Earth and Space News: August 2020

Monday, August 31, 2020

Franco Zeffirelli’s Second Traviata Was His 11th Met Opera Production

Summary: Franco Zeffirelli’s second Traviata was his 11th Met Opera production, debuting in the 1998-1999 season, one season after closing his first Traviata.

Jonas Kaufmann made his Metropolitan Opera debut in the 2005-2006 season as Alfredo, opposite Angela Gheorghiu’s Violetta, in the opera company’s sixth revivial of Franco Zeffirelli’s second production of Verdi’s La Traviata: Angela Gheorghiu @angelagheorghiuofficial, via Facebook June 16, 2019

Franco Zeffirelli’s second Traviata was his 11th Met Opera production, which debuted in the 1998-1999 season, one season after the Metropolitan Opera retired his first staging of Verdi’s La Traviata.

The Metropolitan Opera debuted Franco Zeffirelli’s second production of La Traviata on Monday, Nov. 23, 1998, in the opera company’s 819th performance of the opera about Parisian lovers by 19th-century Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi (Oct. 10, 1813-Jan. 27, 1901). The new production received 13 performances in the 1998-1999 Met Opera season.

Involvement by Franco Zeffirelli (Feb. 12, 1923-June 15, 2019) in the 1998-1999 season’s La Traviata marked his second design and direction of the opera. His first staging of La Traviata had debuted Monday, Oct. 16, 1989, in the opera company’s 731st performance of the opera. Met Opera had retired Zeffirelli's first production in the 1996-1997 season.

Zeffirelli directed and designed the sets for his second staging of La Traviata. Italian stage costume and set designer Raimonda Gaetani (born May 23, 1942) made her Metropolitan Opera debut as the production’s costume designer. Zeffirelli’s production team also comprised American theatrical lighting designer Duane Schuler and American choreographer and flamenco dancer María Benítez.

Three conductors shared the podium for Zeffirelli’s second Traviata. The Metropolitan Opera’s second music director, James Levine (born June 23, 1943), conducted the premiere and the next three performances. Italian conductor Carlo Rizzi (born July 19, 1960) appeared in seven of the debut season’s 13 performances. American conductor Scott Bergeson made his Metropolitan Opera debut Christmas Eve, Dec. 30, in the production’s 11th performance and also conducted the 12th performance on Jan. 4, 1999.

Two sopranos sang the title role of Violetta in the production’s debut season. American operatic soprano Patricia Racette (born June 23, 1965) sang the title role in the premiere and in five additional performances. Spanish Basque soprano Ainhoa Arteta (born Sept. 24, 1964) sang Violetta in seven performances.

Three tenors sang opposite Violetta as Alfredo Germont. Argentinian lyric tenor Marcelo Álvarez (born Feb. 27, 1962) sang Alfredo in the season premiere and in seven additional performances. Italian tenor Roberto Aronica made his Metropolitan Opera debut in the production’s fifth performance, Dec. 9, and also sang Alfredo in the sixth performance, Dec. 12. Italian operatic tenor Marcello Giordani (Jan. 25, 1963-Oct. 5, 2019) sang Alfredo for the debut season’s last three performances.

The Metropolitan Opera staged 10 revivals of Zeffirelli’s second Traviata in the 11 seasons since the production’s 1998-1999 season debut. The production skipped only one season in the interim.

The Metropolitan Opera immediately followed the second Zeffirelli Traviata’s debut season with the production’s first revival in the 1999-2000 season. The second through fifth revivals were staged successively in the next four seasons: 2000-2001, 2001-2002, 2002-2003 and 2003-2004. No revival was offered in the 2004-2005 season.

The sixth revival opened Feb. 4, 2006, with German operatic tenor Jonas Kaufmann (born July 10, 1969) making his Metropolitan Opera debut opposite Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu’s (Sept. 7, 1965) Violetta. Kaufmann sang Alfredo in the first six of the season’s 14 performances.

The seventh through 10th revivals, offered in seasons 2006-2007 through 2009-2010, successively followed the sixth revival. The final performance of Zeffirelli’s second Traviata took place April 24, 2010, during the 10th revival.

The final performance numbered as the second Traviata’s 142nd performance and as the opera house’s 960th performance of La Traviata. From debut to final performance, Zeffirelli’s second Traviata remained in Met Opera’s active repertory for 11 years 5-plus months.

Zeffirelli’s two productions contributed 229 performances to La Traviata’s performance history at the Metropolitan Opera and remained in the active repertory for a combined total of 18 and three-fourths years. The first staging’s span from the 1989-1990 to 1996-1997 seasons accounted for 87 performances over seven and one-fourth years.

Willy Decker’s new production replaced Zeffirelli’s second Traviata in the next season, 2010-2011. The German theatre director’s (born Sept. 8, 1950) new staging debuted Dec. 31, 2010, with nine performances. Decker’s staging experienced four revivals (2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2014-2015, 2016-2017) over the next six seasons. The last performance, April 14, 2017, in the fourth revival numbered as the production’s 51st.

One season later, on Dec. 4, 2018, the Metropolitan Opera debuted a new Traviata by American theater director Michael Mayer (born June 27, 1960). The opera received 15 performances in the 2018-2019 season. The first revival, immediately launched in the 2019-2020 season, garnered 14 performances.

The takeaways for Franco Zeffirelli’s second Traviata as his 11th Met Opera production are that only one season separated the closing of Zeffirelli’s first Traviata and the opening of his second Traviata at Met Opera and that the Italian designer and director’s second Traviata experienced 10 revivals, contributed 142 performances to the opera’s Met Opera performance history and remained in Met Opera’s active repertory for 11 years 5-plus months.

Angela Gheorgiu’s Violetta and Thomas Hampson’s Germont in the Metropolitan Opera’s 10th and last revival (2009-2010 season) of Franco Zeffirelli’s second production of Verdi’s La Traviata; sets designed by Franco Zeffirelli, costumes by Raimonda Gaetani: Angela Gheorghiu @angelagheorghiuofficial, via Facebook June 16, 2019

Acknowledgment

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

Image credits:

Angela Gheorghiu @angelagheorghiuofficial. “With Jonas Kaufmann in La traviata at The Metropolitan Opera.” Facebook. June 16, 2019.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/angelagheorghiuofficial/photos/a.130117183711419/2441791249210656/

Angela Gheorghiu @angelagheorghiuofficial. “With Thomas Hampson in La traviata at The Metropolitan Opera.” Facebook. June 16, 2019.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/angelagheorghiuofficial/photos/pcb.2441799645876483/2441791622543952/

“Debut: Ainhoa Arteta.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 318230 La Bohème {1015} Metropolitan Opera House: 10/20/1994.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=318230

“Debut: Angela Gheorghiu, Manuel Lanza.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 314670 La Bohème {999} Metropolitan Opera House: 12/4/1993.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=314670

“Debut: Carlo Rizzi.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 314310 La Bohème {989} Metropolitan Opera House: 10/29/1993.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=314310

“Debut: Jonas Kaufmann.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 351420 La Traviata {904} Metropolitan Opera House: 02/04/2006.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=351420

“Debut: Maria Benitez.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 287430 Carmen {805} Metropolitan Opera House: 02/12/1987.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=287430

“Debut: Patricia Racette.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 319590 La Bohème {1016} Metropolitan Opera House: 03/4/1995.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=319590

“Debut: Roberto Aronica.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 331213 La Traviata {823} Metropolitan Opera House: 12/9/1998.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=331213

“Debut: Scott Bergeson.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 331273 La Traviata {829} Metropolitan Opera House: 12/30/1998.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=331273

“Debuts: Luigi Alva, Leonard Bernstein, Franco Zeffirelli.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 197440 New Production Falstaff {67} Metropolitan Opera House: 03/6/1964.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=197440

“Debuts: Marcello Giordani, Eduardo Del Campo.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: La Bohème {1021} Metropolitan Opera House: 12/11/1995.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=322700

“Debuts: Marcelo Álvarez, Raimonda Gaetani.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 331168 New Production La Traviata {819} Metropolitan Opera House: 11/23/1998.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=331168

“Debuts: Peter Glossop, James Levine.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 225710 Tosca {539} Metropolitan Opera House: 06/05/1971.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=225710

“Debuts: Valery Gergiev, Duane Schuler.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 351014 New Production Otello {268} Metropolitan Opera House: 03/21/1994.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=351014

Marriner, Derdriu. "Andrea Velis Made Beppe Role Debut at Met Opera in Zeffirelli’s Cav Pag." Earth and Space News. Monday, July 6, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/07/andrea-velis-made-beppe-role-debut-at.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Antony and Cleopatra Was Franco Zeffirelli’s Second Met Opera Production." Earth and Space News. Monday, June 15, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/06/antony-and-cleopatra-was-franco.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Carmen Was Franco Zeffirelli's 10th Met Opera Production." Earth and Space News. Aug. 24, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/08/carmen-was-franco-zeffirellis-10th-met.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “Cav Pag Was Franco Zeffirelli’s Third Met Opera Production.” Earth and Space News. Monday, June 22, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/06/cav-pag-was-franco-zeffirellis-third.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Don Giovanni Was Franco Zeffirelli's Ninth Met Opera Production." Earth and Space News. Monday, Aug. 17, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/08/don-giovanni-was-franco-zeffirellis.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Franco Zeffirelli Made His Met Opera Debut in Staging Verdi’s Falstaff." Earth and Space News. Monday, June 1, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/06/franco-zeffirelli-made-his-met-opera.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Grace Bumbry Made Santuzza Role Debut at Met Opera in Zeffirelli’s Cav Pag." Earth and Space News. Monday, June 29, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/06/grace-bumbry-made-santuzza-role-debut.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “La Bohème Was Franco Zeffirelli’s Fifth Met Opera Production.” Earth and Space News. Monday, July 20, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/07/la-boheme-was-franco-zeffirellis-fifth.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “La Traviata Is the Dec.15, 2018, Met Opera Saturday Matinee Broadcast.” Earth and Space News. Monday, Dec. 10, 2018.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/12/la-traviata-is-dec15-2018-met-opera.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “La Traviata Is Jan. 18, 2020 Met Opera Saturday Matinee Broadcast.” Earth and Space News. Monday, June 29, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/01/la-traviata-is-jan-18-2020-met-opera.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “La Traviata Is March 11, 2017, Met Opera Saturday Matinee Broadcast.” Earth and Space News. Monday, March 6, 2017.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/03/la-traviata-is-march-11-2017.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "La Traviata Was Franco Zeffirelli's Eighth Met Opera Production." Earth and Space News. Monday, Aug. 10, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/08/la-traviata-was-franco-zeffirellis.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Luigi Alva Made Met Opera Debut in Zeffirelli’s Falstaff Production." Earth and Space News. Monday, June 8, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/06/luigi-alva-made-met-opera-debut-in.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Only Two of 11 Zeffirelli Productions Are Still Revived at Met Opera." Earth and Space News. Monday, May 25, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/05/only-two-of-11-zeffirelli-productions.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “Otello Was Franco Zeffirelli’s Fourth Met Opera Production.” Earth and Space News. Monday, July 13, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/07/otello-was-franco-zeffirellis-fourth.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “Tosca Was Franco Zeffirelli’s Sixth Met Opera Production.” Earth and Space News. Monday, July 27, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/07/tosca-was-franco-zeffirellis-sixth-met.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “Turandot Was Franco Zeffirelli’s Seventh Met Opera Production.” Earth and Space News. Monday, Aug. 3, 2020.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/08/turandot-was-franco-zeffirellis-seventh.html

“Metropolitan Opera Premiere: La Traviata.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 1080 Metropolitan Opera Premiere La Traviata {1) Metropolitan Opera House: 11/5/1883.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=1080

“New Production: La Traviata.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 298210 New Production La Traviata {731} Metropolitan Opera House: 10/16/1989.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=298210

“New Production: La Traviata.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 331168 New Production La Traviata {819} Metropolitan Opera House: 11/23/1998.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=331168

“New Production: La Traviata.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 353718 New Production La Traviata {961} Metropolitan Opera House: 12/31/2010.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=353718

“New Production: La Traviata.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 357072 New Production La Traviata {1012} Metropolitan Opera House: 12/04/2018.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=357072

Plotkin, Fred. “Remembering Franco Zeffirelli (1923-2019).” WQXR > Operavore. June 17, 2019.
Available @ https://www.wqxr.org/story/remembering-franco-zeffirelli-19232019/

Sunday, August 30, 2020

Arboricultural Operation Safety Standards Are Country-Specific

Summary: Arboricultural operation safety standards are country-specific for globally similar hazards and workers, according to the August 2020 Arborist News.

Safety standards almost universally require two-handed operation of a chain; a U.S. Forest Service employee cuts brush in the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, Will County, northeastern Illinois: United States Forest Service, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Arboricultural operation safety standards are country-specific despite globally similar hazard sources and interconnected, mobile workers, according to Arboricultural Operation Safety Standards: A Global Perspective, Part I in the August 2020 Arborist News.

John Ball, Timothy Walsh, Shane J. Vosberg and Donald F. Blair broach, as global arboricultural-operation hazards, falling objects, power equipment, falls to lower levels and electric-current contact. The South Dakota State University-, Davey Tree Expert Company-, Asplundh Tree Expert Company- and Blair's Arborist Equipment-based co-authors collected arboriculture- and forestry-conjoined, country-specific, dissimilar safety standards. Contact with Objects and Equipment, Exposure to Harmful Substances or Environments and Falls, Slips and Trips occupational event/exposure categories draw in almost all arboricultural operation fatalities.

Explanations common to the United States establish accidents as unplanned, random events and incidents as unplanned, preventable events, both of which end, or not, in injuries.

Country-specific, forestry-flooded, non-existent, whimsically voluntary reporting; country-specific exclusions and inclusions; and country-specific incident reporting and injury to death time frames frustrate global perspectives on arboricultural fatalities.

The United Kingdom Health Safety Executive and the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics give arboricultural operations 1.7 and 1.8 percent of 2011's industrial, workplace fatalities. The event/exposure category Contact with Objects and Equipment harbors hit by chain saws, falling branches and falling trees and held in chippers and stump-grinder cutting wheels. The leading fatal incidents in the occupational event/exposure category Falls, Slips and Trips involve falls to lower levels from aerial lifts, ladders, mobile platforms and trees.

Contact with electrical currents joins temperature extremes in the source hazards of Exposures to Harmful Substances or Environments event/exposure category and of arboricultural operation safety standards.

Contact with Objects and Equipment, Exposure to Harmful Substances or Environments and Falls, Slips and Trips event/exposure categories kindle 80 to 90 percent of arborist fatalities.

The United States lists transportation incidents, lacking in some European Union arboricultural operation reports, under Department of Transportation and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) jurisdictions. Occupational illnesses such as heart attacks and occupational injuries such as amputations, fractures and lacerations make up one and 99 percent of United States occupational fatalities. The United Kingdom numbers as leading fatalities struck by falling objects and falls, like the United States, and, unlike the United States, struck by chain-saw chains.

Perhaps contact with electric currents occurs among leading fatalities in the United States despite, and not in the United Kingdom because of, arboricultural operation safety standards.

Insect-bite, insect-sting allergies and contact dermatits from silk-oak (Greville robusta) respectively produce one death yearly among United States ground maintenance workers and plague New Zealand arborists.

Documents queued through consensus by recognized entities, as questors of guidance for activities, qualify as safety standards, albeit non-compliant, non-enforceable, recommended and voluntary, for arboricultural operations. American National Standards Institute, European Arboricultural Council and United Kingdom Health Safety Executive consensus standards rank as some of the world's commonly adopted safety management systems. The federal OSHA program and the State Plans of five and another 22 states set respective private-sector, public-sector and private- and public-sector arboricultural operation safety standards.

Arboricultural operation safety standards, practice codes and guidelines trigger enforceable compliance as government-issued rules, such as Tree Care and Removal under the Code of Maryland Regulations.

Chain saws constitute important yet potentially hazardous equipment in the global profession of arboriculture; Wednesday, July 9, 2008, image of "An arborist felling a eucalyptus tree with a chainsaw in a public park at Kallista, Victoria, Australia": jjron (John O'Neill), GFDL 1.2, 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:

Safety standards almost universally require two-handed operation of a chain; a U.S. Forest Service employee cuts brush for restoration of the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, Will County, northeastern Illinois: United States Forest Service, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:43248385664_ca1e7c498a_z.jpg; via U.S.D.A.gov (U.S. Department of Agriculture) Blog Aug. 10, 2018, @ https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2018/08/10/how-forest-service-restores-public-lands-now-and-future

Ball, John; Timothy Walsh; Shane J. Vosberg; and Donald F. Blair. August 2020. "Arboricultural Operation Safety Standards: A Global Perspective, Part I." Arborist News 29(4): 14-19.

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.

Marriner, Derdriu. 26 July 2020. "Sensitivity Analyses Admit Ecosystem Disservice and Ecosystem Service." Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/07/sensitivity-analyses-admit-ecosystem.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 28 June 2020. "Lignotubers Assure Arboricultural Management of Lignotuberous Shoots." Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/06/lignotubers-assure-arboricultural.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 31 May 2020. "Included Bark Ages Safely With Fused, Entwining Natural Braces ." Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/05/included-bark-ages-safely-with-fused.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 26 April 2020. "Canker Identification and Canker Management Apply to Landscape Trees." Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/04/canker-identification-and-canker.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 29 March 2020. "Arboricultural Operation Safety Training Averts Hazardous Incidents." Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/03/arboricultural-operation-safety.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 23 February 2020. "Biochar Applications Are Best With Compost and Fertilizer Applications." Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/02/biochar-applications-are-best-with.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 26 January 2020. "Fungicide Injections Affect Dutch Elm Disease and Internal Decay." Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/01/fungicide-injections-affect-dutch-elm.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 29 December 2019. "Pruning Cuts Applied Ably, Appropriately Are Best Management Practices." Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/12/pruning-cuts-applied-ably-appropriately.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 30 November 2019. "Structural Growing Media and Supported Pavement Affect Tree Responses." Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/11/structural-growing-media-and-supported.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 27 October 2019. "Tree Pruning Systems Answer to Best Management Practices." Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/10/tree-pruning-systems-answer-to-best.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 22 September 2019. "Southeastern Street Tree Arthropod Pests Are Online Survey Subjects." Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/09/southeastern-street-tree-arthropod.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 25 August 2019. "Cost Approach Approximates Plant Repair, Replacement or Restoration." Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/08/cost-approach-approximates-plant-repair.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 28 July 2019. "Indirect Watering Devices Are There for Newly Transplanted Urban Trees." Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/07/indirect-watering-devices-are-there-for.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 30 June 2019. "Plant Appraisal Data Collection Allies Off-Site and On-Site Research." Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/06/plant-appraisal-data-collection-allies.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 26 May 2019. "Wire Basket Removal or Wire Basket Retention: Girdling or Stable Roots." Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/05/wire-basket-removal-or-wire-basket.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 28 April 2019. "Woody Plant Appraisal Data Collection for Shrubs, Trees and Vines." Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/04/woody-plant-appraisal-data-collection.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 30 March 2019. "Balancing Roadside Tree Benefits and Risk of Streetscape Tree Crashes." Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/03/balancing-roadside-tree-benefits-and.html

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

Marriner, Derdriu. 21 October 2018. "Nursery Production Systems: Tough Urban Landscape Trees on Rough Sites." Earth and Space News. Sunday.
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

Marriner, Derdriu. 30 June 2018. "Wood Decay Fungi Management of Terminal Urban Pathogens." Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/06/wood-decay-fungi-management-of-terminal.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 27 May 2018. "Downtown Commercial Streetscape Tree Populations in Toronto, Canada." Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/05/downtown-commercial-streetscape-tree.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 28 April 2018. “Mushroom-Forming and Non-Mushroom-Forming Fungal Life Cycle Traits.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/04/mushroom-forming-and-non-mushroom.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 17 March 2018. “Emerald Ash Borer Rapid Response Community Preparedness Project.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/03/emerald-ash-borer-rapid-response.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 17 February 2018. “Tree Retention by Arborists for Wildlife Habitat Friendly Tree Care.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/02/tree-retention-by-arborists-for.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 14 January 2018. “Integrated Vegetation Management Study in North and South Yukon, Canada.” Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/01/integrated-vegetation-management-study.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 9 December 2017. “Tree Inventories: Preemptive and Proactive or Piecemeal and Reactive.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/12/tree-inventories-preemptive-and.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 25 November 2017. “Chlorantraniliprole Reduced-Risk Insecticides Get Leaf-Eaters Not Bees.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/11/chlorantraniliprole-reduced-risk.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 28 October 2017. “Palm Plant Health Care: Abiotic, Biotic Stress Culture and Management.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/10/palm-plant-health-care-abiotic-biotic.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 16 September 2017. “Predawn Leaf Water Potentials Indicate Crown Dieback and Water Status.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/09/predawn-leaf-water-potentials-indicate.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 19 August 2017. “Palm Tree Identification and Pruning of Native and Naturalizable Palms.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
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

Marriner, Derdriu. 17 June 2017. “Root Loss From Root Pruning and Root Shaving of Stem-Girdling Roots.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/06/root-loss-from-root-pruning-and-root.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 27 May 2017. “Age and Canopy Area Cost Less and Tell More in Urban Tree Inventories.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
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

Marriner, Derdriu. 18 February 2017. “Plant Health Care Diagnostics When Plants and Places Wrong One Another.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
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

Marriner, Derdriu. 19 November 2016. “Organic Amendments to Compacted Degraded Urban Highway Roadsides.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
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.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2016/06/tree-injection-site-procedures.html

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

Saturday, August 29, 2020

Eastern Glass Lizard: Dark-Dashed, Side-Grooved, White-Green Body

Summary: Grassy, woody coastal plain North American eastern glass lizard habitats get dark-dashed, green-white, legless, side-grooved, white-yellow-bellied bodies.

eastern glass lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis) with regrown tail; Winter Park, north central Orange County, east central Florida; Monday, July 9, 2007: pondhawk, CC BY 2.0 Generic, via Flickr

North American eastern glass lizard habitats assemble into distribution ranges from southeastern Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina through much of Georgia and Alabama, all of Florida and southeastern Mississippi and Louisiana.

Eastern glass lizards bear their common name as southeastern coastal plain dwellers with shatterable tails and as legless, snake-like, worm-like anguid lizards in the Anguidae family. The scientific name Ophisaurus ventralis carries the English equivalent of "snake-lizard [that crawls on its] belly" because of leglessness, scales and slithering ground-level and underground coverage. Scientific designations delve into descriptions in 1766 by Carl Linnaeus (May 23, 1707-Jan. 10, 1778), Småland-born Swedish professor of botany and medicine, publisher, taxonomist and zoologist.

Eastern glass lizard life cycles expect southern coastal plain broadleaved open woodlands, damp grasslands, hardwood hammocks, pine flatwoods, sun-basking pavement, posts and stumps and underground burrows.

May through August flourish in eastern glass lizard life cycles as breeding seasons whose timing finds overlaps with related inland and slender glass lizard mating periods.

Eastern glass lizards go from burrows deep underground for early morning thermoregulating (body temperature-adjusting) sun-basking atop heat-absorbing pavement and rocks and sunlit logs, posts and stumps. External ear openings, mobile tongues, shape-shifting crystalline lenses and sharp-toothed lower and upper jaws help them hunt once they have their body temperature at optimum range. Biting typically is not included among defenses of inundating human predators, natural enemies and rival lizards with excrement and with writhing tips from easily shattered tails.

Agro-industrialists, breeders, collectors, polluters and predatory foxes, raccoons, raptors, skunks and snakes jeopardize bushy, forested, grassy, sandy, scrubby, shrubby, woody North American eastern glass lizard habitats.

Eastern glass lizard females keep laying calcium carbonate-shelled, internally fertilized, pale, 0.85-inch (21.5-millimeter) by 0.52-inch (13.1-millimeter) eggs in 7- to 17-egg clutches between June and September.

Incubation locks mothers-to-be into the locations where they lay, and lace themselves around, each breeding season's clutches until two-month-old embryos leave their eggs as newborn hatchlings. Embryos mature through gas exchanges and waste removals by allantois membranes, oxygen permeability of chlorion coverings, nutrients in yolk sacs and shock-absorbing moisture in amniotic membranes. Ambushed, arboreal, crawling, day-active, flying, stalked, terrestrial ants, beetles, centipedes, cockroaches, crickets, flies, gnats, grasshoppers, millipedes, mosquitoes, moths, slugs, snails, spiders, termites and weevils nourish adults.

North American eastern glass lizard habitats offer season-coldest temperature ranges, north to southward, from 5 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 15 to minus 6.66 degrees Celsius).

Blackland prairies, broadleaf, coastal, conifer, lowland and mixed forests, everglades, flooded grasslands, meadows and savannahs, hammocks, marshes, pine-sheltered sandy scrublands and rocklands protect eastern glass lizards.

Eighteen to 42.63 inches (45.72 to 108.28 centimeters) queue up as physically and sexually mature total lengths whereas dark-, dual-striped backs qualify as khaki-bodied juvenile hallmarks. Adults reveal bone-armored, black-green-white-speckled, dry-scaled, legless, stiff, white-yellow-bellied bodies with black head-to-tail dashes, dainty heads, flexible, lengthwise-grooved, unmarked sides, white-edged neck scales and white-yellow tail undersides. Movable eyelids, nictitating membranes, shape-shifting crystalline lenses and two cornea-moisturizing glands and vibration-sensitive tympanic membranes, tympanic cavity bones, Eustachian tubes and pharynxes sort sights and sounds.

Legless, small-headed bodies with black-dashed, black-green-white-speckled backs, grooved sides, white-edged necks, ear openings and movable eyelids twist through southern coastal North American eastern glass lizard habitats.

range map for eastern glass lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis): rbrausse; IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, species assessors and the authors of the spatial data, 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:

eastern glass lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis) with regrown tail; Winter Park, north central Orange County, east central Florida; Monday, July 9, 2007: pondhawk, CC BY 2.0 Generic, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/38686613@N08/4750257621/

Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013, "Map of the geographic distribution of Ophisaurus ventralis (Native: United States / Present -- origin uncertain: Cayman Islands)," with range data from Hammerson, G.A. 2007. Ophisaurus ventralis. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 23 January 2013, @ https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/63721/12710178: rbrausse; IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, species assessors and the authors of the spatial data, CC BY SA 3.0 Unported, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ophisaurus_ventralis_distribution.png

For further information:

Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, 2nd edition. Volume 7, Reptiles, edited by Michael Hutchins, James B. Murphy, and Neil Schlager. Farmington Hills MI: Gale Group, 2003.

Linnaeus. 1766. "349. Anguis ventralis." Systema Naturae per Regna Tria Naturae, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Tomus I: 391. Editio Duodecima, Reformata. Holmiae [Stockholm, Sweden]: Laurentii Salvii [Laurentius Salvius].
Available via Biodiversity Heritage Library @ https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/42946587

Uetz, Peter. "Ophisaurus ventralis (Linnaeus, 1766)." Reptile Database.
Available @ http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Ophisaurus&species=ventralis&search_param=%28%28search%3D%27ophisaurus+ventralis%27%29%29

USARK - United States Association of Reptile Keepers @UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers. 13 November 2013. "Eastern glass lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis)." Twitter.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=538894852859139

Friday, August 28, 2020

Ellora Buddhist Cave 6 Augurs Auspiciousness With Its Makara Torana

Summary: Ellora Buddhist Cave 6 in Maharashtra, India, attracts auspicious actions, arrangements and atmospheres through its architecturally auspicious arch.

"Tara in Cave VI," a panel in the shrine antechamber of Ellora Buddhist Cave 6, seems to depict Padmani, mother of compassionate bodhisattva Padmapani, overarched by a makara torana; sketch by Scottish archaeologist James Burgess (Aug. 14, 1832-Oct. 3, 1916), Report on the Elura Cave Temples (1883), Plate XIII: via Internet Archive

Ellora Buddhist Cave 6 in Maharashtra state, western peninsular India, anchors auspicious actions, arrangements and atmospheres through its architecturally auspicious arch, makara torana, for acting auspiciously and for activating and attracting auspiciousness.

Itinerant artisans under Kalachuri (from Sanskrit कलचुरि) dynasts, 550?-before 687 C.E.?, blended Hindu (from Sanskrit सिन्धु, "river, stream") architecture and mythology in the makara torana arch. Makara torana (from Sanskrit मकर, "monster fish" and तोरण "bird perch") consists of a fabulous sea animal, conceptualized from crocodiles or sharks, carved onto a crosspiece. Its depiction denotes the auspiciousness of makara as divine emblem of the god of desire and divine vehicle for a river goddess and the sea god.

Traditional Hindu architecture established the torana arch as a ceremonial, festive, free-standing, ornamental, sculpted, stone or wood gateway of a projecting crosspiece atop two upright posts.

Ellora Buddhist Cave 6 perhaps features a makara torana from religious freedom flourishing under Kalachuri dynasts whose Hindu faith favored and fostered religious and spiritual tolerance.

One of the beautiful dancing, singing apsara (from Sanskrit अप्सरा, "fairy") water nymphs goes about with the red banner of her lord, the god of desire. Kama (from Sanskrit कमा, "desire, loveliness"), handsomest of gods, has as emblem Makara, wife Rati (from Sanskrit रति, "delight") and friend Vasanta (from Sanskrit वसन्त, "spring"). He itinerates on a parrot member of the Psittacidae (from Greek ψιττακός, "parrot" and -ειδής, "-like") parakeet and parrot family, instead of a makara, as vehicle.

River goddess Ganga (from Sanskrit गङ्गा, "swift-goer") and Varuna (from Sanskrit वरुण, "surround"), regent of the compass's western quarter and sea god, journey on makara vehicles.

Perhaps Shaivite (from Sanskrit शिव, "auspicious") and Vaishnavite (from Sanskrit विष्णु, "all-pervasive") traditions kindled Hindu itinerant artisans keeping the makara torana in Ellora Buddhist Cave 6.

Shiva, whose dances launch world destructions for world recreations, let his bull mount, Nandi (from Sanskrit नन्दि, "joy"), live as a shark, perhaps as a makara. He missed his consort, Parvati (from Sanskrit पर्वती, "rock"), after making her into an earthly fisherwoman for not minding his musing aloud over obscure scriptural points. He nestled as an earthly fisherman into her fishing village to net the makara or shark, the reward for which was marrying, and retransforming with, Parvati.

Preserver god Vishnu, as Narmada (from Sanskrit नर्मदा, "pleasure-causing") river goddess personified, ousted Gandharva (from Sanskrit गंधर्व, "song") birdmen from Naga (from Sanskrit नाग, "serpent") homelands.

Perhaps river goddess Narmada piloting Makara as her vehicle and Vishnu preserving Patala (from Sanskrit पाताल, "underfoot") netherlands prompted the Ellora Buddhist Cave 6 makara torana.

Perhaps itinerant merchants and traders queued up as resident pilgrims because the makara torana quietened anxieties over Buddhist litany carvings in Buddhist Caves 3 and 4. Compassionate bodhisattva Padmapani (from Sanskrit बोधि, "enlightenment" and सत्त्व, "sentient being"; and from पद्म, "lotus" and पाणि, "hand-held") receives the Buddhist litany of merchant-related, trader-relevant perils. Itinerant merchants and traders survived, or not, bandits, demons, elephants, enslavers, fires, floods, lions and snakes; and avarice, delusions, desire, fanaticism, hatred, ignorance, jealousy and pride.

Perhaps itinerant artisans and traders, troubled by perilous thoughts, trekked to Ellora Buddhist Cave 6 and trekked out tranquil with auspicious thoughts from the makara torana.

"On the Left Side of the Shrine Cave VI" depicts an elaborately headdressed male presenting an offering (right) and attended by a chauri (fly whisk) bearing female, a female, in a pose of adoration, with an attending female dwarf and a bird, and a genuflecting male, with Brahmanical cord, next to an elephant; sketch by Scottish archaeologist James Burgess (Aug. 14, 1832-Oct. 3, 1916), Report on the Elura Cave Temples (1883), Plate XXXII: via Internet Archive

Acknowledgment

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

Image credits:

"About Ellora Caves." Yatra > Monuments of India > Monuments in Aurangabad. Copyrighted 2019.
Available @ https://www.yatra.com/indian-monuments/aurangabad/ellora-caves

Ajay Kulkarni @kulkey2015. 8 May 2019. "Ellora Caves, 6-8th cent, India a world heritage Always a different experience to witness the symphony of art, architecture, nature brought together by Summer high contrast light. Built during early kalachuries, rashtrakutas and Buddhist period. My recent visit to cave 19." Twitter.
Available @ https://twitter.com/kulkey2015/status/1125979081911128064

Anh-Huong, Nguyen; and Thich Nhat Hanh. 2019. Walking Meditation. Boulder CO: Sounds True.

Barrett, Douglas. "Wall Painting (Second to Sixteenth Century)." Pages 17-48. In: Douglas Barrett and Basil Gray. Paintings of India. Treasures of Asia. Distributed in the United States by The World Publishing Company, Cleveland OH. Geneva, Switzerland: Editions d'Art Albert Skira, 1963.

Berkson, Carmel. Ellora Concept and Style. First Edition, 1992. Second Edition, 2004. New Delhi, India: Abhinav Publications.
Available via Google Books @ https://books.google.com/books/about/Ellora_Concept_and_Style.html?id=tH7KRNqIin4C

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Marriner, Derdriu. 21 August 2020. "Ellora Buddhist Caves Abound With Ancient Aspects of Tantric Buddhism." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/08/ellora-buddhist-caves-abound-with.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 14 August 2020. "Ellora Hindu Cave 16 Appears as Mount Kailasa But Appeals to Saraswati." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/08/ellora-hindu-cave-16-appears-as-mount.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 7 August 2020. "Ellora Hindu Cave 15 a Lion, a Name and Demon King Hiranyakasipu." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/08/ellora-hindu-cave-15-admits-lion-name.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 31 July 2020. "Ellora Hindu Cave 14 Adds up to a King, a Name and Demonic Adventures." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/07/ellora-hindu-cave-14-adds-up-to-king.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 24 July 2020. "Ellora Hindu Cave 13 Perhaps Acted as Abode of Ganesha and Wayfarers." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/07/ellora-hindu-cave-13-perhaps-acted-as.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 17 July 2020. "Ellora Hindu Cave 25 Artisans Adorned Its Ceiling With Sun God Surya." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/07/ellora-hindu-cave-25-artisans-adorned.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 10 July 2020. "Ellora Hindu Cave 24 Aids Artists, Scientists Analyzing Water Features." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/07/ellora-hindu-cave-24-aids-artists.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 3 July 2020. "Ellora Hindu Cave 23 Accepts Shiva as Fertility God and as Trimurti." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/07/ellora-hindu-cave-23-accepts-shiva-as.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 26 June 2020. "Ellora Hindu Cave 22 Allows a Fertility Bull and a Fertility God." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/06/ellora-hindu-cave-22-allows-fertility.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 19 June 2020. "Ellora Hindu Cave 18 Appeals to Hearth and Sacrificial Fire God Agni." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/06/ellora-hindu-cave-18-appeals-to-hearth.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 12 June 2020. "Ellora Hindu Cave 17 Appreciates Gandharva Celestial Spirits and Shiva." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/06/ellora-hindu-cave-17-appreciates.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 5 June 2020. "Ellora Hindu Cave 26 Perhaps Asks for Auspicious Aid to Traders." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Availabled @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/06/ellora-hindu-cave-26-perhaps-asks-for.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 29 May 2020. "Ellora Hindu Cave 20 Adds the Last Adventure of Buffalo Demon Mahisha." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/05/ellora-hindu-cave-20-adds-last.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 22 May 2020. "Ellora Hindu Cave 21 Acclaims Shiva and Alludes to Jumna and Krishna." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/05/ellora-hindu-cave-21-acclaims-shiva-and.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 15 May 2020. "Ellora Hindu Cave 29 Assumes That Parvati and Shiva Adore One Another." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/05/ellora-hindu-cave-29-assumes-that.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 8 May 2020. "Ellora Hindu Cave 19 Appears Third Most Ancient Among Ellora Caves." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/05/ellora-hindu-cave-19-appears-third-most.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 1 May 2020. "Ellora Hindu Cave 27 Appears Second Most Ancient Among Ellora Caves." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/05/ellora-hindu-cave-27-appears-second.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 24 April 2020. "Ellora Hindu Cave 28 Accesses Waterfall Rainbows Over Ellora Caves." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/04/ellora-hindu-cave-28-accesses-waterfall.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 17 April 2020. "Ellora Caves Are Arranged as Buddhist, Hindu and Jain Cave Temples." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/04/ellora-caves-are-arranged-as-buddhist.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 10 April 2020. "Are Indian Ring-Necked Rose-Ringed Parakeets Still at Ellora Caves?" Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/04/are-indian-ring-necked-rose-ringed.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 3 April 2020. "Indian Three-Striped Palm Squirrels Augur the Hindu Ellora Caves." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/04/indian-three-striped-palm-squirrels.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 27 March 2020. "Ellora Caves Accept Walking Meditations Advocated by Thich Nhat Hanh." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/03/ellora-caves-accept-walking-meditations.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 20 March 2020. "Ellora Caves Ally With Ajanta Caves and Thich Nhat Hanh in Indra's Net." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/03/ellora-caves-ally-with-ajanta-caves-and.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 13 March 2020. "Ellora Caves Are Painted, Sculpted Temples Like and Unlike Ajanta Caves." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/03/ellora-caves-are-painted-sculpted.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 6 March 2020. "Ailing Ellora Caves Are Among Ameliorable World Heritage Centre Sites." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/03/ailing-ellora-caves-are-among.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 28 February 2020. "Schneider's Leaf-Nosed Bats Are Artful Annihilators at Ellora Caves." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/02/schneiders-leaf-nosed-bats-are-artful.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 21 February 2020. "Greater Indian False Vampire Bats Are Artful Assassins at Ellora Caves." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/02/greater-indian-false-vampire-bats-are.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 14 February 2020. "Are Grey Junglefowl Avoiding Artful Areas Around Ellora Caves? Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/02/are-grey-junglefowl-avoiding-artful.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 7 February 2020. "Blue Indian Peafowl No Longer Prettify the Artistic Ellora Caves." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/02/blue-indian-peafowl-no-longer-prettify.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 31 January 2020. "Ellora Caves Sanctuary Gardens Artfully Adjoin Ellora Caves Artistry." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/01/ellora-caves-sanctuary-gardens-artfully.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 24 January 2020. "Ellora Caves Teak Forest Trees Anchor Ellora Caves Rain Gardens." Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/01/ellora-caves-teak-forest-trees-anchor.html

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