Last night, while searching for an Albert Dürer composition entitled “Strange Bird with Scroll,” I came across a whole cache of interesting stuff. The above seems especially apropos for today, January 1, Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.
Here’s the bird.
And another bird.
And here’s a self-portrait of the artist at 22, done in 1493. Check out the headgear!
Then I somehow found my way to Ernst Haeckel.

ERNST HAECKEL

ERNST HAECKEL
Help! I have all kinds of books on reserve not at the library, and have meanwhile become obsessed with James Castle, about whom more anon.
I aim to learn, enlarge my spiritual life, and not be crabby and tired for the year of Our Lord 2020–I pray the same for you!