Strandbeests on the Shore

SOURCE: CW Uhlinger (bill@nshaonline.org)SUBHEAD: Amazing work, but is this our legacy? Recycled plastic that stalks the shorebreak like living plastic?By Staff on 20 December 2010 for the BBC -(http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00vt1xp)Image above: Theo Jansen and one of his strandbeests. Stillframe from video below.Wallace and Gromit explore the wonders of the natural world and look at

Amazing Mechanical Seagull

SUBHEAD: By taking such a clear cue from nature's design, the SmartBird could help in the development more sustainable flight.By Stephen Messenger on 25 March 2011 for Tree Hugger -(http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/03/amazing-mechanical-seagull-rivals-the-real-thing.php)Image above: Still from video below of mechanical seagull.It's a bird... It's a plane... Wait, it's bothMankind has long

Winter Begins and Ends

SUBHEAD: A challenging winter bookended by two special moons. Let's hope this spring ends like a lamb.By Juan Wilson on 21 March 2011 for Island Breath - (http://islandbreath.blogspot.com/2011/03/winter-begins-and-ends.html)Image above: Full moon with rainbow halo similar to moon observed in the wee hours of 3/20/19. From (http://www.angelvillanueva.com/en/photography/index.htm). The winter of

Slaying the Hydra

SUBHEAD: We assume that we are clever enough to go Mother Nature one better.By Paul Chefurka on 14 March 2011 in Limits to Growth -(http://paulchefurka.ca/Hydra.html)Image above Hydra computer modelled in Lightwave, surfaced in ZBrush. From (http://www.johnnyrem.com/recent.htm).As the nuclear calamity unfolds at Fukushima, a long-standing conflict between world views has been thrown into sharp

Endangered monk seals in Turkey

SUBHEAD: With regular feedings of high-quality fish blended into porridge, the baby seals are putting on weight and recovering their health.By Jennifer Hattam on 22 January 2011 for Treehugger - (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/01/endangered-baby-monk-seals-recuperating-turkey.php)Image above: Two seal pups at the Mediterranean Monk Seal Rehabilitation Center in Foça, Turkey. From original

EPA looks the other way

SUBHEAD: EPA document shows it knowingly allowed use of pesticide that kills honey bees.By Ariel Schwartz on 7 January 2011 for Fast Company - (http://www.fastcompany.com/1708896/wiki-bee-leaks-epa-document-reveals-agency-knowingly-allowed-use-of-bee-toxic-pesticide)Image above: Beekeepers examining hive. From original article.The world honey bee population has plunged in recent years, worrying

Mediterranean Monk Seal Secret

SUBHEAD: Biologists find endangered seals secret Greek island.By Stephen Messenger on 3 January 2011 for TreeHugger - (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/01/biologists-find-endangered-seals-secret-island-getaway.php)Image above: Mediterranean monk seals. From original article.It's never been easy being an endangered species -- particularly nowadays, what with all the people encroaching upon

Reindeer on Psychedelics

SUBHEAD: Scientist claims reindeer, and other animals get high on magic mushrooms.By Staff on 23 December 2010 from Huffington Post -(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/23/reindeer-magic-mushrooms_n_801006.html)Image above: Amanita muscaria - it is one of the most potent psychedelic mushrooms known. From (http://www.myspace.com/wasted187/blog/519966483).Turns out the myth of flying reindeer

What Does a Better Economy Look Like?

SUBHEAD: A book review - "Prosperity Without Growth: Economics for a Finite Planet". And, can we have it?By George Mobus on 16 December 2010 in Question Everything -(http://questioneverything.typepad.com/question_everything/2010/12/what-does-a-better-economy-look-like.html)Image above: Woodworking shop of Andrew Lunn where he makes custom saws. From (http://woodtalkonline.com/blog/35/entry-721-

Total Lunar Eclipse in Hawaii

SOURCE: Dick Mayer (dickmayer@earthlink.net)SUBHEAD: Total lunar eclipse in Hawaii this Monday night, December 20th, at 9:40pm.Image above: Total lunar eclipse on 3 March 2003. From (http://www.astrosurf.com/re/eclipse_20070303.html).On Monday evening, Dec. 20, a total eclipse of the Moon will be visible. The full Moon and the Sun will be exactly opposite each other in our skies, and the Earth

Kauai Beekeepers Meetings

SOURCE: James Trujillo (jtrujill@hawaii.edu)SUHHEAD: Two meetings for those interested in bee keeping scheduled for November 29th and 30th.Image above: Honey bee on draws nectar from flower. From (http://townipproject09.wikispaces.com/Disappearance+of+Honey+Bees).The Kauai Beekeepers' Association and the Hawaii State Department of Agriculture invite Kaua'i beekeepers and persons interested in

The Sincerest Form of Reverence

SUBHEAD: The key to success is to figure out the way Nature does things, and copy her shamelessly.Image above: Luther Burbank's home. There a bronze sign is inscribed in part; "...Luther Burbank purchased four acres surrounding this site as a place for horticultural experiments... His work led quickly to international fame and thousands of visitors came to see the “Plant Wizard” at work...

Enough!

SUBHEAD: Only by healing our belief in our separateness will we be able to finally and fully restore our balance with Nature.Image above: Painting "Newborn" by Alex Gray (1996). From (http://www.alexgrey.com/gs.html).By Paul Chefurka on 3 November 2010 in Approaching the Limits to Growth - (http://paulchefurka.ca/Enough.html)Whenever I contemplate the spectacular mischief that we humans have

India vs Colgate on Biopiracy

SUBHEAD: India has declared traditional medicinal recipes are un-patentable and Colgate claims one on their herbal toothpaste.Image above: Neem twigs for sale, photo: Meena Kadri/Creative CommonsBy Bonnie Alter on 22 October 2010 for TreeHugger.org -(http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/10/did-colgate-steal-tootpaste-recipe.php)It's the battle of the toothpaste titans: In the red corner we have