Gleanings for the Week Ending January 7, 2012

The items below were ‘the cream’ of the articles I read this past week:

• 26 Abolished National Parks - Sometimes they don’t go on forever…for many reasons. The one I’m most aware of is Platt National Park and it is still part of the system but no longer by that name.
• 2011 National Park ‘By the Numbers’ articles - This is a summary of the 2011 articles with statistical tidbits about selected National Parks. For example - which National Park is larger than Yellowstone?
• Stalk-eyed Flies in Kenya - The pictures say it all. This fly could substitute for an alien in a science fiction story.
• Top 10 states ravaged by extreme weather in 2011 - These all were in the news prominently when they happened…but seeing them all in one article is a good review of the year.
• Cool Whip - It’s got a rich history. I haven’t used it any time recently and, after reading this article….never again.
• 10 Gluten Free Grains - A quick description of amaranth, buckwheat, corn, millet, oats, quinoa, rice, sorghum, teff, and wild rice. How many have your tried?
• Patagonia Pictures - A posting on ShutterSalt of wild places in Patagoinia
• Examples of Black and White Portraits - Color is not always better….take a look at these examples from ShutterSalt
• New trends for 2012 (compilation) - Hmmm…lots of people making lists at the beginning of the year. This is a compilation from various sources.
• 5 Baby Animal Photos - Squirrels, bear, raccoon, bobcat, bison.