Aurora Dawn

A lesser masked weaver (Ploceus intermedius) in Phalaborwa, Limpopo Province

majestic sturgeon stamp post for my sturgeon lovers

ウミエラ

Every day we spend with pumas is incredible. Even simply sitting quietly with these cats as they rest is special—it’s a privilege just to be in their presence. But every so often, something truly unexpected happens. After walking with the puma Petaka for quite some time as she traveled in search of her next meal, she began to slow down, clearly looking for a place to settle for the night. As she moved casually across the landscape, she came upon a gray fox—known locally as a zorro gris—busy hunting in a small clearing. Petaka instantly dropped flat, crouching as low as she could. The fox, sensing movement, startled and trotted a short distance up the hill. After looking back and seeing no obvious threat, it returned to hunting, slowly making its way back toward the clearing, completely focused on the grass and any rodents hidden below. As the fox wandered closer and closer, Petaka showed remarkable restraint, lying perfectly still and nearly invisible in the grass. Then, with the fox only a handful of meters away, she exploded into action. She charged across the clearing, sending the fox racing into the nearby bushes. After several frantic circles around a large shrub and a quick back-and-forth chase, the nimble little fox managed to escape. It was a thrilling few moments and an unforgettable display of Petaka’s speed, power, and precision.

Think all eels live in water? Think again! In 2018 scientists described a new species of swamp eel which they believe resides almost entirely on land. The eel, dubbed Rakthamichthys rongsaw, is bright pink and has extremely tiny, almost non-functional eyes; a result of its subterranean lifestyle depriving it of the need for sight or pigment. Only one individual has been found in north-east India, so the extent of its distribution is currently unknown.

Meteor shower observed from the coast. The Romance of Our Wonderful World. 1926. Cover detail.