The České středohoří uplands - tertiary volcanic region

 

The České středohoří uplands is located in the northwest Bohemia nearby the lower reach of the Labe river which is divided between two geomorphological sub-units - the Verneřické uplands on the right bank and the Milešovské uplands on the left bank.

The České středohoří uplands are the most massive sign of volcanic activity in the Czech Republic even though due to its size of 1,266 km2 it belongs only to lesser orographic units. Its characteristic features are volcanic conical hills which began rising from the sandstone seat in the late Tertiary as a Miocene formation approximately 23 million years ago
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The dominant of the České středohoří uplands is the Milešovka hill (837 m), one of the most windy hills in the Czech Republic. Passing through the region is the Litoměřice deep fault, the geological partition between the Krušné Hory and the Central Bohemian regions. Water streams exposing the solid subsurface magma and deepening valleys made the České středohoří uplands into a majestic landscape. The present volcanic rocks include the prevalent basalts and sound-stones and the less frequent trachytes. Sandstones and marls are the representatives of sediments.

In 1976 the České středohoří uplands were proclaimed a protected land area of 1,063.17 km2 and in terms of botany it seems to be the richest area in the Czech Republic.

The Czech Republic has been issued  the  stamps features a view from the southern bank of the Ohře river at the Brníkov village on the early Baroque chateau in Libochovice and the basalt hill with the ruined castle Hazmburk and the surrounding hills. The stamps issued on September 2, 2009. Starting from the left they are the Solanská, the Hrádek, the Lipská, the Hazmburk, the Milešovka, the Košťál, the Kletečná and the Lovoš hills. This picturesque panorama enchanted the painter Emil Filla who in the period of 1950-52 created panoramic paintings of the České středohoří uplands.

LiveJournal Tags: Czech,Ceske stredohori upland

Anegada Flamingo

The Flamingo Pond, Anegada is home to the Flamingos which are the second largest of its species, often growing to 5 feet tall. The Flamingo Pond, Anegada is located in the central area of Anegada Island and now become as one of the most popular spots of sightseeing in the area. The flamingos and other sea birds have been re-established at this protected pond area and hence the name.

The Flamingo Pond in Anegada is the largest of the four salt ponds that occupies approximately one quarter of Anegada's total land mass. This fragile ecosystem maintains a small but growing population of Caribbean Flamingos which were successfully reintroduced to Anegada in the year 1992.

Due to unrestricted hunting, the native flamingos in the British Virgin Islands were wiped out. The Biologists reintroduced a flock of 20 flamingos from Bermuda to Anegada in the year 1992. This project has proved successful as the flock has grown to more than 50 birds since they were introduced.

The project also aimed at attracting the other migrating species in hopes of increasing the gene pool in the area. These vertebrates do not reach sexual maturity until they are three to six years of age and generally only lay one or two eggs in a one year period after mating. The Female lots usually only reproduce every other year. Flamingos frequently mate for life and both male and female take turns in incubating their egg.

Western Anegada is actually famous for the Flamingo Pond Bird Sanctuary, which is a salt pond and mangrove area. This area is home to the various species of birds like waterfowl, a variety of herons, terns, osprey, and snowy plovers.

 

The British Virgin Island National Parks Trust has accepted Flamingo Pond as a bird sanctuary. The other bird species such as terns, ospreys and egrets can be seen nesting and feeding in the area. Whenever you come here with your family or friends you can spot the flamingos wading on the far north side of the pond.