Behold: a rather beautiful visual coincidence: the dark branches of a tree and the light of a distant aurora. To wit:

The beauty of the aurora — combined with how it seemed to mimic a tree right nearby — mesmerized the photographer to such a degree that he momentarily forgot to take pictures. When viewed at the right angle, it seemed that this tree had aurora for leaves. Fortunately, before the aurora morphed into a different overall shape, he came to his senses and capture the awe-inspiring momentary coincidence. Typically triggered by solar explosions, aurora are caused by high energy electrons impacting the Earth’s atmosphere around 150 kilometers up. The unusual Earth-sky collaboration was witnessed in March of 2017 in Iceland.

(Image: Alyn Wallace)

apod

Tonight.

Earlier…

Irish trainer Gordon Elliott has apologised after this photo of himself sitting on a dead horse circulated on social media

“The photo in question was taken some time ago and occurred after a horse had died of an apparent heart attack on the gallops. I appreciate that an initial viewing of this photo suggests it is a callous and staged photo but nothing could be further from the truth.

“At what was a sad time, which it is when any horse under my care passes away, my initial reaction was to get the body removed from where it was positioned.

“I was standing over the horse waiting to help with the removal of the body, in the course of which, to my memory I received a call and, without thinking, I sat down to take it. Hearing a shout from one of my team, I gestured to wait until I was finished.”

Grand National and Gold Cup-winning trainer Gordon Elliot.

Seems legit.

Gordon Elliott admits ‘shocking’ photo is real and apologises (Racing Post)

Meanwhile…

Ryanair Boss Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown horse racing operation expressed their support for Elliott after what it describes as a ‘a grievous but momentary lapse of judgement’.

Fight!

…even if the law is widely flouted and poorly enforced: people – including domestic gardeners, landscaping companies, universities, etc. – should not as a general rule be out cutting hedges, trees or shrubbery in the period 1 March to 31 August.

If we respect this closed period this year, our gardens and public areas will be beautifully unkempt by the end of August and we will be repaid in wildlife come the autumn.

It’s worth considering this: even if domestic gardeners, campuses, landscapers etc. were explicitly exempted from these laws (which they are not), what should a gardener do? Cut during the breeding and nesting season or respect the closed period for no reason other than that it is the right thing to do for wildlife?

My guess is that most people sense instinctively that the closed period should be respected.

FIGHT!

Closed Season: lay down your trimmers and step away from the hedge (Green News)

Pic: Alamy

This afternoon.

Good times.

EU to propose law on COVID-19 certificates in March (EuroNews)

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Behold: the effortless virtuosity, humour and gymnastic monkeyshines of German classical group Salut Salon – “the Harlem Globetrotters of piano quartets” with an unforgettable performance of Vivaldi’s Summer.

kottke

Then French president Nicolas Sarkozy nuzzling Enda Kenny while chatting with Cypriot president Dimitris Christofias in 2012

This afternoon.

Corrupt, cheese-eating, neck-nuzzling, surrender monkey.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy sentenced to jail in historic ruling (CNN)

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