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Leonardo Da Vinci

Leonardo Da Vinci, despite his lack of formal education, became one of the most renowned polymaths in history. Born in 1452 in Vinci, Italy, he received little formal schooling and instead learned through observation and experimentation. His curiosity and keen observational skills led him to study a wide range of subjects, from anatomy and engineering to art and botany. Da Vinci's self-taught knowledge of Latin and mathematics, which he began studying in his 40s, allowed him to delve deeper into scientific inquiries. However, his unconventional approach and lack of classical education meant that traditional scholars often dismissed his methods and findings. Despite this skepticism, Da Vinci's contributions to science and art were groundbreaking. His detailed anatomical drawings, based on dissections he performed himself, provided insights that were centuries ahead of their time. His notebooks, filled with sketches and observations, reveal a mind constantly seeking to understa...

Solen

Solen (also called Rendalssolen, Soln, and Rendalssoln) is a mountain in Rendalen Municipality in Innlandet county, Norway. The mountain lies about 25 kilometres (16 mi) east of the village of Bergset. The lake Solensjoen lies just east of the mountain. The mountain has three peaks: Nordre Solen, which has an elevation of 1,695 metres (5,561 ft) with a prominence of 253 metres (830 ft) Midtre Solen, which has an elevation of 1,755 metres (5,758 ft) with a prominence of 1,090 metres (3,580 ft) Sore Solen, which has an elevation of 1,688 metres (5,538 ft) with a prominence of 441 metres (1,447 ft) The three peaks and their saddles make the mountain distinct and visible from a long distance. An old pilgrimage route from Sweden via Trysil to Nidaros Cathedral passes through the southern gorge. The Solen landscape conservation area was est...

The Atlas moth

The Atlas moth is one of the largest lepidopterans, with a wingspan measuring up to 24 cm (9.4 in) and a wing surface area of about 160 cm2 (≈25 in2). It is only surpassed in wingspan by the white witch (Thysania agrippina) and Attacus caesar, and in wing surface area by the Hercules moth (Coscinocera hercules). As in most silk moths, females are noticeably larger and heavier than males, while males have broader antennae. Eggs Atlas moths lay a number of spherical eggs, 2.5 mm (0.098 in) in diameter, on the undersides of the leaves of food plants. Larva After approximately two weeks, dusty-green caterpillars hatch and feed on their egg-shell, and then the foliage of citrus, cinnamon, guava, and evergreen trees. The caterpillars can grow to 11.5 cm (4.5 in) in length and 2.5 cm (0.98 in) in thickness. They have white, waxy, fleshy spines along their backs, which become more prominent at...

Harpy eagle

Temporal range: Holocene – Recent At the Parque das Aves in the Foz do IguaƧu, Brazil Conservation status Scientific classification Domain: Eukaryota Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae Subfamily: Harpiinae Genus: Harpia Vieillot, 1816 Species: H. harpyja   Binomial name Harpia harpyja (Linnaeus, 1758) The harpy eagle is rare throughout its range, which extends from Mexico to Brazil (throughout its territory) and Argentina (only the north). (note: map distribution in Trinidad and Tobago and ABC islands is erroneous) The harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) is a large neotropical species of eagle. It is also called the American harpy eagle to distinguish it from the Papuan eagle, which is sometimes known as the New Guinea harpy eagle or Papuan harpy eagle. It is the largest bird of prey...

ITS STORY TIME

From pillar to post A Story of Change Across Generations Once upon a time, in a quaint village nestled between green hills, there lived a man named Rahul. Rahul was a farmer, his family owning a piece of land passed down for generations. He lived in a modest stone house that had stood for over a century, and he spent his days working hard in the fields, growing crops that nourished his family and his neighbors. His life was simple and centered around his land and traditions. But as time passed, the world around him began to change. Rahul’s father, Dinesh, had always told him, “A man’s life is rooted in his land. Don’t let anything move you from it. If you move from pillar to post, you’ll never find peace.” Rahul took these words to heart, and for many years, he worked tirelessly on the land, never venturing far from home. He believed that stability and continuity were the most important things in life, and he saw the wisdom in his father’s advice. One summer, a new man arrived in t...

A LETTER TO MOTHER NATURE

  Dear loving mother nature  I write with sorrow in a humble stature  Bowing down to you oh loving one Sorry for everything we have done. Mother Nature, you love and feed us, You nurture us and protect us, However, we fail to acknowledge thy love And we misuse thy kindness. I hear that you balance our being  Thrilling songs for us you sing But we mistreat you for a fool  I cry for everything we do.  You deserve non of our scolding  But each day we burn your clothing  What can we do to appease thy anger That we may not fall short and asunder. Call us back oh great mother to thyself  From you we came and in your bosom we are safe. Teach us to respect you with what ever it takes  All our sins, We pray that you forgive and forget. 

Matia Mahal

I was walking through Matia Mahal, making my way towards Chitli Qabar, when I noticed an elderly man, probably in his 70s, opening his shop. Unlike the modern metal shutters, he opened two wooden doors and began hanging up an old-fashioned weighing scale in the middle of the doorway. Intrigued by the scene, I approached him and asked, “Mein tasveer lelu apki, koi aitraz to nahi?” (May I take your picture? You don’t mind, do you?). He paused, stood up, smiled warmly, and said, “Haan beta, lelo” (Yes, son, go ahead). But I wanted to capture him in his natural element, so I told him, “Nahi, aap jo kar rahe hain aap karte rahein. Main bas kuch tasveerein kheenchna chahta hoon.” (No, please continue with what you’re doing. I just want to take some pictures). He smiled again and resumed his daily routine, continuing to set up his shop. What always mesmerizes me are the intricate patterns engraved on the brass utensils. These were his family’s legacy, and they had been selling these items...