February 2025

POTD: Questioning Evolution

Questioning Evolution
Ajo, Arizona
2025

I’m fascinated by those tall, tall, skinny palm trees you see in this part of the country. In this case, I believe this particular tree to be of the Mexican fan palm variety. Mexican fan plams are native to the Baja Peninsula and part of Sonora, Mexico. Being desert climates, plants there tend to be well spaced, so being able to grow tall above a thick canopy of trees to access the always abundant sunshine does not seem to be of any survival advantage. So what spurred them to develop the capacity to grow upwards of 100 feet tall? It’s got me stumped. It’s almost like they are the result of some Mendelian chicanery by a bored or enterprising botanist who one day thought “Gee, I wonder how tall a palm tree I can breed if I put my mind to it?”

POTD: Questioning Evolution Read More »

POTD: Cats Are Not People!

Cats Are Not People!
Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
2025

Folks, I shouldn’t have to remind you of this, but cats are not people,period. Don’t treat them as such. They can be a lot of fun to have around and I’m sure you adore them as well you should. But they don’t need to be dressed up and they most certainly don’t need to be pushed around in leopard-print strollers.  It’s embarrassing for the cat and it should be embarrassing for you if you had any lick of sense about the whole thing. The same is true for other pets as well. (I’m looking at you dog owners.) Enough is enough!

(This message brought to you as a public service by the caring staff here at POTD headquarters.)

POTD: Cats Are Not People! Read More »