” Heavy Snowfall in Jerusalem “…..

A rare winter storm struck the Middle East beginning around Tuesday, December 10 and lasting into that weekend – producing heavy snow in areas that typically never see the white stuff. Jerusalem recorded an impressive 15-20 inches of snow,according to The Telegraph, with roads still blocked on Saturday, December 14. It was the most snow ever recorded in that region in the month of December for at least 60 years. Behind the surge of wintry precipitation, cold temperatures were widespread across the Middle East during the week of December 9-15, 2013. Snow and cold temperatures created difficult conditions particularly across Syria, where refugees had to embrace the extreme conditions outside.

The storm affected parts of Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Northern Syria, Iran, Turkey, Egypt and the Palestinian territories, while bringing torrential rains and serious flooding to low-lying areas. Where cold air wasn’t present, heavy rains resulted in flooding across the dry river beds around the Dead Sea. Meanwhile, Cairo had a once-in-a-lifetime snowfall, the first recorded snow to fall in that city in over 100 years.

Location of the Middle East. Image Credit: Wikipedia

Snow in Jerusalem on December 13, 2013 by Miriam Zezzera on Flickr.  Click here for more details on this photo.

Snow in Jerusalem on December 13, 2013 by Miriam Mezzera on Flickr.

 

Camel in the snow in Sinai, Egypt on December 13, 2013. Image Credit: Saleh Mousa

Camel in the snow in Sinai, Egypt on December 13, 2013. Image via Saleh Mousa

Bottom line: A strong weather system pushed into the Middle East beginning around December 10, producing snow and sending temperatures plunging downward. By the end of the week (around December 13), Jerusalem was at a standstill as heavy snow blasted the city. Cairo, Egypt recorded measurable snow for the first time in over 100 years.

Snow on Jaffa Road, one of the longest and oldest major streets in Jerusalem.  Photo via Flickr user Miriam Mezzera.  Click here for more details on this photo.

Snow on Jaffa Road on December 13, 2013, one of the longest and oldest major streets in Jerusalem. Photo via Flickr user Miriam Mezzera

 

Snow in Jerusalem.  Flickr user Miriam Mezzera took this photo on December 12, 2013.   Click here for more details on this photo.

Snow in Jerusalem. Flickr user Miriam Mezzera took this photo on December 12, 2013

source::::Matt Daniel in earth sky news

natarajan

Stunning Images of the Best Of 2013 !!!

Arctic Fox, Canada - Before dawn, a brilliant full moon illuminates the snowy landscape of Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, home ...

A full moon over Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, home to an arctic fox. Picture: Norbert Rosing, National GeographicSource: Supplied

IT’S only once in a blue moon you get photo opportunities like these.

This arctic fox was captured under a brilliant full moon by wildlife photographer Norbert Rosing, in one of the most memorable National Geographic images of 2013.

The Arctic snow of Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, provides the backdrop for the striking photo.

 

Burj Khalifa, Dubai – The observation deck at the Burj Khalifa-the tallest building in the world at 2,716.5 feet-offers a panoramic view of the flat desert shores of sea-level Dubai. The building took seven years to build and holds a number of other records, including most number of stories, highest outdoor observation deck, and tallest service elevator. For the full collection visit National Geographic Travel.Picture: LOOK/Alam

Cherry Blossoms, Japan – In Japan the nighttime viewing of cherry blossoms in spring, like these at Kyoto’s Hirano Shrine, is a special event. “The cherries’ only fault: the crowds that gather when they bloom,” wrote Saigyo, a 12th-century poet. For the full collection visit National Geographic Travel. Picture: Diane Cook and Len Jenshel/National Geographic

 

Mount Everest – A camp on Pumori offers a stunning view of neighboring Mount Everest, the highest peak on Earth at 29,029 feet. Before being named Mount Everest by the British in 1865, the mountain had gone by many names in many languages over the centuries. Tibetans call it Chomolungma, often translated as “mother of the universe.” For the full collection visit National Geographic Travel.Picture: Cory Richards/National Geographic

 

Deer Creek Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park – Most of the nearly five million people who visit Grand Canyon National Park each year simply take in the stunning views from the rim. The more adventurous descend the canyon and get up close to rock that dates back 1.8 billion years. Here, hikers traverse Deer Creek Trail, an overnight trip that’s one of the most popular routes in the park. For the full collection visit National Geographic Travel. Picture: Corey Rich/Aurora

 

source:::::news.com.au

natarajan

“Too Close For Comfort ” !!!

Getting Too Close to an Arctic Glacier !!!
Steve Leonard and Arctic expert Jason Roberts set out on a mission to observe the polar bears. However, their mission was almost cut off entirely when they encountered a glacier that was about to collapse. See what happens when these adventurers get a little too close to an arctic glacier!

 

source:::: you tube

natarajan

2013…. Thro the Eyes of Google !!!

2013 was a heck of a year. A lot has happened, for good and bad. We’ve said goodbye to some people that have shaped our world, have seen destruction and devestation by both nature and humans, and have seen some major changes take place in the world arena. All in all, a year heavy with significance, and here’s a short summary by Google to click it into place.

 

source:::::you  tube

natarajan

Animal Photos of the Week !!!

Kangaroos fighting at Suzhou Zoo, Jiangsu Province, China

Kangaroos fighting at Suzhou Zoo, Jiangsu Province, ChinaPicture: HAP/Quirky China News/REX 

 

A polar bear sits on drift ice as it searches for seals in the Arctic Ocean

A polar bear stands on drift ice as it searches for seals in the Arctic Ocean

 

Swans on the upper reaches of River Avon, Malmesbury, Wiltshire

Swans on the upper reaches of River Avon, Malmesbury, WiltshirePicture: SWNS 

 

Fox in garden with camera

Keen snapper Megan Lorenz, 38, was busy shooting images of foxes in Algonquin Provincial Park in Canada when one playful youngster decided to take over the shoot. Appearing from behind her the fox seemed to take a keen interest in her kit so Megan, from Toronto in Ontario, Canada, decided to back away and let it investigate. The inquisitive fox seemed to be checking on how its pals were looking – hopping up on its hind legs and peering through the view finder at the other foxes against the snowy backdrop.

 

one-ton Shire horses used to clear land

Villagers in one of Britain’s natural beauty spots are being trained in the age old practice of using one-ton Shire horses in a bid to clean up the area.Locals in parts of the New Forest, Hants, will use traditional horse logging techniques to reduce the high level of unmanaged woodland in the National Park.They are being taught how to manage giant Percheron horses in a bid to clear timber from the wooded sites which make up more than 40 per cent of the park.They have been shown how to load logs and woodland onto wheeled carts which are connected to a harness and attached to the horse.

 

A snowy owl with its eyes wide

A snowy owl with its eyes wide open sits in its compound in the zoo in Duisburg, northwestern Germany

 

Animals panda apple bobbing

Despite the icy cold temperature and being wary of water, this giant panda was so tempted that it overcame all its reservations and waded into the water to retrieve an apple at the Changsha Ecological Zoo in China

Lioness hug

A smiling lioness warmly embraces her best friend by wrapping her front legs around her body. The lions were reinforcing their social status by bonding in the late afternoon sun after resting through 40 degrees celsius heat during the day.The lionesses, which are around three years old, are from a pride which roam around the Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana

baby elephant at  Vienna Zoo

This baby elephant at Vienna Zoo, Austria, loves bathtime.

tussling tigers

This tiger decided to play a prank on its unsuspecting sibling, by pouncing on it whilst it was looking the other way. After slowly creeping up behind, the tiger leapt onto the other’s back, catching its sibling off guard. However the startled creature quickly turned around with a surprise attack of its own.

pygmy hippo calf

This baby hippo stays close to her mother as she learns how to take her first steps. The tiny pygmy hippo calf – only five days old – weighs just 13 pounds and is 6 inches tall.Born to 18-year-old mum Wendy and dad Nato, 34, the unnamed youngster is strong enough to stand on her own two feet. She explores her new home at Marwell Zoo near Winchester, Hants, and takes a well-deserved rest in her straw bed.

 

Polar bears appear to dance on the island of Svalbard in the Arctic circle off the north coast of Norway.

Polar bears appear to dance on the island of Svalbard in the Arctic circle off the north coast of Norway.Picture: Andrew Schoeman/National Pictures 

 

a kestrel landing

Paul Miguel waited 6 hours in a cold hide in North Yorkshire to capture this shot of a kestrel landing. The bird had to work hard to battle the wind, using strong wing beats and a completely fanned tail, allowing him to capture each and every feather in stunning detail.

 

Rhesus macaques near the Silver River in Florida, USA

Rhesus macaques near the Silver River in Florida, USA

 

A two-week-old orangutan with mother Kibriah is the new addition to Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire

A two-week-old orangutan with mother Kibriah is the new addition to Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire

 

Lion cubs at San Diego Zoo

A pair of 10-day-old sibling lion cubs are seen in their play area at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park animal care center in San Diego, California

 

Visitors look at penguins wearing Santa Claus and Christmas tree costumes

Visitors look at penguins wearing Santa Claus and Christmas tree costumes during a promotional event for Christmas in Yongin, Korea

 

Santa Claus feeds the sharks during a visit to the Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary in Sydney, Australia

Santa Claus feeds the sharks during a visit to the Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary in Sydney, Australia

 

Baby panda

After a two-month public vote, the first panda baby born in southern China’s Guangdong Province finally has a name. After Guangzhou Changlong Safari received hundreds of suggested names from the public, ultimately it was mother panda Mei Qing who chose by picking from straws each bearing a name. In the end Mei Xiang picked the name Long Long.

 

source::::: The Telegraph UK

natarajan

In Homage to Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma …

 

Uthradom Tirunal Marthanda Varma

Uthradom Tirunal Marthanda Varma

Kerala lost one of the last links with its royal past with the passing away of Uthradom Tirunal Marthanda Varma, head of the royal family of erstwhile Travancore, in the early hours of Monday.  16 Dec.2013.  . Mr. Varma, a witness to the transformation from imperial rule to a democratic polity, was a common presence in the social and cultural scene of the city.

He had stood guard over the age-old traditions, rites and rituals of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple ever since 1991, when he was anointed the trustee and “dasa” of the temple following the death of his elder brother and last sovereign of Travancore, Sree Chithira Tirunal Balarama Varma. Mr. Varma, born as the younger son of Maharani Sethuparvathi Bayi and Ravi Varma Koyi Thampuran on March 22, 1922, was educated in the Kowdiar Palace by a group of 14 tutors in various subjects. He later graduated from the then Travancore University with Economics, Politics and History as specialisations in 1943. He was the recipient of the Moncombu Aandi Iyer Gold Medal for the best student in Sanskrit.

 

 

source :::::Mahesh Krishnamurthy  in Sage of Kanchi Blog and Youtube and The Hindu

natarajan