Earth Changes
A purple gallinule was found near the 80-Acre Conservation Area near Hobbs Pond
On Jan. 19, dog walker Susie Duff discovered the bird when her two dogs stopped to examine something about 20 feet off a trail. When she approached, she observed an "odd bird" sitting motionless, but alive on the ground.
Conservation Agent Michele Grzenda received the email on Monday night.
"Being an avid bird watcher, I'm always intrigued when I receive a mystery bird inquiry," Grzenda said. "Fortunately Susie was able to take a couple of pictures and attach them to the email she sent me. I took one look at the photo and quickly emailed back, 'Wow! Susie, you have to take me to that bird first thing tomorrow.' I suspected the bird would not last the night, since it was so approachable and far away from its normal habitat."
'Global warming' in action.
Snow wasn't over, but the New York Times was.
A few days after the New York Times forecast a snowless future in 2014, a major snowstorm (which didn't read the paper and wasn't aware of the 97% scientific consensus) hit shutting down airports, causing major accidents and killing dozens of people. Thirteen inches of snow fell over the city.
A week after warning of the end of snow, the New York Times was instead forced to report on "downed power lines, stranded travelers, abandoned vehicles and yet another mess of snow, slush and ice."
The beautiful drake King Eider was found off St Combs in Aberdeenshire, on Wednesday.
Described as one of North America's most spectacular species, the King Eider forms large flocks during spring migration, sometimes exceeding 10,000 individuals, however, this duck appears to have been split from the flock.
Elsewhere a Ridgway's Cackling Goose was spotted at Castle Kennedy near Stranraer in Dumfries and Galloway.
The rare goose is native to North America. It breeds in northern Canada and Alaska in a variety of tundra habitats.
Source: The Press and Journal
© Fred Dufour/AFP/Getty Images
Anshun's speech came days before the market research company Euromonitor International announced, in its findings on theglobal tourism market in 2013, that tourism to Beijing had declined by 10% from the year before due to pollution and a countrywide economic slowdown. The company's top 100 city destination rankings, released on Tuesday, ranked Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok in its top three spots, followed by London and Paris. Beijing ranked 34th, in between Johannesburg and Sofia, Bulgaria.
© Caters News Agency
A photographer has captured amazing images of methane bubbles in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. Pictured are some methane gas bubbles underneath Vermillion Lake
A photographer has captured amazing images of methane bubbles in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. Pictured are some methane gas bubbles underneath Vermillion Lake
These lakes may look like they are full of bizarre floating sea creatures, but they are actually filled with thousands of frozen bubbles.
Snapped across Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, the natural wonders are made of highly flammable gas methane.
The gas - emitted by bacteria after they consume dead organic matter - is fairly harmless, but these bubbles can cause an explosion if lit.
Paul Zizka, 35, tracked down the natural phenomenon, which he photographed at Lake Minnewanka, the Vermillion Lake and Abraham Lake.
Abraham Lake is the most commonly-photographed spot for the spectacular sight.
But adventure-loving Mr Zizka, who loves to explore, revealed Lake Minnewanka offers rival views - but is just a little trickier to get to.
He said: 'All three lakes are ever-changing, cover wide areas and provide endless possibilities for the keen landscape photographer. They are magical places to explore and I find myself returning to them often. The methane bubbles depicted in the photographs have generated a lot of buzz primarily on social media. Many people have never seen the phenomenon before. People marveled at the beauty of them and wondered what they really were.'
Comment: It is looking increasingly likely that electrical discharges may be causing recent strange phenomena, such as these glowing lights over the 'ring of fire' perhaps caused by the ignition of leaking methane which may also be contributing to the discovery of thousands of dead fish which is becoming more common and unusual whale behaviour.
Could increasing electrical interaction with different charge layers of the atmosphere (see Earth Changes and the Human-Cosmic Connection) ignite larger plumes of escaping methane in the future? Another manifestation of 'fire in the sky' perhaps?
The center usually doesn't see any ill sea lions washing ashore this time of the year, but already more than two dozen have needed treatment by the only licensed agency in the county.
At most, two or three might end up on the beach and need a rescue, but the center has taken in 28 this month while 13 sea lion pups washed ashore in December, Executive Director Keith Matassa said.
Further alarming the center's experts is an influx of varying species, Matassa added.
"The difference this year is we're also seeing different species we don't normally see down here," Matassa said.
© Ivan Maldonado
According to information from the Environmental Secretariat, the hailstorm was located between the Plaza Henry Portelinha, near the Bank Brazil,on Bible Square, close to the bus station and Rio Grande Street South, near the State Barboza Ferraz College.
At first there was a suspicion of environmental crime, which was dismissed by Secretary of Environment Jayme Ayres, moreover, the birds were badly hurt. "We talked with the population living here in this region and they confirmed the hailstorm yesterday (Sunday) at about 23 hours. The dead birds were found only where the hail occurred. "
According to Ayres, just before the hail there was a strong wind that frightened the birds. "Frightened by the wind, they went looking for another shelter. It was when there was a hailstorm which ended up killing the birds, "said Ayres.
@OPDABLE1A one-mile long ice jam is moving down the Platte River in Nebraska has caused flooding near Two Rivers State Park, about 30 miles west of Omaha.
Known victims have been rescued, @OPDABLE1 is heading back for fuel & returning to recon for more victims.
8:20 AM - 27 Jan 2015
Authorities have rescued five people and pets from the floods and ice. Three of the victims are thought to have been in their vehicle when it became trapped in flood waters. Around 20 residents have evacuated the area.
The National Weather Service in Omaha said:
Ice jam flooding along the Platte River in southwestern Douglas, western Sarpy county, and eastern Saunders counties. Warning in effect.They predict that jam will move towards the South Bend area, just west of Louisville.
The UK's second major quake in 48 hours struck in Rutland at around 10:25pm at a depth of around 10 kilometres, the US Geological Survey said.
According to residents, the tremor shook houses in the village of Cottesmore and the surrounding area. Jonathan Agnew, the BBC cricket correspondent who lives nearby, tweeted: "The earth just moved in the Vale. I mean seriously. Anyone else feel it?"
Others posted photographs of framed pictures hanging on the walls slightly askew to show the aftermath of the earthquake.
Sally Smart wrote: "Earthquake wow that was a biggen!! Thought a truck was coming through the house #adrenalinepumping."
The British Geological Survey (BGS) said: "Just looking into reports of a possible earthquake in the Leics/Rutland area. Watch this space."
Rutland is becoming something of an earthquake hotspot after three tremors were reported in two weeks last April.
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