Saturday, May 31, 2008

Is this the "Global Warming"?

May 28th and 29th, two days of heavy rain, out of season. On May 30 the temperature in Cuiaba dropped from 35 degrees down to 13 and today, May 31 the temperature continues at 13. It seems that the cold front will stay here for a few days. Contrary to the scientific predictions on global warming, we actually get cooler temperatures than usual. Go figure. I guess someone has an interest in promoting the ideology of scientifically proved raise in global temeprature. Most likely this will make someone a lot of money.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Rain in Cuiaba on May 16, 2008

It is an event very important that shows the shift in the local climate. Until 2005 the rainy season started in September/October and finished in March, with the famous "chuva de Sao Jose" - Sao Joseph rain on March 19, every year. In 2006 the rainy season started in mid-November and it was raining until May. This year rainy season did not start until January 2008. The shift in the weather pattern is quite obvious, at least on the local scale. The winters (July) are also becoming colder and with longer duration. The average temperature in the summer, used to be around 40 degrees Centigrade, now the average temperature hovers around 35 degrees, obvious 5 degrees colder. If there is a world-warming it certainly does not apply here. Something is happening.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Harpy Eagle (Harpyia hapyja)

For those who missed it the first time, here is the repost of the Juvenile Harpy Eagle.

Jabuticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora)

from Brazil

Red Brocket Deer (Mazama americana)

from Cerrado of Mato Grosso, Brazil

Monday, May 12, 2008

picture of deforestation

the tree log is so heavy that it's almost impossible for the machine to handle it. 80% of the trees taken from the Amazon Rain forest in Brazil are illegal. The problem as always are buyers who buy uncertified product.

a boy eating Cupuaçu fruit

Northeastern Mato Grosso

Cupuaçu (Theobroma Grandiflorum) fruit

This is very nutritional fruit used widely in Brazil Amazon rain forest. The native name of the fruit has been stolen and patented by the international food companies. It's a shame that patent is granted for the foreign companies for the name that already existed for centuries in Brazil

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Roosvelt falls

on the Roosvelt River in northeastern Mato Grosso.
Here is a link to the 1913-1914 expedition along the Roosvelt River, then called "River of doubt"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roosevelt-Rondon_Scientific_Expedition

the falls on the Aripuanã River

in 1997 the Dutch scientist Marc van Roosmalen discovered in this area the world's second smallest Marmoset dwarf monkey.

cattle in the Amazon Rain Forest

one of the main factor in the rain forest destruction

This the famous Brazil Walnut

the thick shell can be only open by a Brazilian rodent named "Cotia" and the Hyacinth Macaw

Saturday, May 03, 2008

even the slaves in ancient Rome were well educated

many of them spoke Latin

Mount Sao Jeronimo

The highest point in Chapada dos Guimaraes with height of 850 m. There are many New-age myths about UFOs, mysterious being inhabiting this place, new civilization being born here after the end of present civilization. Funny, the native never had any legends related to this mountain.