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Magic Mistletoe
For years, mistletoe (Genus Phoradendron) has suffered from a split reputation: either the decorative prelude to a Christmas kiss or the tree-killing parasite that must be mercilessly excised for the...
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Frankincense and Myrrh
A small Boswellia sacra (Frankincence) plant at Miniatree Garden in Tuscon.In the history of baffling Christmas presents, none may be stranger than the three gifts of the Magi: gold, frankincense and...
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Warmest Year on Record 'By Far'
Yes, the Arctic is warming fast, but what about the rest of us?In Florida temps are still in the mid-80°s (29°-30° C) as we approach the new year, and worse yet it virtually hasn't rained since last...
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Evolutionary Traps: Owls and Cuban Treefrogs
The red eyes in this image were caused by my camera's flash.The true color of this Barred Owl's (Strix varia) eyes is black.The different color of owls' eyes do more than help you identify the species....
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North Pole 50° Above Normal
GFS Computer Forecast Model simulation of temperature difference from normal for Thursday, December 22, 2016It’s not normal, and it’s happening again.For the second year in a row in late December and...
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California Takes Up Climate Change Fight, Defying Trump
Foreign governments concerned about climate change may soon be spending more time dealing with Sacramento than Washington.President-elect Donnie J. to be Climate Change Denier-in-ChiefPresident-elect...
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Fires in the Sky: Aurora Over Canada
Just hours after the winter solstice, a mass of energetic particles from the Sun smashed into the magnetic field around Earth. The strong solar wind stream stirred up a display of northern lights over...
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Rare Continental-Wide Cold Wave to Engulf USA
Frigid air will grip an unusually large portion of the Lower 48 states in just over a week’s time. The cold is predicted to consume almost the entire nation, from the Pacific Northwest to the...
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Snowmageddon Redux
Metro Atlanta Prepares for 3 Inches of SnowOfficials say they are not taking any chances on the predicted snow this weekend turning into another Snowmageddon.The Georgia Department of Transportation is...
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Florida Chill
After a record-breaking hot fall and early winter temperatures are falling across the Florida peninsula tonight, finally, on January 7, 2017. This ties with last year's latest cool outbreak ever...
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Snake Tongue
While some snakes spend the winter gathered in dens, they disperse widely the rest of the year, making it difficult to find food or mates. To survive, snakes have evolved the forked tongue. They use it...
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Water, Older Than The Sun
Ichetucknee SpringsIchetucknee Springs State Park is a 2,241-acre (9.07 km2) Florida State Park and National Natural Landmark located four miles (6 km) northwest of Fort White off State Road 47 and...
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Florida Lions and Gulls
The Medici Lions of FloridaFlorida's Medici lions once again proudly protect the Bridge of Lions that spans Matanzas Bay between St. Augustine and Anastasia Island.I made a bit of a fool of myself...
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Central Florida's Best
I took a trek around 3 of Central Florida's best parks this afternoon. I'm almost reluctant to share too much information because I don't want the parks spoiled by too many visitors. The image above...
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Daytona 500 Weather
The 2017 Daytona 500 buildup has already begun. Historically you could expect cool weather for the February 26, 2017 Super Bowl of races, but this year expect the weather to be sunny and hot. And as...
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Winter Abandons Florida
Millions vacation in Florida to soak up the state’s famed winter mildness—but this year’s snowbirds may feel more like they flew into a summer sauna. The winter of 2015-16 featured periods of...
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How Birds Fly
One of the requirements for heavier-than-air flying machines is a structure that combines strength with light weight. This is true for birds as well as planes. Birds have many physical features,...
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Timeless Beauty
Fairchild OakLocated at Latitude 29.38829, Longitude -81.13088 about 8 miles NNW of Ormond Beach Florida in the Bulow Creek State ParkTruth behind the treeFairchild Oak's history, name a mix of myth,...
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Ocala National Forest, Alexander Springs
Located at Lat. 29° 04’ 52.68” N., Long. 81° 34’ 33.18” W. (Levy Grant 39, T. 16 S., R. 27 E.). Alexander Spring is approximately 37 miles (59.5 km) east of Ocala in the Ocala National Forest. The...
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Australia Bakes, Redneck Returns
Redneck Returns"Redneck," my Red-eared Slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) who went missing around the October full moon has returned, months early. But then it has been exceptionally hot and...
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