Photographer Tony Austin was at the tail-end of a 3-hour nature walk recently when a murder of crows landed nearby. When one of the crows started “acting strangely,” Austin began photographing it.

Unbelievable but true!

Anting is a behavior in which crows land on an anthill and allow ants to infest their feathers. The ants then spray formic acid on their feathers. This acid will act as an insecticide, fungicide, and bactericide that will rid the bird of all its disease-causing pathogens!

Me learning what a Peccary is

ISRAEL AND PALESTINE

Yes, i know that conflict is going on and so I drew both of them!

I support Israel but whoever is a palestine supporter than, I hope all of our problems will be solved.

The government is just in their perspective, or as i could say their POV.

Everyone haves a reason why they do it. We just have to understand it in their own perspective.

One example is H!tler. We can see that hes the worst dictator but in reality all he wanted to do is to make his country better. He wanted to show that his country can be change instead of DEMOCRACY, what caused his country to corrupt . He wanted to be a historical firgue, which he is but in the bad side.

We shouldn't hate each other saying that one is wrong and the pther is right. Is just we have different perspective and POV.

If any of followers of mines are palestine-supporters, I don't mind and i will not hate you. We just have different opinións. I will not Block or Report you, I am just going to respect and share the love of God to you.

May you guys have a nice day/night!

domaystic 05: learning something new

On AO3

Written for @domaystic!

“Ok, I’ll erect the tent, you light the fire—” 

“Erect, Rodney? Really?” 

“—with any luck we’ll be finished before Teyla and Ronon arrive.” 

“How about I handle the tent and you light the fire?” 

“Sure, that's...hang on, why do I always get fire lighting duty?” 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

“Yes, you do. You always palm it off to me. What gives?” 

“Uh, well, s’just that I never got the hang of it.” 

“...how the hell did you pass basic?” 

“Good looks and charm?” 

“Figures. I could show you?” 

“Yeah?” 

“Of course! It’s not exactly rocket science.” 

Solomon Brown: First African American Employee at the Smithsonian Institution

Solomon G. Brown (c.1829–1906) was the first African American employee at the Smithsonian Institution, serving for fifty-four years from 1852 to 1906. During his time at the Smithsonian, he held many titles and performed many duties in service to the Institution. He served under the first three Smithsonian Secretaries, Joseph Henry, Spencer Fullerton Baird, and Samuel P. Langley. He formed a deep personal friendship with Baird which is evident in the letters featured on this page. He also served his community in Anacostia, a part of Washington, DC, and was a prominent advocate of African American progress.

"I have engaged in almost Every Branch of work that is usual and unusual about S.I.," Solomon G. Brown.

These words, written to Secretary Baird on August 12, 1862, encapsulate his long and eclectic career at the Smithsonian Institution. In 1902, he wrote a poem commemorating his fifty years at the Smithsonian —spanning the Institution's formative years. Brown, born a free man when slavery was legal in Washington, DC, joined the staff of the Smithsonian shortly after it was founded in 1846.

Born around 1829, Brown was one of six children. With the unfortunate death of his father in 1833, Brown's chance of attending school and receiving a formal education was over. However, Brown began working for Lambert Tree, assistant postmaster with the DC post office. It was in this capacity that Brown first met Joseph Henry, the Smithsonian's first Secretary. Tree detailed Brown to work with Henry, Samuel B. Morse, and Alfred Vail, while they developed the first magnetic telegraph that ran from DC to Baltimore, Maryland.

In 1852, Brown was hired as a general laborer by the Smithsonian under Henry. Initially, he built exhibit cases, cleaned and moved furniture for the Institution, and shortly became the supervisor of a small group of Smithsonian workers. While working, Brown developed a close relationship with then Assistant Secretary Baird, a naturalist and later second Secretary of the Institution. The two worked together until Baird's death in 1887. Baird trusted Brown implicitly and when out of town, relied on Brown to be his "eyes and ears" of the Institution. Brown and Baird frequently corresponded about the operations of the Smithsonian, city events, and their personal lives, sharing a wry sense of humor about life. From these letters we learn that Brown entertained visitors, handled the mail, made travel arrangements, performed clerical duties, and paid the household staff for the Baird family in addition to his other numerous Smithsonian duties.

Brown also wrote to Baird during the Civil War, reporting on the events occurring around DC and the effects felt by the Smithsonian Institution. He described the dangers to Baird's property and delays in communication from Washington. In 1864, Brown wrote of the Confederate march on the city and his own exemption from the military draft. These letters provide the unique views of a free, African American man on the progress of the Civil War as it raged around him.

Although he lacked a formal education, Brown was considered a Renaissance man. While working for Baird, he educated himself in the field of natural history. He illustrated maps and specimens for many of Baird's lectures, as well as his own talks on topics such as "The Social Habits of Insects," and delivered them to church organizations and civic groups. Not only did he excel as a naturalist, but he was an illustrator, lecturer, philosopher, and poet. Brown also read his poetry, which focused on religion and the social issues of the day, to local audiences and civic organizations. After Baird's death in 1887, Brown served as a clerk for the Smithsonian International Exchange Service, distributing scholarly publications around the world.

Brown's activities also reached beyond the walls of the Smithsonian. Within his own Anacostia (Hillsdale) community, Brown was viewed as a leader. Brown and his wife Lucinda hosted picnics for their local community, one of which was attended by Frederick Douglass. He was elected to the DC House of Delegates, served as superintendent of the Pioneer Sabbath School and the North Washington Mission Sunday school, and was a trustee of the 15th Street Presbyterian Church. He was committed to bettering education and gaining opportunities for African American citizens.

A man of limitless energy, Solomon G. Brown continued to work at the Smithsonian, write and draw, as well as serve his community until his retirement on February 14, 1906. Not long afterward, Brown died at his home on June 24, 1906. Over a century has passed, yet Brown's devotion to the foundation of the Smithsonian is still remembered today. In 2004, several trees were planted around the National Museum of Natural History in his honor.

Hey! In my experience, sessions are usually about 3 hours or so, but you can check with the person running the game (DM) to see if that's how long theirs will be as well. You will usually be continuing the same story throughout each session, and the "endpoint" is usually just when the story seems to reach a satisfying conclusion. It takes quite a while. What sort of unfamiliar terms are you finding?

I think the most common I've seen is homebrew; Some games allow it, others don't. I think there was another term like a West server or something, but I don't even really remember what I saw. And the amount of different systems from other rpgs seems REALLY big.

Didn't realize people play Tabletop for overall "long term" and I assume friend groups are maybe common (or to be formed) considering they're playing a story together on multiple sessions.

I've rested so I'm not as overwhelmed BUT the plus is I've found a game. We plan to discuss details this coming week, not sure what to expect but will probably be intimidated again😁. So that's nice and I do appreciate the help.

New Skill Series - Crochet Part 6

Hello everyone!

Life is less hectic now which means I have had time to crochet! So we're back to our regularly scheduled programming.

This is Crochet Lesson 5 Take 2! In case you missed it, Take 1 was a bit of a mess. Things went wrong and I had no clue where things went wrong or how to fix them. Thankfully, I do not exist in a vacuum! Both @legendarycollectionjellyfish3 and @caseyscozycorner were kind enough to comment and let me know their thoughts. You were both right! My core problem was my tension. I didn't have to go up a hook size but as seen below I was able to crochet a successful Moss/Linen stitch sample! The reason my first attempt curled was that because my stitches were so tight, I couldn't tell the difference between my chain space and my SC space so I was putting the hook in both instead of just the chain space, therefore dramatically increasing the number of stitches. At least I think that's why it curled. Thank you again for taking a moment to comment on my post because it really encouraged me to relax and try again!

So yeah, here's Linen/Moss stitch take 2! I'm glad I got some outside perspective from more experienced crocheters because I genuinely thought this was going to end up as like 3 failed attempts and then giving up to come back to at a later time. Mainly because I couldn't figure out what went wrong. It's wild to think how much tension makes a difference in a piece. I think I have a better grasp on tension for crochet now but I guess we'll find out as time goes on!

~Eli

Ace of All Trades, Pro at None😆

Learning embroidery. March 2024.

Finding out I actually have an interest in economics , interior design & architectural engineering. I never knew but it makes sense being a visionary. 😍🥹🩷

Tag! I'm it! Thanks @weirddancer14 here are three facts about me. *clears throat*

I have been proficient in American Sign Language ever since kindergarten. I am not deaf, but I went to a school where we had students who were. Our kindergarten teacher taught us so we could communicate with them. I really liked it so I continued to take lessons with my kindergarten teacher all the way until 8th grade. Fun fact, I am still friends with one of those students to this very day!

My husband and I are child-free by choice. Meaning we are choosing to not have children. Everyone has a right to choose and that is a choice that works for us.

I completed my #1 item on my bucket list! Hang gliding! It was so much fun! You feel so free when you are flying! I love it and highly recommend it!

"This is what it is to be a dragon!" - Valka How to Train Your Dragon 2

If you'd like to share I would love to get to know more about @niohayato and @pocketdv2ultimate

Snow day for me today, took some time to practice drawing. I recently bought a book to help learn the basics of drawing.

Also went outside for a quick minute to make a mini snowman

I don’t have anything to use for his face so I improvised and used some mulch 🤣😅

sar·casm

/ˈsärˌkazəm/

noun

the use of irony to mock or convey contempt.

"his voice, hardened by sarcasm, could not hide his resentment"

Huh. Okay!