Nature, Cultural, and Travel Photography Blog: 7/1/11

Indian Lotus Flower

The Indian Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is an aquatic perennial plant in the family Nelumbonaceae, native to southern Asia and Australia, having large leaves which can reach 24 inches in diameter, fragrant, pinkish flowers having up to 6 inches long petals, a broad, rounded, perforated seedpod, and fleshy rhizomes. It's known by a number of names including Indian Lotus, Sacred Lotus, Bean of India, or simply Lotus. Lotus seeds, leaves and roots (rhizome) are edible. Lotus roots are eaten raw or cooked liked other vegetables. It's full of fiber and various vitamins and other nutrients. The seeds are eaten raw or roasted. Lotus is the national flower of Indian and Vietnam.

Indian Lotus Flowers - Nelumbo nucifera

Lotus Flower

Lotus Flower and Bud

Lotus Flowers and Plants

Lotus Bud and Leaf

Lotus Bud

Lotus Seed Pod

Lotus Seed Pod Closeup

Lotus Seeds

Head Lice Life Cycle

Head Lice Life Cycle

Head Lice Life Cycle Diagram

The Head Lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) Life Cycle consist of 3 stages i.e Eggs/Nits, Nymphs and Adult Head Lice. All these 3 stages last in about 40 to 50 days.

Head Lice Eggs/Nits

Head Lice reproduce by laying eggs/nits on the hair shaft close to the scalp of their host. The adult female louse can lay up to 4-10 eggs a day and about 120 eggs in the whole lifespan. The dark-brown color eggs are oval-shaped and about 0.8 mm in length. The eggs hatch in about six to nine days, depending on temperature.

Head Lice Eggs/Nits

Nymphs/Baby Lice

Newly hatched nymphs or baby lice feed on the blood of their host like adult lice and molt three times before reaching the sexually-mature adult stage. The nymphs look similar the adult head lice, but are smaller and have relatively pale color. The Nymph stage lasts about 9 to 12 days, depending on feeding conditions.

Baby Head Lice

Adult and Nymph Louse

Head Lice

Adult head lice are about 1–3 mm long, tan to grayish-white in color. Head lice are wingless, have six legs, one pair of antenna, each with five segments and one pair of eyes. The abdomen consists of seven segments. Males are slightly smaller than females and having a pointed end of the abdomen. The females are characterized by two gonopods in the shape of a W at the end of their abdomen. The life span of an adult head louse is about 28 days.

Head Lice Pictures

Burning Candle

“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” (Buddha)

Burning Candle

5th Convocation of Hazara University Mansehra

The 5th Convocation of Hazara University Mansehra, was held on Sunday, July 10, 2011. At this occasion The Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Barrister Masood Kausar, who is the chancellor of Hazara University, awarded gold medals to 58 graduates in various disciplines. Here are some pictures of students, teachers and parents taken before and after the convocation. During the convocation photography was not allowed. The images credits goes to Naveed Khan my nephew, who got gold medal in Genetics.

Hazara University Convocation Photography