Starfish

Starfish or sea stars are echinoderms belonging to the class Asteroidea. The names "starfish" and "sea star" essentially refer to members of this class.Starfish are among the most familiar of marine invertebrates. They typically have a central disc and five arms, though some species have more than this. The aboral or upper surface may be smooth, granular or spiny, and is covered with overlapping plates. Many species are brightly coloured in various shades of red or orange, while others are blue, grey or brown. Starfish have tube feet operated by a hydraulic system and a mouth at the centre of the oral or lower surface. They are opportunistic feeders and are mostly predators. They have complex life cycles and can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Most can regenerate damaged parts or lost arms and they can shed arms as a means of defence. While a starfish lacks a centralized brain, it has a complex nervous system.

Photo credit: © Chris Campbell

Huge starfish on Case inlet beach - LINK

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Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada - LINK

Starfish at Budleigh Salterton. Photo credit: Scott Eley - LINK

Photo credit: © Liz Edgar

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Betta Fighter Fish

The Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) also known as betta, is a popular species of freshwater aquarium fish. B. splendens usually grow to an overall length of about 7 cm, including fins. Although known for their brilliant colors and large, flowing fins, the natural coloration of B. splendens is a dull green and brown, and the fins of wild specimens are relatively short. Brilliantly colored and longer finned varieties (i.e. Veiltail; Delta; Superdelta; and Halfmoon) have been developed through selective breeding. Properly kept and fed a correct diet, B. Splendens lives approximately 2–4 years in captivity but 5 is not uncommon. It is possible for them to live up to 10 years in rare cases.

All photos via Beta/Fighter Fish Lovers World on FB

Suicide Bridges

A suicide bridge is a bridge used frequently to die by suicide, most typically by jumping off and into the water below (because a fall from that height into the water is almost invariably fatal). Suicide prevention advocates believe that suicide by bridge is more likely to be impulsive than other means, and that barriers can have a significant effect on reducing the incidence of suicides by bridge. Special telephones with connections to crisis hotlines are sometimes installed on bridges. The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco has had more suicides than any other in the world, the number currently being over 1,200

Suicide hotline at the Tappan Zee Bridge - LINK

 

Victory Bridge, New Jersey - LINK

Makeshift suicide prevention sign - LINK

A telephone call box is shown on the Aurora Bridge. - LINK

Ironworkers Memorial Bridge. B.C. Photo credit: Wayne Leidenfrost - LINK

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco - LINK

A suicide prevention phone is seen on the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge in North Vancouver. Photo credit: Jonathan Hayward/THE CANADIAN PRESS - LINK

A sign on the railing of the Tyne Bridge with the number of the Samaritans suicide prevention hotline.- LINK

Suicide hotline on the George Washington Memorial Bridge, Seattle, Washington. - LINK

The Prince Edward Viaduct - LINK

Sign for the suicide hotline on the George Washington Memorial Bridge, Fremont, Washington - LINK

Suicide prevention sign on the east sidewalk of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California. - LINK

Suicide prevention sign and phone on the east sidewalk of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California. - LINK

Postmortem Lividity

Livor mortis or postmortem lividity or hypostasis is the setting of blood in the lower portion of the body, causing a purplish red discoloration of the skin, when the heart is no longer agitating the blood, heavy red blood cells sink through the serum by action of gravity. This discoloration does not occur in the areas of the body that are in contact with the ground or another object, as the capillaries are compressed. Coroners can use the presence or absence of livor mortis as a means of determining an approximate time of death. It can also be used by forensic investigators to determine whether or not a body has been moved. Livor mortis starts 20 minutes to 3 hours after death and is congealed in the capillaries in 4 to 5 hours. Maximum lividity occurs within 6-12 hours.