Fossil Fish Found Alive!

http://www.amazon.com/Fossil-Fish-Found-Alive-Discovering/dp/1575055368/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1300290914&sr=1-1

Discovering the coelacanth has always been a fascinating story to me. And yes, it is a story, full of suprises, heros, betrayal, accidents, twists of fate, bitter defeats, and long-lasting struggle.

It was never well-told for me, however, until I found this so-called children's book at the local library. Scientific publishing is very frugal with the colorful photos. Although not entirely absent, I have found that scientific literature could benefit greatly from storytelling flare and pictures that tell that story. Storytelling wouldn't require any sacrifice of truthful relation, although I'm sure that's a fear (and a justified one).

Anyway, this book appears to be one of the most updated sources around, with the saga followed though 2002. Printed 2010, IIRC. As only a mere collection of avaialable known facts and photos, it is valuable. It is moreso through the storytelling skill of the author, whom I commend.

Moment of Zen: Homevideo of Bristol Zoo

This uTube video includes a portion showing a very interesting tourist home-video of the Bristol Zoo in England, it seems within the month.
That's the only part of the video I'm confident about recommending. Anything else seems either questionable or appeals to specific naturalist interests, although I personally found it all worth watching. In fact, it was calming, and thus my titular moment of zen.

http://forteanzoology.blogspot.com/2010/04/on-track-of-unknown-animals-episode-32.html

This website I am linking to (and from) has a focus on "cryptozoology" the study of unknown animals mostly via the study of local legends and mysterious "sightings". A lot of it is hogwash, but even when it IS hogwash these people do a pretty good job of giving the matter thoughtful serious analysis to show in what way it is hogwash. Some of it is legitimate amateur naturalists studying invasive species, or unexpected migrations, or accidental releases from private collections, etc.