Link round-up.

[moonvoice]

Some of these are from a week or so ago, so apologies if you've seen them before:

Australian Geographic announces 2012 Natural History Illustration Prize.

Wearing thongs in childhood and onwards likely help the feet to grow more naturally than enclosed shoes.

The Aboriginal art of making possum-skin cloaks.

Bowerbirds inadvertently cultivating the growth of flowers during their mating rituals.

Fairy wren and chicks - Australian Geographic reader photo.

New species: Bumblebee Gecko endearingly striped. Unless you don't like bumblebees.

White killer whale spotted - with photos.

The Oatmeal's 'State of the Internet' for Spring 2012.

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Sorry for it all being so nature heavy. I mostly troll weather and nature and science blogs. And XKCD and The Oatmeal and an Arts aggregate (that had 500+ articles in my reader so I couldn't be assed) and a lot of artists and... okay, rambling.

Comments

[sidheblessed]

The article about thongs reminds me of something Finn's physio told me: Apparently it's best to go barefoot where possible, as it helps build up the feet muscles. Otherwise, only wear shoes that are enclosed for safety reasons and take them off as soon as you get home. So wearing thongs seems like a good compromise. Personally, I prefer open shoes or barefoot to enclosed shoes and I take my shoes off pretty much as I walk in the door.

[moonvoice]

I like barefoot myself. :)

[starstrider]

Some really good ones there. Thanks for sharing =)

I found the sandal one kind of interesting. I've heard from pretty much everywhere else that they're incredibly bad for your feet/legs because of how most wearers grip with their toes, meaning that they walk with far more heel-strike than they would if barefoot. I personally can't even wear them out to the mailbox and back, because I have severe chronic shin-splints and flip-flops are the worst possible shoes for that. And considering that I can run a mile in my five-fingers without so much as an onset of shin-splints, that says a lot.

[moonvoice]

I was taught that if you're gripping with your toes, the thongs/sandals don't fit properly. One should be able to walk with them with a relaxed foot, and not have them slide off, or out from between the toes, or shift too freely.

[spider_fox]

I heard about the gripping thing too, and it makes sense that those who do that would have problems. But I've never had to do anything like that with my flip-flops, so it could be a size or shape issue for some people.

[spider_fox]

Heh, I read "thongs" and wondered why on earth they're talking about underwear for the feet, and why kids would ever be wearing thongs to begin with.

Not enough sleep last night, rofl.

[moonvoice]

Lol, I did wonder if anyone would 'Americanise' thongs when I wrote it.