Airstream Ranch: Roadside Tourist Attractions in Florida

Depending on whom you ask, “Airstream Ranch” might seem like a real trash heap, somewhat than a work of art, but seeing it as thus is missing the point completely. It is constructed in 2008; Frank Bates “the owner of a nearby RV dealership” work of art is an ingenious homage to America's motor past. Though 8 Airstream mobile homes, shoved into the Florida sod as an artistic tribute. It is loved by everyone, super idea for recycling old mobile trailers. The magnificent roadside art installation recognized as the “Airstream Ranch” has caused double-takes along I-4 between Tampa and Orlando since 2008 despite local lawmakers lobbying to have the shiny trailer parade put out to pasture. Thousands of people visit the wonderful attraction each year to marvel at the odd automobiles, but not everyone is so pleased. Frank Bates envisioned “Airstream Ranch” as a tribute to the iconic company's 75th anniversary and inspired by the similar Cadillac Ranch installation in Amarillo, Texas which comprises of a row of the classic cars sticking out of the ground in the same fashion. 

Well, Bates was in trouble, when some of neighbors viewed the installation as an irritation, attracting countless unwanted visitors, and just usually being an eyesore. Therefore after complaining to the county officials, the haters were able to get a recurring fine levied on the Bates' trailers. Though after taking the matter to court it was decided that the “Airstream Ranch” will remains stay and the Bates' will have no longer had to pay any fines. America does not have as several iconic standing stones as much of the rest of the world that is home to such ancient wonders as the heads of Easter Island and Stonehenge, but our collection of standing car formations is becoming a beloved tradition in its own right.

African “Quadripoint” Only Place on the Earth, Where Four Distinct Territories’ are Touched

There’s only one place on the earth where the corners of four countries come together. However you’ve heard about number of instances where the borders of 2 or 3 nations touched, but the distinct territories are very rare confluence of a 4 nations coming together on one spot only exists in Africa where the corners of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia meet. It may not have been used before 1964 when it was perhaps invented by the Office of the Geographer of the United States Department of State. It is a popular tourist spots where states come together which are usually decked out with monuments and bronze medallions, the African quadripoint sits in the middle of a river that cuts between the countries. 

It has been theorized that the point is not a true quadripoint but instead a pair of tri-points separated by thin strips of real estate. Irrespective of the quibbling, the understandable jurisdictional headache of having four countries so close to one another has resulted in some conflict. Moreover at one point the ferry that carried individuals across the river from Namibia to Botswana became a point of contention, with both countries laying claim to the transport. A little amount of fighting broke out but it was rather subdued for an international incident. 

Though numerous maintain that slight changes in the flow of the Zambezi river and the exact geographical borders have eliminated an actual quadripoint, the countries are all so close that the only difference is academic. If you visit the border at any time you will find hundreds of trucks lined up to cross on the ferry. It can take days and even weeks for some truckers to get between the borders because of the backlog. The best way to experience the Kazungula is to cross on foot, in which case you can skip the queue of trucks and jump on the ferry relatively quickly. Well, Kazungula is in general a lovely place where you can go to relish the scenery and at the very least, contemplate the feeling of being surrounded by four different countries (almost).

                                                     Source: Charismatic Planet

“Ales Stones” is called Swedish Stonehenge

Sitting like a crown, atop a flat bluff in Skåne, Sweden are the Ales Stenar, a beautiful ancient formation of standing stones erected in the shape of a boat. However, there’s no one know why the stone design was shaped but according to some legends, this was the resting place of a mythic king. The Ales Stenar (Ales Stones) was placed on their Swedish cliff just 1,400 years ago, though they stand over a burial site that has been dated to 5,500 years old. There’re 59 tall boulders in the formation which is made in the shape of a long-ship, and was perhaps symbolic of a craft that would ferry the dead to their eternal fate. Moreover underneath the boat-stones researchers have revealed the remains of an even more ancient burial chamber, sans human remains, confirming their theories as to the funerary purpose behind the ship formation, yet just who was to be buried there remains a mystery. Source: Charismatic Planet

In 1989, during the first archaeological excavations performed in order to technically investigate and date the monument, archaeologists bring into being a decorated clay pot with burned human bones inside the ship setting. The bones are thought to come from a pyre and to have been placed in the pot at a later date.  In 2006, archaeologists used magnetic sensors and radar to map the area's underground terrain and found a larger circular structure about 541 feet in diameter, with a 65-foot by 25-foot rectangle at its heart.

Legend says The King Ale a figure from Swedish myth, is buried under the Henge, though there does not seem to be a great deal on the site to confirm this. Therefore it is that a lesser-known viking chieftain was buried, or meant to be buried in the spot and the stones were erected to honor his eternal memory. Whoever the Ales Stenar were originally meant to honor, they stand now as an inspiring and attractive site that make it easy to see why someone would want to be buried there. 

Mount Fuji 4K TimeLapse

This is 4K Time-Lapse video showcasing Mt.Fuji, the stars and the Sun. We’ve visited places around Mt.Fuji 17 times to take pictures from 2009 to 2015. This stunning video is using 14,176 photos! Please watch in HD/4K with good speakers for the optimal experience. We must say big ‘Wow’! What a mind-blowing world we live in! Great video, love the shots pieced together for the last 15 seconds. Moreover 4K/UHD Version available here: youtu.be/gvAK63KOJM8.

Soundtrack: "My Elegant Redemption" by TimMcMorris timmcmorris.com/
Equipment used:
Nikon D800
Nikon D610
Nikon D300
Nikon D5300
AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED
AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.8G
Ai AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D
AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
SIGMA 15mm F2.8 EX DG DIAGONAL FISHEYE
TOKINA AT-X 116 PRO DX 11-16mm F2.8
SAMYANG 14mm F2.8 IF ED UMC Aspherical
Syrp Genie
Syrp Magic Carpet
VARAVON SL-S1200
Vixen POLARIE
Pixelstick
Member's Flickr:
reonides - flickr.com/photos/reonides/
takaaki ito - flickr.com/photos/33361678@N08/

MOUNT FUJI 4K - TimeLapse from damdiver on Vimeo.

Iceland 4K - Shot on Nikon D800

The quick-lapse technique is a way to create ultra-high resolution real time video. By taking continuous bursts of still images and applying time interpolation algorithms in post-production to fill up the missing frames we’re able to make unsurpassed video quality. Moreover for the last year we have been developing the Quick lapse workflow which is ideal for premiere global destinations, states, resorts, interior design and iconic architecture projects. The story started back in year 2012 when Miguel de Olaso, Macgregor (co-founder of Sanchez-Olaso) found himself in trouble during a trip to Iceland, when an accessory cable the external recorder of his Sony F35 cinema camera was damaged and that left him unable to work for the rest of his trip.

Since he didn't want to come back home without quality footage of the wonderful Nordic landscapes he decided to use his Nikon D800 as a backup camera. But instead of shooting regular HD video with it, Miguel took advantage of the camera’s burst mode to take continuous still photographs with the idea of turning them into real time video.

He noticed that he could manage a constant 5 fps burst (in JPEG mode) up to hundred images (Nikon’s weird limit), which was far from the standard 24/25 fps of conventional video but absolutely faster than any standard time-lapse technique. Meanwhile he wanted to capture real time video the idea of interpolating in post the missing frames to achieve those 25fps was a bit crazy but an stimulating challenge.

Cinematography by Macgregor

Music by Rhian Sheehan - rhiansheehan.com

Quicklapse technology by sanchez-olaso.com

Iceland 4K - shot on Nikon D800 from Macgregor on Vimeo.

Alaska Perspective

What you’re about to watch is the culmination of several years of work based around a set of photographs taken over a two week period in Alaska in 2008. These beautiful photographs have been meticulously worked over to create a 3D camera effect. Along with some epic music and sound effects, we are bringing you a side of Alaska you’d have never seen before. Prints are also available through the website from the entire collection. Learn More at AlaskaInPerspective.com

Alaska in Perspective from Preston Zeller on Vimeo.