Tom Wurl

06/13/2026

06/13/2026

Yes, yes.

California's first wildlife overpass isn't even finished yet – but mule deer are already using it.

Cameras captured three mule deer casually walking across the structure just hours after construction crews wrapped up work for the day.

The crossing spans a dangerous stretch of State Route 97 in Siskiyou County, near the Oregon border. Between 2015 and 2020, more than 50 deer and 16 elk were struck and killed by vehicles along this section of road.

Now wildlife appears to be embracing the solution before humans have even completed it.

The bridge is California's first dedicated wildlife overpass. Once finished later this year, it will provide a safe route over the highway for animals including mule deer, elk, black bears, mountain lions, and gray wolves.

The overpass is roughly 100 feet long and 140 feet wide, making it feel less like a bridge and more like a natural piece of landscape suspended above the road.

But the bridge itself isn't the entire solution.

Wildlife experts say the most important feature may actually be the miles of 8-foot-high fencing being installed along the highway. The fencing helps guide animals toward safe crossing points instead of allowing them to wander onto the road.

The need is significant.

Researchers estimate drivers killed more than 48,000 mule deer across California in 2023 alone. Vehicle collisions accounted for more than 10 percent of the state's mule deer population that year.

Wildlife crossings have become increasingly popular because they protect both animals and people. Studies have shown they can dramatically reduce collisions while reconnecting habitats that highways have fragmented for decades.

The fact that deer are already using the bridge is an encouraging sign.

Learn more:
"Mule Deer Are Already Using California's First Wildlife Crossing—and It's Not Even Finished Yet." Smithsonian Magazine.

06/13/2026

One of my favorite shows, so far, I am looking forward to more.

https://www.threads.com//post/DZhOGR7iMFz?xmt=AQG0O_XI6vUEXLbMKlksDmRE22PZOYZbV0iEr2wbBVlT34l-O3h___PcirR3yk_dEr-AnW0&slof=1

06/13/2026

Self Driving Namibia.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWYUqUxjbVg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

06/13/2026

Debt. Whose Debt? Our Debt.

A spendthrift government is raising borrowing costs for everyone.

06/12/2026

Would not work in NYC.

In parts of South Korea, some subway exits include quiet “meal drawers” where restaurants leave freshly packed dinners for elderly people living alone. These drawers are simple and discreet, allowing anyone in need to open one and take a meal without drawing attention. There are no announcements or queues, just a quiet system built on respect and understanding.

Local restaurants prepare the meals and place them in these compartments at specific times, often coordinating with volunteers or nearby communities. The idea ensures that food reaches people who may struggle to cook daily or feel uncomfortable asking for help. By placing the drawers along everyday routes like subway exits, access becomes natural and effortless.

What makes this initiative powerful is its dignity-first approach. It removes the need for interaction or explanation, offering support in a way that feels private and respectful. In a busy urban setting, these silent drawers become small points of care, showing how thoughtful design can meet real human needs without making them visible.

06/12/2026

Great laugh. African bird.

06/12/2026

I am a Rock Hound.

At the San Diego Zoo, an otter family unintentionally created the internet’s favorite “show-and-tell” moment.

As visitors gathered by the exhibit, a mother otter proudly carried her newborn pup to the glass, giving everyone a close-up look at the tiny baby. The crowd was instantly captivated.

Then came the father.

Instead of presenting another pup, he arrived holding his prized possession — a smooth rock he seemed just as proud of. The contrast was priceless: Mom showing off the baby, Dad showing off the rock.

The heartwarming scene quickly went viral, drawing millions of views and countless reactions online. Viewers joked that the rock was “the one that got him a family,” while others couldn’t get enough of the otters’ playful personalities.

Wildlife experts say moments like these highlight the intelligence, social bonds, and charm that make otters some of the most beloved animals in the world.

06/12/2026

Two miserable leaders, what is in store for us?

Two leaders, two quagmires: How arrogance and isolation become their own trap.