Sociable Weaver Bird nests to be factual. These massive bird abodes can be seen through out the Kalahari Desert in the south of Africa and each can be home to one hundred birds of varying species at one time including the South African Pygmy Falcon.
The sociable weaver is a very common little brown
bird in the Kalahari region of southern Africa. However, this sparrow-sized
critter may quite possibly be one of the most interesting birds in the
world! Sociable weavers are unlike most other birds due to their lifestyle
and nest building: they weave one nest for their entire colony as well as
for future residents. This is no ordinary nest—it is massive, like a giant
apartment block occupied by up to 100 sociable weaver families all year
long. Some sociable weaver nests have remained occupied for over 100 years!
The sociable weaver’s nest sees plenty of guests—a regular Kalahari Desert inn! The South African pygmy falcon Polihierax semitorquatus relies completely on the sociable weavers’ nest for its own home, often nesting side by side with the sociable weavers. The pied barbet, familiar chat, red-headed finch, ashy tit, and rosy-faced lovebird often find comfort in the cozy nesting chambers, too. Vultures, owls, and eagles will roost on the nests’ broad roof.
Why are weavers willing to share the huge nest they worked so hard to make? More residents mean more eyes keeping a watch for danger. And the weavers often learn from the other birds where new sources of food can be found.
TALLINN, Estonia – An Estonian
man has returned a library book 69 years late, partly blaming a World
War II aerial bombing that damaged the library for the late return.
Ivika
Turkson of the Tallinn Central Library says that last week the man in
his mid-80s returned the overdue book — which was checked out on March
7, 1944, while Estonia was occupied by Nazi Germany — along with an
apology and an offer to pay a late fee.
Turkson said
Tuesday that the library waived any penalty for the late return of the
tome, which still contained the original emblem and serial number,
allowing librarians to identify it.
It was not immediately clear why the man waited so long to return the book, a work of fiction by Estonian author Eduard Vilde.
Technique used: Transparent liquid resin - mixed with a hardener or catalyst - is poured.
When the resin has set into a solid, the surface is painted with acrylic paint.
By repeating this process, the artist is able to create three dimensional sculptural pieces.
More Flickr photos- http://www.flickr.com/photos/dominicspics/sets/72157628617194683/with/6592898491/
