Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘nature’

Yesterday’s storm has come and gone, leaving icy gems scattered across the ground. The pines are encased in sleek silver robes and the world in treacherous beauty.

* * *

Read Full Post »

Yes, the world is a dangerous mess right now but not everything is terrible. Exhibit A: The Fish Doorbell is back!

The Fish Doorbell — The Fish Doorbell

Every spring, thousands of fish swim through the Oudegracht in Utrecht, searching for a place upstream to lay their eggs. But the Weerdsluis is often closed. You can help the fish continue their journey! If you see a fish, press the doorbell. This alerts the lock operator to open the lock.

Love this!

* * *

Read Full Post »

This story is so encouraging:

The Ordinary People Who Saved the Bluebird

There was a time when seeing a bluebird felt less like spotting a bird and more like witnessing a small miracle. But then, the Eastern bluebird population made a comeback. The hero?

A lot of volunteers — and an ordinary box.

Sure, we broke it. But now we’re fixing it, and that’s a story I think we all could use.

* * *

Read Full Post »

It’s cold here today, the temperature almost 20C/35F lower than it was before a storm came through and left a thick coating of lovely but frigid snow.

Which got me thinking, and not for the first time: How do birds stay warm?

Here’s a short explainer article with a helpful video of chickadees, cardinals, jays and other birds (some in dramatic slo-mo!): 

How Birds Stay Warm in the Winter Snow: Backyard Birds Revealed | All About Birds

Some of the survival tricks captured in this episode include: “drinking” snow on icy days; an ingenious solution to the problem of cold feet; and the incredible warmth of a fluffy coat of feathers.

Now I’m off to refill my bird feeder and top up the bird bath. Because it’s cold!

* * *

Read Full Post »

Was It the H?

Well, it looks like Big Thom the Turkey has winged his way off to other climes. Did he get bored in the back yard? Run out of food? Or was it the H?

As I mentioned yesterday, adding that olde thyme H just seemed right, especially as I gave a shoutout to his dinosaur ancestors. Maybe he didn’t like that. Maybe he’s a modern turkey who wants nothing more than to shrug off the expectations of Uncle Rex and Auntie Stega and move to the big city to find his true calling, like being a graphic designer or a skydiving instructor or maybe even an artist who DJs on the side.

I hear you, big guy, we all need to find our purpose, and use it to bring good into the world.

Nice knowing you, Thom!

* * *

Read Full Post »

Another entertaining project from Neal.fun:

Size of Life

(Although the image of a person next to that Titanoboa is more than a little scary. At least we could have taken that angry turkey Velociraptor!)

* * *

Read Full Post »

Ok, this is amazing.

And if you wired other nearby plants and trees, would they all play in synchrony?

* * *

Read Full Post »

Mr Man and I were out for a hike a few weeks ago when a barred owl flew across the path. I hadn’t expected to see an owl in daylight, but there it was. We watched it for a moment as it nestled into the crook of a tree, and went about our way. 

This is what it might have been like to stay.

from wildlife photographer Gamander López

* * *

Read Full Post »

For those who have experienced the joy of being alone with nature there is really little need for me to say much more; for those who have not, no words of mine can ever describe the powerful, almost mystical knowledge of beauty and eternity that come, suddenly, and all unexpected.

— Jane Goodall

* * *

Read Full Post »

“Within National Parks is room—glorious room—in which to find ourselves, in which to think and hope, to dream and plan, to rest and resolve.”

— Enos Mills, Naturalist

* * *

Read Full Post »

Older Posts »