Seven Gigantic Rock Figures Rising from Beneath the Urals
Bursting out of a plateau in a remote region of the Ural Mountains, like the gnarled fingers of some giant subterranean monster, the seven rock formations of Manpupuner in the Komi Republic are as veiled in mystery as they sometimes are in snowstorms. Known as the “7 strong men”, these gargantuan stone towers are considered one of the Seven Wonders of Russia, and with its air of inscrutability, Manpupuner draws visitors from across its vast country.
Continue reading...20. November 2009
Divebombing Birds Catching Prey Underwater
A bird diving and swimming underwater seems like a paradox but then, our feathery friends are crafty when it comes to reaching tasty prey like fish - some birds even dive a few feet deep to catch it! Dippers, gannets, kingfishers, gulls, swans and cormorants all perform the most amazing stunts when it’s time to feed their bellies.
Continue reading...19. November 2009
Did We Wipe Out the Prehistoric Hobbit Man?
A race of intelligent, diminutive hominids co-existing alongside humanity in South-East Asia? In the year 2003, a creature from mythology stepped out of the shadows and into the cold, hard light of science when an archaeological dig revealed what appeared to be a new species of hominid that matched closely with local myths of a creature known as the Ebu Gogo. An ancient 'hobbit man' had been discovered...
Continue reading...18. November 2009
Life After Death: Taxidermy’s Most Macabre Creations
All artists, it can be argued, are playing god when they bring their works into the world, but while some of these creations aim to please through their beauty, others are geared to cause pain as well as pleasure, fear as much as fascination. These objects of sublime horror have been sent to haunt our dreams; take a browse through this bizarre bestiary and you’ll see what we mean.
Continue reading...17. November 2009
When Small Animals Go Supersize
Super-size isn’t just the American way; it seems Nature has been dealing out enormous portions for thousands of years – and the fast food nation just got on the bandwagon. Yep, through the course of evolution, many gigantic species have come to light, quite a few of which have gone back to the black of extinction. It’s the giants among animals we normally consider small that concern us here.
Continue reading...17. November 2009
Heretics and Holy Warriors: The Persecution of the Knights Templar
Heresy trials, convictions and death by burning at the stake awaited the Templar leadership in France where the hatred of Philip IV prevailed over an indecisive Pope. In many countries, the Templars 'melted away', except in Portugal where they were long established and members of the royal family had joined the Order of Christ. A true tale of brutal persecution with a distinctly roasted Medieval flavour.
Continue reading...11. November 2009
5 Animals Most In Need of a Haircut
Regardless of what you think of body or facial hair, nature again is one step ahead when making animals’ coats look good and practical: As defense mechanism, heat protection, natural filter or simply cuteness enhancer – excess hair or fur in animals always has a special purpose. We found five critters that could definitely do with a trim.
Continue reading...30. October 2009
The Lady Bug Gymnastics
With Halloween just around the corner, we’d like to leave scary witches and willowy ghosts aside for just one minute and focus on one helpful critter that might get forgotten otherwise. After ridding crops of plant lice and scale insects, the Halloween lady beetle invades homes in October where it prepares for its well deserved hibernation. Before that long period of inactivity, it likes to stretch its wings a bit. That’s probably an understatement – wing acrobatics is more like it but see for yourself…
Continue reading...25. September 2009
Female Bugs ‘Make Out’ to Attract Males That Can Stomach It
The tropical citrus root weevil or sugarcane root stalk borer weevil (diaprepes abbreviatus) is a pest accidentally introduced to the state of Florida in 1964. Since 2005, it’s also been spotted in California not only devouring citrus, avocado and potato roots, but also engaging in some cunning mating behaviour. Here are the facts.
Continue reading...13. November 2009
Is That a Smoke Pencil in Your Handbag, or… ?
Housewives the world over are going crazy for two new energy saving devices that look more like something teenagers might hide under their mattresses. The Smoke Pencil and the Chimney Balloon are two very useful tools to air-seal your home, but they look a little dubious at first. Intrigued? We were. Let's find out what the scoop is...
Continue reading...2. November 2009
Gazing into the Limits of the Universe
Astronomers have seen farther back in time and identified the earliest and youngest galactic object that can be observed in our universe. It is a galactic cluster, 10.2 billion years distant. We observe these galaxies as they were when the universe was only a quarter of its present age. This awe-inspiring discovery lies at the limit of what we will ever be are able to 'see' in the universe. Incredible!
Continue reading...27. October 2009
Black Gold Still Rules in Pipelineistan
The bottom line on the Iraq and AfPAK wars, and the American fixation on Iran, is oil. Obscene amounts of money, civilian lives and American integrity continue to be wasted on attempts to secure control over Central Asian energy resources, and the pipeline network that must be built to get this Black Gold to market.
Continue reading...26. October 2009
Former War Zones Too Dangerous to Enter
When the smoke clears and the last shells have fallen, some war zones will retain painful reminders of former unpleasantries. Uncleared and unmapped, it's safe to say minefields present an extremely unpredictable and deadly danger to civilians, often long after the conflict in which they were used in has come to a close. Here are some of the deadliest places to go walking unescorted...
Continue reading...24. September 2009
Incredible Bamboo Architecture by Vo Trong Nghia
Bamboo is the stuff of green dreams these days. Not only is this material a winning combination of strong, lightweight and flexible; it also scores highly in the sustainable stakes, being super fast growing and easy to harvest locally in many parts of the world. What's more, it is increasingly lauded for its aesthetic qualities. None of this is news to any architect worth their salt – but one in particular, Vietnamese virtuoso Vo Trong Nghia, stands out for his exceptional bamboo designs.
Continue reading...17. August 2009
The Land of Cuckoo Clocks & Environmental Beauty
Although often associated with banks, cuckoo clocks, chocolate and cheese, it's less commonly known that Switzerland is also one of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world. Travelling there offers fresh alpine air and spectacular mountainous scenery, but behind the scenes, less appreciable things are going on to keep it that way. Discover why Switzerland is keeping it green and what you could savour by taking an eco-friendly trip there.
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20. November 2009
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