finding cain

Sometimes you want a reminder that there are still good things in the world. The Amazonian Manatee Rescue Center in Iquitos, Peru, is a unique nursery for orphaned manatee calves. These gentle giants arrive frail, often due to hunting or habitat loss. Caretakers provide intensive care, including underwater bottle-feeding and lessons in swimming and foraging. Their ultimate goal is to return the manatees to the wild rivers of the Amazon, giving this vulnerable species a second chance.

I'm an anxious man who worries about a lot of things. So, the last thing I need is a high-maintenance houseplant. Every botanical enthusiast, even a reluctant one like me, has their holy grail, and right now, my current fascination is the Euphorbia obesa. When you first see this thing, you'll think it's fake. It's a perfectly plump, seamed sphere that looks entirely sculpted and belongs in a museum. This rare succulent, sometimes called the "baseball plant," hails from South Africa. It is wonderfully low-maintenance and can happily go months, perhaps even years, without a drop of water. It's a perfect organism, really. It doesn't need constant affirmation, it doesn't bark at 2 a.m., and it doesn't require a subscription. I want the Euphorbia obesa to be my new housemate, and if I get one, I think the relationship might actually last. Assuming, of course, that I don't overwater it or accidentally knock it over during a panic attack.

The Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel in Filinvest City, Alabang, is a beautiful, modern landmark known for its unique, nature-centric architecture. Inspired by an inverted white lily, the chapel's graceful curve stands in beautiful contrast to the sharp angles of nearby corporate buildings, symbolizing the purity of the Virgin Mary. Since opening in 2023, its towering design appears to open toward the heavens, creating a profoundly serene atmosphere. More than just a place of worship, the chapel is a community hub with a big heart. It actively supports charitable causes, including Elsie Gaches Village, a facility for kids with developmental disabilities. This architectural gem is a must-see, combining stunning design with a genuine mission of good. I highly recommend a visit.

The winners of the Nikon Small World photo contest have been announced , showcasing truly breathtaking talent under the lens. For over fifty years, this competition has masterfully blended scientific technique with artistry, giving us an unparalleled view into the hidden biome around us. These aren't just macro photos; they are stunning, hyper-detailed portraits that transform ordinary, overlooked specks—from microscopic invertebrates to plant architecture—into monumental subjects. They prove that the greatest jungles often exist in the smallest spaces. This year’s top prize goes to Zhang You from China. His winning image is a perfectly timed and illuminated shot of a rice weevil perched on a grain. With its wings fully extended, the humble insect looks less like a pest and more like an armored shuttle preparing for an epic interplanetary battle. Below are some of my favorites. After seeing these phenomenal close-ups, you'll never look at a speck of dust or a houseplant the sam...

It's the ultimate insect smackdown: eat or be eaten, served with a side of absurdity. The action kicks off with a cute cicada happily snacking on a worm. So far, so chill. Then, in swoops the villain, a ridiculously stunning and hungry orchid mantis. Drama! But before that fashionista can land a single blow, the flamboyant peacock spider crashes the party, looking to turn both of them into a two-course meal. This microscopic, high-stakes standoff is wild. Every bug is hamming it up with expressions so relatable, you forget they're just bugs—until that bizarre, out-of-nowhere sequence drops. It’s all based on the genius Chinese proverb: "The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind." This short is a gorgeous, tense, and surprisingly funny reminder that you're never safe on the food chain. Seriously, go watch it—it’s an award winner for a reason.

Have you ever looked up and wondered, "What does it feel like to soar majestically like an eagle?" This video offers a captivating glimpse. Expert bird handler Lloyd Buck attached a small 360-degree camera and a GPS tracker directly to the back of one of these magnificent predatory birds. The entire setup creates a stunning, first-person virtual reality experience—only this one is real and features a creature with an impressively large wingspan. However, this isn't just for cool footage. The real mission is to capture valuable scientific data: examining how quickly an eagle can gain altitude and precisely how its incredible wings are adapted to achieve such breathtaking, effortless lift.

09 September 2015 Roxas City is full of wonderful, happy people, and the longer I'm here, the more like home it feels. Today is my last day in Capiz. I set the alarm for 7 a.m. but was up at 5:30. My laundry was still wet. I placed the clothes in a trash bag and put them inside my backpack. I should’ve had one of those Baye-Baye and a very strong cup of coffee, because the next stage was a half-hour walk to the harbor. A couple of weeks ago, I developed what some might call a "fish problem." Prior to that, I never even thought about fish. I mean, I knew they existed, but I never really paid attention to them. But then I started hearing some of my friends talking about different types of aquatic animals, and I became curious. What was all the fuss about? They weren't becoming marine biologists; they were just becoming irritatingly articulate about the difference between a Wrasse and a Snapper, and I began to feel like I was the only one who couldn't relate. My miss...

Nothing makes my kids happier than saying we’re heading to the playground. It is a place where they get some fresh and have fun. But playgrounds are not just spaces for children to enjoy; they are also essential for social interaction, physical activity, and cognitive growth. The playground in Ayala Triangle Gardens is now open to the public, and it’s waiting to be climbed and slid on. It's an urban oasis for the young and the young at heart — a mini-obstacle course that challenges balance and encourages a little bit of good-old-fashioned dirt-and-sweat adventure. I like the shady spots, so I can enjoy my drink while my kids burn off their energy. Comfy new benches are the only thing lacking. If you have time, visit the place.

Watching this video makes me feel like a tiny and trivial organism in the face of nature's relentless power.

Some people collect toys, some write poetry, and some choose to hurl themselves down a mountain on two wheels. Jackson Goldstone just won this year’s Downhill Mountain Bike World Championship in Switzerland and here’s the POV of his winning run down the course. That feeling of dropping into a very steep descent with the sound of tires on dirt is pure bliss. Who's hitting the trails this weekend?

If you won the lottery and all the sensible stuff was taken care of, what’s the first completely ridiculous thing you’d buy? For me, this personal watercraft from Yamaha. Well, it's not utterly ridiculous, but the all-new CrossWave comes with a hefty price tag. Online discussions and forums suggest that the price could fall in the range of $20,000 to $40,000, with some estimates placing a fully equipped model at the higher end of that spectrum. This WaveRunner looks like a cross between a jet ski and a small utility boat. It measures almost 13 feet long, over five feet wide, and can carry up to four people. Yes, it can fit in your garage. Other features include a rod storage compartment, a dedicated anchor locker in the bow, dual in-hull stern compartments, dual touchscreen displays, including a 7" Simrad NSX chartplotter and fishfinder, 8" footwell speakers with Bluetooth, and a 1.9L High Output Marine Engine.  There's nothing quite like a weekend spent on the water...

Ah, Taal Lake. Admirable, breathtaking, a perfect postcard of tranquility. And then you remember. Oh right, there's a volcano inside the lake, inside an island, inside another body of water. It's like an  Inception movie directed by mother nature, and frankly, I'm pretty sure she's just messing with us at this point.

What is this obsession with cacti? I don't know, I just want one. This is the Stenocereus hollianus cristata. It's quite rare, striking to look at, and can be found surviving in the driest places on Earth. Just put in minimal effort and the plant will thrive.

Vending machines are essential (at least for me), but that doesn't mean that they have to be ugly eyesores. Check out this really cool vendo in Japan. Just like other vending machines, this thing dispenses water and soft drinks, but what I really like about it is the design. The vendo is disguised behind a wooden exterior, has a rustically weathered look, and really matches its surroundings. The photo was shared by Twitter user @ekimemo_kinako while visiting the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, a World Heritage Site in Shimane Prefecture. [h/t: SoraNews24 ]

As reported at CNN and elsewhere, a Missouri cave filled with ancient artwork was sold at auction for $2.2 million. Trouble is, the deal really pissed off the leaders of the Osage Nation who had previously tried to buy the property. "It is our ancestors who are buried there in that cave," Andrea Hunter, tribal historic preservation officer for the Osage Nation, explained. "It is our ancestors that created the images that are on the walls and conducted the rituals that took place. It is absolutely the most sacred site that we have. And it rightfully should be in our ownership." The landmark, known as Picture Cave, contains Native American wall drawings from more than 1,000 years ago. The site was consigned by a family who had owned the property since 1953 and primarily used it for hunting. They approached Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers, the firm responsible for the sale, after talks with the tribe failed. No word what the winning bidder will do with the epic c...

After a year of hiatus due to the global pandemic, Japan's Wara Art Festival is back. Since 2008, the festival has featured massive creatures made from rice straw created by art students in collaboration with local farmers and residents. The amazing sculptures will remain at Uwasekigata Park in Niigata City's Nishikan Ward until October 31.

Here's a wonderfully relaxing and satisfying video of a woman building a bamboo tree house from scratch entirely without modern tools or equipment. The 45-minute clip also proves that bamboo is a highly versatile material in the right hands. Man, this is the treehouse I always wanted as a child, but got a blanket fort instead.

From the same guys who brought us that horse-leech eating earthworm video , this is a time-lapse compilation of plants growing from seeds. Boxlapse photographed various plants for 520 days and turned all the images into this stunning 8-minute clip. That's some serious shi*t. FYI, I've never done anything for 520 days straight but delete all those marketing emails.

Right now I'm listening to a cricket. It sounds like it's in my room but I'm quite certain it's not. Do I wish it were in my house instead of outside of it? No, but you do have to admit that would be more interesting.

Growing cacti and succulents is a surprisingly beneficial hobby for me. It's fun and relaxing, and it's a great way to connect with other plant collectors. Cacti are remarkably tough and low in maintenance. Yes, they look a bit weird, but they produce beautiful flowers. In this remarkable time-lapse video, Florida-based photographer Greg Krehel captures different varieties of Echinopsis cactus flowers blooming. The process happens overnight, and the flowers last for just one day, with a peak period transpiring for only an hour or two.