Photo by Stacy Blackman

We all enjoy spending time near the water – it is relaxing, calming and in the summer time it can be a best way to spend your vacation, lying on the sand and splashing in the water. What might give you a bit of discomfort (other than of course forgetting to use sun block) are jellyfish that can be found in every sea in the world. Actually jellyfish are also found in fresh water, but those species are tiny (less than an inch – 25 mm – in diameter), transparent (Fact: the bodies of those jellyfish are 95% water,) and do not sting.

Photo by sami73

I don’t think that we could find a person who enjoys the “touch” of a jellyfish, especially the touch of the large colored ones that can also sting you. (Fact: the tentacles have the stinging cells–the nematocyst–loaded with poison to serve as a defense mechanism and weapon for capturing prey. Each tentacle may contain thousands of these little harpoon units that spring the poison into the prey’s body.) Despite their ability to sting, people used to see them in the water while traveling to other places for vacation without even thinking that those boneless creatures could be harmful. (more…)

Brazilian Wandering Spider (aka Phoneutria Nigriventer)

The Brazilian wandering spider (aka Phoneutria nigriventer) is considered to be one of the most dangerous spiders in the world. It lives in South America, doesn’t create a web, and never stays in one place. That’s where it gets its name from –  Phoneutria sp. It’s just 10 centimeters in length but can kill about 225 mice with its poison. It can hardly kill a wise man, but can indeed cause a major allergic reaction. Fortunately there was an antidote found for its poison. The Phoneutria spider mostly feeds on insects, smaller spiders, and sometimes birds or even lizards which are much bigger in size. It prefers to hide in fruit baskets, especially among bananas, and that’s why it earned the nickname of the “banana spider.” An interesting fact from FoxNews.com states that the venom of phoneutria can stimulate a long-time uncomfortable erection ( check http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,269455,00.html).

Photo by smccann

Photo by smccann

Photo from wikimedia.org

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The earthquake in Haiti at Port-Au-Prince this year has been a shock to the entire world. In a brief moment, the entire city found itself a shambles and over 230,000 people lost their lives. The rebuilding efforts will likely take years but the human toll is unimaginable. Earthquakes are incredibly destructive in their ability to take both life and property. Although epidemics have claimed more lives overall, earthquakes have cut a greater swath of damage on this planet than any other natural disaster. Of the ten deadliest natural disasters of all time, six are earthquakes claiming a staggering total of over 2 million deaths.

Despite the incredible losses, the earthquake in Haiti was not the largest earthquake in history. In fact, looking over meticulous records kept over the past two thousand years, Haiti pales in comparison to some of the historical death counts. It is important to note–at least keeping things in perspective–that the 2010 Haiti earthquake is, sadly, in the top ten of the deadliest natural disasters of all time.

10. The 1923 Great Kantō earthquake, Japan

With a confirmed 105,000 deaths, this tragic quake struck just before noon on September 1st with a magnitude of 8.3 on the Richter scale. Centered around the Kantō plain on the Japanese main island of Honshū, the earthquake devastated many areas of the region, such as Tokyo, Yokohama, Chiba, Kanagawa, and Shizuoka. Fatalities in this quake were exacerbated by the fact that it struck around lunchtime. Since many were cooking lunch over fires, widespread fires broke out with limited ability to extinguish them. A nearby typhoon in Northern Japan did not help the situation; firestorms then erupted and, in one case, developed into a fire whirl which killed roughly 38,000 packed into an open air market in downtown Tokyo.

9. The 893 Ardabil earthquake – Iran

Ardabil is located in the northwest corner of Iran near the Caspian Sea. Due to the location more than the age of this earthquake, there is very little information on what exactly happened or its full impact. It is actually unknown as to when during the year this happened. The magnitude is unknown, but according to the US Geological Survey, roughly 150,000 people were killed. In 1997, another quake struck, although with significantly less destruction and thankfully less loss of life as well.

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Volcanic eruptions are deadly yet very beautiful and breathtaking sights. For some reason they bring to mind images of spirits of the earth coming to punish people for violating nature’s laws. Thanks to multiple studies and experiments scientists have learned how to predict the time of volcanic eruptions, so citizens of nearby villages and towns can now be evacuated before volcanic ash and lava turn their homes to ashes. In our post today we will tell you about active living volcanoes, which by the way have become one of the most popular attractions for tourists. This is risky, but isn’t it what makes us feel alive?

Cotopaxi, Ecuador

Cotopaxi is a stratovolcano located in Andes Mountains. It is the highest active volcano in the world (5,897 m) and the second highest summit in Ecuador. Cotopaxi distinguishes itself with a riot of greenery at its foot and a graceful crater. It is also considered the most dangerous of active volcanoes. There have been more than 50 eruptions of Cotopaxi Since 1738. Its eruption activity causes destruction of the neighboring town of Lacatunga. The volcano has been relatively inactive since 1904. This is what makes Cotopaxi the most popular attraction for climbers, bikers and tourists. In traditional Tigua paintings, Cotopaxi is usually depicted as an integral part of cultural life.

Photo by Kevin Labianco

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Photo by PhOtOnQuAnTiQuE

Lightning is an amazing and breathtaking sight to witness. At the same time it is one of the most dangerous and unpredictable of all natural phenomena. But how much do you really know about lightning? Even though scientists all over the world are gathering facts about lightning, dividing it into different types, measuring its voltage, monitoring temperature, and creating it in laboratories, it is still impossible to predict the behavior of every lightning bolt. Let’s look through some facts about lightning.

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For those who have an interest in facts and information, the seven Wonders of the World will be very familiar.  These main seven wonders, however, are only of the ancient world and there are actually many different groups, depending on whether, for example, they are man made, natural or industrial.

The seven wonders included here are popular choices in their own categories and are considered by some to make an ideal definitive seven Wonders of the World list themselves.

Angel Falls

Known locally as Kerepakupai meru, Angel Falls is the highest waterfall in the world and is located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Canaima National Park in Venezeula.

With a drop of 2,647 feet and a total height of 3,212 feet, it stands well over 700 feet taller than Niagra Falls, arguably the most popular water fall in the world.

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There are a million ways to say “I love you.” For example …

… taking a beautiful shot

Photo by takuya miyamoto*

… touching tenderly

Photo by Martyn @ Negaro

… leaving an “I love you” note in the morning

Photo by jessica.diamond

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What does it take to channel your own path? How much time do you have to reach the peak of your career, personal happiness, and friendships? And why did I come to the waterfall to ask myself about this? I couldn’t help but wonder. It’s just so great to go to a waterfall and treat yourself by giving these deeper things some thought. By doing so, you’re sure to be pleased with “new you” just waiting to be discovered. Explore some of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls, and see what they inspire in you.

Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe/Zambia

Victoria Falls, or Mosi-oa-Tunya, is located in southern Africa between the countries of Zimbabwe and Zambia. It was named after Victoria Queen in 1855 by David Livingstone, a Scottish explorer and missionary. Before that time the falls, were known as “The Mist that Thunders.” According to one of the lists of wonders it takes its place in the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. While it is neither the highest nor the widest waterfall in the world, it is one of the largest and most exciting. With its width of 1,708 meters and height of 108 meters it forms one of the biggest water screens in the world.

Photo by JensD

Photo by fctwente
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Isn’t it amazing how two or more places on this single Earth can be so incredibly different? Cliffs, deserts, oceans, meadows, mountains, and gently rolling hills — they couldn’t look more different, but each showcases a kind of beauty all its own. If you’re a fan of the handiwork of Mother Nature, and you’d like to get a glimpse of the diversity of the world, check out this photostream featuring gorgeous landscape photography.

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Oh winter air, how you run through my veins! You may turn my blood cold, but you still make my heart warm when I catch a glimpse of your stark white beauty. You would think a blanket of freshly fallen snow would hide nature’s beauty — bury it until a warm spring breeze comes to melt it away. But instead winter reminds us of the delights of dormancy as the world rests and prepares to come to life again. If you’re like me, and you enjoy the winter wonderland a good snowfall offers, you’ll love this winter photostream.

Photo by ~leenik

Photo by ~nayein

Photo by ~doberman4ik
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