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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/2/2011 10:09:34 PM | | There are approximately 400 billion stars in our galaxy and 400 billion human brain cells. Pretty awesome stuff to think about. | |
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/3/2011 4:16:34 AM | | I find it fascinating that both nature's beauty and its complexity arise from simple laws, e.g. self-similarity, nearest neighbor interactions, and energy minimization. cheers, O | |
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/3/2011 5:45:55 PM | One think I have not yet done, but would love to, is spend time above or in the triple canopy in a tropical rain forest. I would happily camp up there if I could do so safely.
Waterfalls and other moving water are one of my favorite subject matters when doing photography. I have been experimenting with the use of slow shutter speeds to produce the "cotton candy" effect.
SoWrite,
I think it would be naive to think our planet is the only planet able to sustain life (I'm not saying you indicated that). There are in all likelihood entire galaxies we are as yet unaware of, and may never be aware of. | |
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/7/2011 2:06:10 PM | If you ever look at a rainbow, the colors are always (to the best of my knowledge) in the same order. The mnemonic to remember them is Roy G Biv, standing for Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet. I would have to research this again to be sure, but I think all white light is composed of these colors, and that's pretty interesting to me. That's why you can see the colors when light shines through a prism (again, I think so, anyhow).
There's a pretty good explanation of sprectral colors here:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/vision/specol.html
VvVvVv Hehehheh! I love it, Michele! | |
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/7/2011 2:23:27 PM | it's white tail deer season here, hunters all around...
Each morning when I open my door I see the yard filled with deer. Mostly females with thier young. If the hunters only knew. The deer know that they are safe here.
makes me smile. | |
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/22/2011 4:38:39 PM | | Oh I just LOVED your account of the Cuttle Fan Tutteesque encounter! It all conjured up THE most delightful scene in my mind, replete with table setting and cloth for the cuttletea and scones. I wonder just how clotted cream fares under water. Charming! I hope that you write children's books! | |
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/22/2011 4:39:44 PM | | Oh what a gorgeous vision that must be. Apparently one can hang a salt lick on a tree and they love that. | |
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/22/2011 5:07:40 PM |
Each morning when I open my door I see the yard filled with deer. Mostly females with thier young. If the hunters only knew. The deer know that they are safe here.
Michele - LOL! There is little as majestic as fawns that still have their spots. Here in Florida, they certainly know to stay around the state parks to be safe. | |
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/22/2011 5:15:43 PM | I don't think I can pinpoint just one thing since nature and universal law are by far the most fascinating things out there.
Your body has innate intelligence and is a self-healing group of systems working together. Fascinating
Nature can be human or it can be environment, animals, the universe.......
I am an avid scuba diver and was going the marine biologist route. Instead will be balancing two things I'm passionate about...humans and the ocean/ocean wildlife.
When I was in college I was a shark feeder at an aquarium. Did you know that sharks have personalities? They do! Nurse sharks I often equated to puppies during feeding. Absolutely amazing and hilarious at the same time.
As a diver, I find it amazing that although I am not able to breath underwater....it is the most peaceful environment for me. I've been on dives where there were sharks in the area, we were advised to not go in that direction. I did, along with a couple retired SEALS. Fascinating to watch sharks hanging out on the bottom of the ocean, sitting in the current so they have water flowing over their gills, conserving energy so they can feed later.
Its fascinating to me that I am energy sensitive and ever since I was a kid, have always had a sixth sense with animals and nature around me. I've encountered wild animals during hiking, mtn biking, camping, etc but never once felt threatened nor they with me. Some of my friends have given me the name knickname Dr. Doolittle because of the countless stories I have shared. Some violent, angry, hostile animals becoming calm around me and their personality totally changing from violent to gentle. It will certainly come in handy when I finish school and work on animals!
Most recently, 2 of my dogs ran off chasing rabbits. I tracked with my 3rd dog for an entire day, covering 15 miles through farmland and preservation. The two are "sisters." One carries an energy of getting upset easier then the other. She was picked up 3 days after their walkabout. The other has always been more calm and stealthy. I found her 11 days later. During the entire absence, I meditated and did so with items that had their scent. I knew the 1st would be picked up and by an officer. The second one, I tracked her, posted road signs around her territory, and received several calls from people in the area. The night before I found her, I had a dream where we were talking to each other through an energy conversation (best way to describe it). I remember her feeling scared, alone, and upset. I told her stay wherever you are. Come closer home. I WILL find you and bring you home tomorrow. The next morning I woke up, laid in bed frozen, feeling like the connection we had was stronger, and waited for the phone to ring. It did with her approximate location. The house I pulled in to, I knew she was there. Called her once and within a second she poked her head around the corner, saw me and lost it. I was walking to the car with her standing upright with her front paws wrapped around my waist.
And those two aren't little either.....Shepard/Husky/Lab mix.
Other then energy....
I have always been and will forever be fascinated by sharks and dolphins.
Sharks seem to be the closest living creature to the dinosaur era. Unfortunately, they are being depleted due to poaching and fining despite their endangered status. Magnificent creatures that have a bad rap because they do what they do out of what they know. Humans tend to forget they are entering the shark's environment which is still wild. | |
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/22/2011 5:34:05 PM | It is spring here in the antipodes. With an abundance of recent rain alternating with the strong Australian sun, bugs are partying big time and millions of mice are EATING hay whilst the proverbial sun shines, must to the dismay of local farmers. So much mouse bait has been bought, that supplies have apparently run out and huge new batches of poison have been commissioned.
In the last few days, I have seen many and I mean MANY, harlequin bugs joined at the bottom, quite immodestly having nookies as they walk from place to place. At first I turned my head to afford them some privacy but wherever I looked, they were there. Is there NO legislation regarding bug porn?
The other day, I was in the supermarket going through my shopping list when I found myself chuckling though rather confused. There in unintelligible scrawl, on my handbag tattered piece of paper, seemed to be the words "shark repellant." Now having recently moved from the city to the inland countryside of Central Victoria, I have to some degree, had to change my shopping habits but were they really SO changed as to include protection from a Great White or Nurse (shark that is.)? I continued shopping as things like "pasta" and "peanut butter" seemed easier to locate than ocean supplies. Only after a few minutes did the meaning of my scrawl dawn on me. It was "snake repellant"; arguably, also not something I'd ever bought whilst living in the city. You see, as the weather warms here, snakes begin their post winter slumber unfurling. Being cold blooded, they seem to think it a terribly nice to start warming their elegant bodies in the sun. We see more and more of them in the garden, along the road side and around rockeries which can get a little disconcerting as animal or human/lethal snake encounters can sometimes end badly.
Well, to discourage snakes from sharing our spaces too intimately (have I returned to porn here?) some clever person has designed a solar powered stake which when pushed into the ground, emits sounds and vibrations at regular intervals. These in turn really piss off our slithery friends and encourage them to relocate. It was one of THESE devices that I'd meant to pick up from the local pet shop and nothing in fact related to sharks. Well that was a relief because oddly enough, the supermarket seemed to be clean out of items relating to ocean killers...oh, except for three packs of orca treats I found next to shoe polish and air freshener. | |
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/22/2011 5:39:25 PM | Gosh! What a fascinating and moving account of what must have been very distressing for your dogs and you! Thank G-d, you have such psychic sensitivity and the wisdom to trust it.
How bizarre too that only after I had posted my comment about the shark repellant, did I see your post. I guess that is yet another example of the lovely synchronity that so often takes place around us all. | |
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/22/2011 5:47:47 PM | And that was the cliffnotes version!!! It was by far the most amazing thing I've been part of and had an instant community with various police precincts as well as animal control. When I picked up the first one, I was crying, the dog was crying, the animal control officer and staff teared up.
When I picked up the second one however, police officers were crying, one called me to make sure it was true because, as it turned out, they were keeping an eye out for her when patrolling the area....and a couple friends are on the radio were crying and cheering too.
Truly am blessed with an amazing gift. Usually I don't share to this level, but given the thread, it seemed to be appropriate.
I also laughed when I read your posting. Shark repellent...snake repellent....
And the timing of it.. | |
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/23/2011 11:26:07 AM | ForeReels - I would really love to see a triple-canopy jungle someday. It must be incredible!
Modivin - I have always been and will forever be fascinated by sharks and dolphins. Sharks seem to be the closest living creature to the dinosaur era.
In a local museum, they have numerous skeletons of sharks from the past. I think the longest they have is about 42 feet long. People often find shark teeth in the rivers around here and in some places on land. Since most of Florida was at one time covered with water, the huge sharks used to swim in the area, apparently.
I am so glad you were able to find your dogs! Fifteen miles is a lot of tracking.
Jackie - I have seen many and I mean MANY, harlequin bugs joined at the bottom, quite immodestly having nookies as they walk from place to place. At first I turned my head to afford them some privacy but wherever I looked, they were there.
Jackie,
In Florida we have what are called by most "Love bugs" They are also "joined at the bottom" and having "nookies". This is often their last action, as they are attracted to Carbon Dioxide and end up splattered on the windshields of vehicles or the face shields of motorcyclists, still joined in eternal bliss (?). | |
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/23/2011 11:04:43 PM |
ForeReels - I would really love to see a triple-canopy jungle someday. It must be incredible!
I did some travelling through the Lacandon Jungle in Southern Mexico near the border with Guatemala. Not the biggest but very diverse! At night you could hear the Howler Monkeys and Jaguars. Some places you could walk into the growth three feet off the road and be lost! | |
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/24/2011 6:37:01 AM | | Just watched another cool Nat Geo video. This time a photographer was in Antarctica filming leopard seals....giant, well fanged seals with spots that are really pretty dangerous. The photographer was in a wet suit, bobbing around the ocean trying to film these guys from a distance when one of them swam right up to him, poked him a bit with his nose and then swam off. The seal returned with a penguin for the obviously ill equipped camera guy floating like an idiot seal in the middle of the ocean. Unfortunately the camera guy didn't catch the first penguin, so the seal went and got another one. Then another. Then, days later and getting frustrated, the seal chewed a penguin up for the guy to show him how it was done, leaving a nicely mushed up pile of penguin pulp for him. How sweet. A giant monster of a creature trying to help out its daft relative. | |
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/24/2011 12:13:37 PM | | ForeReels...I spent a month backpacking through Central America in college. We spent a few nights in Tikal, Guatemala camping. Surrounding us at night? Howler monkeys...when they called to each other, it sounded like someone screaming as they were being killed. The first night it did take time to fall asleep for sure. | |
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/24/2011 12:20:31 PM | The natural world holds endless fascination for me. What ONE thing can you think of that does it for you?
Woman. (sorta scared to learn much more these days)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------people....in general.
I dont think about the rest of it to much; just sorta....like it best when I take the 'bliss and acceptance' route. | |
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/24/2011 3:07:32 PM | Wow - choosing ONE thing is tough ! But one of the big reasons I moved to Florida was to be able to see alligators often. And did I ever get my wish ! I now live within a few minutes walk of lots of 'em ! With many, many more within a short drive.
They are fascinating to me - beautiful even. Living history. A perfect design that has withstood the test of time ever since the world was inhabited by many types of dinosaurs ! Having them for "neighbors" , and being able to recognize individuals over time, is something I cherish.
Who knew ?  | |
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/24/2011 4:25:15 PM | recently, i stood on a bridge in the middle of a swamp, watching mallards come in for a landing. i got to thinking how funny they are when they land. they make such an issue out of it.
one bird, however, landed on a low-hanging willow branch instead of in the water. i pulled out the binoculars for a closer look. well, seems i had a goshawk. no sooner did i i.d. the bird, than he took off into the woods. so i hung out a while to see if he would make a second appearance.
before too long, a kingfisher came zipping along, chattering his head off. he circled and dove a few times, then took off. well, a few seconds later i heard a huge racket from the woods and the kingfisher came barreling up the creek, with the gos hot on his tail. he zigged, the gos zigged. he zagged, the gos zagged. finally he took a sharp dive and spun to the left under a thicket where the gos couldn't go. the gos took off to the north and the kingfisher spent the next 20 minutes on top of a snag screaming his head off.
i couldn't figure out if he was laughing or ****ing about the whole thing! | |
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/24/2011 7:59:17 PM | Modivin - Now you are making me feel like I haven't really lived. Spending a month in the jungle must have been a life-changing experience!
egowitch - Wow - choosing ONE thing is tough ! But one of the big reasons I moved to Florida was to be able to see alligators often. And did I ever get my wish ! I now live within a few minutes walk of lots of 'em ! With many, many more within a short drive.
Egowitch - I just put ONE in the OP because I was trying to stay within forum rules and misunderstood some directions I had received. I know there are an endless number of fascinating things.
I have lived a little south of you for many years as a child, and now live a little north of you, so I know what you mean when you say there are a lot of alligators! My mother had a swimming hole dug where she later put in a pool. it was not unusual to find a 3-4 foot gator sunning on the banks of it. When I went to Paynes Prairie I was photographing some of the MANY alligators in the canal, and I looked down and there was one not more than ten feet from me. I saw at least 20 that day. I have heard that at night you can see hundreds of pairs of orange eyes reflecting out in the water.
JuniperMoon - That's a great story. I wish you were closer so we could go birding. Very interesting!! Thank you for sharing.
SpringsDiver
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/24/2011 8:38:39 PM | I'm looking at going back to Tikal next December for a week of hiking, camping, and meditating....participating in ceremonies with the Mayans.
AND when I graduate Chiropractor school in almost 4 years, I'll be going out to Tibet with my best friend...just because...WHY NOT? | |
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/24/2011 9:31:30 PM | | If I had to pick just one it would be bats, I've always been curious about them, got to hold one in biology class once, it was amazing. Everything in nature is a marvel to behold, I love being near the water just before a storm when the wind picks up and you can smell the lake and the clouds are rolling in. My fondest memories as a kid was living in the country, exploring and hiking thru the woods with my dad, checking out all the bugs and critters. I still like to take a book and go read near the lakeshore, find it very relaxing and peaceful. | |
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/26/2011 11:06:07 PM | I love dragon fly's. Had one on my patio about a month ago. I got some really beautiful pictures of it and a video.
my camera was literally 4 inches away from it.
Absolutely beautiful. | |
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| Fascinating Things in Nature
Posted: 10/28/2011 4:24:36 PM | This is such a great thread, I like coming here to escape the madness of some of the other threads. I so love to hear everyone's stories, from their own back yards to the far away lands they have visited...Aren't we lucky?
Saved a box turtle that was in the middle of the road today, I feel like a "Supa starrr"!
I'm sure the turtle thought so too.
For years a doe has brought her young to the meadow at my garden's edge. This spring she arrived with twins! Then in late summer she also had a third fawn with her. Yesterday morning, at the kitchen sink, washing my coffe mug, looking out the window I see the fawn right on my side walk, eating my hostas. He learned from his mother who
brought him to the garden's edge to eat the hostas there. The mother was nowhere in site and I noticed he was skinny, and his back bone was showing. Hunting season began 2 weeks ago and I suspect she was taken. We've been putting grain, hay, sugar cubes, apples and carrots out at the meadow. Our first snow of the season is coming tonight.
Hope we will see him again. | |
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