Amazing nature

[french frank]

This has to be one of the most amazing natural photographs, even more than the weasel riding on the woodpecker: a long-extinct plant captured in a piece of amber:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35582991

[Padraig]

A great photo, f f, and the description reads like a good detective story - and even mentions Hitchcock!

[Bryn]

So which phama giant will be the first to clone it?

[french frank]

So which phama giant will be the first to clone it?

Let's hope none - since it's a source of strychnine but, yes, that does probably make it more likely

[Serial_Apologist]

One thing that always puzzles me whenever I see photos or examples of what is depicted in french frank's OP: how come that flower managed to get fossilised before rotting away? We can't explain such a phenomenon by recourse to anaerobic conditions, because, were that the case, the plant wouldn't have been there in the first place.

Likewise with prehistoric footprints which survived until becoming rock strata.

Anyway, this could be a good thread!

[french frank]

One thing that always puzzles me whenever I see photos or examples of what is depicted in french frank's OP: how come that flower managed to get fossilised before rotting away?

Some comments here which explain a bit:

http://www.livescience.com/6316-life-trapped-amber-age-dinosaurs.html

The amber being originally tree resin the various life forms, usually insects, get stuck in it and I suppose if fully covered in the resin don't rot.

[umslopogaas]

I think the important point is that a fresh flower somehow became detached (strong wind, perhaps) and got stuck to the resin. Then it dried in the sun and gradually sank into the resin, which eventually hardened into amber. If the water content hadnt been dried away, I think it would have rotted despite being embedded.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

A few days ago, Frau A and I visited Yorkshire Arboretum, near Castle Howard. I didn't realise that sweet chestnuts grew in the north of England.

[teamsaint]

Not sure if this is OT or not, but it was amazing.
Monday night we were out for a walk, and stopped for a sit on a bench which is at the top of a hill, and on a narrow country lane.

Anyway, a hare just walked along the road, about 3/4 yards in front of us and stopped. It waited long enough for me to fumble around and get a snap or two on my phone, and, entirely by luck ( because I hit the wrong button ! ) a very short video, including a it running off.

I'm happy to try to post a ( not very good !!)photo if anybody is interested.

[Richard Tarleton]

A few days ago, Frau A and I visited Yorkshire Arboretum, near Castle Howard. I didn't realise that sweet chestnuts grew in the north of England.

See PM....

[Richard Tarleton]

Not sure if this is OT or not, but it was amazing.
Monday night we were out for a walk, and stopped for a sit on a bench which is at the top of a hill, and on a narrow country lane.

Anyway, a hare just walked along the road, about 3/4 yards in front of us and stopped. It waited long enough for me to fumble around and get a snap or two on my phone, and, entirely by luck ( because I hit the wrong button ! ) a very short video, including a it running off.

I'm happy to try to post a ( not very good !!)photo if anybody is interested.

Would love to see that!

I once saved a hare from a hunting dog while birdwatching in Spain - the hare came crashing through the undergrowth, dashed past me, the dog about 1 second behind it....I jumped forward, clapping loudly, startling the dog and throwing it off-balance - it stood there looking puzzled. The cazador arrived moments later, out of breath, looked at the dog, scratched his head - I was walking away nonchalantly by this stage as if I hadn't seen a thing

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Would love to see that!

[teamsaint]

Here she/he is.

sadly the one still that I got isn't great, but is at least an action shot.

If anybody knows how to post a video ( is vimeo the way ?), I'll try to put up the very short clip I got.

[teamsaint]

Well, I learned a new skill, though refinement required !!

[Richard Tarleton]

Terrific!

Magical creatures.