#i think its the genus name but I always think this bird should be from New Zealand

[proton-wobbler]

Genus: Zeledonia

Wrenthrush (Anthony Batista)

This bird is a whole host of "why is it named that? its not that kind of bird!" Neither a wren (Troglodytidae), nor a thrush (Turdidae), nor is it a member of the wood-warbler family (Parulidae). In 2017, along with the host of movements and restructuring that affected a lot of varying bird families, the Wrenthrush finally got its proper sorting: It's own family, Zeledoniidae! Like many of the outlying songbird families, it can be hard to pinpoint their place in the "family tree" (or perhaps "order tree" would be a better way to describe it--). The current theory is that the Wrenthrush is likely related to Spindalidae and the Cuban Warblers (Teretistridae), as well as more distantly related to New World sparrows (Passerellidae) and New World blackbirds (Icteridae).

The etymology behind the name is a commemoration of a Costa Rican ornithologist named José Castulo Zeledón.

[shift-shaping]

Top 5 birds

this is an extremely difficult question i hope you know this

First, let's define what a bird is. This probably seems like a pretty easy question, but ask any paleontologist and you'll get like four different answers. From the same person.

Because phylogenetically, it's extremely difficult to say, definitely, what makes a bird a bird. For a drunk, slightly-outdated explanation of why paleontologists don't know what birds are, check out the following video:

It's not my video to be clear, I just really like it for all the confusion it illustrates. One of my favorite ways to piss off my colleagues is to call Triceratops a bird, which nobody likes to hear because it's stupid as fuck, but if feathers make something a bird then, well...

ANYWAY. For the sake of this ask, I'm going to use Avialae as my cutoff for Bird because it sounds pretty and (probably) includes Archaeopteryx but not Dromaeosaurus. Unfortunately this does not include Microraptor, which is very sad because Microraptor is a good little friend. This does, however, probably include the Scansoriopterygids, the real-life wyverns that I wrote a post about here.

Above left: Archaeopteryx, from Nat Geo Kids. Above right: Dromaeosaurus, from Gabriel N.U.

So here are my birds below the cut:

5. Secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius)

First off, nice genus name, though I think she's a gemini. This is a gorgeous bird of prey from Subsaharan Africa that looks kind of like a vulture in flight but a bitch on the ground. They kick snakes to death because of course they do. They are the only member of their family, Sagittariidae, which is within Accipitriformes and therefore places them closer to hawks and eagles rather than falcons.

4. Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin)

SKUNK BIRD SKUNK BIRD THESE GUYS ARE FART MONSTERS. They are the only living members of their entire order! Their babies still have claws on their wings! Hoatzin are herbivorous birds from the Amazon that like leaves and fruit and have a weird digestive system convergent on mammalian ruminants. Food ferments in their strange gut which gives them a bad stink and a bad taste. Despite being fairly large, poor fliers, they smell and taste so bad that people don't eat them. In addition, their preferred habitat (swampy marshlands rather than true rainforest) is disappearing slower than the rainforest proper, so these stinky idiots are IUCN Least Concern.

3. Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura)

If you live in the United States and see a fairly large black bird circling above you and trying its damnedest not to flap its wings, it's probably a turkey vulture. They are lazy and have few natural predators. These guys sometimes get a bad rap because their cousins, the black vultures, are not terribly well-behaved and will sometimes attack newborn cattle. Turkey vultures do not kill. They are too lazy. I love them because they refuse to expend effort, even on flying, and that's an entire mood. They're also pretty chill. I met one named Lurch at ZooMontana who was a bro that had been raised as a pet and thought he was a human. Other vultures perplexed him.

2. Confuciusornis

Above is a stunning specimen of Confuciusornis sanctus currently residing at the Natural History Museum of Vienna. It's actually a really common creature in the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation in Northern China. It's small, about the size of a pigeon, and those double tail feathers are not present in every specimen --possibly indicating sexual dimorphism. There's debate over how good these little dudes were at flying, but the most recent evidence I could find suggests they could perform powered flight in short bursts.

There is a persistent myth that paleontologists cannot know what color an extinct animal was. We actually can discern color for particularly well-preserved specimens, though this is an emerging concept with lots of ongoing research. The presence of fossilized melanosomes (organelles visible under a microscope that carry color information for soft tissue) possibly indicates they were a rusty brown color, but other researchers think they may have been closer to gold and white.

Above left from DK Find Out

1. Black-billed magpie (Pica hudsonia)

I love these horrible bastards!!!!!! They're so trashy and loud!!!! They are easily one of my favorite animals ever, full stop. They are notorious for eating songbird eggs and chicks, but they actually don't do that terribly often. They prefer ~your garbage~ or, truthfully, nuts and seeds and lots and lots of bugs. Like crows and ravens, magpies (which are also Corvids) follow wolves and other predators to scavenge from their kills. Also like crows and ravens, magpies are highly intelligent. They were the first non-mammal to pass the mirror test, indicating that magpies can very likely recognize themselves in a mirror. Magpies hold funerals (or post-mortems...) for their dead and can be taught human speech.

They are stunningly beautiful animals, but Western culture refuses to understand them and chooses prejudice and ignorance over curiosity and compassion. Let me be clear: if you hate magpies (or really any animal; they're just doing their thing) I do not like you. That sounds harsh, but it is unfathomable to me that a person would actually hate an animal for living its life. They are not gentle, they are not sweet (usually, tw animal death in video: a baby magpie is rescued after its possible siblings were found shot), but they are vibrantly beautiful survivalists that have found a way to thrive among creatures that villainize them. You don't have to love or even like them, but every animal deserves respect. Magpies just deserve a little more. ;)

I can do Eir's favorite birds in another post with more detail, but Tumblr is trying to keep me from spreading the good news by enforcing an image limit so for now, a list of Eir's favorite birbs:

5. Red-tailed hawk. They're fairly large survivalists that live fucking everywhere in the US. She would definitely relate to their hardiness and determination. Also, they're the ones that make the hawk noise (at 0:31).

4. Little blue penguin. I maintain that if Thedas is in the Southern Hemisphere, it should have penguins. Eirwen is not always one to freak out over cute things, but her cold hard heart would absolutely melt for a little blue penguin.

3. These fucking things. Just because they're hilarious.

2. Pigeons. In some life or another, she is a crazy pigeon lady. There's a fun AU! She would love having so many small, chubby, cooing friends to feed and care for. I could see her devoting her retirement to a flock of stupid round bird children because that's just who she is.

1. Carrion crow. Because of course.

[tomsgreg]

Are Lovebirds Pigeons Too?

Summary:  When Stanley becomes disappointed that nobody wants to join his bird-watching club, Richie decides to be a good friend and join him in his endeavors.

Notes:  Hey! Hopefully, you enjoy this! I actually researched birds native to Maine for this! Like, reblog. reply, and or send asks if you do!

Ao3: Are Lovebirds Pigeons Too?

   Stan loved the losers, he did, but he’d also be lying if he said he didn’t wish he had some other friends who appreciated his some of his other interests more. Sure his baseball team appreciated baseball the way he did, but he doesn’t exactly enjoy spending time with them outside of when he needs to be. He just wished he had somebody to sit and watch birds with every so often. That’s why he started the bird watching club. Yet here he was, at the fifth meeting, alone again. He doesn’t know why he made this stupid club, he was perfectly fine watching birds alone until the idea came to him that maybe he didn’t have to, but, evidently, he does have to.

----

    A week later and Stan was preparing himself to once again be let down by the lack of people in his club. You’d think that after a month and a half of the same it would be less disappointing, but it doesn’t. It just becomes more of a reminder that your interests aren’t normal for people your own age. Stan shut his locker and walked towards the school’s exit when he felt a familiar set of hands on his shoulders,

    “Stan my man, what’s up? Going to that bird club of yours?”

    Stan sighed and stopped walking, turning towards his best friend, “I’d hardly call it a club, Richie. It’s just me there every week.”

    Richie was going to make a joke about Stan trying to replace the losers, or even about birds being lame and that’s why nobody wants to join, but he was looking at Stan looking genuinely sad. He never saw his friend like this over being alone. Usually, Stan valued his alone time every so often. Suddenly Richie had an idea.

    “You know, Stan, if you want someone to come with you today, I’ll go.”

    Stan nearly scoffed at the idea, Richie was his best friend, so he knew better than to think he had any interest in bird watching, “Rich, you really don’t have to. You can just go home and-”

    “No, Stan! I want to-I really want to go with you. I think it would be fun.” Richie smiled nervously, Stan noticed that for the first time since they met, Richie looked nervous to be around him, almost the way he used to look at Bowers’s cousin during that summer, but it couldn’t be. Stan was just reading too deeply into it. Richie doesn’t like him.

    Stan returned a sheepish smile before replying, “Then what are we waiting for, trashmouth? Let's go.”

    Stan and Richie left the school and headed towards the quarry.

    “Stan, why are we going to the quarry? We spent the whole fucking summer there. There are no birds.”

    Stan shook his head, “Then you haven’t been paying enough attention. Besides, that’s not where we’re going. We’re going to the woods.”

    Richie raised his eyebrows, “The woods? Oh, near the kissing bridge? How romantic Stanley.”

    Stan’s face felt hot and he knew it was bright red. Usually he’d be unbothered by Richie’s comments, but with the way he was staring at him earlier, and now Stan is holding Richie by the hand, leading him towards the area Richie had never been before, it’s all a bit too much for him, “Shut up, Richie.” Unbeknownst to Stan, Richie was also blushing, struggling to keep his up with his usual trashmouth self. Stan stopped walking and he let go of Richie’s hand, “We’re here.” he said, removing his blanket from his bag and his pair of binoculars. He laid the blanket down before sitting and patting the blanket next to him, signaling for Richie to sit, which he gladly did.

    “Ya know Stan, I still don’t see many birds.”

    “We just got here. They’ll come. We just have to be quiet and wait.”

    The two boys sat together in the comfortable silence they’ve come to enjoy over so many years of friendship. Stan shifted slightly and his hand brushed against Richie’s. Both pretended not to notice the other’s cheeks become a subtle shade of pink, because there’s no way it could be because of the other. Richie was watching Stan and suddenly his face lit up.

    “What do you see, Stanny?” Richie asked, and the small bird looked towards them briefly before choosing to ignore them.

    “Be quiet,” Stan whispered, pointing to the small brown bird in the tree, “it’s up there.”

    “Is that a pigeon?” Richie asked, his voice hardly a whisper.

    Stan shook his head, he should’ve known Richie would treat this as a joke, but he told him anyway, “It’s a black-billed cuckoo. Coccyzus erythropthalmus. One of the few cuckoo species that look after their own eggs. They’re omnivorous, mainly eat insects though,”

    Stan continued speaking about the bird and Richie intently listened, eyes shifting from the bird and towards Stan. He looked at Stan’s brown eyes and his smile reached them. Stan looked genuinely happy and his passion made Stan look all the more beautiful to Richie. He wanted to kiss him and tell him how beautiful he looked when he was passionate, but he kept quiet, knowing Stan could never reciprocate.

    Stan stopped speaking and Richie pointed over to a tree branch directly above them, the two boys laid back, “What about that Stan? Is that a pigeon?”

    Stan shook his head, “Richie, it's safe to say we won’t see many pigeons here.”

    “But we have, because that’s a pigeon, right?”

    Stan shook his head again, this time letting out a soft chuckle, “No. It’s a great crested flycatcher. Myiarchus crinitus. It’s the most widespread member of its genus. It’s almost always in the treetops. It actually doesn’t have sexual dimorphism like most birds do. Males and females generally look the same.”

    Richie stared at Stan again, looking at his soft lips and wondering how they’d feel against his own.

    “Richie,” Richie was still in his own head when Stan lightly smacked his shoulder, and he became aware of how dark it suddenly was, “Rich. It’s getting dark. We should go home now.”

    Richie sat back up and nodded, before standing and helping Stan fold his blanket, “You know Uris, I really enjoyed being here today. Would it be okay if I came with you next week?”

    Stan smiled widely, nodding his head. Maybe he didn’t need new friends to bird watch with him. Maybe he just needed Richie. Richie who made him laugh, and who laughs at Stan’s jokes even when he doesn’t understand it. Richie, who he had a huge crush on.

----

    Weeks go by and Stan and Richie fell into their comfortable rhythm. Every Monday after school, the pair meet up at Stan’s locker, they leave, and find their favorite tree to sit under. Well, Stan’s favorite tree to sit under, Richie doesn‘t know enough about trees to have a favorite, but if Stan likes that one then there must be a reason why. Every time they see a bird Richie asks “is that a pigeon?”, to which Stan always replies with a whole slew of information about the bird, and slowly Richie begins to understand why Stan loves this so much. Richie compulsively performs for the world to feel seen, but Stan sees him, and he sees more than just “trashmouth”. Stan sees Richie as the smart, funny, loyal friend that he is. It’s easy to forget Richie’s act is just that, an act, but Stan never does. That’s why I love him , Richie thinks to himself.

    “Hello? Earth to Richie? You okay?” Eddie asked, waving his hand in front of his face.

    Richie shook his head, coming out of his daze, “Huh? Yeah Spaghetti man. Just thinking about your mom.”

    The rest of the losers let out a small chuckle, the one they let out whenever Richie makes a “classic Richie” joke.

    “Oh very funny, trashmouth. Come up with some new material.”

    “Can’t. I have a brand, Eds. Would you ask John Mulaney to stop talking about his wife?” Richie looked at Eddie with a smile that screamed ‘you know I’m right’.

    Eddie turned away from his friend, this time addressing the group as a whole, “So like I was saying, Stan, are you still looking for people to join your bird watching club?”

    “I mean it’s hardly a club. It’s just Richie and I.” Stan looked at his friend and they exchanged soft smiles.

    “S...o do you want us t-to join?” Bill asked, “If we’re all there maybe m-more people would c-come.”

    “Strength in numbers,” Bev added.

    “If you guys want. Nobody is gonna force you to, but if you think you’d have fun go ahead. Meet us at my locker after 8th period today.”

---

    So they did, and Stan led them down towards the quarry, like he did the first time he took Richie, except this time, they didn’t sit down under their usual tree. Instead, opting to walk south a few extra yards before settling down. Per usual Stan and Richie sat next to each other, personal space hardly existing, Bill and Eddie to Stan’s left and Mike, Bev, and Ben to Richie’s right.

    “So when do the birds show up?” Mike wondered.

    Stan went to reply, but before he could Richie whispered his reply, “Well, sometimes we don’t see any, but it helps to be quiet.”

    The rest of their friends looked at the pair quizzically, disbelieving that Richie would find interest in a hobby that involved such quiet, reading their reactions, Stan quietly told the losers that, no, Richie did not, in fact, scare the birds away.

    A few moments passed before Ben pointed to Stan and Richie’s usual bird watching tree, “What’s that?” he asked.

    “That’s a calliope hummingbird. Selasphorus calliope. It’s named after the Greek muse Calliope. It’s actually late in the season to be seeing one this far north.” Richie told Ben. This time even Stan was surprised at Richie’s answer.

    Stan looked up at Richie, looking pleasantly surprised by his friend’s knowledge, “I never told you about them,”

    “I know, but I fell in love, so I did some research of my own,” Richie replied, smiling sheepishly and staring directly into Stan’s eyes, trying to say three very important words without actually speaking.

    “With bird watching?” Stan asked, his heart beating out of his chest, face red. He was returning Richie’s gaze and, hey Stan hadn’t noticed his hand was on Richie’s, no need to move it though. That would make it a thing , and it’s not a thing .

    Richie gulped and his smile went from sincere to playful, as he tried to laugh off what he said, “Of course. Bird watching.”

    Ben and Bev exchanged looks, wordlessly saying “Bird watching, my ass” and “We’ll talk later” to each other, respectively before shaking the moment off, returning their eyes to the bird.

    “Hey guys, what about that one?” Eddie asked, grabbing the pair’s attention and removing the two from each other's gaze and to the new bird, Stan’s hand lingering a moment longer before slowly removing it from Richie’s own and answering Eddie’s question.

    As the sun began to set the losers all head out of the woods and made their separate ways. Ben deciding to take the long way home to talk to Bev about what they noticed earlier.

    Bev was the first of the pair to speak, “So, you know we can’t go to the next meeting, right?”

    “Of course. I’m sure bird watching is fun, but we were definitely sitting in on their thing . It would be like if everyone else sat around watching us when we show each other new music.”

    “Exactly. So how are we going to convince everyone else not to go?”

----

    The rest of the week came and went, and it was Monday again. Just as they did the week before everyone had gathered around Stan’s locker.

    “Are you guys ready to go bird watching again?” Mike asked his friends, “I had fun last week” he added.

    “You know,” Ben said, drawing out the ‘o’ sound of the word, “I wish we could, but don’t you remember we all have, uh…”

    “Band practice!” Bev interjected, “Remember?”

    “I...don't…” Eddie said, confused by the couple.

    Beverley shifted her eyes quickly to Stan and Richie who were quickly becoming suspicious of their friends.

    “Oh! Right!” Mike exclaimed, “Band practice! Don’t you remember, Bill?”

    “Uh, sure. We all have band practice.” Bill replied, nodding, still confused, but figuring his friends would explain later when they were alone.

    “Are you guys okay? I don’t remember ever making a fucking band, let alone agreeing to rehearse on a Monday . Who does that?”

    Bev laughed nervously, trying to signal to Eddie to shut up and ask questions later before dragging him by the arm away from Stan and Richie and the rest of their friends following.

    “Well that was weird” Stan pointed out.

    “I know” Richie stated, “Why weren’t we invited to be in the band?”

---

    Stan stopped at their usual tree, grabbing Richie’s arm to signal him to stop walking when he continued. “Oh, we’re sitting here again?”

    “Yeah. This is our tree.” He said, sitting down, still holding his friend’s arm as he followed suit sitting down on the ground. Stan inched closer to Richie before putting his head on Richie’s shoulder.

    “Long day, buddy?” Stan couldn’t help but feel disappointed by the word ‘buddy’, but outwardly he didn’t show it.

    “Yeah.”

     Richie took Stan’s hand and gently rubbed his knuckles, just two bros , Richie thought to himself. Just a friend comforting a friend , “What happened?”

     Stan sighed, “Nothing really, just usual school stuff.”

    “So its a personal thing? You can tell me anything, Stan. You know that. We tell each other everything.”

    Stan gulped, looking up in the treetop before noticing a brown bird and pointing up at it, “Look at that.” Stan said, almost a little too loudly, excited to have a distraction from the conversation.

    “Is that a pigeon?” Richie asked, as he always did.

    “No. Well, actually, they’re in the same family. It’s a mourning dove. Zenaida macroura. It’s actually one of the most widespread birds in North America and it’s a popular game bird.”

    For the first time since joining the club, Richie zoned out. Instead just watching Stan speak passionately and smiling at his friend as he watched Stan crane his neck to see the bird, knowing Stan’s neck would hurt later before shrugging it off and saying it was worth it. He kept thinking about how much he admired Stan’s passion for birds, and for everything he loved even if he was alone in that passion. How Stan is always trying to take an interest in the passions of his other friends, because Stan loved to see his friends happy, and how it’s a shame none of them tried to love his interest in birds sooner.

    Stan asked Richie a question, and when he didn’t respond Stan lightly tapped his friend’s face, “Pay attention to the bird, ninny. Look at them, not me.”

    Richie shifted over a little bit and Stan took his head off the taller boy’s shoulder, “Hey Stan, I have an unrelated question. Doves are a symbol of love, right?”

    “Right.”

    “And so are lovebirds.”

    “Yes.”

    “So are lovebirds pigeons too?”

    “No. They’re actually a species of parrot. Why?”

    “Well, people call couples lovebirds right, and Ben and Bev are a couple.”

    “Richie, I don’t understand where you’re going with this.”

    “Just, sh. I’m going somewhere with this I promise.”

    “Okayy…” Stan said, staring at his friend, becoming more confused as every second passed.

    “Well sometimes I look at the way they act, and how we act towards each other, and I think ‘maybe we’re kinda similar’. Basically, what I’m trying to say is-”

    Stan interrupted Richie, “I love you too, doofus.”

    Richie’s face lit up, feeling a ten-pound weight come off his chest and his smile spreading from ear to ear, “Really?”

    “Yes. Really.” Stan said, returning Richie’s wide smile, and it would have gotten wider if that were at all possible as Richie placed his hand gently on Stan’s cheek and he leaned in and placed a kiss on Stan’s lips. It was, for lack of a better term, very them. It was a little awkward for a second before they relaxed and just let everything fall into place. It felt right, like they should’ve done this years ago, back in that summer, even, when Richie was too busy chasing some asshole closet case when he had known who he really wanted was his best friend. When he could’ve had him for years by now. Richie chuckled at the thought and Stan pulled away, his joy quickly turning into anxiety that he had done something wrong, “What’s so funny, Rich?”

    “Just that we should’ve done this ages ago.”

    Stan’s smile came back, “agreed,” he said before pulling Richie into another kiss.

[lindoig6]

Taxonomy – Classification and Nomenclature

Time for something slightly challenging - a diversion to discuss a complicated issue that, despite spending a lot of time and asking a lot of questions of a lot of experts, remains a bit of a mystery to me.

Taxonomy is a field of science dealing with the ordered definition and classification of items that relate to each other in some way.  In zoology, it is usually intended to reflect evolutionary relationships between organisms but because some authorities regard particular characteristics as more significant than others, there is room for debate about how relationships should be categorised and positioned in the structure as it develops.

For our purposes, classification relates to how scientists determine where each species fits into the avian evolutionary tree and the most familiar and commonly used hierarchy was that developed by Linnaeus and first published in 1735.  Where do birds fit into Linnaeus’s system of classification – his hierarchy of everything alive defined by its kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species?

Diagram of Linnaeus table  (Don’t worry too much about the bottom ‘Eukarya’ level.  The other two Eukarya classifications are Archaea and Bacteria – all single celled organisms of little interest to us when studying birds!)

What this means for us as birders

Under this system of classification (and it is not the only one), birds belong to the Animal Kingdom, the Chordata Phylum (animals with spinal columns or backbones) and the Aves Class.  In other words, all birds are Aves (and all Aves are birds - no other creatures are), they have backbones and are in the animal kingdom.  Most of us probably know that without being told.  But after that, all birds are divided into 26 Orders (birds that share particular characteristics or niches) – and your Field Guide is probably arranged so that all the birds in each Order are described together.  Each Order is then further divided into Families – a finer gradation of birds sharing similar attributes.  Finally, we have the part that most birders are mainly interested in.

Within each Family, we have the Genus and the Species – and possibly the Subspecies.

We learned earlier that every bird has 2 or sometimes 3 words in its scientific name – and this is where the words in the name come from.  If we think back to the Magpie-lark mentioned earlier, you might recall that its scientific name is Grallina cyanoleuca. Grallina is its Genus name and cyanoleuca is its Species name.  And because there are two variations of Magpie-lark in Australia (one in northern Australia and one in southern Australia), the scientists who studied them have identified sufficient differences between the two populations to divide them into separate Subspecies.  Those birds in southern Australia are Grallina cyanoleuca cyanoleuca and the scientifically distinct northern birds are Grallina cyanoleuca neglecta.  Grallina cyanoleuca cyanoleuca is referred to as the nominate species and repeats the species segment of its scientific name as its subspecies name – usually because it was the first of the species to be described.  When the new subspecies was identified, it was given a different subspecies name: neglecta. If no subspecies have been identified for any particular species, we don’t repeat the species name.  In other words, if all Magpie-larks were considered to be identical for taxonomic purposes, they would all be Grallina cyanoleuca rather than Grallina cyanoleuca cyanoleuca.

Female magpie-lark - Grallina cyanoleuca neglecta

Male Magpie-lark - Grallina cyanoleuca cyanoleuca

(Because I know where I took the photos, I know that the female is a Grallina cyanoleuca neglecta and the male is a Grallina cyanoleuca cyanoleuca - but how to tell the subspecies apart, other than where they were present, remains unclear to me.)

This all sounds very logical and rigorous and should be of great assistance in fixing things clearly in our minds. Alas, it is not that easy for a number of reasons.

A hundred years ago, things might have been easier, but with enormously improved technology, lots of things have changed. It would be convenient to say that our list of Australian birds has been expanded over the years only as a result of new species being discovered, but sadly, some species and/or subspecies have also become extinct.  Some new species have been introduced into Australia and others have migrated here as a result of factors such as habitat loss or climate change.  Wind-blown vagrants and other accidental visitors also add to the list of possible sightings.  But perhaps the main reason for change is our increase in knowledge as a result of systematic study of our avian friends.

In recent years, particularly but not exclusively as a result of genetic testing, many species have been reclassified, given new names, merged with other species, or divided into several subspecies or even whole separate species.  This is an ongoing process and every year, at least a few changes are published by the Australian authority on such things – Birdlife Australia.  Unfortunately, not all authorities agree on the changes and even where there is agreement, it can take years for our Field Guides and apps to catch up – often just in time for another raft of changes to be published.

I can recall a time when any animal species (including birds) was defined as a creature that couldn’t breed with anything other than its own species.  But even then, that was clearly inadequate.  As an example, horses and donkeys were routinely interbred but their hybrid offspring were always infertile (except when they weren’t!).  Over time, we have discovered many more ‘species’ that can interbreed, many producing fertile offspring, and scientists have had to rethink our simplistic definitions again.  As far my research has taken me, it seems that all our avian classifications are fixed until sufficient evidence is accumulated to justify a change.  That evidence may take the form of genetic coding but may include other factors such as variations in plumage, habitat, behaviour and so on.  Unfortunately, what constitutes ‘sufficient evidence’ is often a matter of opinion, hence the sometimes-extended debate between authorities before anything is set in stone.  And just to add to the confusion, birds that frequently hybridise are identified separately as hybrids in most birders’ lists.

Gratuitous photo appropos of nothing of female Maned Duck (previously called the Australian Wood-duck) and some of her nine ducklings

[sussex-nature-lover]

Tuesday 16th February 2021

Normal Service and some Out of the Ordinary News

I’ve got to say that I don’t quite know where my head is at lately, let’s blame disturbed sleep shall we - might as well. I’ve been doing my customary waking around 2-3am and then napping, waking again around 5-6ish for the day and watching the cricket, which has taken up the best part of the morning. Although that makes the days seem long, they’ve been full and my blog has ended up being written piecemeal here and there and then being rather last minute. Inevitably errors occur when you write that way and I haven’t made the time to read through properly before pressing post. Usually I’m fairly meticulous, but I’ve ended up rushing, so I’ve resolved to do better. Side-note to both my football and the England crickets teams, you should do the same. Liverpool FC play tonight in Hungary, 8pm our time should you need to know (Champions’ League)

Yesterday was a very dull and grey day, cold, but not nearly as cold as of late. We had to go out to the Pharmacy and so took the car on a run just for the sake of keeping it in action.

We came back via the village where the younger Ms NW went to school and it was a very neat little journey. The hedges have had a really good cut.

It was just around this point in the lane where Crow and I did our second synchronised Woaaaaaa Woaaaaaaa of the week so far - that always makes us laugh. The first had been at a low level swoop behind our top shrubbery bed - couldn’t see what it was, but we thought it was the Buzzard. Yesterday it was an absolutely gorgeous Kestrel that flew from one side of the lane across the front of the car and off into the distance. We saw enough to register the lovely markings and beautiful chestnut colouring. I took a few other pictures of some nice looking cows and a field absolutely covered by Seagulls but to be honest they’re not all that exciting, so I’ll just leave the thoughts there.

What was exciting yesterday and I’ll go so far as to say, terribly exciting, was a brand new bird in the garden. Seriously, I can hardly believe it, so settle down and enjoy with me one of the most delightful and tiniest birds we’ve had here.

Let me set the scene, I was standing at the sink under the window, just pootling about and tidying things and a bright flash of red took my eye. I presumed Goldfinch, which would’ve been unusual as it’s been a while. But no, it wasn’t that pillar box type of red, it was more a deep and bright ruby pink. Chores abandoned and camera at the ready I took as many photos as I could considering that A) it was quite poor light and it was drizzling and B) this little bird hardly stayed still. Suffice to say I have A LOT of very blurry pics.

Enough introductory waffle, this is what I saw

Ladies and Gentlemen, a Redpoll. I have to say that its Latin name is absolutely charming.  Carduelis cabaret. Isn’t that wonderful? It certainly lives up to that descriptor in my opinion, as every angle is a feast for the eyes.

Wikipedia says

The genus name Acanthis is from the Ancient Greek akanthis, a name for a small now-unidentifiable bird, and cabaret is the French name for a type of finch

That turns out to be somewhat disappointing really. I prefer to stick to my imaginary idea of them being an actual theatre show-stopper. 

Anyway after establishing the Redpoll bit, as so often in the birding world (and the rest of the natural world to be fair) it all gets rather complicated.

For size perspective: House Sparrow and Redpoll. I said they’re tiny didn’t I

The full name for this species is actually the Lesser Redpoll, as relatively recently (year 2000) it was classified as a separate species from the very similar Common Redpoll (also called the Mealy Redpoll) which, despite the name, is not common in the UK at all. 

Lesser Redpolls breed in the UK, whereas Common Redpolls are winter visitors only and generally just to the eastern side of the UK. There are subtle differences only between the two species, but it is the Lesser Redpoll that’s much more likely to be seen in gardens across the UK.

I’ve put a really excellent video towards the end of this blog which should make things clearer.

As you can tell from the shape of the bill, Redpoll is a Finch, a small Finch. This is particularly interesting as I keep bemoaning how we lack Finches here and yet last year we saw more Goldfinch in the garden than we ever have before; not big numbers, but more frequent visits. We had the return of a Greenfinch and evidence they’d had young and of course, lately a male Chaffinch has been here a lot. Apparently Redpoll will often flock with Siskin - another relatively common bird, but again, one we’ve not spotted in our garden. There’re probably loads in the woods who only come to the garden when we turn our backs!

SIZE GUIDE:

1.5–12.5 centimetres (4.5–4.9 in) long with a wingspan of 20–22.5 centimetres (7.9–8.9 in) and a weight of 9–12 grams (0.32–0.42 oz). The bill is short, conical and sharply pointed and is pale yellow with a dark tip.

Little Lesser Red Poll making the distant Robin look huge

Obviously all the information I have is collated from various searches I made on the internet: I read that the UK population of this lovely bird went into rapid decline since the 1970s and now stands at about 10% of the known figures at that time. There is no sound evidence currently available as to why, but studies have focused on the reduction in young forestry plantations, especially non-native Conifers (a favoured nesting location) and possibly a lessening of Birch trees. To counter that though, I have also read that since around 2010 there has been a marked increase in sightings in gardens. In the Spring the Redpoll will feed on insects and source caterpillars for its young, but in the Autumn and Winter it’s a seed eater, particularly enjoying the fine Niger seed which is suited to its small beak. It seems more people are feeding the birds in their gardens and Niger seed in particular is being employed more frequently as it attracts the colourful little birds.

Lesser Redpoll GB breeding population was estimated at around 220,000 breeding pairs (2016) but they are doing particularly well these days in N Ireland which boasted an additional 40,000 pairs.

 The species is now listed as red status in the UK (see below)

Absolutely beautiful from every angle

You can just make out a small black bib in the photo above and from what I’ve read this is a male bird already displaying breeding colours, as seen by the extremely red-pink breast. It could be said it’s fairly ahead of the game with its timing.

More information from an outside source Here (pdf) which is a British Birding Association article from 2010 with some excellent photographs.

LISTING STATUS EXPLAINED:

The Red Listed birds are not necessarily terribly low in number -  for example the Common House Sparrow. Starling and Song Thrush are in this category because of population decline.

Red List Criteria

Globally Threatened

A Serious Population Decline In The UK Between 1800 And 1995

A Decline Of At Least 50% In The UK Breeding Population Over The Last 25 Years Or Over A Longer-Term Period

A Contraction Of At Least 50% In The UK Breeding Range Over The Last 25 Years Or Since 1969

The RSPB say

"We use the red list to prioritise our action. We use it to identify which species need help immediately and take action. So, if there is research to do to find out what the problem is, and how to tackle it, then we’ll do that, then once we know what needs to be done to help them we’ll get on with it, whether it’s land management, species recovery projects or lobbying government.

"Prioritising is vital as we don’t have money and resources to work on everything, even within the red list we can’t prioritise action for all 67 species. In some cases we have to just keep a watching brief on a species until we have more resource to take action."

"The first step is considering what to do in your own outdoor spaces to create better habitats for wildlife. Those who have a garden could consider wildlife friendly gardening - create a pond, plant pollen rich flowers, or plant shrubs with berries for birds.

"Most of the data we use is collected by volunteers –if you know a little bit about birds you could get involved in data gathering with monitoring schemes, such as those run by the BTO in partnership with the RSPB."

I’m going to have a think about what projects we can embark on this Spring to help our garden birds even more and then, well, who knows what species might turn up. Even after 20 years here, there’s something to marvel at every single day.

WHAT ELSE DID I LEARN TODAY?

Mount Etna has erupted. If you look at this Twitter thread you can see photos and video

LINK

[tipsycad147]

Animal Magic: 12 Animals That Can Strengthen Your Craft

SL Bear

Loving animals is easy for most people. When we look at animals, we see the natural order, perfect symmetry of form and function, beauty, strangeness, and the long-dormant wild part of ourselves that many long to reconnect to. We became separate from animals and the natural world at some point, moving down from the trees to the grass, and slowly along the evolutionary path to where we are today. Though modern science and luxuries keep human beings alive longer and give our lives comfort, most of us will never be as free or self-assured as, say, the little birds who visit our backyards.

Cultures around the world include animal symbolism in their religions and systems of belief. In Haitian Voudou, they practice snake worship. Damballa is a serpent and is seen as the creator of all life. Hindus worship the cow in recognition of all the animal offers society. The ancient Egyptians revered cats, and many gods took on the appearance of animals. The list goes on and on; however, most relevant to us are animals associated with witchcraft. These are animals such as cats, birds, bats, toads, and other creatures that get a bad rap. Today, I’d like to share with you some animal associations you can use in spells, divination, talismans, altar-making, and just simple invocations to bring the power of each of these animals into your practice. I’ve only focused on a few animals, so if you need something more specific for your intentions, believe me, all you have to do is do a little digging — there is a perfect animal symbol out there for any need you have!

Wild Witchcraft

1. Bat

To some, the bat is a symbol of evil and death and fear for this animal runs deep. To others, the bat is a symbol of the night and all the hidden mysteries one can learn if they open their eyes while everyone else is asleep. Thanks to echolocation, the bat finds its way through the night with ease. Invoke the bat’s power before a night out by drawing a small bat somewhere hidden on your body to keep your wits about you when the sun goes down. If you’re struggling during a time of confusion in your life, invest in a bat talisman — any little bat figurine you can carry with you — to help find your way in the darkness.

2. Bear

The bear is a warrior. The name Artemis, goddess of the hunt, comes from the root word “artos” which means bear. This animal fittingly represents earth, and in European cultures predating Christianity, where lions are absent, the bear takes its symbolic place as a powerful king of the land it roams. Interestingly, Artemis is sometimes shown with a bear and both have ties to the moon.

Ursa Major and Minor are the constellations associated with this goddess as well — the Great Bear and the Little Bear, respectively. The bear should be summoned when you need strength. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor can be seen year-round, so make a trip outside under the full moon and find these constellations. Draw a bear print on the sole of your right foot or on the palm of your right hand, and light a white candle. Ask for the strength to face obstacles or overcome overwhelming odds. And when the time comes, show no fear!

3. Bee

The symbolism surrounding the bee could fill a book. They are industrious, hard-workers and their symmetrical honeycombs are symbols of perfection and the harmony achieved when a group works as one. They also have mystical links to gods and spirits. Honeybees create honey, a sacred food of the gods, from sunlight and fruits of the earth, and therefore have ties to transmutation and the divine. In literature, you may recognise the name Dumbledore from J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter. This word comes from the Old English form of the word bumblebee and unlike honeybees, these bees spend their time joyfully “bumbling” from flower to flower.

Though they look very soft and fuzzy, bees can sting if provoked and so they are a symbol of mothers protecting their families. Although there are several ways to invoke the bee in magic, I think their most admirable attribute is their singular focus and work ethic, and so if you’re having difficulty staying motivated on a project — especially involving others — use the symbol of the bee as a talisman to remind you hard work pays off. Wear yellow. Light yellow candles. Sweeten your tea or toast with honey. Keep the spirit of the bee close at hand when working on any project to stay “buzzed” about it!

4. Butterfly

Often quite beautiful and less driven than its fellow flower-lover the bee, the butterfly is a symbol of gentleness and innocence. The Greek word for butterfly is psyche, and so we therefore associate it with the soul in many cultures. To others, the butterfly is a communicator between us on earth and the spiritual realm.

The butterfly goes through a striking metamorphosis, changing from a squirming caterpillar to a breathtaking, jewel-bright creature that takes flight! Changing one’s life is no easy task, but the butterfly reminds us that just because something seems impossible doesn’t mean it is. Draw an image of a butterfly in black and white and hang it somewhere near your altar. Every time you actively make a change for the better, colour in a little part of the image and take a moment to reflect on your progress. Take in the whole image instead of just one small piece; see the big picture to stay motivated. Bit by bit and day by day, work at transforming the black-and-white image to one that’s brilliant and bold. It may not be a quick process, but you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish with perseverance and a state-of-mind metamorphosis.

5. Cat

In ancient Egypt, Bast was the cat goddess, and cats in general were revered. Other religions and beliefs look upon them less favourably, especially black cats, which are seen as unlucky despite their nine lives. Where the dog is man’s best friend, a loyal and obedient sidekick, the cat is picky and will leave a home that doesn’t live up to their lofty standards.

Despite being domesticated 4,000 years ago, cats maintain a feral wildness we’ve bred out of other pets and farm animals. They roam. They can live quite happily without us. Cats are inquisitive, sleek creatures that move where they want and choose who they want. And by all accounts, across many cultures, the cat has chosen the witch. The black cat is a staple of the traditional caricature of a witch, as much as the pointy hat or broom. Like the witch, the cat is mysterious, elusive, and seen as a threat by many a superstitious person. There are many ways you could call upon the cat in your magic, but I suggest channelling their ability to relax and make every space their own. When you are overwhelmed with life, call on the witch’s companion. Things always look better after a good night’s sleep.

6. Dragon

The dragon, like most animals on this list, will mean different things to different cultures. In the East, the dragon means royalty and the word “dragon” can be used instead of emperor. In the Chinese zodiac, the dragon is the fifth sign and aligns perfectly with Leo — the lion being another symbol for kings and queens. The dragon can be fearsome or something marvellous, depending on your point of view, and in stories will often guard over a great treasure or secret.

The dragon is versatile, but one thing is not up for debate: The dragon represents power. While the bear is a warrior, lashing out fiercely at foes, the dragon’s mere presence is enough to instil fear. Keep a dragon symbol over your bed for prophetic dreams and place the dragon’s image on jewellery boxes and other treasures to ward against thieves. Draw or print out an image of a dragon and wrap it around a red candle during protection spells or use in curses to strike fear into your enemies. If you have a secret, no animal will guard it like the dragon.

7. Fox

In stories, the fox is the trickster, the cunning one who uses charm and sly words to achieve goals. In mythology, the fox is a seducer, and in Christianity, the fox is linked to the Devil. So naturally, women described as “foxy” are not just attractive, but devious, ready to lure innocent men to their doom. Misogyny aside, the fox’s ability to outwit its foes with a smile on its face and bushy tail high, make it a symbol of guile and craftiness — the perfect creature to invoke when you need help solving a problem or getting out of a sticky situation. Use the fox’s image covertly — drawing it underneath altars, on the bottoms of candles, or on the reverse side of sigils — when performing spells to add an extra element of cunning.

8. Horse

It’s no surprise that an animal so closely linked to mankind’s success will be spiritually significant to us. Where would we be if we hadn’t had the horse to carry us? On one hand, the horse is tied to the sun, pulling the chariot of Apollo. On the other, the horse is a symbol of the moon and water — just ask Poseidon, the god of the sea and the horse. This animal can stand for gods and goddesses alike, good and evil, life and death. Perhaps this then is the true symbolism of the horse: Usefulness. No matter in which context you see this animal, you’ll see it being put to good use. After all, without the horse, humans wouldn’t have gotten very far. In your magic, invoke the horse when you’re travelling by coupling its image with Raido, the rune for travel, or the Chariot tarot card. Do this before a long trip to ensure safe passage.

9. Owl

It will delight you to learn that Strix is a genus of owls, and another word for witch. They share many symbolic attributes with witches, like working alone at night under the moon and having mystical knowledge. Hekate, the queen of witches, has an owl companion. Some say owls are bad omens foretelling death, while others claim owls are clairvoyant — and know when you’re about to die!

Owls are skilled hunters and unlike other birds, their large eyes are positioned on the front of their heads instead of on the side. They can also swivel their necks to see behind them. This gives them complete vision, and so it’s no wonder owls are associated with knowledge and prophecy — they literally see all. Like other nocturnal animals, they are linked with occult wisdom, having access to the secrets only available in the cover of night. Cultures across the globe believe the owl is a traveller between the realms of life and death. Invoke the owl during any kind of divination to help you “see.” Carry an owl talisman for wisdom, and whenever you hear a hooting owl, make sure you ask it to take any bad luck away from you on its flight.        

10. Raven

Here is a shocking fact: The average human IQ is 100 and the raven, relatively compared, has an IQ of 138 [1]. They make tools and solve puzzles. They can recognise people by their faces, and they can learn and even understand different languages. For this reason, ravens are symbols of intelligence. Ravens enjoy a rich mythology and have a reputation for protecting mankind, whispering to shamans about what’s to come. However, ravens are also seen as death omens and their haunting calls feature in many horror films. This may be attributed to the fact they are often seen after battle, feasting on the dead. I choose to see ravens for what they are: incredibly intelligent. So, they are an obvious talisman for those seeking wisdom, like students. Keep an image of a raven near blue candles and light them every Monday to help you on tests, mental challenges, or to outwit a foe.

11. Snake

This much maligned animal strikes fear in the hearts of many. Perhaps this is a vestigial fear from our primate days when venturing down into the grass meant dealing with this poisonous threat. Maybe the “snake eyes” are what creeps people out. Maybe it’s their size (pythons can reach 25 feet!) or the way they shed skin or their “forked tongues” now synonymous with one who cannot be trusted. Ouroboros is the image of a snake eating its own tail, symbolising life and rebirth forever.

In the bible, a serpent convinced Eve to eat the forbidden fruit and learned of good and evil. The lore of snakes is closely associated with that of dragons, though snakes carry more sinister connotations. But ask any snake charmer or a person who keeps snakes as pets and they will tell you these animals are as gentle to hold as kittens. Invoke the snake when you’re being bullied or someone is actively working against you. Draw a snake on several pale stone and place them in a circle near your front door, then sprinkle black pepper and eggshells into this circle whenever you leave your home. You can also bring this circle inside and spread it so you can sit within it while working spells for protection or against your enemies to ensure no repercussions come your way.

12. Wolf

Who hasn’t heard the tale about men turning into a wolf under the full moon, only to turn back when dawn breaks? Or Little Red Riding Hood, who was nearly eaten by the wolf wearing her grandmother’s clothing? Or the boy who cried wolf? Or Peter and the Wolf? Though wild wolves try to avoid people, the image of a wolf as a danger is an old one. These stories are not really about dangerous animals; they are allegories for dangerous situations and people. The wolf is the animal in stories that represents the dangerous side of human nature, and acts as a warning.

[1] The Element Encyclopedia of Secret Signs and Symbols Paperback – March 1, 2009,  Adele Nozedar

https://thetravelingwitch.com/blog/animal-magic-12-animals-that-can-strengthen-your-craft

[daisyofgalaxy11]

Birds of the witcher saga (Kestrel- Yennefer of Vengerberg)

Whereas Yennefer used also ravens and crows, here I decided to focus entirely on kestrel she first befriended in “A Shard of Ice” and which keeps her company through the entire game.

The name kestrel (from French crécerelle, derivative from crécelle, i.e. ratchet) is given to several different members of the falcon genus, Falco. Kestrel is a middle-sized bird and the most abundant falcon of Poland. It’s a terrific hunter with unique hunting style. When hunting, kestrel characteristically hovers above the ground, searching for prey. Once prey is sighted, the bird makes a short, steep dive toward the target. Sometimes, instead of hunting, the bird may decide to steal the prey of other birds, such as owls. It’s not surprising then that Yennefer decided to use kestrel, a swift, intelligent and powerful bird to represent her.

Kestrels decorate meadows and forest glades, but can be also seen in cities where they occupy enthusiastically abandoned buildings, posts and church towers, and hunt by main roads and motorways. Kestrels don’t usually build their own nests but lay their eggs in holes in cliffs, trees or buildings or reuse old nests of corvids, and here we can find the first close similarity between kestrels and Yennefer. Despite having her own property in Vengerberg, it’s hardly ever her house where we and Geralt get to meet her. At the beginning of her journey with the witcher, she stays in the house of the Novigradian merchant-ambassabor, Beau Berrant in Rinde. Then, she joins the group of dragon slayers in the Kestrel Mountains. In “A Shard of Ice” in turn, we learn that she’s a frequent guest in Aedd Gynvael. Like her spirit bird, she’s constantly in a search of a place to stay.

Yennefer and Geralt developed also an almost kestrel-like dynamics when it comes to their relationship. Kestrels are monogamists and usually have one reproductive cycle per year, during which it’s male’s job to provide food while the female incubates the eggs. When the chicks arrive, they share their parental chores for another few weeks. It’s however not the tiny family they form that makes them so interesting. With time the younglings mature, but the avian romance lives on and transforms into a peculiar form of friendship. Thanks to the slight size difference and the subsequent shift in the feeding niche, neither of the birds has to “move out” and they can be often seen together.  

It’s a bit like this with Yen and Geralt, but more metaphorically. For a very long time, we witness them apart, flying and hunting solo. In the same time however, we see Yennefer shill bid Geralt’s contracts or offer to be his warrantor while he’s willing to help her fund her infertility treatment. Their relationship falls apart and continues in the same time. Like in case of kestrel pairs, there is a period of solitude, silent favours and arrangements, and a period of clutch and being together again, but there’s no such thing as goodbye.

Notable is also the Polish name of the bird. “Pustułka” originated from its Russian name (pustoj means stupid) which was given by falconers disappointed with the poor training outcomes. Kestrels are excellent hunters but follow their own rules and this is another thing that makes them and Yennefer so similar. The sorceress went through all the training an adept should, but remained still an independently-thinking creature.

Stone, metal, crystal, thought Tissaia de Vries. 'Everything that Yennefer wears is active and cannot be detected using psychic visions. You won't find her that way, my dear. If Yennefer does not wish anyone to know where she is, no one will find out.

'Write to her,' she said calmly, straightening out her cuffs. 'And send the letter in the ordinary way. It will get there without fail. And Yennefer, wherever she is, will reply. She always does.'

A.Sapkowski – “Blood of Elves”

Yennefer independence goes beyond  that. Along, with Tissaia she was one of very few mages that did not choose sides during the Thanedd coup. We all also remember the result of her interrogation by Vilgefortz and his people.

To sum up, whereas ravens and crows are mystical animals, they also symbolize death and evil forces. I believe that the kestrel, an independent, clever and strong bird matches Yennefer just as good.

[tencrowns]

Why the Silver Maple is a Garbage Tree and it Represents Me in Ways I Am Uncomfortable With: Herbal Entry #10

I’m going to skip my usual disclaimer here because it’s less common for people to eat random bits of trees that don’t provide fruit? Technically trees aren’t herbs, but I’m including this anyway because it’s my blog and no one can stop me, and I also think it’s relevant. Silver maples are also one of the most common trees in North America, for reasons I will explore shortly. Buckle in, this is a long one.

Silver Maple

Acer saccharinum

Element: Water (other maple species may be listed as Air, silver maple’s a little different)

Planet: Jupiter

Usage: grief, love, family issues, self-work, relationships, abundance, prosperity, longevity

AKA: silverleaf maple, swap maple, water maple, white maple

I know the Venn diagram of “landscape architecture” and “witchcraft” doesn’t always have a lot of overlap, but here I will explain why silver maple is not one of the nine woods that in the fire go and why it is a garbage tree to have in your yard as a homeowner. (That’s not true, all trees are good trees, I’m speaking out of a place of anger currently as I’m looking at the estimates for removal.)

Once upon a time, before I or most people probably reading this were born, the popular tree to plant for shade and beautification in most US neighborhoods was the American Elm (Ulmus americana). You may have heard of this little thing called Dutch Elm Disease, though. I’ve included a link for further reading, but what you mainly need to know for the silver maple’s purposes is that it wiped out a huge swath of elms in the US, and so post-WWII real estate developers started looking for a replacement. Lots of them went with the silver maple. 

Like the American Elm, the Silver Maple is a fast-growing tree and it can can attain a similar size under good growing conditions, typically 25 feet in height when fully mature compared to the elm’s 30 feet. It may be as little as 15 feet or up to 30 under different conditions. Its natural range is the Eastern half of the United States. The underside of its leaves are what the silver maple are named for--they have a subtle flash when turning, making the rippling foliage attractive in a breeze. Their autumn turning is somewhat unspectacular, mostly resulting in shades of yellow. It does produce a sap that can be rendered into syrup, but it is at a much lower volume and a lower sugar content than other varieties of maple, so hardly sees any commercial use that way. It’s worth noting that Native Americans did make use of it for sugar and medicine where available. An infusion of the inner bark is said to be a treatment for coughs and cramps. These days, they’re used for paper production, musical instruments, crates and containers, cabinetry, and generally reserved for small object or decorative usage. It’s a wood of choice for basket making, used both historically and today. While the wood has a fine enough grain and is easily worked, the thing that made them so popular as an ornamental in this postwar period is the fact that silver maples are just stupid easy to propagate. While in the wild, they prefer to grow near waterways and wetlands, they are relatively tolerant of urban conditions and can live up to about 80 years in an average city and longer in a natural setting. Some temperate regions in Central and South America even house it, as well as the more arid environments in Los Angeles and the Mediterranean, and even places with long, cold winters like Norway! As long as they get enough water in the summer, silver maples will grow wherever the hell you put them, and they are rampant seeders, throwing out lots of volunteer baby trees every year. 

So. Why did I call them garbage trees? There’s a few reasons...

 1. Their very rapid rate of growth leads to an overall brittle tree that does not withstand high winds or storms very well. Even if you have a very sound tree that has been carefully groomed and maintained, it’s going to shed lots and lots of sticks and branches, which is a pain if you’re the one that has to mow the yard. Often, these trees are easily cracked or damaged by storms. According to the wisdom of my stepdad and my grandfather-in-law, silver maples also draw lightning. I’ve seen several struck at my mom’s place, and some have just been knocked down by the powerful winds (farm fields all around, nothing to break or block the wind). This has led to at least one tree I can remember falling on the house. In the photo below, you can see where the trunk has cracked, showing some of the pale wood inside. By the grace of some god or another, this section is being held in place by some branches and is just kind of... sitting there. Waiting to fall.

2. They are prone to developing hollows. Great for squirrels, birds, adorable baby raccoons that will grow up and destroy everything, but over time these hollows can collect water and start to weaken whole sections of the individual tree, which also leads to trees falling on houses. See the two big knotholes in the blow photo, and then up to the upper left, where the trunk has split open?

3. Due to their natural tendency towards water, silver maples have a shallow and very fibrous root system. They like to push up sidewalks and try to get into older style drainage pipes and septic systems, similar to other water-loving trees like the weeping willow. I don’t have a photo for this one, but google it. You’ll find some really interesting stuff.

4. Silver maples sometimes grow in dumb shapes unless you do something about it. Seriously. They need to be pruned and trained starting as saplings, or they tend to fork a lot and grow in weird, leaning ways with branches turned in stupid directions that just aren’t very attractive. Not the most important quality in a tree I admit, but if you’re planting something as an ornamental, I feel like it should be aesthetically pleasing. So they require work to keep up the ideal situation. If you have the time and knowledge to do it, or the money to hire someone else, by all means, do it. Take good care of your tree friend. But consider this: you have this tall, brittle tree, and it’s in pretty good shape, no hollows or anything, but you don’t prune it. It doesn’t break, but as it grows, it forks out two or three or maybe even four times, starts to turn and get kind of top heavy looking and it’s got all these branches that catch the wind. So it’s tall and it has basically a sail made of branches and it’s got this shallow root system which contributes to... you guessed it, trees falling. Maybe onto houses. See this guy in the center below? It’s Silver Maple #2. I know the photo’s a bit crooked, but trust me, this thing’s major limbs have got some serious lean and it needs a-trimmin’ so that it doesn’t weigh too much in any given direction.

Now I’m not saying that if you have a silver maple in your yard, that it will definitely fall on your house. It might fall across your neighbor’s fence. Or into the street. Or onto the power lines running to your house! I’m kidding, mostly. They really are lovely trees to look at, they make a wonderful rustling sound and I love the silver flash of the leaves at the slightest provocation. I’m really just saying that the real estate landscape developers that selected the silver maple for use in American neighborhoods were shortsighted about its potential drawbacks in a confined suburban space. They have since fallen out of favor with landscape architects, for all of the reasons above. This of course, does not help those of us that live in houses that were built in 1965. So, my advice to you is that if you have a silver maple and you are unsure about its health and condition, it may well be worth it to hire an arborist to come take a look at it and get an estimate of its age and general health. If you can’t afford an arborist, do some reading! Do you have any old photos of your house that feature the tree so that you can get a rough idea of its age? You may have guessed that I have a current crisis that inspired this post: mine are over 50 years old, but haven’t been pruned in ages and are full of carpenter ants. One has to come down entirely, no ifs ands or buts, and the largest one should probably go too, but we can’t currently afford everything that needs to be done, so we’ll deal with the emergency and plan around the other while performing some mitigation to postpone the need for taking it down. An ounce of prevention may well be worth a pound of having to call your homeowners’ insurance after something bad has happened. All my anxiety dreams are tied up in these trees right now. Before the two arborists I’ve consulted with even got out here to give me estimates, I had a nightmare that they cut all three down and hacked off way too much of the black walnut i want trimmed.

So, now that we’ve gone through a bunch of silver maple facts and history as part of the American landscape and my own personal angst, let’s talk about the silver maple and how it can be applied to and used in witchcraft. 

Maple wood of any kind generally makes pretty good wands and other tools; as previously mentioned, it has a fine grain and is easy to work with. (Gypsy Elaine Teague’s The Witch’s Guide to Wands only addresses curly maple specifically, and The Crafting & Use of Ritual Tools by Eleanor & Phillip Harris addresses the Maple family in a general way, without specifying varieties.) Silver maple is one of the softer types, but still makes for a good wand, and their habit of freely shedding sticks and limbs means there’s plenty of opportunity to harvest without having to cut directly from the tree. Just be sure to inspect any fallen pieces you want to use carefully for insects and wash and dry it thoroughly. Sometimes fallen wood that has been attacked by insects can have an almost spongey, crumbly feel.

Most of the genus Acer has traditionally been associated with things like abundance and prosperity, largely due to the sweet sap that people had been making syrup out of for thousands of years now. Food is almost always tied to economic security, and vice versa. But we already know that this is an arena that silver maple can’t rival the sugar maple and other species in, so I feel like in this specific case, the abundance and prosperity take a back seat to the emotional correspondences. Grief, love, family, self-work. This, coupled with the silver maple’s natural tendencies to grow near abundant water is what prompted me to switch out the elemental correspondence, whereas most of the time you’ll see maples in general associated with Air. Water is all about emotional bullshit. Feelings. Secrets. 

It’s no secret that there are lots of families affected by varying levels of dysfunction. I’m from one of them. I’ll spare you the gory details, but it involves verbal and physical abuses, substance dependence problems, and a complete unwillingness to address our problems and/or the obvious mental illness on both sides in multiple generations. I’ve done my best to try and break out of the cycles that I have seen continually perpetuated, but that shit is hard. I feel like a silver maple sometimes. My roots don’t run very deep--sometimes I don’t feel strong connections to some of the people that I’m supposed to care about, and then I get the double whammy of feeling guilty about not feeling enough. I am emotionally brittle and don’t handle stress gracefully. My personal experiences, my anxiety and introversion have caused me to grow in a weird shape and sometimes people find me to be off-putting and cold. So. What can I do about it? I can’t go back in time to prune and train myself to stand upright. I can mitigate the damage though, and I can take care of myself now. I can cut myself off from abusive people and parasites. I can find ways to seal weak spots and fortify myself, I can check in with counselors and build a better support system for myself (this is family of a kind, too), the arborists and caretakers in this tree-as-emotional-health metaphor. I will not be one of the trees that falls because it rotted from the inside out. I will not be one of the trees that damages my surroundings because of my personal issues and I will take responsibility for my actions. I think the silver maple has the potential to be a strong ally for emotional healing, and this is the lesson I take from it.

If you got this far, thanks for reading, this has been cathartic to write. I hope you enjoyed it and got something you can use out of it. 

[thecreativecoalition]

D&D Homebrew Poisons

So, im working on a mini series for badassdanddpics and was wondering if you guys had any ideas. im calling the mini series “Bewildering Botany and Perilous Poisons” that will basically showcase magical plant homebrew that will aid adventures and villains alike. for the poison section of it, i put together some basic information from D&D about the rules as well as how they are applied and used against others as well as common symptoms from plants in the real world.

different poisons are applied to victims by

contact

ingested

inhaled

injury

smoke from being burned

common rules (for 5th edition D&D regarding poison)

A weapon coated with poison will dry out in one minute.

When you are poisoned, you will usually suffer from the poisoned condition.

Poison can be bought or crafted using the downtime rules and a poisoner’s kit.

Cures for poison include low level spells or anti-toxin.

Truth Serum is listed under poisons, and is something I think could be useful in your campaign in many different ways.

Poisoned: A poisoned creature has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks.

each round until you make a saving throw.

Common symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, convulsions, liver failure, disables nerves, lowers blood pressure, and can stop the heart, muscle twitches, and sometimes paralysis, irritation of skin throat and mouth, swelling, burning pain, breathing difficulties and stomach upset. dilated pupils, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, tachycardia, loss of balance, staggering, headache, rash, flushing, dry mouth and throat, slurred speech, urinary retention, constipation, confusion, hallucinations, delirium, convulsions and photo-toxicity

underneath the “keep reading” i have included some actual plants that could help with creating realistic homebrew.

Dieffenbachia (also called dumb cane) If a leaf is chewed, these crystals cause an extreme burning sensation in the mouth, throat and tongue. It is also known to cause temporary vocal cord paralysis. While ingestion is not always fatal, victims describe it as excruciatingly painful and debilitating.

Aconitum genus (several species, commonly called aconite, wolfsbane and monkshood). All parts are poisonous. The poison is an alkaloid called aconitine, which disables nerves, lowers blood pressure, and can stop the heart. Even casual skin contact should be avoided; symptoms include numbness, tingling, and cardiac irregularity. It has been used as poison for bullets (by German forces during World War II), as a bait and arrow poison (ancient Greece), and to poison water supplies (reports from ancient Asia).[citation needed] If ingested, it usually causes burning, tingling, and numbness in the mouth, followed by vomiting and nervous excitement. It is usually a quick-acting poison, and has been used in the past for killing wolves (hence one of the common names).

Actaea pachypoda (also known as doll’s eyes or white baneberry). All parts are poisonous, especially the berries, the consumption of which has a sedative effect on cardiac muscle tissue and can cause cardiac arrest.

Agave genus. The juice of a number of species causes acute contact dermatitis, with blistering lasting several weeks and recurring itching for several years thereafter.

Atropa belladonna (commonly known as deadly nightshade, belladonna, devil’s cherry and dwale, an Anglo-Saxon term meaning “stupifying drink”). One of the most toxic plants found in the Western hemisphere, all parts of the plant contain tropane alkaloids[33] - as do those of its equally deadly sister species A.baetica, A.pallidiflora and A.acuminata. The active agents are atropine, hyoscine (scopolamine), and hyoscyamine, which have anticholinergic properties.[34][35] The symptoms of poisoning include dilated pupils, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, tachycardia, loss of balance, staggering, headache, rash, flushing, dry mouth and throat, slurred speech, urinary retention, constipation, confusion, hallucinations, delirium, and convulsions.[34][36][37] The root of the plant is generally the most toxic part, though this can vary from one specimen to another. Ingestion of a single leaf of the plant can be fatal to an adult.[33] Casual contact with the leaves can cause skin pustules. The berries pose the greatest danger to children because they look attractive and have a somewhat sweet taste.[38] The consumption of two to five berries by children and ten to twenty berries by adults can be lethal. In 2009, a case of A. belladonna being mistaken for blueberries, with six berries ingested by an adult woman, was documented to result in severe anticholinergic syndrome.[39] The plant’s deadly symptoms are caused by atropine’s disruption of the parasympathetic nervous system’s ability to regulate involuntary activities such as sweating, breathing, and heart rate. The antidote for atropine poisoning is physostigmine or pilocarpine.[40] A. belladonna is also toxic to many domestic animals, causing narcosis and paralysis.[41] However, cattle and rabbits eat the plant seemingly without any harmful effects.[37] In humans its anticholinergic properties will cause the disruption of cognitive capacities like memory and learning.[35]

Cerbera odollam (commonly known as the suicide tree). The seeds contain cerberin, a potent toxin related to digoxin. The poison blocks the calcium ion channels in heart muscle, causing disruption of the heart beat. This is typically fatal and can result from ingesting a single seed. Cerberin is difficult to detect in autopsies and its taste can be masked with strong spices, such as a curry. It is often used in homicide and suicide in India; Kerala’s suicide rate is about three times the Indian average. In 2004, a team led by Yvan Gaillard of the Laboratory of Analytical Toxicology in La Voulte-sur-Rhône, France, documented more than 500 cases of fatal Cerbera poisoning between 1989 and 1999 in Kerala. They said “To the best of our knowledge, no plant in the world is responsible for as many deaths by suicide as the odollam tree.’[42] A related species is Cerbera tanghin the seeds of which are known as tanghin poison nut and have been used as an ‘ordeal poison’.

Colchicum autumnale (commonly known as autumn crocus and meadow saffron). The bulbs contain colchicine. Colchicine poisoning has been compared to arsenic poisoning; symptoms typically start 2 to 5 hours after a toxic dose has been ingested but may take up to 24 hours to appear, and include burning in the mouth and throat, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and kidney failure. Onset of multiple-system organ failure may occur within 24 to 72 hours. This includes hypovolemic shock due to extreme vascular damage and fluid loss through the GI tract, which may result in death. Additionally, sufferers may experience kidney damage resulting in low urine output and bloody urine, low white blood cell counts (persisting for several days), anemia, muscular weakness, and respiratory failure. Recovery may begin within 6 to 8 days. There is no specific antidote for colchicine, although various treatments do exist.[47] Despite dosing issues concerning its toxicity, colchicine is prescribed in the treatment of gout,[48] familial Mediterranean fever, pericarditis and Behçet’s disease. It is also being investigated for its use as an anti-cancer drug.

Datura genus (several species commonly known as jimson weed, thorn apple, stinkweed, Jamestown weed, angel’s trumpets, moonflower, and sacred datura). Containing the tropane alkaloids scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and atropine, all parts of these plants are poisonous, especially the seeds and flowers. Ingestion causes abnormal thirst, hyperthermia, severe delirium and incoherence, visual distortions, bizarre and possibly violent behavior, memory loss, coma, and often death; it is a significant poison to grazing livestock in North America. Datura has been used as an entheogenic drug by the indigenous peoples of the Americas and others for centuries, though the extreme variability in a given plant’s toxicity depending on its age and growing environment make such usage an exceptionally hazardous practice; the difference between a recreational dose and a lethal dose is minuscule,[51] and incorrect dosage often results in death. For this same reason, Datura has also been a popular poison for suicide and murder, particularly in parts of Europe and India. Reports of recreational usage are overwhelmingly negative; the majority of those who describe their use of Datura find their experiences extremely unpleasant and often physically dangerous.

Heracleum mantegazzianum (also known as giant hogweed). The sap is phototoxic, causing phytophotodermatitis (severe skin inflammations) when affected skin is exposed to sunlight or to UV rays. Initially the skin becomes red and starts itching. Then blisters form as the reaction continues over 48 hours. They form black or purplish scars, which can last several years. Hospitalization may become necessary. Presence of minute amounts of sap in the eyes can lead to temporary or even permanent blindness.

Nerium oleander (commonly known as oleander). All parts are toxic, the leaves and woody stems in particular. Contains nerioside, oleandroside, saponins and cardiac glycosides. Causes severe digestive upset, heart trouble and contact dermatitis. The smoke of burning oleander can cause reactions in the lungs, and can be fatal.

Peucedanum galbanum (commonly known as blister bush). All parts are poisonous, and contact causes painful blistering that is intensified with exposure to sunlight.

Hemlock is a very poisonous plant. In fact, all parts of the plant are toxic. Hemlock is most poisonous during the early stages of growth in the spring, but it is dangerous at all stages of growth. The poisons in hemlock are so deadly that people have died after eating game birds that had eaten hemlock seeds. Hemlock has also been used to reverse strychnine poisoning. Hemlock contains poisons that affect the transmission of nerve impulses to muscle. Death occurs by respiratory failure.

[heiligenscheiss]

FLYING OINTMENTS

Their Ingredients and Their Use

the Wanderling

Below are three examples of the use of Flying Ointments from classical sources followed by a modern day version in the Addendum. Flying Ointment is typically an oily or greasy concoction of herbs and other materials combined together and said, when rubbed all over one's body, to contribute toward one's ability to fly. Early recipes always included some ingredients that were either socially unacceptable, "off limits," difficult to obtain, or were obscure or unclear in what was actually intended. Modern recipes use a variety of substitute materials, hence rendering the ointment ineffective for all practical purposes. In both cases, however, some ingredients remain downright toxic, poisonous and lethal, especially if consumed in quanities unmetered by someone not versed in their safe administration.

You will notice the account of Lucius Apuleius, written in 160 AD and BEFORE the rise of religious strengths of the Middle Ages, that it is fairly straightforward in what transpired in the use of an ointment. The others are somewhat more vague. Somewhere over the centuries as the early European tribes disintegrated, assimilated, or were destroyed, a slow but meticulous coverup and transformation occurred to the beliefs and traditions of Shamanism and practice of tribal magic and socerey into that of a more sinster era of witchcraft. What is most important to realize is that during the Middle Ages the use of certain specific herbs and their power that originally came down from Shamanism is significantly downplayed, and the outcome and power of occult abilities is attributed more and more to evil sources in the form of Lucifer, the Devil, or Satan. You should also notice if you research Flying Ointments that a lot of the ingredients vary between recipes and many of the ingredients seem to be inert or no more than simply filler. However, whether in ointments, chewed, ingested, or used in a broth, brew, or potion certain key elements remain down through the ages, that being tropane-containing plants such as Sacred Datura and various Nightshade and genus Solanum for example. It is cited as a main ingredient right up to today's use by present day men of spells called an Obeah, to others of similar ilk such as a Diablero (a sorcerer said to have evil powers, usually with the ability to shapeshift) and/or more specifically the Diablero female counterpart as found in the sorceress 'la Catalina'. The tropane-like plant extract or derivative found in Sacred Datura is suspected to have been used in the mysterious and possible "flying potion" employed by the Native American tribal spiritual elder in the incident described in The Sun Dagger and explored more thoroughly in Apportation Revisited. Sacred Datura is also cited in both of Carlos Castaneda's first two books for the same or similar reasons. Sacred Datura or other closely related tropane-like plant extract or derivatives may also have been used in 'la Catalina's' infamous morphing into a marauding amorphous blackbird or her reported ability to become a sailing silhouette.

Lucius Apuleius. From Golden Ass, Book III, Chapter Sixteen (160 AD):

"On a day Fotis came running to me in great fear, and said that her mistress, to work her sorceries on such as she loved, intended the night following to transform herself into a bird, and to fly whither she pleased. Wherefore she willed me privily to prepare myself to see the same. And when midnight came she led me softly into a high chamber, and bid me look through the chink of a door: where first I saw how she put off all her garments, and took out of a certain coffer sundry kinds of boxes, of the which she opened one, and tempered the ointment therein with her fingers, and then rubbed her body therewith from the sole of the foot to the crown of the head, and when she had spoken privily with her self, having the candle in her hand, she shaked parts of her body, and behold, I perceived a plume of feathers did burgen out, her nose waxed crooked and hard, her nails turned into claws, and so she became an owl. Then she cried and screeched like a bird of that kind, and willing to prove her force, moved her self from the ground by little and little, til at last she flew quite away."

Abramelin The Mage. From The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin The Mage (1458 AD)

The First Book of Holy Magic, Chapter VI:

"She then gave unto me an unguent..." (Flying Ointment)

"At Lintz I worked with a young woman, who one evening invited me to go with her, assuring me that without any risk she would conduct me to a place where I greatly desired to find myself. I allowed myself to be persuaded by her promises. She then gave unto me an unguent, with which I rubbed the principal pulses of my feet and hands; the which she did also; and at first it appeared to me that I was flying in the air in the place which I wished, and which I had in no way mentioned to her.

I pass over in silence and out of respect, that which I saw, which was admirable, and appearing to myself to have remained there a long while, I felt as if I were just awakening from a profound sleep, and I had great pain in my head and deep melancholy. I turned round and saw that she was seated at my side. She began to recount to me what she had seen, but that which I had seen was entirely different. I was, however, much astonished, because it appeared to me as if I had been really and corporeally in the place, and there in reality to have seen that which had happened."

Giovan Battista Della Porta. From De Miraculis Rerum Naturalium, Book II, Chapter XXVI (1558 AD)

Lamiarum Unguenta (Witches Unguent):

"Although they mix in a great deal of superstition, it is apparent nonetheless to the observer that these things can result from a natural force. I shall repeat what I have been told by them. By boiling (a certain fat) in a copper vessel, they get rid of its water, thickening what is left after boiling and remains last. Then they store it, and afterwards boil it again before use: with this, they mix celery, aconite, poplar leaves and soot. Or, in alternative: sium, acorus, cinquefoil, the blood of a bat, nightshade (Solanum) and oil; and if they mix in other substances they don’t differ from these very much. Then they smear all the parts of the body, first rubbing them to make them ruddy and warm and to rarify whatever had been condensed because of cold. When the flesh is relaxed and the pores opened up, they add the fat (or the oil that is substituted for it) - so that the power of the juices can penetrate further and become stronger and more active, no doubt. And so they think that they are borne through the air on a moonlit night to banquets, music, dances and the embrace of handsome young men of their choice."

NOTE: Again, just as a reminder, according to many scholars, the use of mind-altering plants in witches' flights, such as certain species of the genus Solanum, etc., was underemphasized or even suppressed during the rise of religious strengths during the Middle Ages because plants, rather than the Devil, would thus have wielded the power. Their brews or ointments, with their transformative plant alkaloids, were indeed capable of inducing at the very minimum, visionary flights through the vast and uncharted night skies.

ADDENDUM: Flying Ointment and Ingredients Thereof:

Recently a no small amount of flack has been directed toward me regarding what has been suggested as a glossing over of facts pertaining to ingredients oft cited in flying ointemnts. Namely the the criticism revolves around the perceived playing down or lack of my emphasis regarding the use of the "fat of an unbaptized baby or child" (listed above as a certain fat) as a primary constituent in the ointment, a point that may need some clarification.

The plain truth is I have no personal experience using flying ointments. My experience circles around the use of a "warm tea-like broth" as outlined in the Wanderling's Journey and in the fashion given me left unsaid in the Sun Dagger. The first, under the auspices of a man of spells called an Obeah; the second, a Native American tribal elder. Both situations lean more closely toward Shamans and Shamanism and perhaps tribal sorcery or magic than the media accepted view of European style witchcraft. In neither occasion was any sort externally applied body grease or oil based ointment of any kind involved. My interest is in how the use of tropane-containing plants seems to run through ALL potions and ointments alike when "flight" is involved (Sacred Datura, Nightshade, Solanum, etc.).

Tropane-containing plant and herb-derived ingredients show up from the dawn of time in India, Europe, and the indigenous populations of the Americas as well as elsewhere. The "fat of an unbaptized baby" only starts showing up as an ingredient in Europe with the rise of the Middle Age religious persecutions. Those being persecuted did not have access to publishing or pushing the ingredients off on an unknowing populace...those in power did. How could those in power accomplish their end other than convincing those who they were trying to subjugate that those using occult powers were in league with the Devil --- or that those so accused might snatch and kill your baby or child so they could use the fat?

It should be noted the equivalent of baptized or unbaptized does not show up in the original Latin text. "Puerorum pinguedinem" meaning boy, young man, or child, joined with the word for fat does. In Appendix V of Margaret Alice Murray's rather extensive book on witchcraft The Witch-Cult in Western Europe (1921), A. J. Clark has analyzed three recipes used for making flying ointment and, quoting Pennethorne Hughes researching Clark's works in Witchcraft (Penguin Books, 1952), Hughes comes to the following conclusion:

Discounting the bat's blood and the baby's fat as picturesque accessories, oleaginous if otherwise ineffectual, he (A J Clark) finds that the remaining ingredients do carry important qualities.

Carlos Castaneda writes about his experience using the Datura plant in both his first and second books, the same plant suspected as employed by the Native American tribal spiritual elder with the Wanderling in the incident described in The Sun Dagger. Castaneda is not said to have drank the root extract in a "warm tea-like broth" as in the Wanderling's case, but instead, rubbed himself with paste, a paste or ointment we can pretty much be assured did not have the fat of a baby as an ingredient, baptized or not. Even so, the ointment DID contain fat, or lard, as the case may be. Castaneda, quoting here his Yaqui Indian sorcerer, Don Juan Matus writes:

"My benefactor (i.e., Don Juan's teacher) told me it was permissible to mix the plant with lard. And that is what you are going to do. My benefactor mixed it with lard for me, but, as I have already said, I never was very fond of the plant and never really tried to become one with her. My benefactor told me that for best results, for those who really want to master the power, the proper thing is to mix the plant with the lard of a wild boar."[1]

What followed was in his words "an extraordinary experience." Later, on Friday July 5, 1963, as the afternoon wore on, he and Don Juan Matus discuss the experience and lessons learned. In conversation Castaneda says there was a question he wanted to ask all day and finally, before the evening wore out, he asked, as found in his first book, THE TEACHINGS OF DON JUAN: A Yaqui Way Of Knowledge (1968) Chapter Six:

"There was a question I wanted to ask him. I knew he was going to evade it, so I waited for him to mention the subject. I waited all day. Finally, before I left that evening, I had to ask him, "Did I really fly?," don Juan?" (see)

"That is what you told me. Didn't you?"

"I know, don Juan. I mean, did my body fly? Did I take off like a bird?"

"You always ask me questions I cannot answer. You flew. That is what the second portion of the devil's weed is for. As you take more of it, you will learn how to fly perfectly. It is not a simple matter. A man flies with the help of the second portion of the devil's weed. That is all I can tell you. What you want to know makes no sense. Birds fly like birds and a man who has taken the devil's weed flies as such [el enyerbado vuela asi]."

"As birds do? [Asi como los pajaros?]."

"No, he flies as a man who has taken the weed [No, asi como los enyerbados]."

"Then I didn't really fly, don Juan. I flew in my imagination, in my mind alone. Where was my body?"

"In the bushes," he replied cuttingly, but immediately broke into laughter again. "The trouble with you is that you understand things in only one way. You don't think a man flies; and yet a brujo can move a thousand miles in one second to see what is going on. He can deliver a blow to his enemies long distances away. So, does he or doesn't he fly?"

"You see, don Juan, you and I are differently oriented. Suppose, for the sake of argument, one of my fellow students had been here with me when I took the devil's weed. Would he have been able to see me flying?"

"There you go again with your questions about 'What would happen if...?' It is useless to talk that way. If your friend, or anybody else, takes the second portion of the weed all he can do is fly. Now, if he had simply watched you, he might have seen you flying, or he might not. That depends on the man."

"But what I mean, don Juan, is that if you and I look at a bird and see it fly, we agree that it is flying. But if two of my friends had seen me flying as I did last night, would they have agreed that I was flying?"

Paste, root extract, or otherwise, interestingly enough Castaneda had written, again in his first book, THE TEACHINGS OF DON JUAN --- from information gathered in the field from Don Juan Matus in 1961 --- and covered more thoroughly in The Ally In Shamanism, the following:

The idea that a man of knowledge has an ally is the most important of the Seven Component Themes, for it is the only one that is indispensable to explaining what a man of knowledge is. In my classificatory scheme a man of knowledge has an ally, whereas the average man does not, and having an ally is what makes him different from ordinary men.

An ally is A POWER capable of transporting a man beyond the boundaries of himself; that is to say, an ally is a power which allows one to transcend the realm of ordinary reality. Consequently, TO HAVE AN ALLY IMPLIES HAVING POWER; and the fact that a man of knowledge has an ally is by itself proof that the operational goal of the teaching is being fulfilled.

In reality, the "full use of power can only be acquired with the help of an 'ally'," that Castaneda speaks of, like the use of medicinal plants, drugs, or herbs (Aushadhis) --- which he used intially, but denied the necessary use of later --- is a second level of use between the Shaman and the actual power source, the same source the "ally" would draw upon for power.

In the world of spells and the world at large the use of herbs in tea, broth, or flying ointments is really not much more than a step to initiate the actual outcome. Even though the results can be the same, in Hinduism, Buddhism and Zen there are supernormal perceptual states called Siddhis that for the most part do not incorporate, require, or use any sort of plant, potion, ointment, or drink such as implemented under the auspices of the Obeah or the tribal elder. However, if such outside ingested ingredients are used to actually accomplish results or simply used as a placebo to placate the recipient is not always clear. A lawyer that shows up in court in an expensive three piece suit will probably garner more success than if he shows up in a wrinkled tee shirt, shorts, and flip-flop shower shoes. Perhaps an Obeah or tribal elder might incorporate some sort of ritual or substance to convince a non-initiate to such a level that the expected result would transpire --- OR perhaps even, and possibly in a combination of both, some part of the substance's ingredients could be such that it would replicate, trigger or mimic an untrained, albeit short term, shortcut path to the same mind-strength ability of a person versed in Siddhis. As stated in The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Chapter IV, verse 1:

Verse 1: janma-osadhi-mantra-tapah-samadhi-jah siddayahsamadhi.

"The power of Siddhis can come because of previous Karma and genetics (janma), from herbs (Aushadhis), the use of Mantras, the kindling of the psychic fire (tapas), and/or from Samadhi."

The key word for our discussion here of course is HERBS..."The power of Siddhis CAN come from herbs..." that is, Aushadhis in Sanskrit (aushadhi Sk = medicine, herb, plant which has a quality of appeasement, relief from disease), but the effects will be of limited duration.

THE ZEN-MAN FLIES

Let Me Travel Through the Air Like a Winged Bird

THE BLACK CONDOR: THE MAN WHO COULD FLY LIKE A BIRD

(please click)

DO YOU THINK FLYING IN

THE SKY IS MAGICAL?

(click image)

SEE ALSO:

THE VULTURE AS TOTEM

ZEN, THE BUDDHA AND SHAMANISM

THE WORD OBEAH: WHAT DOES IT MEAN, HOW DOES IT WORK?

THE WANDERLING'S JOURNEY

(click image)

SEE:

BOOK III, Chapter XVII (4)

SEE:

BOOK II, Chapter XXVI

CARLOS CASTANEDA'S JOURNEY:

FOOTNOTE [1]

According to Castandea, in his first book, THE TEACHINGS OF DON JUAN: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge (1968), on Thursday, July 3, 1963, he and Don Juan Matus, starting out with Sacred Datura, set about making what could be called none other than a "flying ointment", the use of which ended in Castaneda's infamous metamorphosis into a crow --- including the full ability of flight. One of the key ingredients in that ointment was lard, more specifically the lard of a wild boar. Below is how Castaneda presents it from the words of Don Juan:

"My benefactor (Don Juan's benefactor being HIS teacher, said to be one Julian Osorio) told me it was permissible to mix the plant with lard. And that is what you are going to do. My benefactor mixed it with lard for me, but, as I have already said, I never was very fond of the plant and never really tried to become one with her. My benefactor told me that for best results, for those who really want to master the power, the proper thing is to mix the plant with the lard of a wild boar. The fat of the intestines is the best. But it is for you to choose. Perhaps the turn of the wheel will decide that you take the devil's weed as an ally, in which case I will advise you, as my benefactor advised me, to hunt a wild boar and get the fat from the intestines [sebo de tripa]. In other times, when the devil's weed was tops, brujos used to go on special hunting trips to get fat from wild boars. They sought the biggest and strongest males. They had a special magic for wild boars; they took from them a special power, so special that it was hard to believe, even in those days. But that power is lost. I don't know anything about it. And I don't know any man who knows about it. Perhaps the weed herself will teach you all that."

Don Juan measured a handful of lard, dumped it into the bowl containing the dry gruel, and scraped the lard left on his hand onto the edge of the pot. He told me to stir the contents until they were smooth and thoroughly mixed.

I whipped the mixture for nearly three hours. Don Juan looked at it from time to time and thought it was not done yet. Finally be seemed satisfied. The air whipped into the paste had given it a light- gray color and the consistency of jelly. He hung the bowl from the roof next to the other bowl. He said he was going to leave it there until the next day because it would take two days to prepare this second portion. He told me not to eat anything in the meantime. I could have water, but no food at all.

On July 4th Don Juan gives him directions on the use of the ointment:

He took his bone stick and cut two horizontal lines on the surface of the paste, thus dividing the contents of the bowl into three equal parts. Then, starting at the center of the top line, he cut a vertical line perpendicular to the other two, dividing the paste into five parts. He pointed to the bottom right area, and said that was for my left foot. The area above it was for my left leg. The top and largest part was for my genitals. The next one below, on the left side, was for my right leg, and the area at the bottom left was for my right foot. He told me to apply the part of the paste designated for my left foot to the sole of my foot and rub it thoroughly. Then he guided me in applying the paste on the inside part of my whole left leg, on my genitals, down the inside of my whole right leg, and finally on the sole of my right foot.

Then the transformation began, followed by Castaneda's experience of flight:

My legs were rubbery and long, extremely long. I took another step. My knee joints felt springy, like a vault pole; they shook and vibrated and contracted elastically. I moved forward. The motion of my body was slow and shaky; it was more like a tremor forward and up. I looked down and saw don Juan sitting below me, way below me. The momentum carried me forward one more step, which was even more elastic and longer than the preceding one. And from there I soared. I remember coming down once; then I pushed up with both feet, sprang backward, and glided on my back. I saw the dark sky above me, and the clouds going by me. I jerked my body so I could look down. I saw the dark mass of the mountains. My speed was extraordinary. My arms were fixed, folded against my sides. My head was the directional unit. If I kept it bent backward I made vertical circles. I changed directions by turning my head to the side. I enjoyed such freedom and swiftness as I had never known before. The marvelous darkness gave me a feeling of sadness, of longing, perhaps. It was as if I had found a place where I belonged -- the darkness of the night. I tried to look around, but all I sensed was that the night was serene, and yet it held so much power.

Suddenly I knew it was time to come down; it was as if I had been given an order I had to obey. And I began descending like a feather with lateral motions. That type of movement made me very ill. It was slow and jerky, as though 1 were being lowered by pulleys. I got sick. My head was bursting with the most excruciating pain. A kind of blackness enveloped me. I was very aware of the feeling of being suspended in it.

The next thing I remember is the feeling of waking up. I was in my bed in my own room. I sat up. And the image of my room dissolved. 1 stood up. I was naked! The motion of standing made me sick again. I recognized some of the landmarks. I was about half a mile from don Juan's house, near the place of his Datura plants. Suddenly everything fitted into place, and I realized that I would have to walk all the way back to his house, naked.

Compare the above experience of Castaneda's with that of the Wanderling's Journey.

AND NOW THIS:

ABOUT THE WANDERLING AS THE AUTHOR OF THIS SITE:

Over and over people ask why is it that they should accept what I have written about either Castaneda or flying ointments and/or Castaneda AND flying ointments as having any amount of credibility?

For one thing I personally knew, met and interacted with Castaneda many times --- however, it was done-so long before Castaneda became Castaneda. Matter of fact, he was still a nobody student trying hard to obtain an AA degree from Los Angeles City College, working at Mattel Toy Company. During that period he considered himself mostly as an aspiring artist rather than anything that remotely resembled an author or shaman. Secondly, and unrelated to Castaneda and I knowing each other, my uncle was the Informant that is so widely mentioned in Castaneda's works both by him and others that introduced him to the rituals and rites of the use of the plant Sacred Datura. If you remember from Castaneda's works, it was Sacred Datura and NOT Peyote that first sent him into his initial experiences of altered states. Third, in an attempt on my part to confirm, clear up, or have any number of things that have shown up or been said about Castaneda and his life that should be discounted, things that have taken on a life of their own as fact because they have been repeated over and over so often, I personally interviewed, talked to, or conversed with a number of individuals that were prominent in his life --- especially so in areas that raise conflict when people read one thing about him and I write another.

Originally, when I first started writing about Castaneda it was for one reason only. It had to do with help substantiating an incident in my life that revolved around what are known in Buddhism and Hindu spiritual circles under the ancient Sanskrit word Siddhis. Siddhis are supernormal perceptual states that once fully ingrained at a deep spiritual level can be utilized by a practitioner to initiate or inhibit incidents that are beyond the realm of typical everyday manifestation.

In that the incident that occurred in my life, although bordering on the edges of what is generally conceived in the west as Shamanism or possibly the occult, was actually deeply immersed on the eastern spiritual side of things.(see) To bridge the understanding between the eastern and western concepts I brought in for those who may have been so interested the legacy of one of the most well read practitioner of such crafts in the western world, Carlos Castaneda. Although highly controversial and most certainly not the fully unmitigated expert in the field, he is widely read and a known figure when mentioned, by camps both pro and con. So said, Castaneda has the highest profile in of all individuals to have claimed the ability through shamanistic rituals the ability to fly --- thus, for reasons as they related to me I used Castaneda in my works as an example. In doing so it opened a virtual Pandora's Box of never ending controversy, causing me to either ignore or substantiate what I presented. Hence, as questions were raised by me in my own writing or raised by those who read my material more pages were created to explain who, what, when, where, and why.

The following people were all major movers in the life of Carlos Castaneda, and at one time or the other I met and talked with them all, which is more than most people who write about Castaneda has ever done. And I only did so on and off over time primarily to clarify questions about Castaneda that I had read that just did not make sense. Most people who question what I have presented about Castaneda simply gather their information from the standard already in existence party line. Some of the people I've talked to in reference to Castaneda who, following some rather extended discussions, clarified a lot for me --- after Castaneda himself of course, others are people like C. Scott Littleton, Alex Apostolides, Barbara G. Myerhoff, Edward H. Spicer, Clement Meighan, who Castaneda dedicated his first book to, and Castaneda's ex-wife Margaret Runyan.

Interestingly enough, my interview with Runyan came about because before she married Castaneda, she had been engaged to another author, the cowboy and western writer, with over 100 books to his credit, Louis L'amour. It just so happened my uncle who, if you recall, was the Informant in Castaneda lore, just happened to know L'Amour. My uncle took me with him one day he went to see L'Amour. When I had a chance to meet Runyan years later I used me knowing L'Amour as the wedge to talk with her. As it was, and not many people know about it, my uncle, who was influential with Castaneda also, along with another man deeply seeped in Native American spiritual lore by the name of H. Jackson Clark, worked together funneling Native American spiritual facts to L'Amour used as a theme in two of his books that borderlined much of what Castaneda wrote about, titled The Californios and Haunted Mesa.

MARGARET RUNYAN CASTANEDA

In the form of a Crow

(or Raven).

(click)

[jurassicparkpodcast]

The Science of Jurassic Park & More: Part Three

In today’s article, we will be continuing the final part of our deep-dive into the world of palaeontology with Doctor David Button from London’s Natural History Museum.

In Part Two, David talked about his favourite dinosaurs, whether we are still discovering new dinosaurs, and much more. If you missed it, click here to take a read.

Many of the images in the article ahead are also courtesy of our friends at Jurassic Vault – so go show them some love if you haven’t already!

Without any further ado, let’s kick off our final part to this series by talking about the accuracy of the fan favourite Spinosaurus!

Image from Jurassic Park Wiki.

How accurate was the Spinosaurus we saw in Jurassic Park 3 (2001) at the time of release?

The Spinosaurus of Jurassic Park III was actually reasonably accurate at the time of release, as it was not well known at the time. Its main problem was the orientation of the hands – as with most of the other theropods in the franchise, it was depicted with permanently pronated “bunny hands”, even though theropods were unable to pronate their hands into such a position.

How do you see/research intelligence of extinct animals that died millions of years ago?

We can get an idea of the cognition of an extinct animal by taking a cast of the interior surfaces of the braincase – producing what is known as an endocast. This used to be performed by injecting latex into a dinosaur braincase and then cutting it open. Fortunately, however, these days we are able to produce these digitally by CT-scanning dinosaur braincases. The endocast gives us a replica of the shape of the brain and surround soft tissues.

From this, we can examine the shape of the brain and its constituent lobes to get an idea of the sensory abilities of an animal, and from the dimensions of the inner ear we can even calculate the range of sounds an animal could hear. The overall size and shape of the brain also give us a rough idea of the animal’s intelligence relative to that of other creatures. We can then also compare this with other evidence of dinosaur behaviours, such as associations of skeletons and footprints, to get an idea of their cognition and behavioural complexity. However, it should be stated that brain size does not necessarily correlate tightly with intelligence, and certainly many animals with small brains are still capable of complex cognition and behaviours. Consequently, we can only get a vague impression of just how smart dinosaurs may have been.

Would a Mosasaurus have slept in the same way a Whale sleeps?

Sleeping poses a problem for marine animals that need to come up for air, but cannot haul out onto land. Whales have solved this by only putting part of the brain to sleep at a time, still allowing them to surface. Sea turtles, however, have different solutions. Sometimes they sleep floating at the surface. Otherwise, however, sea turtles are able to exploit their low metabolisms. They slow their metabolic rate and oxygen use so as to not require another breath for hours, allowing them to sleep for that time under the surface.

It is difficult to say for sure Mosasaurs would have slept. However, there is evidence that Mosasaurs were warm-blooded, with a relatively high metabolic rate. Consequently, I think they would have been more likely to sleep like a whale than like a turtle.

Stiggy.....is it a growth phase of the pachycephalosaur?

Stygimoloch, Dacrorex and Pachycephalosaurus are differently-sized genera of pachycephalosaur, all known from the same time and place. Work on the bone histology of the animals has shown that the known specimen of Dacrorex is an infant, Stygimoloch a juvenile, and Pachycephalosaurus an adult. This suggests that they may all be growth phases in the life of a single animal. However, it may equally mean that they are three different animals that just happen to be known from different life stages. Unfortunately, pachycephalosaur remains are generally rare, and with such small sample sizes it is difficult to satisfactorily prove this problem one way or the other.

However, that being said, it seems more likely to me that these dinosaurs are all different life stages of the same animal than that there were three very similar pachycephalosaurs living in the same time and place. Hence, I think it is best to assume this option, until more specimens let us test this more thoroughly. I do admit that this is disappointing, though, as Stygimoloch was one of my favourite dinosaurs.

Is it true that we don’t know what Carnotaurus’ feet look like? And it’s tail?

It is true that specimens of Carnotaurus that we do have do not preserve these parts of the skeleton, so we do not know exactly what they looked like. However, Carnotaurus was an Abelisaurid, and these parts of the skeleton are known from other Abelisaurs, such as Majungasaurus, allowing us to fill them in with a reasonable degree of accuracy. This suggests that the tail of Carnotaurus would have been rather unremarkable. The hind legs would have been quite stocky, but what we do have from Carnotaurus indicates that its legs would have been relatively longer than those of Majungasaurus, and so Carnotaurus would have been a more competent pursuit predator.

The question I always wanted to ask is. How come they decided to go for reptiles instead of birds for their Jurassic Park films and why are the raptors are bigger than their real-life counterpart?

Jurassic Park originally used reptiles as a model for dinosaurs partially as this was the prevailing view when the book was first written, and also as that was the public expectation of dinosaurs. Nonetheless, the book and first movie movie did draw heavily on birds for some of the depicted behaviours, so that each were quite radical when they came out. Since then, however, the Jurassic Park franchise has stuck with more reptilian dinosaurs despite the science leaving that far behind. This is probably partially to preserve continuity, and partially because the public still, unfortunately, expects and prefers their dinosaurs to be as reptilian as possible when watching movies.

Velociraptor was originally scaled-up to more resemble the size of Deinonychus by Michael Crichton when he was writing Jurassic Park. This partially followed the unusual classification of Dromaeosaurids by the palaeontologist Greg Paul, who considered Velociraptor mongoliensis and Deinonychus antirrhopus to both belong to the same genus. Jurassic Park followed this, featuring Deinonychus, but calling it Velociraptor Antirrhopus. This also explains why the featured Velociraptor skeleton was discovered by Grant in the USA, as opposed to Mongolia, where Velociraptor actually lived. However, no other palaeontologists agree with this classification, not the least because the two animals lived on separate continents, 30 million years apart! Nonetheless, Crichton decided to stick with the name Velociraptor, because he considered it more dramatic.

When it came to adapting Jurassic Park for film, the raptors were increased in size again. This was due partially to Spielberg, reportedly, being unimpressed with the size of Deinonychus. However, it was also due to the discovery of Utahraptor at around the same time – it had not yet been described and named, but there were reports of large raptor bones being found at the time that inspired the production crew of the movie.

If an eccentric millionaire was able to bring back dinosaurs and make a Jurassic Park, what is the probability of them breaking out and creating all the chaos seen in the films?

That’s a big if! However, if they did, I am sure that dinosaurs would break out every so often. How much chaos were then able to cause would be directly down to how well-prepared the millionaire had been. If they had stringent systems in place, an escaped dinosaur should be quickly containable – although their large size and strength would pose significant challenges, they would not be any more vicious or intelligent than other zoo animals. However, if they had under prepared with inadequate staff, and over reliance on untested automated systems and untrustworthy employees, then, well…

Considering how obvious this is, and I've asked this before, does the don't move thing for Tyrannosaurus sound ridiculous and is 12.5 meters the plausible maximum for the king of the Cretaceous? If a Rex went 32 mph, would it trip over?

You are correct in that vision-based eyesight for a large predator like Tyrannosaurus makes no sense at all. I am glad the series has been downplaying this since Jurassic Park.

How quickly Tyrannosaurus could run remains a strong point of contention within palaeontology. Still, most estimates do hover around the region of a running speed of 11-13 metres per second (~25 mph) – this seems sensible to me. At higher speeds the problem is not that Tyrannosaurus would necessarily fall over, but that if it did happen to trip, the head would hit the ground with such momentum that it would be fatal. Hence, it is possible that it could have briefly used such a burst of speed when closing in on prey, but it would not have used such speeds during normal locomotion or pursuit.

Are Giganotosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus considered Allosaurid or Allosauroid? And if suddenly someone brings dinosaurs to life through their original DNA, would you use frog or bird DNA, to make them as accurate as possible? And is the Jurassic Park T-Rex a bit shoehorned and shrinkwrapped?

Carcharodontosaurids such as Giganotosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus itself are Allosauroids. However, they are not also Allosaurids, but are instead more closely related to Neovenatorids: these two groups together form the Carcharodontosauria.

Were it possible to extract DNA from dinosaur fossils to revive them, I would certainly use bird DNA to plug the gaps. This would both make the resulting dinosaurs more accurate and also, due to using a more closely related animal, make it more likely that the created embryos would be viable in the first place. Unfortunately, though, it does not appear possible for DNA to survive for that long in fossils.

‘Shrink-wrapping’ is a term used to describe palaeoart that does not put enough flesh and other soft tissues on a dinosaur’s bones. As you say, the Tyrannosaurus in Jurassic Park has suffered a little bit of shrinkwrapping – the spine, shoulder blade, ribs and hips are very obvious, as are some of the edges of the skull. However, overall, most of the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park are not too bad for shrinkwrapping – the Tyrannosaurus, for example, just looks underfed – this may be as the need to create a moving 3D model means the animators will get some kind of feel for the volumes of muscle that should be present. Still, most of the dinosaurs should have lips, and the Pterosaurs in Jurassic World were shrinkwrapped to a horrifying degree, as were the heads of the Apatosaurs in the same movie.

And which parts of the Jurassic Park T-Rex would you rather fix to give nod to accuracy?

I would draw upon evidence of the integument of tyrannosaurs to make it both more accurate, but also more visually interesting. Although we know that Tyrannosaurus was mostly covered in scales, we also know that it had some regions of naked skin (and, possibly, some feathers). Furthermore, we know that Tyrannosaurus’ face was armoured by large, overlapping scales – it would be nice to include these. Despite this, I do also think that Theropods such as Tyrannosaurus would have had lips, and so would include those. The ridges on Tyrannosaurus’ head were probably for display, and it would have had good colour vision, so brightly colouring those seems both plausible and visually interesting.

In addition, drawing on the above discussion about ‘shrinkwrapping’, I would beef Tyrannosaurus up a bit, especially around the legs and tail (both related to the leg muscles, but also likely fat stores in the tail as seen in modern reptiles). I tend to like my dinosaurs to be bulky, as we tend to estimate volumes of soft tissue in animals in general from their skeletons.

How much can you rely on fused bone sutures to understand a dinosaur’s growth stage? For example, why does a juvenile T. rex have fused sutures but appears to be young when looking at its histology?

The degree of sutural fusion in a dinosaur is often used to get a rough idea of life stage although, as you say, there are many caveats. In tyrannosaurs, for example, sutures in the axial and appendicular regions of the skeleton fused very early during growth, whereas many of those in the skull never fused, even in adulthood. The fusion of sutures between bones is governed, in part, on the forces acting upon them. Consequently, the stresses place on the tyrannosaur’s back and limbs could cause them to fuse early. By contrast, the open sutures between tyrannosaur facial bones served to help absorb and redistribute shocks encountered during feeding.

With those caveats in mind, bone histology remains the best tool to understand whether a dinosaur had reached adulthood. Still, unfused sutures in certain bones are still useful in showing us whether a dinosaur was still a juvenile, even if their fusion may not necessarily indicate that they were yet an adult. For example, the unfused scapulacoracoid of the mounted skeleton of Giraffatitan means that we know it was still growing, and was not fully adult. 

Even though modern evidence suggests that adult tyrannosaurs probably had no feathers, does evidence suggest that young ones may have had feathers — possibly to help regulate heat?

We know that ancestral Tyrannosauroids – such as Dilong and Yutyrannus had feathers, and so they were secondarily lost in Tyrannosaurids, perhaps due to their large size obviating the need for insulation (which, indeed, would have caused heat stress in such large animals). Consequently, I think it is very plausible that tyrannosaur chicks would have had some kind of down-like coat to help keep them warm, especially in more northerly regions of tyrannosaur habitat. Indeed, it seems probable that the small, polar Tyrannosaurid Nanuqsaurus would have retained a feathery coat in adulthood, to help it last the cold winters.

It should also be noted that, although preserved skin impressions show that Tyrannosaurids such as Tyrannosaurus and Albertosaurus were predominately scaly, we still cannot rule out the presence of small regions of feathers, whether they were relicts of their evolutionary history or growth, or even for display.

What do we know of the lifespan of dinosaurs? Elephants have a gestational period of two years. Do we know anything about length of egg carrying or incubating time? Massive dinosaurs (Titanosaurs: how long until they reach adulthood? Would it be safe to assume they lived a long time?

We can get an idea of the age of a dinosaur specimen from looking at sections of its bones, especially the long bones of the limbs. In many cases, the bones of dinosaurs bones show growth rings – like those of trees – which can be counted to establish an age. Unfortunately, some dinosaurs – especially whilst young – grew too quickly to leave rings. In other cases, remodeling of bone structure after reaching adulthood also overpinted the rings. However, even then, the texture of bone indicates how rapidly the animal was growing when it died. Comparing these between differently-sized individuals of a dinosaur species allows us to establish growth curves. This, in turn, helps to establish when a dinosaur reached sexual maturity – as indicated by a slowdown in growth as resources are diverted for reproduction – and also the age at which maximum body size was achieved.

These results show that most dinosaurs grew fast – even large dinosaurs reached sexual maturity in their teens, and maximum body size in their twenties. Maximum lifespan is harder to establish, though, as it is impossible to verify whether any particular dinosaur died of old age. However, we know of some individuals that were at least 38 years old. However, it should be noted that very few dinosaurs would have reached old age, or even full body size – most would have died relatively young, due to their violent lifestyles. Once reaching full body size, however, they would be relatively safe from attack, and maximum lifespans of 50 years or more for large dinosaurs would seem likely.

Incubation times of dinosaur eggs can be calculated by counting growth rings in the teeth of dinosaur embryos. These indicate that incubation times in dinosaurs were variable. Most dinosaur eggs probably incubated for similar timescales to those seen in modern reptiles, taking from between 3-6 months to hatch. However, those of more birdlike dinosaurs, such as Troodon, hatched more quickly (but still more slowly than in modern birds), after only ~70 days.

Even though this means Titanosaur eggs may have taken several months of burial to hatch, the low investment a mother would have to put into each egg means that she would be able to lay multiple clutches per year, each containing as many as 30 eggs, for an annual total of perhaps as many as 200 eggs in the largest species. This is a much higher reproductive rate than a modern elephant, which has to invest 22 months of pregnancy, followed by 3-5 years of devoted parental care in a single calf. The lesser pressures of egg-laying relative to pregnancy are one reason why dinosaurs were able to reach much larger sizes than mammals such as elephants.

If the Baryonyx was around today would we see them in the swamps of Florida and or Louisiana?

Evidence from the isotopic composition of the bones of Spinosaurids such as Baryonyx, as well as from fish scales preserved in the animal’s stomach, indicate that it mostly ate fish and spent a large amount of its time in or around water. The warm, swampy environment of the Everglades would seem like ideal habitat for Baryonyx – and, indeed, is not too far from the wet environment of the Wealden Formation from which it is known. No Spinosaurids are currently known from North America, but that does not mean that Baryonyx would not be able to thrive were it somehow introduced there!

We really hope you found this three-piece series interesting! Make sure you also check out Part One and Part Two.

A massive thank you, again, to David for working on this series with us. We’ve found it incredibly interesting – and we hope you have too! Make sure to follow David on Twitter if you aren’t already, and stay tuned to The Jurassic Park Podcast for all the latest Jurassic Park news!

Written by: Tom Fishenden

[josephkitchen0]

Staghorn Sumac: The Wild Lemonade Berry

By Sam Thayer – Sumac is a common, well-known and easily recognized feature of the rural North American landscape. Staghorn sumac trees with thick twigs and an almost tropical appearance are familiar to most country dwellers. Their shape and large cone-like, dark red berry clusters are distinctive and their bright red autumn foliage is hard to forget. Yet few people know that these little trees have provided a delicious and refreshing summer drink throughout much of the world for thousands of years. Sumac forms large patches called clones; what looks like many trees or shrubs is actually a single plant, like a patch of growing rhubarb or growing asparagus. Large clones are tallest in the center, getting gradually shorter towards the outside, creating the illusion of a gentle hill where there is none. In such a sumac clone the trees often have the habit of bearing leaves only at the canopy, so that when one ventures underneath he is struck with the impression of being under a gentle dome painstakingly coaxed into existence by some master gardener. There were large colonies of sumac growing in an abandoned field at the edge of the town where I grew up. I spent many hours as a child in the calming shade of sumac domes, following rabbit runs in the short grass below or just listening to the birds, daydreaming and staring skyward. The Staghorn sumac was one of my favorite tree before I even learned to make sumac lemonade.

Staghorn sumac is found throughout the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada.

Staghorn sumac or Rhus typhina grows throughout the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada. Staghorn sumac is a small tree or large shrub, usually eight to 20 feet tall although I’ve seen a few as tall as 35 feet. The twigs are sparse and very thick, and the first-year growth is covered with velvety hairs (like a stag’s horns in velvet). The leaves are large — sometimes more than two feet long — and compound, with each leaflet lanceolate and serrated. The foliage of the Staghorn sumac closely resembles that of ailanthus (tree of heaven or stinktree) and black walnut. Staghorn sumac bark is smooth, thin, dark gray, and the inner bark, which is slightly sweet to chew on, is light green. The staghorn sumac plants produce a milky latex that will stain your clothes dark brown. This and other species of true sumac usually grow in pure stands that propagate themselves by rhizomes. They are common on rural roadsides, along railroad tracks and fence rows, and in old fields and other open habitats. Here’s a soil fact about sumacs: They require well-drained soil, and can thrive on dry sites. They are extremely intolerant of shade and are rarely found in any type of mature forest. There are numerous other species of sumac in North America, and at least one is found in almost every inhabited part of the continent. Prairie sumac Rhus lanceolata occurs in Texas and parts of Oklahoma and New Mexico; Mearn’s sumac R. choriophylla grows in southern Arizona and New Mexico; lemonade berry R. integrifolia grows in southern California; shining sumac R. copallina is found over the southern half of eastern North America, smooth sumac R. glabra is found throughout the eastern U. S. and scattered in the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains; fragrant sumac R. aromatica and the very similar basket bush R. trilobata are found in mountainous or rocky situations from coast to coast, south into Mexico and north into Canada. This is only a partial list, so wherever you are, you are probably near some useful species of sumac. Consult a field guide for your region. (Laurel sumac Malosma laurina, found in the West, is not a true sumac and is reportedly not edible.)

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A Sumac bush in autumn. Raindrops add to the glistening color.

When I mention making a beverage from sumac, many people who have heard of poison sumac think I am crazy. Quite a few people assume that all sumacs are “poison sumac.” Poison sumac, however, is distinctly different from the true sumacs and is, fortunately, less common. Anybody who tries to differentiate the two will have an easy time of it. All of the true (edible) sumacs have dark reddish or purple fruit borne in erect, tight clusters. (On some of the western species, the clusters are pretty small and may not be as tight as on the eastern species, but they are still distinctly red.) The surface of the fruit is fuzzy or grainy. The poison sumac Toxicodendron vernix is classified in a different genus (along with poison ivy and poison oak). This shrub, which causes reactions even more readily and severely than its better-known brethren, is confined to the east. It can be differentiated from true sumacs most readily by the fact that the berries are whitish, waxy, hairless, and hang in loose, grape-like clusters. They are quite unlike the berries of the edible sumacs, like staghorn sumac. The leaf edges of poison sumac are smooth, while those of the edible eastern sumacs are toothed. Poison sumac also differs in that it rarely grows in dense, pure stands, and in that it inhabits swamps rather than dry areas.

Sumac “Lemonade”

As previously mentioned, the red-berried true sumacs have been widely used to brew a tart and refreshing drink. This drink is delicious, easy to prepare, fun to gather, nutritious, unique and free. Its source is easily accessible to millions of Americans every summer.

This beverage has been called sumac-ade, rhus-ade, sumac lemonade, Indian lemonade, sumac tea and probably some other names that I have yet to hear. Whatever people call it, they pronounce it delicious. When made properly it is as universally liked as lemonade. I have personally brewed this beverage from staghorn, smooth, and shining sumacs on many occasions. Keep in mind that my experiences refer to these species in the Midwest, and other kinds might need to be treated a little differently.

Sumac “berries” are seeds covered with hairs and a thin coating of flavoring substance.

Preparation of the beverage is simple. The first step is to harvest the berries. Sumac “berries” are really just seeds covered with a thin coating of flavoring substance and hairs. The large clusters are so easy to collect that in just a few moments you can have enough for a pitcher of wild Kool-Aid that kids will love. I usually just snap off the twig that bears the cluster by bending it quickly, although some people use pruning shears or a knife. You want to get the berries when they are dark red and fully mature, so that they have fully developed their tart flavor, but before the rain has had the opportunity to wash the flavor out. In most of North America, the first clusters are ready to be plucked sometime in July, with the prime time being in early August. Taste each cluster as you harvest to assure yourself that you are collecting something with flavor since occasionally they are bland. A dark purple coloration usually indicates that the flavor of the fruit has developed fully, yet some of the best clusters I’ve tasted were light pink. Sometimes a white, sticky substance coats the berry heads; this is pure essence of sumac flavor-don’t let it scare you off. I pluck about six to eight average-sized clusters for a pitcher of sumac-ade.

I take my half-dozen berry clusters, cram them into a pitcher, pour cold water over them, crush them up a little with my hand, and then let the pitcher sit in a cool place for a while. Pouring boiling or hot water over the berries makes for poor flavor, for it leaches tannin from the stems, causing the drink to become bitter. The longer the berries infuse, the stronger the drink will be. When the flavor is to your liking, just strain the drink through a cheesecloth to remove seeds and hairs. Sumac-ade is pleasantly tart with a light pink color. Some people add sugar, but I prefer it without. A potential mistake is to harvest the berry heads before they are ripe, in which case they will produce an unpleasantly bitter brew. More commonly, the problem is that the berries are collected long after their flavor has been washed out by rain. Although I have found good-tasting berries into April, this is the exception; around here the vast majority of them are spent by the end of August. You can expect to find good ones if you taste around, until early October and sometimes later and there are always those with just a hint of flavor. To enjoy this refreshing summer beverage in the middle of winter, it pays to harvest the heads in prime time and dry them, so you don’t have to worry about using mediocre material.

The tartness of sumac is partly due to ascorbic acid (vitamin C) so one also has a health incentive to drink this beverage. There are other things that can be done with sumac-ade. My sister made one of the best wines that I have ever tasted from it. I once prepared a potent sumac concentrate by soaking four batches of berry heads in the same water, one after the other, for one-half hour each. This concentrate made a wonderful and very tart jelly. The flavor is transformed and weakened somewhat by the boiling, so be sure to use a very strong sumac brew for the jelly. Euell Gibbons recommended using sumac-ade instead of plain water to boil elderberry and other fruits that need a touch of tartness to liven them up for using in jam or jelly. Also, the young, thick, tender tips of sumac shoots (especially staghorn) in early summer can be peeled and eaten raw or cooked. They are sweet and delicious, much like raspberry stalks. Since sumac is related to cashews and mangoes, anyone allergic to those foods should avoid it, or proceed with extreme caution. All in all, however, the sumac is a wonderful tree, deserving of much more attention from those who love the outdoors. Unfortunately, the fact that it shares names with a tree of ill-repute has caused many to shun it. That does leave more for us, but either way, there’s plenty of sumac to go around. Why not try some this summer?

Originally published in Countryside July / August 2003 and regularly vetted for accuracy. 

Staghorn Sumac: The Wild Lemonade Berry was originally posted by All About Chickens

[sensitivefern]

Like Benjamin Rush and John Harvey Kellogg, Lydia Maria Child devoted a great deal of her intellectual genius to digestion. And while she possessed a keen grasp of suet, lard, slops, vinegars, and sour beer, she had also studied Milton, Scott, Gibbon, Addison, and Shakespeare, and ran in the same social circle as... Ralph Waldo Emerson and John Greenleaf Whittier. Along with her cookbooks, Child wrote novels and antislavery polemics, women’s education tracts, histories, biographies, and songs (‘Over the river and through the woods/to Grandmother’s house we go!’). Perhaps most influential of all, she wrote The American Frugal Housewife: Dedicated to Those Who Are Not Ashamed of Economy.

...William Lloyd Garrison compared Child’s gastrosophical revelations to the almanacs of Benjamin Franklin, ‘for they embody his wisdom, his sagacity, and his wonderful knowledge of human nature’. And like Franklin’s work, The American Frugal Housewife had not targeted the elite. Lydia Child was of the people, and her first rule was simple:

Look frequently to the pails to see that nothing is thrown to the pigs which should have been in the grease-pot.

[A Short History of the American Stomach]

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The one remaining problem was window coverings: shades, blinds, curtains, whatever. Mies would have preferred that the great windows of plate glass have no coverings at all... In the Seagram Building, Mies came as close as man was likely to come to realizing that ideal. The tenant could only have white blinds or shades, and there were only three intervals where they would stay put: open, closed, and halfway. At any other point, they just kept sliding.

No intellectually undeveloped impulses, please. By now this had become a standard attitude among compound architects in America. They policed the impulses of clients and tenants alike. Even after the building was up the contract fulfilled, they would return. The imitators of Le Corbusier – and there were many – would build expensive country houses in wooded glades patterned on Corbu’s Villa Savoye, with strict instructions that the bedrooms, being on the upper floor and visible only to the birds, have no curtains whatsoever. Tired of waking up at 5 a.m. every morning to the light of the summer sun, the owners would add white curtains, But the soul engineer would inevitably return and rip the offending rags down... and throw out those sweet little puff’n’clutter Thai-silk throw pillows in the living room while he was at it.

[From Bauhaus to Our House]

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According to KSM, Abu Turab... had the trainees butcher a sheep and a camel with a knife to prepare to use knives during the hijackings. The recruits learned to focus on storming the cockpit at the earliest opportunity when the doors first opened, and to worry about seizing control over the rest of the plane later... According to KSM, the muscle did not learn the full details – including the plan to hijack planes and fly them into buildings – before reaching the United States.

[The 9/11 Report]

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Dec. 21 [1854]. What a grovelling appetite for profitless jest and amusement our countrymen have! Next to a good dinner, at least, they love a good joke, – to have their sides tickled, to laugh sociably, as in the East they bathe and are shampooed. Curators of lyceums write to me: –

DEAR SIR, – I hear that you have a lecture of some humor. Will you do us the favor to read it before the Bungtown Institute?

[Thoreau, Journal]

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Expedition to Sodom: I have always been curious about this place – how it came to be named that, how the inhabitants felt about it. I assumed that like other names around here, Carthage, Rome, Utica, Ithaca, Tyre, Poland, Denmark, Copenhagen, Russia, Peru, etc., it had simply been picked at random, by ignorant people who ran through atlases, classical dictionaries and Bibles. They thought that Sodom must be all right because it was found in the Bible. These names I have always found irritating.

I got the Pcolars to drive me over there one Sunday. It proved to be quite a long way – to... a wild and primitive part of the Adirondacks. I began to think it probable that the people who lived in Sodom had never read the Bible. A few scattered camps, a few inhabitants – we wondered what they did. We had lunch at a rather crude restaurant. After this, the road was no longer surfaced.

[Edmund Wilson]

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Time and time again Europeans described the People of the First Light as strikingly healthy specimens. Eating an incredibly nutritious diet, working hard but not broken by toil, the people of New England were taller and more robust than those who wanted to move in... Because famine and epidemic disease had been rare in the Dawnland, its inhabitants had none of the pox scars or rickety limbs common on the other side of the Atlantic.

[1491]

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Tragopogon ‘Recognize these alien biennials by their grasslike leaves; their summer-blooming, yellow, dandelionlike flowerheads atop 1-to 3-foot-tall stems; their big, fluffy, puffball seedheads,; and their milky sap’... salsify has purplish flowers... 50 species in the genus... fall dandelion (Leontodon autumnalis) is a relative...

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❚James Purdey & Sons, or simply "Purdey", is a famous British gunmaker of London, specialising in high-end bespoke sporting shotguns and rifles. Purdey holds three Royal Warrants of appointment as gun and rifle makers to the British and other European royal families.

David Frum The Fox News - RT convergence is now perfect

Amazon Wants To Get Into Your Underwear Drawer

Eating whole grains led to modest improvements in gut microbiota and immune response

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