Greg Laden's Blog

.... so you don't have to....

My best friend, indeed, the "best man" at my wedding, is married to the co-director of a really really cool documentary called "The Listening Project." I learned Sunday morning, during a visit to the Walker Sculpture Garden, that this documentary has won yet another major award. It is now the recipient of the Best Of Awards at the Santa Cruz Film Festival, Durango Independent Film Festival, the Oxford Film Festival, and the Omaha Film Festival. That is pretty freaking' impressive. Way to go, Dominic!!!!

Check out this factoid, dog ... In the early days of Spanish colonization of the New World, at a time of war among the Spanish, the Dutch and the English, two weather related events occurred that changed the course of history. In 1640, a good chunk of the Dutch fleet was destroyed by a hurricane just before a planned attack on the Spanish. In 1666, most of the British fleet in the area, including 2,000 troops, was wiped out by a Hurricane, foiling an attack on the Spanish. It is believed by many that had either (or certainly, both) of these attacks not been thwarted by destruction of the fleets, the Spanish would likely have been driven out of the New World. So what you say? Well, this set of historical events had a HUGE effect on the history and destiny of the worlds pirates. So what you say? You know nothing of pirates! Read this post by Tangled up in Blue Guy about the Dutch Zeerovers. (Which I loosely translate as "Sea Dogs"...)

I could tell you stories about giant beetles. And crickets. But I won't . Have a look at Giant Beetles: Not Your Average Everyday Pet

And finally, don't miss out on Dinosaur Tracks from Yemen.