Sonja Anderson

Feb 14, 2025 | smithsonianmag.com | Helen Thompson |Sonja Anderson

The cuddly, colorful parrots have become a symbol of Valentine’s Day. Here’s what to know about the famously affectionate birds It’s Valentine’s Day, and love is in the air. Millions of people will express affection through chocolate, flowers, greeting cards and stuffed animals. But in the rest of the animal kingdom, relationships can be a little different. Female praying mantises, for example, feast on their male lovers after sex.

Jan 16, 2025 | smithsonianmag.com | Sonja Anderson

Archaeologists think the tiles once lined a Byzantine-era monastery. The complex also included a large warehouse and winepress Archaeologists have uncovered an ancient complex of ruined Byzantine-era buildings in Israel. The structures include a winepress, a large warehouse and what may be a monastery boasting a colorful mosaic floor.

Jan 15, 2025 | msn.com | Sonja Anderson

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Jan 15, 2025 | smithsonianmag.com | Sonja Anderson

After its owner submitted the piece to an online appraisal service, auction house specialists realized it had been misattributed to another artist for decades When art expert Rosie Jarvie glimpsed a photo of a painting submitted to Christie’s online appraisal service, she knew it may be something special.

Jan 14, 2025 | smithsonianmag.com | Sonja Anderson

An archive of scores by composer Arnold Schoenberg and the collections of countless contemporary artists have been lost in the blaze The wildfires still burning in Los Angeles have killed at least 24 people, razed thousands of homes and historic landmarks and destroyed countless treasured items—including creative works stored in the area.