I really loved The Overstory and this one seems be following the same format—various individuals character‘s stories which I assume will all intertwine at the end, but this time underwater rather than in the treetops. I‘m liking it!
current read
Month: March 2025
Anthracobia
I went off trail, down by the creek, and watched the little fishies, while listening to birdsong. Then I noticed this interesting fungus that reminded me of confetti sprinkles. iNaturalist tells me it’s in the Anthracobia genus.
tulips
Dieffenbachia
Along with dinosaurs and fossils and underwater photographs, this house has a lot of large Dieffenbachia plants.
Dieffenbachia is a perennial herbaceous plant with an upright stem and simple, alternate leaves marked by white spots and flecks, which make it a popular choice for indoor foliage. These plants are favored as houseplants due to their ability to thrive in low light conditions.
The common name “dumb cane” comes from the toxic effect of raphides found in the plant, which can impair speech. Ingesting the plant can lead to immediate numbness, followed by painful swelling of the feet, the formation of blisters, and swelling of the throat. These symptoms are accompanied by a painful stinging and burning sensation in the mouth and throat, which may persist for up to two weeks. So don’t be eating those leaves!
Tyrannosaurus rex
Why is T. Rex the best known of all the dinosaurs? Is it only in the western world that it’s the archetypal dinosaur—after all, the fossils have all been found in North America? Do folks from other cultures name a different beast if asked to say the first dinosaur that comes to mind?
T. rex lived in what is now western North America. It had a much wider range than other tyrannosaurids and its fossils are found in a range of geological formations. It was undeniably huge—modern estimates put it at 13 m (43 ft) in length. While there were other theropods that might have been just as big or bigger than Tyrannosaurus, it’s still one of the largest land carnivores ever, with the strongest bite force of any land animal. As the biggest carnivore around, Tyrannosaurus rex was probably an apex predator, though some experts think it was mostly a scavenger.
T. rex has been one of the best-known dinosaurs for over a hundred years, featuring in film, advertising, postal stamps, and many other media. It is the only dinosaur that is commonly known to the general public by its full scientific name. King Terrible Lizard, clearly, you rule.
good old girl
wildlife crossing
The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing—the largest of its kind in the world—is currently under construction nearby. I climbed the hill out back and saw it in the distance, spanning the 10-lane 101 freeway. Decades in the planning and fundraising, this vital structure will protect biodiversity across the region by linking undeveloped land that‘s currently fractured by major roads. It’s hoped that it will help prevent the extinction of our threatened mountain lion population. The crossing is due to be completed some time next year.
black lentils
I like the generic Whole Foods packaging for their black lentils, with the peekaboo window showing the product. I also like the price; I haven’t found better, locally or online (not sponsored!) Tonight’s dinner: Umami Mushroom and Lentil Stew. Mm-mmm.
sky watcher
I attended a docent continuing education session with Mr Skywatcher himself, Bill Selby. He started by asking: ‘When you’re taking the public on a walk, how much time do you spend observing the sky?” Mmm, hardly any, unless we’re watching a bird. ”It’s half your view!” he reminded us. “Focus on it!”
He went on to tell us that the National Weather Service costs a mere $4 per citizen per year, but its invaluable predictions are in jeopardy because of the current Federal cutbacks. I’m keen to read his book, The California Sky Watcher: Understanding Weather Patterns and What Comes Next. So much to learn about this wonderful world.
trilobite
Trilobites are extinct marine arthropods. They first appear in the fossil record of the Early Cambrian period (521 million years ago); the last trilobites disappeared in the mass extinction at the end of the Permian about 251.9 million years ago. Trilobites were among the most successful of all early animals, existing in oceans for almost 270 million years, with over 22,000 species having been described.
This very dramatic specimen, here in C’s office, has expansive genal (cheek) and pygidial (tail) spines. It was found in the nearly half billion year old Middle Ordovician Asery Level deposits of the Volkhov River region near Saint Petersburg, Russia.
hashiworks 