picture of the day

https://ift.tt/2YIfET2

Siberian accentor

Siberian accentor.
The Siberian accentor (Prunella montanella) is a small passerine bird that breeds in northern Russia from the Ural Mountains eastwards across Siberia. It is migratory, wintering in Korea and eastern China. Typically breeding in subarctic deciduous forests and open coniferous woodland, often near water, it is also found in bushes and shrubs in winter, frequently near streams. It has brown upperparts and wings, with bright chestnut streaking on its back and a greyish-brown rump and tail. The head has a dark brown crown and a long pale yellow "eyebrow". All plumages are similar. The nest is an open cup into which the female lays four to six eggs that hatch in about ten days. Adults and chicks feed mainly on insects, typically picked off the ground, and may also eat seeds in winter. Breeding over a huge area, this accentor has a large and apparently stable population. October and November 2016 saw an unprecedented influx of this species into western Europe as far west as the UK.

picture of the day

https://ift.tt/31eG3cK

Analog Science Fiction and Fact

Analog Science Fiction and Fact.
Analog Science Fiction and Fact is an American science fiction magazine, first published in 1930 as Astounding Stories of Super-Science. After F. Orlin Tremaine was hired as editor in 1933, it became the leading magazine in the nascent pulp science fiction field, with well-regarded stories such as Jack Williamson's Legion of Space and "Twilight" by John W. Campbell. Campbell took over editorial duties from 1937 to 1971, running many stories that became classics in the field, including Isaac Asimov's Foundation series, A. E. van Vogt's Slan, and novels and stories by Robert A. Heinlein. By 1950, Astounding was no longer regarded as the leader in the field, though it did continue to publish popular and influential stories, including Hal Clement's novel Mission of Gravity (1953) and Tom Godwin's "The Cold Equations" (1954). Ben Bova took over as editor from 1972 to 1978, winning five consecutive Hugo Awards. Trevor Quachri currently edits the magazine for Crosstown Publications.

picture of the day

https://ift.tt/2KnirvM

Stephen, King of England

Stephen, King of England.
Stephen, King of England (c. 1094 – 1154), ruled from 1135 until his death. Born in the County of Blois in central France, he was brought up by his mother, Adela, daughter of William the Conqueror. Placed into the court of his uncle, Henry I of England, Stephen rose in prominence and was granted extensive lands. When Henry died in 1135, Stephen crossed the English Channel and took the throne in spite of his earlier oaths to support the claim of Henry's daughter, the Empress Matilda. In 1138 the Empress's half-brother Robert of Gloucester rebelled against Stephen, and in 1139 the Empress and Robert invaded England. The revolt took hold in the south-west, and Stephen was captured at the battle of Lincoln in 1141. He was abandoned by many of his followers and lost control of Normandy. He was freed after Robert was captured at the Rout of Winchester, but the civil war dragged on for many years. Upon his death, he was succeeded by the Empress's son, Henry II, the first of the Angevin kings.

picture of the day

https://ift.tt/33bZ1lZ