One of my favorite stories of the week; I am not going to spoil it by excerpting it you need to listen to it all (almost 6 minutes)

Our youngest daughter Selimah showed us this one–adorable!

Islands are often the playgrounds of imaginary scientists, from Dr. Moreau to the researchers on the TV show Lost. But this place is real: an island where every single plant species has had its DNA analyzed and cataloged.

Plummers Island is just on the edge of the Potomac River and holds the distinction of being “the most studied island in North America.”

That’s according to John Kress, a botanist at the Smithsonian Institution. “There’s been more biologists out here looking at everything from worms to flowers to birds, mammals, snails … than any other spot on the East Coast,” he says.

Read or listen to it all.

Asked whether it absolves the critters of past or future sins, Rev. Brad Beale smiled.

“Maybe, in the eyes of the owner,” he said, explaining it may bring “the hope they won’t be quite so naughty the following year.”

He began the service by noting he might have to improvise depending on how the furrier occupants of the pews behaved.

But he and worshippers said it’s a fun time.

“It’s about environment for us, too — to remind us that we’re connected to the Creation, very connected,” said Beale.

“It’s a nice alternate service,” said Anne Clark.

Read it all.

This is just a gem, especially the section on the spider. Make sure to find the time to listen to it all from NPR (over 14 minutes in all).

Take a look.

The shot when they get to the top of the tree is just amazing–watch it all

A single mega-colony of ants has colonised much of the world, scientists have discovered.

Argentine ants living in vast numbers across Europe, the US and Japan belong to the same inter-related colony, and will refuse to fight one another.

The colony may be the largest of its type ever known for any insect species, and could rival humans in the scale of its world domination.

Read it all.

This is Kendall Harmon and Temah.

Wedding attendants are going to the dogs.

Pet-loving couples are increasingly including their dogs (and other pets, to a much lesser degree) in the wedding parties of some very formal weddings — decking them out in silk and satin and including them in the receiving line, on the program and in the portraits.

“Many people think of their pets as family members, and they wouldn’t think of having a special day like this without that member,” says Celina Bojorquez, co-owner of Beverly Hills Mutt Club, purveyor of upscale accessories like doggie tuxedos ($70 and up) and couture dresses ($170 to $500).

Read the whole article.

This is worth watching just to hear the elk call alone–KSH.

This is just wonderful–watch the whole video.

I loved seeing this–watch it all.

The Ant

The ant has made himself illustrious
Through constant industry industrious.
So what?
Would you be calm and placid,
If you were full of formic acid?

–Ogden Nash (1902-1971)

Watch it all–makes the heart glad.