Goodbye 2011

The rose is from the garden at my home in Payyampally, the credit goes to my mother who takes care of the beautiful garden.

The Solar Array Cube

The solar array cube of Discovery Science Center is situated in Santa Ana, California.

Sunset of Christmas 2011

Blogger got these pictures on 25th December 2011 from the terrace of his brother’s apartment at Hyderabad (Kacham Pearl, Lakshmi Ganga Enclave, Jeedimetla Village)

Sunspots on Christmas Evening

Enlarge the three smaller pictures to see the sunspot seen on the same spot on the sun.

Sunspots were seen during the last few weeks or in the last couple of months with the naked eyes during sunsets when the sun dimmed enough and reddened enough. The clear winter skies aided to get a clear view of the till the last minute. The blogger was able to see it from his hometown – Payyampally, as well as from Bangalore evening skies. The pictures posted here are those one he seen during the Christmas Evening of 2011 from Hyderabad. He went up to the terrace of his brother’s apartment where he spent the Christmas of 2011 to get these photographs. After reading some articles in internet, the blogger confirmed that sunspots are something that can be viewed occasionally with naked eyes also. When he saw one, he was not sure whether he was seeing a bird flying away or towards him as spot on the sun, he continued watching it for a few days where a clear sunset was visible and confirmed that what he was seeing are indeed sunspots. He took multiple photos and examined then to discover that the dark spots are indeed at the same spot and therefore are sunspots but not birds.

Sunspots seen from Bangalore

You can see a dark spot slightly towards the left of the center of sun and a group of spots towards the right of the center of the sun, further minute dark spots might not be a sunspots but noise in the image. Enlarge the smaller images to see the spots repeating at the same spot on sun.

Sunspots were seen during the last few weeks or in the last couple of months with the naked eyes during sunsets when the sun dimmed enough and reddened enough. The clear winter skies aided to get a clear view of the till the last minute. The blogger was able to see it from his hometown – Payyampally, as well as from Bangalore evening skies. These pictures are from Bangalore. After reading some articles in internet, the blogger confirmed that sunspots are something that can be viewed occasionally with naked eyes also. When he saw one, he was not sure whether he was seeing a bird flying away or towards him as spot on the sun, he continued watching it for a few days where a clear sunset was visible and confirmed that what he was seeing are indeed sunspots. He took multiple photos and examined then to discover that the dark spots are indeed at the same spot and therefore are sunspots but not birds.

Elephant Seals In Cambria Beach

I got these pictuers of Elephant Seals in Cambria Beach while I was driving back to Los Angeles from San Francisco along with my friends. We set the intermediate location as Morro Bay and San Louis Obispo, so that we made sure we are riding 120 miles along the central cost (Monterey Bay). Unfortunately the sky was always cloudy along the sea shore as a result of the warm air from the land touches the chilling sea in the western cost of US. We never knew that Cambria is famous for elephant seals, but we noticed some big creatures lying on the seashore just before it was about to be totally dark in the evening. We stopped by and turned back to find that it is nothing but these wonderful Mammals, the Elephant Seals. More about these Mammals can be read about in Wikipedia -->Elephant Seals (Wikipedia)

Flowers from Pacific Coast

Flowers – I got these pictures from the Central Pacific Coast of California, while driving through CA1 or Highway 1 as it is called. Highway 1 or CA 1 is considered as one of the most beautiful coastal highways in the world. Unfortunately the sea was always ash in color due to the clouds formed when the hot air from the main land touched the chilling climate on top of the ocean.

Lunar Eclipse 2011 December 10 - A Video Footage

Photos are posted in the link below

http://deepugeorge.blogspot.com/2011/12/lunar-eclipse-2011-december-10th-view.html

Here is a video footage of the complete Lunar Eclipse that happened today (10th December 2011). It is shot from my home town Payyampally, where the clear sky of December without any light pollution gave a very good view of the milky way, and apart from this celestial event, I could also watch a very bright meteor falling towards the northern side which I was not at all prepared to capture. Jupiter and Venus ruled the sky apart from this grant celestial event of Eclipse. Payyampally is situated at the northern part of Wayanad and is still not too light polluted, but good places for star watching are very rare, and the sky gives a clear view during a short time span over a year. When I am editing this post, the eclipse is not yet over. The video is taken some were between 7:30 pm IST and 8:00 pm IST when Moon was about to be completely shadowed by Earth.

Lunar Eclipse - 2011 December 10th - A view from Payyampally

Videos are posted in the link below

http://deepugeorge.blogspot.com/2011/12/lunar-eclipse-2011-december-10-video.html

Here are few shots of the complete Lunar Eclipse that happened today (10th December 2011). These shots are take n from my home town Payyampally, where the clear sky of December without any light pollution gave a very good view of the milky way, and apart from this celestial event, I could also watch a very bright meteor falling towards the northern side which I was not at all prepared to capture. Jupiter and Venus ruled the sky apart from this grant celestial event of Eclipse. Payyampally is situated at the northern part of Wayanad and is still not too light polluted, but good places for star watching are very rare, and the sky gives a clear view during a short time span over a year. When I am editing this post, the eclipse is not yet over.

A Sailboat

A Sailboat – a picture that I got from one of the seaside towns along the Pacific Central coast of California

View of a Sail from Santa Monica Beach

A sail in the sea near Santa Monica Beach in LA

San Bernardino Mountains

San Bernardino Mountains are beautiful. This picture is taken while driving towards Lake Arrowhead from City of Arcadia.

A Tree

Is this a Cedar Tree or Pine Tree? I captured this picture from near William R. Hearst memorial beach in the Western Coastal area of California.

Pacific View from US Highway 1 (Wide Angle)

The view of Pacific Ocean from the US – Highway 1 is elegant. Highway 1 or CA 1 is considered as one of the most beautiful coastal highways in the world. Unfortunately the sea was always ash in color due to the clouds formed when the hot air from the main land touched the chilling climate on top of the ocean. This picture was taken some were near San Luis Obispo.

100000 - Milestone

Today (22nd November 2011) after around 3 and a half years of purchase, my car crossed 1,00,000 kilometers on road. I took the one picture with 99,999 when I reached the garage yesterday night, a few 100 meters left to this milestone, and again the first picture shown below is taken today morning, immediately after I started driving towards my work place.

And the distance covered is just 2.5 times the perimeter of Earth! Around the world 2.5 times in 3.5 years!

Flowers from Pacific Coast

Flowers from the Pacific Coast of California

Pacific View from US Highway 1

The view of Pacific Ocean from the US – Highway 1 is elegant. Highway 1 or CA 1 is considered as one of the most beautiful coastal highways in the world. Unfortunately the sea was always ash in color due to the clouds formed when the hot air from the main land touched the chilling climate on top of the ocean.

A Bird

A Bird – a picture that I got from one of the seaside towns along the Pacific Central coast of California.

View of a Sail from Santa Monica Beach

A sail in the sea near Santa Monica Beach in LA

Red Porsche Again

A Porsche kept for sale near the banks of Lake Arrowhead in California.

Pelican

I spotted the pelican at sea side while driving towards San Francisco from Los Angeles.

Pacific View from US Highway 1 (Wide Angle)

The view of Pacific Ocean from the US – Highway 1 is elegant. Highway 1 or CA 1 is considered as one of the most beautiful coastal highways in the world. Unfortunately the sea was always ash in color due to the clouds formed when the hot air from the main land touched the chilling climate on top of the ocean.

Pacific and Bixby Creek Bridge View from US Highway 1

The view of Pacific Ocean from the US – Highway 1 is elegant. Highway 1 or CA 1 is considered as one of the most beautiful coastal highways in the world. Unfortunately the sea was always ash in color due to the clouds formed when the hot air from the main land touched the chilling climate on top of the ocean. You can also see the Bixby Creek Bridge in this photograph.

Pacific View from US Highway 1

The view of Pacific Ocean from the US – Highway 1 is elegant. Highway 1 or CA 1 is considered as one of the most beautiful coastal highways in the world. Unfortunately the sea was always ash in color due to the clouds formed when the hot air from the main land touched the chilling climate on top of the ocean.

Monterey Bay KAYAKS

Monterey Bay KAYAKS – a picture that I got while we stopped for lunch during the long beautiful drive through Highway 1 or CA 1, considered as one of the most beautiful coastal highways in the world.

Video Footage of San Bernardino Mountains

San Bernardino Mountains are beautiful. This video footage is taken handheld with my old still camera’s (Canon PowerShot S2 IS) video mode, while we stopped for a small break on a drive out area in the ghat road through the mountain range. This picture is taken while driving towards Lake Arrowhead from City of Arcadia. You can read more about San Bernardino Mountains at San Bernardino Mountains

Red Porsche

A Porsche kept for sale near the banks of Lake Arrowhead in California.

Otter

We spotted the Otter while we stopped at William R. Hearst Memorial beach.

Women’s Code Bill in Kerala – Some thoughts

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table

The last few days the suggestions by the committee with Retired Justice V R Krishna Iyer as the chair person came flashing in all the news channels and newspapers.

Following are some of the highlights in this bill that came up in the media

You can be imprisoned for impregnating your own wife. Worst, you could be branded as a `legally disqualified person’ for the third child onwards. INR 10,000 or three months simple’ imprisonment deserves to be slapped on the expectant father of a third child
The Kerala Women’s Code Bill 2011 maintains that violation of family norms will be deemed a legal disqualification and parents will not be eligible to receive any benefits from government. It insists on that religious and political outfits should not be allowed to discourage population planning and any such effort on their part should be censured by the governor. The report reads, “No person or institution shall use religion, region, sect, cast, cult or other ulterior inducements for the bearing of more children”.

Here are some thoughts on it.

What about the equal status and rights guaranteed by the constitution for each and every citizen of India which helps to rule out any discriminations based on gender, caste, religion or any factors? Will the government be ready to punish this committee for putting forward an idea which goes against the constitution of India instead of punishing a big daddy?

Why does the committee want anybody, or any group to be punished if they want to express their will against this law? That statement is again contradicting the foundation of Indian constitution right? If any group can make a rule and say that the rule cannot be changed forever, then why should we have democracy, elections, legislative members who can make rules and political parties which are defined as a group of people who comes into power by majority and who tries to implement their views? If any party can make a rule and say that no more rules and they are the rulers forever, is that dictatorship?

Earlier days, government tried to control population by promoting sterilizations by means of gifting people whoever comes forward to accept the procedure. Now government wants to force population control by dictating, no more than one or two kids. Tomorrow who can guarantee that the government will not try to simply kill some people on theory that there are not enough resources for everyone? If population is a problem, why do the governments want to take initiatives for child welfare and actions to control child death rate? If population or the count of human beings is termed as a problem, then should we fear that the government may later silently promote activities that terminate life – I mean any sort of actions that ends in killing fellow beings? If the government says only two kids, will they provide every need for the two human lives till their death? Will this bill silently promote Gender discrimination by means of abortion?

What happened to our principles of sharing the resources? Will you be killing your fellow beings when you feel that you do not have enough resources to share with your brothers and sisters? What is happening to the high morality of our culture which always held humanity high? Ever did your parent asked you not satisfy your hunger just because you are the third or fourth child? Will any one of us be ready to commit suicide because your brothers and sisters do not have enough? If we are not willing to do that, who are we to prevent the life and growth for our own satisfaction?

Hey pity human beings, have you not learned from the example of Hitler who tried to bring up a better race by killing others in extermination camps, gas chambers and all? Instead of spending time with fortune tellers and future predictors why don’t you look back into the history? How many times have you seen civilizations predict the end, the dooms day. How you not learned from the numerous failed scientific predictions that predicted the end of availability of so many things? Have you not seen that the human race succeeded through it?

How many different ways have you tried to increase productions of whatever you consumed, but miserably failed? How many ways have you tried to exterminate mosquitoes and pests and failed miserably? Now are you trying to kill yourself? Don’t you know that “any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall”?

Do you enjoy the beauty of the life in the above picture or do you feel that you should kill some cranes from the above picture to make it more beautiful?

Pacific and Bixby Creek Bridge View from US Highway 1 (Wide Angle)

The view of Pacific Ocean from the US – Highway 1 is elegant. Highway 1 or CA 1 is considered as one of the most beautiful coastal highways in the world. Unfortunately the sea was always ash in color due to the clouds formed when the hot air from the main land touched the chilling climate on top of the ocean. You can also see the Bixby Creek Bridge in this photograph.

Flowers from Pacific Coast

Flowers from the Pacific Coast of California

Pacific View from US Highway 1

The view of Pacific Ocean from the US – Highway 1 is elegant. Highway 1 or CA 1 is considered as one of the most beautiful coastal highways in the world. Unfortunately the sea was always ash in color due to the clouds formed when the hot air from the main land touched the chilling climate on top of the ocean.

Blue Lake

On the way back to Los Angeles from San Francisco, we pulled out of the Freeway to watch a wonderful lake and snowy white cloud hanging on top of it. The snowy white cloud hanging on top of the lake is already published in a previous blog-post. When we turned towards the opposite side of the sun, we got this clear picture of the pretty blue lake and the blue sky.

San Bernardino Mountains

San Bernardino Mountains are beautiful. This picture is taken while driving towards Lake Arrowhead from City of Arcadia. You can read more about San Bernardino Mountains at San Bernardino Mountains

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The photograph is taken with a cell phone camera while waiting for the signal at Hope Farm Junction, Whitefield - Bangalore.

Lake Arrowhead

Lake Arrowhead lies in the San Bernardino Mountains of San Bernardino County in California. You can read more about Lake Arrowhead in the link Lake Arrowhead

Rainbow in London

After the heavy rain in the evening in London on 26th Aug 2011, the sun peaked through the clouds and produced these wonderful normal, secondary and supernumerary rainbows. I had no good camera in my hand, but the 2 mega pixel mobile camera in hand to capture this image. Even though the double rainbow is clearly visible in this image on top of the normal rainbow in the darker region, the supernumerary rainbow inside the arc of the normal rainbow which was visible for the naked eye is not clearly visible in this picture; I should have a better camera to capture it.

Pacific and Bixby Creek Bridge View from US Highway 1 (Wide Angle)

The view of Pacific Ocean from the US – Highway 1 is elegant. Highway 1 or CA 1 is considered as one of the most beautiful coastal highways in the world. Unfortunately the sea was always ash in color due to the clouds formed when the hot air from the main land touched the chilling climate on top of the ocean. You can also see the Bixby Creek Bridge in this photograph.

Pacific and Bixby Creek Bridge View from US Highway 1

The view of Pacific Ocean from the US – Highway 1 is elegant. Highway 1 or CA 1 is considered as one of the most beautiful coastal highways in the world. Unfortunately the sea was always ash in color due to the clouds formed when the hot air from the main land touched the chilling climate on top of the ocean. You can also see the Bixby Creek Bridge in this photograph.

Pacific View from US Highway 1

The view of Pacific Ocean from the US – Highway 1 is elegant. Highway 1 or CA 1 is considered as one of the most beautiful coastal highways in the world. Unfortunately the sea was always ash in color due to the clouds formed when the hot air from the main land touched the chilling climate on top of the ocean.

Preserving Nature

On the way back to Los Angeles from San Francisco, we pulled out of the Freeway to watch a wonderful lake and snowy white cloud hanging on top of it. We drove down to the lake and when we looked back from the lake, we saw this bridge which was the freeway we were driving through.

Seven Sisters Country Park - Brighton

The Seven Sisters are a series of chalk cliffs at the Southern side of England, near Brighton by the English Channel. In these pictures, the white sides of the Cliffs are not visible, (wait for more pictures to be blogged). My friend Vinu invited me to his house (Blossoms) situated near this beautiful location with a view of the English Channel and ships leaving to France. More about this place can be read at Seven Sisters, Sussex - Wikipedia Vinu is blessed to have a house at this amazingly beautiful place. Thanks Vinu for the wonderful trip.