Vigilance of Nature's World

 Turtle Patrol Finds 2-Headed Hatchling

Reported from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, “A group that monitors sea turtles has found a two-headed Loggerhead hatchling. The hatching was found alive and released into the ocean.

The animal, named Crush and Squirt couldn't really swim as the heads controlled separate flippers and weren't working together.”

The Beauty of Insects ~ and How to Help Them Survive

Reported to The Washington Post by Adrian Higgins: “I remember when people casually referred to all striped invertebrates as bees, when all insects were bugs and any such thing that buzzed in their vicinity required hosing with lethal poison.

Today, I suspect the mass consciousness has shifted to a kinder feeling toward these creatures ~ and with it an understanding that most insects enrich the gardening experience.

“You will find fewer than 100 types of frogs in North America...fewer than1,000 bird species...but more than 90,000 specific insects. People today speak of wildflower gardens for the pollinators ~ attracting monarchs and honeybees...even long-flowering perennials.

There are insects none of us want: mosquitoes, biting flies and those that want to snack on our beloved plants.

As a class of organisms, insects are obviously successful ~ they were flying, crawling and swimming around this planet long before we showed up. But for years, reports have argued that many species are disappearing ~ and more recently there has been much talk of a dire collapse of the insect world.

A 2017 study in Germany recorded a a 75 percent reduction in the collection of insects by weight, in 63 nature preserves in less than 3 decades.

This year, a review of 73 scientific papers spoke of a decline so rapid that if it went unabated, insects would suffer a mass extinction.

A conservation figure is 5.5 million.

In North America, 28% of the bumble species are considered 'threatened', and 19% of butterfly species are at 'risk of extinction.' Climate change...habitat loss...and pollution are harming animals and plants ~ and it is logical to assume that the mostly uncharted world of insects, is imperilled too ~ when you consider that pesticide use on the planet has never been higher.

Matthew Forister, an ecologist at the University of Nevada stated:

It is in the power of virtually everyone to help them and the results are almost immediate. Plant a zinnia in a balcony container ~ and a butterfly will show up. Convert part of your lawn into perennial beds and pollinators will appear. Your garden will be more interesting and beautiful.

We're not saying 'we don't need more science' ~ we have enough to make decisions and take action.

A Night at the Movies with 72 Goats

In a colour photo, a goat stands on a set of stairs next to Geoffrey Crow inside a Quonset hut for a 'screening of Uncle Buck'...starring John Candy at Triple C Farm.

Katrina Clarke reported to The Hamilton Spectator, “My cheeks are hurting because we're smiling so much,” when attending this movie at an Ancaster event.

“What's better than baby goats? said movie-goer Christine Jones. The cuteness factor is off the charts.

They're cute and they know how to get attention. Goats of all sizes swarmed people of all ages, rubbing furry bodies against legs...chewing sleeves ...and head-butting purses. “No, that's not my finger. Don't bite my finger, another woman scolded a goat.

Adam and Eve's Pets ~ A Bible Story

Adam and Eve said, Lord, when we were in the garden, You walked with us every day. Now, we do not see You anymore. We're lonesome here ~ and it is difficult for us to remember how much You love us.”

And God said, “I will create a companion for you that will be with you ~ and will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will love me when you cannot see me. Regardless how selfish or childish or unlovable you may be, this new companion will accept you as you are ~ and will love you as I do, in spite of yourselves.”

And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam and Eve.

And it was a good animal ~ and God was pleased.

And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and Eve and wagged his tail.

And Adam said, “Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdom, and I cannot think of a name for this new animal.

And God replied, “I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you: his name will be a reflection of my own name ~ and you will call him DOG.

And Dog lived with Adam and Eve ~ and was a companion to them and loved them.

And they were comforted. And God was pleased.

And Dog was content and wagged his tail.

After awhile, it came to pass that an angel come to the Lord and said, “Lord, Adam and Eve have become filled with pride. They strut and preen like peacocks and they believe they are worthy of adoration. Dog has indeed taught them that they are loved, but perhaps too well.”

And God said, “I will create for them a companion who will be with them ~ and see them as they are. The companion will remind them of their limitations, so they will know that they are not always worthy of adoration. And God created CAT to be a companion to Adam and Eve.

And Cat would not obey them. And when Adam and Eve gazed into Cat's eyes, they were reminded that they were not the supreme beings.

And Adam and Eve learned humility.
And they were greatly improved.
And God was pleased.
And Dog was happy.
And the Cat...

Couldn't care less one way or the other!

Writer: MBK...August 31, 2019
Comments welcome