Eclectic Perambulations in the Noosphere
The Pantanal; Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia
"Swamps are sometimes considered eerie places, places where living things die – and perhaps dead things live! In fact, though, they have their own important biosystems and beauty, and are often nature reserves for numerous mammals, insects, amphibians, reptiles and birds."
"Test Your Vocab is part of an American-Brazilian research project “to measure vocabulary sizes according to age and education, and particularly to compare native learning rates with foreign language classroom learning rates.” (The Brazilian project hasn’t launched yet.) The first part of the test determines general vocabulary level; the second part has “a larger but narrower selection of words to determine the vocabulary level with greater precision.”"
Take the test here
Flamingos gather in the shape of a flamingo in Yucatan, Mexico.
Photograph: Robert Haas/National Geographic/Caters News Agency
"Flamingos have many extraordinary qualities, but until now they have never been considered to be performance artists. Now, thanks to this amazing aerial photograph of a flock of Caribbean flamingos in the Mexican province of Yucatán, we may have to think again. Some believe that the birds' ability to arrange themselves into the shape of a flamingo (albeit a rather inelegant one) is evidence of divine intervention. But like all flocking behaviour, it is simply the best way to avoid predators and to find the best place to feed. Still, a once-in-a-lifetime moment for photographer Bobby Haas, who managed to grab just one image before the birds dispersed."
