The acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) is a medium-sized woodpecker, 21 cm (8.3 in) long, with an average weight of 85 g (3.0 oz). Taxonomy The acorn woodpecker is a fascinating bird that was first formally described in 1827 by the English naturalist, William John Swainson. Swainson named the species Picus formicivorus after a specimen he collected in Mexico. The … [Read more...] about Acorn woodpecker
What’s this? It’s not the Grand Canyon…
Do not adjust your flat-panel LCD: believe it or not, the crack you are looking at is not a chasm of gargantuan proportions; it is actually a micro-crack just 30 micrometers (0.03mm) across. This photo, titled "Microcanyon," was taken with a scanning electron microscope by Martina Dienstleder, and is this year's winner of the FEI Owner Image Contest (FEI make electron … [Read more...] about What’s this? It’s not the Grand Canyon…
The 16th-Century “Colossus” sculpture located in Florence, Italy has internal chambers that are hidden from view.
A giant 16th-century sculpture in Florence, Italy, known as the “Colossus,” has entire rooms hidden inside. This remarkable piece of artwork was created by Italian sculptor Giambologna in 1579. The sculpture stands at over 18 feet tall and is made of marble. The impressive “Colossus” sculpture has been described as a “masterpiece of Italian Mannerism.” Its hidden interior … [Read more...] about The 16th-Century “Colossus” sculpture located in Florence, Italy has internal chambers that are hidden from view.
The Beauty of the Red River in Cusco, Peru
Peru is a country filled with amazing and unique landscapes, and the Red River in Cusco is just one of them. Known locally as Palquella Pucamayu, this 5-kilometer-long waterway derives its color from the red sandstone filled with iron oxide. This mineral-rich sedimentary rock is washed down the slopes when it rains, making the water take on a distinctive red or pink tone. Here … [Read more...] about The Beauty of the Red River in Cusco, Peru
Snowflake (gorilla)
Snowflake, also known as Floquet de Neu in Catalan, Copito de Nieve in Spanish, and Flocon de Neige in French, was the world's only known albino gorilla to date. He was a western lowland gorilla and was kept at Barcelona Zoo in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain from 1966 until his death in 2003. History Snowflake, who was originally named Nfumu Ngui in Fang language meaning … [Read more...] about Snowflake (gorilla)