Awesome Nature

You never want to get too close to a mound of fire ants. But from the comfortable distance of your browser, they’re neat little buggers. Vox explores some of the fascinating ways in which colonies stick together to form structures, and how they can act as both a solid or fluid.

Model maker asu_green11 built this wonderful living diorama which replicates the look of a bamboo forest. In addition to its greenery, it features a pump and a water diffuser grid which produce rain for the miniature scene. It took several tries to get the rain just right, but the finished effect is delightful.

With the help of footage from researchers, ZeFrank provides his lighthearted insights on the Odontomachus, a genus of ants with jaws that can open 180-degrees, then shut like a bear trap. In addition to grabbing prey, they can use their mandibles to eject unwanted intruders or extract themselves quickly from a threat.

We’ve seen some incredible but brief close-up footage of the Fagradalsfjall volcano eruption. Now watch 18 days of volcanic activity condensed down to five minutes in this time-lapse video that stebbigu created from the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service’s live streams of the eruption.

Siphonophores are deep-sea colonies of organisms that link together to work as one. Each section provides a different function, including buoyancy, propulsion, feeding, reproduction, and defense. Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute take us deep beneath the ocean to witness some of these unique creatures.

On March 19, 2021, Iceland’s Fagradalsfjall volcano started erupting for the first time in over 6,000 years. Drone pilot Björn Steinbekk captured this incredible aerial footage of the searing hot lava as it flows from top of the geological marvel. We’re impressed that the drone survived the intense heat. More footage here.

Filmmaker Jan van Ijken captured this amazing microscopic scale time-lapse footage of the development of an amphibious alpine newt. Watch in awe as it grows from a single cell to a complete organism in just 6 minutes. More here.

Among the awesome creatures in the rainforests are animals and insects that can camouflage into their surroundings, along with ones designed to scare off predators. Zefrank talks about these amazing evolutionary traits, accompanied by incredible imagery by photographers David Weiller and Thomas Marent.

(Gore) While camping in the woods, a couple inadvertently leaves their mark in a horrific way. Their crime won’t go unpunished, though, as they also left behind photographic evidence. Nature strikes back with a vengeance in this darkly-comic short film from animation students at Ecole des Nouvelles Images.

Tardigrades may only measure about 0.5mm long, but these teensy water-dwelling critters are some of the toughest organisms known to humankind, having survived exposure to nuclear radiation and the vacuum of space. Zefrank provides an in-depth look at these strange, see-through dudes and what makes them tick.

If you’ve been to the beach, you know the ocean has a distinctive smell. While salt and dead fish are certainly part of the aroma, host Rose Bear Don’t Walk of SciShow explains what’s responsible for the water’s primary aromas, and how those organisms meaningfully impact the Earth’s ecosystem and climate.

Nature photographer Marco Valk captured some incredible footage of starling murmurations in the sunset skies over Geldermasen in the Netherlands. The birds travel in massive flocks to provide safety from predators and warmth at night while at the same time offering humans one of the most spectacular shows on Earth.

Bats are often blamed for spreading disease, but is that their only skill? TierZoo looks at some of these little nocturnal flyers’ other abilities to determine just how capable they are of fending for themselves in the meta. They’re extremely mobile but have limited strength and defenses.

ZeFrank takes a few minutes to explain the fascinating habits of Eciton army ants, from the massive community structures they build using their bodies, to their coordinated swarms, to their killer instincts and protein-rich dietary habits. You’ll also meet some unique insects that like to hitch rides on the ants.

This BBC Earth nature series explores how our planet provides the ideal habitat for life to flourish, from volcanoes forming land to the endless movement of oceans to the importance of weather and climate. But as host David Attenborough explains, humans have disrupted that fragile balance and need to take action.

Lighthearted nature show host Zefrank teamed up with research scientist Dr. Kurt Schwenk on this special episode about snakes and lizards. Along the way, you’ll get up close and personal with a variety of long and stretchy tongues, and learn all about their unique evolutionary traits.

Back in 2015, Faroe Islands doom metal band Hamferð performed a moody, acoustic version of their track Deyðir varðar while a solar eclipse played out behind their backs. They timed the live performance perfectly and managed to resist the urge to turn around as day turned to night and back. (Thanks Kartin!)

The PBS Nature series Spy in the Wild 2 used hidden cameras to get gets up close and personal with a polar bear. Watch in awe as the majestic white beast wanders the ice and takes a dip in the chilly waters. If it weren’t for the risk of hypothermia and being eaten by a bear, we’d love to join him for a swim.

Nature photographers John Downer Productions flew a realistic, robotic hummingbird deep into a forest packed with hundreds of millions of monarch butterflies. The drone captured amazing footage of the swarm as they awoke from their long winter’s nap in Mexico. From the BBC Series Spy in the Wild.

Most animals need a certain amount of salt and calcium in their diets to survive. Because their need for these minerals is so strong, these wild goats known as ibexes are willing to risk it all and climb the sheer face of a dam so they can get in some licks of its salt-covered rocks. From the BBC series Forces of Nature.

Researchers in London, England used a fascinating method to view the aerodynamic properties of flight. Using helium-filled soap bubbles, they were able to visualize the vortices created by birds’ wings, and made interesting observations about the role their tail feathers play in flight. Details here.

Fish represent one of the largest and most diverse collections of species on the planet. But are you better off as a goldfish or a catfish? A flying fish or a flounder? TierZoo looks at handful of these popular underwater vertebrates, and how they’ve had to adapt to survive in the marine meta.

Kevin James stars as an oversize Ewok fighting his way back from the brink of extinction in “Nature Planet.” While he’s no Sir David Attenborough, you’ve gotta hand it to “Sir” Adam Sandler for his narration work on this spot-on nature show parody.