Harley electric

Harley Davidson's new electric motorcycle at the company's research facility in Wauwatosa, WI

Rough skinned newt

Fifty years ago three hunters were found dead in their campsite in Oregon.  No evidence of foul play was found.  The only odd thing was there was a rough skinned newt in their coffee pot.

In the 1960's a biologist (Butch Brodie) read the story and became curious.  When disturbed the newt bends its head back and reveals a bright yellow belly.  Bright colors are often associated with poisonous animals and Brodie wondered if the newt might be toxic.

Brodie found that the newt produces the chemical tetrodotoxin which blocks signals in the nervous system leading to a quick death.  There is no conclusive evidence that the newt in the coffee pot was responsible for the deaths of the three hunters, but chances are it was in fact the cause.  The small newt carries enough toxin to kill dozens of people- it is 10,000 times more deadly than cyanide.

Read the article here.

Island of Mauritius

An underwater plateau

Aston Martin concept

This one off concept car was created by Aston Martin during World War II.  This car was scheduled to be offered yesterday at Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed auction, but I was unable to find it in the posted results.  It was expected to bring in excess of $1.5 million.

Bedroom camouflage

Christopher Schlaf

Christopher Schlaf was this year's winner in the amphibians and reptiles category in the B&H Wilderness Photo Competition.  See other winners here.

Horn of Plenty

This mural is the largest artwork in the Netherlands.  It is located in the De Markthal market in Rotterdam.  Created by Arno Coenen it consists of 4000 "tiles" onto which digital images will be projected of the produce offered at the market.  The market is scheduled to open in October.

A 360 degree panarama image is here.

Czech it out

A 1951 T600 Tatraplan.   One of about 6,300 produced.  This one underwent a complete restoration in its native Czech Republic in 2012.  It is currently residing in Germany.  It is available for a Buy It Now price of $76,000 here on eBay. 

Marilyn trashed

This thirty foot tall statue of Marilyn Monroe has ended up at a trash collecting company in Guigang, China.  Several Chinese artists labored over two years to complete it and it was on display outside a business center in the city for only six months before being discarded for unknown reasons. 

Rock of Ages

Dietmar Voorworld is an artist who works with rocks.  More examples can be seen here.

Body art

Holding their pose would have to be extremely difficult.  One has to wonder how long a work like this takes?  I posted a similar work here last month.

Jesse at justacarguy posted this image from stunningpicture.  There are a lot of great images to be seen at both sites.

Weekend get away

Dark Hedges

300 year old beech trees in County Antrim, Ireland.  More information and additional images at Dark Hedges.

House beautiful

While they used colors that I probably would not have chosen the bottom line is that this is one very beautiful structure.

All in the family

Jewel caterpillar

Found in the Amazon Rainforest this caterpillar looks like a psychedelic gummy worm.  Read more and see images of even more colorful examples at Scientific American,

Looking for a new barber

Aluminum worker

A laborer at an aluminum workshop in Herat, Afghanistan

Worlds Tallest Waterslide

The world's tallest waterslide drops you through a tunnel where you reach speeds of up to 65mph.  Then you ascend five stories before you drop back down an additional 50 feet.  How tall is it?  168 feet 7 inches.  Tall enough for Guinness to certify it as the tallest in the world.

Four people are strapped into each "raft".  The travel channel will air a program highlighting the construction of the waterslide on June 29th- the same day it is scheduled to open to the public.  Look for it on the season premiere of Xtreme Waterparks.

White Zombie

How about 12 second quarter miles with a speed of 107mph powered by electrons?  He currently is building an electric Mustang with 750hp which you can see here.

Nifty bar wrap

Up close

Yudy Sauw specializes in close up photos of insects.  View additional incredible macro images here.

Ayam Cemani

Read about this all black chicken from Java by clicking here.

Jet train

In 1966 Don Wetzel attached two GE jet engines to the top of a commuter car and reached 183 mph on a straight section of Ohio railroad track.  Don was an engineer for New York Central.  He set a world record for a self-propelled train and was recognized by Guinness World Records.  The record stands to this day.

Moving day

A four ton rhino was airlifted to a new location for his own protection.  His new home is in the Zululand region of Kwa-Zulu Natal in South Africa.

Drive on, Comrade

Giving new meaning to the term "Soviet Block"  From the studio of slava'saakyan

D-Day

Read Larry Wells' tribute to the D-Day invasion here.

Lichen

I have been working at a bit of home rehab and ran across this display of lichens in a secluded  spot near the roof.  The area shown would measure about 2 x 4 inches.  Read more on lichens by clicking here.

Bikes of Burden

Hans Kemp has published a book of photographs that shows people carrying large loads of "stuff" on motorbikes.  See more images here.

Heavy breather

Dancing in the light

... so now you tell me...

Marilyn

Marilyn Monroe would have been eighty eight years old today.  

Highway flyer