Weather Today - In Your Vicinity (2011)

[Greg Beetham]

Yes it's good too see some rain Yildiz, and it's nice to have some fine days also, but we all need that rain. That ridge just to the right of the bridge looks like there aren't any houses built on it, or not very many, so Istanbul does seem to have some large wooded areas; I wonder if there is some native birdlife in those trees? Good weather pic btw, you can see the rain squall beyond the ridge.
I remember I once took a few similar to that up at Murray's hut in the rainforest, looking out over the valley you could see 5 ridges and the approaching rainsquall beyond, then there were only 4 ridges, then 3, 2, and 1 and then I remember you could hear the roar of the approaching rain, moments later we would be right in it, with it beating down on the iron roof. That would go on for maybe an hour, gradually tapering off with the ridges slowly coming into view one after another with mist in between each one, and then the whole thing would repeat sooner or later.
Greg

[aster]

Weather In Istanbul:Clear

Temperature: 5 °C; Feels Like 3 °C
Wind(km/h): 7
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Hi Greg, : )

Already the sun is shining outside today. Rain wasn't as lasting as we hoped. The lakes that provide the fresh water Istanbul are only half-full at the moment which is danger spelled out loud.

Some of these woods that you see on the ridges are preserved and some are under the threat of the illegal construction opportunists...Once upon a time Istanbul was covered with dense endemic woods of all varieties. Ignorance of the people caused these endemic plant species to go extinct and with them the birds that made their nests in these trees and plants.
I can walk in only a small portion of these woods that are open to public. Some need protection and you can't just wander in them...

Last time I was in the YILDIZ PARK, looking for photo opportunities (the closest wooded park to my home) I saw a flock of Rainbow parakeets and a couple of tweeting birds but my zoom lens would not bring them as close as I would of liked. They appeared like green round balls on the faraway branches. : ) I need a 70-400G for such shots. The birds stay away from humans and thus use the top of the highest trees to perch, unlike Australia's birds.

Yildiz

[aster]

Same scene as Sun goes down....

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[Greg Beetham]

That's a great view Yildiz, one of your best yet I think.
Greg
ps. A park called Yildiz park, is that the name of it? Also why no access to the wooded areas, surely just walking through wouldn't cause much harm?

[jcoffin]

That's a gorgeous shot of the sunset Yildiz! Well done.

[aster]

Hi Greg and Jcoffin,

Thank you, and again, you're too kind. : )


Greg;

Yes, the district that I live in is called YILDIZ. It's been named thus for centuries under Ottoman reign. It was a favourite of the Ottoman Dynasty for the extensive woods where they could go hunting for deers and birds of prey. There indeed was a wildlife here then. There are also 3 Ottoman palaces in the district, one also named Yildiz Palace.

Here's a Google map showing the district.
Where there is dense urbanization in the satellite shot, there used to be woods of the nicest endemic type of trees and plants. Believe me, the woods were really grand during the Ottoman period. It's the 'modern' (?) mentality that is attacking the most precious green and most necessary zones today...Irony when all we hope is that modern men would respect their heritage and try prevent the dangers the city faces going bald greenwise.

The green are under protection except for a couple of parks where you can roam. Yildiz Park, the Belgrade Woods and a couple more are 'walk-in' parks as well as preserved zones. Some are not open to human access for risks of arson and illegal habitation.


Yildiz

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[Birma]

Lovely views in the varying Istanbul light Yildiz. Interesting to hear about the green spaces that are preserved within such a large city - all too few now as you say.

[Greg Beetham]

I can't get over how many Yildiz named things there are, you sure got a famous name Yildiz.
Greg

[Dr. Harout]

Greg, Yildiz means Star, hence her nick here: Aster (which is Latin for Star).

[aster]

Thank you gentlemen!

True, Greg. Trust Dr. Harout in any translation related to Turkish. : ) Yildiz means 'star' in Turkish and you can imagine my name appearing on any entertainment poster, restaurant, clothing brand, right before an artist's or singer's name, TV show titles, schools, mosques, flowers, and anything a humanbeing would wish to attach it to.

Everyone's a star or aiming to become one, remember? : ))

Yildiz

[Greg Beetham]

Ah I think you were aptly named then Yildiz.
Greg

[aster]

Ah I think you were aptly named then Yildiz.
Greg

Thank you!

I'm happy that you're aptly named Gregory, too! : )) Every Australia requires one in Townsville, Queensland. I can't imagine that vast land without one...



Yildiz

[mikeriach]

Today at the beach this afternoon with the A77 and Sigma 70-200 f2.8.
Beautiful light, high tide, good swell and a slight breeze - clensing of the soul.





Hope you like.
Mike

[aster]

Indeed, cleansing the soul, Mike.

Lovely silhouette of the seascape and naughtily breaking waves against the wind and sandy shore...Can imagine the restless roar of the ocean...

Thanks for sharing,

Yildiz

[Birma]

Really like the light in the first one Mike. Hope you've come through the big winds ok, or was the East coast relatively unscathed?