Nature

August 22, 2019

Monet’s Pond Is a Real Oasis in Japan That Looks Like a Painting Come to Life

Impressionist painter Claude Monet left behind an impressive body of work. But perhaps nothing resonates more than his acclaimed Water Lily series, which was inspired by the pond at his home in Giverny. The pond's landscaping has become a symbol of tranquility and while you can still visit it in France today, did you know there's a look-alike across the globe?

Read Article

July 12, 2019

Incredibly Rare Pink Katydid Is Spotted in the Wild

Have you ever seen a pink cricket? There’s only a 1 in 500 chance of finding one, but bug enthusiast Deri Saputa was recently lucky enough to spot one in the wild. This incredibly rare fuchsia-colored katydid is the result of a condition called erythrism—a genetic mutation that allows for abnormal amounts of red pigment in the absence of “normal” green pigment.

Read Article

June 26, 2019

This Strange Plant Has Flowers with Petals Shaped Like Hummingbirds

When Redditor Octopus Prime posted this photo of an unusual looking plant, the internet caught fire. In the palm of someone's hand, what appears to be an origami hummingbird is actually a flower. Instantly, everyone was wondering where this plant came from and what benefit it received from looking like a bird. Luckily, fellow Redditor SolitaryBee—a post-doc scientist studying flower evolution—was able to help shed some light on the situation.

Read Article

April 18, 2019

Japan’s Enchanting Wisteria Tree Tunnels Belong on the Pages of Fairy Tales

Japan is well known for its bountiful cherry blossom trees, but that's far from all of the enchanting beauty that the country has to offer. Wisteria trees, with their cascading vines, make the perfect picturesque addition to scenes that look like they belong in fairy tales. These plants grow in a variety of colors; the most common is purple, but you'll also find pinks, blues, whites, and yellows hanging from a wisteria tree branch.

Read Article

My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.