This is probably what I like the most about your writing, Alex. The ability to connect points that at first are unrelated, but put together surprise and delight. This was the perfect essay to read at night, without coffee. There you are shining. ✨
I love the longer reads! So many interesting facts & details woven into a masterful telling of the story. Ranging from fact based science news to history & art including details revealed with a cheeky wink & a beautiful little hummingbird who halted Big Oil’s pipeline for a few months. These articles are like a worldwind tour of your observations & I will always want a seat on your wonderful tour bus! Thanks!
Wonderful weaving of today’s history with that of the past and including the always fascinating hummingbird. So glad the hummingbird was able to stop modern technology at least for a while. With all the ingenuity that went into NASA’s helicopter and flight I wonder why ingenuity like that can’t be used to help with climate change. Earth is still where we live and is the must important planet to humans. Thanks again for another thought provoking article.
Hummingbirds are certainly an adaptable lot! They even hibernate overnight to preserve energy. In Ontario we just have the Ruby-Throated variety and they have just recently arrived in the Ottawa area. I have a trail-cam pointed at my feeder and was surprised to see a local Ruby-Throat happily feeding on 1ºC nectar at 5:35 AM! I thought it would wait until later in the (warmer) morning before getting busy. There are plenty of wild cherry blossoms in the forest for the ones who haven't found a feeder and perhaps that accounts for the timing of their arrival even though it is not unusual for the temperature to go a little below freezing during the nights.
I really enjoyed reading this. Loved where the story took you and that you kept following it. Fascinating how things are connected - if one cares to look. Thank you!
I remember the Sonora Desert Museum. I have very fond memories of it (and pictures somewhere). I think we were there in November, because temperatures were bearable. Also, next time I'm in London I should probably go to Apsley House. And, it looks like I need to read up on Napoleon a bit more. He definitely has a good reputation in Switzerland. Something to do with an Act of Mediation in 1803 which gave my canton back its sovereignty. Sorry, I digress, but I agree with you that history is fascinating.
A lot of homework to come out of this amazing story. Brushing up on some French history, possibly in French for a bit of an extra challenge. And hummingbirds - always found them fascinating. I need to find out more about that Migratory Bird Act as well. So, again a big thank you!
As an American, I am doubly impressed and delighted. Your historical knowledge and skilled narrative is rare here and came as a surprise.
I adore Hummingbirds. I grew to love them and the garden with my father, who rarely spoke and was a rather hard-case WWII man who spent time in the garden each day after work as solace, and I’d be there too. The hummingbirds loved the hibiscus and bird of paradise. Their flight is a wonder. What a gift enjoying nature from a young age has been.
I am going to have to bookmark this one to read again! I loved the headline when I first saw it earlier this week, and knew I would delve in further this weekend. It feels very much like two things: the thoughts that come together while walking, and the poetic work of AS Byatt in her novel Possession. Well done!
Masterful storytelling. I so enjoyed this journey through space, time and history. Such a funny story of Napoleon and his fig leaf, which I haven't yet seen. I was there at Hyde Park and at Buckingham Palace, but it was a very long time ago (my first trip abroad). Being a writer of children's stories, I was enchanted by the statue of Peter Pan I stumbled upon there.
I hadn't known much about the Empress Eugenie, but I enjoyed learning more about her, thank you.
Finally, your tying in the le Petit Prince and how Anna's hummingbird is helping with climate change was the cherry on top. 🍒
This is probably what I like the most about your writing, Alex. The ability to connect points that at first are unrelated, but put together surprise and delight. This was the perfect essay to read at night, without coffee. There you are shining. ✨
I love the longer reads! So many interesting facts & details woven into a masterful telling of the story. Ranging from fact based science news to history & art including details revealed with a cheeky wink & a beautiful little hummingbird who halted Big Oil’s pipeline for a few months. These articles are like a worldwind tour of your observations & I will always want a seat on your wonderful tour bus! Thanks!
Wonderful weaving of today’s history with that of the past and including the always fascinating hummingbird. So glad the hummingbird was able to stop modern technology at least for a while. With all the ingenuity that went into NASA’s helicopter and flight I wonder why ingenuity like that can’t be used to help with climate change. Earth is still where we live and is the must important planet to humans. Thanks again for another thought provoking article.
Hummingbirds are certainly an adaptable lot! They even hibernate overnight to preserve energy. In Ontario we just have the Ruby-Throated variety and they have just recently arrived in the Ottawa area. I have a trail-cam pointed at my feeder and was surprised to see a local Ruby-Throat happily feeding on 1ºC nectar at 5:35 AM! I thought it would wait until later in the (warmer) morning before getting busy. There are plenty of wild cherry blossoms in the forest for the ones who haven't found a feeder and perhaps that accounts for the timing of their arrival even though it is not unusual for the temperature to go a little below freezing during the nights.
I really enjoyed reading this. Loved where the story took you and that you kept following it. Fascinating how things are connected - if one cares to look. Thank you!
I remember the Sonora Desert Museum. I have very fond memories of it (and pictures somewhere). I think we were there in November, because temperatures were bearable. Also, next time I'm in London I should probably go to Apsley House. And, it looks like I need to read up on Napoleon a bit more. He definitely has a good reputation in Switzerland. Something to do with an Act of Mediation in 1803 which gave my canton back its sovereignty. Sorry, I digress, but I agree with you that history is fascinating.
A lot of homework to come out of this amazing story. Brushing up on some French history, possibly in French for a bit of an extra challenge. And hummingbirds - always found them fascinating. I need to find out more about that Migratory Bird Act as well. So, again a big thank you!
As an American, I am doubly impressed and delighted. Your historical knowledge and skilled narrative is rare here and came as a surprise.
I adore Hummingbirds. I grew to love them and the garden with my father, who rarely spoke and was a rather hard-case WWII man who spent time in the garden each day after work as solace, and I’d be there too. The hummingbirds loved the hibiscus and bird of paradise. Their flight is a wonder. What a gift enjoying nature from a young age has been.
Delightful. Bedankt!
I am going to have to bookmark this one to read again! I loved the headline when I first saw it earlier this week, and knew I would delve in further this weekend. It feels very much like two things: the thoughts that come together while walking, and the poetic work of AS Byatt in her novel Possession. Well done!
A very nice article with a lot of interesting information, and some humor thrown in. "Tiny fig leaf" 😂
Masterful storytelling. I so enjoyed this journey through space, time and history. Such a funny story of Napoleon and his fig leaf, which I haven't yet seen. I was there at Hyde Park and at Buckingham Palace, but it was a very long time ago (my first trip abroad). Being a writer of children's stories, I was enchanted by the statue of Peter Pan I stumbled upon there.
I hadn't known much about the Empress Eugenie, but I enjoyed learning more about her, thank you.
Finally, your tying in the le Petit Prince and how Anna's hummingbird is helping with climate change was the cherry on top. 🍒
Loved today's fascinating tapestry!
Thank you (-: