Other
-
Revenants
The Cumaean Sibyl spoke in oak leaves, which, when scattered by the wind, tended to result in the most ambiguous prophesies. In John Dryden’s bouncing-ball translation (Aeneid 6, 126-129), she says to Aeneas: The gates of hell are open night and day; Smooth the descent, and easy is the way: But to return, and view…
-
And It’s Only Friday
A water strider. Talk about pressure! Here’s the full whistleblower complaint about Trump’s illegal attempt to get Ukraine to interfere with U.S. elections. He got away with soliciting foreign interference in 2016, so of course he would try again. It goes both ways: at least 12 governments have made payments to Trump properties since he’s…
-
Misc.
Long-time readers may know of my interest in the Two-spotted Ladybugs of Brooklyn Bridge Park. I wrote about them for Humans and Nature this week. I hope you’ll visit and read this and other interesting takes on the intersection of humans and nature. Some of my recent JSTOR Daily work may be of interest to…
-
International Migratory Bird Day 5-11
Saturday, May 11, is International Migratory Bird Day. The title speaks for itself, I think. It’s a celebration of the billions of birds that migrate from the south to the north this time of year, and an educational opportunity to note the hazards of these fraught migrations. IMBD is traditionally a time for birdathons, which…
-
Stocking Stuffer
It’s never too late to subscribe to this blog, or, for the winter festive season, give a gift subscription to a friend. Just add your email in the slot on the upper right there and click the button. For your giftee — that special, thoughtful person who really appreciates an extremely cheap gift from the…
-
Autumn Equinox
At 5:05 a.m. (Eastern), the sun crosses the celestial equator and autumn begins. In NYC today, the sun rises exactly due east (6:36 a.m.) and sets exactly due west (6:44 p.m.). This much larger-than-life image of a leaf is found at the 1 Train South Ferry subway station. Art for Transit by Doug & Mike…
-
Last of the Curlews?
The last, the very last, Passenger Pigeon died in captivity (1914). So did the last Carolina Parakeet (1918). The last Heath Hen, named Booming Ben, died in the preserve set aside for the species on Martha’s Vineyard (1932).But we don’t know where or when (or even if) the last Eskimo Curlew died. The species, Numenius…
-
Backyard and Beyond 