

TRANSPARENT FISH

SEA SALPS

CLEAR SLUG

TRANSPARENT SQUID

TRANSLUCENT SHRIMP (ON A CUCUMBER)

Transparent Juvenile Surgeonfish

2017-01-23T21:51:00.000+05:00

This transparent fish is a juvenile Surgeonfish. They're found in a wide range of waters including those around New Zealand. Believe it or not, it's the same species of fish as Dory from Finding Nemo/Dory! They can grow up to 30 cm (12 inches) long and are popular aquarium fish.

Transparent Flat Fish

Flat Fish

Ice Fish

Vivacious Flowers with Exotic Beauty

2015-05-08T19:24:00.000+05:00

Often one wake up and the day begins. Before one knows it, one is caught up in a thousand things at once, and didn't get a chance to appreciate the little joys nature presents us. Nature is bursting with colour and energy, which can give a moment of happiness and sheer peace. Here are some exotic flowers that will amaze your eyes and refresh your soul.
Parrot Tulips

Aechmea

Peacock Moraea

Wine Cup Flowers

Danish Flag Poppy

Morning Glory Bud

Black Bat Flower

Grevillea Red Hooks

Fuchsia

Echeveria

Astrantia

Ice-cream Tulip

Torch Ginger

Blue Lotus

Black Poppies

Ranunculus

Oriental Poppy

Heliconia

Drosophyllum

Summer Scabious

Himalayan Blue Poppy

Iris

Beautiful Beaches of Pakistan

2015-05-08T19:16:00.000+05:00

Pakistan notable beaches are in the province of Sindh and Balochistan. Pakistan southern coastline meets the Arabian sea which is running along the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan. In Sindh the Beaches are in the city of Karachi and Gaddani. The notable beaches in Balochistan are in the city of Gwadar, Ormara and Orangi town.

French Beach

French Beach is located on the way between Hawkes Bay and Paradise Point. Basically it is a small fishing village. Moreover there are 95 huts constructed by the villagers that they give on rent to the visitors and tourists. French beach is a rocky beach and the water is very clear as compared to the Clifton beach. The water and the beach is ideal for snorkeling and Scuba diving and surfing as well. All such activities occur in Monsoon season. Visitors and tourists have to bring their own food and drinks.

Paradise Point

Paradise Point is also located on Arabian Sea in Karachi. Paradise point is basically a sandstone rock which is promoting natural beauty. It is accessible through Maripur Road. Nathiagali beach and Sonehri point are located on the west of the beach. Hawkes bay beach is also located on Paradise point.
Sandspit Beach

Sandspit Beach is located in west Karachi. It is one of the most famous tourist spots. The sea located at Sandspit is very quiet and calm from October till March every year. However, it is very rough during monsoon. A large variety of crabs and marine algae are found on the beach. Here the water is shallow. The beach is ideal for Sunbathing. It has unusual rocky formation. Sandspit beach is a popular relaxing spot in Karachi.
Sea View beach

Sea view beach is a section of the Clifton beach. It is also located on Arabian Sea in Karachi. It is one of the most popular entertainment sites in Karachi. Lightening arrangement on the sea is good attraction for the tourists. Clifton Beach and Sea view beach is the cheapest picnic point in Karachi.
Manora Island

Manora is a popular picnic point in the city of Karachi. It has long sandy beaches at the southern edge of the Island. The Manora island extend several kilometers to the Hawkes Bay Beach and the Sandspit beach. At Manora Island is the tallest lighthouse of Pakistan which is 92 feet long. The island is at a distance of 15-20 minutes on boat from mainland Karachi. At Manora Island there are no hotels for overnight stay. Government Of Pakistan is working on the construction and development of the Island into a tourist destination.
Cap Monze Beach

Cap Monze beach is a beach located on Arabian Sea. It is situated in Karachi. It is located near the Hub river and Gadani beach in Sindh.
Gwadar beach

Gwadar beach is located in Gwadar in Balochistan. It is a planned free trade port city. Gwadar port is located at the mouth of Persian Gulf. Gwadar beach is a strategic warm water beach and a deep sea port which is developed by the Government of Pakistan.
Ormara Beach

Ormara is a city in the Gwadar District. It is located in Balochistan in Gwadar. Ormara beach has a port and it also has a fish harbor. Jinnah Naval base of Pakistan Navy is also located in Ormara.
Gaddani Beach

Gaddanii beach is Located in Balochistan near Gwadar. The beach is under construction.

The Strangest Looking Animals Ever Discovered

2015-05-05T13:21:00.001+05:00

Genetic mutations are fairly common in humans and animals alike, however once in a while you get one that really makes you look twice.
Don’t feel too bad for them, for the most part these animals are living healthy and happy lives.These creatures were thought to be extinct however a new discovery of them was made in 2008.
The cross eyed cat.

Blue lobsters with a genetic defect

Insulamon Palawanense Crab

Tiny leaf chameleon.

Conjoined Diamondback Rattlesnakes

Sana Saida, the calf with two heads.

18 foot long giant Oarfish

The infamous Ippo, The Zonkey. Cross of Zebra and Donkey

The Frankenstein Rabbit, infected with papilloma
Giant pink slugs found in New South Wales, Australia.
Lili, the calf with two extra legs

Beyonce the worlds smallest living puppy, weighing an ounce when born.

Polydactyl cats are born with an unusual amount of toes.
Purple squirrel discovered in Pennsylvania.

Cyclops Albino Shark, it was sliced from the belly of another shark off the Gulf of California. Scientists claim that it likely wouldn't have survived outside the womb.

Strawberry Crab

Cat Ba Leopard Gecko or Randall from Monsters Inc?

2-Nosed Rabbit.

This stingray was found in Thailand and weighs 770lb.
Waitaha Penguin,

The Jellyfish: An Extraordinary Creature

2015-04-27T20:17:00.000+05:00

According to scientists, a long, long time before dinosaurs ever shattered the earth with their giant steps, jellyfish were already drifting on gentle ocean currents, stinging their prey. These are perhaps the most enigmatic and alien looking marine animals in the world. They are the oldest multi-cell organism we know and have more than 2,000 different species. They can be found in any ocean, and at any depth. Some glow, some change colours and some even seem to be immortal.

These weird creatures are ancient and beautiful, and can carry quite a poisonous punch. So let us examine what we know about jellyfish, while also seeing how beautiful and varied these creatures can be!

Jellyfish don't fight the flow of the ocean, they have been drifting on it for millions of years, and were already old even when dinosaurs roamed the planet. Few marine animals are as mysterious and alien as the jellyfish. This type of jellyfish, in the photo above, has tentacles that can reach up to 4.5 meters (15 feet) long.

Inside what is known as the 'bell' or 'umbrella' shape of the jellyfish body is a mouth opening. Their tentacles have stinging cells that stun or paralyze their prey before they bring it up to the mouth to be eaten. While most jellyfish are content to float and drift on the ocean currents, they can squirt water from their mouths to propel them forward.

Butterfly looking Jellyfish

We may not need to look far to see alien forms, perhaps just explore the depths of our oceans. A few years ago, a leading British space scientist claimed aliens do exist and that they look big jellyfish!

This is a “Mauve Stinger” in Australia, the second most feared jellyfish in Australian waters, after the dreaded 'box jellyfish'.

The amazing looking 'Medusa Cassiopea' lives primarily in the Mediterranean sea.

This 'crown jellyfish' can be distinguished from others by the deep groove running around the bell shaped body, giving it a sort of crown shape which is the origin of the name. They are usually found in deep sea environments, but from time to time can be caught closer to the surface, like this one.

Papuan Jellyfish (Mastigias Papua) in a special exhibit at the Monterrey Bay Aquarium.

From Manila ocean park, a display of sea jellies. Evidence suggests that jellyfish are older than dinosaurs by as much as 400 million years!

This amazing photo is of a group of fish following a huge transparent jellyfish as it drifts on the currents. The type of jellyfish is known as 'Aurelia Aurita', and it has toxins in its tentacles. Jellyfish will sting anything that comes in contact with them, be they fish, mammal or human.

Papuan Jellyfish (Mastigias Papua) in a special exhibit at the Monterrey Bay Aquarium.

This jellyfish was discovered on a special mission by the National Oceans and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to the hidden depths of the sea canyons.

The 'Tiburonia granrojo' jellyfish was recently discovered. This jellyfish can get up to 1 meter (3.2 feet) in diameter.

The 'Cassiopea' is also known as the 'upside-down' jellyfish. Their tentacles, while not high in toxins, cause a very annoying itch, that appears as a red rash on the skin. A group of jellies is called a 'swarm' or a 'Smack'.

Some types of jellies are actually fluorescent. These were shot in an aquarium in Holland.

These 'moon jellyfish' are some of the most common types of jellies found in aquariums around the world. They are slightly venomous and can cause itches and burning pain.

Jellyfish at the Osaka Aquarium

This Mauve Stinger jellyfish was shot near the south coast of Sardinia, Italy.

Marine biologists are still discovering new types of jellyfish that carry their own light (or, in other words, have 'bio-luminescence'). Many of them can glow and light up in myriad colors, sometimes as a warning to other creatures to 'stay away'.

This jellyfish lights up in pale blue.

A delicate looking jelly fish in white and pink.

This jelly is of the Cassiopeia Mediterranean species, and usually can reach about 30 cm (1 foot) in diameter. It has numerous short tentacles.

Olindias Formosa at Osaka Aquarium. This jelly lives on small fish, and although its sting can be painful, it poses no actual risk to humans.

The 'sea nettle' is a bit transparent and sometimes comes with stripes, sometimes not. It has a saucer shape and arms attached to the underside of the mouth. It has long tentacles that can reach several feet in length.

On the left: A 'Pink Meanie' jellyfish (Drymonema larsoni), a species found in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean actually feeds on smaller jellyfish known as 'moon jellies' (Aurelia).

On the right: A newly discovered jellyfish 'Narcomedusae' with four main tentacles and a curious finding - another 4 secondary, smaller tentacles at the very edge of its body. When looking for food, this jellyfish holds its long tentacles in front in order to ambush its prey more effectively.

Aurelia Aurita jellyfish seen during Operation Deep Scope, surrounded by a group of curious fish.

Exploring the bottom of the ocean.

Top left: Mid-water Sea Jelly: The mid-water Scyphomedusa Atolla Tenella, as seen under a microscope.

Top right: Atolla is a jellyfish common from mid-water, about 500 meters deep, where there is still a small amount of sunlight, to depths of 4,500 meters, far below the limit of sunlight’s penetration. Where there is light, its red color looks black, making it hard to see. It also produces brilliant bio-luminescence, possibly to frighten predators.

Lower left: Alien-looking creatures, this deep-red jellyfish, Crossota Norvegica, float in the Arctic Sea.

Lower right: Operation Deep Scope NOAA: Eye-in-the-Sea Bioluminescence — The deep-sea Scyphozoan jellyfish, Atolla wyvillei, as seen under white light.

A beautifully fluorescent jellyfish in an aquarium in Connecticut.

A swarm of sea nettles (Chrysaora Fuscescens).

A beautiful way to get stung. Be careful!

Top: A sea nettle shot at the Monterrey Bay Aquarium in California.

Bottom: A black sea nettle with four arms that can extend to several feet. Their sting usually comes with a burning sensation and their toxins are classified as moderate to severe. In other words, if you see these in the water, do NOT go in! This jelly is also a giant jelly, reaching 1 meter (3 feet) in size, while its tentacles can reach up to a whopping 6 meters (20 feet) in length!

A 'Purple-Striped Jellyfish'. Shot at the Monterrey Bay Aquarium in California. This is the most known form of jellyfish and the shape most of us would recognize as the 'classic' jellyfish.

The yellow Nomura Jelly shot in Little Munson Island in South Korea.

On the left: A tiny but very dangerous Portuguese 'Man-O-War'. It may be small, but its sting has been compared to a COBRA's bite! This is in fact not a 'true jellyfish', but a collection of multiple tiny organisms. The tentacles, for example, are a different create than the gas bladder! Their tentacles can reach up to 45 meters! While this jelly can cause very painful stings and even, rarely, death, some animals (such as the clown fish) do not get hurt by its tentacles.

Center: Porpita Porpita is a small, disc-shaped jelly that floats freely in the water, and is only one inch in diameter.

Top-Right: Tiny jellies.

Bottom-Right: The Bicol jellyfish.

Most jellyfish live only 2-6 months, during which they can grow from one millimeter in size to many centimeters in diameter. In aquariums, tended and regularly fed, they can live up to several years.

On the left: Purple jellyfish shot in Spain.

On the right: A jelly with 'alien spacecraft' lights on its body, shot at the Vancouver aquarium.

Beautiful and colourful jelly shot in the Cnidaria aquarium zoo in Belgium.

On the left: The 'lion's mane' jellyfish, also known as the 'winter jelly' because the mane usually appears during the colder months of the year. They are found in the North Atlantic and can reach 2 meters (6 feet) in diameter with incredibly long tentacles that can reach up to 33 meters (100 feet) in length! They are considered moderate stingers and the pain they inflict is mild and often burns instead of stings.

On the right: The Giant Nomura Jellyfish in Japan. This enormous, 450 pound and 7 feet long jelly has plagued Japanese waters and is about the size of a sumo wrestler. It still doesn't have the reach of the lion's mane tentacles though.

A lion's mane jelly in Norway.

A tiny, 2.5 cm long transparent jelly. Jellyfish reproduce both sexually (male and female) and asexually (without gender). Upon reaching their full size, they spawn according to available food and may even do so every day if there's enough of it. Their spawning is dependent on light, so they usually do it at the same time of day, at dusk or dawn.

Left: This fancy looking jelly looks a bit an expensive lamp.

Right: A glowing jelly near the shores of Australia

Jellyfish are made of up to 95% water (humans are about 55-65% water). Their soft, gelatin bodies have no skeletal frame or outer shell. They are therefore easily harmed and die if removed from water. However, even a dead jellyfish will sting you if you step on it.

This species of jellyfish may actually be IMMORTAL. The jelly can 'reverse' its life cycle, actually transforming from adult to immature organism. Wish we knew how to do that ourselves!

Since jellyfish aren't actually related to fish, the terms is a bit misleading, yet it remains the most popular term.

The World of a Squirrel

2015-04-27T19:47:00.000+05:00

Squirrels often appear on people's "favourite animals" list, probably because they're incredibly adorable, funny and furry. But they are much more, they are incredibly fast, resourceful, hard working and have an amazing sense of direction. They love hoarding and preparing for winter months, and will make sure they gather enough for a decent winter hoard.

Lets have a look at these cute little guys, and how they live:

Fall is the time for squirrels to gather as much food as possible in a mad dash to a well stocked food pile before winter settles in. They bring collected food into their homes in hollow trees or the ground

A squirrel dream feast. Some ground squirrels start preparing for winter as early as early summer. The gray and fox squirrels have a 'scatter hoarding' pattern, in which they hide their hoarded food in many various locations, coming back for it later. A tree squirrel doesn't hibernate during winter, and so needs to have a daily supply of food.

A squirrel with its trophy, Kharkiv, Ukraine. Not only do squirrels love walnuts, but their brain is about the same size!

A curious and furry little squirrel.

Happy to have a snack.

Many tree squirrels have long hair on their ears.

When we think of squirrels, we usually think of the tree squirrel, and they can be found in forests, parks and even urban environments.

As rodents, squirrels have four front teeth that never stop growing, so they can keep gnawing away as they please. They've even been known to chew through power cables, causing blackouts.

The bushy tail we love so much serves the squirrel well. It keeps them balanced, soften their jumps and helps them communicate with other squirrels.

Almost got it. Even squirrels fall out of trees sometimes, but they mostly use their tails as parachutes and are rarely harmed.

When hungry, a squirrel will eat outside its regular diet of plants and nuts, and start eating insects, eggs, small birds, small snakes and even smaller rodents.

Red berries are a delicious treat.

Many squirrels dig like crazy during the fall, to make many hiding places for their food hoard.

Gray squirrels sometimes have darker or lighter shades, like this rare white squirrel here.

And of course, they serve to entertain frustrated cats on a daily basis.

Squirrely love? Squirrels communicate through chirps and shrill little sounds, expressing anything from fear to contentment.

A playful red squirrel.

Squirrels come in a variety of colours and looks. These squirrels all stopped to take a photo, but can run very fast if needed. An officer that once used a radar gun to clock a Gray squirrel, found he was moving at 20 mph (32 kph).

This squirrel is not albino, otherwise it would have red eyes. It is just a white squirrel enjoying a nibble.

This squirrel shows its agility by fence walking.

Squirrel excited over these unexpected yummies.

A black squirrel having a rest. All this searching, digging and hiding is tough work.

The antelope ground squirrel is one of the skinnier squirrels, and has a permanent 'youngling' look.

The squirrel family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots (including woodchucks), flying squirrels, and prairie dogs. This fat prairie dog has it pretty good, not having to search for its food. May be why it has let itself go a little.

Fall season means work work work.

Fussing over its fur, this squirrel is wiping its face with its tail.

Squirrels don't really like swimming, as it's very hard on them. They only swim if they really have to.

Squirrels are just as curious as cats, even when it comes to the ferocious owl.

A squirrel meets a White-throated Kingfisher. Who will leave the branch?

Sunset and silhouette taken in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Mothers in Nature

2015-04-25T12:24:00.000+05:00

One of the thing we have most common with animals is our sense of family, and taking care of those that are close to us. More than anything, this comes to light when we look at mothers in nature and the animal kingdom, Not so different than our own, they are patient, giving, tenacious and wise, giving their children all of themselves. Look below for some fantastic photos of mothers in nature...

When your mother asks, 'Do you want a piece of advice?' it is a mere formality. It doesn't matter if you answer yes or no. You're going to get it anyway. Erma Bombeck

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. Sophia Loren

It is not until you become a mother that your judgement slowly turns to compassion and understanding. Erma Bombeck

Yes, Mother. I can see you are flawed. You have not hidden it. That is your greatest gift to me. Alice Walker

For me, nothing has ever taken precedence over being a mother and having a family and a home.

Jessica Lange

Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother. Oprah Winfrey

A mother's arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them. Victor Hugo

30 Surprising Animal Facts

2015-04-25T11:50:00.000+05:00

The Animal world is awe-inspiring and full of surprises. Here are some animal facts that will amaze, amuse and teach you something new. Plus - super cute photos!

1. Did you know that Turtles can breath through their anus?!

2. If a Squirrel finds a baby squirrel without parents, it will immediately adopt it!

3. Bees communicate through a complex dance.

4. Did you know that Dolphins actually have specific names for each other?

5. In Japan, Macaques search for lost coins, as they learned to use vending machines!

6. Humpback Whales can get a song stuck in their head!

7. Did you know that a group of Pugs is called a "Grumble"?

8. Baby Chimpanzees will pick up and play with rocks and sticks, pretending they're babies.

9. This surprised me too, but apparently, rats mice are ticklish and can actually laugh!

10. Ever seen an excited bunny do this? It's called a "Binky"...

11. So a group of bunnies is called a "Fluffle" and that's just too adorable!

12. Shaved Guinea Pigs look exactly baby Hippos!

13. When passing by another, an ant will bow its head in greeting. Aren't these little fellas polite ?

14. Did you know that the Norwegian Army has a Knighted Colonel who's a Penguin?! his name is Colonel-in-Chief, Sir Nils Olav!

15.Goats from different parts of the world actually have different accents!

16. Pom-pom Crabs aren't the ocean's cheerleaders, they actually pick poisonous anemones and wave them to defend themselves from predators.

17. Speaking of Macaques again, when they're young - these guys make snowballs for fun! (but unlike us, they don't throw them at each other...)

18. Ever seen dogs play around, then suddenly sneeze? That's how they tell each other that this is a game and not real aggression.

19. Fennec Foxes have extra-hairy feet, they act snow boots - but for sand, making sure the fox can run faster and doesn't get burns on their little fluffy feet.

20. Sea Horses are amazing! They mate for life and when they swim around, they'll hold onto their mate's tail. (Oh, and the males actually get pregnant)

21. When Otters go to sleep at night, they hold hands so they don't get separated.

22. Does your cat bump its head against you? Its their way of showing that they trust you!

23. In Sweden, they have an actual bunny-jumping show, called "Kaninhoppning" (Seriously!)

24.Crows are known for being intelligent, but did you also know that they're such rascals that they play pranks on each other, just for fun?

25. Cows choose other cows as best-friends and spend all their time together.

26. Did you know that when they play, male puppies will let the females win?

27. Squirrels hide some of their nuts by burying them, but they're also forgetful and these forgotten nuts lead to hundreds of new trees each year!

28. Did you know that Elephant Shrews are actually related to Elephants, not Shrews?

29. You probably heard that Otters use rocks to break-open mollusks, but did you know that they have a "favourite" rock, which they keep in a special pocket made of a skin-flap?

30. Wombat poop is square! (but they're so adorable!)

I hope you enjoyed reading these as much as I did!

18 Colossal Sea Creatures That Actually Exist

2015-04-22T23:11:00.001+05:00

The ocean is an amazing place full of many unusual forms of life. You won't believe the size of these 18 colossal sea creatures. Wait until you see what lurks beneath the ocean's surface.

1) Blue Whale

The blue whale is the largest animal ever known to exist in the world. They are nearly 100 feet (30 m) and weigh a staggering 180 metric tons. The blue whale's heart is the size of a car, just to put things into perspective.

2) Great White Shark

Everyone is familiar with the great white, especially after the 1975 hit film, Jaws. Adult males can grow up to 21 feet (6.4 m) and weigh over 7,000lbs (3,175 kg). They are typically found swimming the waters in South Africa, Mexico and Australia.

3) Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

Ocean mantas can grow over 30 feet (9 m) in width and have a lifespan of about 20 years. They make their home in tropical and subtropical waters, primarily in Thailand.

4) Southern Elephant Seal

These massive creatures are the largest of the seal family, weighing anywhere between 8,800 lbs (4,000 kg), and measuring over 20 feet (6 m) for males. Believe it or not, they actually get their name from their trunk- snouts.

5) Fin Whale

The fin whale is the second largest behind the blue whale. They are more commonly referred to as razorbacks or common rorqual and found in the Northern Atlantic and Southern Hemispheres. Adults grow to reach around 90 feet (27.4 m), with and tip the scales at over 80 short tons (74 metric tons).

6) Whale Shark

If you thought the great white was large, wait until you see the size of its distant relative, the gigantic whale shark. Whale sharks are slow-moving filter feeding sharks. They weigh around 21.5 metric tons and can grow over 42 feet (12.8 m), and are known to pop up throughout the South African waters.

7) Giant Squid

Giant squids are deep-sea dwellers that belong to the Architeuthidae family. These bizarre creatures can grow nearly 60 feet (18.3 m) in size. They are also the largest invertebrates on Earth.

8) Giant Isopod

Giant isopods are members of the crustacean family and a distant relative to shrimp and crabs. Giant isopods measure 30 inches (76 cm) in length and weigh about 3.7lbs (1.7 kg). They are commonly found in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

9) Portuguese Man-of-War

These odd shaped marine mammals are often confused for jellyfish, but they belong to a single multicellular organism family known as siphonophores.Their massive tentacles reach over 165 feet (50 m), despite having relatively small body frames.

10) Sperm Whale

Sperm whales are known for their incredible diving depth when scooping below the ocean floors. They can reach 7,380 feet (2,249 m) below the surface to snack on squid, which is their prey of choice. Adult males can reach 67 feet (20.5 m) as well.

11) Caribbean Barrel Sponge

The giant barrel sponge are nicknamed the "redwood of the reef" due to its long lifespan, which can be up to 2,000 years. They grow at depths that range from 33 feet down (10 m) all the way to 390 feet (120 m) beneath the ocean surface.

12) Giant Oarfish

Giant oarfish can grow up to 36 feet (11 m) in length, despite being nearly palm-size at birth. The massive one seen here was discovered by U.S. servicemen after it had washed up on the San Diego shores of California in 1996. It measured a staggering 23 feet (7 m) in size.

13) Giant Tube Worm

Giant tube worms live several miles deep beneath the Pacific Ocean floors near black smokers (sea vents). They can reach a length of up to 8 feet (2.4 m) and have a very high tolerance for hydrogen sulfide levels.

14) Giant Pacific Octopus

The giant Pacific octopus grows larger than any octopus species and outlives them all. The largest one ever found measured a whopping 30 feet (9.1m) in length and weighed over 600 lbs (272 kg).

15) Lion's Mane Jellyfish

Lion's mane jellyfish is the largest of its species, measuring up to 7.6 feet (2.3 m) in diameter, with tentacles extending beyond 120 feet (37 m). The life- model seen here is on display at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

16) Giant Sea Star

The giant sea star might have been the of inspiration for the Sponge Bob Square Pants character of Patrick Star. They are typically found along the western coast of North America and can grow as large as 24 inches (61 cm) in size.

17) Japanese Spider Crab

The Japanese spider crab looks something straight out of a science fiction movie, but it is indeed very real. The massive crab has the record for longest leg span of any living arthropod. They can reach over 12 feet (3.8 m) and weigh upto 42 lbs (19 kg).

18) Giant Clam

The giant clam can grow up to 4 feet (1.2 m) in length, topping the scales at a jaw-dropping weight of 500 lbs (227 kg). They are found at the bottom of the South Pacific and Indian Ocean floors. The giant clam spends the duration of their life cycle attached to one particular spot on a coral reef.

10 New Animal Species Discovered in 2014

2015-04-11T19:27:00.000+05:00

Generally it is considered that the natural world has all been documented by pioneering scientists and travelling adventurers and that there’s nothing new to uncover. It’s exciting to learn that this is not the case and that every year research teams are still unearthing amazing new animal species and plant life. Here are ten of the most notable living species discovered in 2014.

1. A brightly coloured Outback newcomer

Scientific name: Maratus pardus

This colourful peacock species spider was found in Western Australia and was named Pardus (Latin for leopard) because of its leopard-like spots. It’s also as a tribute to the cat-like movements it makes.

2. An Amazonian toupee monkey

Scientific name: Pithecia isabela

Called Isabel’s saki, these primates look like they’re wearing bad toupees. They were discovered by Laura Marsh, the co-founder of the Global Conservation Institute. These fruit-eating monkeys are acrobatic, live in trees and play an essential role in spreading seeds across the Amazon.

3. Peruvian spider mystery

This discovery remains a mystery. Graduate student Troy Alexander discovered a strange web formation under a tarp,while volunteering in the Peruvian Amazon. This discovery has stumped experts and after much research, scientists narrowed it down to being web towers for spider eggs, however, they’re not certain about the species or why there is a picket-fence circle.

4. Cryptic Middle Eastern owl

Scientific name: Strix hadaromi

The Desert Tawny owl lives in the deserts of Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman and Yemen. This cryptic species was described by a team of ornithologists in Bern, Switzerland, led by Dr. Manuel Schweizer.The scientific name pays respect to Israeli ornithologist Hadoram Shirihai.

5. Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog: the coughing frog

Scientific Name: Rana kauffeldi

This American frog, found in the north east extending from Connecticut until North Carolina, is distinctive for its cough-sounding croak. This frog is 2 ¼ to 2 ¾ inches big and was named in honour of Carl Kauffield, an amphibian expert, who suggested the small frog existed in 1937.

6. Meet the Olinguito

This carnivorous mammal belongs to the raccoon family and looks like a teddy bear crossed with a slinky cat. The olinguito is a secretive animal who lives in the trees of Andes mountain forests, in Colombia and Ecuador. This discovery is quite a find for the scientific community: the olinguito is the first new carnivorous mammal discovered in the Western Hemisphere in the last 35 years.

7. A spelunking snail

Scientific name: Zospeum tholussum

Technically this small snail was discovered at the end of 2013 however, the scientific community only made headways about its habits in 2014. This 2 mm tall snail is transparent with a dome-like shell and was found down a 3000-feet (914 meter) cave in Croatia. It is believed to only move a few millimeters per week, breaking land-creep records.

8. Malagasy gecko

Scientific name: Paroedura hordiesi

This nocturnal gecko was discovered in northern Madagascar hiding out in an old French fort. A similar species was detected in 2004, but new genetic analysis shows that this gecko species is distinctive. This gecko has adapted well to its surroundings and masterfully camouflages itself among the fortress’ ruins.

9. Antarctica has life

Researchers discovered something amazing during a trip to the icy shores of Antarctica: that there is life inside the ice. The Edwardsiella andrillae, a new form of sea anemone, thrives in extremely cold climates and loves living inside the sea ice.

10. Australian humpback dolphins

Scientific name: Sousa Sahulensis

There are Sousa humpback dolphins along the coasts of Africa and Asia but only recently have scientists determined that the Sousa dolphins off the coast of Australia are a separate species. ‘Sahulensis’ is named after the Sahul Shelf, between northern Australia and southern New Guinea where the dolphins live.

23 Rare and Stunning Butterfly SpeciesThat May Soon Become Extinct

2015-04-08T16:14:00.000+05:00

Butterflies are some of the most beautiful creatures to look at in all of nature. They bring a certain sense of peace and harmony to any given surrounding.

The butterflies seen here are extremely rare and placed high atop the endangered species list. It would be a real shame to lose them, especially after you see just how beautiful they are. Here are 23 gorgeous and exotic butterflies that might someday become extinct:

1) The Monarch

The orange and black Monarch is a North American native that begins its migration to Mexico for the winter. The Monarch has quite a journey too, spanning between 1,200 to 2,800 miles (1,931 km to 4,506 km). There are about 33 million Monarchs remaining in existence today.

2) Sapho Longwing

This gorgeous light blue and white butterfly is a native of Costa Rica and certain rainforests in Belize. Sapho Longwings differ from other butterfly species in that they only breed on one specific plant.

3) Blue Morpho

Blue Morphos are very easy to spot, since their enormous bright blue wings stretch nearly 8 inches across (20 cm) in size. They appear almost invisible when they take off, due to their dark brown and bright blue colors intertwining together.

4) Question Mark Butterfly

This beautiful butterfly can be found in North America. They mainly reside in wooded areas and city parks, or generally in areas that have trees and free spaces. The adult butterfly has a wingspan of 4.5–7.6 cm.

5) Mitchell's Satyr

Neonympha mitchellii is an endangered species of nymphalid butterfly of the eastern United States.

6) Purple Emperor

The Purple Emperor (Apatura iris) butterfly is Eurasian. Adults can be identified by their dark brown wings with white bands and spots and an orange ring on each of the hindwings. Males usually have a wingspan of about 70–80mm (2.8–3.1 inches), and have an purple-blue sheen that the slightly larger (80–92mm) females do not.

7) Banded Peacock

The Banded Peacock is a South Asian native, seen mostly throughout parts of India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. The lime green and dark black colors easily distinguish them apart from other species.

8) Ceylon Rose

The Ceylon Rose, sometimes Sri Lankan Rose (Pachliopta jophon) is a butterfly found in Sri Lanka that belongs to the Swallowtail family. It was earlier classified as a subspecies of Crimson Rose. It is critically endangered, declining due to loss of habitat.

9) Chimaera Birdwing

The Chimaera Birdwing (Ornithoptera chimaera) is a birdwing butterfly of the papilionidae family. It is found in mountain areas of New Guinea, in heights of 1,000 meters above sea level.

10) Bhutan Glory

The Bhutan Glory is a species of swallowtail butterfly that is found in Bhutan, parts of northeastern India and of Southeast Asia. A spectacular insect much sought after by collectors, which has contributed to its rarity...

11) Schaus Swallowtail

Schaus' swallowtail or the island swallowtail is a species of American butterfly. It can be found in southern Florida, while subspecies have been seen in the Bahamas, Hispaniola, and Cuba. This butterfly is an extremely endangered species, with only a few hundred individuals left. In fact, it was one of the first insects to gain federal protection in 1978.

12) Saturn Butterfly

This butterfly has a wingspan of about 3.9-4.3 inches (10-11 cm). It can be found in shady forest areas. The male (shown above) is darker than the female. It is mostly found in Malaysia, Borneo, the Philippines, Myanmar and Sumatra.

13) Jamaican Giant Swallowtail

The Swallowtail is one of the largest butterfly species throughout North and South America. They can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) across with yellow and dark blue bands. They live in remote habitats throughout the island of Jamaica.

14) Luzon Peacock Swallowtail

Luzon Peacock Swallowtails were originally discovered in the Philippines around 1965. They have a wingspan of over 4 inches (10 cm) and have been listed as an endangered species since 1996.

15) Richmond Birdwing

The beautifully colored Richmond Birdwing makes its home in the land down under. The native Australian species were plagued with habitat destruction and drought throughout the years.

16) Wallace's Golden Birdwing

The Wallace's Golden Birdwing can only be seen in northern Maluku, Indonesia. The male has black wings with a yellow costal band. The females are larger than the males, with brown wings marked with yellow lines.

17) Island Marble

This butterfly appeared after 100 years of everyone certain it was extinct. It turned up on San Juan island in 1998. Efforts are ongoing to protect this rare butterfly.

18) Golden Kaiser-i-Hind

The lime green and gold colors give the Golden Kaiser-i-Hind its name. They are native to the Papilionidae family, and can be found in certain Asian countries, such as China and Vietnam.

19) Spicebush Swallowtail

The spicebush swallowtail gets its name from the plant it frequents the most - the spicebush. The Spicebush Swallowtails belong to a family of the largest butterflies in the world. They are unique in that even while feeding, they continue to flutter their wings. Un many other butterflies of their family, Spicebushes butterflies fly low to the ground instead of at great heights.

20) Glasswinged Butterfly

This beautiful butterfly, named 'Greta oto' but nicknamed the 'glass butterfly' opens to each side 6 cm of incredibly beautiful, and completely transparent, wings. A close look at the glass butterfly's wings will show you that through the veins running across its wings, you can see a perfect image. Adults glass butterflies also exhibit a number of interesting behaviours, such as long migrations.

21) Banded Orange Tiger

The Banded Orange Heliconian is native to South and Central America, ranging from Brazil to central Mexico. However, in the summer it has been seen as far north as Kansas in the United States. Its wingspan ranges from 86 to 89 mm, and it is colored a bright orange with thick black stripes in males, and a duller orange with fuzzier black stripes in females.

22) Palos Verdes Blue

The chances of spotting the Palos Verdes Blue are quite slim, since they are considered to be the rarest species of butterfly in existence. There are less than several of them hundred throughout the world.

23) Common Buckeye

The Common Buckeye makes its home throughout the Canadian regions of Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and certain parts of Central America. They were even featured on a 2006 U.S. Postal Service stamp.

Newly Discovered Animals

2015-03-24T22:54:00.001+05:00

You don't need to wait for the year to turn to discover all the hidden wonders nature has in store, but why not use the opportunity! These are some of the coolest and most interesting species that were recently discovered.

Tigrina (Leopardus guttulus)

This new species of wild cat was discovered in Brazil this year, and there is still much more that scientists are trying to find out about this species. It is about the size of a house cat, but has a patterned fur a leopard and a differently shaped face.

Olinguito (Bassaricyon neblina)

Part of the raccoon family, this newly discovered species lives in forests surrounding the Andes Mountains in western Colombia and Ecuador. On average, an olinguito weighs only 2 pounds, about 900 grams, and is the first new carnivore species discovered in the Western Hemisphere in the past 35 years.

Walking Shark (Hemiscyllium halmahera)

This new species of shark was discovered off the coast of Halmahera, Indonesia in 2008, and now has officially been identified as a new species. The Walking Shark is a new species of epaulet characterized by its method of foraging for smaller fish and crustaceans by using its pelvis to 'walk' on the sea floor.

A Vivid Giant Clam

Discovered neat the Solomon Islands at the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, this beautiful clam has yet to be officially named. It shares some features with a similar Tridacna clam, but recent DNA tests show that they are different species.

Skeleton Shrimp (Liropus minusculus)

The scary name refers to this specie's thread and slender body which allows them to disappear among filaments of seaweed and other sea particles. Sometimes, they are also referred to as ghost shrimp.

Unique Plant hopper

A strange new species of plant hoppers, or insects that hop grasshoppers from plant to plant, with a distinct tuft of white hair was discovered this year, and has yet to be named. It measures about 5 millimeters long and was discovered by scientists in south Suriname. The team not only stumbled upon this magnificent insect, but also 60 new species that they believe are new science.

Baturite Porcupine (Coendou baturitensis)

A new species of porcupine discovered in the Baturite Mountains of Brazil and it is so cute! It is possible that this species resides only in the Baturite Range of the Brazilian state of Ceara.

Hopbeard Plunderfish (Pogonophryne neyelovi)

A new species of deep-sea fish was discovered in Antarctica by a team of Ukrainian on a fishing trip near the continent. The fish have brown-splotched bodies, sharp fins and strange 'barbels', or what look little Q-tips at the end of their chins.

Omani Owl

Spotted for the first time in the mountainous region of the country of Oman. The bird was identified by two naturalists by its unfamiliar hoot and they believe that they have discovered a new genus of Arabian owl.

Pirate Ant (Cardiocondyla pirata)

The dark-colored patches around these ants' eyes are what gave them their name. They were discovered by a team of German scientists while on a trip to the Philippines living under a rock. The scientists said that the ants were nearly invisible due to their translucent bodies, and they believe that the eye path serves to confuse and distract predators.

Healthier Alternatives

2015-03-15T20:01:00.000+05:00

If you could be offered foods that are just as tasty as what you eat, but much healthier for you, wouldn't you prefer to eat them? I would, and that is why I have this wonderful list for you, that exchanges one food for another. Similar taste - but much healthier.

The Amazing World of Birds of Prey

2015-02-14T13:50:00.000+05:00

We're used to thinking of the birds we see everyday - small, bread-crumb-stealing little birdies that fly about in droves or chirp at us from the top of the trees. But some birds are larger, meaner and stronger than the ones we see flying about. These are the birds of prey - the large, predatory animals with wings that dominate the skies and are the scourge of both flying and land-bound animals, that fear that long shadow looming above them.

Many of us know the bald eagle, the condor and the hawk, but now we're going to take a bigger look at this royal family of predatory birds, in all its sizes, shapes and colors!

Condor is the name for two species of vultures, each in a monotypic genus. They are the largest flying land birds in the Western Hemisphere. The Andean Condor, which inhabits the Andean mountains and the California Condor currently restricted to western coastal mountains of the United States and Mexico.

The king vulture is a large bird found in Central and South America. It is a member of the New World vulture family Cathartidae. This vulture lives predominantly in tropical lowland forests stretching from southern Mexico to northern Argentina.

The California condor is a New World vulture, the largest North American land bird. This condor became extinct in the wild in 1987 (all remaining wild individuals were captured), but the species has been reintroduced to several location in the United States.

The Andean condor is a South American bird in the New World vulture family Cathartidae and is the only member of the genus Vulture.

The Cape griffon or Cape vulture, also known as Kolbe's vulture, is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks.

The griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) is a large Old World vulture in the bird of prey family Accipitridae. Like other vultures, it is a scavenger, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals which it finds by soaring over open areas, often moving in flocks.

The bearded vulture, also known as the lammergeier or lammergeyer, is the only member of the genus Gypaetus. It eats mainly carrion and lives and breeds on crags in high mountains in southern Europe, the Caucasus, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and Tibet, laying one or two eggs in mid-winter that hatch at the beginning of spring. Populations are resident.

The Egyptian vulture, also called the white scavenger vulture or pharaoh's chicken, is a small Old World vulture and the only member of the genus Neophron.

It is the most widely distributed species of eagle. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. These birds are dark brown, with lighter golden-brown plumage on their napes. Immature eagles of this species typically have white on the tail and often have white markings on the wings. Golden eagles use their agility and speed combined with powerful feet and massive, sharp talons to snatch up a variety of prey (mainly hares, rabbits, marmots and other ground squirrels).

The eastern imperial eagle is a large species of bird of prey that breeds from southeastern Europe to western and central Asia. Most populations are migratory and winter in northeastern Africa, and southern and eastern Asia.

Verreaux's eagle is a large African bird of prey. It is also called the black eagle, especially in Southern Africa, leading to potential confusion with the Indian black eagle, which lives in Asia.

The Wahlberg's eagle is a bird of prey. It is about 53–61 cm in length with a wingspan of 130–146 cm and a body mass of 437–845 g for males and 670–1400 g for females on average. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae.

The white-tailed eagle — also called the sea eagle, erne, and white-tailed sea-eagle — is a large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which includes other raptors such as hawks, kites, and harriers

The African fish eagle or – to distinguish it from the true fish eagles, the African sea eagle – is a large species of eagle that is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa wherever large bodies of open water occur that have an abundant food supply.

The bald eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. A sea eagle, it has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the white-tailed eagle.

The bald eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. A sea eagle, it has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla). Its range includes most of Canada and Alaska, all of the contiguous United States, and northern Mexico. It is found near large bodies of open water with an abundant food supply and old-growth trees for nesting.

The bald eagle is an opportunistic feeder which subsists mainly on fish, which it swoops down and snatches from the water with its talons. It builds the largest nest of any North American bird and the largest tree nests ever recorded for any animal species, up to 4 m (13 ft) deep, 2.5 m (8.2 ft) wide, and 1 metric ton (1.1 short tons) in weight.

The harpy eagle is a Neotropical species of eagle. It is sometimes known as the American harpy eagle to distinguish it from the Papuan eagle which is sometimes known as the New Guinea harpy eagle or Papuan harpy eagle.

The red kite is a medium-large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards, and harriers.

The black kite is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors

The brahminy kite also known as the red-backed sea-eagle in Australia, is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards and harriers.

The black-winged kite is a small diurnal bird of prey in the family Accipitridae best known for its habit of hovering over open grasslands in the manner of the much smaller kestrels.

The swallow-tailed kite is an elanid kite which breeds from the southeastern United States to eastern Peru and northern Argentina. Most North and Central American breeders winter in South America where the species is resident year round.

The rough-legged buzzard, also called the rough-legged hawk is a medium-large bird of prey. It is found in Arctic and Subarctic regions of North America and Eurasia during the breeding season and migrates south for the winter.

The red-shouldered hawk is a medium-sized hawk. Its breeding range spans eastern North America and along the coast of California and northern to northeastern-central Mexico.

The red-tailed hawk is a bird of prey, one of three species colloquially known in the United States as the "chickenhawk," though it rarely preys on standard sized chickens.

The osprey, sometimes known as the sea hawk, fish eagle, river hawk or fish hawk, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. It is a large raptor, reaching more than 60 cm in length and 180 cm across the wings.

The crested serpent eagle is a medium-sized bird of prey that is found in forested habitats across tropical As

The brown snake eagle is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family. found in Southern and Eastern Africa, in countries such as Sudan, South Africa, Mauritania and Senegal.

The short-toed snake eagle also known as short-toed eagle, is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, buzzards and harriers.

The bateleur is a medium-sized eagle in the family Accipitridae. Its closest relatives are the snake eagles. It is the only member of the genus Terathopius and may be the origin of the "Zimbabwe Bird", national emblem of Zimbabwe.

The secretarybird or secretary bird is a very large, mostly terrestrial bird of prey. Endemic to Africa, it is usually found in the open grasslands and savannah of the sub-Saharan region.

The Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus), also known as the northern sparrowhawk or simply the sparrowhawk, is a small bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. Adult male Eurasian sparrowhawks have bluish grey upperparts and orange-barred underparts; females and juveniles are brown above with brown barring below. The female is up to 25% larger than the male – one of the largest differences between the sexes in any bird species.

Cooper's hawk is a medium-sized hawk native to the North American continent and found from Southern Canada to Northern Mexico. As in many birds of prey, the male is smaller than the female.

The African goshawk is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family. As defined here following the Handbook of the Birds of the World, it is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi and Central Africa.

The pale chanting goshawk is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. This hawk breeds in southern Africa. It is a resident species of dry, open semi-desert with 75 cm or less annual rainfall.

The northern goshawk, Accipiter gentilis, is a medium-large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes other diurnal raptors, such as eagles, buzzards and harriers.

The common kestrel is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel.

The American kestrel, sometimes colloquially known as the sparrow hawk, is a small falcon, and the only kestrel found in the Americas. It is the most common falcon in North America, and is found in a wide variety of habitats.

. A falcon is any one of 37 species of raptor in the genus Falco,widely distributed on all continents of the world.

Adult falcons have thin tapered wings, which enable them to fly at high speed and to change direction rapidly. Fledgling falcons, in their first year of flying, have longer flight feathers, which makes their configuration more like that of a general-purpose bird such as a broadwing. This makes it easier to fly while learning the exceptional skills required to be effective hunters as adults.

The peregrine falcon, also known as the peregrine, and historically as the duck hawk in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae.

The saker falcon is a very large falcon. This species breeds from eastern Europe eastwards across Asia to Manchuria.

The northern crested caracara, also called the northern caracara and crested caracara, is a bird of prey in the family Falconidae.

The striated caracara, is a bird of prey of the Falconidae family. In the Falkland Islands it is known as the Johnny rook.

The mountain caracara is a species of bird of prey in the Falconidae family. It is found in puna and páramo in the Andes, ranging from southern Ecuador, through Peru and Bolivia, to northern Argentina and Chile.

The World's 10 Most Expensive Flowers

2015-02-07T11:16:00.000+05:00

How expensive could a flower be? Well, if you thought that a bud picked from the ground is one of nature's simpler gifts, you may just be wrong. Here are the world's 10 most expensive flowers that will change your perception of 'free nature'.

10. Lisianthus

With a bundle of lisianthus running at $10- $35, this is one of the world's most expensive flowers. Wide, ruffled and delicate oval petals 'dipped' in violet and long, leafy stems characterize the beautiful lisianthus flower. The flower is expensive because it only keeps for two-three weeks after being cut and cannot be frozen like many other varieties.

9. Lily of the Valley

This majestic white flower runs at about $15- $50 a bundle, but is still very popular because of its delicate look. The flower only grows once a year, during early spring and is expensive because it has a maximum lifespan of two weeks.

8. Gloriosa

A native flower of South Africa and some Asian countries. The price per flower for every Gloriosa is about $6- $10. Its unique appearance of long tendrils and red, orange and yellow petals is what makes the flower unique, as well as its scarcity in many locations around the world.

7. Hydrangea

One of the most popular flowers for weddings and elegant events. These colorful and full shrubs can grow to a height of 1 to 3 meters tall! Their are most plentiful in the early spring and late autumn and come in an array of colors including white, blue, pink, light purple and violet, sometimes even in blends. Yet these gorgeous flowers run at about $6.50 a stem because they require a lot of effort to harvest and cultivate.

6. 17th Century Tulip Bulb

Tulips are some of the most common and simple flowers, but in the 17th century, they were rare and extremely hard to come by. The deep colors of this particular tulip are said to be stronger than in any other flower at that time. During the 17th century, they ran at about 10,000 guilders, or $5,700 a bunch, and today they remain a noted status symbol.

5. Saffron Crocus

The Saffron crocus is more famous as a spice than as a flower, but it is still one of the most stunning and expensive flowers out there. Its yellow center is what eventually becomes the highly valued spice saffron, but it can take up to 80,000 flowers just to create 500 grams of spice. For this reason, a pound of saffron flowers can cost between $1200- $1500!

4. Gold of Kinabalu Orchid

Orchids are stunning, but very delicate flowers that can be grown in every climate. One of the most expensive is the Gold of Kinabalu orchid that runs at $6000 per piece and can only be found in the Kinabalu National Park in Malaysia. Also, growing this flower is more difficult than most because its bloom can take up to 15 years!

3. Shenzhen Nongke Orchid

This orchid was engineered by botanists and its name is derived from the group of researchers that conducted the experiment that made it. The researchers spent eight years growing and observing the flower, and it is expensive not only due to its rarity, conditions of cultivation and background, but also for its stunning appearance. It takes about four to five years for this orchid to blossom, and it is supposed to have a wonderful taste.

2. Juliet Rose

Deemed one of the world's most elegant and beautiful flowers, the Juliet Rose runs is known as the $15.8 million flower! The rose was introduced to the market in 2006 at the Chelsea Flower Show in London, and its breeder, David Austin spent 15 years and nearly 3 million pounds to develop the flower. Currently, a bouquet of them will run you about $150, which is by no means cheap!

1. Kadupul Flower

The native flower of Sri Lanka, the Kadupul flower is the world's most expensive because it is priceless! The Kadupul flower does not have a price tag because the moment it is picked, it usually dies. Also, every flower survives the night, but dies at dawn, which is characteristic its cactus roots. The fragrance of the Kadupul is noted worldwide for its calming qualities, but unfortunately, unless its scent is trapped in a bottle, most will never have the chance to waft its soothing scent

And Gul Khan Died

2015-01-27T11:14:00.000+05:00

Gul Khan died yesterday. The news of his death came as a shock to me.
You may be inquisitive as to who was Gul Khan?

Well he was nobody. Not anybody of the notables. He was a man of 75 years of age and was a street hawker. He used to sell cigarettes and naswar (chewing tobacco) from his small tray or box hanging in front of his chest by his neck. I came to know of him when I joined the bar as an advocate and started visiting the courts of law. There I saw a tall old handsome man selling cigarettes and naswar (chewing tobacco). After a while I learnt that his name was Gul Khan and he is a regular in the courts. Whether the courts are on or off he was there doing his business. I always saw him smiling and I saw people including lawyers cracking jokes with him. One day, when there was not much work and I was sitting under a walnut tree that he came and sat beside me. He started narrating different happenings of the day.

It was there when I asked him, “Gul Khan, can I ask you a personal question?” he said, “sure go ahead. “

I asked, “what is your age?”

He said,” I shall be 70 this summer”.

I asked, “Don’t you have some family, children to look you after? You are working so hard in this old age to earn your living.”

He kept quite a long time looking far ahead. I could see a glimpse of sadness creeps into his eyes. Then I saw a spark of hope come into his eyes and noticed that he came back and slight smile came to the corners of his eyes. Then he looked towards me and said, “Durrani Sahab, do you really want to know my story?”

I said, “ Yes.”

Now I was becoming very curious after observing the changes in his eyes.

He said, “Well, it is almost 52 years back when I was a lad of 18 years. I was very handsome, energetic and very popular in my circle. I was the only son of my parents. My father was a woodcutter and use to cut wood from the forest and sell it in the market. Though my father earned a little but those were good old days and we were living alright. One day I saw Bano, the daughter of a shopkeeper in our neighborhood. She was so pretty that immediately I fell in love with her. We had a little talk and shyly she also responded to my feeling. I could also see a reflection of love and affection in her eyes. I still remember that I could not sleep the whole night, changing sides in my bed and her thoughts in my mind. The next morning, I told my mother about it and confessed before her about me falling in love with Bano and requested her to ask Bano’s hand for marriage for me. My mother agreed.

On return of my father, my mother told my father and the next day they went to Bano’s parents. On their return I learnt that Bano’s father has demanded Rupees 100,000/- as Vulvar (money which is given in return for the girl to her parents). My parents told Bano’s father that the money is too much for us and we don’t afford it but he didn't bulge. My parents told me that Bano’s father is being unreasonable but I said it is alright. On this note I told my parents to go tell Bano’s father that I will do my best to arrange it and he has to give me some time. On this note my parents went and on return informed me that Bano’s father was giving one year but after some negotiation has agreed to give five years.

Please note that those were good old days and it was 1938 and gold was hardly 25/30 rupees a ten grams.

I started working very hard and started saving. After five years I was able to save only Rs. 10,000/-. My parents went to Bano’s father and told him so but still he did not bulge a bit. However, he agreed to give me another five years time.

So I kept struggling and kept saving and a time came when my savings were Rs. 90,000/-. This was some five years back. In the meanwhile my parents died. I sold my house and added that money also to my saving.

I asked, “You sold your house..! Then where do you live?”

He said, “As I also got old and was unable to do hard labor, so I sold my house to get extra boost in my savings and moved here at the court some ten years back and started living under a staircase. I started selling cigarettes, naswar and toffees.”

I asked,” now what is your status?”

Gul Khan said, “Well, last year I was able to reach the figure of 100,000/- at last. I went to Bano’s father, who is almost 95 years old. He told me that I have taken too long to get to the figure. Now I have to give him Rs. 150,000/-.”

I could not control myself and shouted,” What the hell? Then what did you say?”

Gul Khan said, “Well, Durrani Sahab what could I say. I agreed.”

I asked,” How old are you now and how old is Bano?”

Gul Khan said,” I am almost 70 and Bano is of my age and luckily still not married.”

I really started feeling pity on this man. But appreciated his consistence and steadfastness. We dispersed.

After a year I saw Gul Khan sitting quiet and sad under a tree. Though inquisitive but as I was rushing for a court hearing for my case appearance so I made it a point that I will meet him on my return.

After the hearing I started looking for Gul Khan and found him still sitting at the same place. I went to him and after asking his good health I asked as to what’s wrong.

Gul Khan said, “Durrani sahab, last night somebody stole my 150,000 rupees which I was finally able to gather.”

“What!” I screamed in shock and surprise, “How does this happened and when and where the money was kept?”

With tears in his eyes he said, “I had kept it in my living place in a box. Last evening I went to buy some food. When I returned, I saw that the lock of my place is broken and the money is stolen from the box.”

I had no words to console this man. I asked, “Now what?”

Gul Khan said, “Well, no problem. I will try to save the amount again.”

I saw determination in his Eyes and felt it in his voice.
I salute this man.

I could not meet Gul Khan after that as I had to move out of the city and now I received the news of his death. After inquiring as to what happened, I learned this.

Gul Khan has kept the news of his money being stolen to himself and did not let this know to Bano’s father. Two days back the news travelled to Bano’s father. Who in turn called Gul Khan for confirmation? Gul Khan gave the confirmation but assured Bano’s father that he will gather it altogether again and came back.

The same evening Bano died. She was buried the same night.
Next morning people found Gul Khan Dead on the grave of Bano, embracing the grave, his hands spread over the grave as if embracing and kissing someone.

The Stomach Germs You Need to Avoid!

2015-01-27T10:52:00.002+05:00

With population numbers rising, one thing that is becoming more common is catching infections and passing them on to the people around us. One common form of infection comes from a group of bacteria that are found in many foods and animal feces, which means we have to constantly be careful and follow some basic rules to avoid.

It is important to understand what these germs are and what they do, and most of all - how to avoid them!

E. Coli

The E. Coli germ lives in the colon of people and animals such as cows, sheep and goats. Usually, the bacteria is not harmful and is required for the routine activities of the digestive system, but when some touch occurs with feces, there is a risk of infection. The bacteria usually travels through uncooked meat, polluted water and unpasteurized dairy products.

Symptoms of infection from E Coli include severe diarrhea, stomach aches and vomiting which can last between 5 to 10 days. Also, E Coli bacteria may cause urinary infections, with women being especially susceptible.

Although the vast majority of E Coli bacteria aren't dangerous, there are strands which can cause bloody diarreas, kidney malfunction and even death.

To avoid infection, be sure to properly cook your meat, watch fruit and vegetables thoroughly before eating or cooking them and avoid drinking unpasteurized milk and juice. Make sure to clean your hands well after going to the rest room and to thoroughly clean kitchenware and work surfaces that came in contact with uncooked meat.

Campylobacter

Campylobacter jejuni is a species of bacteria commonly found in animal feces. It is one of the most common causes of human gastroenteritis in the world. Food poisoning caused by Campylobacter species can be severely debilitating, but is rarely life-threatening.

C. jejuni is commonly associated with poultry, and it naturally colonizes the digestive tract of many bird species. One study found that 30% of European starlings in farm settings in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, were carriers of C. jejuni. It is also common in cattle.

Avoid contaminated drinking water and unpasteurized milk, which provide an efficient means for distribution.

Contaminated food is a major source of isolated infections, with incorrectly prepared meat and poultry as the primary source of the bacteria.

The causative agent of the relatively rare bacterial disease, listeriosis, a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacteria. The disease affects primarily pregnant women, newborns, adults with weakened immune systems, and the elderly.

Listeria

Listeria germs are found in the soil and in water, and so can appear on raw foods such as fruit and vegetables, raw meat and fish as well as unpasteurized dairy products. Unlike other bacteria, this species can also grow and spread in the relatively low temperatures of the average fridge.

Most Listeria bacteria are handled by the immune system before they can cause infection, but some 'get away' and cause Listeriosis.

Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, shivers, headaches and vomiting. People at high risk to suffer from a listeria infection are pregnant women and their fetuses, adults over 50 and people who have a weak immune system.

Listeriosis may not affect a lot of people, research suggests that every year it affects about 1,600 people globally. However, out of those 1600, 260 die.

To avoid infection, we repeat our advice to scrubs vegetables and fruit before eating, clean any spills in the kitchen, especially raw meat juices.

Vibrio

The Vibrio Parahaemolyticus germs live in salt water, and are often found in uncooked seafood. They may cause food poisoning which will in turn cause watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever and shivers. Severe cases will cause blood and mucus to appear in the feces.

People who eat fish and uncooked seafood may be infected within 24 hours, while the symptoms may last 3-5 days. Severe infections are rare, but people with a weak immune system are at high risk.

These infections can usually be avoided by thoroughly cooking fish and seafood.

Toxoplasma

According to the CDC, millions of people around the world carry the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. However, only a few of us suffer any symptoms, due to a robust immune system. That said, there are people who develop texeoplasmosis and may suffer a severe infection.

The symptoms, like those of the flu, might be weakness, fever, muscle pain and enlarged lymph nodes.

Like the ones before, the risk groups are pregnant women and people with a weak immune system. The parasite can cause more severe diseases though, which may harm the brain, eyes, liver and lungs.

The toxoplasma gondii bacteria is found in a large variety of animals, but it can only breed in the stomach of a cat. That is why cats are considered the main spreaders. Cats usually catch the parasite by eating raw meat, unwashed vegetables or by contact with other cat feces which contain the eggs of the parasite.

To prevent infection, the CDC recommends cooking your food safely and avoiding low heats, wash your hands while handling raw food, and to avoid unclean water and cat feces.

Salmonella

Salmonella is a group of bacteria usually found in uncooked poultry, eggs, beef and sometimes unwashed fruit and vegetables. Touching food or animals that came in contact with the bacteria might cause an inflammation in your digestive system. This inflammation is called salmonellosis and its symptoms include fever, diarrhea, stomach and head aches which can last between 4 and 7 days.

Most people heal without treatment, but for the elderly, babies and people with chronic diseases, Salmonellosis can spread in the blood, with deadly results.

To avoid infection, avoid eating uncooked eggs, meat and poultry not fully cooked, and keep your raw meat separate from the cooked meat. Also wash everything that came into contact with uncooked foods.

Norovirus

This virus can do harm to the stomach and bowels, and is often called 'stomach flu'. The bacteria are usually found in contaminated food or beverages, but can also be passed by touching surfaces or other people carrying it.

The virus can cause an inflammation in the bowels (gastritis). The symptoms include Fatigue, headaches, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea and fever that tend to last a few days. Most people overcome the disease, but it's important to drink enough fluids to replace what you lost.

To avoid infection, always clean your hands with soap after handling foods, and disinfect work surfaces in the kitchen and restroom.

30 Surprising Animal Facts

2015-01-27T10:39:00.000+05:00

The Animal world is awe-inspiring and full of surprises. Here are some collected animal facts that will amaze, amuse and teach you something new. Additional enjoyment is their super cute pictures!!!

1. Did you know that Turtles can breath through their anus?!

2. If a Squirrel finds a baby squirrel without parents, it will immediately adopt it!

3. Bees communicate through a complex dance.

4. Did you know that Dolphins actually have specific names for each-other?

5. In Japan, Macaques search for lost coins, as they learned to use vending machines!

6. Humpback Whales can get a song stuck in their head!

7. Did you know that a group of Pugs is called a "Grumble"?

8. Baby Chimpanzees will pick up and play with rocks and sticks, pretending they're babys.

9. This surprised me too, but apparently, Rats Mice are ticklish and can actually laugh!

10. Ever seen an excited bunny do this? It's called a "Binky"...

11. So a group of bunnies is called a "Fluffle" and that's just too adorable!

12. Shaved Guinea Pigs look exactly like baby Hippos!

13. When passing by another, an ant will bow it's head in greeting. Aren't these little fellas polite?

14. Did you know that the Norwegian Army has a Knighted Colonel who's a Penguine?! his name is Colonel-in-Chief, Sir Nils Olav!

15. Goats from different parts of the world actually have different accents!

16. Pom-pom Crabs aren't the ocean's cheerleaders, they actually pick poisonous anemones and wave them to defend themselves from predators.

17. Speaking of Macaques again, when they're young - these guys make snowballs for fun! (but unlike us, they don't throw them at eachother...)

18. Ever seen dogs play around, then suddenly sneeze? That's how they tell eachother that this is a game and not real aggression.

19. Fennec Foxes have extra-hairy feet, they act like snowboots - but for sand, making sure the fox can run faster and doesn't get burns on their little fluffy feet.

20. Sea Horses are amazing! They mate for life and when they swim around, they'll hold onto their mate's tail. (Oh, and the males actually get pregnant)

21. When Otters go to sleep at night, they hold hands so they don't get separated.

22. Does your cat bump it's head against you? It's their way of showing that they trust you!

23. In Sweden, they have an actual bunny-jumping show, called "Kaninhoppning" (Seriously!)

24. Crows are known for being intelligent, but did you also know that they're such rascals that they play pranks on eachother, just for fun?

25. Cows choose other cows as best-friends and spend all their time together.

26. Did you know that when they play, male puppies will let the females win?

27. Squirrels hide some of their nuts by burying them, but they're also forgetful and these forgotten nuts lead to hundreds of new trees each year!

28. Did you know that Elephant Shrews are actually related to Elephants, not Shrews?

29. You probably heard that Otters use rocks to break-open mollusks, but did you know that they have a "favorite" rock, which they keep in a special pocket made of a skin-flap?

30. Wombat poop is square! (but they're so adorable!)

I hope you enjoyed reading these as much as I did finding them!

Resplendent and Unusual Flowers

2014-11-02T22:17:00.000+05:00

Flowers are some of nature’s most wonderful creations – they usually look amazing, most of them emit very pleasing scents, and best of all, they’re where honey comes from! We use them for decoration, as romantic gestures and to signify freedom and love (the 60’s “Flower Children”). Not all flowers are the same, some have very unique patterns, some bloom very rarely and some don’t even look like flowers at all. Join me on a trip to discover the strangest and prettiest flowers from around the world.

Beehive ginger (Zingiber spectabile) is a member of the ginger family. Native to Southeast Asia, it’s mainly grown as an ornamental plant, but also used as a medicinal herb. Research shows that the plant has antimicrobial properties and a high concentration of enzymes that can prevent colon cancer.

Chinese lantern (Physalis alkekengi) found in Southern Europe and throught the east across Asia, the Chinese lantern got its name from the bright orange cover of the fruit which resembles a paper lantern. The fruit itself has antibacterial properties and possible beneficial properties for people suffering from chronic liver disease.

Black cat flower (Tacca chantrieri) this unusual plant is one of the only plants in the world to have black flowers. The big flowers (up to 12 inches across) have even longer “whiskers”, giving it its colloquial name. It is native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia.

Waxplant (Hoya) is a large family of evergreen creepers native to Southeast Asia and Australia. They gained the name “Waxplant” thanks to their flowers. The flowers always grow in bunches (called spurs), have five thick triangular petals that look as though they were carved out of wax. Most waxplants have an appealing scent and abundant nectar.

Titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum) is the world’s largest flower, whose blossom has a very unusual scent – that of rotting flesh. The titan produces this smell to attract flies, rather than bees, for pollination.

Quirky fact: its name comes from the Ancient Greek amorphos (misshapen) and phallos(penis)

Candy Cane Sorrel (Oxalis versicolor) is native to South Africa, and got its name thanks to its beautiful blossom, which resembles a candy cane.

Snake Gourd (Trichosanthes cucumerina) is a vine native to Southeast Asia and Northwestern Australia. Used as a vegetable, a medicine and even in the construction of traditional didgeridoos.

Kakabeak (Clianthus) is a member of the legume family, and got its name from the shape of its flowers, which resemble the beaks of the New Zealand Kākā parrot.

American ghost orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii) is a leafless orchid that grows in the Bahamas, Cuba and Florida. The plants anchor themselves to trees and the roots themselves are photosynthetic.

Blue Zebra primrose (Primula acaulis ‘Zebra Blue’) is a subspecies of primrose with a distinct blue and white pattern on the petals and a yellow center that enjoys a prolonged flowering period.

Balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) got its name thanks to the way its petals grow before blooming. The petals are fused together, swelling up like a balloon before fully blooming. It’s known for its root’s anti-inflammatory properties, used to treat coughs and colds.

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) is a creeping vine that is endemic to South America. The flowers are magnificent and the fruits are popular worldwide.

Yellow lady slippers orchid (Cypripedium calceolus), the name comes from the Ancient Greek cypripedium meaning “Shoe of Venus”.

Jade vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys), endemic to the forests of the Philippines, it is related to beans and is pollinated by bats. A stem can reach a length of 3 meters (10 feet) and carry up to 75 flowers.

Monkey orchid (Dracula simia) is an orchid species, native to the rainforests of Ecuador. It can bloom year-round and has the scent of a ripe orange.

Fritillaria tubiformis is a member of the Fritillaria family, found mainly in temperate regions like the Mediterranean and western North America. The name comes from the latin word fritillus, meaning “dice-box” and refers to the checkered pattern on the petals.

Japanese camellia (Camellia japonica), a member of the Camellia family (where tea comes from), Japanese Camellia has several subspecies, with various shapes and colors. And in case you were wondering - yes, you can make tea from it as-well.

Hairy toad lily (Tricyrtis hirta) is native to Japan, found mostly in shaded rocky areas.

Columbine magpie (Aquilegia) are found in the Northern Hemisphere, mainly in meadows and woodlands. The flowers are reported to be very sweet but should be consumed in moderation. The seeds, however, are extremely poisonous.

Queen of the Night (Selenicereus grandiflorus) got its name because it blooms only once a year, for a single night. It’s a type of cactus, native to Central and South America, where it’s also known as the Vanilla Cactus, thanks to its lovely scent.

Angel’s trumpets (Datura) are a very poisonous plant (flowers and seeds in particular), found in northern Africa and the Americas. The plants are so dangerous, they’re illegal in some countries

10 Foods to Promote Prostate Health

2014-10-26T13:26:00.000+05:00

While awareness about cancer should be shared by both of the sexes, a number of surveys show that women are generally more aware and knowledgeable about their risk for certain cancers than men. However, there are a number of cancers that men should know about and actively care for, one of them being prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the male reproductive system and unfortunately spreads slowly. For the latter reason, many men may not know of their risk for prostate cancer until later in life, and it may be too late. Besides consulting your doctor and scheduling regular prostate exams, there are a number of nutrients in the foods that we eat that may help prevent and even treat issues in the prostate.

Incorporate some or all of these foods into your diet to keep your prostate health in check.

1. Brazil Nuts

These large and delicious nuts are so good for prostate health because they are rich in a nutrient called selenium, which has been associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Just one ounce of Brazil nuts contains almost ten times the recommended daily value for selenium in your diet, which bodes very well for the state of your prostate. The nuts are also a good source of zinc, which is another mineral essential to prostate health, and amino acids which are a great source of protein.

2. Broccoli

Broccoli is a member of the cruciferous family, a family of vegetables shared with cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and kale. Cruciferous vegetables contain high amounts of sulforaphane and indoles, which are plant-based nutrients that have remarkable anti-cancer and cleansing properties. In scientific trials, it was found that eating broccoli more than once a week could reduce the probability of contracting the later (and more serious) stages of prostate cancer by nearly 45 percent. The healthiest way to consume broccoli (to maximize its nutrient content) is to steam or sauté the broccoli for about 5 minutes (and no more).

3. Cayenne

The cayenne pepper is known for being hot and spicy, but it is also an excellent source of prostate healthy nutrients. The cayenne pepper is made hot due to a high concentration of a substance called capasaicin, which is renowned for its ability to reduce pain, but also helps kill off cancer cells. In studies, capasaicin has demonstrated an ability to cause cancer cells to 'commit suicide', by attacking the energy-making portion of the cell (the mitochondria). Capasaicin is also known for its cardiovascular benefits as a strong antioxidant, as preventive treatment for stomach ulcers, and as an effective balancer of blood sugar levels.

4. Green Tea

This super food is noted for its numerous health benefits, one of them being the ability to fight off several forms of cancer, including prostate cancer. Green tea contains compounds called catechins, the most important of them being EGCG which notably lowers the levels of dangerous biomarkers attributed to cancer. The nutrients in green tea may also help men who have pre-cancerous prostate lesions, one of the first signs of more serious prostate complications, including cancer. To maximize the effect of green tea, it is recommended to consume about three cups daily.

5. Mushrooms

Mushrooms are great for prostate health, but Asian mushrooms are particularly good. The shiitake mushroom, for instance, contain a certain substance called lentinian, which has demonstrated miraculous anti-cancer properties. Asian mushrooms also contain a potent antioxidant called L-ergothioneine, which has the ability of protecting cells throughout the body from cancerous invasion.

6. Pomegranates

Not only does this succulent red fruit taste wonderful, it is also noted for being high in antioxidants and a nutrient called ellagitannin, which especially promotes prostate health. Some studies show that pomegranate can even slow the reproduction of prostate cancer cells and can even kill them off. Pomegranates are also noted for their ability to interfere with the growth of new blood vessels, which usually nourish prostate tumors. If you don't have the actual fruit available (it is seasonal at the end of summer and into the early fall), pomegranate juice is an accessible and tasty way to get all of the fruit's nutrients.

7. Pumpkin Seeds

Yes, as evident from this list, stocking up on seeds and nuts is never a bad thing, especially when it comes to delicious pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds have been proven to benefit men with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), which is a condition affecting men 50 and old where the prostate gland swells and enlarges. This swelling and enlargement is caused by the over stimulation of prostate cells by testosterone and other hormones, and the oil of pumpkin seeds has been shown to prevent the effect of these hormones on prostate health.

8. Salmon

Another super food noted for its healthy qualities, salmon also supports prostate health because it is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. New research has found that the omega-3 in fish (not only salmon, although it is the most popular fish) can slow the development of prostate tumors in men who have the disease, and can prevent the disease from developing at all for those who don't. Indeed, a study published in "Clinical Cancer Research" reported that eating fish or salmon once a week could reduce a man's chance of developing prostate cancer, even if he has a genetic predisposition to contracting the disease.

9. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich in a nutrient called lycopene, which is a potent antioxidant that has proven itself to promote and enhance prostate health. Surprisingly, unlike a number of other fruits and vegetables, tomatoes nutritional benefit increases when they are processed, as opposed to fresh. When the tomatoes are cooked into a paste, soup, sauce or made into a juice, the lycopene content is more easily absorbed by the body. Eating just one serving of tomatoes a day, either in your Bloody Mary or even on pizza, can protect against DNA damage that could set the stage for the development of prostate cancer.

10. Turmeric

Turmeric has been used as a medicinal herb for centuries, and is also an excellent way to enhance prostate health. The spice is used to fight off inflammation, colds, asthma, and when combined with a calciferous vegetable like broccoli or kale, is effective in preventing and even treating prostate cancer. Turmeric is usually added to curries and spicy dishes due to its bitter and peppery flavor, but adding a dash of it to your cooking could not only add the needed spice to your meal, but also dramatically improve your prostate health.

FAREWELL ZAHIR UL ISLAM 24 Oct'14

2014-10-24T21:40:00.000+05:00

A fare well lunch was arranged by Karachi chapter of 55th PMA Long Course in the honour of the out going DG ISI Lieutenant General Zahir ul Islam, who is retiring in the first week of November 2014. General Zahir has the honour to belong to 55th PMA Long Course and visa versa. He wore uniform with us on 12th May 1975 and systematically and gradually all retired from the colour service at their own retiring date. He has the now the honour to be the last from 55th PMA Long Course to hang his uniform for good. It was really humble of him to take out time for this farewell lunch from his very hectic schedule.

As usual Wasif arranged us all for for this lavish and delicious lunch which had never ending courses. Whenever I placed my spoon thinking that it is the last course but than see the steward bringing another course. It was also observed that the General enjoyed his food and, against his earlier habit, never said no to any dish served. May be it is a sign that he has started settling down for his post retirement life.

After the lunch, Wasif addressed the audience and delivered a speech which covered the sentiments of all present and presented memento as token of affection and long brotherhood to General Zahir ul Islam from the Karachi chapter of 55th PMA Long Course.

Here are few glimpses of the occasion. My apologies for the low quality prints as my camera developed fault and I have to hurriedly use my cell phone camera. Anyhow, more are likely to be pasted in due course as the camera photos are in progress.

WISH YOU BEST OF LUCK YOUNG MAN

Common But Deadly Plants

2014-10-12T20:36:00.001+05:00

1. Oleander (Nerium Oleander)

It may look like an attractive flowering shrub, but don't be fooled! Oleander is one of the most poisonous of all commonly grown garden plants, and though it's especially toxic to children it is often planted in school yards. It is a hearty bush and grows on many different continents, and with beautiful, fragrant blossoms, it is tempting to include it in any garden... Just don't even think about touching it or tasting the leaves or stems.

A small child can experience symptoms after handling just one leaf from the plant, though typically it takes more contact for severe reactions to take place. Upon consumption, the poison causes intestinal issues like vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), excess salivation, and cramping/pain. It can also cause a racing, irregular heart rate, poor circulation, tremors, seizures, coma, and death.

In India, there are many cases of people consuming mashed Oleander seeds to attempt suicide.

2. Manchineel (Hippomane Mancinella)

The flowering plants are considered among the most poisonous trees in the world and are native to Florida, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Central America and northern South America. The Spanish name is "manzanilla de la muerte: which means "little apple of death."

In fact, it's not just the fruit (which does in fact resemble little apples) that is poisonous, but the entire tree is toxic to humans and animals. The tree oozes a white sap when it rains, so standing beneath the tree can cause blistering of the skin. Burning the tree releases extremely toxic fumes which can cause blindness and respiratory problems when humans come into contact with the smoke. Consumption is generally fatal, and it's, by all accounts, an agonizing death.

It is common for locals to mark the tree with signs or a red X on the trunk to keep people away. The sign on the tree above reads: "Warning! The leaves, bark, and fruits of these trees contain a caustic sap which may be injurious if touched. Columbus described the small green fruits as 'death apples.' The trees are common along the Caribbean shores. Avoid contact with any part of this tree!"

3. Deadly Nightshade (Atropa Belladonna)

This plant goes by many names, including Belladonna, Devil's Berries, and Death Cherries. Both the leaves and the berries are extremely toxic, and children have been known to die from eating just two berries.

One of the most toxic plants in the Western Hemisphere, consumption of Deadly Nightshade leads to delirium, hallucinations, dilated pupils, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, tachycardia, loss of balance, staggering, headache, rash, dry mouth and throat, slurred speech, urinary retention, constipation, confusion, hallucinations, delirium, and convulsions. Without receiving the antidote,sufferers will eventually die due to the plant's disruption of their body's involuntary activities such as sweating, breathing, and heart rate.

4. Castor Beans

Castor oil has long been used to aid digestion. While it has a foul taste and consistency, it is not harmful when ingested, yet you may be surprised to learn that just one bean from the plant that is used to make castor oil can be fatal to an adult in minutes.

That's because when they make castor oil they remove a lethal compound called ricin, making the oil safe to consume. While usually fatal, if consumption of the castor bean doesn't kill you, you can look forward to symptoms like nausea, emesis, diarrhea, tachycardia, hypotension and seizures, often persisting for up to a week.

5. Water Hemlock (Cicuta)

Water Hemlock grows in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, mainly North America and Europe, usually appearing in marshy areas like wet meadows and along stream banks.

Called “the most violently toxic plant in North America," it is the plant's roots that contain the deadly sap that, when touched or eaten, causes grand mal seizures and death.

6. English Yew (Taxus Baccata)

One of the most deadly trees in the world, these evergreens are common in the forests of Europe. With the exception of the berries, all of the tree is toxic, and the Yew was once used by early herbalists to induce abortions. Sadly, the result was often fatal to both mother and child.

Consumption of the Yew in even tiny amounts causes cardiac issues that result in death. It is quick-acting and there is no antidote.

7. Rhubarb

While some people enjoy eating the stems of this plant in desserts like Rhubarb Pie, eating Rhubarb leaves can be fatal.

Eating large amounts of raw or cooked leaves causes difficulty breathing, burning of mouth and throat. Symptoms set in within an hour of eating the leaves and lead to convulsions, internal bleeding, coma, and death.

8. Daphne

Native to Europe, Asia, and north Africa, this broad species of plants has fragrant flowers and highly poisonous berries.

Commonly planted in baskets and other planters, even a handful of these red or yellow berries can cause burning of the mouth and intestinal tract, followed by coma and usually, death.

9. Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia)

A common shade-loving household plant, Dumb Cane is a tropical plant that is among the most poisonous plants in the world.

Chewing on any part of this leafy plant causes intense pain in the mouth and throat, excessive salivation, and in rare cases, severe swelling of the throat that can lead to strangulation.

10. Jimson Weed (Datura Stramonium)

The very first plant poisoning death in the United States is credited to this little weed: Jimsonweed. The Jamestown, VA settlers used jimsonweed to poison British soldiers, who then spent 11 days in a state of insanity until they came to their senses (and didn't remember a thing). Turns out those soldiers got off easy; symptoms such as abnormal thirst, vision distortions, delirium, incoherence, and coma are often fatal.

Also called devil's trumpet, angel's trumpet, devil's weed, stinkweed, locoweed, and hell's bells, people who attempt to consume this weed recreationally for the hallucinogenic properties often get more than they bargain for because it's nearly impossible not to overdose. In South Africa, they call them "mad seeds."

Keep Your Allergies under Control the Natural Way

2014-10-10T20:19:00.001+05:00

If you're suffering from allergies, your immune system must be weak. Seasonal allergies usually break out when your immune system mistakes non-toxic subtances (plant pollens, grass, dust) for toxic ones, and responds by producing chemical substances called histamines. The release of histamines causes allergic reactions such as sneezing, nasal congestion, asthma, itchy eyes and more. Here are 6 natural ways to revitalize your immune system:

1. Manage your stress

Allergies have a tendency to worsen and last longer when the body is under a lot of stress. Stress causes the release of proinflammatory cytokins, thereby weakening our immune system. In order to relieve stress, get at least 8 hours of sleep during the night, try to meditate or practice other relaxing activities (yoga, pilates) and avoid eating processed foods.

2. Keep your sinuses clean

It is highly recommended by doctors that you make your own sinus rinse following this recipe.

3. Add zinc to enrich your diet

If you suffer from zinc deficiency, you're more likely to develop allergies. Eat zinc-rich foods like garlic, pumpkin seeds, seame, green peas, asparagus, lamb, scallops and yogurt.

4. Finish every meal with a cup of green tea

Green tea contains catechin - a type of antioxidant that reduces allergy symptoms and deactivates histamines. Drinking a cup after every meal will help prevent allergies.

5. Fight allergies with Quercetin

Quercitin is a plant pigment found mostly in fruit and vegetables such as apples, berries, broccoli and onions. The flavonoids found in it can help fight excessive histamines and decrease allergy symptoms.

6. Repair your mucous membranes with Vitamin A

Enrich your diet with Vitamin-A foods such as carrots, green onions, parsley, sweet potatoes and apricots. It will make your skin less susceptible to allergies and also make you look younger.