Birds
October 25, 2020

Meet the Frogmouth, an Owl-Like Bird With a Distinctly Expressive Face

Flitting around the Indian subcontinent all the way to Australia are a group of nocturnal birds that are as cute as they are captivating. Known as frogmouths, they have a wide, gaping beak—giving these birds their name—and a furrowed brow lending them a serious, yet silly, look. Frogmouths may appear similar to owls, but they are actually more closely related to nightjars. They belong to the Podargidae family, which contains 15 different species.

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Sculpture
October 24, 2020

These Incredible Hand-Carved Stones Look Like They’re Made of Soft Putty

Rocks don’t exactly have the most malleable surfaces, but the work of artist José Manuel Castro López might make you think otherwise. He carves real stones to make them look as though they have soft, fabric-like wrinkles and creases. The illusion is awe-inspiring and speaks to the reverence that López has for his subject. “My relationship with the stone is not only physical but also magical,” López tells My Modern Met.

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Science
October 23, 2020

Researchers Discover Rare Gynandromorph Bird That Is Both Male and Female

Researchers in Pennsylvania made a startling discovery while recording and tagging birds on in Powdermill Nature Reserve in late September. The team encountered, tagged, and photographed a very special rose-breasted grosbeak. Although a fairly common East Coast species of woodland bird, this particular creature is a bilateral gynandromorph—genetically part male and part female, split visibly down the middle.

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Style
October 23, 2020

Miss Mexico 2020 Contestants Have the Most Spectacular Traditional Outfits

The annual Miss Mexico competition has a spectacular category that is an indisputable showstopper. Known as the “traditional outfits” presentation, contestants rock designer-made, artistic representations of the country's customary clothing. The ensembles are nothing short of incredible and feature sculptural headdresses, fully painted skirts, and, in some cases, woven sandals worn as accents on a dress and as a crown.

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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.