is this coincidence or a sign?

via @oasiseyes

nods thoughtfully. I hadn't even considered it. am I a bad person?

one bird in the inner sanctum

Famous Ukrainian poet and artist Taras Shevchenko befriended the African-American Shakespearean actor Ira Aldridge, while the latter was on tour to the Russian Empire in 1858. Shevchenko did his portrait in pastel. It is recounted that the two men got along very well. While posing for the portrait, Aldridge sang African-American songs to Shevchenko and in return, the artist taught him Ukrainian songs. 

Portrait of Ira Aldridge by Taras Shevchenko, 1858. Pastel on paper.

Source: Museu Virtual de la Moda de Catalunya [Fashion Virtual Museum of Catalonia]. Kept in Museu del Disseny [Design Museum] in Barcelona, Catalonia.

the chimney swift is a medium-sized member of the swift family primarily found in the southeastern united states + northern south america. at one point, these birds used hollow trees to nest; today, they are almost entirely found using man-made structures, primarily chimneys, which is how they get their name. like other swifts, they are unable to perch, but can vertically cling to surfaces. if groups of chimney swifts are disturbed, they may loudly clap their wings in an attempt to scare off predators. these birds live much of their lives in the air, and only feed on insects and arthropods caught in flight.

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Jon Moore

Internet Archive

In natural movement a horse's stride can only reach as far as their nose. You can observe it in this video, but when she lowers her head and pushes her nose out further, her stride actually gets bigger! She has learned that when another horse is gaining on her she can do this to make herself faster!

Internet Archive