Ming, an Icelandic clam was the world’s longest-lived animal

Ming (c. 1499 – 2006) was anickname given to a specimen of theocean quahog clam (Arctica islandica, family Veneridae), that was dredged off the coast ofIceland in 2006 and whose age was calculated by counting annual growth lines in the shell. Ming was the oldest individual (non-colonial) animal ever discovered whose age could be accurately determined. Originally thought to be 405 years old, Ming was later determined to be 507 years old.

the title of the world’s longest-lived animal is held by Ming, an Icelandic clam known as an ocean quahog, that made it to 507 years before scientists bumped it off. And what killed Ming the clam? Scientists trying to work out how old he was, that's what. They found out by killing him.

Congo River, Africa

Previously known as Zaire, this is the world’s deepest river and its found in Africa. It’s the 2nd largest river on earth by volume discharged. It has a length of 2,920 miles making it the 9th longest river on earth. The Congo’s drainage basin is about 4,014,500 square kilometers. This river together with its tributaries flow via Congo rainforest, the 2nd biggest rainforest in the world after Amazon Rainforest.

The entire Congo basin is populated by Bantu peoples, divided into several hundred ethnic or tribal groups (see ethnic groups of the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Bantu expansion is estimated to have reached the Middle Congo by about 500 BC, and the Upper Congo by the beginning of the Common Era. The Kingdom of Kongo was formed around 1400 on the left banks of the lower Congo River. Its territorial control along the river remained limited to what corresponds to the modern Bas-Congo province. European exploration of the Congo begins in 1482, when Portuguese explorer Diogo Cão discovered the river estuary (likely in August 1482). The full course of the river remained unknown throughout the early modern period.

Traditional Boat on river bank

People carry everything even crocodile

Fishing at Congo River

Fishing at Congo River

Fishing at Congo River

The beginning of the Livingstone Falls (Lower Congo Rapids) near Kinshasa

Living Stone Falls

Living Stone Falls

Inga falls – Congo river

Rafting at River Congo

Violent Rapids

Gates of hell rapids congo river

Rapids in Congo River

Lower Congo River

River erosion

River eroson

Picture Source: Collected from Internet

Five Flowers Lake, China

Five Flower Lake is also called the Wuhua Hai Lake is located in China’s Wuhua Jiuzhaigou National Park, one of natural freshwater lakes in the Valley of Rize. China’s Jiuzhaigou National Park is a protected nature reserve with a collection of beautiful and unspoiled natural wonders. Local individuals says that the Five Flower Lake is a Holy Lake, and the entire Valley is often called fairyland, and has an area of 13.8 hectares and 16.4 meters at a depth of, but Five Flower Lake is considered to be a jewel of Jiuzhaigou. Five Flower Lake and surrounding areas are home to over 140 species of birds, exotic plants and animals, as well as giant pandas are endangered, as well as a gold-nosed monkeys and tapirs. Although it has a temperate climate but pleasant, protected status permits valleys, forests and lush meadows to grow uninterrupted by hefty development. With crystal-clear waters making it looks to the bottom of the Lake. The blue color of the Lake and the bottom of the Lake is covered with ancient trees have fallen and lived there from time to time.

Picture Source: Collected from Internet

Ancient Fishing Technique - Fishing with Cormorant Bird

Cormorant fishing is a traditional fishing method in which fishermen use trained cormorants to fish in rivers. Historically, cormorant fishing has taken place in Japanand China since about 960 AD. It is described as a method used by the ancient Japanese in the Book of Sui, the official history of the Sui Dynasty of China, completed in 636 AD. This technique has also been used in other countries but is currently under threat in China.

To control the birds, the fishermen tie a snare near the base of the bird's throat. This prevents the birds from swallowing larger fish, which are held in their throat, but the birds can swallow smaller fish. When a cormorant has caught a fish in its throat, the fisherman brings the bird back to the boat and has the bird spit the fish up. Though cormorant fishing once was a successful industry, its primary use today is to serve the tourism industry. The types of cormorants used differ based on the location. In Gifu, Japan, the Japanese cormorant (P. capillatus) is used; Chinese fishermen often employ great cormorants (P. carbo). Darters (anhinga), which are very close relatives of cormorants, are also used for this fishing technique on occasion.

  

  

On the Lijiang River, Yangshuo, China

Chinese fisherman with one of his cormorants on Erhai Lake near Dali, Yunnan. 

The bird's throat snare is visible via the constriction in the bird's neck.

Hot Spring Guelma in Algeria

Guelma (Algerian Arabic: ڨالمة;Berber: ⴳⴰⵍⵎⴰ  Algerian pronunciation: [ɡelmæ]) is the capital of Guelma Province and Guelma District, located in north-eastern Algeria, about 65 kilometers from the Mediterranean coast. Nearby tourist attractions include hot springs, Hammam Debagh also called Hammam Meskhoutine springs (20 minutes away from Guelma). The amazing Hammam Meskhoutine springs are well known since the antiquity. These hot springs have formed numerous amazing travertine formations including approximately 30 m tall mound with beautiful rimstone pools and petrified waterfalls.

Picture Source: Collected from Internet