pick3.5/5⭐ Oppel created a complex animal world with its own interesting mythology and factions. The adventure and danger felt real and had high stakes. It was an entertaining read, but not enough that I want to finish the series (especially after skimming summaries of the remaining books; the story seems to go in a very strange direction). #roll100
pickA surprisingly dark and deep meditation on death, while still being a fun adventure. I was surprised it was still left with an open ending, and kinda back to square one story-wise. I feel like it'd be a stretch to continue the same hero/villain dynamic, if he writes another one, but if not, a disappointing ending to their conflict. Still, it has been a great series, and the follow-up prequel sounds interesting!
A little bit of snow overnight, and a new friend while reading this morning.
My final total for weeks 3 & 4= 3,913 points. Grand total = 7,926
I didn‘t get as much done as I hoped but it was still fun. Photo is from bat cookies at Bake at 350 (storing recipe away for next year) https://www.bakeat350.net/2019/10/cutest-hairy-bat-cookies.html?m=1
#scarathon #BatBrigade
Thanks to everyone for following along or tolerating my batty posts for #batweek. I was at a dinner party in Colorado, and when I brought up bats, the host casually mentioned killing dozens of them because they would roast in his porch, and he didn't like it. Their unearned reputation as pests, dirty, or just scary can have devastating effects on the ecosystems they support. You don't have to love them, but don't hate them. ♥️🦇🖤
Don't you just want to pinch those cheeks?! ? While mega bats like the flying fox are the most "sky puppy"-ish, there are over 1,400 species of bats, which accounts for 20% of all mammal species! They can be found nearly everywhere on earth, aside from the harshest desert or artic. And they are the only mammals capable of true flight (nice try, "gliding" squirrels). #batweek
How do bats spend so much energy gripping with their feet while hibernating? They don't! The tendons of their feet have evolved to lock their toes in a grip, and they actually have to flex to release from their roost. This allowed their leg bones to evolve thin and light to eliminate some weight as they gained flight. Their legs now would not support their weight if they tried standing. #batweek
Like humans, bats only have one or two offspring each year, which increases their susceptibility to major colony damage from disease like white-nose syndrome or habitat loss. Recovery can be very slow. More than 200 bat species around the world are considered threatened. WNS alone has the potential to wipe out 90% of a colony in one winter. #batweek
Bat Week Day 2: Some bats have butt spoons they use to catch insects mid-flight, then they do crunches like a gym bro to pop the bug into their mouth. Bats can't glide (that's one way to tell them from birds while flying), so all this is done while flapping. #batweek
