Archive for February 2009
Carnival Brazil
The Carnival Brazil kicked off yesterday in Rio with the opening ceremony which sees the Carnival ‘Fat’ King (Momo) crowned by the mayor.
The festival is celebrated in towns, villages and cities across Brazil, although the main event tends to be in Rio, widely known as the carnival capital of the World.
Over half a million visitors from all corners of the World will poor into Rio de Janerio to celebrate this energetic and colourful carnival for the next few days. On Sunday the visually stunning and raunchy Samba parade will snake through the streets, a scene that has made the carnival so well known across the globe.
The city will come alive with countless balls, parties and general hedonistic fun. It is a time for Brazilians to celebrate their rich culture.
Frost+Fiat Coupé/Wiper
Yes, love ’em or hate ’em, I was once the proud owner of a truly Italian Fiat Coupé.
I loved the car… and hated it, I think this is standard for any Italian manufactured automobile.
This is a shot taken after a cold night produced a sharp snap frost. It is the rear wiper arm, looking down towards the boot lid.
Dusty the abused cat, is now safe
Some things are beyond words. This is the sickening story of Dusty the cat.
A couple of sick adolescent brothers abused Dusty in their own home and then posted the disgraceful video online.
Today the internet underground can claim a small but meaningful humane victory. Shortly after two teenagers posted a horrific video of themselves abusing a helpless cat, the internet community reacted by tracking them down and contacting the authorities.
– Taken from Brave Little Meme
Thankfully, Dusty is now safe and sound in a veterinary hospital, and the authorities are aware of the case.
I have not seen the video, nor do I wish to, but my personal view is that I hope the two offenders get exactly the same treatment. Scheudenfraude is not necessarily always a bad sentiment.
The good people who tracked down the scum that did this have published the full story and the details of the offenders, Kenny & Weston Glenn online.
To read the full story and keep up to date with Dusty’s case and to offer support, visit www.kenny-glenn.net
More at KSWO / 7News
Dances with Huskies
Hunters at play
On a cold late October day in 2007, German photographer Nobert Rosing and Husky manager Brian Ladoon were together taking some sunset photos of Ladoon’s large pack of Huskies by Hudson Bay near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada.
Out of the dull greyness emerged a fully grown wild male polar bear, guessed to weigh around 1200 lbs that had probably not eaten in four months. Cut off from its usual seal based diet by the thin sea ice, it was heading for a tethered Husky.
Rosing and Ladoon were certain that the Husky would be killed instantly.
But, as the bear approached, the Husky was in a crouched position with his rump in the air with its tail wagging, mouth open but not bearing its teeth. The bear had its ears back and fur flat. What happened next was extraordinary…
They engaged in a long bout of gentle play.
The polar bear returned every night that week to play with the Huskies.
I know this story isn’t breaking news and happened in 2007, but I was amazed by what happened.
Apparently this sort of play behaviour has been seen elsewhere, between wolves and Brown (or Grizzly) bears in the USA.
Photographer: Norbet Rosing
Born in northern Germany in 1953, Norbert Rosing is a passionate nature and wildlife photographer with special dedication to the Arctic, North American landscapes, and the national parks of Germany.
In 1980, Rosing published his first photograph in a German photo magazine. Since then he has traveled extensively to the Canadian Arctic, to the landscapes of the U.S. Southwest, and to the romantic landscapes of Germany’s national parks and Africa’s savannas.
More from National Geographic
Further Reading
Norbert Rosing’s Website
Audio Slideshow of the event
Tjeerd Derkink | Royale T
Melon Scenery by Tjeerd Derkink
Tjeerd Derkink is a photographer and designer. His work mainly revolves around skateboarding. He runs Royale T, which is his online presence for his design and photography.
The above photo is one of his older pics, but I love the composition. His work is pretty special, check out his FlickR page for more cracking shots.
This is an oldie. To create contrast, I decided to cast out every piece of skatepark. I also wanted to hide the identity of the skater. So no face, no park. Just an urban figure in nature.
– Tjeerd Derkink
Further info…
Conquering Coniston Water’s Fells
After hiking our way up above Coniston Water in the Lake District, Andy climbed up onto a massive boulder to gain an advantage point.
Despite the ominous looking clouds seen here, it was a scorchingly hot and humid August day. The sunlight was dancing across the surrounding fells as it broke through the clouds.
The full Coniston crew..
Guy, Mike, Me & Andy (L to R)
The views we were rewarded with
Shots taken 2nd August 2008
High Five
Blue’s paws are pretty big. Looks like he’s got some growing to do. He is just over 4.5 Kgs now, I reckon he’ll be 10-12Kgs when fully grown. We shall wait and see.
His claws are still extremely sharp, they can go through skin pretty easily when he’s playing. As of next week, he can be taken out for walks, which should wear them down significantly.
Shot taken 14th February 2009
Top of Cassons, Flims / Switzerland
Spider & G at the top of the Cassons cable car, Flims, Switzerland.
The Cassons cable car isn’t particularly big, or popular, as there is a breathless steep 200m plus hike to the top of the ridge.
We stopped for a breather at the top to take in the spectacular view. At 2675m it’s not particularly high, but the way the mountains form there, it seemed like the highest I’d ever been. It was a perfect bluebird day with little wind. We were the only people there, which made it even more spellbinding.
It’s pretty remote and usually windswept, you can see the ridge itself is devoid of snow and strewn with loose rocks. There was a sign informing the few that made it up there about the local mountain goats that live in that area. We didn’t see any.
Someone, who shall remain nameless, had a slash over the side of the ridge. When I pointed out that was probably the highest open air slash he’d done, I was proudly told that I was wrong and that an open air wazzing incident had been had at something like 10,000 feet in Tibet!
This is me enduring the hike up to the ridge.
The only way down is off piste. It looked like fresh deep powder, but it had a sun melted re-frozen crust on the top, so the going was tough. It was so hot, there was an issue with steamed up goggles if you stopped. It was a bit of a thigh burner, but well worth the excursion.
Shots taken 29th December 2007
D.E.A.
Dickster + crew
R, J, S, M & G… a few friends of mine, shooting the shit during a walk into Llangollen, North Wales.
Shot taken 15th November 2008
Adidas Originals Furniture
The Adidas Originals table & chairs installation within the Offspring concession at Selfridges department store in London.
Surely the coolest table & chairs ever?
Designed by Matt Maurer from the Manchester consultancy True North, the table is an over sized Adidas shoebox, whilst each chair is represented by a shoebox lid. It isn’t a ‘hands-off’ display either, it is (or was) somewhere for customers to try footwear on. The display was produced by AT Set & Stage and was launched in early February 2008.
I hope it’s still there.
Awards
The Fresh Creative Awards 2008 – Silver
The Roses Design Awards 2008 – Bronze
Shortlisted for the Design Week Awards 2008
Rufdog. 