How little bird defended his young from the red-tailed hawk

This is the David v Goliath moment when a plucky kingbird hopped onto the back of a huge hawk and pecked at its head in a bid to defend its young.

Although small, the species can become very aggressive in the breeding season, especially when larger predators come calling.

This one easily saw off a red-tailed hawk that ventured too close to its nest.

After jumping onto its back, it dug its tiny talons into its opponent's feathers and drilled at its skull relentlessly.

Peck peck peck! Birdwatcher Michael Parrish's stunning shot shows the kingbird steering a red tailed hawk away from is nest

The two birds soared through the skies, with the kingbird clinging on despite the hawk's valiant attempts to shrug it off.

The stunning attack lasted a few minutes until the predator gave up and soared away shrieking.

The incredible moment was captured by amateur photographer Michael Parrish at a nature reserve at Elwood near Chicago, Illinois, in the U.S.

Michael, 48, said: 'I was very lucky even to have seen this, let alone catch it on my camera.

'I regularly photograph and hike a restored grassland called Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.

'As I walked up the open trail I heard a red-tailed hawk in the distance - they have a very distinctive scream which is often used in films to show the wilderness.

'His call was quite distinct and he was quite far away, but what caught my attention was a smaller bird that was attacking him as he perched on a tower line.

'This does happen due to territory disputes, but it is still a sight to see a smaller bird attacking a large predator with such fury and boldness.'

Victory: The tiny parent's acrobatics were successful and the bird of prey was driven off to look for easier pickings elsewhere

He added: 'I watched for a few more minutes wanting to get closer, but knew if I attempted the hawk would fly away - they are very wary of humans and have superb eyesight.

'I continued my hike but all at once the hawks call seemed to be right on top of me. I thought for a moment that I was getting attacked.

'I swung my camera to the side, aimed, and fired rapidly until he passed. It was then I saw the bird as if it was riding the hawk bareback.

'At first I thought, "no way is that possible" and that I had just got a strange angle on the picture.

'But when I looked back on my camera you can see the little bird really is riding the hawk.

'I have seen smaller birds attacking larger birds plenty of times, but I would never expect such a small bird would physically go against such an ominous foe.'- www.dailymail.co.uk

Reinventing the wheel: New technology could banish stabilisers - and help children cycle in just one hour

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 8:36 AM on 19th October 2009

The sight of an anxious parent running close behind a child on a wobbling bicycle as they learn to ride it may soon be a thing of the past.

A company claims to have developed a front wheel that senses when the bike is starting to keel over and re-centres it beneath the rider's weight.

The wheel could replace traditional stabilisers for youngsters learning to travel on two wheels.

Look, no stabilisers! The Gyrowheel system has three stability settings which stop the the bike from wobbling or tipping over

The Gyrowheel system is the product of several years of research by U.S, firm Gyrobike and could be in shops here by next year.

Gyrobike chief executive Daniella Reichstetter said: 'Gyrowheel is the only product of its kind. It will change how people learn to ride bikes.'

The Gyrowheel system has three stability settings - high, medium and low. As a rider's skills and confidence improve, the stability setting can be adjusted.

The wheel is the same size as an ordinary one but, instead of spokes, has a circular housing which contains an independently spinning disc powered by a rechargeable battery.

When switched on, this inner disc speeds up and spins independently of the outside wheel.

As the disc spins at high speed it creates a strong force that keeps the wheel upright. So, for example, if the bike begins to topple, the gyroscope compensates by leaning the wheel in the opposite direction. It works in a similar way to a child's spinning top, which is also a type of gyroscope.

When turned off the Gyrowheel, which will cost around £60, behaves like a standard bike wheel.

California-based Gyrobike's marketing boss Ashleigh Harris said: 'Our prototypes knocked the socks off parents whose kids tested Gyrowheel, and the real thing is ten times better.'

She added that the vast majority of children who tested Gyrowheel learned to ride in less than an hour. - www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech

The 1st. international exhibit of the World Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists

The Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists worldwide has successfully supported artists who, due to a disability or illness, create their works using not their hands, but their mouths or feet.

A small fraternity of 18 mouth and foot painters has developed into an Association that is active worldwide and is currently represented in 74 countries of the world with 726 artists.

The first international exhibit of the World Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (VDMFK for its German name) will run until October 23 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Eros Bonamini, a mouth and foot painting artist and president of the World Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists, looks at paintings on display during an exhibition at Sivori Museum in Buenos Aires.–Reuter Photo

Alberto Alvarez working on his piece during an exhibition.–Reuter Photo

Alberto Alvarez working on his piece during an exhibition.–Reuter Photo

Maria Celeste Moya, a mouth and foot painting artist, works on a piece during an exhibition at Sivori Museum in Buenos Aires.–Reuter Photo

Maria Celeste Moya, a mouth and foot painting artist, works on a piece during an exhibition at Sivori Museum in Buenos Aires.–Reuter Photo

Miss Plastic Hungary 2009

Winners of the Miss Plastic Hungary beauty pageant, queen Reka Urban (centre), first runner-up Edina Kulcsar (right), and second-runner up Alexandra Horvath (left), smile together after the contest in Budapest, Hungary, Friday, October 9, 2009. -- PHOTO: AP

BUDAPEST - IT WAS a night for unnatural beauties. Contestants showed off breast implants, nose jobs and face lifts as Miss Plastic Hungary 2009 strove to promote the benefits of plastic surgery in a country where artificial enhancements are viewed mostly with a wary eye.

Plastic surgeon Dr. Tamas Rozsos said the pageant also meant to show that cosmetic corrections did not necessarily have to be about oversized breasts, bulbous lips and skin stretched to near tearing point.

"This about restoring harmony ... eliminating asymmetries and giving women the opportunity to have normal features," Rozsos said. "Plastic surgery has a bad reputation in Hungary but its mostly due to the exaggerations."

Despite Hungary having been hit hard by the global economic crisis with the government forced to scale back spending on health services, Rozsos said that the number of surgeries had been rising year by year.

"People for whom this is important always find the money," Rozsos said.

To qualify for the pageant, the 18 Hungarian residents had to prove they’d gone fully under the knife — mere Botox or collagen injections did not count. Nearly all the contestants showed off augmented breasts, with reshaped noses also popular. One finalist had surgically adjusted toes.

Organizers claimed contestants were expected to show "a perfect harmony of body and soul," but the three-part pageant concentrated almost exclusively on the women’s physical attributes and the usually conspicuous wishes for world peace went missing.

Miss Plastic candidates were at least 18 years old and included a former rhythmic gymnast, a firefighter married to a police officer, a mother of three and several strippers. There was a special category for women over 30.

Pageant queen Reka Urban, a 22-year-old hostess, won an apartment in Budapest, first runner-up Edina Kulcsar was given a new car and second runner-up Alexandra Horvath took home diamond jewelry worth 2 million forints ($10,800). The winners’ plastic surgeons also received awards. -www.bostonherald.com

Top 10 Tough Laws in the World

Ignorance is no defense – especially when it comes to ignorance of the laws in countries you plan to visit. While it may seem natural to study some of the general customs and laws in major foreign countries you might not expect, for example, to have to look for strange law changes in somewhere like Florida. Most places in the world are relatively easy to get along in. Some strange laws are nothing more than folklore. Every once in a while, though, you’re going to run into something a bit off the wall and it’s important for you to be prepared in advance.

10. DON’T FEED THE PIGEONS (ITALY)

In Italy it is illegal to feed the pigeons. Ok, that’s a bit of a blanket statement. The rule actually has the potential to change from city to city. Make sure you leave the pigeons alone while you’re in Venice, though – the locals are tired of cleaning up pigeon poop. You’ll also want to avoid jumping into fountains, walking around without your shirt on (would you DO that as a tourist), and sitting on the sidewalk to eat your lunch. Fines range from a warning to monetary infractions anywhere from $50 to $600.

9. EATING IN PUBLIC (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES)

Before you leave for the United Arab Emirates you’ll want to make sure you aren’t visiting during Ramadan. During that time you are not allowed to eat or drink in public during fasting hours (ie. daylight hours) at all. Think we’re kidding? Tourists have been fined up to $275 for drinking juice in public. Avoid public displays of affection as well unless you want to spend a few months in jail.

8. DON’T PAY IN CHANGE (CANADA)

Ever have the urge to empty your piggy bank of quarters and run down to the corner store? Don’t do it in Canada. The Currency Act of 1985 prohibits consumers from using unreasonable amounts of coins to pay for purchases. This means you can’t pay for an item in all coins (especially if it’s over $10). Even the use of dollar-coins is limited. The shop owner has the right to choose whether or not he wants to take your coins but doesn’t have to.

7. WASH YOUR CAR (MOSCOW)

In the beautiful city of Moscow it is illegal to drive a dirty car. The definition of dirty, however, is up in the air. Is a dirty car one on which you can draw pictures in the dust? Does it hide the license plate? Does it make the driver invisible? We suppose you’ll find out if the police poll you over but the fines tend to be whatever the police decide to charge you – unless, of course, you offer him a bit of cash.

6. LEAVE YOUR HEADLIGHTS ON (DENMARK)

Studies in Denmark have shown that vehicles with their headlights on are more noticeable by other drivers than those who have their headlights off. You’d think this law would apply to night driving but it doesn’t. Drivers here are required to leave their headlights on during the day as well or may face a fine of up to $100.

5. DON’T STOP ON THE AUTOBAHN (GERMANY)

You’ve heard of the Autobahn, right? The notorious German road where there are no speed limits? Make sure you fill your gas tank BEFORE you get on this daunting road. It’s illegal to pull over on the side of this road for any reason and, if you do, it’s illegal to get out and walk. You are, after all, endangering the lives of the people who are still driving at warp speeds.

4. PUT YOUR SHIRT ON (THAILAND)

In Thailand it is illegal to drive a car or motorcycle without a shirt on – regardless of how hot it is that day. Punishments range from verbal warnings to tickets costing about $10. This is no joke – the local police will pull you over.

3. DON’T KISS YOUR LOVER GOODBYE (FRANCE AND ENGLAND)

Love died a little bit on April 5th of 1910. Lovers spend so much time kissing each other goodbye at train stations that trains were actually running late. The law is relatively old, though, and really isn’t enforced today – in France, that is. In Warrington Bank Quay in England, however, you’ll be asked to move your goodbyes to the “kissing zone.”

2. WEAR A COVER UP (GRENADA)

The folks at Grenada really do have a point. Cruisers visiting the beaches for day excursions have taken to strolling city streets in nothing but their bathing suits. In order to reign in a sense of decency, the city has instituted a fine for those who aren’t wearing decent clothing off of the beaches. Fines can reach up to $270 but the local tourist boards would like you to believe that the law is not enforced. Perhaps its best to simply cover up rather than trying to find out for yourself.

1. NO GUM CHEWING (SINGAPORE)

Those with gum chewing habits may want to call it quits before heading to Singapore. The government really wants to keep the city clean and will fine you for chewing gum, feeding the birds (it causes poop) and forgetting to flush a public toilet. The only legal gum you can chew is Nicorette but you have to get it from a doctor and they will give your name to government officials to confirm you’re allowed to have a wad in your mouth.

I got this stuff via mail from our Blog vistor, I dont know this true or ...? Its all depend on you friends, These aren’t the only strange laws around the world but they’re certainly worth nothing. Make sure you do your research before leaving on your next trip. Better safe than sorry!

Miraculous escape for duck shot through the head with nail gun

A duck had to undergo emergency surgery after surviving for several days with a 4in nail embedded in its skull.

The bird, called Tully by vets, had been shot through the head with a nail gun.

But it took rescuers three days to capture the creature, who had the nail sticking out from both sides of its head.

Lucky escape: Tully the wood duck was shot through the head with a nail gun, missing his eye by just 4mm

The duck was then rushed for emergency surgery at a vets in Devon Meadows, Victoria, in Australia.

After giving Tully an anaesthetic, vets were able to remove the nail which had pierced his head just 4mm from an eye.

Nigel Williamson, 43, from Australian Animal Rescue, was eventually able to catch him after a concerned member of the public raised the alarm.

He said: 'Before trying to capture him I watched the duck to see what the situation was and he was just waddling around feeding, swimming and doing everything a duck should be doing with this nail in his head.

'He didn't seem bothered about it at all but in his healthy state it meant he was still very hard to get hold of.

'When we got him to the vets we found it had missed all the vital organs including his brain. We were able to get it out in about 15 minutes.'

Cruel: An x-ray of Tully's head shows the 4-inch nail protuding out of both sides of his skull

Recovery: Tully after the nail was removed. He will be released after 10 days at a vet in Australia

He blamed 'mindless yobbos' for the cruel attack.

Mr Williamson added: 'We don't know who did it but we see a lot of these kind of bizarre injuries when the schools break up for holidays. It might have been kids.

'It really is just a blatant act of senseless cruelty. It's hard to believe anybody would want to do something like this. Fortunately he is making a great recovery.'

Tully will now spend 10 days on an antibiotics course to stop infection before being released. - www.dailymail.co.uk