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Rick LeCouteur
Inviting young readers to marvel at the wonder of nature's creatures
Rick's Blog
#bunyipsbooksbeyond
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The Mammouse and Genetic Science: From fairytale to lab (#269)
Nature is full of surprises, but sometimes, the most intriguing creatures are the ones that exist only in our imagination. Enter the...
RIck LeCouteur
Mar 113 min read
2 views
0 comments
Biomimicry in Motion: The kingfisher that transformed high-speed rail (#268)
Japan’s Shinkansen , or bullet trains, are an engineering marvel, reaching speeds of over 320 km/h (200 mph) while gliding almost...
RIck LeCouteur
Mar 112 min read
7 views
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The Nostalgia Effect: How memories shape our well-being (#267)
There’s something about nostalgia that tugs at the heartstrings. A bittersweet feeling that blends joy with longing, and warmth with...
RIck LeCouteur
Mar 93 min read
15 views
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Forward Bound: Australia's Coat of Arms (#265)
Did you know that the Australian coat of arms holds a hidden message of progress? The design features two iconic native animals - the...
RIck LeCouteur
Mar 62 min read
4 views
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Failing Forward: A lesson, not a verdict (#263)
Failure is a universal experience, yet it remains one of the most feared aspects of life. Â We are conditioned to avoid it, to view it as...
RIck LeCouteur
Mar 43 min read
8 views
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Building America: The immigrant influence (#262)
The United States has long been a nation built by immigrants. Many who arrived on its shores seeking a better life went on to make...
RIck LeCouteur
Feb 283 min read
21 views
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Dual Citizen, One Heart: My story as a proud immigrant (#261)
An immigrant to the United States is an individual who relocates from another country with the intention of residing permanently. Â Until...
RIck LeCouteur
Feb 283 min read
33 views
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Veterinarians, Pigeons, and Unsung Heroes: A personal reflection (#259)
I recently watched an episode of All Creatures Great and Small  (Season 5 Episode 7), where Tristan was assigned a special wartime...
RIck LeCouteur
Feb 253 min read
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Mars Veterinary Health’s Sustainability Pledge: Progress or PR spin?(#255)
Mars Incorporated is a global powerhouse in the pet care, confectionery, and food industries, owning brands like Pedigree, Royal Canin,...
RIck LeCouteur
Feb 193 min read
57 views
0 comments
If It Fits, I Sits: The mystery of cats and cardboard boxes (#254)
If you've ever left an empty cardboard box sitting around, chances are your cat has claimed it as their own. Whether it’s a shoebox, a...
RIck LeCouteur
Feb 182 min read
6 views
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Zwitterions in Action: The science behind hydromorphone’s potency (#253)
Zwitterions are unique molecules that possess both positive and negative charges simultaneously, yet remain overall neutral. Â This dual...
RIck LeCouteur
Feb 183 min read
4 views
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Humane World for Animals: A new era in global animal protection (#252)
In February 2025 , the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Humane Society International (HSI) unified under a new name:...
RIck LeCouteur
Feb 162 min read
15 views
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Abbondanza: A word rich in meaning and history (#247)
If you’ve ever traveled through Italy or dined at an authentic Italian restaurant, you may have come across the word abbondanza . Rolling...
RIck LeCouteur
Feb 92 min read
58 views
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Déjà Vu: Unraveling the mystery (#245)
Have you ever walked into a room, met someone new, or experienced a moment so oddly familiar that you swear it’s happened before?  It’s...
RIck LeCouteur
Feb 53 min read
22 views
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Curiosity: The Key to the Future (#243)
Curiosity is the spark that ignites discovery. It is the restless whisper in our minds that asks: What if? Â Why? Â How? From childhood...
RIck LeCouteur
Feb 33 min read
17 views
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Tardigrades: Nature’s indestructible wonders (#242)
The toughest creature on Earth is smaller than a grain of sand, thrives in the vacuum of space, and can cheat death for decades? Â Meet...
RIck LeCouteur
Jan 313 min read
3 views
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Folding the Umbrella: The power of perspective (#240)
This cartoon uses irony and metaphor to depict how people often create their own problems or fail to see the bigger picture. Â The people...
RIck LeCouteur
Jan 261 min read
6 views
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A Silent Shift: Corporate ownership in dentistry and veterinary medicine (#239)
In recent years, the dental landscape has undergone a significant transformation as privately-owned dental practices are increasingly...
RIck LeCouteur
Jan 265 min read
102 views
0 comments
Is Your Mail Safe? The security risks of USPS arrow keys (#238)
When we think about the safety of our mail, most of us trust the robust systems put in place by the United States Postal Service (USPS) ....
RIck LeCouteur
Jan 255 min read
10 views
0 comments
Wood Burning Kitchen Stoves: When the kitchen was king (#235)
In many Australian rural homes during the 1960s and 70s, the wood burning kitchen stove was more than just a cooking appliance; it was...
RIck LeCouteur
Jan 193 min read
3 views
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