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This has to be one of the most amazing natural photographs, even more than the weasel riding on the woodpecker: a long-extinct plant captured in a piece of amber:
Biologists describe a new species of extinct plant, based on two fossil flowers that were trapped in chunks of amber for at least 15 million years.
It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
So which phama giant will be the first to clone it?
Let's hope none - since it's a source of strychnine but, yes, that does probably make it more likely
It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
One thing that always puzzles me whenever I see photos or examples of what is depicted in french frank's OP: how come that flower managed to get fossilised before rotting away? We can't explain such a phenomenon by recourse to anaerobic conditions, because, were that the case, the plant wouldn't have been there in the first place.
Likewise with prehistoric footprints which survived until becoming rock strata.
One thing that always puzzles me whenever I see photos or examples of what is depicted in french frank's OP: how come that flower managed to get fossilised before rotting away?
Bugs, fungus and other life forms have been found trapped in amber.
The amber being originally tree resin the various life forms, usually insects, get stuck in it and I suppose if fully covered in the resin don't rot.
It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
I think the important point is that a fresh flower somehow became detached (strong wind, perhaps) and got stuck to the resin. Then it dried in the sun and gradually sank into the resin, which eventually hardened into amber. If the water content hadnt been dried away, I think it would have rotted despite being embedded.
Not sure if this is OT or not, but it was amazing.
Monday night we were out for a walk, and stopped for a sit on a bench which is at the top of a hill, and on a narrow country lane.
Anyway, a hare just walked along the road, about 3/4 yards in front of us and stopped. It waited long enough for me to fumble around and get a snap or two on my phone, and, entirely by luck ( because I hit the wrong button ! ) a very short video, including a it running off.
I'm happy to try to post a ( not very good !!)photo if anybody is interested.
Not sure if this is OT or not, but it was amazing.
Monday night we were out for a walk, and stopped for a sit on a bench which is at the top of a hill, and on a narrow country lane.
Anyway, a hare just walked along the road, about 3/4 yards in front of us and stopped. It waited long enough for me to fumble around and get a snap or two on my phone, and, entirely by luck ( because I hit the wrong button ! ) a very short video, including a it running off.
I'm happy to try to post a ( not very good !!)photo if anybody is interested.
Would love to see that!
I once saved a hare from a hunting dog while birdwatching in Spain - the hare came crashing through the undergrowth, dashed past me, the dog about 1 second behind it....I jumped forward, clapping loudly, startling the dog and throwing it off-balance - it stood there looking puzzled. The cazador arrived moments later, out of breath, looked at the dog, scratched his head - I was walking away nonchalantly by this stage as if I hadn't seen a thing
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