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““Microraptor was the biggest surprise,” Xu said. “It was clearly a theropod, but with asymmetrical flight feathers on wings and legs, even its feet. It was basically a four-winged theropod, like a biplane.” … With this fossil, all five developmental novelties could now be argued for in theropods, seemingly closing the book on feather evolution.”
-Thor Hanson, Feathers: The Evolution of a Natural Miracle (2011)
mvlapinskiIt's not as cold as it looks. 🇬🇱 ---------
Here is a gif of a tubular cloud formation along the Lake Michigan shoreline at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, in June (2017).
This phenomenon is a type of arcus cloud and is commonly (and regrettably) referred to as “The Morning Glory” cloud.
Despite being studied extensively, this cloud formation is not yet fully understood. However, it is determined that the main cause is probably due to mesoscale circulations.
In the front of the cloud, there is strong vertical motion that transports air up through the cloud and creates the rolling appearance, while the air in the middle and rear of the cloud becomes turbulent and sinks.
The formations can be up to 1000 kilometres long, 1 to 2 kilometres high, and can move at speeds up to 60 kilometres per hour. It is often accompanied by sudden wind gusts, intense low-level wind shear, a rapid increase in the vertical displacement of air parcels, and a sharp pressure jump at the surface, making these clouds problematic to air traffic.
-Jean
Full video, courtesy of Nick Nerbonne can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXrmT8ajYpM
natgeo Video by @christian_foto The state of Veracruz is a region with one of the largest quantity of migratory birds in Mexico. There are more than 200 species of birds who travel great distances across the country. There are various migratory routes, including the migratory passage in the center of Veracruz, which sees millions of birds of prey pass through each year. In this area, a natural funnel has been created to maintain the specific passageway of these birds of prey. On one hand, the majority of migratory bird species need high temperatures and favorable winds in order to use the least amount of their energy during the migration. The mountainous structures of the volcanic system in Mexico cut its coastal plain in half. Migratory birds are not used to flying over these mountainous regions because the winds and thermal currents are not consistently favorable, thus obligating them to continue towards the strait of the coastal plain, which is the only side they can migrate in a concentrated mass.
Storm Christine Hits Ireland Storm Christine hit land this morning bringing with it severe weather conditions. The Irish meteorological office (Met Eireann) has issued an orange weather warning, meaning that conditions have the capacity to impact significantly on people in affected areas. High seas are expected to be in excess of ten metres on the south and west coasts. Gale force winds will be the most severe in Munster and South Leinster. This is the second week running that the Emerald Isle has been subject to adverse weather conditions, with many coastal areas being left in utter disarray. Lahinch, a coastal town in County Clare suffered damage estimated between €1m and €1.5m thus far and people are being asked to stay away from Lahinch seafront. Similarly, Galway has also had significant damage with flooding of the Spanish Arch area of the city. The River Corrib is reported to have burst its banks and the area is on high alert for further flooding. Further counties have also felt the wrath of the harsh weather conditions, including: Cork, Limerick, Kerry, Mayo and Dublin. Most of the country remains on alert for the rest of the day. To all the people in affected areas: stay safe, stay updated and if near the coast- stay away. -Jean This image was taken by photographer George Karbus this morning at 7:30 in Lahinch. His facebook page can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/George-Karbus-Photography/125621960817621
