This praying mantis, perfectly preserved in a piece of pristine amber, is
estimated to be between 23 million to 33.9 million years old. It was found
in the Dominican Republic and sold at auction for $6000 in 2016 (which
I think is rather low. I would have paid more for it. But then, I'm a nerd
about such things). Pictures are from Heritage Auctions.
Here's a nice overhead shot of San Francisco, facing East, looking right down on Golden
Gate Park. We're a little over an hour north of SF so we're pretty familiar with the
territory. At the top of the photo is the Bay Bridge heading over to Oakland.
The spot I've got an arrow pointing at is Kezar Stadium, original home for the Oakland
Raiders and San Francisco 49ers back in 1960. The Raiders only used it briefly but
the 49ers went on to use it till 1970.
I saw Lee Michaels, The Tubes and Led Zeppelin
there in 1973. I was 16 and rode the bus down and back by myself. How many
parents would let they're teens do that these days? Different times, indeed.
Doc: "I'm sure the person who took this pic was surprised there was something called the
'Big Az' burger. But, throughout my postal career of 30 years, I would buy these for a
quick meal from several convenience stores in the area. They're over 1/2 a pound
and actually not bad for packaged food."
Gage: "Had one of these... and yes, I did laugh over the packaging... They're not bad..."
Fre: "lol ... there is a place here, 'Taco Bueno' they have a 'Big Freak'n Taco Salad'
on the menu ... it's a meal and yum!
This is Mimas, a moon of Saturn, aka the Death Star moon for obvious reason. Having a mean
diameter of 396.4 km [246.3 mi], Mimas is the smallest astronomical body known to be
roughly rounded in shape due to its own gravity.
Wiki Page
This is the Taam Ja' Blue Hole, located in Chetumal Bay in the Yucatan Peninsula,
Mexico just north of Belize. It is the deepest blue hole discovered thus far but no on
knows how deep. Wiki simply states that it's 'over' 420 meters [1,380 ft] deep but
probes have been sent down to 426 meters and they still haven't found the bottom.
Here's a great article on it from
Dive Magazine
This is a rare Patagonian crater agate. Vivid red jasper against hazy black chalcedony, they're
quite rare with these only being found in the Chubut Province of Patagonia, Argentina.
The Chateau de la Rochefoucauld, in France, features a continuous
spiral staircase built in the 16th century. Comprised of 108 steps this
monumental piece of work was designed by Leonardo da Vinci.