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Old Japanese Maple-Flickr image, thanks to Radium Rat for making this photo bloggable!
Trees are the longest lived things on the planet. Several are known to be about 2,000 years old, at least, but how about a sapling only 3 years green sprouted from a seed that was over 2,000? The previous record for a viable seed was 1,300 years. In an AP article by Randolph E. Schmid posted today the news is about a date palm seed from Masada and the healthy sapling it has grown into. It’s amazing that the seed remained viable so long, but it raises the question of how to think or talk about age? This genetic material is clearly 2,000 years old but the growing tree is only three. This may be a rare, natural case; yet, in the biological age (as opposed to industrial or atomic ages) that we find ourselves embarked upon future discoveries and creations will demand that we adjust to a more curious living world than what we thought we were living in.
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Phoenix lander has made it safely to Mars! I’m watching NasaTV now and these guys are ecstatic. It’s like their team won the Superbowl (only actually much more important in the big picture). I heard one in the background yelling: “We’re down, baby. We’re down!” Nasa TV - exciting - who would have guessed.
Now - the questions, How much water, how easy to reach it, is there/was there life in the water that is now captured in the permafrost of the Martian pole?
Report is that the landing was PERFECT. However we are still waiting to see if the solar arrays deploy correctly in order for Phoneix to fulfill its mission.
One of the most successful parks in Philadelphia is the long, narrow Schuykill Banks in Center City. It runs along the Schuykill River on the east side from the Waterworks Museum & Restaurant south to Locust St. The photographer of this photo has noted that construction on the next segment - from Locust St. to the South St. bridge - is slated to start in August.
Schuykill Banks is a perfect example of the “Build it and they will come,” philosophy. From the time the asphalt path was laid, and well before other landscaping was complete, the park has attracted people in droves. Although I-76 parallels the park on the west side of the river offering a less than scenic backdrop, one perfect gem of a building does enhance the view to the west — the Circa Centre, the new headquarters of Amtrak.
Fen Branklin has captured this sight on a beautiful day just like today. Thanks to him for making his photos bloggable. Check out his Flickr account for some of the best photos of Philadelphia available.
Sitting here watching Dane Cook - Vicious Circle on the Comedy Channel. I like this guy. A bit Will Ferrell and Robin Williams in a more attractive package. He is quick and dynamic. Not everything is brilliant but the sum is better than average. Very good, in fact.
What does it take to destroy a dam and restore a vast marshland? Pyrotechnics. This video captures the explosive destruction of a dam in Southern Oregon to re-connect the waters of a man-made lake with the natural marshlands below it. The curtain of earth shooting into the air is impressive. The anticipation of a more naturalized water flow and the preservation of stressed fish species in the watershed is really impressive. (Note: I’ve been a contributing member of The Nature Conservancy since the 90’s).
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