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| "Overload": an ink sketch from an older journal |
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The Harpy Eagle is the world's largest extant eagle and has
talons bigger than a Grizzly bear's claw.
With its expressive face, collar of feathers, and black and grey tones, there's no denying that the Harpy Eagle is a striking creature. But if its distinct appearance isn't impressive enough, its height and wingspan certainly are. These powerful birds of prey can reach up to 3 feet 5 inches in height, with an overall wingspan of up to 7 feet 4 inches making them look almost like a puppet out of Jim Henson's Labyrinth.
In terms of appearance, its black, grey, and white feathers are identical in both males and females, with the raised feathers on its head giving the bird a quizzical expression. If the Harpy Eagle's goth look wasn't fearsome enough, take note of its powerful talons. The rear talons are actually bigger than the claws of a Grizzly Bear and measure 5 inches in length. In fact, no other eagle has talons so large. With such power, it should come as no surprise that the Harpy Eagle is at the top of its food chain.
They are native to the upper canopy of lowland rainforests but are losing habitat through deforestation.
Many are now also found in zoos and nature reserves across North and South America.
To read the full article by Jessica Stewart, click here.
A Nobel Prize-winning scientist who grew up in a refugee community waiting for water deliveries has invented a machine that pulls drinking water directly from dry air.
Professor Omar Yaghi’s system uses specially engineered materials to capture water vapor from the atmosphere, even in arid and desert conditions.
Developed by his company Atoco, the technology can produce up to 264 gallons (1,000 liters) of clean water each day from a unit about the size of a 20-foot (6.1-meter) shipping container.
The machine does not require a conventional water source. Instead, its porous materials trap tiny water molecules in the air before releasing them as liquid water using ultra-low-grade heat.
That means the system could potentially run off-grid and continue working when hurricanes, droughts, or other disasters knock out centralized water and electricity supplies.
For Yaghi, the problem is deeply personal.
He grew up in a refugee community in Jordan without running water or reliable electricity. Water arrived only once every week or two, and he has recalled rushing to fill every available container before the supply stopped.
That experience helped shape his interest in developing a reliable source of water for communities facing the same uncertainty.
Yaghi, who won the 2025 Nobel Prize in chemistry, believes the technology could be especially useful for remote communities and small islands that regularly face drought, hurricane damage, or expensive water imports.
It may also offer an alternative to desalination, which can consume large amounts of energy and produce concentrated salty brine that may affect marine ecosystems, atmospheric water harvesting requires no seawater and can operate almost anywhere there is moisture in the air.
Around 2.2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water, according to the United Nations, while roughly 4 billion experience severe water scarcity for at least one month each year.
Yaghi’s invention is still being developed for wider deployment, but its goal is simple: turn the moisture already present in the air into a dependable source of clean water.
Demura Sensei's Costa Mesa Dojo - 1991 Costa Mesa and visiting BlackBelts line up
to judge CM Genbu-Kai Jr. Karate Tournament
David Hines, Roy Center, Rick Anderton, Bruce Butler, Margaret Guarderas, Kevin Suzuki, Dan McGeough, Jerry Short, Dana Short, Erin Long, Craig Nomura.
A 2+ minute video, Mind Games, here.
Just because ...
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| The Black Heron |
One of Africa's smartest hunters, famous for its remarkable "umbrella" fishing technique. 
The Black Heron uses its outstretched wings to create a shady canopy over the water, attracting unsuspecting fish before striking with incredible precision. A true master of survival. Discover the secret behind its extraordinary hunting strategy in the pinned comment.
Scientific Name: Egretta ardesiaca
Wednesday's Smiles ...
Hoping you feel all the good things in your day.
