Puerto Rican Emerald Hummingbirds and Puerto Rican Statehood

Summary: The Puerto Rico Admission Act of 2019 advances Puerto Rican statehood and, by extension, Puerto Rican emerald hummingbirds as United States wildlife.

female Puerto Rican emerald hummingbird (Chlorostilbon maugaeus), illustrated by French naturalist and illustrator Jean Baptiste Audebert (March 2, 1759-Dec. 5, 1800); J.B. Audebert and L.J.P. Vieillot's Oiseaux Dorés (Histoire Naturelle) (1802), tome premier, Planche XXXVIII, opposite page 96: Public Domain, via Biodiversity Heritage Library

The Puerto Rico Admission Act of 2019 abolishes the 120-year colonial status of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and, by extension, of Puerto Rican emerald hummingbirds, and advances automatic Puerto Rican statehood.

The Puerto Rico Admission Act of 2019, introduced March 28, 2019, by Florida Democratic Representative Darren Soto, bears Puerto Rico 51st statehood without conditions or referendums. It conveys economic benefits and voting rights upon the Caribbean island's citizens and celebration of Caribbean island fauna and flora into United States state-by-state wildlife guidebooks. Hummingbirds dwell in the Americas, with Allen's, Anna's, black-chinned, blue-throated, broad-billed, broad-tailed, buff-bellied, Calliope, Costa's, Lucifer, magnificent, ruby-throated, rufous, violet-crowned and white-eared discerned as North American.

Authoritative publications such as those by the American Museum of Natural History enter berylline hummingbirds from Mexico for summer encounters in southeastern Arizona and western Texas.

Puerto Rican coquí tree frogs (Eleutherodactylus coqui), hibiscus (Thespesia grandiflora), silk-cotton trees (Ceiba pentandra) and stripe-headed tanagers (Spindalis zena) sometimes function as emblematic, quintessential, symbolic icons.

Puerto Rican statehood to a Caribbean island within the North American continental shelf gives the United States another of the 320-plus-specied crown jewels of the air. Four-plus-year life cycles herald mating seasons February through May and 14- to 16-day incubations of two non-glossy, smooth, white 0.52- by 0.32-plus-inch (13- by 8-millimeter) eggs. Altricial, naked hatchlings inhabit cup-like, fern-scale and lichen, plant down- and wild cotton-lined, 1-plus-inch (2.54-plus-centimeter) outer-diameter, 1-plus-inch- (2.54-plus-centimeter-) high, 0.75-plus-inch (1.91-plus-centimeter) inner-diameter, 1-plus-inch- (2.54-plus-centimeter-) deep nests.

Mother-tended Puerto Rican emerald hummingbirds juggle gray undersides and dark upper-sides when they journey as 20- to 22-day-old fledglings from mother-built, mother-maintained nests to independent nesting.

Mature females know 2.95- to 3.35-inch (7.5- to 8.5-centimeter) head-tail lengths, 3.94- to 4.33-inch (10- to 11-centimeter) wingspans and 0.12- to 0.13-ounce (3.4- to 3.8-gram) weights.

Black-billed, gray-throated juveniles and mature females log gray-green crowns and foreheads; grass-green upper-parts and upper-tail coverts; gray undersides; tails less forked than males; and blue-brown-green-white steering-feathers. Mature males manifest 3.35- to 3.74-inch (8.5- to 9.5-centimeter) head-tail lengths, 4.33- to 4.72-inch (11- to 12-centimeter) wingspans and 0.12- to 0.13-ounce (3.4- to 3.8-gram) weights. They net dark, short, straight bills; dark upper and dark-tipped red lower mandibles; glossy-green crowns and foreheads; iridescent blue-green throats; and black-green upper-parts and upper-tail coverts.

Blue-tailed mature males, observed by Jean Audebert (March 2, 1759-Dec. 5, 1800) and Louis Vieillot (May 10, 1748-Aug. 24, 1830), obtain glossy-green underparts and under-tail coverts.

Puerto Rico's Chlorostilbon maugaeus (from Greek χλωρός, "green" and στίλβω, "gleaming," for René Maugé, 1761?-Feb. 21, 1802) performs backward, downward, forward, upward 50-beat per second flights.

Puerto Rican emerald hummingbirds quicken to coastal, coffee plantation, forest and woodland habitats in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands at sea-level through 2,624.67-foot (800-meter) altitudes. They require air- or branch-borne insects; arachnids; and bromeliad (Hohenbergia, Vriesea), coral-tree (Erythrina), false-petunia (Ruellia), ginger-lily (Hedychium), orchid (Dilomilis, Epidendrum), pitch-apple (Clusia) and water-willow (Justicia) nectars. Their strong tic notes sound at various speeds, until they stop on high-pitched, rapid buzzes and trills, from 3.28- to 19.68-foot- (1- to 6-meter-) tall shrubs.

Puerto Rican statehood touches Puerto Rican emerald hummingbirds, zumbadorcitos boriqueños de la reserva de la biosfera de Guánica (Puerto Rican hummers of the Guánica Biosphere Reserve).

male Puerto Rican emerald hummingbird (Chlorostilbon maugaeus), illustrated by French naturalist and illustrator Jean Baptiste Audebert (March 2, 1759-Dec. 5, 1800); J.B. Audebert and L.J.P. Vieillot's Oiseaux Dorés (Histoire Naturelle) (1802), tome premier, Planche XXXVII, opposite page 93: Public Domain, via Biodiversity Heritage Library

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

female Puerto Rican emerald hummingbird (Chlorostilbon maugaeus), illustrated by French naturalist and illustrator Jean Baptiste Audebert (March 2, 1759-Dec. 5, 1800); J.B. Audebert and L.J.P. Vieillot's Oiseaux Dorés (Histoire Naturelle) (1802), tome premier, Planche XXXVIII, opposite page 96: Public Domain, via Biodiversity Heritage Library @ https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/35131961; Biodiversity Heritage Library (BioDivLibrary), Public Domain, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/biodivlibrary/51024828888/

male Puerto Rican emerald hummingbird (Chlorostilbon maugaeus), illustrated by French naturalist and illustrator Jean Baptiste Audebert (March 2, 1759-Dec. 5, 1800); J.B. Audebert and L.J.P. Vieillot's Oiseaux Dorés (Histoire Naturelle) (1802), tome premier, Planche XXXVII, opposite page 93: Public Domain, via Biodiversity Heritage Library @ https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/35131956; Biodiversity Heritage Library (BioDivLibrary), Public Domain, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/biodivlibrary/51025657042/

For further information:

Audebert, J.B.; and L.J.P. Vieillot. 1802. "L'Oiseau-mouche maugé femelle. Planche XXXVIII." Histoire Naturelle et Générale des Colibris, Oiseaux-Mouches, Jacamars et Promerops: Oiseaux Dorés, ou à Reflets Métalliques, tome premier: 96. Paris, France: Desray, An XI.
Available via Biodiversity Heritage Library @ https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/35131960

Audebert, J.B.; and L.J.P. Vieillot. 1802. "L'Oiseau-mouche maugé femelle. Pl. 58." Histoire Naturelle et Générale des Colibris, Oiseaux-Mouches, Jacamars et Promerops: Oiseaux Dorés, ou à Reflets Métalliques, tome premier: opposite page 96. Paris, France: Desray, An XI.
Available via Biodiversity Heritage Library @ https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/35131961

Audebert, J.B.; and L.J.P. Vieillot. 1802. "L'Oiseau-mouche maugé mâle." Histoire Naturelle et Générale des Colibris, Oiseaux-Mouches, Jacamars et Promerops: Oiseaux Dorés, ou à Reflets Métalliques, tome premier: 93-95. Paris, France: Desray, An XI.
Available via Biodiversity Heritage Library @ https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/35131957

Audebert, J.B.; and L.J.P. Vieillot. 1802. "L'Oiseau-mouche maugé mâle. Pl. 57." Histoire Naturelle et Générale des Colibris, Oiseaux-Mouches, Jacamars et Promerops: Oiseaux Dorés, ou à Reflets Métalliques, tome premier: opposite page 93. Paris, France: Desray, An XI.
Available via Biodiversity Heritage Library @ https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/35131956

Baicich, Paul J.; and Colin J.O. Harrison. 2015. Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds. Princeton Field Guides. Second edition. Princeton NJ; and Woodstock, Oxfordshire, UK: Princeton University Press.

"Guanica." United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization > Natural Sciences > Environment > Ecological Sciences for Sustainable Development > Biosphere Reserves > 292 sites in 37 countries in Europe and North America > United States of America.
Available @ http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/br/brdir/directory/biores.asp?code=USA+35&mode=all

Jativa, Daniel. 28 March 2019. "Bipartisan Pair Introduces Puerto Rico Statehood Bill in Congress." Washington Examiner > News.
Available @ https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/bipartisan-group-introduced-puerto-rico-statehood-bill-in-congress

Schuchman, Karl-L. "Puerto Rican Emerald Chlorotilbon maugaeus." In: Michael Hutchins, Jerome A. Jackson, Walter J. Bock and Donna Olendorf, editors. Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. Second edition. Volume 9, Birds II: 464. Farmington Hills MI: Gale Group, 2002.

Vuilleumier, François, editor-in-chief; and Paul Sweet, consultant. American Museum of Natural History Birds of North America. Revised edition. New York NY: DK Publishing, 2016.

Balancing Roadside Tree Benefits and Risk of Streetscape Tree Crashes

Summary: An article in Arboriculture & Urban Forestry March 2019 assesses balancing benefits of roadside trees against risk of streetscape tree crashes.

an extreme example of a streetscape tree crash: BBC News (UK) @BBCNews, via Twitter Dec. 16, 2018

An article in Arboriculture & Urban Forestry March 2019 associates the risk of streetscape tree crashes with the "probability of an event occurring and the consequence of the event should it occur."

Co-authors Ethan Allen, George Fitzpatrick, Andrew Koeser, Michael Olexa and Jeffery Van Treese II broach appealing, pleasing, stress-reducing, value-added tree-lined roadsides when target-struck by tree failure. Streetscape trees correlate socio-economically with output state expenditure and value-added capital consumption, income, indirect business tax and wage impacts and with fixed-object crashes in run-off-road accidents. Roadway conditions, design and geometry and vehicle weight determine the relative risk of streetscape tree crashes, whether roadside trees dispense hazardous tree failures or roadway definitions.

Guardrail leading ends, streetscape trees and utility poles enhance probabilities of fatal injuries in fixed-object crashes even as constrained, enclosed, smaller streetscapes encourage less risky driving.

Fixed-object crash severity fetches no injuries; minor bruises, lacerations and scrapes; major disabilities and incapacitations, including fractures and severed limbs; or fatal injuries within 30 days.

The article Frequency and Severity of Tree and Other Fixed Object Crashes in Florida, 2006-2013, gauged streetscape tree crashes at 14.6 percent of 323,581 single-vehicle crashes. Rural and urban settings respectively harbored streetscape tree crashes as the second and third commonest crash types, as 15 and 14.2 percent of their crashes, 2006-2013. Predictor variables of daylight, dark, dark with lighting and dawn/dusk identified streetscape tree crashes as respectively 10, 8.2, 23.1 and 9.8 percent of 323,581 single-vehicle crashes.

Streetscape tree crashes juggled respective frequencies of 14.29, 9.48, 6.8, 4.48 and 3.73 percent in single-vehicle crashes in severe crosswind, low-visibility, clear, rainy and cloudy weathers.

Severity analysis by no, minor, severe and fatal injuries knew respective frequencies of 46.6, 40.8, 10.8 and 1.7 percent of 7,341 total streetscape tree crashes, 2006-2013.

Of barrier, ditch, fence, no-fixed-object, pole, rollover, sign, structure, tree and water single-vehicle crashes, signs and structures logged far less severe levels than streetscape tree crashes. Rollovers manifest likelihoods of increased severity levels 1.5 times that of streetscape tree crashes and model 6.1 and 14.72 percent of rural and urban single-vehicle crashes. Narrow clear zones and lane widths on high-speed rural and low-speed urban roadways and large-zoned, wide-laned urban roadways net respectively high-frequency and low-frequency streetscape tree crashes.

Planters, trees and low-speed wide lanes respectively occasion fewer mid-block and urban run-off-roadway, greater rural run-off-roadway and, with increased driveway and pole density, greater single-vehicle crashes.

Streetscape tree crashes presented 1.5 and 3.5 percent of 3,033,048 crashes and of road fatalities recorded by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

The eight-year period queued up 94 yearly deaths in tree-related crashes and 15,464,241 licensed Florida drivers, for a 1:164,513 risk of harm in streetscape tree crashes. The National Safety Council and the Quantitative Tree Risk Assessment reveal respective risks at 1:9,008 and 1:1,000,000 for all United States motor vehicles and in arboriculture. National Safety Council statistics show 17-year spikes by 6,113 and 15,080 in deaths from respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses where excessive tree removal signifies lost tree canopies.

One Florida Atlantic University and four University of Florida researchers tether risk of streetscape tree crashes versus benefit to removing high-risk, low-value, not low-risk, high-value, trees.

A streetscape tree crash damages both the tree and the vehicle; Karrinyup Road, Stirling, West Australia, western Australia; Tuesday, March 27, 2012, 15:09:31: perthhdproductions, CC BY 2.0 Generic, via Flickr

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

an extreme example of a streetscape tree crash: BBC News (UK) @BBCNews, via Twitter Dec. 16, 2018, @ https://twitter.com/BBCNews/status/1074263371007037440

A streetscape tree crash damages both the tree and the vehicle; Karrinyup Road, Stirling, West Australia, western Australia; Tuesday, March 27, 2012, 15:09:31: perthhdproductions, CC BY 2.0 Generic, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/perthhdproductions/7471223692/

For further information:

BBC News (UK) @BBCNews 16 December 2018. "Shrewsbury crash leaves car vertical in tree." Twitter.
Available @ https://twitter.com/BBCNews/status/1074263371007037440

Gilman, Ed. 2011. An Illustrated Guide to Pruning. Third Edition. Boston MA: Cengage.

Hayes, Ed. 2001. Evaluating Tree Defects. Revised, Special Edition. Rochester MN: Safe Trees.

Injury Facts. 2017 Edition. Itasca IL: National Safety Council.

Marriner, Derdriu. 17 February 2019. “Plant Appraisal Estimate, Scope, Data, Analysis, Reconciliation, Report.” Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/02/plant-appraisal-estimate-scope-data.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 27 January 2019. “Urban Tree Vulnerability in Residential Toronto, Ontario, Canada.” Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/01/urban-tree-vulnerability-in-residential.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 30 December 2018. "Plant Appraisal: Cost and Value Estimates and Economic Principles." Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/12/plant-appraisal-cost-and-value.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 23 December 2018. "Six-Year Forest Health Ambassador Program of Oakville, Ontario, Canada." Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/12/six-year-forest-health-ambassador.html

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/10/nursery-production-systems-tough-urban.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 16 September 2018. "Induced-Resistance Agents, Silicon Fertilizers, Synthetic Fungicides." Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/09/induced-resistance-agents-silicon.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 26 August 2018. "Nursery Production Systems for Successful Urban Tree Plantings." Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/08/nursery-production-systems-for.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 29 July 2018. "Tree Roots Branch in Fabric Containers But Circle and Girdle Plastic." Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/07/tree-roots-branch-in-fabric-containers.html

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/06/wood-decay-fungi-management-of-terminal.html

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/05/downtown-commercial-streetscape-tree.html

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/04/mushroom-forming-and-non-mushroom.html

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/02/tree-retention-by-arborists-for.html

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/01/integrated-vegetation-management-study.html

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/12/tree-inventories-preemptive-and.html

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/10/palm-plant-health-care-abiotic-biotic.html

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/09/predawn-leaf-water-potentials-indicate.html

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/08/palm-tree-identification-and-pruning-of.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 22 July 2017. “Commonly Planted, Potentially Phytoremediating Street Tree Species.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/07/commonly-planted-potentially.html

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/06/root-loss-from-root-pruning-and-root.html

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/05/age-and-canopy-area-cost-less-and-tell.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 22 April 2017. “Urban Root Management: Big Infrastructure, Small Space, Stressed Roots.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/04/urban-root-management-big.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 12 March 2017. “Flexural Elasticity Modulus: Trees and Watersprouts Bend or Break.” Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/03/flexural-elasticity-modulus-trees-and.html

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/02/plant-health-care-diagnostics-when.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 14 January 2017. “Tree Fertilization for Fine Root Growth and Whole Root System Effects.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/01/tree-fertilization-for-fine-root-growth.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 17 December 2016. “Abiotic and Biotic Stress in Low Maintenance Tree Health Care Programs.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/12/abiotic-and-biotic-stress-in-low.html

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/11/organic-amendments-to-compacted.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 15 October 2016. “Tree Protection Zones by Arborists for All Construction Project Phases.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/10/tree-protection-zones-by-arborists-for.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 17 September 2016. “Stormwater Runoff Landscaping With Urban Canopy Cover and Groundcover.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/09/stormwater-runoff-landscaping-with.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 13 August 2016. “Changing Places: Tree Nutrient Movement Down, Tree Water Movement Up.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/08/changing-places-tree-nutrient-movement.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 16 July 2016. “Treated or Untreated Oriental Bittersweet Vine Management Cut-Stumping.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/07/treated-or-untreated-oriental.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 18 June 2016. “Tree Injection Site Procedures: Manufacturer's Instructions and Labels.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
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Marriner, Derdriu. 22 May 2016. “Electrical Utility Area Temperate Urban Street Trees: Pruned Regrowth.” Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/05/electrical-utility-area-temperate-urban.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 16 April 2016. “Tree Injection Methods: Treatment Option in Integrated Pest Management.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/04/tree-injection-methods-treatment-option.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 6 March 2016. “Bare-Rooted Ornamental Urban Transplants: Amendments Against Mortality.” Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/03/bare-rooted-ornamental-urban.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 28 February 2016. “Bark Protective Survival Mechanisms Foil Deprivation, Injury, Invasion.” Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/02/bark-protective-survival-mechanisms.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 23 January 2016. "LITA Model: Linear Index of Tree Appraisal of Large Urban Swedish Trees." Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/01/lita-model-linear-index-of-tree.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 19 December 2015. “Tree Lightning Protection Systems: Site, Soil, Species True Designs.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2015/12/tree-lightning-protection-systems-site.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 24 October 2015. “Tree Lightning Protection Systems Tailored to Sites, Soils, Species.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2015/10/tree-lightning-protection-systems.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 15 August 2015. “Tree Friendly Urban Soil Management: Amend, Fertilize, Mulch, Till!” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2015/08/tree-friendly-urban-soil-management.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 13 June 2015. “Tree Friendly Urban Soil Management: Assemble, Assess, Assist, Astound.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2015/06/tree-friendly-urban-soil-management.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 18 April 2015. “Tree Wound Responses: Healthy Wound Closures by Callus and Woundwood.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2015/04/tree-wound-responses-healthy-wound.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 15 February 2015. “Urban Forest Maintenance and Non-Maintenance Costs and Benefits.” Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2015/02/urban-forest-maintenance-and-non.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 13 December 2014. “Tree Dwelling Symbionts: Dodder, Lichen, Mistletoe, Moss and Woe-Vine.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2014/12/tree-dwelling-symbionts-dodder-lichen.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 18 October 2014. “Tree Cable Installation Systems Lessen Target Impact From Tree Failure.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2014/10/tree-cable-installation-systems-lessen.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 16 August 2014. “Flood Tolerant Trees in Worst-Case Floodplain and Urbanized Scenarios.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2014/08/flood-tolerant-trees-in-worst-case.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 14 June 2014. “Integrated Vegetation Management of Plants in Utility Rights-of-Way.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2014/06/integrated-vegetation-management-of.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 12 April 2014. “Tree Twig Identification: Buds, Bundle Scars, Leaf Drops, Leaf Scars.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2014/04/tree-twig-identification-buds-bundle.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 15 February 2014. “Tree Twig Anatomy: Ecosystem Stress, Growth Rates, Winter Identification.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2014/02/tree-twig-anatomy-ecosystem-stress.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 14 December 2013. “Community and Tree Safety Awareness During Line- and Road-Clearances.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2013/12/community-and-tree-safety-awareness.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 13 October 2013. “Chain-Saw Gear and Tree Work Related Personal Protective Equipment.” Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2013/10/chain-saw-gear-and-tree-work-related.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 12 October 2013. “Storm Damaged Tree Clearances: Matched Teamwork of People to Equipment.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2013/10/storm-damaged-tree-clearances-matched.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 17 August 2013. “Storm Induced Tree Damage Assessments: Pre-Storm Planned Preparedness.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2013/08/storm-induced-tree-damage-assessments.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 15 June 2013. “Storm Induced Tree Failures From Heavy Tree Weights and Weather Loads.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2013/06/storm-induced-tree-failures-from-heavy.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 13 April 2013. “Urban Tree Root Management Concerns: Defects, Digs, Dirt, Disturbance.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2013/04/urban-tree-root-management-concerns.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 16 February 2013. “Tree Friendly Beneficial Soil Microbes: Inoculations and Occurrences.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2013/02/tree-friendly-beneficial-soil-microbes.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 15 December 2012. “Healthy Urban Tree Root Crown Balances: Soil Properties, Soil Volumes.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2012/12/healthy-urban-tree-root-crown-balances.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 13 October 2012. “Tree Adaptive Growth: Tree Risk Assessment of Tree Failure, Tree Strength.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2012/10/tree-adaptive-growth-tree-risk.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 11 August 2012. “Tree Risk Assessment Mitigation Reports: Tree Removal, Tree Retention?” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2012/08/tree-risk-assessment-mitigation-reports.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 16 June 2012. “Internally Stressed, Response Growing, Wind Loaded Tree Strength.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2012/06/internally-stressed-response-growing.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 14 April 2012. “Three Tree Risk Assessment Levels: Limited Visual, Basic and Advanced.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2012/04/three-tree-risk-assessment-levels.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 19 February 2012. “Qualitative Tree Risk Assessment: Risk Ratings for Targets and Trees.” Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2012/02/qualitative-tree-risk-assessment-risk.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 18 February 2012. “Qualitative Tree Risk Assessment: Falling Trees Impacting Targets.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2012/02/qualitative-tree-risk-assessment.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 10 December 2011. “Tree Risk Assessment: Tree Failures From Defects and From Wind Loads.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2011/12/tree-risk-assessment-tree-failures-from.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 15 October 2011. “Five Tree Felling Plan Steps for Successful Removals and Worker Safety.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2011/10/five-tree-felling-plan-steps-for.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 13 August 2011. “Natives and Non-Natives as Successfully Urbanized Plant Species.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2011/08/natives-and-non-natives-as-successfully.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 11 June 2011. “Tree Ring Patterns for Ecosystem Ages, Dates, Health and Stress.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2011/06/tree-ring-patterns-for-ecosystem-ages.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 9 April 2011. “Benignly Ugly Tree Disorders: Oak Galls, Powdery Mildew, Sooty Mold, Tar Spot.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2011/04/benignly-ugly-tree-disorders-oak-galls.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 12 February 2011. “Tree Load Can Turn Tree Health Into Tree Failure or Tree Fatigue.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2011/02/tree-load-can-turn-tree-health-into.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 22 December 2010. “Tree Electrical Safety Knowledge, Precautions, Risks and Standards.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2010/12/tree-electrical-safety-knowledge.html

Van Treese II, Jeffery W.; Andrew K. Koeser; George E. Fitzpatrick; Michael T. Olexa; and Ethan J. Allen. March 2019. "Frequency and Severity of Tree and Other Fixed Object Crashes in Florida, 2006-2013." Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 45(2): 65-74.

Thich Nhat Hanh, Walking Meditations and Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings

Summary: Perhaps walking meditations from Vietnamese peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh best articulate Ajanta cave wall paintings in their 200th anniversary year.

Vietnamese peace activisit Thich Nhat Hanh has familiarized the world with the ancient Buddhist tradition of meditative walking, a practice encouraged by Ajanta Caves' circumambulatory architecture; photo by Paul Davis: Thich Nhat Hanh gems, via Facebook July 29, 2017

Perhaps the most amenable, authentic acquaintance with the Ajanta cave wall paintings in their 200th anniversary year of European access arises in the walking meditations of Vietnamese peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh.

The walking meditations of Vietnamese peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh brings balanced breathing, Buddha half-smiles and mindfulness of the moment together in natural, private, public places. Balanced, belly, diaphragmatic breathing correlates with cultivating a continuous half-smile, air coming into the body coming back out, congruently counted steps and conscious contemplation of surroundings. Vietnamese peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh declares that "Your half-smile will bring calm and delight to your steps and your breath, and help sustain your attention."

The Ajanta cave wall paintings in their 200th anniversary year of European access in Maharashtra state, central-west India, exhibit the Buddha's (from Sanskrit बुद्ध, "awakened") half-smile.

Ajanta cave wall paintings and sculptures figure Sakyan Crown Prince Siddhartha Gautama (from Sanskrit सिद्धार्थ, "successful" and गोतम, "light [dispels] darkness"), with enlightenment, as Gautama Buddha.

Buddha sitting, Buddha standing and Buddha supine respectively give right understanding, thought, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness and concentration; a walking meditation; and his last breath. Handing his horse Kanthaka to his charioteer Channa heralded six- and 45-year walking meditations as 29- to 35-year-old enlightenment-seeking Siddhartha and 35- to 80-year-old Gautama Buddha. Fifty-one-year walking meditations impelled Siddhartha Gautama from the Koliya, Malla, Marya and Sakya kingdoms southward into the Magadha kingdom and westward into Kalama, Kashi and Koshala.

Enlightenment seekers journey, like Maharashtra monks 1,600 to 2,300 years ago, through conscious, mindful contemplation in the 200th anniversary year of European-accessed Ajanta cave wall paintings.

Buddha's apranihita (from Sanskrit अप्रणिहित, "wishlessness") kindles Vietnamese peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh knowing "we do not put anything ahead of ourselves and run after it."

Walking meditations from Thich Nhat Hanh around Ajanta cave wall paintings laud Buddha "Looking deeply at life as it is in the very here and now." They motivate 1,300- to 1,600-year-old and 2,000- to 2,300-year-old modeling pradakshina (from Sanskrit प्रदक्षिणा, "to the right-turning") aisles and vihara (from Sanskrit विहार, "walking [hall]") caves. Chaitya (from Sanskrit चैत्य, "funeral mound, pedestal, pile") aisles and vihara dormitories nurtured walking meditations around Buddha in 550 bodhisattiva (from Sanskrit बोधिसत्त्व, "enlightened existence") reincarnations.

European-accessed Ajanta cave wall paintings in their 200th anniversary year still offer stone floors where "Your feet touch the Earth. The path is your dear friend."

That "The air is cleanest in the early morning and late evening" prompts Vietnamese peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh performing walking meditations in or near nature.

Semi-cultivated and wild nature respectively qualify as environmental contexts for walking meditations in Thich Nhat Hanh's Plum Village, Thénac, Dordogne, southwestern France, and Ajanta, central-west India. Thich Nhat Hanh recommends walkers "Visualize a tiger walking slowly, and you will find that your steps become as majestic as the steps of a tiger." Ajanta cave wall paintings, bats, boar, deer, gazelles, hares, jackals, jungle-fowl, langurs, leopards, pea-fowl, squirrels and tigers shared the Waghora (from Sanskrit व्याघ्र, "tiger") River bend.

Walking meditations around the Ajanta cave wall paintings and with Vietnamese peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh testify to Buddha's last words, "Strive earnestly to attain perfection."

Vietnamese peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh describes Boddhisattva Padampapani, the Buddhist embodiment of compassion, as bringing "forth a universe of art" by "Holding gracefully a lotus in his hand" ("Padapani" in Call Me By My True Names: The Collected Poems of Thich Nhat Hanh [1999]); half-smile of Bodhisattva Padmapani ("one who holds the lotus") in Ajanta Cave 1; Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra, central-west India; Wednesday, March 8, 2017, 00:53: Photo Dharma from Sadao, Thailand (Anandajoti Bhikkhu), CC BY 2.0 Generic, via Wikimedia Commons

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

Vietnamese peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh has familiarized the world with the ancient Buddhist tradition of meditative walking, a practice encouraged by Ajanta Caves' circumambulatory architecture; photo by Paul Davis: Thich Nhat Hanh gems, via Facebook July 29, 2017, @ https://www.facebook.com/319228401438031/photos/a.319236131437258.87388.319228401438031/1867221496638706/

Vietnamese peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh describes Boddhisattva Padampapani, the Buddhist embodiment of compassion, as bringing "forth a universe of art" by "Holding gracefully a lotus in his hand" ("Padapani" in Call Me By My True Names: The Collected Poems of Thich Nhat Hanh [1999]); half-smile of Bodhisattva Padmapani ("one who holds the lotus") in Ajanta Cave 1; Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra, central-west India; Wednesday, March 8, 2017, 00:53: Photo Dharma from Sadao, Thailand (Anandajoti Bhikkhu), CC BY 2.0 Generic, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:022_Cave_1,_Padmapani_(33896247830).jpg; Anandajoti Bhikkhu (anandajoti), CC BY 2.0 Generic, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/anandajoti/33896247830/

For further information:

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Burgess, J. (James). 1879. "Notes on the Bauddha Rock-Temples of Ajanta, Their Paintings and Sculptures, and on the Paintings of the Bagh Caves, Modern Bauddha Mythology, &c." Archaeological Society of Western India, no. 9. Bombay, India: Government Central Press.
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Dalrymple, William. 15 August 2014. "The Ajanta Cave Murals: 'Nothing Less Than the Birth of Indian Art.'" The Guardian > Culture > Art & Design.
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Fergusson, James. 1845. Illustrations of the Rock-Cut Temples of India: Text to Accompany the Folio Volume of Plates. London, England.
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Fergusson, James. 1845. Illustrations of the Rock-Cut Temples of India: Selected From the Best Examples of the Different Series of Caves at Ellora, Ajunta, Cuttack, Salsette, Karli, and Mahavellipore. Drawn on Stone by Mr. T.C. Dibdin, From Sketches Carefully Made on the Spot, With the Assistance of the Camera-Lucida, in the Years 1838-9. London, England: John Weale, M.DCCC.XLV.
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Fergusson, James; and James Burgess. 1880. The Cave Temples of India. London, England: W.H. Allen & Co.
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Fergusson, James; and Robert Gill. 1864. The Rock-Cut Temples of India; Illustrated by Seventy-Four Photographs Taken on the Spot by Major Gill. Described by James Fergusson. London, England: John Murray.
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Gill, Robert; and James Fergusson. 1864. One Hundred Stereoscopic Illustrations of Architecture and Natural History in Western India. Photographed by Major Gill and described by James Fergusson. London, England: Cundall, Downes & Co.

Gupte, R.S.; and B.D. Mahajan. 1962. Ajanta, Ellora and Aurangabad Caves. Bombay, India: D.B. Taraporevala Sons and Co.

Marriner, Derdriu. 22 March 2019. “200th Anniversary Year of Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings: Ajanta Cave 13.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/03/200th-anniversary-year-of-ajanta-cave_22.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 15 March 2019. “200th Anniversary Year of Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings: Ajanta Cave 12.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/03/200th-anniversary-year-of-ajanta-cave.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 8 March 2019. “200th Anniversary Year of Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings: Ajanta Cave 8.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/03/200th-anniversary-year-of-ajanta-cave_8.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 1 March 2019. “200th Anniversary Year of Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings: Ajanta Cave 15A/30.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/03/200th-anniversary-year-of-ajanta-cave_1.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 22 February 2019. “200th Anniversary Year of Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings: Pithora Wall Art.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/02/200th-anniversary-year-of-ajanta-cave.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 15 February 2019. “200th Anniversary Year of Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings: Ajanta Cave 29.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/02/200th-anniversary-year-of-ajanta-cave_15.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 8 February 2019. “Ajanta Cave 26 in 200th Anniversary Year of Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/02/ajanta-cave-26-in-200th-anniversary.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 1 February 2019. “Ajanta Cave 19 in 200th Anniversary Year of Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/02/ajanta-cave-19-in-200th-anniversary.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 25 January 2019. “200th Anniversary Year of Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings in Ajanta Cave 9.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/01/200th-anniversary-year-of-ajanta-cave.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 18 January 2019. “Ancient Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings and Inscriptions in Ajanta Cave 10.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/01/ancient-ajanta-cave-wall-paintings-and.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 11 January 2019. “Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings Ailing at World Heritage Centre Site.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/01/ajanta-cave-wall-paintings-ailing-at.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 4 January 2019. “Accurate, Ancient, Artistic Ajanta Cave Wall Paintings to Buddha.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/01/accurate-ancient-artistic-ajanta-cave.html

Nhat Hanh, Thich. 2015. How to Walk. Mindfulness Essentials Book 4. Berkeley CA: Parallax Press.

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Nhat Hanh, Thich. 1999. Call Me By My True Names: The Collected Poems of Thich Nhat Hanh. Berkeley CA: Parallax Press.

Nhat Hanh, Thich. 1999. The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation. Translation of Phép la cua su tinh thuc by Mobi Ho. Boston MA: Beacon Press.

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Nhat Hanh, Thich. 1991. Old Path White Clouds: Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha. Translated from the Vietnamese Duòng xua mâ trang by Mobi Ho. Berkeley CA: Parallax Press.

Pisani, Ludovico. 6 August 2013. "The Ajanta Cave Paintings." The Global Dispatches > Articles and Culture.
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Saddhatissa, H. 1976. The Life of Buddha. New York NY: Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc.

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Great Diamond Asterism Gathers Four Stars From Four Constellations

Summary: The Great Diamond asterism gathers four stars from four constellations for its prominent spring sky appearances in the Northern Hemisphere.

The Great Diamond asterism comprises Canes Venatici's Cor Caroli, Leo's Denebola, Virgo's Spica and Bootes' Arcturus, with the Spring Triangle, an asterism within an asterism, formed by Arcturus, Denebola and Spica: Kate (Friendlystar at English Wikipedia), Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Great Diamond asterism gathers four stars from four constellations, displays prominently in the Northern Hemisphere’s spring skies and contributes its three southernmost stars to an asterism, the Spring Triangle, within its asterism.

An asterism is a recognizable pattern of stars. Asterisms may be confined within the boundaries of one constellation, as, for, examples, Orion’s Belt asterism in Orion the Hunter constellation. Asterisms also may emerge by sharing stars from two or more constellations, as, for example, the Winter Hexagon asterism of six stars from six constellations.

The Great Diamond is an intra-constellatory asterism. The Great Diamond comprises Spica in Virgo the Virgin, Arcturus in Bootes the Herdsman, Cor Caroli in Canes Venatici and Denebola in Leo the Lion.

The Great Diamond forms from neighbors and neighbors of neighbors. Virgo lies south of Bootes and of Leo. Bootes resides north of Virgo and east of Canes Venatici.

The four constellations that unite in the Great Diamond asterism have borders in the Northern Celestial Hemisphere, the northern half of astronomy’s imaginary celestial sphere. Leo and Virgo are equatorial constellations that straddle the celestial equator. Bootes and Canes Venatici reside entirely within the Northern Celestial Hemisphere.

Spica marks the Great Diamond’s southern vertex. The bluish-white star system reigns as the brightest star in Virgo the Virgin constellation. The first magnitude star lies south of the celestial equator in Virgo’s Southern Celestial Hemisphere reach. Spica is the traditional name for Alpha Virginis (α Virginis; Alpha Vir, α Vir). The variable, spectroscopic binary’s traditional name derives from Latin (spīca) for the “ear of corn or grain” that Virgo holds in her left hand. As a spectroscopic binary, Spica’s primary and secondary members are detectable by a Doppler shift in their spectra’s absorption lines.

Arcturus represents the Great Diamond’s eastern vertex. Arcturus shines as the brightest star in Bootes the Herdsman constellation. The first magnitude star lies in southern Bootes, 19 degrees north of the celestial equator. Arcturus is the traditional name for Alpha Boötis (α Boötis; Alpha Boo, α Boo). The orange-reddish star’s traditional name derives from Ancient Greek (Ἀρκτοῦρος, Arktouros) for “guardian of the bear.” Ursa Major the Greater Bear constellation lies northwest of Arcturus.

Cor Caroli anchors the Great Diamond’s northern vertex. Cor Caroli is the brightest star in Canes Venatici the Hunting Dogs constellation. The binary star’s combined apparent magnitude of 2.81 qualifies third magnitude Cor Caroli for nearly second magnitude status. Cor Caroli lies in west central Canes Venatici, 38 degrees north of the celestial equator.

Cor Caroli is the common western name for Alpha Canum Venaticorum (α Canum Venaticorum; Alpha CVn, α CVn). The common name, which derives from Latin for “heart of Charles,” appeared in the 17th century. American naturalist and amateur astronomer Richard Hinckley Allen (Aug. 4, 1838-Jan. 14, 1908) considered the name as honoring King Charles II of England (May 29, 1630-Feb. 6, 1685). English science writer Ian Ridpath associates Cor Caroli with King Charles I of England (Nov. 19, 1600-Jan. 30, 1649).

Denebola perches at the Great Diamond’s western vertex. Professor Emeritus of the University of Illinois James B. “Jim” Kaler describes Denebola as “marginally third brightest after binary Algieba” in Leo the Lion constellation. The bluish-white star lies in east central Leo, 15 degrees north of the celestial equator. Denebola is the traditional name for Beta Leonis (β Leonis; Beta Leo, β Leo). The mid-second magnitude star’s traditional name derives from Arabic (ðanab al-asad) for “tail of the lion.”

Astronomy popularizer H.A. (Hans Augusto) Rey (Sept. 16, 1898-Aug. 26, 1977) renamed the Great Diamond as the Virgin’s Diamond. The German-born American author and illustrator redrew constellations to make them more intuitive than the traditional visualizations. Rey co-created the Curious George series of children’s picture books, between 1941 and 1966, with his wife, Margret (May 16, 1906-Dec. 21, 1996).

The Spring Triangle exists as an asterism within an asterism. The three stars south of the Great Diamond’s northern apex, Cor Caroli, reimagine their geometry to form the Spring Triangle. An alternative Spring Triangle bypasses Leo’s Denebola for Leo’s Regulus.

The takeaway for the Great Diamond asterism, which gathers four stars from four constellations, is that the prominent spring asterism formed by Virgo’s Spica, Bootes’ Arcturus, Canes Venatici’s Cor Caroli and Leo’s Denebola is that Arcturus, Denebola and Spica also form an asterism within the Great Diamond asterism as the smaller Spring Triangle asterism.

Spring Triangle of Arcturus, Denebola and Spica (red lines) and alternative Spring Triangle of Arcturus, Regulus and Spica (green lines): Elop using Stellarium, CC BY SA 3.0 Unported, via Wikimedia Commons

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

The Great Diamond asterism comprises Canes Venatici's Cor Caroli, Leo's Denebola, Virgo's Spica and Bootes' Arcturus, with the Spring Triangle, an asterism within an asterism, formed by Arcturus, Denebola and Spica: Kate (Friendlystar at English Wikipedia), Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Great_Diamond_map.gif

Spring Triangle of Arcturus, Denebola and Spica (red lines) and alternative Spring Triangle of Arcturus, Regulus and Spica (green lines): Elop using Stellarium, CC BY SA 3.0 Unported, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spring_Triangle_(Stellarium).png

For further information:

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Dickinson, David. “Cor Caroli: A Fine Springtime Double Star.” Astro Guyz > Categories > Astro News & Commentary > Astro News. May 21, 2012.
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Kaler, James B. (Jim). “Cor Caroli (Alpha Canum Venaticorum).” University of Illinois Astronomy Department > Star of the Week.
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Kaler, James B. (Jim). “Denebola (Beta Leonis).” University of Illinois Astronomy Department > Star of the Week.
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