Topics

Apr

Glass Floats? Finders Keepers!

by Joyce McGreevy on April 16, 2018

A glass float made for Finders Keepers in Lincoln City reflects a cultural tradition of the Oregon coast. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

Several times a year glass floats like these are hidden along Lincoln City’s shoreline.
© Joyce McGreevy

A Cultural Tradition on the Oregon Coast

No one sees them, but dozens of Float Fairies roam this seven-mile stretch of the Oregon coast. Several mornings a year these anonymous volunteers stroll the shores of Lincoln City, carefully placing glass treasures among driftwood and seagrass. Soon, the Float Fairies blend in with us mere mortals who have come in search of these treasures.

Finders Keepers, a popular treasure hunt for handcrafted glass floats, originated in Lincoln City. Now in its 19th year and inspiring imitators, the event grew out of a cultural tradition. Read more...

Joyce McGreevy 4 Comments

Clever Ideas/Cultural Heritage & Traditions/Nature Discovery/USA

Dec

Paris Honey: The Bees Knees

by Meredith Mullins on December 4, 2017

Bees in a beehive on honeycomb, part of discovering nature in Paris with urban beekeeping and the production of Paris honey. (Image © Shaiith/iStock.)

Paris Honey: The Bees Knees
© Shaiith/iStock

Urban Beekeeping Amid the Monuments

A hint of red berries. Deep molasses notes. A whiff of lychee. A dash of wet earth. A long clove finish. Are we tasting a Burgundy, a Southern Rhône, or a Bordeaux?

Actually . . . none of the above. In fact, we are talking about another kind of liquid treasure. Honey. Pure and (not so) simple.

In a city such as Paris, where gardens are a tradition and where residents tend to make the best of vertical space, bees are all the buzz. Paris honey is in. Read more...

Meredith Mullins Comments

France (Paris)/Nature Discovery

Oct

Traveling the World in Search of Weird Animals

by Meredith Mullins on October 30, 2017

Demonic eyes from one the weird animals found while traveling the world. (Image © Bastetamn/iStock.)

Creatures Destined for Halloween Fame

It all started with a Jerboa sighting . . .

This desert hopping rodent recently won the heart of the internet (and my heart as well). More cute than scary, Jerboas inspired me to expand my fauna horizons and begin virtually traveling the world in search of weird animals. And, apropos to the season, the results are creative fodder for last-minute Halloween costumes.

Four-toed jerboa, one of the weird animals found while traveling the world. (Image © Reptiles4all/iStock.)

Meredith Mullins 2 Comments

Nature Discovery/Worldwide Sites

World Views: