PhotoEditor61

Organisms in many kingdoms of life—including animals, plants and fungi—can create their own light through chemical reactions in their cells. Glowing fungi Mycena_chlorophos Ethereal glowing jellyfish gracefully drifting through the dark ocean, showcasing bioluminescent beauty. Credit: SPICHET MANORATANA SHUTTERSTOCK Waves of blue algae Credit: RugliG/iStockphoto Pyrocystis lunula is a…

On September 13, 2023 the world lost a well known and well loved artist from Columbia named Fernando Botero. Fernando Botero in Tuscany Photo Credit Gabriel Bouys AFP Botero depicted politicians, animals, saints, and scenes from his childhood in an inflated and colorful way that was instantly recognizable. His paintings were exhibited in leading museums, while his bronze sculptures can be found…

Harlequin Shrimp are tiny colorful crustaceans.  There are two variations of harlequin shrimp. Hymenocera picta, which is naturally found in the Pacific ocean, has a white body with purplish spots (shown above). And its cousin Hymenocera elegans from the Indian ocean features more reddish body spots. Both harlequin shrimp varieties feature an unusual body shape that’s almost reminiscent of a…

Adwa, the very first decisive victory of a black African power, is an important event in the shared memory of the entire African population. It demonstrated the spirit of unity, love and friendship among Ethiopians; but foremost, it showed the genuine role of women. Women marched alongside men to the battle at Adwa 127 years ago not as “comfort women”, but to fight against the Italian army. Just…

A tiny male Japanese puffer fish creates a grand sand sculpture on the featureless seabeds to attract the attention of passing females.  The nest size measures about seven feet in diameter and may take about seven to nine days to construct. Puffer fish couple courtship The nest is created for courtship and rearing young. Attracted by the grooves and ridges, a female puffer fish would find their…

TAGLIAPIETRA: Master Glass Blower

Blown Glass by Lino Tagliapietra Courtesy of Heller Gallery Mandara, 2005 by Lino Tagliapietra Born in 1934 on the island of Murano, neighboring Venice in the Venetian Lagoon, Lino Tagliapietra started working as an apprentice at the island’s glass furnaces and factories at age 11. He was soon regarded as a Maestro – master glass blower in his early twenties. During the 1960’s Lino started…

She Who Wrote: Enheduanna

A new exhibit at The Morgan Library & Museum highlights the women of Mesopotamia and their roles in religion as goddesses, priestesses, and worshippers as well as in social, economic and political spheres as mothers, workers, and rulers. One remarkable woman of the period was the priestess and poet Enheduanna (ca. 2300 B.C.)  Disc of Enheduanna White calcite Calcite disk, Ur, circa 2300…

The Resilience of Fig Trees

Figs are one of the most prominent fruits in the Bible, popping up repeatedly and inviting us to consider what they represent. Farming figs requires care, patience and maintenance, fertilizing and pruning. The shoots that pop up like periscopes must be trimmed, and many varieties won’t bear fruit until the fourth year.  New shoots can be propagated to grow a new fig tree. New fig tree growing…

Scientists at Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed the smallest human made flying structure. It’s about the size of a grain of sand. Microflier next to a lady bug Credit: Northwestern Universiy The microflier consists of two components. At the center is a miniaturized electronic system with a coil antenna and UV sensors. The exterior wings…

Bella da Costa Green

I just finished reading The Personnel Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. This book is about the little known personal librarian for J.P. Morgan. In the early 1900’s Belle worked in JP Morgan’s library acquiring rare books and manuscripts that were priceless works of art. A job almost completely unheard of in a time when women didn’t even have the right to vote! She was…

A Woman Takes Command

Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt Credit: US Navy Photo 200120-N-HD110-0245 SAN DIEGO (Jan. 20, 2020) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) transits San Diego Bay. Lincoln arrives at Naval Air Station North Island after a 10-month deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th, 5th, and 7th Fleet areas of operations.…

A Woman Takes Command

Captain Amy Bauernschmidt Credit: Navy Photo The Navy recently announced that Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt will assume command of USS Abraham Lincoln, marking the first time a female commanding officer will lead the crew of one of the Navy’s 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, according to officials. Bauernschmidt is a Milwaukee native. She graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May…

The Merchant House is considered one of the finest surviving examples of architecture from the Antebellum period, and has been recognized as a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In New York City, it has been awarded landmark status not only for its 1832 late-Federal brick exterior but also for its Greek revival interior rooms. The house was…

Toy Photographer Mitchel Wu

Photograph of Mitchel Wu taken for Mojo Nation Flintstones – Toy Photograph by Mitchel Wu Based in Los Angeles, Mitchel Wu creates and crafts stories through toy photography – capturing the illusion of motion and emotion where none exists.   After moving away from his career as a wedding photograph, Mitchel envisioned a new path for himself – one that would combine memories of both his and his…

Painting for the Future

The Swedish artist Hilma af Klint is considered the forerunner of abstract art with her magnificent works, created between 1906 – 1920, which only in the 21st century were understood and valued in all their dimensions.  Recently, the Guggenheim Museum in New York exhibited a unique and impressive exhibition called “Hilma af Klint: Paintings for the Future,” a remarkable recognition for the work…

Exciting Discoveries in Egypt

Saqqara Necropolis Photo credit: Dreamstime.com

Archaeologists have unearthed at least 59 sealed sarcophagi, with mummies inside most of them, at a vast necropolis south of Cairo.  Egypt’s Tourism and Antiquities Minister, Khaled el-Anany,  said Saturday that they had been buried in three wells more than 2,600 years ago.

The Saqqara plateau hosts at least 11 pyramids, including the Step…

United Arab Emirates in Space

In September 2019 Emirati astronaut, Al Mansoon, made history by becoming the first Arab on the International Space Station.  The former military pilot was invite to register for the UAE Astronaut Program through the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center.  He went through training at Yuri Gagarian Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia in preparation for the 8 day ISS mission. 

ISS crew…