The Albatrosses In A Same-sex Partnership | Frozen Planet II - BBC

My how 2 make comics is out now, for anyone that wants to start a comic but has no idea how or where 🤓

Get it here! ☀️

Asian striped land leech, Haemadipsa guangchuanensis, Haemadipsidae

Photo 1 by dhfischer, 2-3 by daver, 4-5 by bentsai, and 6-7 by albertkang

Unusual cat gene that seems to occur naturally in Poland and Romania. This gene is called Karpati. More can be read here 

antler moths!! They get their name form the beautiful white pattern on their hindwings which looks like, you guessed it, antlers!

Somewhat unrelated but is it just me that ADORES brown/reddish brown + white colour scheme stuff, especially these kinds of bone/yellowish white tints <3

And as alwas with moths we get amazing antennae :)

Top Tips for Clues, Red Herrings, and Breadcrumbs

One of the most important parts of writing MYSTERY is figuring out what to do with clues and red herrings - and how to use them effectively. Here’s some advice that’s never steered me wrong: 

Hide the real clue before the false ones! Most people, so by extent your readers and your sleuth, tend to focus on the last piece of information presented to them. A good strategy is to mention/show your real clue and then quickly shift focus. 

Do a clue cluster! Squeeze your real clue in among a whole pile of red herrings or other clues, effectively hiding it in plain sight. This works especially well with multiple suspect mysteries. 

Struggling to think of what a clue could be? Try this list: 

Physical objects: Letters, notes, tickets, emails, keepsakes, text messages, diaries, etc. 

Dialogue: voicemail recordings, overheard conversations, hearsay, gossip, rumours. All of these can hold grains of truth! 

Red herrings distract and confound your protagonist and your reader, so you should be careful not to overuse them. Well balanced, red herrings should lead your characters down false paths to create confusion, tension, and suspense.

Contradictions! Have characters claim they did so-and-so at such-and-such a time, but other characters have evidence that contradicts this.

Balance! Avoid a clue that’s so obvious it’s like a neon sign saying “Look at me, I’m a clue!” but don’t make it so obscure it’ll be missed entirely. A good clue should leave a reader saying “Damn, I should have noticed that” 

Scarlet-bodied Wasp Moth (Cosmosoma myrodora), family Erebidae, Lafayette, LA, USA

Diurnal moth

photograph by Monica Soileau Boutte

cat riding sheep

Just hall of fame creature eyes 👀

I had a split-eyed owlfly visit my black light last night, for the first time. Hello strange fuzzy friend. 🤎