Current Events: Weird and Wonderful Wildlife

Image from Intrepid Travel

Today is World Wildlife Conservation Day, and a good day to bring attention to some interesting wildlife discoveries in the news recently.  Let's start with the weird, shall we?  Scientists have found that wolves in Yellowstone National Park who are infected with Toxmoplasma gondii, a parasite commonly found in cats which causes toxoplasmosis, tends to make them engage in riskier behavior.  They are 11 times more likely to leave the safety of their pack and strike off on their own, and 46 time more likely to become a pack leader!  Apparently the parasite enters the wolf host's brain and causes the behavior changes.  Since cats are the only hosts in which these parasites can complete their life cycle (all other species are essentially dead-end hosts where the parasites can survive but cannot reproduce) it is thought that this riskier behavior by their hosts may make them more likely to cross paths with feline species which can then possibly ingest the adult parasite, allowing them to complete their life cycle.  It is known that rodents infected with T. gondii seem to lose their fear of cats, making them easy prey for cats.  Even humans with toxoplasmosis can show behavioral changes (not to mention the fact that toxoplasmosis can on rare occasions lead to serious injury or even death).

Image from BBC

Also reported in the news recently is the wonderful rediscovery of a bird thought to be extinct for 140 years!  The Black-naped Pheasant-pigeon (Otidiphaps insularis), previously documented by scientists only once in 1882, was recently photographed by another team of scientists on the rugged island of Fergusson in Papua New Guinea.  This large, ground-dwelling pigeon lives in the rugged and almost inaccessible forests on the island which could be its last stronghold.  It is hoped that this new information will help in the preservation of the species, which is still considered to be extremely rare and endangered.  Take a look at the video recorded by the research team below:

 

These two stories are proof that we still have a lot to learn about the wildlife with whom we share this planet.  The information we gain from studying these species is invaluable for understanding the planet on which we all live as well as how environmental variables may affect us.  We would do well to protect our fellow species, as in doing so we may just be protecting ourselves.

This 'n That Thursdays: Play Ainar's Colorful Autumn Forest Escape Game

I enjoy playing free online escape games, and I recently played one with such a lovely autumn theme that I just had to share it.  You can play Ainar's Colorful Autumn Forest escape game on the Escape Fan website and enjoy the beautiful fall imagery as you solve the puzzles to collect 30 golden leaves.  If you have never played these types of games before I hope you find this one as relaxing and fun as I did (I have already played this game twice just to explore the colorful forest again!).

Wish List Wednesdays: Butterfly Garden Dress from NorthStyle

I rarely wear dresses, but the Butterfly Garden Dress ($79.95) from NorthStyle may just make me a convert!  I love the fit and flare style and the fact that the material is 97% cotton with a bit of spandex for stretch.  Most of all, however, it is the colorful butterflies and tiny red ladybugs against a black and white floral background print that catches my eye.  What a beautiful dress to wear on a warm spring or hot summer day!  Even I could imagine slipping into this dress for a fun day in town once life is back to normal again - honestly, I could even be convinced to wear it around the house while sheltering in place as a break from my usual jeans and t-shirt, just to enjoy the cheerful print!
               

This 'n That Thursdays: 2020 Picks of the Year

From Pantone

I am attempting to stick with uplifting topics in my Thursday posts, so today's topic is 2020 picks of the year.  Let's start with Pantone's 2020 Color of the Year, Classic Blue, which they describe as "a shade reminiscent of the sky at dusk".  Also eerily prescient is the reason given for the choice of this color:

"[The Pantone Color Institute] settled on a shade that offers the reassurance, confidence and connection that people may be searching for in an uncertain global milieu."

I am not sure that blue is a color I would choose for reassurance, but I am one of the minority who are not especially fond of this hue, so here's hoping that the folks at Pantone are right and that most of us will be comforted by this soothing shade (I did choose blue as my blog's new main background color, so it must at least be easy on the eyes)!

From Firmenich

Next up is the Firmenich 2020 Flavor of the Year, which is Classic Blueberry - what a perfect complement to the 2020 Color of the Year!  According to the company president, "What's classic is new again", and the blueberry's longstanding association with well-being makes it increasingly popular with consumers.  Here are the Firmenich president's further remarks:

“With blueberry we celebrate a flavor that is timeless and enduring, but also increasingly relevant. Blueberry has been a beloved flavor for centuries in many markets and today, with our increasing focus on health and wellness, blueberries are being rediscovered and growing to be one of the most relevant flavors in many categories.”

For most of my life I have not been especially fond of blueberries, but in recent years I have come to appreciate them more.  In fact, I think they have replaced strawberries as my favorite berry now!  It is not a bad idea for all of us to eat more of these antioxidant-rich little round fruits.

From Fine Art America

Surprisingly, the International Herb Association 2020 Herb of the Year is NOT the blueberry, but it is pretty close.  The choice for 2020 is the genus Rubus, which includes blackberries and raspberries. With proper care, including the right planting site and regular pruning, bramble fruits (as they are also known), are a tasty addition to any garden.  Here is the description from the International Herb Association:

"Prized for its abundant sweet fruit, healing roots and leaves, and gorgeous ornamental flowers, Rubus appeals year round in gardens, fields, and hedgerows. Fresh or frozen, brambleberries add flavor and fiber to any meal, from oatmeal to salads to fish and fowl as well as desserts and beverages. Rubus teas nourish and tonify while the seeds are used in skin care products. The arched canes provide shelter to a number of birds and animals. It is hard to overestimate the pleasure, nourishment, medicinal and culinary delights offered by this juicy genus!"

This book full of information about Rubus species is
available for purchase from the International Herb Association

When I was a child, wild blackberries and raspberries were abundant in the western Pennsylvania area where I grew up.  Back then, however, enthusiasm for harvesting the berries waned once my siblings and I realized that bramble scratches in the humid heat of August were not worth the effort for fruit that was invariably sour and full of seeds that got stuck in our teeth!  Until recently I was not a fan of raspberries and especially blackberries, but just last month I found the sweetest and most delicious blackberries at a local grocery store.  I am now on a mission to find them again (although subsequent purchases have only reinforced the mouth-puckering sourness I remember from my childhood).  Maybe I need to be growing my own if I can find a variety that is reliably sweet!

My final top pick of the year find is the American Birding Association 2020 Bird of the Year, which is the Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum).  Cedar Waxwings are medium-sized birds with a lovely color pattern - pale brown shading to grey above, a pale yellow belly, bright yellow tail tip, black-masked crested head, and the characteristic waxy red tips on the wings.  These social birds gather in large flocks and forage for berries together, especially in the fall and winter.  In the United States they are found year-round mostly in the northern states, but can be found nationwide as they migrate south for the winter.  I especially like this lovely description of the bird's behavior from the American Birding Association:

"Famously gregarious, Cedar Waxwings are all about community. They share berries, they congregate at fruiting trees, they even occasionally over-imbibe."

Although most of us are currently discouraged from congregating in large groups, once life gets back to normal we can all hopefully emulate the current bird of the year and get back to our own community life!  I remember seeing flocks of these lovely and active birds in Colorado, but have yet to see any here in New Mexico.  I do hope they at least pass through our area, because they are one of my favorites!
               

Wish List Wednesdays: Coldwater Creek Natural Inspirations Printed Tee

We are now on lockdown here in New Mexico until April 10th, so I have been focusing on summer plans, optimistically hoping that life will be a lot more normal by then.  I have been looking for interesting apparel that can be worn during much warmer weather than we are currently experiencing, and the Natural Inspirations Printed Tee (currently on sale for $24.95) from Coldwater Creek fits the bill in that regard.  I actually was first attracted to these lovely nature print tops when they made their debut last year.  The fact that they are on sale convinced me that now was the time to make my purchase, so I ordered both the thyme dragonfly and the canyon rose turtle print options (the river blue bee print is also nice but I am not as attracted to bees or the color blue).  Here's hoping that summer will bring both lovely warm days and less threat of COVID-19 infections!

This 'n That Thursdays: Two Excellent Movies

From View from the Wing - BoardingArea

While flying to and from New Mexico recently, I took the opportunity to watch two movies that I had never seen before.  Although most of the other plane passengers seemed to be watching "Aquaman" (2018), which was one of the many choices available, I was in the mood for a different type of movie (not that there is anything wrong with a well-made superhero movie, and I am sure I will watch this one eventually!).  One of my criteria for watching an in-flight movie is that it must be available with English subtitles, because I do not like to use earphones and would rather read the dialogue while movie-watching on a plane (I know, what can I say except that I am just weird!).  I found two that satisfied this requirement and also sounded worth watching, and both turned out to be great selections.

From Amazon

The first movie I  watched on the way to Albuquerque was "Arctic" (2018/2019) , starring Mads Mikkelsen, an actor I had never heard of before but who I will be on the lookout for from now on.  The plot was focused on the efforts of a man stranded in the Arctic to survive, and then to find help after a helicopter rescue mission goes horribly wrong and he becomes responsible for a badly injured and immobilized young woman.  The best part of this movie for me was that there was very little dialogue and a minimum of subtitles.  Since the main character is at first alone and then only accompanied by a mostly unconscious woman, there is no need for words.  The acting is all visual, and Mikkelsen does an excellent job showing the physical and emotional demands of his predicament just by the use of facial expressions and body language.  I thought this movie was even better than the Robert Redford lone survivor movie called "All Is Lost" (2013) - Redford's movie was not bad, but I liked "Arctic" more!

From Amazon

The second movie I watched on the return flight was "At Eternity's Gate" (2018) starring Willem Dafoe (coincidentally, Mads Mikkelsen was a supporting actor!).  This movie recounts the life of Vincent van Gogh starting with the period he spent in Arles, up until the moment of his death (with an interesting, if unproven, alternative explanation for van Gogh's demise).  Dafoe does a superb job portraying the troubled artist - you can feel his joyful ups and troubled downs in a life predominantly ruled by his emotions, as well as a mind that even the artist himself finds unreliable.  Oscar Isaac as fellow artist Paul Gauguin is excellent as well, leaving you uncertain as to whether the man was a good influence or a bad one for van Gogh, and indeed he could have been both.  Vincent's brother Theo van Gogh as portrayed by Rupert Friend intrigued me enough to want to know more about Theo, who was apparently devoted to his older brother Vincent and kept every letter he received from him, although unfortunately Vincent did not do the same (it would have been so enlightening to read Theo's correspondence had it survived).  I did not get to see the end of this movie on the flight, so I will be looking to do so in the near future.  My husband did watch the entire movie on his travels last week, and enjoyed it, although of course as we all know it does not have a happy ending.

🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥

If you are being forced to spend a lot of time indoors to beat the heat, as we are here in Georgia, or avoiding other adverse weather conditions, you might want to watch one or both of these movies, which are available for rental on Amazon (here and here) or Netflix (here and here) - I could not find either one free online yet, but in my opinion it is worth paying to watch either one!
             

This 'n That Thursdays: Baby Animals Enjoying Spring!

From Ask Ideas

I just realized the other day that I often post images of autumn and winter scenes, but never seem to focus on spring or summer.  Even though I am not a fan of warmer weather, I have nothing against either season, so today I present a post of baby animals enjoying spring - just be forewarned that the cuteness factor may be overwhelming!

A frisky foal frolicking in a flowery field.
(from Redbubble)

A duckling duo sitting amongst spring snowdrops.
(from Cheezburger)

A cavorting kid clearing a cluster of wildflowers.
(from NPR)

Red fox cubs resting in a Ranunculus patch.
(from AllfinWeb)

A fragile fawn in a field of blue flax.
(from AllPosters)

A curious raccoon kit checking out a colorful fox and cubs flower.
(from Shareably)

A lovely little lamb delighting in daffodils.
(from We Heart It)

A tiny bear cub stopping to sniff the daisies.
(from Wide Open Spaces)

A diminutive donkey foal finds irises fascinating.
(from We Heart It)

Last but not least, this rescue dog, while no longer a puppy, takes time to relish the fact that he can still luxuriate in the joys of a beautiful spring day (a lesson to us all, I think):

Every dog deserves to have its day in the warmth of spring sunshine!
(from Reddit)

(I did warn you that you were in danger of cuteness overload!) 😊😊
                

This 'n That Thursdays: Sunflower Pollen Has Health Benefits for Bees!

From New Mexico Beekeepers Association

Gardening season is almost upon us here in Georgia - I may even plant some cold-hardy seeds this weekend.  When it comes time to plant more sensitive varieties, I will definitely be planting some sunflower seeds this year, thanks to a recent study which found that sunflower pollen can be beneficial to bees.  A recent study published in the September 2018 issue of Scientific Reports concluded that "...sunflower (Helianthus annuus) pollen dramatically and consistently reduced a protozoan pathogen (Crithidia bombi) infection in bumble bees (Bombus impatiens) and also reduced a microsporidian pathogen (Nosema ceranae) of the European honey bee (Apis mellifera), indicating the potential for broad anti-parasitic effects".  The scientists do caution, however, that an exclusive diet of sunflower pollen is too low in protein and some amino acids, so additional food sources should be provided as well.

While most people immediately think of the European honey bee when considering ways to protect plant pollinators, there are many other bee species (as well as other insects and birds) that pollinate plants.  According to a Discover Magazine article, the best strategy the average person can choose that will help all pollinators is to replace as much lawn as possible with a wide variety of flowering plants.  Most people who garden seem to do this anyway!  It would not hurt and it just might help pollinators if gardeners include some sunflowers in their mix of flowering plants, so why not plant some sunflower seeds on your property this year?

🌻🐝🌻🐝🌻🐝🌻🐝🌻🐝🌻🐝🌻🐝🌻🐝🌻🐝🌻🐝🌻🐝🌻🐝

From The Micro Gardener

From SF Gate

             

Weekend Wonders: Pyrenean Desman (Galemys pyrenaicus), the Snorkel Snout!

From National Geographic

It has been ages since I posted a Weekend Wonders animal description, so it is high time I added another.  Meet the Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus)!

Never heard of it?  Neither had I until a few days ago when my husband left me a magazine clipping describing this little semi-aquatic insectivore and its imperiled existence.  Pyrenean desmans inhabit the mountainous northern region of the Iberian peninsula and the French Pyrenees Mountains.  They spend most of their time in cold mountain lakes, rivers, and streams where they forage for aquatic insects and crustaceans.

The Pyrenean desman is well-adapted for aquatic life, with large webbed feet, a long tail vertically flattened at the end to serve as a rudder, the ability to close its ears and nostrils underwater, and a long, flexible snout covered with sensitive vibrissae that can be held above water like a snorkel or used as a probe while foraging.  These mammals are solitary, nocturnal, and monogamous with no known natural predators.  However, threats including habitat fragmentation and pollution, the introduction of invasive predator species, and climate change all appear to have led to a precipitous decline in the population.  The IUCN lists the Pyrenean desman as vulnerable, which means it is likely to become endangered unless the threats to its survival are reduced or removed.

This innocuous little creature should not be allowed to disappear just because so few people are even aware it exists, so I hope that more of us will learn of its plight and do what we can to help save it!

From Encyclopedia of Life

             

This 'n That Thursdays: Why Is Wombat Poop Square?

From Imgur

I know this is an odd topic for Thanksgiving day, but the week started with World Toilet Day on Monday, so why not a post about wombat poop?  Did you know that wombat poop is square?  The reason for this odd shape has been a mystery - until now!  Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have discovered that the mechanism which produces the squares involves elasticity differences in the lower reaches of the wombat intestine, allowing the formation of squared-off edges.  While there is still no explanation as to why this happens, wombats have taken advantage of their poop's unique ability to resist rolling away by using it to mark their territories.  So if you should happen upon a pile of wombat poop, you can be pretty certain that the wombat is not far off!

You may not be too excited about wombat poop, but I do think that wombats themselves are adorable - okay, maybe not really cute enough for this (but who am I to judge?):

Kissably cute?
(image from The Daily Telegraph)

You may now return to your regularly scheduled holiday activities! 😊😊😊  Happy Thanksgiving!
                

This 'n That Thursdays: When Can You Expect Peak Fall Foliage?

From AFAR

Have you ever wondered exactly when peak fall foliage will occur in your area, or any area of the United States for that matter?  Well, now you can find out, because there is an interactive map available on the SmokyMountains.com website that will predict just that for you!  The above image shows the fall foliage prediction for this week.  We are still showing almost no change in our part of the South, which is no surprise as the weather has been summery even up to today.  Hopefully that will be changing soon, maybe when our current rainy conditions from now Tropical Storm Michael move out?  According to the map, we should be seeing our peak fall foliage some time in mid-November, and I can't wait.  I hope you are enjoying pleasant autumn weather in your part of the nation!

From Asheville NC Mountain Travel Tips

             

Weekend Wardrobe: Colors from Nature II Travel Wardrobe

I have already created one wardrobe post based on a photo taken on our property, and now it is time for another.  Sometimes you can find the most colorful examples of nature just by looking down.  We have had a lot of rain this year, which brought out an amazing array of fungi, including the bright red toadstool shown above that I photographed in our yard.  Using Adobe Color Wheel, I came up with a mushroom-themed color scheme to use for a late summer week-long travel wardrobe:

The ideal location for this trip would be a pleasantly cool and shady forest within driving distance.  Once there, one could walk through the woods at a leisurely pace every day, photographing nature's colorful abundance of mushrooms while accompanied by a beloved Scottie dog (the other whimsical theme I chose for this wardrobe)!

Here is the wardrobe to wear in transit:

Clockwise from top left: L.L. Bean Women's Short-Sleeve Crewneck Tee in White; NSCW Mushroom Forest Scarf; Animal Den Scottish Terrier Earrings; LE3NO Women's Military Anorak Jacket in Olive Green; L.L. Bean Wayside Heathered Crossbody Bag in Black; L.L. Bean Large Carryall Spinner Pullman in Coal; L.L. Bean Women's Storm Chasers Slip-On Shoes in Black; H&M Women's Joggers in Dark Green.

And here are the remaining items to pack for at least a week's worth of nature hiking and other casual activities (don't forget to bring your doggie's accessories as well!):

Clockwise from top left: Tomfoolery Jewellery Toadstool Charm Necklace in Red; H&M Women's Fine-Knit Cardigan in Black; Crazeplus Scottie Dog Print Scarf in Red; H&M Women's Fine-Knit Jumper in Dark Grey Melange (no longer available); L.L. Bean Wayside II Heathered Wallet in Black; L.L. Bean Women's Long-Sleeve Stripe Interlock Turtleneck in Gray Heather; L.L. Bean Women's Original Perfect Fit Pants in Dark Gray Heather; L.L. Bean Women's Premium Double L Polo in Cardinal Red; L.L. Bean Women's Campside Blucher Mocs in Black; L.L. Bean Women's Original Fit Comfort Waist Wrinkle-Free Bayside Pants in Black; Gibson & Birkbeck Toadstool Print Signature Long-Sleeve Shirt; H&M Women's Knit Sweater in Dark Red; Center top left: Land's End Women's Shaped Layering Turtleneck in Gardenia Dogs; Center top right: L.L. Bean Women's Short-Sleeve Crewneck Tee in Deep Olive; Center bottom right: L.L. Bean Women's Elbow-Sleeve Scoopneck Pima Cotton Tee in Black; L.L. Bean Women's Classic Fit Straight-Leg Comfort Knit Jeans in Black.

🍄D🍄D🍄D🍄D🍄D🍄D🍄D🍄D🍄D🍄D🍄D🍄

When I was younger I used to travel with my dogs all the time, but I have to admit I have not done so in years.  Maybe it is time to plan a trip with our pups this fall.  They may not be Scottish terriers, but we think they are just as adorable, and they deserve a fun outdoor adventure!

From Wikimedia Commons

                

This 'n That Thursdays: The World's Oldest Color

From Branding in Asia

Scientists from The Australian National University have discovered 1.1 billion-year-old bright pink pigments buried deep beneath the Sahara desert, making pink the world's oldest known color in the geological record.  The pigments enabled these researchers to confirm that ancient marine ecosystems were dominated by tiny photosynthetic cyanobacteria which fed on microscopic algae.  When the cyanobacteria began to die off, the algae started to spread rapidly, leading to more complex ecosystems and the emergence of larger and more diverse fauna.  So much information from a bright pink pigment!

Pink still seems to be a prominent color in nature - just take a look:

Flowering pinks (from BHG)

A flock of pink flamingoes (from ThoughtCo.)

Pink dragon fruit (from Tasteful Space)

Rosy maple moth (from Wimp)

Pink sunset (from Pinterest)

Pink quartz mountain range (from Lakpura Travels)

The pretty but poisonous pink crab Liomera rugata (from Guam Reef Life)

Take a moment to celebrate the color pink - after all, if it weren't for this lovely pigment, we humans might not even be here today!
               

This 'n That Thursdays: PBS Nature Video - "The World's Most Wanted Animal"

Last week I watched an utterly fascinating PBS Nature documentary called "The World's Most Wanted Animal".  The subject was pangolins (a unique mammal that I have been interested in for years) and their plight which is rapidly endangering them with extinction.  There is a huge Asian market for pangolins, both for their meat, considered a rare and exotic delicacy, and for their scales, the ingestion of which is (wrongly) purported to fight cancer and other human ailments.  Efforts are underway to highlight and curtail the illegal trafficking of these shy, nonaggressive animals, whose only defense against predation is the very scales for which they are prized.  You can watch the trailer above, and currently this Nature episode can be viewed on the PBS website here.

The Nature documentary follows the efforts of one woman to save African pangolins.  The episode follows her both in Africa at her rehabilitation center and on a trip she takes to Asia to meet other pangolin rescuers as well as to get a first-hand look at the black market dealings that threaten the existence of both Asian and African pangolin species.  We are introduced to a young pangolin named Honey Bun that this woman, Maria Diekmann, was forced to raise when its traumatized mother abandoned it at the rehabilitation center after she and her baby were rescued from an abusive situation.  Raising the baby pangolin is extremely difficult as Honey Bun must forage for ants, her preferred food, every day to survive and her caretakers must accompany her on her journeys as she searches for sustenance, often walking miles every day.

While raising the young pangolin is hard, Maria tells us that she has been rewarded by learning so much more information about this African pangolin species than was ever known in the past.  Honey Bun is so accustomed to humans that it is possible to film her everyday activities, and we get to see her bipedal locomotion as she forages, the ways in which her unique morphology allows her to consume ants while avoiding their painful stings, her attempts at digging a burrow, and even her antics at the rehabilitation center, where she lives in the house with Maria, as young pangolins are very tightly bonded to their mothers for months to years before they strike out on their own.

It is heartbreaking to see the black market footage but those portions of the show are kept to a minimum.  The documentary tries to balance out the alarming statistics about the pangolin trade (these scaly mammals really are the most trafficked wildlife at this time) with the efforts of pangolin supporters to protect and save these animals.  In the documentary, Maria heads to southeast Asia to visit the Save Vietnam's Wildlife rehabilitation center.  She accompanies the rescuers as they release newly healthy Asian pangolins back into the wild.

Maria continues her journey to a meeting with a popular young actress in China who has made it her mission to raise Chinese awareness about the plight of pangolins.  The actress, known as Angelababy, is hoping that her mostly young fans will pay attention to her message and help end the demand, which would go a long way to restoring pangolin populations in both Asia and Africa.  Recently Angelababy has teamed with WildAid and The Nature Conservancy to produce a public service announcement asking the people of China to stop the marketing of pangolins - you can watch that video on YouTube below (it is short but to the point):

I hope you will watch the Nature documentary (once again, you can see the entire episode here), and that you will make others aware of these gentle creatures who desperately need our protection.  For more information about pangolins and how to help, check out any or all of the following links:

African Wildlife Foundation - Pangolin

IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group

People for Pangolins

Save Pangolins

Save Vietnam's Wildlife

The Nature Conservancy - Saving Pangolins

WildAid - Pangolins

World Pangolin Day

World Wildlife Fund - Pangolin

I am planning to purchase copies of the Nature episode about the pangolin's plight here to give as gifts for Christmas, because the more people who become aware of this little-known mammal the more likely they will be inclined to add their voices (and dollars) to the effort to save them.  I already donate to some of the conservation organizations listed, and intend to add the ones targeting pangolin rescue specifically to my list.  Let's all do what we can to help save pangolins from an unnecessary extinction threat!

From The Rainforest Site - Project Peril: Help Save the Pangolin

             

This 'n That Thursdays: 2018 Picks of the Year

From Bridestory Business Blog

It's time to review all of the 2018 picks of the year that I can find, and as I usually do I am beginning with the non-gardening choices.  I mentioned briefly in an earlier post that the Pantone 2018 Color of the Year is a deep blue-based purple called Ultra Violet (yes, it is two words).  While this shade is not a personal favorite, for me it is slightly better than the picks from the last three years.  Who can forget the muddy purplish-red from 2015, or the pallid pink/bland blue duo of 2016, and then the acidulous yellow-green in 2017?  Okay, I admit I am rather opinionated when it comes to colors, but I have not truly enjoyed a Pantone Color of the Year since 2012's Tangerine Tango, so I am hoping that the selection for 2019 will really impress me.

From Firmenich

Interestingly, the Firmenich 2018 Flavor of the Year is Fig, a deep purple fruit, which makes me wonder if there is some sort of collusion between Pantone and Firmenich when selecting their annual winners!  Last year Firmenich opted for the unfortunate flavor of Cucumber, which could be considered similar in color to Pantone's 2017 choice of Greenery.  Coincidence?  Like I said, you have to wonder.  However, I happen to love figs, so I am quite happy with this year's pick.  My husband despises figs (mostly because of the seeds) and I know that he is not alone in his aversion, so this flavor may be a love it or hate it sort of choice for 2018.

From Big Island Now

Color also comes to mind with the selection by the American Bird Association of the rather spectacularly hued Iiwi (Drepanis coccinea), or Scarlet Honeycreeper, as the 2018 Bird of the Year.  Although this endemic Hawaiian species is still common on the islands, their population is in decline due to a combination of habitat loss and introduced diseases.  Adults of both sexes are a stunning vermilion red with black wings and tails.  They have long, decurved, salmon-pink bills used primarily for drinking nectar.  This gorgeous little bird is currently listed as threatened, and hopefully efforts to protect the species will be successful.

Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) in Maine -
puffins are my favorite birds!
(from New Hampshire Public Radio)

Speaking of birds, in honor of the centennial of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 2018 has been declared the Year of the Bird.  The National Audubon Society, National Geographic Society, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and BirdLife International along with more than 100 other organizations around the world are participating in this campaign to raise awareness of the importance of taking action, no matter how small, to help protect migratory birds from adverse effects of environmental changes.  A few tips that anyone could implement can be found here.

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In the coming weeks I will cover all of the gardening 2018 picks of the year I have found.  As always, there are a number of these selections by various organizations, so I will have to describe them in a series of posts.  Fortunately, I think the weather in my neck of the woods has finally decided to leave winter behind, so I can now start to think about actually doing some planting!