Beautiful Nature --- Most Beautiful Pictures of Birds

Sometimes photography is specially good. Here’s an example, you will see as many as four dozen variety of colorful trophy … And this firing birds on the camera are looking so beautiful that you can`t take eye off them. Take a look of lovely creatures….



1. Mandarin ducks by Tobias Hayashi



2. Kingfishers by Thrumyeye



3. Sirenevogrudaya roller



4. The American flamingo by SantiMB



5. Scarletail thrush by Kevin Hughes



6. By Juan Rubiano



7. Rainbow Parrot by lugnutz4rally



8. Rainbow Parrot by Supriya



9. Rainbow finches by AJ Abrams



10. By Miguel Mendoza



11. Toucan in Costa Rican jungle by moonjazz



12. By FreeSpirit5



13. Bee-eater by Hamid Al-saleh



14. The golden pheasant by Barbara



15. Kingfisher by TARIQ SULEMANI



16. By Beth Crawford



17. The male gathers a harem of several females by Bhanu Devgan



18. Who’s in charge here? by Moni Sertel



19. Sinespinny Turaco by Megan Lorenz



20. Cardinal close up by Beth Crawford



21. Belouhy Turaco by Megan Lorenz



22. Red-hornbill by Alan Shapiro



23. Peacock in all its glory by Jay D.



24. By Suzanne Marie



25. Blue jay by Earl Reinink



26. Blue and yellow macaw in flight by Luc Viatour



27. Blue sialyl by Nzeman



28. A feather in its beak by Harry Eggens



29. Green shirokoklyuvka by Keith Hodos



30. Look into my eyes by Valberta



31. Guldova finches by Dave Irving



32. Sinelapaya gannet by SamSpade



33. The power of color by Paula Perez



34. Utka on a black background by Rolf Bach



35. By Nathan Rupert



36. Colorful macaws in flight by Alejandro Gonzalez T



37. By Vinny Porcella



38. Mandarin ducks resting in the forest by Alan Shapiro



39. By Cactusbeetroot



40. Parrots, lovebirds by Anna Munandar

Tips to improve Fuel Economy

Here are some very good tips on improving your vehicle's Fuel Economy / Increase Fuel Efficiency / Mileage. With increasing fuel prices it is becoming more and more prudent to use them.

Use your gears wisely.

Driving in the highest gear possible without laboring the engine is a fuel-efficient way of driving. A vehicle travelling at 60 kmph in third gear uses 25 percent more fuel than at the same speed in fifth gear.

Drive smoothly

Think ahead! By applying light throttle and avoiding heavy braking, you can reduce both fuel consumption and wear and tear. Try to predict traffic at junctions and when in queuing to avoid accelerating and then braking. Research suggests driving techniques can influence car fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent.

Switch off your engine

There are two schools of thought on this one. Switching your engine off for short periods of time can actually increase fuel consumption, as it requires more fuel to get the engine started. Also your catalytic converter will no longer be running at full temperature and so your car will be less efficient, increasing the amount of pollution you cause. However if you are stopped for more than a few minutes then your car will simply burn less fuel with the engine stopped.

Drive off promptly to prevent wasting fuel

Don't leave your engine running when you first start up. Drive off straightaway if you can, but drive gently until the engine has reached its normal operating temperature. This doesn't increase fuel efficiency as such, but it does mean your engine is switched on for less time.

Lighten your load

Think carefully about what you need on a journey. if you do not need something, do not pack it. Remove roof racks if not needed. The lighter the load, the lower the fuel consumption, and emissions, and the higher the fuel efficiency.

Tyre effect fuel efficiency

It is estimated that about 50% of Tyre on the road are under inflated. Aside from increasing the rate of wear, this wastes fuel and decreased your fuel efficiency. Check your Tyre pressures every fortnight. Worn Tyre will also decrease fuel efficiency (and your safety!), so check the tread regularly. If you are replacing Tyre then consider some of the newer 'Eco' Tyre that are designed specifically to increase fuel efficiency.

Car Windows

Driving with your windows open drastically reduces your fuel efficiency, far more so than putting the air conditioning on when motorway driving. So in those hot summers(?) preferably keep the windows shut, and the air conditioning on if you want to keep cool. Of course the air conditioning decreases fuel efficiency too, so try not to over use it.

Invest in a new fuel efficient car

New cars come in all shapes and sizes, but it is possible to pick a new car that can greatly reduce your fuel bill, and your fuel emissions.

Size matters. Choose an economical car - small cars use far more fuel efficient and produce lower emissions than large cars. Drive the most fuel-efficient car that meets your needs. Compare models and classes. Even similarly sized cars can vary in fuel efficiency by up to 45%.

Consider diesel engines (with a particulate trap), and LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) fueled cars - all have lower CO2 emissions than standard petrol cars.

Consider 'hybrid' vehicles - they combine a conventional engine with an electric motor and battery. These offer reduced fuel consumption and CO2 with potentially lower emissions of all pollutants.

Diesel Engines

If your going to buy a diesel, ensure it is a new 'common rail' type, as these are approximately 10% more efficient than older diesels. also replace (or clean if applicable) air cleaner elements as often as is required by

your vehicles servicing schedule. Regular Maintenance maintains fuel efficiency.

Air Filter:

One of the most common reasons for a drop in fuel efficiency is a dirty intake filter. This will decrease the amount of air entering the cylinders of the engine resulting in incomplete combustion. Check the filter regularly to ensure that it is clean.

Spark Plugs:

Ensure your spark plugs are in good condition. Renew the plugs and wires at intervals specified by the owners manual. This will keep all cylinders firing properly resulting in higher efficiency.

Lube Oil:

Change the lube oil at intervals specified by the owners manual. Use the recommended oil only especially in newer cars. Use of an engine flush before changing the oil will help to get rid of a lot of the dirt that collects in

the engine that a normal oil change will not remove. On older engines it is advisable to use an oil treatment agent. This basically thickens the oil which creates a better seal between the piston and the liner, preventing

blow past and consequent loss of combustion pressure, resulting in higher fuel efficiency.

Exhausts alter fuel efficiency

Most cars have special sizes for the exhaust. When cars are reasonably old the silences has to be changed. The garage people always try to fit a size that they have in the garage it self. Which might not be the exact size recommended for the car. The wrong size a bigger or smaller silencer size effects on the MPG of the car and the HP of the car. It may be cheaper to put another size than your recommended size for your car but on the long run it will cost you in many ways, especially on fuel consumption. Always put the recommended size of the exhaust that is indicated in your car manual because the car company knows how to optimize the performance of your car.

Posted by Zaffar Iqbal Durrani

Underwater Gardening: The World’s Best Aquariums of 2009

2008 IAPLC Grand Prize Work – Cheng Sui Wai, Hong Kong

Last year the Sifter discovered the thriving sub-culture of aquascaping. Think of it as gardening under water. Through an artistic arrangement of aquatic plants, rocks, stones, driftwood etc. these ‘aquascapists’ create incredible works of living art.
Since 2001, the International Aquatic Plant Layout Contest (IAPLC) has been the largest planted aquarium design competition in the world. Hobbyists from all over the globe enter their aquariums in hopes of winning the grand prize of 1 million Yen (approx. $11K usd). More important than the monetary reward is the global ranking granted to each contestant. With over 1,342 applications from 51 countries, the competition is fierce.
Below you will find highlights from last year’s competition as well as a brief explanation about the judging criteria. Now sit back and enjoy some of the most stunning aquariums in the world!


Grand Prize | World Ranking #1 | Nguyen Tien Dung, VIETNAM | Title: Moment in Time
Dimensions: W120 x D45 x H40 cm (W48 x D18 x H16 inches)



Gold Prize | World Ranking #2 | Chan Shih Hsien, TAIWAN | Title: Magic Forest
Dimensions: W180 x D60 x H60 cm (W72 x D24 x H24 inches)



Silver Prize | World Ranking #3 | Yuji Yoshinaga, JAPAN | Title: Time of Eternity (Yaku Island)
Dimensions: W90 x D45 x H45 cm (W36 x D18 x H18 inches)



Silver Prize | World Ranking #4 | Josh Sim KH, MALAYSIA | Title: Awakening
Dimensions: W90 x D45 x H45 cm (W36 x D18 x H18 inches)



Bronze Prize | World Ranking #5 | Wang Chao, CHINA | Title: Looking for Mystery
Dimensions: W120 x D55 x H50 cm (W42 x D22 x H20 inches)

JUDGING CRITERIA
- The highest score of grading is 200 points; judging criteria mainly consists of “Artistic Impression Point” (maximum 100 points) and “Technical Point” (maximum 100 points divided into 5 categories for 20 points).
- In this contest, aquascapist’s skill of a long-term maintenance of layout is also in judges’ great concern
- Since the planted aquarium hobby involves various forms of life, judges don’t just appreciate the beauty of a layout shown right after its completion, they also pay careful attention to observe how long the layout has been kept in a healthy condition
- In that context, the following aspects of layout were, especially, strictly screened by the judges: The use of emerged plants and house plants which hardly survive in the water becomes the subject of point deduction
- In order to avoid misuse of plants in a layout, one needs not only the composition skill but a good deal of correct knowledge about aquatic plants
- Moreover, it requires a higher level of technique to grow plants healthfully. These aspects of layout are judged under the criterion of “Creativity”


Bronze Prize | World Ranking #6 | Chow Wai Sun, HONG KONG | Title: Towering Peaks
Dimensions: W152 x D45 x H55 cm (W60 x D18 x H22 inches)



Bronze Prize | World Ranking #7 | Lin Tin Chuan, TAIWAN Title: Forest-Breath
Dimensions: W127 x D60 x H50 cm (W50 x D24 x H20 inches)



World Ranking #8 | Nguyenthi Xuanthuy, VIETNAM | Title: Ups and Downs
Dimensions: W120 x D45 x H40 cm (W48 x D18 x H16 inches)



World Ranking #9 | Ngo Truong Thinh, VIETNAM | Title: Peaceful
Dimensions: W100 x D40 x H40 cm (W40 x D16 x H16 inches)



World Ranking #10 | AJ Judy Prajitno Putra, INDONESIA | Title: Fearless: Spirit of the Rainforest
Dimensions: W300 x D80 x H75 cm (W120 x D32 x H30 inches)

JUDGING CRITERIA Continued
- There was a debate over the use of very fine white cosmetic sand, such as Rio Negro sand
- Due to the nature of this type of sand, excretions of fish and shrimps become more recognizable. The color of the sand turns more easily to a unpleasant greenish or blackish color because of the growth of algae and the spread of anaerobic bacteria inside an aquarium
- It was pointed out that it’s hardly kept brightly clean for a long period of time
- Although the cosmetic sand used in the layout looks elegantly beautiful in the picture, the layout receives a tough evaluation from the judges
- The layouts were evaluated by 18 judges chosen internationally
- The grading process was conducted impartially by the judges and so was the counting of scores by the contest committee
- However, the evaluation of each judge primarily relies on his/her personal preference of the types of aquatic plant layout. It doesn’t necessary become an absolute account of the layout



World Ranking #12 | Yee Kin Cheong, MALAYSIA | Title: Forest Path
Dimensions: W90 x D45 x H45 cm (W36 x D18 x H18 inches)



World Ranking #14 | Wong Kam, HONG KONG | Title: The Phoenix and the Dragon
Dimensions: W150 x D45 x H52 cm (W59 x D18 x H20 inches)



World Ranking #18 | Zhang Jianfeng, MACAU | Title: Roar of Yellow River
Dimensions: W90 x D45 x H45 cm (W35 x D18 x H18 inches)



World Ranking #20 | Hidekazu Tsukiji, JAPAN | Title: Wind from the South
Dimensions: W120 x D45 x H45 cm (W47 x D18 x H18 inches)

JUDGING CRITERIA & GUIDELINES
ARTISTIC IMPRESSION POINT (Maximum 100 points)
Evaluate the beauty and sophistication as a piece of art.
TECHNICAL POINT
Creativity (Maximum 20 points)
The overall completeness of the layout and its originality are evaluated.
The use of house plants or emerged plants, which hardly survive under water, becomes a subject of point-deduction.
Composition / Arrangement of plants (Maximum 20 points)
Is the composition of the layout well developed?
Are the aquatic plants appropriately positioned within the aquascape?
Is there a balance within the layout in terms of the colors and shapes of aquatic plants?
Balance between the fish and the layout design (Maximum 20 points)
Creator’s choice of fish for his/her layout is evaluated.
Do the color, size, swimming method and ecology of the fish match the layout?
Natural atmosphere (Maximum 20 points)
Does the layout clearly tell you the creator’s idea of nature?
How is the methods and techniques that the creator uses to render a natural feel in his/her layout?
Aquatic plants’ conditions and Time Progress of layout (Maximum 20 points)
The condition of the aquatic plants in the layout is evaluated.
The time progress of the layout based on the types of plants used and their conditions are evaluated.
Is the layout maintainable over a long period of time?


World Ranking #21 | Hironori Handa, JAPAN | Title: Cloud
Dimensions: W90 x D45 x H45 cm (W35 x D18 x H18 inches)



World Ranking #24 | Nguyen Ngoc Tri Nhan, VIETNAM | Title: Whispers of Stones
Dimensions: W120 x D45 x H40 cm (W47 x D18 x H16 inches)



World Ranking #25 | Artur Frankowski, POLAND | Title: The Lost Canyon
Dimensions: W130 x D40 x H40 cm (W51 x D16 x H16 inches)



World Ranking #27 |Jamie Lin, TAIWAN | Title: Mysterious Bermuda
Dimensions: W120 x D60 x H55 cm (W47 x D24 x H22 inches)

SOURCES
- All photographs and descriptions via TROPICAL FISH HOBBYIST MAGAZINE
- All judging and contest information via IAPLC
Posted by Zaffar Iqbal Durrani