DIANE'S CORNER ...
Celebrate Nature Photography Day
Image result for Nature Photography Day gif

Have you ever enjoyed a photo of a flower (yep, thanks to Patty!)? Or a close up of a bee landing on the entrance to its hive? Have you marveled at the grace of a gazelle leaping through the Savannah, or the lumbering majesty of a rare elephant as it feeds from the highest trees or draws water from a watering hole? If so, you know what it is to marvel at the natural world around us. Nature Photography Day celebrates those amazing souls who are able to capture nature’s beauty in the eye of a camera.

History of Nature Photography Day

The North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) was formed in 1994 by well over 100 nature photography enthusiasts. The members of this organization were deeply invested in the future of this art form, and ensuring that those who practice it are taking proper steps to protect the subject of their photography through environmental conservation and awareness. Through their efforts they ensure that access to public land continues to exist for nature photographers.

NANPA established Nature Photography Day to help bring awareness to the works they produce and the fragility of the subjects of their work. The first step in truly appreciating the beauty that is Nature Photography is getting out into the world with your camera and finding beautiful and rare subjects to photograph. To encourage amateur photographers to participate there’s even a competition held with prizes ranging from an amazing new camera, NANPA membership, and workshops with the leading experts in nature photography.

There are limitless possibilities in nature photography, ranging from standard photography to macro photography to capture all the smallest details of the natural world we live in.

thanks for the 'Faces in Places' pics, Patty

Word of the Day

baseless

Definition:

(adjective) Having no basis or foundation in fact.

Synonyms:

groundless, unfounded, unwarranted, idle, wild

Usage:

The governor has released a statement calling the reports of corruption completely baseless and without merit.

Idiom of the Day

memory lane

— A set or series of memories of one's past life, likened to a roadway that one may visit or take a tour of. (Used primarily in the phrase "stroll/take a trip/walk etc. down memory lane.")

History

Magna Carta Day

The Magna Carta was the "great charter" of English liberties, which the tyrannical King John I was forced to sign on June 15, 1215. Although this day does not appear in the official calendar of any church, it is a day of great religious significance throughout the English-speaking world. One of the 48 personal rights and liberties guaranteed by the Magna Carta was freedom of worship; in fact, the opening words of the document were, "The Church of England shall be free." It is regarded as one of the most important documents in the history of political and human freedom.

Last Year's Neutron Star Collision Probably Created a Black Hole, Scientists Say

Scientists spotted two superdense stars crash into each other for the first time ever back in August, and they've been fascinated by the incident since. Now, they think they know what was produced by the enormous collision: a black hole—and not just ...
READ MORE:
06_01_neutron_star_collision

Neutron star collision observed last August probably Created a black hole, scientists say

Image result for 1667 - Jean-Baptiste Denys administered the first fully-documented human blood transfusion. He successfully transfused the blood of a sheep to a 15-year old boy.

Image result for 1667 - Jean-Baptiste Denys administered the first fully-documented human blood transfusion. He successfully transfused the blood of a sheep to a 15-year old boy.

1667 - Jean-Baptiste Denys administered the first fully-documented human blood transfusion. He successfully transfused the blood of a sheep to a 15-year old boy.

Image result for 1752 - Benjamin Franklin experimented by flying a kite during a thunderstorm. The result was a little spark that showed the relationship between lightning and electricity.

Image result for 1752 - Benjamin Franklin experimented by flying a kite during a thunderstorm. The result was a little spark that showed the relationship between lightning and electricity.

1752 - Benjamin Franklin experimented by flying a kite during a thunderstorm. The result was a little spark that showed the relationship between lightning and electricity.

Image result for 1836 - Arkansas became the 25th U.S. state.

Image result for 1836 - Arkansas became the 25th U.S. state.

1836 - Arkansas became the 25th U.S. state.

Image result for 1864 - An order to establish a military burial ground was signed by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. The location later became known as Arlington National Cemetery.

Image result for 1864 - An order to establish a military burial ground was signed by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. The location later became known as Arlington National Cemetery.

1864 - An order to establish a military burial ground was signed by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. The location later became known as Arlington National Cemetery.

Image result for 1877 - Henry O. Flipper became the first African American to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Image result for 1877 - Henry O. Flipper became the first African American to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

1877 - Henry O. Flipper became the first African American to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Image result for 1909 - Benjamin Shibe patented the cork center baseball.

Image result for 1909 - Benjamin Shibe patented the cork center baseball.

1909 - Benjamin Shibe patented the cork center baseball.

Image result for 1916 - U.S. President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill incorporating the Boy Scouts of America.

Image result for 1916 - U.S. President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill incorporating the Boy Scouts of America.

1916 - U.S. President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill incorporating the Boy Scouts of America.

Image result for 1919 - Captain John Alcock and Lt. Arthur W. Brown won $50,000 for successfully completing the first, non-stop trans-Atlantic plane flight.

Image result for 1919 - Captain John Alcock and Lt. Arthur W. Brown won $50,000 for successfully completing the first, non-stop trans-Atlantic plane flight.

1919 - Captain John Alcock and Lt. Arthur W. Brown won $50,000 for successfully completing the first, non-stop trans-Atlantic plane flight.

Image result for 1968 - The Beatles' announced the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi as a public mistake at a press conference in New York.

Image result for 1968 - The Beatles' announced the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi as a public mistake at a press conference in New York.

1968 - The Beatles' announced the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi as a public mistake at a press conference in New York.

Image result for 1992 - U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle instructed a student to spell "potato" with an "e" on the end during a spelling bee. He had relied on a faulty flash card that had been written by the student's teacher.

Image result for 1992 - U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle instructed a student to spell "potato" with an "e" on the end during a spelling bee. He had relied on a faulty flash card that had been written by the student's teacher.

1992 - U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle instructed a student to spell "potato" with an "e" on the end during a spelling bee. He had relied on a faulty flash card that had been written by the student's teacher.

Image result for 1994 - Israel and the Vatican established full diplomatic relations.

1994 - Israel and the Vatican established full diplomatic relations.

DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, June 15

Your mind is lightning quick. Your unique wit, love of entertaining, and endearing nature make you a lively companion. You have a youthful quality no matter what your age. Partnership is extremely important to you — you thrive with the support of a significant other. Many of you achieve more success in business with a trusted partner. Famous people born today:

1923 Erroll Garner, American jazz pianist (Misty), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Paramount Leader of China Xi Jinping

1953 Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (2012-) and President of the People's Republic of China (2013-), born in Beijing

Actress Helen Hunt

1963 Helen Hunt, American actress (Mad About You, Twister), born in Los Angeles, California

Actress Courteney Cox

1964 Courteney Cox, American actress (Monica Geller on Friends), born in Birmingham, Alabama

Rapper Ice Cube

1969 Ice Cube [O'Shea Jackson], American rapperand actor (Boyz in the Hood, Anaconda), born in Los Angeles, California

Actor Neil Patrick Harris

1973 Neil Patrick Harris, actor (Doogie Howser MD), born in Albuquerque, New Mexico

READERS INFO

Sparks America Bike Week 2018

Jun 14-24, 2018 | Sparks, OK

Sparks America Campgrounds|346719 E 990 Rd

Bike week kicks off in Oklahoma for not one, not two, but ten days of your favorite two wheel machines. In addition to the presence of hundreds of badass bikes, there’s a battle of the bands event to complement the sound of the bikes revving up, there are many themed days to ensure each day is different, and oil wrestling to entertain you even further.

further information: 2018 Bike Week – Sparks America Campgrounds

2.

NYC Pride 2018

Jun 14-24, 2018 | New York, NY

NYC Pride consists of an annual procession, known as the Pride Parade, and various other celebratory festivities that take place throughout the city for over a week in support and appreciation of the LGBT community, its accomplishments and history. The inspiration for Pride are the pro-LGBT riots that took place near the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village in 1969. The celebration’s parade is open to all members of the broader LGBT community and features several celebrities and musical acts throughout. Other festivities during Pride include a festival proper for the whole family complete with various outdoor activities and amusements, dance parties, drag shows, awards ceremonies, a 5K run, film screenings and much more.

further information: Home - NYC Pride

3.

Seattle International Dance Festival 2018

Jun 8-24, 2018 | Seattle, WA

The Seattle International Dance Festival in Seattle, Washington, is a contemporary dance celebration featuring choreographers, solo performers, troupes and companies from Seattle’s lush dance scene and around the world. The 16-day extravaganza showcases modern movement with indoor and outdoor performances across the city, intensives, workshops, study programs and urban art experiences.

further information: Seattle International Dance Festival

Pictures of the day

The Seal of Arkansas, as depicted in the 1876 book The State Arms of the Union. Adopted in 1864, it contains the Angel of Mercy, the Sword of Justice and the Goddess of Liberty, as well as a bald eagle with a bundle of arrows in one claw and an olive branch in the other; a scroll at the bottom is inscribed Regnant Populi. The seal was modified in 1907; this revised design remains in use today.

Oregon