I've decided to move to a different blogging sight.
I know, I know, but the thing is, its so much higher quality that I think I'll like it alot more. And my name will be different, I'll post it on twitter and facebook, so All ya'll can see it. :)
Peace out loves.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Socotra Island: you have to see it to believe it
Socotra Island: you have to see it to believe it
Take a peek at this bizarre, other worldly island just off the coast of africa;
(images credit: Jan Vandorpe, socotra)
Imagine waking up on the Socotra Island and taking a good look around you (let's say your buddies pulled a prank on you and delivered you there, and lets also assume that you don't have any hangover from abuse of any substances). After a yelp of disbelief, you'd be inclined to think you were transported to another planet - or traveled to another era of Earth's history.
The second would be closer to the truth for this island, which is part of a group of 4 islands, has been geographically isolated from mainland Africa for the last 6 or 7 million years. Like the Galapagos Islands, this island is teeming with 700 extremely rare species of flora and fauna, a full 1/3 of which are endemic, i.e. found nowhere else on Earth.
(images credit: dianadrz, Irina Travina)
(image credit: socotra)
The climate is harsh, hot and dry, and yet - the most amazing plant life thrives there. Situated in the Indian Ocean 250 km from Somalia and 340 km from Yemen, the wide sandy beaches rise to limestone plateaus full of caves (some 7 kilometers in length) and mountains up to 1525 meters high.
(image credit: Marco Pavan)
The name Socotra is derived from a Sanscrit name, meaning "The Island of Bliss"... Is it the beaches? The isolation and quiet? or the strange and crazy botanical allure?
Alien-looking plants: H. P. Lovecraft's secret inspiration?
Was the famous Chtulhu myths creator aware of these forbidding mountains with their hauntingly weird flora (think of plant mutations from his "The Color out of Space") ? We almost tempted to call Socotra the other "Mountains of Madness" - the trees and plants of this island were preserved thru the long geological isolation, some varieties being 20 million years old...
We begin with the dracena cinnibaris or Dragon's Blood Tree, the source of valuable resin for varnishes, dyes, and "cure-all" medicine; also (predictably) used in medieval ritual magic and alchemy -
(image credit: Christian Besnier)
The branches spread out into the sky and from below appear to hover over the landscape like so many flying saucers... and from above they have a distinct mushroom look:
(image credit: Jan Vandorpe)
(image credit: dianadrz)
There is also the Desert Rose (adenium obesium) which looks like nothing so much as a blooming elephant leg:
(images credit: Jan Vandorpe)
(image credit: Denis Romanov)
Dorstenia gigas - apparently does not require any soil and sinks roots straight into the bare rock:
(images credit: Jan Vandorpe)
It also has a distinct personality and likes to smile for the camera:
(image credit: Tomas van Houtryve)
Somewhat similar to the weird Dorstenia gigas, is this "bucha" vegetable, found as far north as Croatia. I hope it's not pregnant with anything malignant inside this sack. John Wyndham (with his "The Day of the Triffids") would've loved it:
(image credit: Damir)
Also found in Socotra's landscape is the ever-strange and extremely rare Cucumber Tree (dendrosicyos socotranum) - and yes, it's related to what's sitting in a pickle jar in your fridge:
(image credit: Jan Vandorpe)
Getting around can be a challenge, as there are almost no roads
Despite the fact that this island has around 40,000 inhabitants, the Yemeni govenment put in the first roads just 2 years ago - after negotiations with UNESCO, which has declared this island a World Natural Heritage Site. I would prefer a camel ride to what is bound to be a bumpy and slow 4x4 ride... It is a quiet and peaceful enclave in an otherwise troubled world. If you decide to visit there, you can forget about beachfront hotels and restaurants; this island is geared towards eco-tourism and sustaining the local economy and way of life.
(images credit: Adele Obice, Marco Pavan, Denis Romanov)
This island is a birder's paradise as well, with 140 different species of birds; 10 of which are not found anywhere else in the world. A unique Socotra warbler, sunbird, starling, bunting, sparrow and cisticola are among the ones found here. There are also Socotra Cormorants:
(images credit: Magellan Tours, Rafeek Manchayil)
Want to see some fairy-tale (and possibly haunted) shipwrecks? There are diving tours available... Hopefully some IMAX crew would film it in all its glory one day.
(image credit: socotra)
To give you a glimpse of Socotra's and Yemen's in general totally unique architecture, check out this place located on the mainland:
Al Hajarah, Yemen - Walled city in the mist
Computer game designers take note - this mysterious city in the foggy Yemen's Haraz Mountains can surely fire up imagination of anybody who decides to explore it:
(image credit: Jan Vandorpe)
(image credit: Bellosta)
(image credit: Michaela Diener)
Dune? Clark Ashton Smith's Zothique? Pack your bags, for this is on our good old planet Earth, no interstellar visa required.
(image credit: socotra)
Take a peek at this bizarre, other worldly island just off the coast of africa;
(images credit: Jan Vandorpe, socotra)
Imagine waking up on the Socotra Island and taking a good look around you (let's say your buddies pulled a prank on you and delivered you there, and lets also assume that you don't have any hangover from abuse of any substances). After a yelp of disbelief, you'd be inclined to think you were transported to another planet - or traveled to another era of Earth's history.
The second would be closer to the truth for this island, which is part of a group of 4 islands, has been geographically isolated from mainland Africa for the last 6 or 7 million years. Like the Galapagos Islands, this island is teeming with 700 extremely rare species of flora and fauna, a full 1/3 of which are endemic, i.e. found nowhere else on Earth.
(images credit: dianadrz, Irina Travina)
(image credit: socotra)
The climate is harsh, hot and dry, and yet - the most amazing plant life thrives there. Situated in the Indian Ocean 250 km from Somalia and 340 km from Yemen, the wide sandy beaches rise to limestone plateaus full of caves (some 7 kilometers in length) and mountains up to 1525 meters high.
(image credit: Marco Pavan)
The name Socotra is derived from a Sanscrit name, meaning "The Island of Bliss"... Is it the beaches? The isolation and quiet? or the strange and crazy botanical allure?
Alien-looking plants: H. P. Lovecraft's secret inspiration?
Was the famous Chtulhu myths creator aware of these forbidding mountains with their hauntingly weird flora (think of plant mutations from his "The Color out of Space") ? We almost tempted to call Socotra the other "Mountains of Madness" - the trees and plants of this island were preserved thru the long geological isolation, some varieties being 20 million years old...
We begin with the dracena cinnibaris or Dragon's Blood Tree, the source of valuable resin for varnishes, dyes, and "cure-all" medicine; also (predictably) used in medieval ritual magic and alchemy -
(image credit: Christian Besnier)
The branches spread out into the sky and from below appear to hover over the landscape like so many flying saucers... and from above they have a distinct mushroom look:
(image credit: Jan Vandorpe)
(image credit: dianadrz)
There is also the Desert Rose (adenium obesium) which looks like nothing so much as a blooming elephant leg:
(images credit: Jan Vandorpe)
(image credit: Denis Romanov)
Dorstenia gigas - apparently does not require any soil and sinks roots straight into the bare rock:
(images credit: Jan Vandorpe)
It also has a distinct personality and likes to smile for the camera:
(image credit: Tomas van Houtryve)
Somewhat similar to the weird Dorstenia gigas, is this "bucha" vegetable, found as far north as Croatia. I hope it's not pregnant with anything malignant inside this sack. John Wyndham (with his "The Day of the Triffids") would've loved it:
(image credit: Damir)
Also found in Socotra's landscape is the ever-strange and extremely rare Cucumber Tree (dendrosicyos socotranum) - and yes, it's related to what's sitting in a pickle jar in your fridge:
(image credit: Jan Vandorpe)
Getting around can be a challenge, as there are almost no roads
Despite the fact that this island has around 40,000 inhabitants, the Yemeni govenment put in the first roads just 2 years ago - after negotiations with UNESCO, which has declared this island a World Natural Heritage Site. I would prefer a camel ride to what is bound to be a bumpy and slow 4x4 ride... It is a quiet and peaceful enclave in an otherwise troubled world. If you decide to visit there, you can forget about beachfront hotels and restaurants; this island is geared towards eco-tourism and sustaining the local economy and way of life.
(images credit: Adele Obice, Marco Pavan, Denis Romanov)
This island is a birder's paradise as well, with 140 different species of birds; 10 of which are not found anywhere else in the world. A unique Socotra warbler, sunbird, starling, bunting, sparrow and cisticola are among the ones found here. There are also Socotra Cormorants:
(images credit: Magellan Tours, Rafeek Manchayil)
Want to see some fairy-tale (and possibly haunted) shipwrecks? There are diving tours available... Hopefully some IMAX crew would film it in all its glory one day.
(image credit: socotra)
To give you a glimpse of Socotra's and Yemen's in general totally unique architecture, check out this place located on the mainland:
Al Hajarah, Yemen - Walled city in the mist
Computer game designers take note - this mysterious city in the foggy Yemen's Haraz Mountains can surely fire up imagination of anybody who decides to explore it:
(image credit: Jan Vandorpe)
(image credit: Bellosta)
(image credit: Michaela Diener)
Dune? Clark Ashton Smith's Zothique? Pack your bags, for this is on our good old planet Earth, no interstellar visa required.
(image credit: socotra)
Monday, March 29, 2010
RUT
Dude, I'm stuck in a rut.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO FOR PHOTOGRAPHY SHOTS!!!! D':
do you guys have any ideas? It would help oh-so-muchly.
all this RAIN really doesn't help either.
thanks!
~taylah
FKKIN LOLL.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO FOR PHOTOGRAPHY SHOTS!!!! D':
do you guys have any ideas? It would help oh-so-muchly.
all this RAIN really doesn't help either.
thanks!
~taylah
FKKIN LOLL.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
22 new bands to try.
Indeed, I bet you do. Here's some stuff I'd recommend;
1. The stone roses. awesomeness in its true form.
2. Antony Hegarty. this man-once-woman is creepy, poetic and dark. I love him/her.
3. Edward Sharpe and the magnetic zero's. for that sixties hippie love vibe.
4. Little boots. This british youtube sensation is adorable, a techno queen and little, all the way down to her boots.
5. Hot Chip. Just because they call themselves hot chip.
6. Mama's & The Papa's because its time to get some real music back.
7. Arcade fire
8. Bird & The Bee
9. BLKJKS because rap is still cool.
10. Sonyc Youth. Because they spell sonic wrong, and can pull it off.
11. Avett Brothers. Because country can be cool sometimes.... sometimes.
12. Florence and the machine, because they're making it big... on her true talent.
13. the Pretty Reckless because its an all female group, they know how to rock, and the lead singer's name is Taylor.
14. Owl City, because they're pre-fame music is just as good as the new stuff.
15. Japandroids, because techno wont leave.
16. Wilco, because it sounds like Winco.
17. Golden Silvers, because one is silver and the other's gold.
18. Wye Oak, because thats a badass name.
19. MegaFaun because the lead singer's brother was the faun in the lion, witch and the wardrobe. and the band is still cool.
20. Cave, because they're anything but dark, cold and creepy.
21. Sleepy Sun, because the sun doesn't sleep.
22. The Floorwalkers, because everyone walks on the floor.
I know I gave stupid reasons for these, but trust me, they're all very much worth trying. Expand your musical vocabulary! :D
Much love my friends.
thanks for reading.
1. The stone roses. awesomeness in its true form.
2. Antony Hegarty. this man-once-woman is creepy, poetic and dark. I love him/her.
3. Edward Sharpe and the magnetic zero's. for that sixties hippie love vibe.
4. Little boots. This british youtube sensation is adorable, a techno queen and little, all the way down to her boots.
5. Hot Chip. Just because they call themselves hot chip.
6. Mama's & The Papa's because its time to get some real music back.
7. Arcade fire
8. Bird & The Bee
9. BLKJKS because rap is still cool.
10. Sonyc Youth. Because they spell sonic wrong, and can pull it off.
11. Avett Brothers. Because country can be cool sometimes.... sometimes.
12. Florence and the machine, because they're making it big... on her true talent.
13. the Pretty Reckless because its an all female group, they know how to rock, and the lead singer's name is Taylor.
14. Owl City, because they're pre-fame music is just as good as the new stuff.
15. Japandroids, because techno wont leave.
16. Wilco, because it sounds like Winco.
17. Golden Silvers, because one is silver and the other's gold.
18. Wye Oak, because thats a badass name.
19. MegaFaun because the lead singer's brother was the faun in the lion, witch and the wardrobe. and the band is still cool.
20. Cave, because they're anything but dark, cold and creepy.
21. Sleepy Sun, because the sun doesn't sleep.
22. The Floorwalkers, because everyone walks on the floor.
I know I gave stupid reasons for these, but trust me, they're all very much worth trying. Expand your musical vocabulary! :D
Much love my friends.
thanks for reading.
Friday, March 26, 2010
The Triumphs and Trials of Spring Break.
Ahhh, a week off. freedom sweet freedom. with NOTHING TO DO unless you're one of those annoying rich people who go to like, burmuda or something.Now, don't get me wrong, I love spring break more than almost anything.
Anything except Productivity!
I must be productive in order to stay satisfied, if not I go
BAH-ZURK.
So I guess I hope I can use this next week to the best of my ability, because lets face it.
WE WONT BE GETTING THIS TIME BACK.
What about you guys? Are you as anal as me when it comes to relaxation? Probably not. no one is as anal as I am...
I do know one thing I'll be doing, though. and that is taking PHOTOS PHOTOS PHOTOS.
I'm trying a new photo technique that I'm kinda sorta PUMPED about, using shilouettes.. (sp?)
there's an example below. More later, peeps. MUCH LOVE.
Welcome to my Head.
So, Now I have this little thingy called a blog.
I have attempted one before, but failed miserably considering the only reader I got was indeed, my aunt. X_X
AAAAAND, You know how people rant and rave and say colorful words in blogs?
Well lets just say I'll try to contain myself.
Welcome to the wonderful world of my head, ladies and gentlmen. now, most of the time I'm thinking this will be a photo blog.
The wonderful adventures of me trying to persue what I love professionally. sound good? I like to try new styles of photography, I'll record my discoveries here.
Now if I could just get some readers....
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