The penduline tits (Remiz pendulinus) construct amazingly ingenious nests. The name ‘penduline’ refers to the hanging bag nests that the bird builds for its eggs. While the shape and form of the nest are impressive on their own, it also features a very unique and important defense mechanism: a hidden entrance. Penduline tits primarily inhabit Eurasia, Africa, and North America. They typically measure between 3 to 4.3 inches (7.5 to 11 centimeters) in length and are characterized by a brown back, gray head, and a distinctive black mask. They construct pear-shaped nests on the branches of willow or birch trees. Initially, the male initiates nest construction by attaching plant fibers…
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The Sailing Stones of Death Valley
In California’s Death Valley, large stones move across the desert floor, leaving long trails behind them. Despite many studies, no one has directly observed how these stones move. The mystery of Death Valley’s “sailing stones” has long stumped visitors to the national park and scientists alike. How do rocks at an area called Racetrack Playa, some larger than a microwave, move several yards across the desert floor, leaving tell-tale trails in the sand? Ralph Lorenz, a planetary scientist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, may have cracked the case at his kitchen table. Lorenz employed a tried-and-true method for testing his nascent idea: the kitchen-table experiment. “I took…
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the deer visits Colorado store, returns with her family
A Colorado store employee said she was surprised the first time a deer walked through her doors, but even more so when the deer brought her whole family back later for a visit. Lori Jones said the deer, a doe she named “Mama,” walked into her store, Horsetooth Store, Gas, and RV Park, on Dec. 16 in Fort Collins, Colorado. “Mama came in the front door and I kind of did a double take,” Jones said. “She came on in and I just started laughing.” Jones said she tried to shoo Mama away, but the deer was too busy checking out a rack of sunglasses. The store policy prohibits anyone…
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Titanic
Why can’t the remains of the Titanic be resurfaced? The Titanic sank in 1912 and it took over seven decades to locate its remains. They will stay where they are until the ship is consumed and vanishes. The Titanic was on its maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in April 1912. The ship that had been touted as “unsinkable” set out from Southampton and was enroute to New York City when its hull was ripped open by an iceberg. It took around two hours and forty minutes for the massive ship to be claimed by the sea along with over 1,500 passengers. It would take over seven decades to locate…
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Hartashen Megalithic Avenue: Ancient Mystery of the Armenian Highlands
The Hartashen Megalithic Avenue, hidden deep in Armenia’s rugged terrain, is one of the world’s forgotten ancient wonders. Believed to be 6,000 to 8,000 years old, this mysterious site consists of towering stone monoliths, meticulously aligned across the landscape. Was it a ceremonial path? An ancient observatory? Its true purpose remains a mystery. Unlike Stonehenge or other famed sites, Hartashen has escaped the spotlight of mainstream archaeology, its secrets still buried beneath the soil. The towering stones, standing guard over the landscape, hint at a forgotten civilization with a sophisticated grasp of space and ritual. Yet, despite its age and potential significance, Hartashen remains largely unexcavated and unexplored. Multiple theories…
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Senior Man Mowing the Lawn
“We have the standard 6 ft. Fence in the backyard, and a few months Ago, I heard about burglaries increasing dramatically in the entire City. To make sure this never happened to me, I got an electric Fence and ran a single wire along the top of the fence. Actually, I got the biggest cattle charger Tractor Supply had, made For 26 miles of fence. I then used an 8 ft. Long ground rod, and Drove it 7.5 feet into the grund. The ground rod is the key, with The more you have in the ground, the better the fence works. One day I’m mowing the back yard with my…
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the longest bridge in the United States
This is the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana. It’s the longest bridge in the United States, spanning 23.79 miles across Lake Pontchartrain. It’s also the longest continuous bridge over water in the world. The bridge connects New Orleans with smaller communities on the north shore of the lake. It’s made up of two parallel bridges supported by 9,500 concrete pilings. And do NOT get on this road with a rickety car! Also, have enough gas to drive for at least another 45 minutes and a good spare tire before you DO.. Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Is The Longest Bridge Over WaterFor starters, Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is 23.8 miles long. For perspective,…
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Empty House
I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had just finished a rough first day on the job: a flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient one ton truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked up the front walk, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands. When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation.. His face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two…
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Man Collects $4 Million Lottery Prize with His Dog — and Plans Animal Rescue Donation
What would you do if you won the lottery? Many of us have big dreams of what we would spend it on, like a new house or a car. But when one animal-loving Massachusetts man won millions on a scratch-off, one of his first actions was to give back to pets in need. Paul Riley, from Peabody, Massachusetts, purchased a Massachusetts State Lottery “100X Cash” instant ticket game from a local store. He scratched it off and was stunned to discover he won the game’s $4 million prize, according to a news release. Share Described as “an animal lover,” Paul showed up with his little dog Raven when he showed up…
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THE RIVER HAS MOVED
In 1996, the “New Choluteca Bridge” (also known as the Bridge of the Rising Sun as a nod to the Japanese company that designed and constructed it) was built and in 1998 it opened for use in Choluteca, Honduras. In October of 1998, Hurricane Mitch hit the region causing widespread flooding and devastation. The rising waters took out the access roads either side of the bridge but the bridge remained intact. However, when the flooding subsided it became evident that the river had carved a new path. It behoves us all, as individuals, families, leaderships and organisations to step back and do some assessing. Where is your river? Has it…
