Toby the African pygmy falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus) is taking a dust bath at the Cincinnati Zoo. Birds secrete oil from a uropygial gland ('preen gland') that is antimicrobial, conditions & adds waterproofing. A dust bath helps remove this oil so a fresh layer can be applied.

Under polarized light, as in this video by ​Chloé Savard (Tardibabe, IG), raphides show "birefringent properties", meaning they split the light into component colors, like a crystalline prism, which is essentially what they are. And you're putting THIS on your pizza, folks. 😞

This viral video clip captured by Dean Boshoff of a desert rain frog (Breviceps macrops) highlights one aspect of their behavior: Their terrifying WAR CRY or alarm cry. (sound on) Let's learn a bit more about this African frog that lives along the sandy desert coast along Namibia & South Africa.

The 'global winter' produced by airborne ash & smoke would have been particularly devastating for animals already hungry & planning for a summer of bountiful foraging, probably magnifying the extinctions caused. And the paddlefish, at least those not buried in ash in North Dakota, kept on swimming.

'Allo' from Greek for "other." The other 'mothers' can be female siblings, aunts, or even unrelated females. They protect & tend to the baby, comfort it, teach it life skills, even nurse it in some cases. And baby elephant calves seem to be constantly in peril.

To bounce back from the brink of extinction caused by the accidental introduction of invasive species required the cooperative efforts of zoos, conservationists & the indigenous people of Guam, the Chamorro, for whom the sihek has special cultural significance.

Sassafras is a lover. Every December, he offers mealworms to the women in his life (the zoo staff) as part of courtship involving a special hoot & food gifts. Screech owls are socially monogamous, mate for life, but they repeat courtship behaviors every winter in preparation for mating.

The brown treesnake has no predators, a voracious appetite for birds/eggs & populations exploded to 2 million. Today, there are 10 times as many snakes as people on Guam. Thomas Seibert captured this video of their ability to climb nest boxes designed to be snake-proof, by looping their body.

Fleas can jump 200 times their height & 150 times their length. The human equivalent would be the ability to jump over the Eiffel Tower. Let's talk about the specialized super-protein behind their leaps: RESILIN. (📷: Gregory Sutton, Univ of Lincoln, UK)

Why do we dream? Or, more to the point, why does the platypus dream so MUCH? You're lucky to get 1.5-2 hrs of dream-rich REM sleep per night, but our duck-billed ballerina here gets >8 hrs. Did you know that spiders, fire ants & cuttlefish dream? (so far as we can tell) Let's talk about it.

The Iranian Parliament has introduced a bill proposing a $50 million dollar state funded bounty for the killings of Donald Trump, Netanyahu, and Brad Cooper, the US CENTCOM Commander, and other US and Israeli officials for the killing of their former supreme leader, calling it “reciprocal action.“

The spirit of Amiga PD games and shareware for Japanese computers: Alien's Egg. (1992) One of Compile's Disk Station magazine games released for PC-98. Monitor the hatching eggs and be quick to either rescue with a right click or blast away with left!

#Resist @val.sheshed.rocks @amhotflash.bsky.social @neverstopthefight.bsky.social @gwenie.bsky.social @jen.sheshed.rocks @coko.bsky.social @bab102.bsky.social @itistherealjas.bsky.social @quinnleone.bsky.social @lindaworkerbee.bsky.social @coffeeecandi44.bsky.social @metaresistance.bsky.social

NEW at Amazon audiobooks & Audible today is mystical MM romance A Stranger's Touch, excellently narrated by Gabriel Cassata! 🤩 PLUS I have a number of Audible US & UK vouchers for a FREE listen in exchange for a review - just let me know in the comments! 🥳 #mmromance #audiobook

Saying 'abortion' — without whispers or euphemisms — helps break down stigma and affirms that everyone deserves access to the care they need, without shame or apology. 💗 #SayAbortion #EndTheStigma #ReproductiveFreedom

On the 78th anniversary of the Nakba, a Palestinian and a Jewish artist presented a joint exhibition in Lüneburg. The New Arab reports from the ground and shares their story. By Rashad Alhindi

A brilliant visit to St Francis of Assisi this week, an amazing school with dedicated, caring teachers and staff who do so much for their pupils and our community. It was great to see the breakfast club in action, making a real difference for children and families -

If there’s nothing to hide, there’s no reason not to testify. The Epstein files are being covered up – and Trump must answer for it under oath.  The public deserves answers.

ICE and CBP will be on Capitol Hill tomorrow selling Trump’s 2027 budget, which allocates billions more to his mass deportation machine. Meanwhile, children are being detained for weeks in deplorable conditions.

Posts by a Reform candidate showing Muslims being bombed in Makkah caused outrage. Dr Naomi Green told LBC this is extremism and condemned calls for violence. Read the full interview: https://tr.ee/vaSQUO

IDF Invasion of Gaza City Today, Eric and I look at the Israeli Defense Force incursion into Gaza City. Listen and watch on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1lgk... Watch on YouTube: youtu.be/HBSlUj42qvA

I keep a close watch on this heart of mine I keep my eyes wide open all the time I keep the ends out for the tie that binds Because you're mine, I walk the line

LEGO. Flying saucers. An undeclared war. The Epstein files. This is what political commentary looks like in 2026 and I refuse to apologise. open.substack.com/pub/austinsi... #UFODisclosure #EpsteinFiles #IranWar #PoliticalDistraction #WarPowers #PURSUE #Trump #Geopolitics

Registering a complaint. #CatsOfBluesky

Double life, double trouble! 🌒🗡️ Dive into Delia's world where justice & vengeance collide. Ready for the thrill? Link in bio to explore! 📚✨ #TheAssassinsHeart #ThrillerReads #BookTok #MysteryLovers

Communities across the Lowcountry spent Memorial Day honoring the men and women who died serving the United States through ceremonies, patriotic music, and moments of remembrance held throughout the day. READ MORE: https://bit.ly/4fEvhG6

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday told a noisy audience to be quiet during a presentation at the University of Nairobi. The gathering had brought together investors, young entrepreneurs and business leaders for discussions on creative, cultural and youth industries and sport.

WEEKLY UPDATE: Minnesota Teacher of the Year candidate withdraws after Alpha News asked questions about his explicit public photos; the impeachment push against Gov. Walz and Attorney General Ellison deadlocks; Alpha News releases the trailer for an upcoming documentary ‘Minnesota Mao,’ and more.

That Chelsea 1 is a great strike and like he said it’s not normally how he hits the ball but that city 1 the way he turns those city defenders inside out is ridiculous he makes them all look stupid and then the finish with his right foot,outstanding👌

Ha, I just pulled this up from my longtime collection of favorite GIFs. Such a fabulous number!

Japan social tips Part 2 #travel #tiktoktravel #japan #tiktokjapan #foryou #foryoupage #fyp #anime #japanese #asian #traveljapan #learningjapanese

Orgull de campiones, orgull de ciutat 💙❤️

Arne Slot makes 4 changes from the Sunderland side, but make no mistake - he is going strong in the FA Cup. Fabian Huerzler and Brighton are doing the same, making for a fascinating matchup. #lfc #liverpool #Brighton #facup #teamnews

Dark Money: The Secret Cash Buying Your Vote Not a stripper name, it's what is controls elections and your vote. JJ and Toby break it down. #DarkMoney #CampaignFinance #Elections #Politics #Voting #PoliticalWordsForAdults

In 2022, when he was still working the Fox News job that elevated him into the Trump administration, Hegseth decried "insider trading" by federal officials "They enrich themselves while they're supposed to be temporary public servants"

Israel pounds Lebanon as Iran war hits day 90 Headlines we drew from: Israel strikes southern Lebanon after issuing evacuation orders south of the Zahrani… #BreakingBricks #YakYak #GeopoliticalThriller #MiddleEast #BobBrikko #ShortFilm #AIMovie #WorldNews #Storytelling #Trump #Netanyahu #Khamenei

How do you endure the unimaginable? For Karrie and Bob Burgess, the answer lies in turning a profound loss into a life-saving legacy.

A bizarre claim has been dropped by actor Duncan Trussell: AI is said to be wanted by Peter Thiel to "fix the apocalypse" and rewrite the Book of Revelation. 🇺🇸

PM Carney: "Led by the US, technological change is accelerating at a pace we have not seen in our lifetime. The US is transforming all of its commercial relationships, as is its right. The world is becoming more divided and dangerous. And Canada recognized these developments earlier than most."

The legendary adventure game Myst and its sequel Riven arrive on PlayStation VR2 today. Details here: www.uploadvr.com/myst-riven-r...

Hear from coaches, instructors, and experts from across the industry at one of our Coaching Symposiums! June's session features presentations from US Soccer Coach Educator Ian Barker, MNUFC Assistant Coach Danny Cruz, and more. Register » https://utd.mn/4fLe79Q

Admiral Rob Bauer: "It's remarkable how creative #Ukraine has been in terms of compensating in terms of technology and solutions for the lack of weapons. Tech drones is a good example where 70% of the Shahed drones are now being taken out by Ukrainian weapons, not Patriot missiles." 📹: DW

'Watching the Widlife' was released this week in 1987 as a single from the album 'Liverpool'. Here we are performing the song on the Dutch popshow "Countdown" that same year, it was Frankie Goes To Hollywood's last TV appearance.

LIKE?????????????????????

Tai Shan (Smithsonian National Zoo) enjoyed bamboo shoots on 5/20/26 💙

For @ofspiiderswords.bsky.social's eyes only.

A President with a heart.

#oktober #october #überblick #overview #spazierengehen #entspannung #ruhe #gelassenheit #erholung #wohlfühloase #wohlbefinden #goingforawalk #recovery #silence #wellbeing #chilling vm.tiktok.com/ZNd33hp3g/ youtube.com/shorts/5kt6d...

DO YOU WANT ICE TO HAVE $70 Billion AND NO ACCOUNTABILITY? Input Needed Before June 3 Appropriations Markups New Jersey Gov. Sherrill denied access to North Jersey immigration detention center as hunger strike enters fourth day open.substack.com/pub/charles4...

What happens when you turn Green Mango and Bagoong into a sorbet? 🥭🍧 #dessert #healthy #sweet #fruits

This is a Dance off! If you see this, post a dance or you're eliminated! 🎶💃🕺

Brad Lander likes to talk a big game about fighting ICE, but, as comptroller, he dramatically increased the city’s investments in Palantir — ICE’s favorite technology company. My team has actually been showing up for our immigrant neighbors, freeing 39 New Yorkers from ICE.

Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈 Boston is so proud to stand with our queer, trans, and nonbinary families, friends, and neighbors as we continue building a city that’s home for everyone.

A huge thank you to Pasta Polo and Ahyoung for donating food to people in a really difficult time. Happy to be able to deliver it with Mike Farnworth. #mlajennb #tricities #community #helpingothers

MacFarlane: We're seeing this unhinged unspooled name calling, often misogynistic, often racist stuff emanating from Washington. 60 minutes would not platform it without the proper scrutiny. You lose that and you lose one of the few things that exist that don't sane wash

Well, I call them fauxgressives but ahahahaha😉

📺Veja os destaques do #JN desta quinta-feira (4)

Lujan New Mexico presses Scott Bessent ( Howdy Doody )

Events have been taking place in Los Angeles to mark what would have been Marilyn Monroe’s 100th birthday. Fans gathered at the Chinese Theatre to celebrate the enduring legacy of Marilyn Monroe, one of Hollywood’s most iconic stars. #VMNews

Failure is an integral part of the journey. You gain more insight from your losses than from your wins. Each failure serves as a lesson, and every lesson contributes to your growth. #FailureIsPartOfSuccess #KeepMovingForward #GrowthMindset #NeverStopTrying