The Landscape Image http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com A PHOTOBLOG ABOUT - IMAGE - MIRAGE - VOYAGE - MESSAGE ... AND LANDSCAPE Thu, 15 May 2008 13:23:48 +0000 The Landscape Image http://nireblog.com/imagenes/logo.png http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com http://nireblog.com (77) A WOOD VENEER DOOR http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/05/12/77-a-wood-veneer-door http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/05/12/77-a-wood-veneer-door Inlayed wood veneer door, Toledo, Castilla-La Mancha - SpainInlayed wood veneer door, Toledo, Castilla-La Mancha - Spain

Detail of an inlayed wood veneer door, Toledo, Castilla-La Mancha - Spain

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

[Originally posted on Mar 17th, 2008]

Category: A CLOSE LOOK

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]]> Mon, 12 May 2008 16:15:02 +0000 (76) THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL AND ECOLOGICAL RESERVES http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/05/12/76-the-national-agricultural-and-ecological-reserves http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/05/12/76-the-national-agricultural-and-ecological-reserves 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 on the outskirts of Fátima, Ourém - Portugal

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 on the outskirts of Coruche, Santarém - Portugal

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

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]]> Mon, 12 May 2008 16:05:26 +0000 (75) SURVIVORS http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/05/03/75-survivors http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/05/03/75-survivors A couple of feral pigeons, Cascais - Portugal

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

[Originally posted on March 14th, 2008]

Category: NATURALLY

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]]> Sat, 03 May 2008 15:03:31 +0000 (74) THE MYRTLE IN BLOSSOM http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/05/03/74-the-myrtle-in-blossom http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/05/03/74-the-myrtle-in-blossom Common, True, Sweet, Greek, Roman, Mediterranean or European Myrtle.

Myrtle (Myrtus communis) in blossom, Benavente - Portugal

Myrtle (Myrtus communis) in blossom, detail, Benavente - Portugal

Blooming Myrtle (Myrtus communis), detail, Benavente - Portugal

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

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]]> Sat, 03 May 2008 14:22:50 +0000 (73) COLOURS IN THE SKY http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/27/73-colours-in-the-sky http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/27/73-colours-in-the-sky Colours in the sky 1 - Cascais, Portugal

Colours in the sky 2 - Cascais, Portugal

Colours in the sky 3 - Cascais, Portugal

Colours in the sky 4 - Cascais, Portugal

Cascais - Portugal.

[Originally posted on Mar 11th, 2008]

Category: QUARTERS

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]]> Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:43:34 +0000 (72) PORTUGUESE VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/27/72-portuguese-vernacular-architecture http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/27/72-portuguese-vernacular-architecture Tradicional house in Pitões das Júnias, Montalegre - Portugal

Traditional Portuguese Architecture: granite and timber balcony, typical house in Pitões das Júnias, Montalegre.

[Originally posted on Mar 11th, 2008]

Category: THE ARCHITECTURE

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]]> Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:36:03 +0000 (71) THE CROWD INVADES THE CITY. . . http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/27/71-the-crowd-invades-the-city http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/27/71-the-crowd-invades-the-city ... to watch the Palio di Siena (a traditional medieval bareback horse race, late afternoon, in the famous Piazza del Campo, Sienna - Italy).

Piazza del Campo during the Palio, Sienna - Italy

Piazza del Campo during the Palio, Sienna - Italy

Piazza del Campo during the Palio. Sienna, Tuscany - Italy.

NOTE: On March 8th, 2008, a crowd of demonstrator teachers and professors (100 000) invaded Lisbon, to protest against the policies of the Portuguese Minister of Education. THANK YOU, PROFESSORS!

[Originally posted on Mar 9th, 2008]

Category: THE CITY

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]]> Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:18:04 +0000 (70) THE CHINESE APPLE TREE http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/27/70-the-chinese-apple-tree http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/27/70-the-chinese-apple-tree (or Marubakaido Apple Tree)

Chinese (Marubakaido) apple tree, Coimbra - Portugal

Malus prunifolia, Rosaceae Family - mid Abril at Quinta das Lágrimas, Coimbra.
Cf. Jorge Paiva & M. Lúcia Catarino, O Arboreto da Quinta das Lágrimas (Quinta das Lágrimas' Arboretum).

[Originally posted on Mar 7th, 2008]

Category: THE TREE

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]]> Sun, 27 Apr 2008 13:48:52 +0000 (69) A MATTER OF SCALE http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/27/69-a-matter-of-scale http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/27/69-a-matter-of-scale Tavira coastal land, Algarve - Portugal

Tavira, Algarve - Portugal.

Copenhagen harbour - Denmark

Copenhagen - Denmark.

[Originally posted on Mar 7th, 2008]

Category: THE COASTAL LAND

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]]> Sun, 27 Apr 2008 13:42:42 +0000 (68) ALL CHILDREN ARE SPECIAL http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/27/68-all-children-are-special http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/27/68-all-children-are-special - BUT SOME OF THEM ARE SPECIALLY SPECIAL.

From the Declaration of the Rights of the Child:
(proclaimed by the United Nations at November 20th, 1959)

Principle 5. The child who is physically, mentally or socially handicapped shall be given the special treatment, education and care required by his particular condition.

Children playing in the gardens of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Lisbon - Portugal

NOTE: A call to read, sign and spread the word about an ongoing petition to improve the Portuguese Law (Decreto-Lei) 3/2008, January 7th, concerning children with special education needs.

[Originally posted on Mar 6th, 2008]

Category: UNIVERSAL TEXTS

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]]> Sun, 27 Apr 2008 13:38:52 +0000 (67) A STORY ABOUT CORK OAKS - III http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/23/67-a-story-about-cork-oaks-iii http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/23/67-a-story-about-cork-oaks-iii Cork Oak 1, week 7 (Cascais - Portugal)Cork Oak 2, week 7 (Cascais - Portugal)

Cork oaks (Quercus suber, Fagaceae family) seeded on January 15th, 2008.
[Cascais - Portugal].

[Originally posted on Mar 6th, 2008]

Category: A STORY ABOUT CORK OAKS

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]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:36:34 +0000 (66) A STORY ABOUT CORK OAKS - II http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/23/66-a-story-about-cork-oaks-ii http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/23/66-a-story-about-cork-oaks-ii Quercus suber I, week 5 (Cascais - Portugal)Quercus suber I, week 7 (Cascais - Portugal)Quercus suber I, week 6 (Cascais - Portugal)

Quercus suber II, week 5 (Cascais - Portugal)Quercus suber II, week 7 (Cascais - Portugal)Quercus suber II, week 6 (Cascais - Portugal)

The Cork Oak - Sobreiro (Quercus suber, Fagaceae family) is a large native tree to Portugal.
The acorns were seeded on January 15th, 2008 - the plants' age is referenced to that date.

[Cascais - Portugal].

[Originally posted on Mar 5th, 2008]

Category: A STORY ABOUT CORK OAKS

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]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:35:17 +0000 (65) SHAPE, PROPORTION AND AESTHETIC http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/22/65-shape-proportion-and-aesthetic http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/22/65-shape-proportion-and-aesthetic Balance - Lightness - Sobriety. Good architects often reveal themselves better in simple works.

A pavillion in the public garden of Almograve (Odemira) - Portugal

Almograve, Odemira - Portugal.

[Originally posted on Mar 4th, 2008]

Category: THE ARCHITECTURE

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]]> Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:48:31 +0000 (64) THE RIVERS ARE OUR BROTHERS http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/22/64-the-rivers-are-our-brothers http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/22/64-the-rivers-are-our-brothers ... «you must remember to teach your children that the rivers are our brothers, and yours, and you must henceforth give the rivers the kindness that you would give my brother.»
Indian Chief Seattle's reply, in 1854, to The Great White Chief in Washington Franklin Pierce, who had made an offer to buy a large area of Indian land (this document was published by the United Nations for the celebration of World Environment Day in 1976).

Arnoia River at Allariz, Ourense (Galicia) - Spain

Ethnographic Park and Arnoia River at Allariz (Ourense) - Spain

Ethnographic Park and the Arnoia River, Allariz (Ourense, Galicia) - Spain.

«If we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the water, how can you buy them?»
(idem, ibidem)

[Originally posted on Mar 3rd, 2008]

Category: THE WATER

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]]> Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:07:32 +0000 (62) BENCHES IN THE GARDEN http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/21/62-benches-in-the-garden http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/21/62-benches-in-the-garden Garden in Copenhagen - Denmark

Copenhagen - Denmark.

Urban park in London - England

London - England.

Garden in Tavira, Algarve - Portugal

Tavira (Algarve) - Portugal.

[Originally posted on Mar 2nd, 2008]

Category: PARKS AND GARDENS

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]]> Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:56:49 +0000 (63) PEACE PAGODA http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/21/63-peace-pagoda http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/21/63-peace-pagoda Detail of the Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park, London - England

Aspect of the Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park, London - England

The Peace Pagoda of Battersea Park, London - England

The Peace Pagoda of Battersea Park in London - England.

[Originally posted on Mar 3rd, 2008]

Category: A CLOSE LOOK

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]]> Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:01:14 +0000 (61) E-WASTE, ELECTRONIC WASTE http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/21/61-e-waste-electronic-waste http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/21/61-e-waste-electronic-waste «The amount of old electronics, or e-waste, such as computers, phones and TVs being discarded every year is growing rapidly. In many countries it's the fastest growing type of waste as cheap prices mean replacing electronics is cheaper than fixing them, while low price often means low quality and a very short life spans.»

Detail of a computer's mainboard (e-waste)

E-waste: a computer's mainboard (detail).

«Since August 2006 Greenpeace has been ranking the major electronics companies' efforts phase out toxic chemicals and improve recycling programs - both vital steps to tackle e-waste.»
(Read more: Greenpeace International News).

NOTE: The virtual office of Greenpeace Portugal has recentely been launched, on February 22nd, 2008.

[Originally posted on Mar 2nd, 2008]

Category: LOOSE LEAVES

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]]> Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:43:19 +0000 (60) THE TILE (AZULEJO) IN PORTUGAL http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/21/60-the-tile-azulejo-in-portugal http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/21/60-the-tile-azulejo-in-portugal (Azulejo - from the arabian al Zulaicj, that later became aljulej - small flat and polished stone).

The use of ceramic tiles in Portuguese architecture dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, after the moorish presence and influence on the Iberian Peninsula.

Façade with tiles (azulejos), private house in Sintra - Portugal

The façade of a private house, Sintra - Portugal.

An «important characteristic of the repetition patterns is the way in which the compositions are organized, always showing (with more or less subtlety) diagonals opposing to vertical and horizontal lines, main elements in architecture.»
Rafael Salinas Calado, 5 Séculos do Azulejo em Portugal - 5 Centuries of the Tile in Portugal, 1985.

Detail of the tiles on a façade, private house in Sintra - Portugal

Detail of the tiles on a façade, private house in Sintra - Portugal

«The tile is essencially an element that brightens the surface, reflecting light, heat and sound. [...]
It cannot - mostly - be appreciated peace by peace, because it is conceived to be seen as a whole definitely integrated in the architecture [...].»
(idem, ibidem).

NOTE: This post should have a link to the Azulejo National Museum web site, which is at the moment being renewed and therefore unavailable.

[Originally posted on Mar 1st, 2008]

Category: THE HERITAGE

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]]> Mon, 21 Apr 2008 10:43:21 +0000 (59) THE STREAM http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/11/59-the-stream http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/11/59-the-stream (The original portuguese post starts with an excerpt from a Miguel Torga's poem, that unfortunately I cannot translate).

A stream by Santa Maria das Júnias' Monastery, Montalegre - Portugal

A stream by Santa Maria das Júnias' Monastery, Montalegre (Montalegre means "Cheerful Mount").

[Originally posted on Feb 27th, 2008]

Category: THE WATER

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]]> Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:16:00 +0000 (58) A CITY WITH FLOWERS http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/11/58-a-city-with-flowers http://thelandscapeimage.nireblog.com/post/2008/04/11/58-a-city-with-flowers Vienna in April - Austria

Vienna in April - Austria

Two images of Vienna, Austria, in April.

[Originally posted on Feb 26th, 2008]

Category: THE CITY

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