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Marty’s photo of the day #3011: I’m so glad I no longer use film cameras! I used film cameras for about half of my travels for my first book, Cool Creatures, Hot Planet: Exploring the Seven Continents, before forever switching to digital. The bitch about film is that if something went wrong, I wouldn’t know […]
Three people were shot at the Minnesota State Fair last night. Having lived much of my life in Minnesota, I’ve been to that fair many times. Never once did I think, “Oh, I wonder if there will be a shooting while I’m there?” But now, such a thought enters the minds of millions of Americans […]
Marty’s photo of the day #2983: This morning I realized that I hadn’t posted a photo from Australia for a while, and as I was flipping through my shots, I spotted this somewhat artsy one of Deb sitting along the river. But why was she there? It took me a moment before I remembered: she […]
After each mass shooting in America, Republicans offer thoughts and prayers. After each Republican prayer session, God answers, “I gave you Australia as an example of how to stop mass shootings. Follow them and they will go away.” Republicans respond, “I can’t quite hear you God. But I think you said we need more high-capacity […]
It’s time to stop treating the Second Amendment like the Bible, where leaders conveniently interpret it to match their political viewpoint. The United States has endured two major mass shootings in 24 hours, and neither shooter was a member of a “well-regulated militia.” Republicans, conservative Christians, and Donald Trump all claim to be pro-life, but […]
Marty’s photo of the day #2937: Marty: “Look. It’s an Aussie fangs-o-death!” Deb: “Wow! She’s almost as big as my hand.” Marty: “Great idea! Put your hand behind her for size-comparison.” Deb: “Like this?” Marty: “No. Closer.” Deb: “Like this?” Marty: “Still not close enough.” Deb: (takes a deep breath) “How’s this?” Marty: (smirks) “Just […]
Marty’s photo of the day #2915: Every country has its unique problems. In America, it’s a cult leader president with a narcissistic personality disorder, gun fetishes, and the fear of assertive women; and in Australia it’s wallabies insisting on a pool-water chaser after drinking their bottle of wine.
Marty’s photo of the day #2842: Here’s a scenic shot from northern Queensland, Australia. The crocodiles would like to encourage you to go for a swim.
Marty’s photo of the day #2640: This is a Burton’s legless lizard, not a snake. Why? Differences include ear openings (snakes do not have ear openings), skin flaps where they used to have legs before they evolved, and a detachable tail. (Photographed in Australia)
Marty’s photo of the day #2632: It’s “Animals A thru Z Month.” Each day in August, I will post an animal I’ve photographed—somewhere in the world—in alphabetical order. U is for Union Jack. I photographed this beautiful union jack butterfly while walking along the coast of northern Queensland.
Marty’s photo of the day #2624: It’s “Animals A thru Z Month.” Each day in August, I will post an animal I’ve photographed—somewhere in the world—in alphabetical order. M is for Mudskipper. Mudskippers are a fish that spends more time out of water than in it. They breathe on land by absorbing oxygen through their […]
Marty’s photo of the day #2613: It’s “Animals A thru Z Month.” Each day in August, I will post an animal I’ve photographed—somewhere in the world—in alphabetical order. B is for Boyd’s Forest Dragon. If Boyd’s forest dragons could sing, every punk rock band would want one for its lead singer. I photographed this lizard […]
Anyone who thinks there is no difference between Democrats and Republicans is simply not paying attention. It was that kind of thinking that got both Donald Trump and George W. Bush elected—the two worst presidents in American history. If it wasn’t for Ralph Nader siphoning off votes, Bush would have lost to Al Gore. If […]
Marty’s photo of the day #2567: This frog, photographed in Australia, is so small that it could fit on the nail of my pinkie finger.
Marty’s photo of the day #2535: Here’s what I wrote about laughing kookaburras in my first book, Cool Creatures, Hot Planet: Exploring the Seven Continents: Though not as stunning as the kingfishers or cockatoos, laughing kookaburras are handsome gray and white birds with a very famous call: Oo-oo-oo-aw-aw-aw-oo-oo-oo-aw-aw-aw. When motion picture soundtracks were in their […]
Marty’s photo of the day #2511: I photographed this leaf-mimic butterfly in northern Queensland, Australia. Its wings are not damaged. They evolved that way to look like a dead leaf.
Marty’s photo of the day #2492: “Hmm . . . I seem to have a black flying fox attached to me.” (Photographed in Queensland, Australia)
When Republicans say that mental illness is the problem, not guns, I’m never sure how to respond. Should I ask why mental illness is such a huge problem in the United States, but not Great Britain and Australia? Or should I agree, proclaim that the best indicator of mental illness is owning an assault rifle, […]
Marty’s photo of the day #2459: This is Frog, a frogmouth bird I made friends with in Australia. He’s a rescue animal, who can no longer fly. What he lacked in flight ability, he made up for with personality.
