Batandos Blog: July 2011

Somewhere over the... moonbow: Dazzling arc of colour lights up night sky at Yosemite National Park

By JOHN STEVENS

Dazzling arc of colour lights up night sky at Yosemite National Park 1

Spectacular: Sunlight is reflected off the moon to create this dazzling arc of colour in the Yosemite National Park

This dazzling arc of colour soaring across the night sky looks unreal.

But this is no fantasy or trick of the light, it is known as a moonbow, the rainbow of the night.

These rare lunar rainbows can only be seen in a few places on earth.

The Yosemite National Park in California is one of the best places to catch a glimpse of the phenomenon.

Dazzling arc of colour lights up night sky at Yosemite National Park 2

Dazzling arc of colour lights up night sky at Yosemite National Park 2

Phenomenon: The moonbows are created when light from the moon hits the sprays of water coming off the park's waterfalls

Sunlight reflects off the moon and hits the droplets spraying off the park's spectacular waterfalls.

'A lot of people don't realise that we even get rainbows at night in Yosemite,' said Steve Bumgardner who took these images as part of a new video of the spectacle.

Dazzling arc of colour lights up night sky at Yosemite National Park 3

Dazzling arc of colour lights up night sky at Yosemite National Park 3

Captivating: The moonbows are best seen when it is full moon and there is more light being reflected into the park

Dazzling arc of colour lights up night sky at Yosemite National Park 4

Dazzling arc of colour lights up night sky at Yosemite National Park 4

Starry sky: The moonbow looks incredible in the dark sky filled with stars

Dazzling arc of colour lights up night sky at Yosemite National Park 5

Rare: The Yosemite National Park in California is one of the few places on earth where you can catch a glimpse of the phenomenon

'If there's a full moon and the sky is clear, the moon, which is just reflected sunlight, is actually enough light to generate a rainbow at a place like Yosemite Falls.'

The remarkable spectrums of lights are best seen at the park during the spring and summer seasons.

'Yosemite is a 24-hour park and its well-illustrated by the numbers of people who are going to go out all night long to take pictures of moonbows,' said park ranger Bob Roney.

Dazzling arc of colour lights up night sky at Yosemite National Park 6

Dazzling arc of colour lights up night sky at Yosemite National Park 6

Dazzling: These spectacular images are part of a new video made by the National Park to showcase the phenomenon

Dazzling arc of colour lights up night sky at Yosemite National Park 7

Dazzling arc of colour lights up night sky at Yosemite National Park 7

Catch a glimpse: The remarkable spectrums of lights are best seen at the park during the spring and summer seasons

Dazzling arc of colour lights up night sky at Yosemite National Park 8

Dazzling arc of colour lights up night sky at Yosemite National Park 8

Attraction: People come from across the globe in the hope of seeing the rare night time rainbows

Dazzling arc of colour lights up night sky at Yosemite National Park 9

Dazzling arc of colour lights up night sky at Yosemite National Park 9

Gushing: The incredible waterfalls in the Yosemite National Park spray water into the moonlight, which creates the moonbows

'From the night skies and Milky Way to the full moon rising to create these lunar rainbows, the beauty here doesn't end when the sun goes down,' Mr Bumgardner said.

'You can have a unique experience 24 hours a day in Yosemite.'

'It has its own romantic sense to it,' he said. 'It's ethereal.'

source: dailymail

Tulisa knows how to get the X Factor as she copies Cheryl Cole's fishtail plait for Liverpool auditions

By SARAH BULL

Copycat: Tulisa Contostavlos sported a fishtail plait almost identical to Cheryl Cole's as she arrived at the X Factor auditions in Liverpool today

It must be hard living in the shadow of previous X Factor judge Cheryl Cole.

So Tulisa Contostavlos could be forgiven for using Cheryl for style inspiration as she takes to the panel for this year's sereis.

The 23-year-old singer arrived at the X Factor auditions in Liverpool today sporting a side fishtail plait almost identical to Cheryl's style last October.

Lady in red: Tulisa looked stunning in her red pleated dress, which she teamed with black mesh sandals

And it's not the first time Tulisa has taken inspiration from Cheryl's previous looks, as she was seen wearing a hooded dress similar to the ones favoured by Cheryl as she took to the stage at T4 On The Beach over the weekend.

But despite her copycat hairstyle, Tulisa, who is celebrating her 23rd birthday today, looked stunning in a chic red pleated dress and black mesh heeled sandals as she posed for photographers outside the auditions.

Meanwhile, Tulisa's fellow judge Kelly Rowland also caused a stir as she arrived for the auditions.

Happy birthday! Tulisa, who turns 23 today, was greeted with a huge cheer as she got out of her car

Kelly, 30, showed off her incredible figure in a pair of tiny floral shorts, teamed with a blue vest top and navy jacket, teamed with huge orange platform sandals and a huge pair of sunglasses.

Arriving in the city, Kelly tweeted: 'Alright Liverpool... Bring it on!'
She later added: 'Everyone wish my fellow #XFactor judge @officialtulisa a happy happy birthday!!!'

The girls' fellow X Factor judges Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh also cut a smart appearance as they arrived at Liverpool's Echo Arena for the auditions.

Leggy lady: Kelly Rowland also caused a stir in her outfit - a pair of floral shorts with a blue vest top and platforms

Last night, Tulisa was photographed playing it safe in a black dress and tights as she celebrated her birthday out in Liverpool.

Tulisa teamed her skater-style dress with a pair of huge sunglasses and swept her long brown hair to the side as she headed out with members of the X Factor team including presenter Dermot O'Leary.

Later in the evening, X Factor presenter Dermot tweeted his followers a picture of Tulisa enjoying her birthday cake with the caption, 'Happy birthday young lady!'

Greeting the fans: The former Destiny's Child singer looked delighted as she waved to fans and signed autographs

Making her way in: Kelly waves as she arrives at Liverpool's Echo Arena for the next round of auditions

He later added: 'That, by the way is Tulisa. And it's her birthday, and it's a cake etc etc.'

Meanwhile, despite Tulisa's profile being increased dramatically since her inclusion on the X Factor judging panel, it seems she is struggling to adjust to her elevated celebrity status.

She revealed to her Twitter followers yesterday: 'So apparently I have 2 bring security with me if I go ibiza this year? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Here come the boys: Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh looked smart in their outfits as they arrived

Posing up: Louis smiled widely as he had a picture taken with a group of fans

'I think they must be doing it in case any1 starts with me and they have 2 hold me back 2 stop me getting in2 trouble!'

She later added: 'This year I shall b sporting boxer shorts on my head instead of thongs,even more gold chains & a new tat saying CHAVTASTIC on my forehead!'

But while Tulisa might be struggling to comprehend her elevated level of fame, it's working well for her band N-Dubz.

Understated: The night before, Tulisa didn't quite have the X Factor in her plain black outfit as she celebrated her birthday in Liverpool

Cake time! X Factor presenter Dermot O'Leary tweeted a picture of Tulisa with her birthday cake at the restaurant in Liverpool

source: dailymail

Royal crumpet! Artist creates collage of Pippa Middleton using 15,000 breakfast snacks

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Tasty: Pippa Middleton's bottom and face made from a staggering 15,000 crumpets

It took 15,000 crumpets and 24-hours of work from more than a dozen tireless workers.

But this ingenious tribute to arguably Britain's most famous face and bottom using one of the UK's favourite breakfasts is complete.

Cheeky artist Laura Hadland has proved Royal bridesmaid Pippa Middleton really is a tasty bit of crumpet, using more than 100 jars of spreads, including butter, jam and Marmite to create the shading on the 13 metre by 20 metre giant mosaics.

Working up an appetite: A team of 15 helpers spent over 24 hours designing creating the collages of Pippa's face and bottom

The crumpets themselves weighed more than a ton.

Laura, 28, recreated the iconic wedding day picture after Pippa topped a Beefeater Grill poll to find the female celebrity Britons would most like to 'wake up to breakfast with'.

She secured 21 per cent of the vote in the survey of 2,000 people.

Famous: Workers put the finishing touches to the collage, based in part on the iconic image of Pippa entering Westminster Abbey behind her sister (right)

David Murdin, from Beefeater Grill, said: 'It's no surprise that someone as striking as Pippa has ranked as the country's top bit of crumpet.

'Sadly we may not be able to guarantee Pippa as part of our breakfast offering to guests but feel confident they'll enjoy our very own tasty crumpets and spreads, none-the-less.'

Fearne Cotton came second in the poll ,with 17 per cent of the vote, and Cheryl Cole came third, with 15 per cent.

The least favoured breakfast guests were reality TV star Katie Price and newlywed Kate Moss, both 3 per cent, and Caggie Dunlop, of Made In Chelsea fame, with two per cent.

Pretty: Pippa rides in the carriage from Westminster Abbey towards Buckingham Palace with bridesmaid Margarita Armstrong-Jones on her sister's wedding day

source: dailymail

Miss Universe Dominican Republic 2011, Dalia Fernandez

Dalia Fernandez, from Santiago de los Caballeros, was crowned Miss Dominican Republic 2011 during an event held on March 8th at the Renaissance auditorium of the Jaragua Hotel in Santo Domingo.

The 21-year old beauty, who was crowned by outgoing queen Eva Arias, stands 1.76 m tall and will represent the country at the Miss Universe 2011 pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil, next September.

The 21-year old beauty, who was crowned by outgoing queen Eva Arias, stands 1.76 m tall and will represent the country at the Miss Universe 2011 pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil, next September.

The 21-year old beauty, who was crowned by outgoing queen Eva Arias, stands 1.76 m tall and will represent the country at the Miss Universe 2011 pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil, next September.

The 21-year old beauty, who was crowned by outgoing queen Eva Arias, stands 1.76 m tall and will represent the country at the Miss Universe 2011 pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil, next September.

The 21-year old beauty, who was crowned by outgoing queen Eva Arias, stands 1.76 m tall and will represent the country at the Miss Universe 2011 pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil, next September.

The 21-year old beauty, who was crowned by outgoing queen Eva Arias, stands 1.76 m tall and will represent the country at the Miss Universe 2011 pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil, next September.

The 21-year old beauty, who was crowned by outgoing queen Eva Arias, stands 1.76 m tall and will represent the country at the Miss Universe 2011 pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil, next September.

Dalia Fernandez, Miss Dominican Republic 2011: Behind The Scenes

Miss Ecuador 2011, Claudia Schiess Fretz

The 20-year old beauty stands 1.73 m tall and will represent the country at the Miss Universe pageant to be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in September. She also won the awards of Most Beautiful Face and Most Beautiful Hair.

20-year old Claudia Schiess Fretz, Miss Galapagos, was elected Miss Ecuador 2011 during an event held in Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas on March 17th.

The 20-year old beauty stands 1.73 m tall and will represent the country at the Miss Universe pageant to be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in September. She also won the awards of Most Beautiful Face and Most Beautiful Hair.

Claudia, a student of Commercial Engineering, is fluent in Spanish, English and German; she is also a professional make-up artist and professional dancer, as well as her work as a print and runway model.

Claudia represented Ecuador in the Miss Supranational 2010 contest in Poland.

Maria Veronica Vargas was elected Miss Ecuador World, and also won the Miss Photogenic award. She will compete in the 2011 Miss World pageant to be held in December.

Miss Estonia Universe 2011, Madli Vilsar

The Miss Estonia 2011 contest was held in Virtsu on June 25th, with a special exposition at the local museum featuring photographs of part winners. Four contestants competed in the contest, and the winner was 20-year old Madli Vilsar, a university student from Saaremaa, who stands 1.80 m in height. She was crowned by Miss Estonia 2009, Diana Arno.

The 1st princess was Maarja Roosentau, 2nd princess Heelene Maeots and the 3rd princess was Xenia Likhacheva.

Madli Vilsar is expected to represent Esonia in the Miss Universe 2011, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Heelene Maeots was also crowned Miss Tallinn during the event, is expected to represent Estonia in the Miss Intercontinental 2011 pageant to be held in Spain, in September.