Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Huntington Beach State Park Part II

To clarify the previous post, let me address why this park was named Huntington. Back in the early 1930's Archer Huntington and his wife Anna, the famous sculptor, bought several plantations in the coastal area of South Carolina. Archer was the son of Collis P. Huntington who was one of the founders of the transcontinental railroad and the Newport News shipyard. From these properties, this park was created as well as Brookgreen Gardens which are separated by Route 17. The later is a park where numerous of Anna's sculptures are displayed. The Huntingtons built the structure below and was name Atalaya; from the name it can be deducted that it was built in the Spanish Mediterranean style.
This building was used as their winter home until the beginning of the II World War when it was used by the Army until the end of the war. After the war, the house was again used by the Huntington's until the late 40's. This property was leased to the state of South Carolina in 1960 and converted to a park. When I first visited this park in 1973, the Atalaya was abandoned and overgrown by vegetation. I walked inside the building which was in disrepair but now is being preserved and can be formally visited for a dollar, quite a bargain.
Alligators are quite abundant in this park and show no fear of man. I spent long times observing these beauties and noticed that they would swim and bite the grass off the shoreline, I just could not figure out what they were doing.
It did not take long to discover what was going on They were pulling the grass off looking for crabs. When one was found, time was not wasted in making a meal of them. The gator will repeatedly throw its head backwards to move the crab towards the throat; this way the grass was not swallowed along with the crustacean. Another interesting observation that I was not able to capture in film was that in one occasion, one of the gators was surrounded by bubbling water along its chest. I could not figure out what was going on until I heard a very low frequency sound. It looks as the vibrations of the alligator's chest was causing the bubbling effect.
Alligators are not the only predators of the marshes at Huntington Beach Park. Fishing with a net in one of the canals there was a man trying to catch shrimps but in the time that I was there, he was not too successful.
Painted buntings are to me the most colorful birds in Southeast and it appears that their formal range had diminished. Consequently their numbers have been reduced due the destruction of their habitat. A male is below.
Here we have a mocking bird who is not afraid of big bad eagle. Size matters!!!

Monday, June 29, 2009

Huntington Beach State Park Part I

I have been to numerous wildlife refuges in the southeastern United States and I considered Sanibel Island and Merritt Island in Florida to be the best locations to photograph birds. But based in my experience last week, this one is the best due to the ease of accessibility to the marsh areas and the tameness of the bird life.
This park is located near Murrells Inlet in South Carolina and the first time I went there was in 1973. I visited this park various times throughout the years but the last time I was there was 2o years ago. At that time there was just an access gate (no entry fee!!!) and a narrow causeway that crossed the marsh to access the beach. The area was very rustic and the wildlife not as abundant and tolerating of people as they are presently. Now the park is more regulated with a campground, a store and a exhibition building as well as walkways over the marsh areas to observe the wildlife.
I was surprised as to the photographic opportunities here. The birds are easily approached or rather they approach you. So a 70-200 mm lens is more than adequate for most photographs. There were great congregations of great egrets, snowy egrets, wood storks, little blue herons and also got to photograph an anhinga and a roseate spoonbill; the later not commonly seen here. There were also ospreys and rails were heard but never seen.
The snowy egrets above are really jewels to watch and photograph. They would just fly in just next to me and start fishing like I was not there. The first one above caught what looks like a small crab that is about to be swallowed. These birds have problem swallowing shrimps and worked them by throwing them in the air to align the bodies along the length of the bill to swallow. While in this process another egret may try to snatch it away.
The great egrets were more agile at swallowing the shrimps. It is amazing that these birds could swallow a mature blue crab; one can see the bulk going down the throat. The great egrets will also spear fish but I did not see the snowy egrets doing it and limited themselves to minnow size fish.
The wood storks feed in family groups but when it came to sharing, that was not in their behavior and in the case above, it flew away with a blue crab. These birds just walk around with the bills in the water moving the head side to side.
As they wade they open a wing and form like an umbrella; I assume that they do this to scare the prey with the shadow or perhaps to create a shade to eliminate the glare from the water surface so that they can see better.
There is a lot of interaction among the wood storks. It appears that the two in the backgrounds were having an affair and when the one to the right approached closer, it was promptly chased away. Later on, one of the pair in the background picked a twig floating in the water and passed it to the other which in turn flew away; maybe they were making a nest. Part II will follow soon.

MOTOGP RESULT GRAND PRIX OF DUTCH 2009

MOTOGP RESULT GRAND PRIX OF DUTCH 2009

1. Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team
2. Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team
3. Casey STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team
4. Colin EDWARDS USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3
5. Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP
6. James TOSELAND GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3
7. Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP
8. Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Marlboro Team
9. Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP
10. Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini
11. Marco MELANDRI ITA Hayate Racing Team
12. Toni ELIAS SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini
13. Sete GIBERNAU SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando
14. Niccolo CANEPA ITA Pramac Racing
15. Yuki TAKAHASHI JPN Scot Racing Team MotoGP
16. Gabor TALMACSI HUN Scot Racing Team MotoGP


Not classified
36 Mika KALLIO FIN Pramac Racing
4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team
3 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team

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MOTOGP RESULT GRAND PRIX OF JEREZ 2009
MOTOGP RESULT GRAND PRIX OF JAPANESE 2009

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Holiday to Alaska

Vacation is something that people needed, if you love to travel and are confused where to go for a holiday because all the places you already visit. why don't you try to go to alaska for holiday, i'm sure there are many things and place that you don't ever see in alaska.

One of place that you should go in Alaska is Denali Park, you can see a beautiful view there, even when you are on the way There.

Way To Alaska

Denali Park

If you con't know how to go to Alaska you can visit Alaska Travel, here you can find many information about Travel Alaska, from information about hotel, Places, how to go there and many more. So if you already know about alaska, why don't you go there with Alaska Denali Tours.

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Thursday, June 25, 2009

The King of Pop Has Died!!




It is with great sadness, that I write this. According to the Los Angeles Times and the news agency Associated Press, Michael Jackson has died at age 50.

Michael was rushed to L A Medical Center and suffered a cardiac arrest.

May our beloved "King of Pop", rest in peace........

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Virtual Art Exhibition


I would like to invite you to a virtual Art exhibition. Come enjoy the art of Margarita Garcia Alonso, a Cuban artist in exile:

http://editpar.com/margaritagarciaalonso.htm

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Standing, Funny Face (Ernest Raphael Picture)

My Cute Baby........!





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F1 RESULT GRAND PRIX OF BRITISH 2009

F1 RESULT GRAND PRIX OF BRITISH 2009

1. S. Vettel Red Bull Racing
2. M. Webber Red Bull Racing
3. R. Barrichello Brawn GP Formula One Team
4. F. Massa Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro
5. N. Rosberg AT&T Williams
6. J. Button Brawn GP Formula One Team
7. J. Trulli Panasonic Toyota Racing
8. K. Raikkonen Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro
9. T. Glock Panasonic Toyota Racing
10. G. Fisichella Force India F1 Team
11. K. Nakajima AT&T Williams
12. N. Piquet ING Renault F1 Team
13. R. Kubica BMW Sauber F1 Team
14. F. Alonso ING Renault F1 Team
15. N. Heidfeld BMW Sauber F1 Team
16. L. Hamilton Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
17. A. Sutil Force India F1 Team
18. S. Buemi Scuderia Toro Rosso

Not Classified
11 S. Bourdais Scuderia Toro Rosso
2 H. Kovalainen Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

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F1 RESULT GRAND PRIX OF CHINESE 2009

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Mailbox is a Small Thing But Very Important

Todays many people who have forgotten a mailbox at they house, they might think that letter can be sent via email, so they don't need a mailbox. But in my opinion mail box is a small thing, but it is also very important. Because there are many important letter that are not able to sent in a form of email.

You can find many type of mailboxes at mailboxiexchange, The most interesting mailbox for me is the EuropeanHome Wall Mounted Stainless Steel Torgen Mailbox, this is one of that mailboxes picture that very nice that i ever see.


Anyway You can still search many mail boxes to accordance with your house. by selecting the appropriate Mailbox you can make your house look more beautiful.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Demonstration Against the Closure of Globovision in Venezuela


" ALL FOR ONE, AND FREEDOM FOR ALL " JUNE 25th: JOIN US to unmuzzle the world.

1) On June 25th, in as many countries as we can possibly organize, we will protest in front of the respective Venezuelan embassies or consulates, or in front of international organizations connected with the issue of Human Rights.

2)The protest consists of gagging our mouths with red muzzles as a symbol of violations of freedom of expression.

3) During the manifestation a document, rejecting the closure of Globovision and of any media in the world, will be presented

AN UNMUZZLED WORLD JUNE 25th: WORLD WIDE PROTESTS FOR THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH. Freedom of speech is established as a fundamental human right and in a system of democratic government it ought to be promoted and defended by the government as well as by and the citizenry.

We wish to speak out against the closing of any communication medium in whatever country. Let us join our voices that they may be heard throughout the world. Unmuzzled we speak!In Venezuela freedom of speech and democracy have been in danger for quite some time. The most obvious attack was the closing of RCTV, a television channel that had been operating for 50 years.

Their license was revoked and its equipment stolen outright under the sad excuse that its concession had expired.Once again, Venezuelans are being threatened with the closing of Globovisión, the only 24 hour news channel in the country.

This might happen any moment! There is no valid legal explanation; it is a political fact that the powers-that-be simply want to silence the channel whose opinions are not the same as those of the government. Should the closing of this communication medium materialize, then the only television window left in Venezuela for denouncing human rights violations would be closed off.

We want to raise our voices against the closure of any media anywhere in the world. We want you to be part of this campaign and to play a role in this manifestation that shall allow our voices to be heard everywhere without Muzzles!

Paris Hilton Best of the Best awards

Paris Hilton is one of my favorite actress, I like her face and her style. She is for me the best of the best in her group of same actresses. She was on Best of the MTV Movie awarsd. She has actually won several awards, but what I like most about her is the way she performed in the movie House of wax. She deserves Best of the Best Awards. But of course, she's the only one who deserves a BOB award, there are other things that are really performing best in their field.

Choosing the best of the best is the best thing that we should be able to learn. The way we choose the best artist or actor or actress that can make us happy gives us the best fulfillment. Likewise, choosing the best of the best in the field of entertainment at home is also something that is fulfilling. Please nominate directsattv in the Best of the
Publish Post
Best Awards for direct tv dealer.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Short Spring Trip

Last Spring I drove to Dayton, Ohio up I 64 to Charleston, West Virginia where I connected to Rt. 35 all the way to Dayton. This is a very scenery route and I stopped a couple of times to make sure that the camera was working. Off I-64 near Sandstone is the New River where I took the above image of a what is called a horseshoe bend. This is an HDR image resulting from 4 separate exposures. The Norfolk and Southern railroad follows the river; this track is mainly used to deliver coal to Hampton Roads for export.

Route 35 goes through several small towns with peculiar names such as Nitro and Asbestos among others and runs parallel to the Kanawa River through beautiful farm lands in the flood plain. Althougth I am not sure, I would venture to say that the names of towns is related to the mining industry that is big business in West Virginia. There are several locks and hydroelectric plants in the river, and lots of barges and tugboats can be seen navigating up and down the River. The Mail Pouch in the side of an old barn used to be common sight in farm country through the South East but these are mostly gone by now.

Dayton in its days of glory used to be a city of inventors as the Wright's Brothers, Kettering and others. It used to be an industrial center with companies such as Delco, NCR, Dayton Tire Company and GM assembly plants; the later just closed last December. The green house above was the electrical shop where Kettering invented the electric starter and igniters for automobiles.

This barn is also one of the many historical structures left in Dayton; it hard to comprehend that less than a hundred years ago this city was mainly a dairy and agricultural community that transformed itself into and industrial power and now it is a declining community as lots in the Mid West.

While I Dayton I stayed with relatives and one early morning I was looking into the yard and to my surprise, I saw female Cooper's Hawk collecting branches for a nest. She was making it in a tree in the yard next door. Imagine, this is in an urban community full of people. She was being closely supervised by her male companion that was very vigilant watching all her moves from a nearby tree. But working was below his dignity.

Monday, June 15, 2009

List ESPADA (anime bleach)

ESPADA LIST

4 : 1 : 5 : 3 : 9 : 10 : 2 : 8 : 7 : 6


5 : 2 : 6 : 9 : 3
10 : 1 : 4 : 8 : 7

1. Stark - Loneliness
2. Barragan Luisenbarn - Aging (Time)
3. Tia Harribel - Sacrifice
4. Ulquiorra Cifer - Nihilism
5. Nnoitra Jiruga- Despair
6. Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez - Destruction
7. Zommari Leroux- Intoxication
8. Szayel Aporro Granz - Madness
9. Aaroniero Arruruerie - Greed
10. Yammy Rialgo - Rage

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MOTOGP RESULT GRAND PRIX OF CATALUNYA 2009

MOTOGP RESULT GRAND PRIX OF CATALUNYA 2009

1. Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team
2. Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team
3. Casey STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team
4. Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team
5. Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP
6. Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team
7. Colin EDWARDS USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3
8. Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP
9. Mika KALLIO FIN Pramac Racing
10. Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Marlboro Team
11. Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP
12. Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini
13. James TOSELAND GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3
14. Marco MELANDRI ITA Hayate Racing Team
15. Sete GIBERNAU SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando
16. Niccolo CANEPA ITA Pramac Racing
17. Gabor TALMACSI HUN Scot Racing Team MotoGP


Not classified
24 Toni ELIAS SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini
72 Yuki TAKAHASHI JPN Scot Racing Team MotoGP

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MOTOGP RESULT GRAND PRIX OF QATAR 2009

Friday, June 12, 2009

Civil War Reenactments.

For the last few years I had been attending several civil war reenactments in Virginia, mostly in Isle of Wight County. These consists of a Rebel and Yankee encampments with sleeping tents, kitchens, headquarters, communications, supplies and horse stables among others. The participants come from ways of life and really live their roles wearing authentic period clothing and weapons as a first choice or period reproductions.
In the above photo you can see a wounded soldier falling into the ground.

The occasions start on a Friday when the camps are set-up and in Saturday mornings you can visit the encampments where the reenactors lives as it was in the real camps in the civil war. Cooking is done in open fire with cast iron pots and ant a typical breakfast consist of egg, bacon, bread and coffee. They mostly seat around waiting for orders smoking, talking and cleaning their weapons. By late morning, they are called into formations and practice various military maneuvers.
The battles are actually fought in the afternoon and here is where the men becomes boys playing war. These are very involved and the participants are really absorbed by their roles.
Battles are very active with canon and muskets fire, flag waving, cavalry charges and infantry charges. The weapons are real and last year, there was an accident one of the rifleman shot a real mini ball wounding and opponent.
Canons as part of the battles and they usually are fired at the beginning to soften the enemy ranks. Each artillery piece is manned by several soldiers each of whom has an specific duty such as cleaning and loading the gun, others bring the powder charges and the canon balls while others aim and fire the pieces. Needless to say these canons are very loud.
There are several children in the battlefields doing several jobs; above a drummer boy is moving forward in a rebel charge. Children in reenactments play several roles such as water carriers, assisting the wounded in the field and taking care of horses. Girls as well as women are also participating in these reenactments in occasionally playing same role men...I imagine that this was not too common during the real Civil War.
Some of the reenactors are very proud of their possessions and willing to share their historical value. The heart medallion above was found in the Cold Harbor Battlefield. According to the owner, it was hollowed and used by the female order to smuggle messages hidden inside it. As you can see, the medallion hollow area was at the top (greenish color) but the cover is missing. The string holding the medallion was made of human hair very finely woven into a cord. The owner claims that it is the original, but I wonder how could it has survived so many years in a field.
Above are photos of some of the reenactors, I can tell you , they are really having fun recreating the past. Some of these are very professional and speak as they really were from the Civil War period. You can hear them talking about the upcoming battle as it was really happening and keep the historical accuracy of the battle events. The second image is that of a soldier with a bone on it. Can anyone tell me what bone this is?
I believe that there is only one of my regular bloggers that knows what it is and he is in Alaska right now. Give it a try.
Of course there are some of the reenacters that are not up to the "period" as they say because of items of modern times; in this case lady in blue with a digital camera; just a time warp.
Of course, there is not a complete Civil War battle without lots of horses and these were not missing. The cost of these reenactments is high, I believe that my hobby of taking photos is a bargain. Imagine, maintaining these horses as well as the cost of the riding gear is quite expensive not to mention the large pieces of artillery and the carriages needed to take them and move them around the battle. And at the end of the weekend, all are anxious to go home.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Freebies Source on The Internet

At this time we must be careful in buying products, it's good if we see the sample first before we buy the product. If you wat to see the sample you can search free samples in the internet, one of them is Freebie Source. You can olso find a free stuff here. There are many sample or stuff that you can find that group base on the category. For an example is a student freebies, in here you can get book, magazine, or you can even get paid by taking some short survey.

Not only to find or search the samples, Freebie Source can help to spread your sample product too, so you don't have to waste your time when you try to advertise your product. So why don't you try it now and find some freebies, You can subscribe for free and you will get updates with the weekly newsletter.

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Monday, June 8, 2009

F1 RESULT GRAND PRIX OF TURKEY 2009

F1 RESULT GRAND PRIX OF TURKEY 2009

1. J. Button Brawn GP Formula One Team
2. M. Webber Red Bull Racing
3. S. Vettel Red Bull Racing
4. J. Trulli Panasonic Toyota Racing
5. N. Rosberg AT&T Williams
6. F. Massa Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro
7. R. Kubica BMW Sauber F1 Team
8. T. Glock Panasonic Toyota Racing
9. K. Raikkonen Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro
10. F. Alonso ING Renault F1 Team
11. N. Heidfeld BMW Sauber F1 Team
12. K. Nakajima AT&T Williams
13. L. Hamilton Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
14. H. Kovalainen Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
15. S. Buemi Scuderia Toro Rosso
16. N. Piquet ING Renault F1 Team
17. A. Sutil Force India F1 Team
18. S. Bourdais Scuderia Toro Rosso

Not Classified
23 R. Barrichello Brawn GP Formula One Team
21 G. Fisichella Force India F1 Team

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Thursday, June 4, 2009

True Promise ( Motivation Story )

"How long will you be poring over that newspaper? Will you come
here right away and make your darling daughter eat her food?"

I tossed the paper away and rushed to the scene. My only
daughter Sindu looked frightened. Tears were welling up in her
eyes. In front of her was a bowl filled to its brim with Curd
Rice.

Sindu is a nice child, quite intelligent for her age. She has
just turned eight. She particularly detested Curd Rice.
My mother and my wife are orthodox and believe firmly in the
'cooling effects' of Curd Rice. I cleared my throat and picked
up the bowl.

"Sindu, darling, why don't you take a few mouthful of this Curd
Rice? Just for Dad's sake, dear. If you don't, your Mom will
shout at me."

I could sense my wife's scowl behind my back. Sindu softened a
bit and wiped her tears with the back of her hands. "OK, Dad.
I will eat not just a few mouthfuls, but the whole lot of this.
But, you should..." Sindu hesitated. "Dad, if I eat this entire
Curd Rice, will you give me whatever I ask for?"
"Oh sure, darling."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

I covered the pink soft hand extended by my daughter with mine
and clinched the deal.

"Ask Mom also to give a similar promise," my daughter insisted.
My wife slapped her hand on Sindu's muttering "Promise,"
without any emotion.

Now I became a bit anxious. "Sindu, you shouldn't insist on
getting a computer or any such expensive items. Dad does not
have that kind of money right now. OK?"

"No, Dad. I do not want anything expensive."

Slowly and painfully, she finished eating the whole quantity.
I was silently angry with my wife and my mother for forcing my
child to eat something that she detested.

After the ordeal was through, Sindu came to me with her eyes
wide with expectation. All of our attention was on her.

"Dad, I want to have my head shaved off this Sunday,"
was her demand!

"Atrocious!" shouted my wife, "a girl child having her head
shaved off? Impossible!"

"Never in our family!" my mother rasped. "She has been watching
too much of television. Our culture is getting totally spoiled
with these TV programs!"

"Sindu, why don't you ask for something else? We will be sad
seeing you with a clean-shaven head."

"No, Dad. I do not want anything else," Sindu said with
finality.

"Please Sindu, why don't you try to understand our feelings?"
I tried to plead with her.

"Dad, you saw how difficult it was for me to eat that Curd
Rice," Sindu was in tears. "And you promised to grant me
whatever I ask for. Now, you are going back on your words.
Was it not you who told me the story of King Harishchandra and
its moral that we should honor our promises no matter what?"

It was time for me to call the shots.
"Our promise must be kept."

"Are you out your mind?" chorused my mother and wife.

"No. If we go back on our promises, she will never learn to
honour her own. Sindu, your wish will be fulfilled."

With her head clean-shaven, Sindu had a round-face, and her eyes
looked big and beautiful.

On Monday morning, I dropped her at her school. It was a sight
to watch my hairless Sindu walking towards her classroom.
She turned around and waved.

I waved back with a smile. Just then, a boy alighted from a
car, and shouted, "Sinduja, please wait for me!"

What struck me was the hairless head of that boy.
"Maybe that is the `in' stuff," I thought.

"Sir, your daughter Sinduja is great indeed!"
Without introducing herself, a lady got out of the car, and
continued, "That boy who is walking along with your daughter is
my son Harish. He is suffering from leukemia."

She paused to muffle her sobs. "Harish could not attend the
school for the whole of the last month. He lost all of his hair
due to the side effects of the chemotherapy. He refused to come
back to school fearing the unintentional but cruel teasing of
the schoolmates.

"Sinduja visited him last week and promised him that she will
take care of the teasing issue. But I never imagined she would
sacrifice her lovely hair for the sake of my son! Sir, you and
your wife are blessed to have such a noble soul as your
daughter."

I stood transfixed. And then, I wept.

"My little Angel, will you teach me what love is?"

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Ushuaia

Ushuaia is the main city and capital of the Tierra del Fuego Province and it was first established by British missionaries that came to christanize the Yamana indians. Later on the Argentine government established penal colony to colonize the territory and prevent other nations from claiming it. Ushuaia claims to be the southermost city in the world although this is disputed by Chile.



The city has now a population of about 64,000 people and is growing rapidly due to tourism. Most Antartic Cruises depart from this port during the tour season. It was at one time quite industrial with various electronic factories but the locals claims that these disappeared during the presidence of Menen who opened the economy to foreign competition. Shipping is also a new source of revenue and a couple of ports full of containers can be seen. To my surprise, one day, I saw a couple of large factory fishing ships with Argentine flags unloading containers full of processed fish. When I asked about them , I was told that they were owned by a chinese company and that all the fish was being shipped to China.

As I drove into town from the modern airport the night I arrived, the boat below is the first sight I saw and immediately I thought I must photograph it first thing next morning. It is a shipwrecked British tugboat that has been there for more than fifty years.


At one time Ushuaia was an important Argentine Military center but since the war of the Malvinas, the military actives have been reduced. The hangar below played an important role in the war of the Malvinas and planes departed from this base to attack the British naval forces. Now it is used as a museum; at the time I was there the Biennal del Fin del Mundo Art Festival was being held, and most appropriately, it was freezing cold inside.


Since I was there in the winter, there were not many tourists and most of the boat tours in the Beagle Channel were not operating, but there were short trips available so I was able to visit the sea island of the Lobos (sea lions) and Birds islands as you can see below. There is also a Penguin Island but these were gone for the season.



The boat tour went as far as the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, better know as the Lighthouse at the End of the World made famous by Jules Verne's novel "20,000 Leagues under the Sea."
But then again, there is another lighthouse offshore in a small island that claims that record too.


But all is not quiet at this time of the year. One afternoon I was walking in the waterfront when I ran into a shaman walking start naked all painted in white and black. According to the locals this was a Selk'man or Ona Indian priest. If he was a real one or an impostor creating publicity for the Art Festival, he only knows. Someone got a better view...