These symbols of romance are geometrical enigmas A rose is a rose is a … geometrical marvel Scientists have long wondered how rose petals achieve their iconic shape It turns out that a unique type of stress forges the rose’s graceful curves and curls Lots of plants owe their form to the push and pull of physical forces Their tissues often grow unevenly: For instance the edge of a leaf may grow more quickly than its interior so the leaf takes on a ruffled shape to account for this mismatch This is driven by a phenomenon called Gauss incompatibility which explains the waves commonly found on the edges of petals Cutting-edge science, unraveled by the very brightest living thinkers. © 2025 NautilusNext Inc., All rights reserved. You’ve read your 2 free articles this month. Access unlimited ad-free stories, including this one, by becoming a Nautilus member. Don’t limit your curiosity. Access unlimited ad-free stories like this one, and support independent journalism, by becoming a Nautilus member. To read this story, sign up for the free Nautilus newsletter: science and culture for people who love beautiful writing. The Petal can identify over 2,000 species and generate narrated nature documentaries from what it captures by Andrew Liszewski Using “low-powered architecture,” the Petal camera can operate autonomously for over a month on a single charge, but it also comes with a solar panel that can potentially extend battery life indefinitely if it gets enough exposure to the sun every day. Its lenses are swappable, letting you choose between a wide-angle view of your garden, or a close-up macro shot to capture detailed video and images of insects. All the footage it captures throughout the day is accessible through a mobile app, or you can watch what’s going on live. If you prefer just a highlight reel, the Petal Camera has a Nature’s Voice feature that pulls together “BBC Earth–style mini documentaries” that include AI-generated narration based on what insects and plants the camera identifies. The Wonder Blocks are described as a “modular smart habitat system designed to support pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in your outdoor space” using components that offer water, food, and shelter. At its core is a smart planter called the Habitat, priced at $149, that serves as a base pedestal for upgrades like a bee habitat or a small constantly flowing stream. For $299, the larger Wonder Blocks set adds a single Petal camera and an Observation Pole, while a $499 Wonder Blocks Hero set includes two cameras, an arched frame to which magnetic accessories can be mounted, and three attachments for feeding hummingbirds and sheltering butterflies. The Wonder Blocks system will work with a dedicated Wonder App that is currently under development and will be separate to the app that works with the company’s smart feeders. However, Bird Buddy says “Petal and Wonder Blocks are designed as part of a broader nature tech ecosystem,” and it plans to eventually share more details about integrations between the two product lines in the future. A weekly newsletter by David Pierce designed to tell you everything you need to download, watch, read, listen to, and explore that fits in The Verge’s universe. Scores of new gadgets are introduced every year at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Yet many of these products never make it to market They're only proofs of concept or prototypes of devices that could maybe one day potentially hit the market A company representative said the campaign raised $1.5 million from more than 5,000 backers in 24 hours crushing its $100,000 fundraising goal by 1,400 percent it had drummed up over $1.8 million from 6,300 backers.) I wanted to share my take as someone who got to check out the Petal and Wonder Blocks on the CES showroom floor this past winter which has a built-in camera that can identify different avian species has become hugely popular since it first launched in late 2020 Bird Buddy co-founder and CEO Franci Zidar told me at CES that the company has cultivated an enthusiastic user base that's passionate about connecting with nature Zidar said the Petal was an obvious next step to help people better understand their local ecosystems going beyond just birds to capture backyard plants the base and stem combo makes it look sort of "like a minimalist The Petal ships with a swappable macro lens for detailed close-ups and an ovular solar panel that'll keep it running "indefinitely in most environments," according to its press materials the device's "low-powered architecture" lets it run for over a month between charges The Petal isn't meant to be a cutesy backyard CCTV system: Its purpose is to get you on a "first-name basis" with your local flora and fauna Its camera can identify more than 2,000 species using visual and audio cues It can also detect shifts in its surroundings using an "advanced AI layer" called Nature Intelligence if a songbird starts building a nest in a nearby tree Per the press release, Petal's companion app has a "built-in storytelling engine" called Nature's Voice that can create "BBC Earth–style mini documentaries" using highlights from its 4K video footage. Its narrator does a pretty good Attenborough impression A feature called Impact Score gives the user insights into their backyard's biodiversity and the frequency of pollinator visits Users hoping to up that frequency can look into Wonder Blocks and hummingbirds that launched alongside the Petal they form what Bird Buddy calls a "Smart Nature Observatory." The core Wonder Block configuration includes a Petal camera and a self-watering planter base called the Habitat The latter contains a built-in Bee Habitat and a "micro water feature" called the Stream It ships with a seed pod that'll grow flowers native to your region You can also add accessories like a butterfly shelter Bird Buddy CEO Zidar originally told me that the Petal would cost less than $100 but Bird Buddy has it priced at $129 on Kickstarter for early backers (There's also a Duo Bundle with two cameras and an Observation Pole for $249.) Wonder Blocks setups range from $299 to $1,199 A singular Habitat planter sans Petal is also available for $149 For those who have been waiting to try the Petal and Wonder Blocks since their CES appearance stay patient: They'll start shipping in mid-2026 Catch those spring breezes with the Ever Fliers Fun Floral Dragonfly Kite. $24, myevergreen.com Spring evenings have never been more fun than with the Ludo in Bloom Classic Board Game. $21.99, galison.com Stay stylish with these Daddy and Me Matching Floral Shirts. $28.99, amazon.com This Kids Paint and Plant Flower Growing Kit will let creativity bloom. $22.99, homegrown-garden.com Elevate your spring dinners with this Floral Taper Candle Set. $12, mulberrymarketdesigns.com Your Weekly guide to Colorado family fun. Colorado Parent has a newsletter for every parent. Sign Up by Ana Diaz Although you can always use codes to grow your wardrobe this update in Dress to Impress will introduce new outfits and animations to use while playing the competitive dress up game This guide will tell you what time the Dress to Impress “Petal Update” releases in your time zone as well as go over what you can expect in the upcoming patch A representative from the Dress to Impress team told Polygon that the team is planning on releasing “The Petal Update” on Saturday Here is what time the update will launch in several time zones: It’s looking like the Petal Update will lean into a flowery spring theme, but there’s a bit more to it than meets the eye. According to a developer Q&A, the Petal Update will be focused on adding quality of life features that will make the game “more fun and more cohesive.” Other than the above, here is what the developers have said players can expect in the upcoming update: The best of Polygon in your inbox, every Friday. Our only remaining softball team in Class 7A are the Harrison Central Red Rebelletes Rebelettes hosting Petal high school for game one of round two Senior Gabby Smith on the mound for Harrison Central Harrison Central had six hits and six runs The Rebelettes fall to the Panthers with a final score of 6-9 Harrison Central will look to split the series Friday night Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInPINE BELT (WDAM) - The National Weather Service has revealed its rating for the tornado that hit North Hattiesburg and Petal the tornado reached peak winds of 115 miles per hour and ran for 6.45 miles The tornado reached a maximum path width of 400 yards snapping trees and causing damage to a billboard near the interstate Want more WDAM 7 news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter Richmond’s official yet little-known flower is back in bloom For over a century, the iris has served as Richmond’s official city flower. The elegant emblem can be found in front gardens, the James River watershed and public areas, including Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden The garden’s extensive iris collection goes back to the early 1990s and has been growing ever since “We’ve been slowly adding to them,” says Nikki Clare “[The] Louisiana irises we just brought on board last year.” These can be found around the property’s Reflection Pond alongside numerous others adorning the grounds such as classic bearded irises and dwarf crested irises “It’s a small purple bloom [and has] a really pretty little white face in the middle,” she says the iris began its journey to Richmond renown in 1920 when City Council decided to declare an official flower With assistance from the James River Garden Club its ability to fit in the mayor’s buttonhole for state occasions its exterior hardiness and its originality — and it could not be a flower claimed by any other U.S Locals submitted ballots through The Richmond News Leader didn’t quite meet the condition of hardiness with the newspaper applauding the choice as a “rainbow flower” and “distinctive.” City Council enshrined the iris in Richmond city code The club soon got to work promoting the flower sponsoring an iris exhibit and flower show the next month and planting irises around St The city seal even featured a ring of irises before its design was changed in 1968 Richmond’s irises typically awaken in April and stay on display until mid-June might dazzle once more in late summer and even into early fall if conditions are right The flower works both in large gardens and small containers and offers an array of hues and styles. “Irises come in about every color except true red,” says Wayne Bryant, president of the Central Virginia Iris Society “Newer varieties of bearded irises tend to have more ruffling and are very attractive.” The iris is a uniquely generous perennial; as it grows the plant produces increasing rhizomes (underground stems) All gardeners have to do is dig them up and divide them forever growing plant if you do that little bit of maintenance,” Clare says On May 4, CVIS will host an iris show and sale at Lewis Ginter “This is a great opportunity to see many types and colors of irises in one place and to start or add to your collection,” Bryant says To show your RVA pride in subtle-yet-stunning fashion this spring he suggests “[letting] your iris obsession thrive.” Never miss a Sunday Story: Sign up for the newsletter, and we’ll drop a fresh read into your inbox at the start of each week. To keep up with the latest posts search for the hashtag #SundayStory on Facebook and Instagram © Target Communications Inc., T/A Richmond Magazine The devices are designed to let users attract and view all manner of insects Wonder Blocks is a modular system that create an ecosystem for pollinators and there are several different components that are part of the setup and a frame for holding all of the components Petal is an AI camera that attaches to the Wonder Blocks setup so that users can watch the pollinators that visit their homes is able to recognize more than 2,000 species of butterflies and it can be equipped with either wide or macro lens options camera footage is turned into more viewable snapshots that are viewable in the associated app footage is turned into "beautifully narrated nature clips." The camera is able to identify creatures but it can also detect behavior patterns and environmental changes to alert users about nesting or plant stress It also visualizes biodiversity activity and provides an impact score on the contribution the user is making to their local ecosystem While the Petal camera can be mounted to the Wonder Blocks setup it is also possible to mount the cameras anywhere in an existing garden There are three different versions of the Wonder Blocks available to order The Wonder Planter is a self-watering planter that has an integrated Bee Habitat that can integrate with a full Wonder Blocks system or work on a standalone basis The Wonder Blocks are the main modular habitat with an observation pole while the Wonder Blocks Hero is the full-featured setup with The Frame and multiple cameras The Wonder Blocks and Petal have already raised more than $1.2 million on Kickstarter, where the project has launched. The first products are set to launch in June 2026, so only pre-orders are available right now while the Petal Duo bundle with wide and macro lenses is $249 and the Wonder Blocks set with Petal camera is $299 A Hero set with two cameras and extra accessories is also available $499 Get weekly top MacRumors stories in your inbox Apple Intelligence is what Apple is calling its artificial intelligence feature set If you're experiencing issues with iPhone Mirroring follow these steps to get it working again Apple's annual developer conference where it will unveil iOS 19 New M4-generation chips and additional upgrades Apple's next-generation iPhone models with a new "Air" or "Slim" model replacing the current Plus model MacRumors attracts a broad audience of both consumers and professionals interested in the latest technologies and products We also boast an active community focused on purchasing decisions and technical aspects of the iPhone Following Tuesday's primary elections in Hattiesburg and Petal leadership in those cities are shaping up ahead of the June 3 general election None of the races in Hattiesburg or Petal require a runoff as all winning candidates secured the minimum 50%-plus-one votes The winners of the primaries also secured their positions in their respective cities since they have no opponents in the June 3 general election Eric Boney was able to secure the Ward 2 City Council seat defeating his opponent Carlos Wilson with 506 votes or 69% Wilson received 226 votes or 31% of the total votes in Ward 2 It will be Boney's first term on the council replacing longtime Councilwoman Deborah Delgado Ward 5 Councilman Nicholas Brown will return to office in July having defeated his opponent Ashley Perkins with a narrower margin Brown secured 447 votes or 56% to Perkins's 338 votes or 44% This is what to expect on the ballot for the June 3 general election in Hattiesburg: Mayor Tony Ducker took a strong lead with a lion's share of the votes in the three-way Republican primary Miller's 89 and Emily Dawn Escolas' 25 votes Ward 1 Alderman Gerald Steele also cemented his return to office with 147 votes or 79% to his opponent Josh Gipson's 40 votes or 21% Petal will not hold a general election in June since the remaining candidates were unopposed Returning to office in July with Ducker and Steele are Alderman at Large Mike Lott Ward 5 Alderman Drew Brickson and Ward 6 Alderman Craig Bullock There were no primary races held in Lamar County cities all of the city's current leaders are running unopposed so the city will not hold elections this year Returning to office for a new term in July are Mayor Roger Herrin Ward 3 Alderwoman Jerry Smith and Ward 4 Alderwoman Deborah Ferrell candidates are running as independents in the June 3 election Ward 4 Alderman Darrell Hall and Ward 2 candidate Shanna Istre have uncontested races Incumbent Ward 2 Alderman Lee Granberry is not seeking reelection Mississippi's municipal elections will take place in June the Republican and Democratic parties will hold primary elections to narrow down the field of candidates for some offices The party primary races will be held April 1 if a race has more than two candidates and none meet the required 50%-plus-one votes to secure the candidacy only Wards 2 and 5 will hold Democratic primary elections this year Candidates in Wards 1 and 3 will face each other in the general election Incumbent Mayor Toby Barker and Ward 4 Councilman Dave Ware are running unopposed and will take office again in July Hattiesburg Democratic primary candidates: Full candidate list: Hattiesburg will see some old and new faces in office after the June 3 election Only Republican candidates are seeking office in Petal so the municipal races will be determined in the April primary election or runoff The mayor's office and Ward 1 alderman positions are challenged this year The incumbent candidates will be sworn in to a new term in July Petal candidates in the Republican primary: incumbentPurvisIncumbent officers currently serving the city are all running unopposed so the city will not hold an election this year The following officers will be sworn in for a new term in July so Sumrall will not hold a primary election There are no Republican or Democratic challengers so Lumberton will not hold a primary election Look who's running: Find municipal candidates in Petal, Purvis, Sumrall and Lumberton Geoffrey Moncada and Gerry Cardinale (AC Milan via Getty) the saga continues without making any progress: everyone would like to keep the flower for themselves despite the fact that the decision in question is of primary importance for the fate of the club's near future and that among the parameters of effectiveness there is also the element of proper timing in addition to The saga for the search for the new Rossoneri sporting director and continues without any steps forward being made It feels like being on a treadmill: you're running but you’re always in the same place; in fact the more you risk falling behind due to exhaustion." and website in this browser for the next time I comment This is a worldwide website dedicated for AC Milan in English: exclusive news and content about the Rossoneri world Copyright © 2021 Milanreports.com All rights reserved | C.F. 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NGLVTI92L14B936U | Responsible and editorial director: Vito Angelè Credits by Parrotto Web Solution Web Agency Residents in Mississippi cities will hold elections in June to determine their leadership for the next four years The candidates filed their intent to seek office by the Jan Their candidacies do not become official until they are certified the Republican and Democratic parties will hold elections to narrow down the field of candidates Below are the candidates seeking office in Petal Municipal elections: Hattiesburg will see some old and new faces in office after the June 3 election Incumbent Mayor Tony Ducker will face challengers Emily Dawn Escolas and William E.J Miller.Alderman at Large Mike Lott is unopposed.In Ward 1 Josh Gipson is challenging incumbent Alderman Gerald Steele.Ward 2 Alderwoman Kim Stringer is unopposed.Ward 3 Alderman Blake Nobles is unopposed.Ward 4 Alderman Craig Strickland is unopposed.Ward 5 Alderman Drew Brickson is unopposed.Ward 6 Alderman Craig Bullock is unopposed.PurvisIncumbent officers currently serving the city are all running unopposed Mayor Roger HerrinAlderman at Large Wendell HudsonWard 1 Alderwoman Donna BielsteinWard 2 Alderman Vernon HartfieldWard 3 Alderwoman Jerry SmithWard 4 Alderwoman Deborah FerrellSumrallCandidates are running as independents so Sumrall will not have a primary election in April and insights on smart home tech delivered straight to your inbox The Ambient is supported by its audience. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commision. Learn More the startup best known for turning birdwatching into a livestreamed hobby with its AI-powered feeder cams We first saw the new Wonder-branded duo – Petal and Blocks – back at CES in January, where we awarded a Best in Show to the former And now, you can order them via Kickstarter… although shipping isn’t estimated until June 2026 Starting with the Wonder Petal and it’s a solar-powered garden camera designed to quietly observe bugs and whatever else is crawling or growing in your flower beds It teams up with the wider modular system called Wonder Blocks 12MP camera on a flexible stem that can be stuck into the soil A small solar panel disguised as a leaf helps keep it powered and the camera’s lens can be swapped out depending on whether you’re aiming for close-up macro shots or wider footage The idea is to make it easy to capture what’s happening at ground level; from butterflies landing on flowers to bees visiting a DIY wildflower patch Petal uses what it calls “Nature Intelligence” – a blend of computer vision and sound recognition that can supposedly detect and interpret events like bees pollinating What’s more interesting is how this fits into Bird Buddy’s broader ambitions the company is moving beyond birds to create what it describes as a full “backyard ecosystem platform.” The Wonder Blocks system is modular – think Lego for nature nerds – and includes things like self-watering planters All of it designed to attract more biodiversity and all of it (of course) trackable via the Wonder app While some of this risks tipping into gimmick territory or anyone looking to better understand (and support) the quieter parts of local wildlife And coming from a team that’s already delivered one hit in this space the execution may actually live up to the promise from a single Petal ($129) to a full Wonder Blocks setup ($299+) and a $499 “Hero” pack that throws in two Petals and existing Bird Buddy users can apparently expect cross-platform features down the line it could make the “smart garden” idea feel less like a novelty and more like something actually worth planting The Ambient is designed to be the first and last word in the smart home We’re dedicated to demystifying this new world of connected home technology The Ambient is here to test and review the best gear on the market explain how to get your smart home up and running rewritten or redistributed without permission https://www.hubcityspokes.com/area-softball-playoff-scores-petal-and-purvis-stay-alive Click here for additional copyright information about this article Local news coverage is critical for a strong and vibrant community local publications are dying because of monopolistic Big Tech Over 30% of all newspapers are expected to close within the next three years Help support local news by making a donation today You would be supporting a local institution founded upon principles of integrity and strong editorial standards and have roots embedded in our local community Realtime Radar Hourly Forecast 7-Day Forecast Based on data from National Weather Service and OpenWeather If you are an existing Print subscriber click HERE for your login info you can also easily register or login with an existing Google If you are an existing Print subscriber click HERE for your login info you can also easily use an existing Google User Help/Support Page Copyright christina@hubcityspokes.com © Copyright 2025 HubCitySPOKES, 525 N. Main St.- Hattiesburg, MS 39401 | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Pitt County—Organizers are busy preparing for the upcoming Farmville Dogwood Festival and the countdown is on — the fun begins next week so get ready for a weekend full of fun and festivities Click here for a full list of events One lucky person will be $10 million richer once they cash in a lottery ticket purchased in Mississippi announced Tuesday that the winning ticket was purchased at Food Mart in Petal who works at the convenience store on Main Street The winning ticket matched all five Double Play white balls plus the Double Play Powerball in Monday night’s drawing "The accomplishment marked the largest win in Mississippi Lottery history it’s the fifth Double Play jackpot winner of the game ever," according to the release Patel said the store sells a lot of tickets on a regular basis The store will put up signs to remind people of the big win "It's a great feeling that someone here has won only four other players nationwide have claimed the $10 million Powerball Double Play top prize: Maryland: One win in 2021Florida: Two wins in 2022Kentucky: One win in 2024“This is a milestone for the Mississippi Lottery,” said Jeff Hewitt “Not only do we have our first Powerball Double Play top-prize winner but this is also the largest lottery win in our state lottery’s history It’s an exciting day for players and retailers.” For more information on Powerball Double Play and other lottery games, visit mslottery.com or follow the Mississippi Lottery on social media Upload your 'petal pics' for a chance to win a private Raleigh Parks Greenhouse Tour From wildflower sprouts to dazzling floral displays nature puts on a spectacular show—now it’s your turn to capture it This feedback widget is not intended for customer service issues This feedback is reviewed monthly to help us improve our site. For immediate customer service please refer to our staff directory exploring and enjoying the best multiuse trails nationwide Explore top 10 trails blogs for all 50 U.S Search By State The Great American Rail-Trail® is the nation’s first cross-country multiuse trail stretching more than 3,700 miles between Washington we reimagine public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk Join RTC's learning community where professionals volunteers and public leaders come together to share proven tools and methods to establish and grow trail networks nationwide RTC has worked to bring the power of trails to more communities across the country serving as the national voice for the rail-trail movement We’re working to ensure that trails and trail networks are prioritized as essential for people and places Learn more about our strategic priorities When we tell people we’re hosting a “petal pedal,” we often hear in response a petal pedal is a way of combining our love of cycling on rail-trails with botanizing Cycling offers the opportunity to access plant populations quickly and cycle through different habitats along a trail A recent petal pedal that we offered for free through the New York Flora Association began at end of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail in Kingston The 21-mile route passes through wooded swamps by 19th-century limestone mine shafts and eventually over a 150-foot-high trestle spanning the Rondout Creek in Rosendale The trail is packed gravel and does not have many cross-streets so the ride is relaxed and easy to navigate The mid-September ride was our fifth petal pedal, and 10 plant enthusiasts signed up, ranging from expert to novice in botanical expertise. The sharing of plant identification knowledge is a huge part of the experience, so cyclists not only carry water and snacks but also a loupe or hand lens to see the small characteristics of plants along the way we gathered around a northern population of a native cactus the eastern prickly pear (Opuntia cespitosa) The cactus’ spring flowers are showy and yellow; they ripen to red fleshy fruits called “tunas” that are eaten by many bird species and rabbits. like the one in September when we did our ride the approach to the historical limestone mines is easily noticeable by the cold air currents blowing from the mine shafts The drop in temperature and the view down into what looks like big caves is exciting There are many species of ferns growing along the limestone rock faces which have small white flowers that mature into distinctive In addition to opportunities for identifying plants on the path the route boasts many interpretive signs and passes by the original kilns where Rosendale natural cement was produced from the early 1800s and into the early 20th century The former industry supplied cement all over the United States and its historical structures are still in good condition A picnic lunch in the town of Rosendale included a side trip to the local farmers market and then a long haul back up the hill to cross the 940-foot-long trestle we noticed even more plants that we must have whizzed by on the way south “Loved the ride” seemed to be the sentiment of the day Leading petal pedals has enabled us to keep active cycling as we usually scout out a bike route for plants We have met many people by sharing our plant knowledge and have discovered other plant people who like to cycle as well And we try not to brake too suddenly if a plant pops into view along a trail! This article is part of Rails to Trails Conservancy’s Trail Moments initiative—to elevate new and tried-and-true trail voices around the country, and how trails impact the lives of Americans. Learn more at trailmoments.org and use #TrailMoments on social media to share your story a botanical consultant at his company Botany Visible previously worked at the National Herbarium and the New York State Natural Heritage Program Laura Lehtonen is an educator and botanist who has worked at the National Herbarium Environmental Education Centers in Florida and Texas She currently collects and grows native seeds Everyone deserves access to safe ways to walk Learn how to describe the purpose of the image (opens in a new tab) Leave empty if the image is purely decorative Florals for spring may not be a revelation but if you ask yourself WWSD (What Would Schiaparelli Do) it certainly can be Elsa Schiaparelli made her name with witty avant-garde designs inspired by nature (think insects Collaborating with artists such as Salvador Dalí and Jean Cocteau she created apparel-as-art with innovative designs like the Lobster Dress and the rosette-covered Evening Coat (all worth a Google) WWSD this spring to turn the usual into the unusual three-dimensional blooms or intricately embroidered blossoms will serve flower power look for patterns that don’t read as florals at first glance – either small tightly-clustered buds or larger-than-life blooms – that give a sense of abstraction Leo Lin Cleo sleeveless MIDI DRESS in scarlet, Sol y Luna EARRINGS by Sylvia Toledano, and gold cuff BRACELET (all available at S. Worsley) Paz Fringe Dress in yellow and white by Destree, Sol y Luna EARRINGS by Sylvia Toledano, Lantern Cuff BRACELET by Sylvia Toledano, and Coral Floral CLUTCH by Tiana Designs (all available at S. Worsley) Sequin Dot Abbie TOP and SKIRT by Cinq à Sept, and Medium Calypso EARRINGS in Paradise Iridescent by Demarson (all available at S. Worsley) Aje Mirrors embroidered SHIRT and MINI SKIRT in ivory, Miso Platform STRAP SANDAL in beige raffia by Larroudé, and Poppy Row HOOP EARRINGS by Sylvia Benson (all available at S. Worsley) FLORALS: Blossom Bay (blossombaydesign.com) WARDROBE: S. Worsley To view more of photographer and stylists Drewe & Kate’s work, go to dreweandkate.com Want more WILMA? Click here to sign up for our WILMA newsletters and announcements Get WILMA Emails Contact Us Advertise About WILMA Archives Wonder thinks you should know your backyard like the back of your hand The new company from the creators of the popular Bird Buddy smart bird feeder introduced an AI-powered nature camera called the Petal at CES' Unveiled media event Sunday night the device is designed to get users on a "first-name basis" with their local nature CEO of Wonder and co-founder of Bird Buddy The Petal is a colorful cup-shaped camera that can be installed a couple different ways: You can wrap its bendable stem around an object (like a branch or a fencepost) or attach it to the side of a planter using its universal clip It's designed to blend in well with its natural surroundings either way a notion that's hammered home by its optional solar panel attachment The Petal captures photos and livestreams of its surroundings (and identifies its inhabitants) sending the footage to the user's smartphone so they can get a more intimate look at the goings-on in their yard or garden Zidar told Mashable that its built-in "Nature Intelligence" AI gets involved to identify any outliers — say or the chirps of freshly hatched bluebird chicks — balancing actionable care alerts with personalized "check out this cool thing!" insights Zidar said a forthcoming chat feature will give Petal users the ability to "converse" with nature asking a flower if it's lonely will prompt recommendations for other plants that thrive in similar conditions Wonder has also launched a "Wonder Block" modular system of wildlife habitats — think seed trays Zidar said the Petal will launch on Kickstarter sometime this spring and retail for less than $100 The release of Wonder Blocks is still to be determined Spot Guide: Rincon Queen, of the Coast 6 of the Heaviest Waves in the World Five Decades of Surfing, Travel and Narrative Collide in Sam George’s New Book NewsAll News Events Big Wave News World Surf League Environmental Industry Wave PoolsPosts List New Water Quality Regulations in New York Won’t Necessarily Make Water Any Cleaner Boat Get Totally Wrecked by Wave in Indonesia (Video) How To Surf Till You're 100, Brainwork: Mickey Munoz LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website A few weeks ago I was talking with one of my photography heroes Steve Sherman and he referred to what he called a batting average with photos – the ratio in which you have keeper images I’m using this reference because the process of double exposing on film depends on luck And a lot of times you may have a good batting average versus a bad one were actually my favorite – and you can’t control that There’s a lot of nuances and potential disasters to the process You simply shoot an entire roll of a flower you rewind the film and have to remember where you set the leader of those photos you have to remember exactly what you shot and where it would be sitting in the frame I made notes on the film to remind me because I’m a ding dong The next thing you need to think about is your exposure Overexposing may lose the flowers contrast under exposing would lose the wave contrast There’s a full-on science to it and I’m still learning I like taking pride in the art and the process Taking chances still makes me feel like an artist My goal is to keep raising my batting average and become a Tony Gwynn with my double exposures – wait Back to SURFING homepage The dates displayed for an article provide information on when various publication milestones were reached at the journal that has published the article activities on preceding journals at which the article was previously under consideration are not shown (for instance submission All content on this site: Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. Attorneys representing Zachary David Hughes – the accused perpetrator of a savage and ritualistic homicide which shocked the South Carolina Upstate in the fall of 2021 – were dealt a severe setback on the opening day of Hughes’ long-awaited murder trial in Greenville Early Tuesday (February 11, 2025), circuit court judge Patrick C. Fant III ruled that evidence and testimony related to child pornography (a.k.a or “CSAM”) found at the murder scene would not be admissible any discussion of these materials – which implicated both the victim and the person who found her body – would not “assist the jurors in coming to the truth of this case.” Fant did say his ruling could “certainly can be revisited” as the trial progressed Fant’s decision could wind up being decisive in the ‘Rose Petal Murder’ case – the graphic slaying of 41-year-old veterinary tech Christina Parcell of Greer It could also play a key role in what will inevitably be a high-profile appeal in the event Hughes is convicted of Parcell’s murder ?Day 2 of the trial of Zachary Hughes has begun. Judge Fant has just announced that the media will be able to report contemporaneously. Follow for updates. @fitsnews @dnolan2000 According to Greenville County sheriff Hobart Lewis Parcell was “brutally stabbed multiple times” and “murdered in a very violent way.” Sources close to the investigation told FITSNews the killer allegedly sprinkled rose petals – or deadheaded roses – around Parcell’s body after dragging (and posing) her in the front living room of a home owned by her sister, Lutina Parcell “Rose petals were sprinkled around her body,” a source familiar with the killing told this news outlet at the time That reporting was confirmed during testimony on Tuesday morning Parcell’s body and the bizarre rose petal scene weren’t all police found A massive cache of child porn (or “CSAM”) was also discovered police found “more than 15,000 images and videos of child pornography… on nine electronic storage devices” while searching the home where the murder took place As a result of this discovery, the office of S.C. attorney general Alan Wilson charged Parcell’s fiancée, Bradly Post with five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in the first degree one count of sexual exploitation of a minor in the third degree one count of third degree criminal sexual content with a minor and one count of buggery Post and the estate of Christina Parcell have been named in civil cases related to the discovery of these files Prosecutors in the office of S.C. thirteenth circuit solicitor Walt Wilkins insisted the child porn files were found on devices under Post’s control – and therefore have no relevance to Parcell’s murder They also insisted Post’s testimony would not link Hughes to the crime as he had never met the defendant prior to discovering Parcell’s body Hughes’ attorney Andrew Moorman countered that “the bases for the relevance in this case are enormous,” and that the evidence and testimony related to the files was “highly substantiated.” While Fant’s decision was a huge win for prosecutors they must tread carefully as the trial progresses That’s especially true regarding evidence of harassment against Parcell allegedly perpetrated by Hughes and his friend John Mello – a music producer and the father of Parcell’s young daughter Hughes and Mello were jointly charged with harassment and conspiracy tied to the dissemination of nude photos of Parcell in the weeks prior to her death. Described by prosecutors as “very close friends,” the two men routinely used the encrypted smartphone application WhatsApp to communicate with each other at last count Mello and Hughes are said to have exchanged at least 1,769 encrypted WhatsApp messages In one conversation via WhatsApp on April 17 Mello indicated he had obtained Christina’s private number and instructed Hughes to use it to “harass the shit out of her.” Authorities also uncovered numerous conversations between Mello and Hughes via WhatsApp between October 8 and October 13 2021 – the day of Christina Parcell’s murder there is a conversation in which Mello asked Hughes “how did the music research go?” Mello’s attorney Mo Abusaft has refuted police and prosecutor’s suggestion his client had something to do with Parcell’s murder arguing that if there was any evidence Mello was involved he would have been arrested “They get in the phone and there’s no evidence of a murder conspiracy which is why he hasn’t been charged,” Abusaft said Abusaft also said any illicit images of Parcell sent by his client were already placed in the public domain – by her “She was putting these photos online to sell sex,” Abusaft said “Those pictures were already on the internet (He was) disseminating something she’s already put in the public domain.” If prosecutors want to link Hughes to the harassment – and by extension the pictures – they could be opening the door to the defense to bring all of the child porn allegations (and ensuing discussion thereof) into the trial Stay tuned for updates on this trial as our Jenn Wood and Dylan Nolan are following this case as it happens… Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our articles? 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CLICK HERE Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" long admired for their beauty and symbolic richness owe their iconic petal shape to a mechanical process that has remained largely mysterious—until now the pointed cusps that gradually form at the edge of rose petals as they grow are shaped not by the well-known mechanics behind wavy leaves but by a distinct geometric frustration called Mainardi-Codazzi-Peterson (MCP) incompatibility this stress-focusing phenomenon not only sculpts the rose's form but also feeds back to influence how the petal grows offering new insights into the mechanics of nature and potential inspiration for the design of bio-inspired materials The intricate curves and curls of leaves and flower petals often arise from the interplay between natural growth and geometry growth can create a mismatch between the material's natural geometric preference and what is physically possible resulting in inherent stresses known as geometric incompatibilities they can result in shape changes – an effect known as Gauss incompatibility This explains features like the rippling edges of leaves and petals sharply pointed cusps along the edges of rose petals stand apart from the soft wavy patterns seen in many other flowers – features that cannot be explained by traditional Gauss incompatibility Yafei Zhang and colleagues combined theoretical analysis and experimental fabrication of synthetic disc petals to investigate growth-induced mechanical instabilities in rose petals discovered that the unique shapes of rose petals are not governed by Gauss incompatibility but instead by a unique type of geometric frustration known as Mainardi-Codazzi-Peterson (MCP) incompatibility Unlike traditional shape changes driven by Gauss-type mismatches this mechanism concentrates stress in highly localized areas giving rise to the sharply defined cusps seen in roses the authors show that the intense concentration of stress at petal cusps influences how the surrounding tissue grows and takes shape revealing a powerful feedback loop between biological growth "Identifying Mainardi-Codazzi-Peterson incompatibility as a shaping mechanism is not only an important milestone in morphogenesis research but also an inspiration for new designs of shape-morphing materials and structures," write Qinghao Cui and Lishuai Jin in a related Perspective "Combining Gauss and Minardi-Codazzi-Peterson incompatibilities could give rise to deformation behaviors that have yet to be seen." SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — It's been a bumper season for blossoms We didn't ask anyone to provide photos of Utah in full bloom but Utah the cherry trees went all-in on their attempt to make everyone forget about that apricot tree prompting our viewers to whip out their phones and cameras and really put the petal to the medal Some of these scenes are almost unbeleafable with the trees looking more like vibrant CGI than actual Utah flora If you've got some impressive shots of this year's cherry blossoms help us build our galley by submitting them to kutv.com/chimein