Early to Rise

Photograph by Hardik Desai, National Geographic Your Shot

 

Stunning Ocean Waves

Warren Keelan spends most of his days in or around the ocean, using his camera to interpret the beauty that he sees. The New South Wales-based photographer has always found the water mesmerizing because of its ever-changing forms and unpredictable, raw moments. Through his pictures, he pays homage to the ocean’s polarizing characteristics by showcasing its many personalities—from tranquil waters to jagged, forceful waves. Keelan often takes a fine art approach to his photographs.
With the right timing and compositional framing, he captures waves that resemble a stroke of paint being pulled along the surface of a colorful canvas—like an abstract painting.

 

6-Year-Old Painting Prodigy and Her Therapy Cat Continue to Inspire with Their Creative Memoir

6-year-old Iris Grace copes with autism by expressing herself through painting, but she's also received a heartwarming amount of help from her therapy cat Thula. "Ever since we came home with Thula, this precious, magical kitten has cast a spell over Iris," Arabella Carter-Johnson, Iris' photographer mom, reveals. "They sit beside each other as Iris paints, and new doorways to communication have been opened, doors we had previously feared might be locked forever."

Thanks to Thula, Iris Grace has continued to open up as she explores her artistic talent. Though she's only 6 years old, the young girl has already lived an impressively fulfilled life.
She sees the world from a spectacularly vivid perspective and, with Thula by her side, she can paint breathtaking works for hours on end.

 

Meet Gimo, The Cat With The Biggest Eyes Ever

Those big, round, mesmerizing eyes. Don’t look at them for too long. 

If you do you might never escape.

 

Pinocchi-sparrow

Photographer Lynn Campbell spotted this House Sparrow with an unusally long beak in her garden.

 

Man Incubates Supermarket Eggs, Now Has Cute Pet Quail

After buying a 12-pack of supermarket quail eggs, Alwyn Wils plopped them all in an incubator out of curiosity. One of those eggs hatched into a healthy baby quail, which he has named Albert.
Check out the video here.

 

The art that shows what goes on deep in the human brain

Do you dream sweet dreams each night - drifting gently in and out of sleep? Or is the boundary between sleeping and waking a more frightening experience?
It is thought close to 8% of people are prone to experiencing "sleep paralysis" - a condition which can leave sufferers with a temporary inability to move or speak. It is not the same as a bad dream or unsettled sleep.
"You are in a state where you are awake, but your body is paralysed and your breathing is restricted," says Emily Sargent from Wellcome Collection.
"You are aware of your surroundings but are unable to cry out.
You may have visual or audible hallucinations. You could feel presence of an imagined malign intruder."
Sleep paralysis is one of a number of conditions on the edge of human consciousness being explored at the Wellcome Collection in London in the exhibition, States of Mind.

 

The doctor is in

via 

 

That Monday morning feeling

via 

 

Leonardo DiCaprio Finally Wins An Oscar For Best Actor

Surprise final twist in ceremony sees best picture award go to Spotlight
The Revenant takes best director, and Leonardo DiCaprio wins best actor
 Mad Max: Fury Road goes home with the most trophies
Host Chris Rock tackles diversity controversy head-on
Brie Larson named best actress, Mark Rylance best supporting actor
Snubs for Carol, Brooklyn, The Martian and Star Wars
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Is 29 February a capitalist conspiracy?

Name: 29 February. 

  Age: Four times younger than every other date.

  Appearance: Hands down the worst day of the year. 

  The worst day? But it’s magical. 

No, it isn’t.

 

Life-Size Portraits of Wildlife Installed in the Destructed African Lands They Once Inhabited

Photographer Nick Brandt has recently released a series of powerful images that explore the deterioration of wild habitats in East Africa. The project, titled Inherit the Dust, laments the urban sprawl that is rapidly displacing the wild elephants, rhinos, and lions that used to roam freely in the area. In the past three years, Brandt has watched the uncontrolled development of garbage dumps, factories, and quarries encroach upon the natural environment, transforming it into a teeming wasteland. To create the sombre images, Brandt used life-size prints of the animals that were then transferred onto giant panels and erected in place. Horizon lines were carefully matched between the prints and the background, and the melancholy weather conditions set the scene for the haunting, black and white final images.
The photos portray wild animals staring forlornly at the destruction, regarding the chaos like misplaced ghosts.

 

Cozy Sofa with Arms

Is there anything better than a warm hug that makes you feel safe and loved?
 This question was the inspiration behind designer Eun Kyoung Lee's Free Hug Sofa.

 

Artists Collaborate with Children to Transform Their Imaginary Friends into Real-Life Toys

Having an imaginary friend is one of the best parts of childhood. 

Kids' fictitious companions help them cultivate their imagination and creativity.
Yet, it's always disappointing when you grow up and soon realize that this type of friend isn't actually real. To help alleviate the transition between fantasy and reality, ad agency AMV BBDO collaborated with artist Tsuneo Goda (who's behind pop icon Domo Kun), Becky and Joe (creators of the internet hit Don’t Hug Me I'm Scared), Aardman studio (who designed Wallace and Gromit), and photographer Rankin to transform kids' imaginary friends into real-life toys.

 

Cat Protects and Comforts Pack of Chihuahuas with Cuddles

Despite being from a different species, Richie loves to hang out with his canine siblings.
 He's especially fond of Kuma, a puppy who he cuddles with and protects with all the love in the world. When they're all together, the mixed Yuta family loves to play outside, sport matching outfits, and pose for sweet snapshots as they flaunt their furry friendship.

 

Don't Blink

Photograph by Sammantha Fisher, National Geographic Your Shot 

 

“Lotus” by Ludo

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“Wild Boar” by Bordalo II

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Right Place, Right Time

Charles Glatzer

 

Today, February 27th, is International Polar Bear Day.

This list of adorable polar bear cubs are some of the cutest the Internet has to offer.

 

Pressed leaf, Helen Ahpornsiri

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Yotam Ottolenghi’s flatbread recipes

Flatbreads are the perfect introduction to baking bread at home. They’re also ideal vehicles for all kinds of tasty spreads, toppings and fillings.

These are messy to eat because they don’t fold perfectly like tortilla, but it’s all part of the fun.