Hydrangea is a popular ornamental plant native to southeast Asia. These large flowers are common in and around Kerala especially in the high ranges. The color of Hydrangea flowers vary from white, blue, red, pink and light purple. Continue reading
Bird of the Day: Hill Swallow
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Indian Shot (Canna indica)
Canna indica are popular ornamental flowers found in the high ranges of Kerala. The flowers bloom through out the year and in a range of different colors such as red, yellow and orange. Continue reading
Purposive Fun
He is probably already famous in geek world, but Matthew Inman (if you click through to his profile, scroll half way down the page to the Quizzes, Widgets, & Gadgets links on thoughtful subjects) just came to our attention because of our interest in underdogs, in creative communication, and in humor. Matthew is, in this regard, a trifecta. After reading the Tesla “comic” (all the way to the end, you should) click back out to the main site where he says he puts most of his time and energy these days. Brighten your day with a good laugh.
Bird of the Day: Crested Serpent Eagle
Uda Walawe, Sri Lanka
Questions About Conservation At 100
First, congratulations are in order for the birthday of such conservation efforts in Britain. And thanks to The Guardian for the provocative question and discussion that follows:
This pristine four-mile spit of shingle and sand in Norfolk is, of course, far older, but its purchase by the National Trust 100 years ago marked the beginning of a radical movement in Britain: instead of protecting specific species, the new environmentalists recognised that entire “reserves” must be created to save our wildlife. As the country’s first coastal nature reserve, Blakeney was also the British birthplace of the science of ecology, the urge to understand how species relate to each other.
Sour Cherry
The Sour Cherry is a tree in the Rosacease family found in the high ranges of Kerala, a state famous for its fruits. The fruit is small and fleshy, ranging from rose to a deeper red colour. They are popular for making jams, desserts and other culinary purposes. The fruits are also used for medicinal purposes as they are low in cholesterol and rich in fiber and vitamin C. Continue reading
From Behind the Wheel: Tattooed Wood
National Highway near Kerala-Tamil Nadu border
Burmese Python Invasion
Click to the left to go to the 38 seconds of video on a topic we first posted about here. It has a bit of ick factor, but the topic is of enormous consequence for the original ecosystems where these wild animals come from, not to mention the innocent creatures they encroach on in their new habitats.
Bird of the Day: Common Raven (Rancho Mirage, CA)
If You Happen To Be In Washington, DC
There was a remarkable new museum connected to books that we posted about not long back. Now, an exhibition in one of the world’s great libraries answering the question (so to speak): do books matter? You still have more than one month to catch it in person (but if you cannot catch it in person take half an hour with this podcast about the exhibition). Click the banner above to go to the exhibit’s website, which notes:
Books That Shaped America
June 25–September 29, 2012
Books That Shaped America marks a starting point—a way to spark a national conversation on books and their importance in Americans’ lives, and, indeed, in shaping our nation. The titles featured here (by American authors) have had a profound effect on American life, but they are by no means the only ones.
Malabar Nut (Adhatoda Vasica)
Malabar Nut is a large smooth-barked shrub endemic to the Western Ghats that grows up to 4-6 meters in height. The plant has been part of the the Ayurvedic pharmacopeia for 2000 years. The leaves are especially effective in treating irritating cough and other respiratory disorders. Midwives have also used the plant as a natural stimulant to labor. Continue reading
Green Urbanity
Plants grow on a rooftop farm in Greenpoint, New York. Photo: Mike Di Paola/Getty Images
Click the image above for the story in The Guardian:
Advocates say green infrastructure isn’t just about being green — it makes financial sense, as well. Its cost-effectiveness depends on how benefits are assigned and valued, and over how long a time scale, but green has been shown to be cheaper than gray.
A 2012 study by American Rivers, ECONorthwest, and other groups examined 479 projects around the country. About a quarter of the projects were more expensive, they concluded, and 31 percent cost the same; more than 44 percent brought the costs down, in some cases substantially. New York City, for example, expects to save $1.5 billion over the next 20 years by using green infrastructure.
Bird of the Day: Sri Lanka Blue Magpie
Sinharaja, Sri Lanka
Dear Pretenders, Best In Category Is Here
Commencement speech season is long over, and I barely remember this last batch, though from time to time I have an opportunity to watch those of people I admire. Thanks to the internet for that, among all its wonders. This one above does credit to the genre, and to the school, not to mention the speaker himself. I believe he is as good as any commencement speaker I have ever heard. The video of his talk has not gone viral, nor is it likely to. But Robert Krulwich, hitherto known to us mainly by his froggy nasal tones on Radio Lab and elsewhere, has arrived. At least, he is in our pantheon.
It is rare to find a half hour so well spent as this, whether or not you have university-aged kids, are a recent or soon to graduate university student yourself, or just plain curious how the man of wonders might mete advice given the opportunity. And thanks not least to him for introducing us to this amazing-sounding college. We will be interviewing for interns there soon, no doubt.
p.s. Jad, our feelings about you remain the same, but your buddy is now playing leap-frog.
Trailing Eclipta (Eclipta aalba)
Trailing Eclipta is an erect annual plant with rooted nodes and many branches. The leaves have fibrous hairs on both sides and the flowers are white. These plants thrive in the high ranges of Kerala and the rest of Western Ghats. In Ayurveda these plants are effective in treating inflammation, filariasis, wounds, skin diseases, leprosy, jaundice and fever.
Memo To CJ
Be careful what you wish for. According to a story in the New York Times someone has been trying something similar:
To John Sims, the Himalayas, with some of the finest mountain slopes in the world, seemed like the perfect place to build India’s first Western-style ski resort.But he got his first clue about the uphill challenge he faced when the local gods – or at least the holy men who claimed to speak for them – came out against his project here.In the seven years since, Mr. Sims, an American hotel developer with years of experience working in India, has encountered seemingly endless setbacks.
Bird of the Day: Black-crowned Palm Tanager
Bayahibe, Dominican Republic
Bon Anniversaire, Henri
If you happen to be in Paris, celebrate in person at the location he chose as repository for his photographic legacy. Thanks to the foundation that he, his wife and daughter created, you can do so here. If, like most people, you are not in Paris then their website will have to suffice for now:
“The 20th century was the century of the image …To tell Henri Cartier-Bresson’s story and to unravel his work is essentially to tell the story of a look. Continue reading
From Behind the Wheel: An Independence Day Tribute
BTH Junction, Ernakulam
