DavidMcNab

Kugel fountains are often called floating sphere fountains but the sphere is not actually floating. It is held in place by pressurized water that forms a thin film on which the sphere aquaplanes. These are water features or sculptures where the sphere sits in a fitted hollow in a pedestal. Pressurized water flows between the sphere and socket, creating a mechanical hydrostatic bearing that is nearly frictionless. These spheres can weigh thousands of kilograms, but the efficient bearing allows them to be spun by the force of a hand. The sphere does not float, being denser than water. They are often made from granite. The hydraulics of the fountain can be controlled so that the axis of rotation of the sphere changes continually. This kugel fountain sits outside the Guinness Book of World Records Museum in Niagara Falls, Canada. The sphere is massive, weighing more than 4,500kg (10,000lbs) and measuring almost 2m (6 feet) in diameter but a person can apply a small amount of pressure to stop the ball from rotating. The direction of the sphere can be changed easily. It is a true feat of engineering to manufacture such a precise structure that the water can hold it off the pedestal. These guests to Niagara Falls found this structure very fascinating as they figured out the principle behind it. They posed for pictures with it as they began to understand what they were seeing. Kugel fountains can be found all over the world. Many are at popular tourist destinations, such as science museums, shopping centers, lobbies, and gardens. With a little imagination, there is no end to what the human mind can invent.

Drones allow us to take a look at our world from a different perspective. Flying over mist enshrouded farm country at sunrise captures colour and a stunning view that cannot be truly appreciated from ground level. The drone gracefully soars above the picturesque landscape of Ontario, Canada, capturing the ethereal beauty of this sunrise on a misty morning. As the first light of dawn gently kisses the rolling hills and vast stretches of farmland, a mesmerizing play of colors unfolds in the sky, painting it in hues of soft pinks, oranges, and purples. The mist hangs low, adding an enchanting aura to the scene, as if nature itself is wrapped in a delicate veil. The drone's camera captures the tranquil beauty of the countryside awakening to a new day, with the promise of warmth and possibility lingering in the air. In the distance, Rice Lake is visible. It is a large body of water that provides fishermen and nature lovers alike to interact with the great outdoors.

Reacher, an American crime television series with season 3 coming soon, is the saga of a military veteran, Jack Reacher who does battle with criminals in an action-packed drama. This is the filming of one of the fight scenes that is set to take place on July 4th in a small American town. It is actually being filmed in Millbrook, Ontario, Canada in April 2024. Despite cool temperatures and bare trees, the town was transformed into an American town summer scene in a matter of days leading up to the filming. This never-before-seen footage was captured by a drone with high zoom capabilities. Although the drone was set far back to avoid the propeller sound being picked up by the microphones on the set, the view that it provides is clear due to the high-powered zoom. We see many takes of "Jack" confronting criminals who mean to do him harm. He works through the three thugs with little effort. He avoids the punches and dishes out some of his own. Two thugs have their skulls bashed together as the third runs for a baseball bat. Even a bat doesn't scare Jack. He pulls it out of the thug's hands and discards it as he prepares to give that thug an extreme closeup of the truck. Jack is huge and ripped and the fight is believable as he deals with each threat. The look at the filming process is fascinating. Multiple takes and many hours are required for what becomes a few seconds on the screen. Attention to detail is obvious as we see the planning of camera angles and the setup of the items on the set. Continuity is important and objects cannot move between the scenes. The cast and crew work harder than we would ever imagine as they bring us the excitement and the action in such a precise manner. Actors repeat the scene over and over until they get it perfect. They watch the clip on a monitor after a successful take and possibly, they decide to refine it even more. Aside from the excitement of a big production in a small town, Jack and the crew won the hearts of the locals with their fun-loving and generous nature. Alan Ritchson and the actors spoke to children and parents, posing for selfies and showing that they loved their fans almost as much as the fans loved them. It was a beautiful experience for this sleepy little town. Enjoy this little peek at the way the show is made. Released within hours of filming, it's a sneak peak like none other. Based on the book by Lee Childs.

Mute swans are truly magnificent birds, known for their striking beauty and elegance. Their plumage, especially in adults, is indeed breathtaking. With their pure white feathers and gracefully arched necks, they exude a sense of regal charm. During the breeding season, their plumage can become even more vibrant, with a slight yellowish tint appearing on their bills. Watching a trumpeter swan display its plumage is a captivating sight, a reminder of the awe-inspiring diversity and beauty of the natural world. This majestic male lives near Presquile Park in Ontario Canada during the spring. He and his mate have a few young and they watch over them carefully. Accustomed to humans, he allowed a close look and even put on a display for the camera. The recovery of swan populations is indeed a heartening conservation success story. Once on the brink of extinction due to overhunting and habitat loss, concerted conservation efforts have helped these species rebound significantly. Through measures such as habitat restoration, protection of nesting sites, and careful management of hunting, the trumpeter swan population has been able to recover. Conservation organizations, government agencies, and dedicated individuals have played crucial roles in this recovery effort. By raising awareness about the importance of preserving wetlands and other essential habitats for these majestic birds, as well as implementing measures to reduce human disturbances, we've been able to give swan populations a chance to thrive once again. While challenges remain, such as habitat degradation and potential conflicts with human activities, the recovery of the swan serves as a testament to the power of conservation action and collective commitment to safeguarding our natural heritage.

This sanctuary in the Galapagos Islands takes in goats, horses, donkeys, chickens and any other animal that need a safe home. It provides the animals with food, shelter, safety, and a chance to interact with guests who come here. The sanctuary relies on donations and the money generated from the tours so they can give the animals the care they deserve. This family has brought their Canadian friends for a tour and the girls show them how the goats go crazy for bananas. The animals get lots of hay and other food, but the bananas are a special treat. The bananas hang outside the fence to allow guests to interact and feed the animals. This goat has learned how to stick his head out over the fence and show his pleading eyes for the maximum effect on the soft hearted guests. Goats will eat almost anything and these ones are no exception. They are particularly fond of the banana skins as well as the fruit inside.

Decorator crabs are known for their ability to attach algae and small animals to their shells to conceal themselves from predators, but the process is more complex than it appears, and it suggests higher intelligence than we once understood these crabs to have. If the shells of these crabs are cleaned, they will immediately set about replacing their camouflage with the same care and precision as they showed in their first concealment. There are several species of crabs that use plants, animals, and debris from their environment to adorn their shells. Some chew the algae and then carefully hook the pieces onto velcro-like hooks on their shell. They occasionally use anemones or other sedentary animals. They attach the matter to their shells with great precision and care, suggesting that they are purposefully imitating the surfaces around them. When moved from one environment to another, these crabs will quickly replace their adornments with items from the new location, seemingly understanding the need to blend in with specific surroundings. Their disguise is not random or haphazard. Decorator crabs will make use of toxic plants or animals as further deterrence for potential predators. Described by scientists as "perhaps unrivalled" mastery of concealment, these are highly specialized behaviours. Understanding the purpose of their covering, these crabs remain still during the day and they freeze in place when threatened. Some species use only sponges, others use only noxious alga. One species selects stinging anemone for it's protective covering. The anemone benefits from an increased supply of food that is available as it moves around with the crab. Octopus have shown a tendency to avoid these crabs when they are adorned with anemone. The intelligence and purpose of the smallest and seemingly less significant animals is becoming more understood. Perhaps, as we gain greater insight we will also gain greater appreciation and desire to protect them. The balance of nature is a delicate one and humans frequently disrupt this balance in their ignorance of what goes on around them.

Spotted eagle rays are majestic and beautiful.