Thanks Angela, however I was informed that they are probably Echinops

Yes, based on the picture you found that is probably correct.

This makes me wonder if alliums are closely related to thistles, or if both species of plant evolved that unique form independently.

Do we have any paleobotanists lurking out there?

You don't want to try to get close to them. If you are very still, they might come investigate. I was taking pictures of one, and it walked up to me and sniffed my shoe laces. It then wandered off when he discovered they were not food.

It has been my experience that skunks are not terribly bright. Also, based on their behavior, they don't seem to see very well but they do seem to get quite a lot of information by smelling things.

Thanks Angela, however I was informed that they are probably Echinops

Yes, based on the picture you found that is probably correct.

This makes me wonder if alliums are closely related to thistles, or if both species of plant evolved that unique form independently.

Do we have any paleobotanists lurking out there?

I have some across the hall from me. What's the question?

Thanks Angela, however I was informed that they are probably Echinops

Yes, based on the picture you found that is probably correct.
This makes me wonder if alliums are closely related to thistles, or if both species of plant evolved that unique form independently.
Do we have any paleobotanists lurking out there?

No but one who have to cut the lawn:)
If the 'flower' sticks to your clothings then its some kind of thistle.
If the plant tastes like garlic then is Allium.
Smell them and if they smell nice it's not thistles.
Thistles and Allium are not related but their flowers looks the same.

Here is Thistle yet again.

This guy is gorgeous!

I think I posted a video on YouTube of crows I was feeding when I
was in Germany. I was throwing peanuts to them. I'll see if I can
find it and post a link here.

I also enjoyed the ravens at the Tower of London. You can get quite
close to them.

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~Sue~

This guy is gorgeous!

Yeah and that hat rack there can be lethal, since it is a weapon, if they think you're a threat, they could charge, just cause they don't eat meat, doesn't mean they can't also be dangerous too.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

I think I posted a video on YouTube of crows I was feeding when I
was in Germany. I was throwing peanuts to them. I'll see if I can
find it and post a link here.

Where I live it's look this.

This guy is gorgeous!

Yeah and that hat rack there can be lethal, since it is a weapon, if they think you're a threat, they could charge, just cause they don't eat meat, doesn't mean they can't also be dangerous too.

Hunting season here:)
Mostly moose but deers and raindeers as well.
This is called a 21-taggare.

Here's the link to my crow video. I noticed there were a lot of
them coming around, so one day I went with peanuts. I'm throwing
peanuts to them in this video. Just the crows in this video. Not
me.

http://youtu.be/fKz_dk_O7rQ?list=UUT1EDetwHBli1IlT8wvhPIw

Here's a photo of me with Ronald Raven at the Tower of London in 1990.

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~Sue~

Here's the link to my crow video. I noticed there were a lot of
them coming around, so one day I went with peanuts. I'm throwing
peanuts to them in this video. Just the crows in this video. Not
me.
http://youtu.be/fKz_dk_O7rQ?list=UUT1EDetwHBli1IlT8wvhPIw

Another Crow video:)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCVmN7T5hgc

Thanks Angela, however I was informed that they are probably Echinops

Yes, based on the picture you found that is probably correct.

This makes me wonder if alliums are closely related to thistles, or if both species of plant evolved that unique form independently.

Do we have any paleobotanists lurking out there?

I have some across the hall from me. What's the question?

Awesome Carlos!!! Ok, please ask your paleobotanist friends the following questions:

"Are Alliums closely related to Echinops, or did both of these plant species evolve their unique globe shapes independently?"

A follow-up question would be:

"What environmental pressure and/or evolutionary advantage might prompt development of a globe-display of tiny flowers?"

(My guess regarding the answer to this last question is that a globe-display of tiny flowers might have the potential to maximize pollination in an environment that is low in insect pollinators and/or maximize pollination in an environment with limited potential for wind pollination.)

Just in case anyone thinks I was harassing the deer, all my photos were taken with the zoom.

There are notices like this all over the park



Everyone I saw was keeping a safe distance away.

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Nice photo Sue! I really wished I could've taken a video of the 2 doves... If I ever experience something like that again, I'll make sure I have images of it now! But then I start thinking of my dog Gonzo RIP, I had a perfect telepathical bond with her, she wasn't a bird, so it wasn't that spectacular but also something worth mentioning.

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rOZZ
Music
Pictures

Thanks Angela, however I was informed that they are probably Echinops

Yes, based on the picture you found that is probably correct.

This makes me wonder if alliums are closely related to thistles, or if both species of plant evolved that unique form independently.

Do we have any paleobotanists lurking out there?

I have some across the hall from me. What's the question?

Awesome Carlos!!! Ok, please ask your paleobotanist friends the following questions:

"Are Alliums closely related to Echinops, or did both of these plant species evolve their unique globe shapes independently?"

A follow-up question would be:

"What environmental pressure and/or evolutionary advantage might prompt development of a globe-display of tiny flowers?"

(My guess regarding the answer to this last question is that a globe-display of tiny flowers might have the potential to maximize pollination in an environment that is low in insect pollinators and/or maximize pollination in an environment with limited potential for wind pollination.)

Spoke with my Paleo monitor. He is not an expert on flowers will talk to others in his office that are and get back to me.

If Purvis is the smallest one then yes. I thouhgt he was honing in on some petting.
Would I have turned it down NO. Would I still sit in isolation, maybe:)

Our largest skunk is Puffy. The mid-sized skunk is Purvis. The smallest skunk, who wanted pets from Ulibelle, would be Little Stinks.

Awwww, I can't even imagine petting a raccoon, let alone see one at my door or in my garden (which I don't have). Really looking forward to pay those furry backyard denizens a visit in the future:)

Sadly the raccoons did not put in an appearance during my visit. I did see the skunks and a possum though...and the delightful cats. One of which has trained Eric to play with her using the laser pointer whenever she wishes.

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Reality Internet Personality

Sadly the raccoons did not put in an appearance during my visit. I did see the skunks and a possum though...and the delightful cats. One of which has trained Eric to play with her using the laser pointer whenever she wishes.

Yes, our cat Eva is smart like a raccoon and it is often difficult to tell who is training whom!!!

Sadly the raccoons did not put in an appearance during my visit. I did see the skunks and a possum though...and the delightful cats. One of which has trained Eric to play with her using the laser pointer whenever she wishes.

Yes, our cat Eva is smart like a raccoon and it is often difficult to tell who is training whom!!!

Are ye sure they aren't trading ideas with each other Angela?

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

They may be, Vic... they may just be.

Sadly the raccoons did not put in an appearance during my visit. I did see the skunks and a possum though...and the delightful cats. One of which has trained Eric to play with her using the laser pointer whenever she wishes.

Yes, our cat Eva is smart like a raccoon and it is often difficult to tell who is training whom!!!

As an outside observer, I'm pretty sure that Eva was in charge. :D

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Reality Internet Personality

You were highly honoured! When I was there they mostly stayed in Eric & Angelas room!

They must be getting used to strange seti guests. Eva was quite friendly and I very nearly took her home with me. I don't think she liked Mr.99 trying to pick her up and cuddle her, but she is obviously a forgiving cat as long as you are willing to do your duty with the laser pointer.

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Reality Internet Personality