Sneakeasy/nature

Awww, ain't love grand!

FROM THE PIECE:

"A BBC natural history crew has filmed the "humpback whale heat run", where 15m long, 40 tonne male whales fight it out to mate with even larger females.

During the first complete sequence of this behaviour ever captured, the male humpbacks swim at high speed behind the female, violently jostling for access.

The collisions between the males can be violent enough to kill."

All this fuss for a little (Or not so little, in this case, I suppose, hee, hee!) tail, and a chance to find true love, and happiness? ;-D

Awww, how sweet! Ain't love grand! ;-D

See, guys, SIZE doesn't always matter!

FROM THE STORY:

"Male Australian redback spiders who want to mate must provide exactly 100 minutes of courting or they are eaten by the giant female targets of their attention."

Of course, as the story explains, success at romance isn't guaranteed even if you meet the demands of the object of your affections. ;-D

Very cool!

If you ask me...this story is for the Birds!

Or is that "About"?

I'm just saying is all, hee, hee!

FROM THE ARTICLE:

"In the early 1890s, about 100 European starlings were released in New York City's Central Park by a group dedicated to bringing to America every bird ever mentioned by Shakespeare."

Proof that crazy Animal Lovers, and activists, existed in your great, and great-great-grandparents days. ;-D

Happy 65TH Birthday Smokey!

Who needs Yogi when we have you?

Your message is still as important as it was in my Mothers day, before I was born in 1960.

Your new Ads are cool, and you look more buff than Governor Arnold!

And that ain't no Boo Boo! ;-D

FROM THE WEBSITE:

"Smokey Bear is America's wildfire prevention icon. He has educated generations of Americans about their role in wildfire prevention. Created in 1944, the Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention campaign is the longest running public service advertising campaign in U.S. History.

As one of the world's most recognizable fictional characters, Smokey's image is protected by U.S. Federal Law and is administered by the USDA Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters and the Ad Council.

The campaign's original catch phrase was "Smokey Says - Care Will Prevent 9 out of 10 Forest Fires." In 1947 it was changed to "Remember... Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires." Most recently, in 2001, it was again modified to "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires" in response to a massive outbreak of wildfires in natural areas other than forests. The term "wildfire" applies to any unwanted, unplanned, uncontrolled outdoor fire."

The magnificent video tour of The Gardens at Grey Gardens, this is visual, and audio proof of a space in New York that is now alive again with music, and beauty.

Want to read about it, and see more pictures?

nytimes.com/2009/04/16/garden/16greygardens.html [nytimes.com/2009/04/16/garden/16greygardens.html]

THE STORY OF THE RESTORATION OF GREY GARDENS:

The fascinating story of how a rundown 1897 mansion, and its grounds, have been restored to magnificent beauty over the last 23 years.

Great photos!

Watch the Video here:

victoriafensterer.com/greygardens/greygardens.html [victoriafensterer.com/greygardens/greygardens.html]

A wonderful and thought-provking, essay by Henry David Thoreau on living, and thriving, thru enjoying a good walk.

FROM THE PIECE:

"We have felt that we almost alone hereabouts practised this noble art; though, to tell the truth, at least, if their own assertions are to be received, most of my townsmen would fain walk sometimes, as I do, but they cannot.

No wealth can buy the requisite leisure, freedom, and independence, which are the capital in this profession. It comes only by the grace of God. It requires a direct dispensation from heaven to become a walker.

You must be born into the family of the Walkers. Ambulator nascitur, non fit."