Early Autumn, a time for contemplation

The leaves are gradually changing colour, lighting up the early Autumn landscape with splashes and swaths of glorious orange, gold, yellow, red, burgundy, crimson, brown and maroon splendour.  In a week or so, the forests, roadsides and countryside will be at their peak, on fire with intense colour.  Mother Nature's fashion show: my favourite time …

Eight-tentacled cuddlebug… on Ecstasy – via NPR

The drug makes the usually antisocial creatures much more interested in friendly contact with other octopuses. It's one more sign that the chemistry of social behavior has deep evolutionary roots.(Image credit: Tom Kleindinst/Marine Biological Laboratory) via Octopuses Get Strangely Cuddly On The Mood Drug Ecstasy — News : NPR

3.4 Million Chickens and Turkeys and 5,500 Hogs Have Died in Flooding From Florence — TIME

About 3.4 million chickens and turkeys and 5,500 hogs have been killed in flooding from Florence as rising North Carolina rivers swamped dozens of farm buildings where the animals were being raised for market, according to state officials. The N.C. Department of Agriculture issued the livestock mortality totals Tuesday, as major flooding is continuing after… via …

Great Australian birdlife sight taking place in north west Qld

by Sally Cripps - @sallyQCL One of the most spectacular birding sights to be seen in Australia is taking place around Richmond at the moment. The undulating, chirping group formation of budgerigars on the wing, known as a murmuration, has been caught on camera by Richmond grazier, Terry Carrington. Terry, who lives at Patroy, 27km …

BBC News: Australia’s elder abuse scandal ‘beyond belief’

This is by no means just an Australian issue. Elder Abuse issues and cases continue to rise in Canada, the US and the UK. In Canada, there seems to be little interrst or momentum on the part of the Federal government for a National Elder Care Strategy. Wearhousing seniors in long term care facilities also …

Ottawa bearing witness to unusual influx… of bears – The Canadian Press

By Andy Blatchford (via msn.com) OTTAWA - High population density is a feature of most Group of Seven capitals — but Ottawa stands out among its international peers these days with an unusual demographic situation: a sudden influx of bears. Black bear sightings surged of late in Canada's national capital region. Conservation officials say they've already …

NAFTA negotiations ‘hang over heads’ of Canadian farmers, U.S. counterparts – CBCNEWS

by Kaitie Fraser (via msn.com) As the sun comes up on farmers across Essex County, Ont., it's not their livestock or crops they check first thing in the morning — it's the markets. The tough talk between Canada and the U.S. around NAFTA negotiations is having real-life consequences for those working in the industry every day. …