Clathrus Archeri or Devil's Finger Fungus

Clathrus archeri is commonly known as octopus stinkhorn, or devil’s fingers, is a fungus indigenous to Australia and New Zealand, and an introduced species in Europe, North America and Asia. In Britain this amazing fungus is usually known as Devil’s Fingers, and in parts of the USA it is referred to as the Octopus Fungus. Source: CP

A Gigantic Crack Found in Arizone Desert Spotted First Time Using Drone Technology

A massive Two-mile crack is found in the Arizona desert, as Giant fissure in the earth is spotted for the first time using drone technology. This is first ever time, when AZGS had used drone footage to review the fissures in this way. The huge crack formed between March 2013 and December 2014, and it is thought the fissure may have grown after heavy rains in the fall of 2014. They’re experimenting with drone technology as a tool for mapping fissures and other surface features like, landslides masses. It seems a fresher crack, and could have been an underground void that reached the surface after a monsoon in 2016.

The fissures, which are fairly common in the Arizona desert, formed after 'extensive groundwater withdraws in the Sonoran Desert. Moreover, a cluster of the cracks subsists around Eloy, and in Cochise, La Paz, Maricopa, Pima and Pinal Counties, with the first having opened up near Eloy in 1929. The giant fissures are precarious to people off-roading and riding ATVs in the area, and also pose a risk to roaming livestock who can fall in and get stuck. Therefore, it is also unsafe to stand near the edge of a fissure due to the risk that it could suddenly cave in.

 

 

 

 

 

The Mother of 300 Trees

“Saalumarada Thimmakka” 105 years old women inspiring people of all generations with her unbelievable dedication to our planet. The one century old women planted about 300 trees, influenced by the fact that she and her late husband Sri Bikkala Chikkayya found themselves childless after 25 years of marriage. They are hailing from rural Karnataka, southern India, the motivated couple dealt with this despondency by nurturing, watering, and making the plants a part of their family.

She explained their verdict to cultivate trees to CNN. It was my destiny not to have any children. Because of that, we decided to plant trees and raise them and get blessings. We have carefully treated the trees just like our children. This cheering notion is particularly impressive considering the environmental conditions they faced the landscape is arid and has very slight rainfall. Hence, to properly care for the trees, the couple carried water for quite a lot of kilometers, but just like a protective parent, Chikkayya planted thorny bushes to protect the bunch from animals. Her great selfless efforts have since received the devotion they deserve. 

After year of efforts, finally she has a foundation established in her name called the “Saalumarada Thimmakka International Foundation” that’s dedicated to conserving the environment as well as supporting schools, education, and providing healthcare for those in need. Therefore, after years of caring for her plant children, she has someone to look after her in her advanced years an adopted son named Sri Umesh. She incessantly inspired by her environmental efforts, and acts as president for her organization and runs a nursery that provides trees to farmers, carrying on her legacy for years to come.

Superb Photographs Celebrate Autumn's Crimson Leaves, Misty Mornings and Foraging Wildlife

Well, in spite of Britain's tarnished habit for confusing with its schizophrenic weather, it is now officially autumn. Therefore, several are still mourning the summer, plenteously of others regard these months as those that form the best season of the year. Thus, it marks the arrival of fiery crimson leaves, chiller temperatures, clearer stars and finally, the excuse to shroud ourselves in snuggly jumpers and sip tea by the fire. Normally, people like autumn colors, scattering nature colors all over the ground. The autumn which derives its name from Etruscan, a pre-Roman language more than 2,000 years old also brings with it a decent chance to watch Britain's woodland wildlife. Therefore, few birds fly in while others habitually migrate away, numerous critters are out gathering nuts and berries in preparation for hibernation, and for stags, it's time to grow and display their wonderful antlers. Here’re a collection of autumnal photos to welcome in the falling leaves and shorter days. 

The Migration of Monarch Butterflies

The Mexican mountain where orange, black Monarch butterflies gather in countless numbers covers 10 ACRES after a 3,400 mile journey from the US, they've earned a rest. The butterflies travel down from the United States and Canada to spend their winters in the mountains west of Mexico City where they are counted by biologists. Unfortunately population of Monarch butterflies have been in serious decline in the recent years, but thanks to conservation efforts by the Canadian, Mexican and American governments, putting great efforts to increase the insects have been making a big comeback. The Monarch butterflies habit of congregating in thick clumps, are counted by the surface area they cover instead of individually.

The population has grown up since 2014 after a threatening drop as compare to previous decade. In the last winter the population had increased in significant number covered 10 acres, as compared to 2.8 acres of 2014. The lowest population was recorded in 2013, when only 1.66 acres covered. Millions of butterflies congregate, clustering onto pine and oyamel trees, appear orange and branches sag from the weight. These butterflies over the time to make this journey, four generations of monarch butterflies are born and die migration patterns are altered by climate change.

The nature lovers believed Mexico, United States, and Canada should enhance their conservation efforts to protect and restore the habitat of this butterfly along its migratory route. Moreover, in the recent times, United States is working to reinstate milkweed, a plant important to the butterflies' migration, on about 1,160 square miles within 5 years, both by planting and by designating pesticide-free areas. In addition it is also cracking down on illegal logging in the area the butterflies call home, as the trees are critical protection for the flimsy animals against the weather.

During migration, monarchs fly north once they are exposed to cooler temperatures. Therefore, dense congregations are supposed to conserve heat, however if warmed by the sun, the butterflies take flight. Moreover, the beating of their wings has been compared to the sound of a light rain and the reserve is susceptible to lethal, freezing temperatures.

The Beauty of Fallen Cherry Blossoms Petals

Every spring, photographer Danilo Dungo spends time at Inokashira Park to captures the dazzling bursts of Tokyo's cherry blossoms from a bird's-eye view. He directs his DJI Phantom drone over Inokashira Koen, a famous public park, to capture his shots during the short season of March till April, when the trees bloom in bright pink flowers. He rendered small and distant, the cherry blossoms seem to erupt from the earth like fluorescent fireworks, nestled in clusters of normal greenery and lined up against the edges of the park's central pond. Dungo has decided to shot the event mostly early in the morning, seems to have avoided extra attention which adds an extra layer of misty beauty and also, no crowds of people! Therefore, in several of the series' most stunning photographs, the fallen petals form patterns on the surface of the water, carpeting the rippled flows in their rosy hue.

He has become a master at capturing the natural event from all viewpoints, particularly with aerial shots that show the pink flowers covering the nearby lake. In others, a sight of the golden sky at sunrise explicates the quiet cast of mild mist across the scenery. Japan’s cherry blossoms typically do get all the visitors attention for their short-lived natural beauty. But equally ephemeral are Japan’s Nemophila, or Baby Blue Eyes. However, what makes the vistas mainly astonishing is the way that they capture such a brief spectacle and the cherry blossoms only last for about a week. Luckily, Dungo's photographs are durable, and you can check them out on his National Geographic Your Shot page.