With his elephant head and human body, Ganesha (or Ganesh) is one of the most beloved and popular of all the Hindu gods. This is because he brings good fortune while destroying all obstacles.
Ganesh is depicted as an art form in colorful statues and stone carvings.
One can identify most leopards by their light color and distinctive dark spots. Those spots are called rosettes, because they resemble the shape of a rose. The coloration on leopards and many other animals has evolved because it helps them survive better. In the case of leopards, the alternating dark and light blends into the shadows and sunlight patches in the grasslands or forest where they live and makes it easier for them to sneak up on the the animals they hunt.
A young leopard strolls through Gir National Park …
Of the three crocodilian species found in India, the most common and widespread is the broad snouted Mugger Crocodile. Also known as Marsh Crocodile, this species inhabits a number of fresh water habitats such as rivers, lakes, reservoirs, hill streams, village ponds and man made tanks. Medium in size and very broad snouted, Muggers appear primarily grayish in color.
Here is a Mugger or Marsh crocodile captured in Gir National Park.
Closeup, using a zoom lens from far, of a lion in Gir National Park, Gujarat, India – in natural color and monochrome version.
There is an abundance of peacocks in Gir National Park. While we did not see a single male with a full display of its colorful plume, the colors of the feathers on these peacocks are still spectacular.
The Somnath temple in Gujarat, India is lighted up at night with multiple color themes and is a major attraction for tourists and worshippers.
Warmed to the very core with the color of sunshine, a Haldi (Turmeric) ceremony is one tradition of many that brings a unique feel to an Indian wedding. Haldi or turmeric paste is renowned for cleansing and purifying couple’s body before they enter into holy matrimony. Additionally, it symbolizes the happy start of a new life together. Haldi is said to safeguard the bride and groom from any negative omen that may damage them before the wedding.
The decorations and outfits at this event were matched to the colors of turmeric …..
Incredibly, well over 900 species of birds have been seen in Costa Rica. Many look exotic and even better, many are common and easy to see! Some of the more beautiful of those exotic Costa Rica birds are the tanagers. Small and brightly colored, they frequent a wide array of habitats and several can be seen in hotel gardens as they feed in fruiting trees and bushes.
A resort we stayed at in Costa Rica put out fresh fruit each morning attracting local, colorful, birds. It was a sight to watch the feeding frenzy.
For over 100 years, farms near Sarchi, Costa Rica have been producing some of the country’s best coffee beans. Needing a sturdy way to transport this precious cargo to ports on the coast, a demand for ox-drawn carts was born. The earliest oxcarts of Sarchi dating back to the late 1800s were simple and functional. But as time went on, craftsmen began incorporating their own unique markings to distinguish their carts. By the beginning of the 20th century, competition among artisans was strong, and carts were decorated with elaborate geometric patterns, similar to the designs that can be seen today. An elaborate painted oxcart wheel adds to the colors of Sarchi.
The term “Pura Vida” has been present in Costa Rica’s vocabulary for over 50 years. It’s English translation means “pure life” or “simple life”, however its more then just a phrase- it is a way of life. Costa Ricans (Ticos) use this term to say hello, to say goodbye, to say everything’s great, to say everything’s cool.
In the northern hills of San Ramon in the Cordillera Central, Costa Rica lies the scenic town of Zarcero. One of the main attractions of Zarcero is the Iglesia de San Rafael (built in 1895), a stunning church both inside and out. Those who appreciate beautiful landmarks must see its gorgeous religious paintings, graceful archways and colorful stained-glass windows.
Colors on the boats and harbor at Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco add to contrast to the clouds in the sky
A boy poses with his colorfully decorated buffaloes in rural Kayavarohan, Gujarat, India
India has always been exalted and remembered fondly as the country of symbolic colors. The symbolism of color stands out and controls every aspect of life in India, be it religion, politics, festivals, or celebrations. In India, be it the north, south, west, or east, color and culture go hand in hand. Flowers in India are no exception. Here is a sample of the traditional deep orange and yellow color combination in a flower.
The colorful landscape of Yellowstone National Park is unique and draws visitors from all over the world.
The iconic image of Yellowstone is an expansive spring with rainbow-like colors radiating from its center, dominated by a fiery orange hue at its edges. Though these dazzlingly painted hot springs seem fit only for picture books, their colors come from very real, and very earthly, microscopic creatures.
Hiding out in the park’s hot springs — where temperatures are high enough to blister your skin and as acidic as liquid in a car battery — are heat-loving microbes. And they’re thriving. Where you see rings of color, there are, most of the time, rings of different bacteria, each group adapted to the conditions, such as temperature and pH (how acidic a solution is) of their environments.
Many of the bright colors found in Yellowstone’s hydrothermal basins come from thermophiles—microorganisms that thrive in hot temperatures. So many individual microorganisms are grouped together—trillions! —that they appear as masses of color.
Old Faithful may be more famous, but the Grand Prismatic Hot Spring is the most photographed thermal feature in Yellowstone. That’s because of its crazy-bright colors and enormous size. The Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the United States. Its colors match most of those seen in the rainbow dispersion of white light by an optical prism: red, orange, yellow, green, and blue
While we were there, steam covered the Grand Prismatic and did not reveal its brilliant colors, but adjoining springs were equally colorful and will be posted next.
Best known for its stunning display of vivid color, Yellowstone National Park is an undoubted national treasure. The reds, yellows and browns of the mud in the images below are derived from oxidation states of the iron in the mud.
Amazingly vibrant color, more than any other single thing, is what puts Yellowstone in a league all by itself. Here is an example of abstract art created by natural living organisms.
Photos by Ravi 