Curiosity Cabinet

Three Things I’m Curious About #51

I’m currently obsessed with temari, a form of spherical Japanese embroidery, usually done in geometric patterns. Naturally, I had to try to make my own, but mine aren’t yet fit for public viewing.

Three balls, each decorated in geometric patterns of thread.
Temari. Photo by Psycho Mato, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This time of year is peak migration season for millions of birds. The live Birdcast map shows concentrations of migrating birds as they move across the United States, usually at night.

A map of the United States. Hot spots for migrating birds are indicated in purple and blue.
Map via Birdcast

This thread about weird plants led me to the underground orchid (Rhizanthella). These orchids spend most of their life underground, just barely breaking the surface to flower. A truly strange plant.

An alien-looking flower with six fleshy white leaves surrounding a center of reddish-brown flowers.
Underground orchid (Rhizanthella johnstonii). Photo by Jean and Fred, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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