Clues in the Classics
Welcome to a new guest column – Clues in the Classics – where Siobhan Machin explores classic works, always on the search for buried outdoor…
Latest from Tristan
Which Way Are We Looking?
Quick photo puzzle: Which way are we looking? The clue is in the moon. If you’re not sure, check out the Moon page and then…
Fast Recognition and Optical Illusions in Nature
Our brains are pattern-recognising machines. This is true everywhere, but not least in nature, where it honed these skills over millions of years. Bird calls,…
Can You Spot the Roe Deer?
Can you spot the roe deer in the picture above? The enlarged picture below makes it much easier – it’s the exact same photo, blown…
What is a ‘Drying Height’ on a Chart?
The definition of a drying height: “The drying height is the vertical distance of the seabed that is exposed by the tide, above the sea water level at the lowest astronomical tide.” But this…
Some Tips on Home-Hunting in the Tyrol
My thanks to Otta Wenskus for the following tips. They offer practical advice if you are looking for a flat or house near Innsbruck… And…
Parasol Fungi
The parasol fungus (Macrolepiota procera) is a common, large and easy to identify fungus. It is well-known amongst foragers. As the name suggests it has…
Paths Are Stories
Study the picture above. Can you read the story? My thanks to Kate Shaw for sending me the photos above and below that help tell…
The ‘Escape from the Woods Effect’ in Trees
Have a look at the trees at the edge of any woodland and you’ll notice that the branches appear to grow away from the wood…