Amazing half-animal, half-plant

The Elysia Chlorotica (common name the eastern emerald elysia) is sea slug is not like most sea slugs.  Researchers refer to this animal as being "solar-powered," since it undergoes several plant-like processes and resembles a leaf!  This creature has chloroplasts that let him to convert sunlight into energy, so yes, it undergoes photosynthesis. The Elysia Chlorotica sea slug, distinct some of the more exotic animals we see here on Greenamajigger, can be found close to home!  By close, it means the east coast of the United States. It lives in a subcellular endosymbiotic relationship with chloroplasts of the marine heterokont alga Vaucheria litorea. It is feeding on algae; this amazing animal has a weird way of sustaining life.  Because it needs to eat plants to maintain its existence, but the only thing that it takes from what it eats are chloroplasts, which help it undergo photosynthesis more easily!  So, is the elysia chlorotica a plant?  Yes. Is it an animal? Yes. Mind Blown!

Fearless High-Liners in HAMMOCKS dangling 150ft above dizzying Alpine drops

These daredevil high-liners are the pivotal chill seekers when they’ve set up hammocks hundreds of feet in the air. They’ve inch their way sensibly along the thin wire, some are even pleased to pull out a guitar and play some tunes. The dangerous event, called the International Highline Meeting, is in its third year, and takes place at Monte Piana in Italy.

It is a big gathering for courageous folks to hone their skills without any form of competitive edge. The hint of adding hammocks was put forward by hammock manufacturer Ticket to the Moon. The High-liners attach the materials to a strengthened “highline” as they walk out to their designated relaxation spots 150ft high.

Snapper Sebastian Wahlhuetter captured the breath-taking pictures as 22 people hopped into 16 hammocks. The meeting ran from 6 to 14 September, with 500 people attending. Sebastian, who also helped to organize the event, revealed it was tough to capture his pictures due to the remote location and steep, rocky surroundings.

But “The action lasted around an hour and it was astonishing to see all those people hanging out in their hammocks and it was really thrilling to watch. A distinct highline set up was rigged so that it could carry the weight of the several people on one line at the same time. 'Monte Piana Highline Festival was definitely the best highline event I have ever photographed.' Source: Dailymail

Mike the Headless Chicken

Mike the Headless Chicken also recognized as Miracle Mike was a Wyandotte’s chicken that lived for 18 months after his head had been cut off during the period of April 1945 till March 1947. Although the story was believed by various to be a hoax, the bird's owner took him to the University of Utah in Salt Lake City to establish the facts of the story. On September 10, 1945, farmer Lloyd Olsen of Fruita, Colorado, United States, was eating supper with his mother-in-law and was sent out to the yard by his wife to bring back a chicken. Olsen chose a five-and-a-half-month-old cockerel named Mike. The axe missed the jugular vein, leaving one ear and most of the brain stem intact. In spite of Olsen's failed attempt to behead Mike, he was still able to balance on a perch and walk awkwardly; and even attempted to preen and crow, though he could do neither. When the bird did not die, Mr. Olsen, who was shocked, decided to continue to care permanently for Mike, feeding him a mixture of milk and water via an eyedropper; he was also fed small grains of corn. His crowing, however, comprised of a gurgling sound made in his throat. Mike also spent his time attempting to preen and peck for food with his neck.

Once the Mike popularity had been established, he started a career of touring sideshows in the company of such other creatures as a two-headed calf. He was also snapped for dozens of magazines and papers, including in Time and Life magazines. Mike was on published to the public for an admission cost of twenty five cents. At the increase of his height and fame, the chicken earned US$4,500 per month (Almost $47,500 nowadays) and was valued at a big cost of $10,000. In March 1947, at a motel in Phoenix on a stopover while traveling back from tour, Mike started choking in the middle of the night. The Olsens had unconsciously left their feeding and cleaning syringes at the sideshow the day before, and so were unable to save Mike. Olsen claimed that he had sold the bird off, resulting in stories of Mike still touring the country as late as 1949. Then other sources say that the chicken's severed trachea couldn’t properly take in adequate air to be able to breathe, and it therefore choked to death in the motel.

It was determined that the axe had missed the jugular vein and a clot had prevented Mike from bleeding to death. Although most of his head was detached, most of his brain stem and one ear were left on his body. Since basic functions breathing, heart-rate, etc., as well as most of a chicken's reflex actions are controlled by the brain stem, Mike was able to remain quite healthy. This is a good example of central motor generators allowing rudimentary homeostatic functions to be carried out in the absence of the cerebral cortex.

Eagle Mirror

Sometimes you’re simply lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.  That is exactly what happened to photographer Ray Hennessy at Tuckahoe Wildlife Management Area in southern New Jersey.  The photographer arrived at the wildlife area just as the sun had risen and instigated the drive around the elevated road through the marsh.  He says; we saw from the moment we got there how calm it was, there was not a bit of wind moving, and the water was crystal clear, reflecting everything almost flawlessly.  

He said not long after our arrival we observed a trio of Bald Eagles fishing far out in one of the slight bodies of water.  A stunning sight to grasp but nothing to write home about photographically, they were just too far out.  But still it was too great to watch.  Almost an hour after that encounter we saw another alone eagle flying our way.  I instantly jumped out of the car and got ready.  He was slowly continued to come directly our side and for whatever reason began to circle directly in front of us, and close!  I bring into being to think but didn't want to say it out loud "make a dive!"  

As good fortune would have it that is exactly what happened next, the eagle banked right and swooped in for a grab directly in front of us and parallel to the road.  A picture-perfect swoop and grab in the calm early morning light!  These moments like these that make nature photography so worth it and also prove that no matter how much preparation or ability you may have; at times you just need a little luck.  Of course I would love a bit of sunlight on the Eagle's head but I'm still thrilled with this photo. Source: Ray Hennessy

Climbers Lit the Magnificent Matterhorn to Celebrate 150 Years of Climbing

Climbers “painted” the beautiful Matterhorn with Red Colors to celebrate the special anniversary. A group of 16 trained climbers left Red beacons along the route of the famous climb, which is one of the highest mountains in the Alps Switzerland and as nightfall came the imposing mountain came alive with color. The event was organized by clothing brand Mammuth to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first explorers to scale the epic mountain. This massive cragged rock tooth standing alone on the horizon in a sea of clouds has for decades been an electromagnet for mountaineers, and has claimed the lives of 450.  On 14 July 1865, British climber Edward Whymper reached the peak of the Matterhorn together with his rope team, but lost four climbers during the descent. Therefore 6 years later, on 22 July 1871, Englishwoman Lucy Walker became the first woman to climb the Matterhorn wearing a long flannel skirt as was suitable for a Victorian lady. Her ascent was seen as a jewel in the crown of female mountaineering.