You’re probably wondering how the Mammoth Russian Sunflower got its unique name. Well, the answer to that is simple: their enormity conjures the image of mammoths, you know those huge, hulking beasts covered in thick, shaggy fur, lumbering through icy wastelands in packs. Curious about these truly giant examples of sunflower-kind? Read on to learn everything you need to know … [Read more...] about The Impressive Mammoth Russian Sunflower
Plants
Flabellinopsis iodinea
Flabellinopsis iodinea, the Spanish shawl, is a species of aeolid nudibranch, a very colorful sea slug. This is a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Flabellinidae. Distribution This species is native to the west coast of North America and farther south. It has been reported as far north as British Columbia, Canada, and as far south as Punta … [Read more...] about Flabellinopsis iodinea
Heliconia rostrata
Heliconia rostrata, the hanging lobster claw or false bird of paradise, is a herbaceous perennial plant native to El Salvador, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, and Ecuador, and naturalized in Puerto Rico.[2] Other heliconias grow in an upright position (e.g. Heliconia … [Read more...] about Heliconia rostrata
Only A Sheet Of Ice Protects You From Falling 300 Metres Down This Abyss
Photographer Aaron Huey, who is on assignment for National Geographic, recently shared a picture of a frighteningly deep hole on the Lower Ruth Glacier. The only thing stopping people from plummeting down the 304.8m drop into the ground is a sheet of ice. One crack, though. Huey wrote: Staring down what could be a 1,000ft deep worm hole through the blue ice of the Lower … [Read more...] about Only A Sheet Of Ice Protects You From Falling 300 Metres Down This Abyss
Qanat
A qanat, also known as kārīz, is an underground aqueduct system used for transporting water from an aquifer or water well to the surface. Originating in Iran around 3,000 years ago, the system has various regional names across North Africa and the Middle East, including foggara in Algeria, khettara in Morocco, and falaj in Oman. The qanat system is still operational in Iran, … [Read more...] about Qanat