View allAll Photos Tagged chiew
"Like a bird on the wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free"
- Leonard Cohen -
Chiew Loo Robin has sung a beautiful song that tells me that you can be free as much as you dream, when you're creating something new from inspiration ignited from things that move your heart, such as a talented good friend’s photos
Thank you so much, dear Chiew, your beautiful photos in my daily Flickr feed bring hopeful dreams that I can be where Robin sing freely.
Please listen to a beautiful Robin Singing in the Snow
🎶 Songbird Eva Cassidy or if you're in darker mood Katey Sagal Bird on a Wire ^_^
"Il y a cent façons de prendre la main de quelqu'un. Selon que c'est la main d'un enfant, la main d'un ami, la main d'un parent âgé, la main de celui qui part, la main du mourant, la main du mort."
Philip Roth
For Chiew, Carrie and for those who lost a beloved one.
Thank you very much for your comments and for your faves.
(Please do not use without my written permission.)
Many thanks for the visits, faves and comments. Cheers
Scarlet Honeyeater
Scientific Name: Myzomela sanguinolenta
Description: The adult male Scarlet Honeyeater is a vivid scarlet red and black bird with whitish underparts. The females and immature birds are dull brown with dull white underparts and a reddish wash on the chin. In both sexes the tail is relatively short, the bill strongly curved and the eye is dark. This species is a small honeyeater, usually seen alone or in pairs, but occasionally in flocks, high in trees.
Similar species: The male Scarlet Honeyeater can be confused with the male Red-headed Honeyeater, M. erythrocephala, where their ranges overlap (east coast of Cape York Peninsula). It can be distinguished by having more extensive red colouring over the back and down the breast. Female and immature Scarlet Honeyeaters may be confused with similarly coloured honeyeaters, including females and immatures of the Red-headed and the Dusky Honeyeater, M. obscura, as well as the Brown Honeyeater, Lichmera indistincta. They differ from the Red-headed in being more olive-brown and lack red on the forehead. They are smaller and more compact than the Dusky, with a shorter bill and tail, as well as having different calls. They are smaller than the Brown Honeyeater and lack this species' eyespot.
Distribution: The Scarlet Honeyeater is found along the east coast of Australia, from Cooktown, Queensland to Gippsland, Victoria, but it is less common south of Sydney, being a summer migrant in the south. It is also found in Sulawesi, the Moluccas and Lesser Sundas, Indonesia and in New Caledonia.
Habitat: The Scarlet Honeyeater lives in open forests and woodlands with a sparse understorey, especially round wetlands, and sometimes in rainforests. It can be seen in urban areas in flowering plants of streets, parks and gardens.
Seasonal movements: Resident in the north of its range, seasonally migratory in south, with movements associated with flowering of food plants. It is considered nomadic around Sydney, following autumn- and winter-flowering plants.
Feeding: The Scarlet Honeyeater feeds mainly on nectar and sometimes on fruit and insects. It tends to feed in the upper levels of the canopy, foraging in flowers and foliage, usually singly, in pairs or small flocks. Often evicted by larger, more aggressive honeyeaters such as friarbirds.
Breeding:
The Scarlet Honeyeater breeds in pairs, with the more conspicuous male calling and displaying to the quieter females. The small cup nest is suspended from a horizontal branch or in a fork, and is made from fine bark and grass bound with spider web and lined with fine plant materials. The female incubates the eggs alone, but both sexes feed the young. Up to three broods may be produced per season.
Calls: Males have a silvery tinkling song, which is sung from a prominent perch. Also, 'chiew chiew' contact calls made by both sexes.
Minimum Size: 9cm
Maximum Size: 11cm
Average size: 10cm
Average weight: 8g
Breeding season: July to January
Clutch Size: Usually 2
Incubation: 12 days
Nestling Period: 12 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
© Chris Burns 2023
__________________________________________
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
Large and chunky blue, black, and white kingfisher. Found in rainforest, gallery forest, and thick woodland, mostly in the subcanopy and mid-story. Generally shy and usually detected by voice: an introductory whistle, followed after a pause by a mournful, slightly descending series of “chiew” notes. Similar to Woodland Kingfisher, but separated by its larger size, black patch on the back, blue on the breast, black line behind the eye, and preference for thicker habitats.
Mole National Park, Ghana. March 2019.
You can find his wonderful gallery here
This is my humble way to show my appreciation to the photographer whose work inspires my work tremendously.
The picture may not be "real" to some people, but it's truly created from my heart. So, please don't call it fake.
Many thanks for your visits, faves and comments. Cheers.
Australasian Figbird in Schinus terebinthifolius, a broadleaved pepper tree; also known as: broadleaved pepper, Brazilian holly, Brazilian pepper, broad leaf pepper tree, Christmas berry, Christmas berrytree, native to tropical South America (i.e. Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay). (Source: weeds.brisbane.qld.gov.au/weeds/broadleaved-pepper)
Scientific Name: Sphecotheres vieilloti
Description: Figbirds are part of a worldwide family that includes the orioles, of which Australia has two other members (the Yellow and Olive-backed Orioles). Males have bare, red skin around the eye, contrasting against a black crown and grey neck and throat. The remainder of the body is olive-green, except for a white under-tail area. Females have grey skin around the eye and lack distinctive head markings. They are brown-green above and dull-white below, streaked with brown. Both sexes have a blackish bill. There are two distinct colour forms of the males of this species. Males north of Proserpine in Queensland have a yellow front.
Similar species: Figbirds have a blackish bill, which easily distinguishes the species from the similar Olive-backed Oriole, which has a reddish bill. Both of the Australian orioles also lack the Figbird's bare eye skin and have red eyes (adults). The Figbird tends to be more gregarious than either of the orioles, living semi-colonially.
Distribution: The Figbird occurs across coastal regions of northern and eastern Australia from the Kimberley region in Western Australia around to the New South Wales/Victoria border.
Habitat: The Figbird lives in rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests, but is often found in urban parks and gardens, particularly those with figs and other fruit-producing trees
Seasonal movements: Mostly sedentary, but undergoes some nomadic movements, particularly southwards into Victoria.
Feeding: Figbirds feed in flocks, often of around 20 birds that are prepared to fly to isolated trees that are suitable for foraging. Figs are a particularly popular food item, although they will feed on most soft fruits and berries in canopy trees. Insects are also important components of their diet.
Breeding: The gregarious behaviour of Figbirds is maintained in the breeding season, with small groups of birds nesting semi-colonially in adjoining canopy trees. The nest is cup-shaped and built of vine tendrils and twigs. It is supported by its rim from the horizontal fork of an outer branch of the canopy, up to 20 m above the ground. Both males and females incubate the eggs and feed the young.
Calls: Loud, descending 'chiew'
Minimum Size: 28cm
Maximum Size: 29cm
Average size: 28cm
Average weight: 128g
Breeding season: September to January
Clutch Size: 2 to 3 eggs
Incubation: 18 days
Nestling Period: 17 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
__________________________________________
© Chris Burns 2019
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
Many thanks for the visits, faves and comments. Cheers
Scarlet Honeyeater
Scientific Name: Myzomela sanguinolenta
Description: The adult male Scarlet Honeyeater is a vivid scarlet red and black bird with whitish underparts. The females and immature birds are dull brown with dull white underparts and a reddish wash on the chin. In both sexes the tail is relatively short, the bill strongly curved and the eye is dark. This species is a small honeyeater, usually seen alone or in pairs, but occasionally in flocks, high in trees.
Similar species: The male Scarlet Honeyeater can be confused with the male Red-headed Honeyeater, M. erythrocephala, where their ranges overlap (east coast of Cape York Peninsula). It can be distinguished by having more extensive red colouring over the back and down the breast. Female and immature Scarlet Honeyeaters may be confused with similarly coloured honeyeaters, including females and immatures of the Red-headed and the Dusky Honeyeater, M. obscura, as well as the Brown Honeyeater, Lichmera indistincta. They differ from the Red-headed in being more olive-brown and lack red on the forehead. They are smaller and more compact than the Dusky, with a shorter bill and tail, as well as having different calls. They are smaller than the Brown Honeyeater and lack this species' eyespot.
Distribution: The Scarlet Honeyeater is found along the east coast of Australia, from Cooktown, Queensland to Gippsland, Victoria, but it is less common south of Sydney, being a summer migrant in the south. It is also found in Sulawesi, the Moluccas and Lesser Sundas, Indonesia and in New Caledonia.
Habitat: The Scarlet Honeyeater lives in open forests and woodlands with a sparse understorey, especially round wetlands, and sometimes in rainforests. It can be seen in urban areas in flowering plants of streets, parks and gardens.
Seasonal movements: Resident in the north of its range, seasonally migratory in south, with movements associated with flowering of food plants. It is considered nomadic around Sydney, following autumn- and winter-flowering plants.
Feeding: The Scarlet Honeyeater feeds mainly on nectar and sometimes on fruit and insects. It tends to feed in the upper levels of the canopy, foraging in flowers and foliage, usually singly, in pairs or small flocks. Often evicted by larger, more aggressive honeyeaters such as friarbirds.
Breeding:
The Scarlet Honeyeater breeds in pairs, with the more conspicuous male calling and displaying to the quieter females. The small cup nest is suspended from a horizontal branch or in a fork, and is made from fine bark and grass bound with spider web and lined with fine plant materials. The female incubates the eggs alone, but both sexes feed the young. Up to three broods may be produced per season.
Calls: Males have a silvery tinkling song, which is sung from a prominent perch. Also, 'chiew chiew' contact calls made by both sexes.
Minimum Size: 9cm
Maximum Size: 11cm
Average size: 10cm
Average weight: 8g
Breeding season: July to January
Clutch Size: Usually 2
Incubation: 12 days
Nestling Period: 12 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
© Chris Burns 2020
__________________________________________
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
Many thanks for the visits, faves and comments. Cheers
...from a visit to Boyd Creek, Rosevale, Queensland. The native red bottlebrush trees are in flower along the creek and attracting a variety of birds. Some other interesting birds there I have not seen for a while - white-throated honeyeaters and black-faced monarchs - as well as your normal fair of fairy wrens, brown honeyeaters, black-shouldered kites, etc
Bottlebrushes are members of the genus Callistemon and belong to the family Myrtaceae. They are closely related to paperbark melaleucas, which also have 'bottlebrush' shaped flower spikes. There are 40 species currently called Callistemon. Callistemon viminalis (weeping bottlebrush) occurs naturally on the east coast of Australia from Cape York to north-east New South Wales. It is more common along watercourses on the coastal plains where it forms a shrub or small tree up to 8 m tall; larger specimens up to 18 m tall have also been recorded. It also extends to the tablelands and occasionally to the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range. (Source: Wikipedia)
Scarlet Honeyeater
Scientific Name: Myzomela sanguinolenta
Description: The adult male Scarlet Honeyeater is a vivid scarlet red and black bird with whitish underparts. The females and immature birds are dull brown with dull white underparts and a reddish wash on the chin. In both sexes the tail is relatively short, the bill strongly curved and the eye is dark. This species is a small honeyeater, usually seen alone or in pairs, but occasionally in flocks, high in trees.
Similar species: The male Scarlet Honeyeater can be confused with the male Red-headed Honeyeater, M. erythrocephala, where their ranges overlap (east coast of Cape York Peninsula). It can be distinguished by having more extensive red colouring over the back and down the breast. Female and immature Scarlet Honeyeaters may be confused with similarly coloured honeyeaters, including females and immatures of the Red-headed and the Dusky Honeyeater, M. obscura, as well as the Brown Honeyeater, Lichmera indistincta. They differ from the Red-headed in being more olive-brown and lack red on the forehead. They are smaller and more compact than the Dusky, with a shorter bill and tail, as well as having different calls. They are smaller than the Brown Honeyeater and lack this species' eyespot.
Distribution: The Scarlet Honeyeater is found along the east coast of Australia, from Cooktown, Queensland to Gippsland, Victoria, but it is less common south of Sydney, being a summer migrant in the south. It is also found in Sulawesi, the Moluccas and Lesser Sundas, Indonesia and in New Caledonia.
Habitat: The Scarlet Honeyeater lives in open forests and woodlands with a sparse understorey, especially round wetlands, and sometimes in rainforests. It can be seen in urban areas in flowering plants of streets, parks and gardens.
Seasonal movements: Resident in the north of its range, seasonally migratory in south, with movements associated with flowering of food plants. It is considered nomadic around Sydney, following autumn- and winter-flowering plants.
Feeding: The Scarlet Honeyeater feeds mainly on nectar and sometimes on fruit and insects. It tends to feed in the upper levels of the canopy, foraging in flowers and foliage, usually singly, in pairs or small flocks. Often evicted by larger, more aggressive honeyeaters such as friarbirds.
Breeding:
The Scarlet Honeyeater breeds in pairs, with the more conspicuous male calling and displaying to the quieter females. The small cup nest is suspended from a horizontal branch or in a fork, and is made from fine bark and grass bound with spider web and lined with fine plant materials. The female incubates the eggs alone, but both sexes feed the young. Up to three broods may be produced per season.
Calls: Males have a silvery tinkling song, which is sung from a prominent perch. Also, 'chiew chiew' contact calls made by both sexes.
Minimum Size: 9cm
Maximum Size: 11cm
Average size: 10cm
Average weight: 8g
Breeding season: July to January
Clutch Size: Usually 2
Incubation: 12 days
Nestling Period: 12 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
© Chris Burns 2014
__________________________________________
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
Chinese Rose Wine - Salted Mei Kuei Lu Chiew
The bottle looks kinda cool with the studded design. Though I have no idea how it tastes as most people only use it for cooking purpose.
12.18.2011
Many thanks for your visits, faves and comments. Cheers.
Australasian Figbird
Scientific Name: Sphecotheres vieilloti
Description: Figbirds are part of a worldwide family that includes the orioles, of which Australia has two other members (the Yellow and Olive-backed Orioles). Males have bare, red skin around the eye, contrasting against a black crown and grey neck and throat. The remainder of the body is olive-green, except for a white under-tail area. Females have grey skin around the eye and lack distinctive head markings. They are brown-green above and dull-white below, streaked with brown. Both sexes have a blackish bill. There are two distinct colour forms of the males of this species. Males north of Proserpine in Queensland have a yellow front.
Similar species: Figbirds have a blackish bill, which easily distinguishes the species from the similar Olive-backed Oriole, which has a reddish bill. Both of the Australian orioles also lack the Figbird's bare eye skin and have red eyes (adults). The Figbird tends to be more gregarious than either of the orioles, living semi-colonially.
Distribution: The Figbird occurs across coastal regions of northern and eastern Australia from the Kimberley region in Western Australia around to the New South Wales/Victoria border.
Habitat: The Figbird lives in rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests, but is often found in urban parks and gardens, particularly those with figs and other fruit-producing trees
Seasonal movements: Mostly sedentary, but undergoes some nomadic movements, particularly southwards into Victoria.
Feeding: Figbirds feed in flocks, often of around 20 birds that are prepared to fly to isolated trees that are suitable for foraging. Figs are a particularly popular food item, although they will feed on most soft fruits and berries in canopy trees. Insects are also important components of their diet.
Breeding: The gregarious behaviour of Figbirds is maintained in the breeding season, with small groups of birds nesting semi-colonially in adjoining canopy trees. The nest is cup-shaped and built of vine tendrils and twigs. It is supported by its rim from the horizontal fork of an outer branch of the canopy, up to 20 m above the ground. Both males and females incubate the eggs and feed the young.
Calls: Loud, descending 'chiew'
Minimum Size: 28cm
Maximum Size: 29cm
Average size: 28cm
Average weight: 128g
Breeding season: September to January
Clutch Size: 2 to 3 eggs
Incubation: 18 days
Nestling Period: 17 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
© Chris Burns 2016
__________________________________________
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
Pitons karstiques recouverts de végétation tropicale, émergeant du lac de barrage de Chiew Larn, parc national de Khao Sok. Sud de la Thaïlande.
Many thanks for the visits, faves and comments. Cheers
Scarlet Honeyeater
Scientific Name: Myzomela sanguinolenta
Description: The adult male Scarlet Honeyeater is a vivid scarlet red and black bird with whitish underparts. The females and immature birds are dull brown with dull white underparts and a reddish wash on the chin. In both sexes the tail is relatively short, the bill strongly curved and the eye is dark. This species is a small honeyeater, usually seen alone or in pairs, but occasionally in flocks, high in trees.
Similar species: The male Scarlet Honeyeater can be confused with the male Red-headed Honeyeater, M. erythrocephala, where their ranges overlap (east coast of Cape York Peninsula). It can be distinguished by having more extensive red colouring over the back and down the breast. Female and immature Scarlet Honeyeaters may be confused with similarly coloured honeyeaters, including females and immatures of the Red-headed and the Dusky Honeyeater, M. obscura, as well as the Brown Honeyeater, Lichmera indistincta. They differ from the Red-headed in being more olive-brown and lack red on the forehead. They are smaller and more compact than the Dusky, with a shorter bill and tail, as well as having different calls. They are smaller than the Brown Honeyeater and lack this species' eyespot.
Distribution: The Scarlet Honeyeater is found along the east coast of Australia, from Cooktown, Queensland to Gippsland, Victoria, but it is less common south of Sydney, being a summer migrant in the south. It is also found in Sulawesi, the Moluccas and Lesser Sundas, Indonesia and in New Caledonia.
Habitat: The Scarlet Honeyeater lives in open forests and woodlands with a sparse understorey, especially round wetlands, and sometimes in rainforests. It can be seen in urban areas in flowering plants of streets, parks and gardens.
Seasonal movements: Resident in the north of its range, seasonally migratory in south, with movements associated with flowering of food plants. It is considered nomadic around Sydney, following autumn- and winter-flowering plants.
Feeding: The Scarlet Honeyeater feeds mainly on nectar and sometimes on fruit and insects. It tends to feed in the upper levels of the canopy, foraging in flowers and foliage, usually singly, in pairs or small flocks. Often evicted by larger, more aggressive honeyeaters such as friarbirds.
Breeding:
The Scarlet Honeyeater breeds in pairs, with the more conspicuous male calling and displaying to the quieter females. The small cup nest is suspended from a horizontal branch or in a fork, and is made from fine bark and grass bound with spider web and lined with fine plant materials. The female incubates the eggs alone, but both sexes feed the young. Up to three broods may be produced per season.
Calls: Males have a silvery tinkling song, which is sung from a prominent perch. Also, 'chiew chiew' contact calls made by both sexes.
Minimum Size: 9cm
Maximum Size: 11cm
Average size: 10cm
Average weight: 8g
Breeding season: July to January
Clutch Size: Usually 2
Incubation: 12 days
Nestling Period: 12 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
© Chris Burns 2017
__________________________________________
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
Many thanks for the visits, faves and comments. Cheers
...from a walk in the Haig Street Quarry bush reserve, Ipswich, Queensland.
Scarlet Honeyeater (in a flowering eucalypt tree)
Scientific Name: Myzomela sanguinolenta
Description: The adult male Scarlet Honeyeater is a vivid scarlet red and black bird with whitish underparts. The females and immature birds are dull brown with dull white underparts and a reddish wash on the chin. In both sexes the tail is relatively short, the bill strongly curved and the eye is dark. This species is a small honeyeater, usually seen alone or in pairs, but occasionally in flocks, high in trees.
Similar species: The male Scarlet Honeyeater can be confused with the male Red-headed Honeyeater, M. erythrocephala, where their ranges overlap (east coast of Cape York Peninsula). It can be distinguished by having more extensive red colouring over the back and down the breast. Female and immature Scarlet Honeyeaters may be confused with similarly coloured honeyeaters, including females and immatures of the Red-headed and the Dusky Honeyeater, M. obscura, as well as the Brown Honeyeater, Lichmera indistincta. They differ from the Red-headed in being more olive-brown and lack red on the forehead. They are smaller and more compact than the Dusky, with a shorter bill and tail, as well as having different calls. They are smaller than the Brown Honeyeater and lack this species' eyespot.
Distribution: The Scarlet Honeyeater is found along the east coast of Australia, from Cooktown, Queensland to Gippsland, Victoria, but it is less common south of Sydney, being a summer migrant in the south. It is also found in Sulawesi, the Moluccas and Lesser Sundas, Indonesia and in New Caledonia.
Habitat: The Scarlet Honeyeater lives in open forests and woodlands with a sparse understorey, especially round wetlands, and sometimes in rainforests. It can be seen in urban areas in flowering plants of streets, parks and gardens.
Seasonal movements: Resident in the north of its range, seasonally migratory in south, with movements associated with flowering of food plants. It is considered nomadic around Sydney, following autumn- and winter-flowering plants.
Feeding: The Scarlet Honeyeater feeds mainly on nectar and sometimes on fruit and insects. It tends to feed in the upper levels of the canopy, foraging in flowers and foliage, usually singly, in pairs or small flocks. Often evicted by larger, more aggressive honeyeaters such as friarbirds.
Breeding:
The Scarlet Honeyeater breeds in pairs, with the more conspicuous male calling and displaying to the quieter females. The small cup nest is suspended from a horizontal branch or in a fork, and is made from fine bark and grass bound with spider web and lined with fine plant materials. The female incubates the eggs alone, but both sexes feed the young. Up to three broods may be produced per season.
Calls: Males have a silvery tinkling song, which is sung from a prominent perch. Also, 'chiew chiew' contact calls made by both sexes.
Minimum Size: 9cm
Maximum Size: 11cm
Average size: 10cm
Average weight: 8g
Breeding season: July to January
Clutch Size: Usually 2
Incubation: 12 days
Nestling Period: 12 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
© Chris Burns 2014
__________________________________________
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
Many thanks for the visits, faves and comments. Cheers
...froma walk in the Bribie Island National Park.
Scarlet Honeyeater
Scientific Name: Myzomela sanguinolenta
Description: The adult male Scarlet Honeyeater is a vivid scarlet red and black bird with whitish underparts. The females and immature birds are dull brown with dull white underparts and a reddish wash on the chin. In both sexes the tail is relatively short, the bill strongly curved and the eye is dark. This species is a small honeyeater, usually seen alone or in pairs, but occasionally in flocks, high in trees.
Similar species: The male Scarlet Honeyeater can be confused with the male Red-headed Honeyeater, M. erythrocephala, where their ranges overlap (east coast of Cape York Peninsula). It can be distinguished by having more extensive red colouring over the back and down the breast. Female and immature Scarlet Honeyeaters may be confused with similarly coloured honeyeaters, including females and immatures of the Red-headed and the Dusky Honeyeater, M. obscura, as well as the Brown Honeyeater, Lichmera indistincta. They differ from the Red-headed in being more olive-brown and lack red on the forehead. They are smaller and more compact than the Dusky, with a shorter bill and tail, as well as having different calls. They are smaller than the Brown Honeyeater and lack this species' eyespot.
Distribution: The Scarlet Honeyeater is found along the east coast of Australia, from Cooktown, Queensland to Gippsland, Victoria, but it is less common south of Sydney, being a summer migrant in the south. It is also found in Sulawesi, the Moluccas and Lesser Sundas, Indonesia and in New Caledonia.
Habitat: The Scarlet Honeyeater lives in open forests and woodlands with a sparse understorey, especially round wetlands, and sometimes in rainforests. It can be seen in urban areas in flowering plants of streets, parks and gardens.
Seasonal movements: Resident in the north of its range, seasonally migratory in south, with movements associated with flowering of food plants. It is considered nomadic around Sydney, following autumn- and winter-flowering plants.
Feeding: The Scarlet Honeyeater feeds mainly on nectar and sometimes on fruit and insects. It tends to feed in the upper levels of the canopy, foraging in flowers and foliage, usually singly, in pairs or small flocks. Often evicted by larger, more aggressive honeyeaters such as friarbirds.
Breeding:
The Scarlet Honeyeater breeds in pairs, with the more conspicuous male calling and displaying to the quieter females. The small cup nest is suspended from a horizontal branch or in a fork, and is made from fine bark and grass bound with spider web and lined with fine plant materials. The female incubates the eggs alone, but both sexes feed the young. Up to three broods may be produced per season.
Calls: Males have a silvery tinkling song, which is sung from a prominent perch. Also, 'chiew chiew' contact calls made by both sexes.
Minimum Size: 9cm
Maximum Size: 11cm
Average size: 10cm
Average weight: 8g
Breeding season: July to January
Clutch Size: Usually 2
Incubation: 12 days
Nestling Period: 12 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
© Chris Burns 2014
__________________________________________
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
Home for three nights on Chiew Lan Lake. We arrived on the long-tail boat in the foreground in the middle of a rain storm.
Many thanks for the visits, faves and comments. Cheers
Scarlet Honeyeater (looking for nesting material on a paperbark tree)
Scientific Name: Myzomela sanguinolenta
Description: The adult male Scarlet Honeyeater is a vivid scarlet red and black bird with whitish underparts. The females and immature birds are dull brown with dull white underparts and a reddish wash on the chin. In both sexes the tail is relatively short, the bill strongly curved and the eye is dark. This species is a small honeyeater, usually seen alone or in pairs, but occasionally in flocks, high in trees.
Similar species: The male Scarlet Honeyeater can be confused with the male Red-headed Honeyeater, M. erythrocephala, where their ranges overlap (east coast of Cape York Peninsula). It can be distinguished by having more extensive red colouring over the back and down the breast. Female and immature Scarlet Honeyeaters may be confused with similarly coloured honeyeaters, including females and immatures of the Red-headed and the Dusky Honeyeater, M. obscura, as well as the Brown Honeyeater, Lichmera indistincta. They differ from the Red-headed in being more olive-brown and lack red on the forehead. They are smaller and more compact than the Dusky, with a shorter bill and tail, as well as having different calls. They are smaller than the Brown Honeyeater and lack this species' eyespot.
Distribution: The Scarlet Honeyeater is found along the east coast of Australia, from Cooktown, Queensland to Gippsland, Victoria, but it is less common south of Sydney, being a summer migrant in the south. It is also found in Sulawesi, the Moluccas and Lesser Sundas, Indonesia and in New Caledonia.
Habitat: The Scarlet Honeyeater lives in open forests and woodlands with a sparse understorey, especially round wetlands, and sometimes in rainforests. It can be seen in urban areas in flowering plants of streets, parks and gardens.
Seasonal movements: Resident in the north of its range, seasonally migratory in south, with movements associated with flowering of food plants. It is considered nomadic around Sydney, following autumn- and winter-flowering plants.
Feeding: The Scarlet Honeyeater feeds mainly on nectar and sometimes on fruit and insects. It tends to feed in the upper levels of the canopy, foraging in flowers and foliage, usually singly, in pairs or small flocks. Often evicted by larger, more aggressive honeyeaters such as friarbirds.
Breeding:
The Scarlet Honeyeater breeds in pairs, with the more conspicuous male calling and displaying to the quieter females. The small cup nest is suspended from a horizontal branch or in a fork, and is made from fine bark and grass bound with spider web and lined with fine plant materials. The female incubates the eggs alone, but both sexes feed the young. Up to three broods may be produced per season.
Calls: Males have a silvery tinkling song, which is sung from a prominent perch. Also, 'chiew chiew' contact calls made by both sexes.
Minimum Size: 9cm
Maximum Size: 11cm
Average size: 10cm
Average weight: 8g
Breeding season: July to January
Clutch Size: Usually 2
Incubation: 12 days
Nestling Period: 12 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
© Chris Burns 2017
__________________________________________
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
Pitons karstiques recouverts de végétation tropicale, émergeant du lac de barrage de Chiew Larn, parc national de Khao Sok. Sud de la Thaïlande.
Many thanks for the visits, faves and comments. Cheers
Scarlet Honeyeater
Scientific Name: Myzomela sanguinolenta
Description: The adult male Scarlet Honeyeater is a vivid scarlet red and black bird with whitish underparts. The females and immature birds are dull brown with dull white underparts and a reddish wash on the chin. In both sexes the tail is relatively short, the bill strongly curved and the eye is dark. This species is a small honeyeater, usually seen alone or in pairs, but occasionally in flocks, high in trees.
Similar species: The male Scarlet Honeyeater can be confused with the male Red-headed Honeyeater, M. erythrocephala, where their ranges overlap (east coast of Cape York Peninsula). It can be distinguished by having more extensive red colouring over the back and down the breast. Female and immature Scarlet Honeyeaters may be confused with similarly coloured honeyeaters, including females and immatures of the Red-headed and the Dusky Honeyeater, M. obscura, as well as the Brown Honeyeater, Lichmera indistincta. They differ from the Red-headed in being more olive-brown and lack red on the forehead. They are smaller and more compact than the Dusky, with a shorter bill and tail, as well as having different calls. They are smaller than the Brown Honeyeater and lack this species' eyespot.
Distribution: The Scarlet Honeyeater is found along the east coast of Australia, from Cooktown, Queensland to Gippsland, Victoria, but it is less common south of Sydney, being a summer migrant in the south. It is also found in Sulawesi, the Moluccas and Lesser Sundas, Indonesia and in New Caledonia.
Habitat: The Scarlet Honeyeater lives in open forests and woodlands with a sparse understorey, especially round wetlands, and sometimes in rainforests. It can be seen in urban areas in flowering plants of streets, parks and gardens.
Seasonal movements: Resident in the north of its range, seasonally migratory in south, with movements associated with flowering of food plants. It is considered nomadic around Sydney, following autumn- and winter-flowering plants.
Feeding: The Scarlet Honeyeater feeds mainly on nectar and sometimes on fruit and insects. It tends to feed in the upper levels of the canopy, foraging in flowers and foliage, usually singly, in pairs or small flocks. Often evicted by larger, more aggressive honeyeaters such as friarbirds.
Breeding:
The Scarlet Honeyeater breeds in pairs, with the more conspicuous male calling and displaying to the quieter females. The small cup nest is suspended from a horizontal branch or in a fork, and is made from fine bark and grass bound with spider web and lined with fine plant materials. The female incubates the eggs alone, but both sexes feed the young. Up to three broods may be produced per season.
Calls: Males have a silvery tinkling song, which is sung from a prominent perch. Also, 'chiew chiew' contact calls made by both sexes.
Minimum Size: 9cm
Maximum Size: 11cm
Average size: 10cm
Average weight: 8g
Breeding season: July to January
Clutch Size: Usually 2
Incubation: 12 days
Nestling Period: 12 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
© Chris Burns 2014
__________________________________________
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
Many thanks for your visits, faves and comments. Cheers.
Australasian Figbird
Scientific Name: Sphecotheres vieilloti
Description: Figbirds are part of a worldwide family that includes the orioles, of which Australia has two other members (the Yellow and Olive-backed Orioles). Males have bare, red skin around the eye, contrasting against a black crown and grey neck and throat. The remainder of the body is olive-green, except for a white under-tail area. Females have grey skin around the eye and lack distinctive head markings. They are brown-green above and dull-white below, streaked with brown. Both sexes have a blackish bill. There are two distinct colour forms of the males of this species. Males north of Proserpine in Queensland have a yellow front.
Similar species: Figbirds have a blackish bill, which easily distinguishes the species from the similar Olive-backed Oriole, which has a reddish bill. Both of the Australian orioles also lack the Figbird's bare eye skin and have red eyes (adults). The Figbird tends to be more gregarious than either of the orioles, living semi-colonially.
Distribution: The Figbird occurs across coastal regions of northern and eastern Australia from the Kimberley region in Western Australia around to the New South Wales/Victoria border.
Habitat: The Figbird lives in rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests, but is often found in urban parks and gardens, particularly those with figs and other fruit-producing trees
Seasonal movements: Mostly sedentary, but undergoes some nomadic movements, particularly southwards into Victoria.
Feeding: Figbirds feed in flocks, often of around 20 birds that are prepared to fly to isolated trees that are suitable for foraging. Figs are a particularly popular food item, although they will feed on most soft fruits and berries in canopy trees. Insects are also important components of their diet.
Breeding: The gregarious behaviour of Figbirds is maintained in the breeding season, with small groups of birds nesting semi-colonially in adjoining canopy trees. The nest is cup-shaped and built of vine tendrils and twigs. It is supported by its rim from the horizontal fork of an outer branch of the canopy, up to 20 m above the ground. Both males and females incubate the eggs and feed the young.
Calls: Loud, descending 'chiew'
Minimum Size: 28cm
Maximum Size: 29cm
Average size: 28cm
Average weight: 128g
Breeding season: September to January
Clutch Size: 2 to 3 eggs
Incubation: 18 days
Nestling Period: 17 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
© Chris Burns 2016
__________________________________________
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
A series of assemblages and mixed media paintings by Chiew Sien Kuan (Singapore) displayed along the Esplanade Tunnel during A Little Love Story in Singapore.
A series of assemblages and mixed media paintings by Chiew Sien Kuan (Singapore) displayed along the Esplanade Tunnel during A Little Love Story in Singapore.
Chiew Lan lake is located about 1.5 hours from Khao Lak by car. Once you arrive it's easy to hire a boat for a reasonable price to take you out on the lake. It's well worth it and probably one of the best sights in Thailand!
Always great to go back to my favourite place in Thailand, Khao Lak. The area has a different feel to other tourist destinations in Thailand and manages to keep things relaxed without the need to grow dreadlocks, throw away your shoes and live on Banana pancakes! Khao Lak has a bit of everything, mountains and waterfalls, great beaches, day trips to stunning tropical islands, lakes, and jungle trekking. Accommodation ranges from the very reasonable guest houses to ultra luxurious hotels like the Sarojin (my favourite spot for breakfast). If you're tired of the standard backpacker trail and want something quieter with all the scenery you can dream off - Khao Lak.
If any of you are considering a trip to Thailand in the next month or so, Tachai and Similan islands will be open to the end of April when the season closes. Love Andaman are a good tour company to go with.
The milky way and countless stars shining brightly above mount Rinjani on Lombok island, Indonesia.
I am UK photographer currently based in South East Asia. If you would like to use any of my photos or you are interested in hiring me for a photoshoot, please visit my website at -
Many of my photos are also available on stock photography agencies such as -
Shutterstock - Sam Spicer
Fotolia - samspicerphoto
"The Guilin of Thailand" - our guide
Chiew Lan Lake is situated about 1.5 hours from Khao Lak by car and well worth the visit! You can hire a boat to take you out on the lake when you arrive for a reasonable price.
Always great to go back to my favourite place in Thailand, Khao Lak. The area has a different feel to other tourist destinations in Thailand and manages to keep things relaxed without the need to grow dreadlocks, throw away your shoes and live on Banana pancakes! Khao Lak has a bit of everything, mountains and waterfalls, great beaches, day trips to stunning tropical islands, lakes, and jungle trekking. Accommodation ranges from the very reasonable guest houses to ultra luxurious hotels like the Sarojin (my favourite spot for breakfast). If you're tired of the standard backpacker trail and want something quieter with all the scenery you can dream off - Khao Lak.
If any of you are considering a trip to Thailand in the next month or so, Tachai and Similan islands will be open to the end of April when the season closes. Love Andaman are a good tour company to go with
The milky way and countless stars shining brightly above mount Rinjani on Lombok island, Indonesia.
I am UK photographer currently based in South East Asia. If you would like to use any of my photos or you are interested in hiring me for a photoshoot, please visit my website at -
Many of my photos are also available on stock photography agencies such as -
Shutterstock - Sam Spicer
Fotolia - samspicerphoto
A view from space
more information
Until 2003, astronauts were sponsored and trained exclusively by governments, either by the military, or by civilian space agencies. However, with the first sub-orbital flight of the privately-funded SpaceShipOne in 2004, a new category of astronaut was created: the commercial astronaut. With the rise of space tourism, NASA and the Russian Federal Space Agency agreed to use the term "spaceflight participant" to distinguish those space travelers from astronauts on missions coordinated by those two agencies.
The criteria for what constitutes human spaceflight vary. The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) Sporting Code for astronautics recognizes only flights that exceed an altitude of 100 kilometers (62 mi). However, in the United States, professional, military, and commercial astronauts who travel above an altitude of 80 kilometers (50 mi)[citation needed] are awarded astronaut wings.
As of November 14, 2008, a total of 489 humans from 39 countries have reached 100 km or more in altitude, of which 486 reached Low Earth orbit or beyond. Of these, 24 people have traveled beyond Low Earth orbit, to either lunar or trans-lunar orbit or to the surface of the moon; three of the 24 did so twice (Lovell, Young and Cernan).
Under the U. S. definition, 496 people qualify as having reached space (above 50 miles (80 km) altitude). Of eight X-15 pilots who reached 50 miles (80 km) or more in altitude, seven reached above 50 miles (80 km) but below 100 kilometers (about 62 miles).Space travelers have spent over 30,400 person-days (or a cumulative total of over 83 years) in space, including over 100 astronaut-days of spacewalks. As of 2008, the man with the longest time in space is Sergei K. Krikalev, who has spent 803 days, 9 hours and 39 minutes, or 2.2 years, in space.Peggy A. Whitson holds the record for most time in space by a woman, 377 days.
Terminology
Astronaut ranks and positions
In the United States and many other English-speaking nations, a professional space traveler is called an astronaut. The term derives from the Greek words ástron (ἄστρον), meaning "star", and nautes (ναύτης), meaning "sailor". The first known use of the term "astronaut" in the modern sense was by Neil R. Jones in his short story The Death's Head Meteor in 1930. The word itself had been known earlier. For example, in Percy Greg's 1880 book Across the Zodiac, "astronaut" referred to a spacecraft. In Les Navigateurs de l'Infini (1925) of J.-H. Rosny aîné, the word astronautique (astronautic) was used. The word may have been inspired by "aeronaut", an older term for an air traveler first applied (in 1784) to balloonists.
NASA applies the term astronaut to any crew member aboard NASA spacecraft bound for Earth orbit or beyond. NASA also uses the term as a title for those selected to join its Astronaut Corps.
Russia
Main article: Soviet space program
Yuri Gagarin, first person in space (1961).By convention, an astronaut employed by the Russian Federal Space Agency (or its Soviet predecessor) is called a cosmonaut in English texts. The word is an anglicisation of the Russian word kosmonavt (Russian: космона́вт Russian pronunciation: [kəsmɐˈnaft]), which in turn derives from the Greek words kosmos (κόσμος), meaning "universe", and nautes (ναύτης), meaning "sailor". For the most part, "cosmonaut" and "astronaut" are synonyms in all languages, and the usage of choice is often dictated by political reasons.
On March 14, 1995, Norman Thagard became the first American to ride to space on board a Russian launch vehicle, arguably becoming the first "American cosmonaut" in the process.
China
Main article: Chinese space program
In China, the terms "yǔhángyuán" (宇航员, "sailing personnel in universe") or "hángtiānyuán" (航天员, "sailing personnel in sky") have long been used for astronauts. The phrase "tàikōng rén" (太空人, "spaceman") is often used in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Official English texts issued by the government of the People's Republic of China use astronaut while texts in Russian use космонавт (kosmonavt). The term taikonaut is used by some English-language news media organizations for professional space travelers from China. The word has featured in the Longman and Oxford English dictionaries, the latter of which describes it as "a hybrid of the Chinese term taikong (space) and the Greek naut (traveller), or astronaut"; the term became more common in 2003 when China sent its first astronaut Yang Liwei into space aboard the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft. This is the term used by Xinhua in the English version of the Chinese People's Daily since the advent of the Chinese space program.The origin of the term is unclear; as early as May 1998, Chiew Lee Yih (赵里昱) from Malaysia, used it in newsgroups, while Chen Lan (陈蓝), almost simultaneously, announced it at his "Go Taikonauts!" GeoCities page. List of Chinese astronauts
Other terms
While no nation other than Russia (formerly the Soviet Union), the United States, and China has launched a manned spacecraft, several other nations have sent people into space in cooperation with one of these countries. Inspired partly by these missions, other synonyms for astronaut have entered occasional English usage. For example, the term spationaut (French spelling: spationaute) is sometimes used to describe French space travelers, from the Latin word spatium or "space", and the Malay term angkasawan was used to describe participants in the Angkasawan program.
Space travel milestones
Spaceflight records and Timeline of space travel by nationality
Neil Armstrong, first person to walk on the moon (1969).The first human in space was Russian Yuri Gagarin, who was launched into space on April 12, 1961 aboard Vostok 1 and orbited around the Earth. There are allegations that Gagarin ejected from landing module after re-entering the atmosphere and parachuted back, due to safety concerns about the craft's landing systems.The first woman in space was Russian Valentina Tereshkova, launched in June 1963 aboard Vostok 6.
Alan Shepard became the first American and second person in space on May 5, 1961, while the first American woman in space was Sally Ride, during Space Shuttle Challenger's mission STS-7, on June 18, 1983.
The first mission to orbit the moon was Apollo 8, which included William Anders who was born in Hong Kong, making him the first Asian-born astronaut in 1968. In April 1985, Taylor Wang became the first ethnic Chinese person in space.On 15 October 2003, Yang Liwei became China's first astronaut on the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft.
The Soviet Union, through its Intercosmos program, allowed people from other socialist countries to fly on its missions. An example is Vladimír Remek, a Czechoslovak, who became the first non-Soviet European in space in 1978 on a Russian Soyuz rocket. On July 23, 1980, Pham Tuan of Vietnam became the first Asian in space when he flew aboard Soyuz 37.Also in 1980, Cuban Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez became the first person of African descent to fly in space (the first person born in Africa to fly in space was Patrick Baudry, in 1985).In 1988, Abdul Ahad Mohmand became the first Afghan to reach space, spending nine days aboard the Mir space station.
With the larger number of seats available on the Space Shuttle, the U.S. began taking international astronauts. In 1985, Rodolfo Neri Vela became the first Mexican-born person in space. In 1991, Helen Sharman became the first Briton to fly in space. In 2002, Mark Shuttleworth became the first citizen of an African country to fly in space, as a paying spaceflight participant. In 2003, Ilan Ramon became the first Israeli to fly in space.
Age milestones
The youngest person to fly in space is Gherman Titov, who was 25 years old when he flew Vostok 2. (Titov was also the first person to suffer space sickness).The oldest person who has flown in space is John Glenn, who was 77 when he flew on STS-95. The longest stay in space was 438 days, by Russian Valeri Polyakov.As of 2006, the most spaceflights by an individual astronaut is seven, a record held by both Jerry L. Ross and Franklin Chang-Diaz. The furthest distance from Earth an astronaut has traveled was 401,056 km, during the Apollo 13 emergency.
Non-government milestones
The first non-governmental space traveler was Byron K. Lichtenberg, a researcher from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who flew on STS-9 in 1983.In December 1990, Toyohiro Akiyama became the first paying space traveler as a reporter for Tokyo Broadcasting System, a visit to Mir as part of an estimated $12 million (USD) deal with a Japanese TV station, although at the time, the term used to refer to Akiyama was "Research Cosmonaut".Akiyama suffered severe space-sickness during his mission, which affected his productivity.
The first self-funded space tourist was Dennis Tito onboard the Russian spacecraft Soyuz TM-3 on 28 April 2001.
Self-funded travelers
Main article: Space tourist
The first person to fly on an entirely privately-funded mission was Mike Melvill, piloting SpaceShipOne flight 15P on a sub-orbital journey, although he was a test pilot employed by Scaled Composites and not an actual paying space tourist. Six others have paid to fly into space:
Dennis Tito (American): April 28 – May 6, 2001
Mark Shuttleworth (South African / British): April 25 – May 5, 2002 (ISS)
Gregory Olsen (American): October 1 – October 11, 2005 (ISS)
Anousheh Ansari (Iranian / American): September 18 – September 29, 2006 (ISS)
Charles Simonyi (Hungarian / American): April 7 – April 21, 2007 (ISS)
Richard Garriott (American): October 12- October 24, 2008 (ISS)
Training
Astronaut ranks and positions
The first NASA astronauts were selected in 1959. Early in the space program, military jet test piloting and engineering training were often cited as prerequisites for selection as an astronaut at NASA, although neither John Glenn nor Scott Carpenter (of the Mercury Seven) had any university degree, in engineering or any other discipline at the time of their selection. Selection was initially limited to military pilots.The earliest astronauts for both America and Russia tended to be jet fighter pilots, and were often test pilots.
Once selected, NASA astronauts go through 20 months of training in a variety of areas, including training for extra-vehicular activity in a facility such as NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory.Astronauts-in-training may also experience short periods of weightlessness in aircraft called the "vomit comet", the nickname given to a pair of modified KC-135s (retired in 2000 and 2004 respectively, and replaced in 2005 with a C-9) which perform parabolic flights. Astronauts are also required to accumulate a number of flight hours in high-performance jet aircraft. This is mostly done in T-38 jet aircraft out of Ellington Field, due to its proximity to the Johnson Space Center. Ellington Field is also where the Shuttle Training Aircraft is maintained and developed, although most flights of the aircraft are done out of Edwards Air Force Base.
NASA candidacy requirements
Be citizens of the United States.
Pass a strict physical examination, and have a near and distant visual acuity correctable to 20/20 (6/6). Blood pressure, while sitting, must be no greater than 140 over 90.
Commander and Pilot
A bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics is required, and a graduate degree is desired, although not essential.
At least 1,000 hours flying time as Pilot-in-Command in jet aircraft. Experience as a test pilot is desirable.
Height must be 5 ft 4 in (1.6 m) to 6 ft 4 in (1.9 m).
Distant Visual Acuity must be Correctable to 20/20 Each Eye
The refractive surgical procedures of the eye, PRK and LASIK, are now allowed, providing at least 1 year has passed since the date of the procedure with no permanent adverse after effects. For those applicants under final consideration, an operative report on the surgical procedure will be requested.
Mission Specialist
Bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics, as well as at least three years of related professional experience.
Applicant's height must be 5 ft 2 in to 6 ft 4 in (1.57 to 1.93 m).
Mission Specialist Educator
Mission Specialist Educators Lindenberger, Arnold, and Acaba during a parabolic flight.Main article: Educator Astronaut Project
Bachelor's degree with teaching experience, including work at the kindergarten through 12th grade level. Advanced degree not required, but is desired.
Mission Specialist Educators, or "Educator Astronauts", were first selected in 2004, and as of 2007, there are three NASA Educator astronauts: Joseph M. Acaba, Richard R. Arnold, and Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger. Barbara Morgan, selected as back-up teacher to Christa McAuliffe in 1985, is considered to be the first Educator astronaut by the media, but she trained as a mission specialist.The Educator Astronaut program is a successor to the Teacher in Space program from the 1980s.
Insignia
At NASA, people who complete astronaut candidate training receive a silver lapel pin. Once they have flown in space, they receive a gold pin. U.S. astronauts who also have active-duty military status receive a special qualification badge, known as the Astronaut Badge, after participation on a spaceflight. The United States Air Force also presents an Astronaut Badge to its pilots who exceed 50 miles (80 km) in altitude.
Deaths
Main article: Space accidents and incidents
As of 2008, eighteen astronauts have lost their lives during spaceflight. Thirteen of them were American, three were Russian, one was Ukrainian, and one was Israeli.[citation needed]
A memorial at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA, commemorates "24 U.S. astronauts who gave their lives for space exploration."
Spaceflight portal
Astronaut Hall of Fame
Commercial Astronaut
List of astronauts by name
List of astronauts by selection
Timeline of astronauts by nationality
List of human spaceflights
List of space travelers by name
List of space travelers by nationality
List of spacewalks and moonwalks
X-15 program
Spaceflight records
Shirley Thomas, author of Men of Space series (1960-1968)
Cosmonautics Day
Yuri's Night
Fallen Astronaut
List of fictional astronauts
Moon Landing
Mercury 13 - A group of 13 women who were tested, but never flew in space.
References
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^ Marie MacKay (2005). "Former astronaut visits USU". The Utah Statesman. Retrieved on October 4, 2007.
^ FAI Sporting Code, Section 8, Paragraph 2.12.1
^ Counting Anousheh Ansari as a representative of Iran.
^ Bill Harwood (2008). "STS-126 Quick-Look Data". CBS News. Retrieved on November 14, 2008.
^ Encyclopedia Astronautica (2007). "Women of Space". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved on October 4, 2007.
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^ a b c d Encyclopedia Astronautica (2007). "Astronaut Statistics - as of 14 November 2008". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved on October 4, 2007.
^ NASA (2004). "Walking in the Void". NASA. Retrieved on October 4, 2007.
^ NASA (2005). "Sergei Konstantinovich Krikalev Biography". NASA. Retrieved on October 4, 2007.
^ NASA (2005). "Krikalev Sets Time-in-Space Record". NASA. Retrieved on October 4, 2007.
^ NASA. ""Peggy A. Whitson (Ph.D.)"". Biographical Data. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
^ a b Dismukes, Kim - NASA Biography Page Curator (2005-12-15). "Astronaut Biographies". Johnson Space Center,NASA. Retrieved on 2007-03-06.
^ реконмендовать другому. "Chinese embassy in Kazakhstan press-release" (in Russian). fmprc.gov.cn. Retrieved on October 4, 2007.
^ ru.china-embassy.org. "Chinese embassy in Russia press-release" (in Russian). ru.china-embassy.org. Retrieved on October 4, 2007.
^ "Chinese taikonaut dismisses environment worries about new space launch center". China View (2008-01-26). Retrieved on 2008-09-25.
^ ""Taikonauts" a sign of China's growing global influence". China View (2008-09-25). Retrieved on 2008-09-25.
^ Xinhua (2008). "Chinese taikonaut debuts spacewalk". People's Daily Online. Retrieved on September 28, 2008.
^ Chiew, Lee Yih (1998-05-19). "Google search of "taikonaut" sort by date". Usenet posting. Chiew Lee Yih. Retrieved on 2008-09-27.
^ Chiew, Lee Yih (1996-03-10). "Chiew Lee Yih misspelled "taikonaut" 2 years before it first appear". Usenet posting. Chiew Lee Yih. Retrieved on 2008-09-27.
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^ Chen Lan (1998). "Go Taikonauts!". Chen Lan. Retrieved on 2008-09-28.
^ BBC News | Gagarin | Back to Earth
^ NASA (2006). "Sally K. Ride, Ph.D. Biography". NASA. Retrieved on October 4, 2007.
^ NASA (1985). "Taylor G. Wang Biography". NASA. Retrieved on October 4, 2007.
^ Encyclopedia Astronautica (2007). "Taylor Wang". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved on October 4, 2007.
^ Encyclopedia Astronautica (2007). "Vladimir Remek Czech Pilot Cosmonaut". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved on October 4, 2007.
^ Encyclopedia Astronautica (2007). "Salyut 6 EP-7". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved on October 4, 2007.
^ Encyclopedia Astronautica (2007). "Tamayo-Mendez". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved on October 4, 2007.
^ Encyclopedia Astronautica (2007). "Baudry". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved on October 4, 2007.
^ Joachim Wilhelm Josef Becker and Heinz Hermann Janssen (2007). "Biographies of International Astronauts". Space Facts. Retrieved on August 11, 2007.
^ NASA (1985). "Rodolfo Neri Vela (Ph.D.) Biography". NASA. Retrieved on October 4, 2007.
^ BBC News (2005). "1991: Sharman becomes first Briton in space". BBC News. Retrieved on October 4, 2007.
^ africaninspace.com (2002). "First African in Space". HBD. Retrieved on October 4, 2007.
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^ Astronaut Memorials - Space Memorial for Apollo 1 and Space Shuttle Challenger and Columbia : Kennedy Space Center
Always great to go back to my favourite place in Thailand, Khao Lak. The area has a different feel to other tourist destinations in Thailand and manages to keep things relaxed without the need to grow dreadlocks, throw away your shoes and live on Banana pancakes! Khao Lak has a bit of everything, mountains and waterfalls, great beaches, day trips to stunning tropical islands, lakes, and jungle trekking. Accommodation ranges from the very reasonable guest houses to ultra luxurious hotels like the Sarojin (my favourite spot for breakfast). If you're tired of the standard backpacker trail and want something quieter with all the scenery you can dream off - Khao Lak.
The milky way and countless stars shining brightly above mount Rinjani on Lombok island, Indonesia.
I am UK photographer currently based in South East Asia. If you would like to use any of my photos or you are interested in hiring me for a photoshoot, please visit my website at -
Many of my photos are also available on stock photography agencies such as -
Shutterstock - Sam Spicer
Fotolia - samspicerphoto