I’ve noticed before how biologists seem to adore some of the most bizarre examples of Mother Nature’s work, so I particularly like this quote from Dan Nilsson on the Box Jellyfish: "These are fantastic creatures with 24 eyes, four parallel brains and 60 arseholes".

 

Indeed.

Back in May, I revealed my plan for getting a Wollemi Pine, since my better half won’t countenance having its close relative – the Monkey Puzzle Tree – anywhere near any garden of his.

 

Alas, the plan has come to a screeching halt – and simple economics is to blame. The Guardian reports today on an auction of Wollemi Pines that has just been held in Sydney and the prices are way beyond what I can justify to myself (and more importantly, to my dear husband). There were 292 saplings that came up for auction, and it raised a total of £487,000. One batch of saplings went for a cool £4,200 per tree.

 

Oh well, back to the conifers, I suppose.

There’s a fascinating film that has been made, documenting the 17 year life-cycle of cicadas. It’s called Return of the 17-Year Cicadas. Go and watch it here.

 

Clearly made by people who love the cicadas – "In 2004, the residents of Bloomington, Indiana had the good fortune to be visited by one of the largest and most spectacular biological events on earth, the return of the 17-year periodical cicadas know(n) as Brood X." I’m not sure that the phrase "good fortune" is quite what I would have used – particularly when looking at the nymphs swarming over the ground, or the adults in their final frenzied mating flight. And Enya warbling on the soundtrack while trillions of the little buggers scurry about just didn’t resonate with me. Give me fluffy kittens, every time.

 

Nonetheless, it’s a terrific little film about an interesting example of evolution. If you like it, and you want more, then check out Microcosmos – a full feature-length film on the lives of insects.

 

(hat tip to PZ Myers over at Pharyngula)

I’m not the only one who thought that we had stumbled into Monty Python territory on hearing the news that a parrot had died of bird flu in the UK. CuriousHamster over at A Big Stick and a Small Carrot also made the connection. And he quite rightly points out the note of hysteria that seems to have got sounded on stories about bird flu. There’s a difference between being informed and panicking unnecessarily. The UK press and media seem to have concluded there’s more money to be made in stoking the fires of panic.

…he said, doing his best Sam Gamgee impersonation. For the last week we’ve been taking a short holiday in the province of Gelderland in The Netherlands. Getting to know the countryside that should, if all goes well on the house buying and selling front, become our home in about six months time.

 

There are some pleasant places in the future neighbourhood, such as a couple of woods within walking distance of the house…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Martin is already thinking about the dog he’s going to get to accompany him on long walks… He didn’t pass up the opportunity to examine labrador puppies. All together now: aawww!