Butterfly Conservation’s Post

Any excuse to pay affectionate homage to Australia! The Modern Bestiary by Joanna Bagniewska is a celebration of both the beauty and the peculiarities of nature and indispensable if you want to be a dinner party guest of choice in London in 2024! Some examples of what you will learn about: - The wombat's shield like rump ('...there are accounts of wombats using their bulletproof butts to whack predators against tunnel walls or ceilings, crushing their skulls or suffocating them in the process.') - The wombat's '...unique ability to generate cube-shaped droppings'. - The fact that platypuses do not have stomachs but platypus females do have two ovaries. - Hand-reared Australian musk ducks ducks can learn to say more than quack (the example presented is Ripper - just noting that this a widely-used pet name in Australia - was recorded as saying 'you bloody fool']. - The Mary River turtle is able to breathe underwater through its bottom [the author's phrasing, not mine... I am merely the messenger!], using its cloaca, an opening that also includes the end points for its urinary, digestive and reproductive tracts. And, just to be clear about the target audience; "...let me warn you that this is not really a book for children - so if you bought it for your baby sister, kid nephew or little cousin (because it is about animals and it has pictures), you need to be prepared for a, perhaps awkward, conversation about traumatic insemination, matriphagy or apophallation... it could be difficult to address issues such as siblicide with children who are going through the phase of hating their brother or sister." [Note; The terms are fully (and graphically) described in the text].

FACULTY OF USELESS KNOWLEDGE - THE DRESSED MOLE RAT Humans are like the naked mole rat, hairless, furless. We call the naked mole rat ugly. Yet we adore the equally naked human bodies of models, athletes, our partners and if we are lucky we even like our own bodies. It's strange because there are not many hairless mammals. Cetaceans (whales and dolphins), the hippo, the African elephant, the walrus and some atrocities bred by humans on purpose; dogs, cats and guinee pigs (a criminal activity if you ask FUK). So #hair is standard, naked is deviation. That being said, naked mole rats are in a league of their own. They can move their four teeth independently for instance. They live underground as sterile individuals, in groups of of 100s, reacting to the hormonal cues of the queen. The queen is the only one that's breeding, initiating courtship by “thrusting her rear end into the face of the male”. They defy the law of ageing that applies to and the queen stays fertile for decades: “For a human that would equate to having babies at 300 years old.” But back to the hairs, sometimes I wish I was like my cat, or any other hairy mammal. It would safe time in the morning, and I would always look my best. And it would kill the #fashion industry, one of the biggest #polluters of all industries: The fashion industry is estimated to be responsible for 10% of global #carbon #emissions – more than international flights and maritime shipping combined.

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙩𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪? For me, nature always provides. This morning's very chilly walk around the vineyards surrounding my village brought me (almost) face to face with a young male deer. I see them regularly, but their heightened sensitivity means they dash off quickly, so I usually just watch them and leave my phone in my pocket. Today I was graced with several minutes to watch this one and even take a (rather blurry) photo. Spending much of my day in front of screens means, like many of us, if I don't make an intentional effort to go outside in the winter, I never see natural light. Linda Geddes talks about the critical 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙨 & 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙨 in her superb book 'Chasing the sun'. The evidence completely changed my life. As a desk dweller for a lot of my career, I realised I was depriving myself of life giving natural forces. Humans are drawn to light. It governs so much of our biological & psychological functions. Now I make a point of getting outside every day, even if I have to wrap up like a cosy bear in blankets and hats in the coldest of weathers, just so I can absorb this precious energy! #circadianrhythm #psychologicalwellbeing #emotionalwellbeing #coachingpsychology Image: a young male deer, looking (seemingly) straight at the photographer. The deer is standing on a grassy bank at the edge of a vineyard. The vines are bare and brown as it is winter in Northern Europe.

From Fear to Strength: My Journey to Gold Earth A few years ago, I faced one of the most challenging experiences of my life: hair loss. For me, hair wasn’t just about appearance; it was deeply tied to my identity. Menopause and health complications made me feel like I was losing a part of myself. I tried everything—expensive treatments, countless products—but nothing worked. Frustrated and scared, I asked my daughters to shave my head. That moment was a turning point. I decided to take matters into my own hands. Drawing on my decades of experience as a hairdresser and beautician, I turned to natural remedies. What started as a personal journey to heal my hair became something much bigger. Today, I’m proud to share Gold Earth, a brand rooted in the power of nature and my unwavering belief in authenticity. Every product I create is handmade, crafted with care, and designed to nurture not just hair, but also skin and soul. Gold Earth represents resilience, hope, and the idea that sometimes the best solutions are the simplest ones—straight from nature. If you’ve ever faced challenges that made you rethink everything, or if you’re passionate about self-care and natural beauty, I’d love to hear your story. Let’s connect, share, and grow together. www.goldearth.co.uk https://lnkd.in/ehV8dmZA #BusinessPartnerships #Entrepreneurship #NaturalBeauty #Resilience #GoldEarth #SmallBusiness

Your body does not belong to anyone but YOU, it is your fundamental Human right. Your Body, Your Right! #mybodymychoice #mybodyismine #myrigths #bodilyautonomy #humanrightsforall #aihiadvocacy

The images of aging Asian beauties do not include heavy make ups, low cut tops to show the cleavages, high cut slits to show the thighs nor big fat lips & ultra high heels to symbolize sexiness. We focus on clear & healthy complexions & gentle smiles that reflect the health & longevity from the inside out. https://lnkd.in/gZRSnY8k

Are you interested in reading my article titled "High Tale Adventures: A Review of Menopause and The Princess Bride"? Of course you are! It's in my blog.. https://lnkd.in/gTmUjhiF

Many people believe that bonding with our pets leads to a boost in oxytocin, the “love hormone” that strengthens connections. While previous research suggested that petting, playing, and eye contact with dogs raise oxytocin levels in both humans and dogs, a study by Marshall-Pescini et al. (2019) found something surprising. The expected increase in oxytocin didn’t always happen, revealing that these interactions might not have the same effect for everyone. The study highlighted that not all dogs respond to affection the same way. Some dogs enjoy attention and are eager to engage, while others, with different personalities or temperaments, may not show the same enthusiasm. It turns out that factors like breed, comfort with physical touch, and the owner’s personality play a big role in how dogs react. This makes sense when you consider that just like humans, dogs have individual preferences, and some are simply more independent or reserved. While the research didn’t find consistent changes in oxytocin levels, it brought attention to the complexity of the human-dog bond. Every dog-owner relationship is unique, shaped by personal traits and preferences. Though the scientific results may not always capture the warmth of these connections, they remain meaningful in their own right, with love and understanding playing a far more significant role than any hormone measurement could show. #doglover #petbonding #dogsofinstagram #dogbehavior #puppylove #dogtrainingtips #humananimalbond #happydog #doglife #caninelovers Photo source: Unsplash (@tannervee) Article source: Marshall-Pescini, S., Schaebs, F.S., Gaugg, A., Meinert, A., Deschner, T. and Range, F., 2019. The role of oxytocin in the dog–owner relationship. Animals, 9(10), p.792. https://lnkd.in/grik7uHK

[NEW YOUTUBE VIDEO] “Prolonged Sitting is the New Smoking (Why You Should Stand)” Sitting for prolonged periods comes with a host of health issues, not excluding increasing your risk of mortality. Luckily, we aren't glued to our seats and have the opportunity to change our sitting habits. In this week’s video, I explore these health issues and how to change those habits. . . . . #evolve.2 #evolution #humanevolution #science #culture #health #fitness #exercise #humans #prehistory #prehistoric #prehistoricpeople #biology #psychology #nature #lifestyle #ancestral #paleo #anthro #adapt #prehistoric #activity #workout #huntergatherer #archeology #primal #ancestralwisdom #ancestors