Copenhagen is one of the several cities all over the World that participated in Earth Hour 2008 - a call from WWF, World Wide Fund for Nature - last March 29, between 8 and 9 pm.

Two images of Nyhavn, the oldest part of Copenhagen harbor, built in the 17th century. The memorial anchor on top of the canal stands as a reminder of danish sailors killed during World War 2.

[Originally posted on Mar 19th, 2008]

Category: THE CITY

- that I've started a few days ago:

http://awonderfulworld.nireblog.com

Moorish influence on an inlayed wood veneer door. Toledo, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain.

[Originally posted on Mar 17th, 2008]

Category: DOORS AND WINDOWS

Under the Portuguese law, the National Agricultural Reserve (RAN - Reserva Agrícola Nacional) is intended to preserve and protect the most productive soils, which are defined as RAN soils, and to ensure that they are used to develop portuguese agriculture and to guarantee a correct landscape management.
(Decreto-Lei 196/89, June 14th / 4th present version as per Decreto-Lei 278/95, October 25th).

Agricultural land - RAN soil - on the outskirts of Fátima, Ourém - Portugal.

Also under the Portuguse law, the National Ecological Reserve (REN - Reserva Ecológica Nacional) is intended to ensure the full protection of special ecological areas, designated as REN areas, as well as the related biological activities and ecosystems and so guarantee a balanced human environment.
(Decreto-Lei 93/90, March 19th / 7th present version as per Rectificação 75-A/2006, November 3rd).

Flood plane near the Tagus River - REN area - on the outskirts of Coruche, Santarém - Portugal.

NOTE: The Portuguese Government has recentely allowed for a huge construction over the Tagus flood plane, previously decreed as both agricultural and ecological reserve. The law is only for the people, not for the Government! You can read more about Castanheira do Ribatejo, Vila Franca de Xira.

[Originally posted on Mar 15th, 2008]

Category: MOUNTS AND VALLEYS

A couple of feral pigeons (the female on the left), Cascais - Portugal.

[Originally posted on March 14th, 2008]

Category: NATURALLY

Common, True, Sweet, Greek, Roman, Mediterranean or European Myrtle.

Myrtus communis, Myrtaceae Family - begining of September, Benavente - Portugal.
Evergreen shrub (or small tree) up to 5 metres; scented leaves and flowers; highly drought tolerant and usually away from chalky soils; spontaneous and frequent in the Centre and South of Portugal.

[Originally posted on March 13th, 2008]

Category: FLORA E VEGETATION