Google Project Loon will Provide Internet to Puerto Rico Using Balloons

Since 2013, Google’s Project Loon has been creating a network of stratospheric balloons developed to provide internet connectivity to the two-thirds of the world’s population with no link. One of the founding principles intends to bring people back online following the events of natural disasters. After class four hurricane maria caused significant damage to Puerto Rico‘s transit infrastructure, as well as much more, project loon’s team has been working with the country’s authorities to bring the balloon-powered net to the aid the hardest hit parts of the island.

After launching a group of balloons from Nevada, the US, fundamental communication and internet activities, like sending text messages and obtaining information online, are now readily available for individuals with LTE enabled telephones. Although still running an extensive and constant series of developments, including 500,000 km journey, the technology is still experimental and new. However, they intend to keep the balloons functioning for as long as they are capable and needed.

Photographer Captures the Vivid Beauty of Colorful Birds

Leila Jeffreys specializes in catching the unique personalities of each feathery friend through a series of up-close studio portraits, using a target to “portray birds in a way that exhibits their extraordinary beauty and variety, and to inspire a deeper concern for their well-being.”

Following on from her earliest work, which captured colorful portraits of budgerigars and wild cockatoos, she has resumed photographing birds from all over the world. A series from 2014 conveys the intense nature of birds of prey, many of which appear to face the camera without fear. In one shot, Trinity stands fiercely with a puffed out chest, while in a different, Mulga crouches angrily. The owls within this series seem to be a bit timider and sullen; in one picture, Tani stands with her back turned, rotating her mind only halfway to partly face the camera.

These vigorous creatures originate from exotic lands, such as the Australasia rainforests. The Superb Fruit Dove stands proudly wearing his purple crown, and the Emerald Dove exhibits lush green wings from a plumage of dusty pink.

If you love these colorful, feathery photos, you can see them for yourself at Jeffreys’ present exhibition–eligible Ornithurae Volume 1– in the Olsen Gruin Gallery at New York City. It’s available until November 12, 2017.

You may discover more of Jeffrey’s work on her site and Instagram.

In Leila Jeffreys’ brand new show–qualified Ornithurae–she captures the vibrant beauty of multicolored pigeons, doves, and cockatoos.