( Read more... )

( Read more... )

Thanks to my Dedham Natural Wonders friend for this follow-up: http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Assam/Killer-spiders-strike-in-Assam-s-Maoist-hub/Article1-859430.aspxRead more... )

A friend sent me a news story entitled: "Venomous Spiders of Unknown Origin Take Over Indian Town." I won't encourage the news aggregator responsible for the sensationalist and nonsensical headline, instead I'll link to the Times of India story with a different, equally nonsensical headline, complete with scare quotes around the words "Tarantula" ( Read more... )

Five years ago today I posted about the Democratic field for president, and how their positions on the Iraq war were not helpful for distinguishing them. One candidate spoke my mind: "Bring home the troops NOW." Remember Bill Richardson? I didn't until I re-read that post. He was going to be part of the Obama administration but some minor tax ( Read more... )

That mysterious bird die-off that closed Downtown Austin for several hours on January 8th was apparently not caused by poisoning, which is the cause that I predicted. Instead the birds were found to be carrying huge multi-species parasite loads. What caused that is still unclear.

The article.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/4454558.html

Police shut down 10 blocks of businesses in the heart of downtown early Monday after dozens of birds were found dead in the streets, but officials said preliminary tests showed no dangerous chemicals ( Read more... )