#biographic

[sitting-on-me-bum]

Fantastic Arctic Foxes Defy the Odds in Iceland

A host of adaptations have allowed these cunning creatures to thrive, despite the challenges.

©. Erlend Haarberg via bioGraphic

[animalworld]

GHARIAL WITH BABIES ON BOARD* Gavialis gangeticus ©Dhritiman Mukherjee

Gharials were once the most common crocodilians in the open river systems of South Asia, with as many as 40,000 or more adult gharials living in the rivers of India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, and Myanmar before the arrival of European hunters. Declines accelerated in the 1850s, with the construction of canals and other structures. By the early 1940s, gharial numbers had fallen to an estimated 10,000.

The gharial is now limited to 14 populations, with just five of these actively reproducing. Most groups contain fewer than 50 individuals of breeding age (10 to 15 years old for females, 20 to 25 for males). Today, there are just 650 to 700 mature gharials, living only in India and Nepal.

Gharials survive in the Chambal River area as, according to ancient Indian legend, thousands of cows were once slaughtered along the banks of the Chambal, causing the river to run red with blood. Because of this, the Chambal has long been considered unholy. That belief has deterred development along the river and left the ecosystem here relatively pristine. Since 1979, more than two-thirds of the river has been designated a sanctuary to protect South Asian river dolphins (Platanista gangetica), red-crowned roofed turtles (Batagur kachuga), gharials, and other wildlife that nest along its wide, sandy banks.

*Crocodylians - including alligators, crocodiles, tomistomas, gharials, etc are the only reptiles to exhibit “substantial parental care” of their young

Other posts you might like:

IDing various Crocodylians

Indian Gharial

[firstclassmovies]

A BEAUTIFUL MIND (2001). Russell Crowe portrays mathematical genius John Nash.

[seekinghappenstance]

The Greatest Showman (2017)

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Zendaya, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson

Director: Michael Gracey

A film is just an extended fantasy and an insatiable craving for all of us that we have been making up in our heads. There are varieties of genres to fulfill our fantasies that are impossible to see in reality and The Greatest Showman has successfully accomplished it, leaving a scatter of applause from viewers in the theater just like how the audience cheer in the circus. 

The original musical film tells a story of P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman) who was a destitute man, later became prominent and rich after founding Barnum & Bailey Circus. The story follows Barnum as he recruits a bunch of performers who comply with a specific standard ‘quirky’, ‘unusual’ and ‘curious’. In the mid-19th century, people are still pretty much narrow-minded and lack the senses of diversity and acceptability. Needless to say, they hate the circus and perceive them as monsters, at the same time, some of them enjoy the show as they have never seen anything like this which generates a generous revenue for Barnum. Due to unsatisfying reactions from local toward the circus, protesters start a fight with the troupe, eventually, causing a fire at the circus. Barnum faces with the financial difficulty of rebuilding the circus. His partner Philip Carlyle (Zac Efron) financially offered to help to rebuild it under condition of becoming a full partner, which Barnum accepts. Finally, Barnum changes the business to a tent to save money. The new circus continues to grow successfully and Barnum passes on the show to Philip in order to spend time with his family.

The film is meant to be uplifting, showstopping, dramatic, and lots of dancing and singing. The film provides many catchy soundtracks that boosts up the qualities and syncs with dance moves in term of audio visual. The dance, acting and song are in sync which is pleased to watch. There’s something about the film that is able to pull it off which most people think Beauty and The Beast live action movie has failed. It’s hard not to make comparisons between the two films as both films are musical. Musical genre has left me a long lasting bad impression after watching Beauty and The Beast as it was so tedious and dull, mainly because of bad script and songs. On the contrary, the whole theme and picture of The Greatest Showman is so lively and energetic. 

I’m the kind of person who don’t really mind for castings as long as they show dedication to acting. Everyone gets a pass. Frankly speaking, I would have never thought Zendaya would be cast for this movie, surprisingly, her performance is just as incredible as the rest of the casts. Zendaya seems to be the second choice of actress to cast, but she definitely pulls it off in her limited screen time. I can really see her hardwork and dedication to her role Anne Wheeler. According to Zendaya, she had to do lots of training for her role who is a trapeze artist after she was told by the director, in order to use her own stunt double as little as possible. To increase star quality, Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron are certainly wisely cast. Hugh Jackman is already amazing and incredible to begin with. Zac Efron used to be and still is everyone’s childhood crush and his chemistry with Zendaya is indescribably sweet and it’s only interpreted by their legitimate and pure performances on screen. Then we have Rebecca Ferguson as Jenny Lind who gives an unforgettable and powerful singing performance on screen. The only thing is that her haunting singing voice isn’t hers but it is Loren Allred’s. Why not just cast someone who is equally capable as Rebecca but this time with someone who has singing backgrounds?

Overall, the entire film is very satisfying. Some said the film was too sugar-coated and sanitized but I do agree that it needs to show a darker side in the era. For instance, Philip’s parents do say something unpleasant to hear to Anne who is a African but it’s definitely watered down. Instead, they would have said the n-word to her. We do see a lot of diversity happening on the screen which is politically and socially acceptable and welcoming. The soundtracks definitely have impacts on the whole production at certain point that paint the film in a bright color. Putatively, it wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t for the amazing songs. Those are definitely a bop. I would recommend this delicate film to those who have never seen musical films, and to those who have always hated musical films, for sure, this film will show a different yet exquisite side that makes it stand out.

[ipgbook]

Finally! Made it to @qabookco! This cozy neighborhood bookstore is 🙌 The #booksellers here KNOW. THEIR. BOOKS. The curated selections represent #seattle local authors and thoughtful #staffpicks as well as beautiful(!) kids books and eclectic fiction. Venture to this part of the city not only for the views from #kerrypark but also for this gem of a bookstore 😍♥️ . . . #bookstagram #bookish #localbookstore #indiesforindies #seattlewa #bookstoresofinstagram #bookstore #bookshop #readtolive #read #bookshelf #igreads #queenanne #seattle #queenannebookcompany #books #biographic #greatbritishbakeoff #shinola #journals (at Queen Anne, Seattle) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtNCrLUnl3l/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1hryl5ul4rurt

[aunti-christ-ine]

And with one of my all-time faves ~~ his dad Jerry! 

 .....just because. 

[rachelmygod]

Siddheshwari (Mani Kaul, 1990)

[flawlesslyharry-blog]

"Today's #Biographic comic in newspapers & online at gocomics.com/biographic tells life story of #onedirection's #HarryStyles star of #Dunkirk" -Steve McGarry