Bees could build flat honeycombs from just three shapes: squares, triangles or hexagons. But for some reason, bees choose hexagons. Always “perfect” hexagons. Why?
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Trolltunga, Norway.
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The World’s First Vertical Forest is Nearing Completion in Milan, Italy
Architect Stefano Boeri designed Bosco Verticale, a vertical forest which will plant 900 trees on the balconies of 2 towers. This vegetation produces the same ecological footprint as 10,000 square meters of forest. And anyway, this way is much more fashion-forward.
Aside from looking ridiculously gorgeous, the vertical forest has abundant positive eco-effects as well. The plants will produce humidity and oxygen while protecting from radiation and pollution through absorbing carbon dioxide. The towers will use Aeolian and photovoltaic energy systems to increase the buildings’ self-sufficiency.
They will also attract birds and insects, creating a miniature ecosystem. The skyscraper forest was called “the most exciting new tower in the world” by the Financial Times and serves as an inspiration to other industrial spaces wishing to buffer their pollution output.
Source: HuffPo.
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Badab Soort Natural Spring, Iran
This is a side of Iran that isn’t seen enough. Instead of mullahs and nukes, people need to know about its natural and cultural beauty, its historical progressiveness and splendor, and the humanity of its populace — the majority of whom don’t prescribe to the tyranny and fanaticism of their authoritarian leaders (as the Green Revolution years back revealed).
Then again, maybe I’m politicizing this too much. Let’s just enjoy the image :P
(via courseofempire)
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Lake Tekapo, New Zealand.
19The last known rhinoceroses in Mozambique have been wiped out by poachers apparently working in cahoots with the game rangers responsible for protecting them, it has emerged.
2 Evidence continues to mount that corvids — which include crows, ravens, and magpies — are for more intelligent than most people realize. These animals have been known to utilize tools, solve puzzles, and even engage in play, as in this adorable video.
The ocean abyss is truly our last frontier outside of space.
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Abandoned fishing hut in Germany.
Bonobos are well known for their close relationships and peace-keeping behaviour, including sexual activity to help relieve tensions.
However, the process of consoling a distressed fellow ape following conflict was considered to be a complex behaviour, requiring sophisticated cognitive skills.
Scientists thought immature bonobos that do not have the experience of adult apes, would not be able to discern what the appropriate behaviour should be in these circumstances.
However, Dr Clay and colleagues observed bonobos of all ages making physical contact with the distressed victims of conflicts, offering a comforting embrace or sexual contact.
“In bonobos, comforting behaviours take numerous forms, which include embracing, touching, patting and a wide array of sexual contacts,” explained Dr Clay.
“Sexual behaviours are an especially important feature in comfort-giving and reconciliation in bonobos, while kissing - something observed in chimpanzees - is absent.”
3 Close-up photographs of insect wings. See more here. It’s hard to imagine that there is this much beauty in tiny animals most of us regard as nothing more than pests. Nature is as much a work of art as anything humans could come up with.
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