Marble Caves in Southern Patagonia, Chile

General Carrera Lake (Chilean side) or Lake Buenos Aires (Argentine side) is a lake located in Patagonia and shared by Argentina and Chile. Both names are internationally accepted.

The lake has a surface of 1,850 km² of which 970 km² are in the Chilean Aysén del General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Region, and 880 km² in the Argentine Santa Cruz Province, making it the biggest lake in Chile, and the fourth largest in Argentina. In its western basin, Lake Gen. Carrera has 586 m maximum depth.^[2]

The lake is of glacial origin and is surrounded by the Andes mountain range. lake drains to the Pacific Ocean on the west through the Baker River.

The weather in this area of Chile and Argentina is generally cold and humid. But the lake itself has a sunny microclimate, a weather pattern enjoyed by the few settlements along the lake, such as Puerto Guadal, Puerto Ingeniero Ibáñez and Chile Chico in Chile, and Los Antiguos and Perito Moreno in Argentina.

The area near the coast of the lake was first inhabited by criollos and European immigrants between 1900 and 1925. In 1971 and 1991, eruptions of the Hudson Volcano severely affected the local economy, especially that of sheep farming.

The Argentine side of the lake is relatively easy to access, through strip of plains that was first used by the Tehuelches, and then by explorer Francisco Moreno. The National Route 40, created in the 1920s, also makes uses of it. The Chilean side of the lake has been mostly isolated, and was for years accessed through Argentina, until the creation in the 1990s of the Carretera Austral, which connected it to the rest of Chile, and permitted the expansion of tourism in the area.

A car ferry operates between Puerto Ingeniero Ibáñez and Chile Chico in the Chilean sector of the lake.

The lake is known as a trout and salmonidae fishing destination.

Unusual geological formation is Marble Caves with Marble Chapel and Marble Cathedral located at the centre of the lake and representing a group of caverns, columns and tunnels formed in monoliths of marble. Marble Caves have been formed by wave action over the last 6,200 years.^[3]

The Malvinas Islands are located in the lake.

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The Psychotria Elata or Flower of Kiss

The Psychotria Elata or Flower of Kiss

Beautiful kissing lips of Psychotria Elata is not a work of photoshop, this exotic flower has naturally kissable lips shape of bright red color, and its scientific name is Psychotria elata. Psychotria is a genus containing 1900 species within the plant family Rubiaceae. Psychotria elata is a small understory tree in tropical forests whose flowers are affectionately known as hooker's lips. Some Psychotria species are endangered or facing extinction due to deforestation, especially species of central Africa and the Pacific. Many species, including Psychotria viridis, produce the psychedelic chemical, dimethyltryptamine (DMT). The name Cephaelis is considered a synomym of Psychotria. Psychotria can be found in the tropical rain forests of Central and South America, in such countries as Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama and Ecuador. Beautiful kissing lips of Psychotria Elata attract hummingbirds and butterflies, as well as photographers and tourists from all over the world.

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Very rare Black Orchid-Cymbidium Kiwi or Midnight

Very rare Black Orchid-Cymbidium Kiwi or Midnight

This is  the black flower, beautiful flower if you can see in detail.

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Aeonium Cyclops

Aeonium Cyclops

Aeonium 'Cyclops' (Giant Red Aeonium) - This beautiful tall succulent has rosettes of dark reddish-bronze leaves on stems to 3 to 4 feet tall with newest emerging leaves green which gives the rosette a green eye. Plant in full coastal sun to light shade in a well-drained soil and irrigate occasionally. It should be cold hardy to about 25° F. This hybrid was created by eminent southern California horticulturist Jack Catlin by crossing Aeonium undulatum with Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop'. Another Catlin hybrid that we grow with the same parentage is called 'Voodoo'. 'Cyclops' has the stronger green eye while 'Voodoo' tends to be more of a solid dark color and grows larger.  This description is based on our research and our observations of this plant growing in containers at our nursery, in our own garden and in other gardens. We always appreciate receiving feedback of any kind from those who have any additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written or have additional cultural tips that would aid others growing Aeonium 'Cyclops' .

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