The Blog of Wonders

"We must risk delight." --Jack Gilbert

[itscolossal]

A Rare Glimpse at a Deserted Great Wall of China Captured by Andres Gallardo Albajar

[itscolossal]

WoodSwimmer: A New Stop-Motion Short Made Entirely by Tediously Cutting Through Wood [VIDEO]

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Omg Bless

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Today the Department of Awesome Natural Wonders is enjoying this extraordinary slow motion footage from National Geographic of bee hummingbirds in flight.

“The wings of some species flap up to a hundred times per second. Their heart rate can exceed a thousand beats per minute, and they gulp nectar with a near-invisible flick of the tongue. In gardens or at backyard feeders, they’re the definition of fleeting beauty. So who could resist the temptation to slow their motion, to dissect their movements—to inhabit, even briefly, the hummingbird’s world?”

Head over to National Geographic to learn more about the amazing motion of hummingbirds.

[via Laughing Squid]

[last-tambourine]

Photo by Franco Banfi Synchronized Sleepers, sperm whales Caribbean Sea

[archiemcphee]

The Department of Extraordinary Upcycling was delighted to discover the work of Irish artist Jan Campbell who was struck by the inherent beauty of an avocado pit and began experimenting with scratching its surface and carving it.

“Ever since that day, the Irish artisan has been turning avocado pits (or ‘stones,’ as she calls them) into tiny, intricately detailed figurines inspired by Celtic folklore. She carves the tranquil faces of forest spirits, the flowing hair of ancient goddesses, and even a handful of wild mushrooms now and then. The miniatures can be simply displayed as statues, or worn as pendants, and are meant to provide the holder with a unique sense of companionship and comfort.”

Campbell casts her avocado stone sculptures as bronze pendants and figurines, which can be purchased via Avocado Stone Faces or the Avocado Stone Faces Etsy shop.

Follow Jan Campbell on Instagram to keep up with her latest works of enchanted avocado art.

[via Bored Panda]

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[itscolossal]

Photos of Japanese Playground Equipment at Night by Kito Fujio

[culturenlifestyle]

Gold Fireflies Dance Through Japanese Enchanted Forest in the Summer of 2016

An array of photographers captured these stunning images of gold fireflies during Japan’s rainy season in June and July. A dazzling long-exposure effort, the fireflies resemble a chimerical glittery effect only seen by fairies in enchanted forests.

[parabola-magazine]

“This is June, the month of grass and leaves … already the aspens are trembling again, and a new summer is offered me.” —Henry David Thoreau, “Journal,” June 6, 1857 Photograph by Ray Hennessy in our Summer Issue: Happiness If you enjoy Thoreau, be sure to read Kevin Dann’s essay: “Spring Burst Upon Thoreau,” in our current issue on how the sage of Walden found bliss.

[rastafyr]

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There’s nothing to dislike about this photo 10/10

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Buddah Cats - KyleKahotek (Imgur)

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I am so happy

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[redlipstickresurrected]

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[burntcopper]

Kromlau bridge, Germany, during all four seasons.

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Richard Shilling - Land Art

[wordsnquotes]

Stop acting so small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion.

Rumi (via wordsnquotes)