GrrlScientist is an evolutionary biologist, ornithologist, aviculturist, birder and freelance science and nature writer. A native of the Pacific Northwest, she relocated from Seattle to NYC with her parrots after earning a BS in Microbiology (emphasis in Virology) and PhD in Zoology (Ornithology) from the University of Washington. In NYC, she was the Chapman Postdoctoral Fellow at the American Museum of Natural History for two years, pursuing part of her "dream" research project by reconstructing a molecular phylogeny of the parrots of the South Pacific islands. GrrlScientist has written a blog about science since 4 August 2004 (the early years are archived 
Finnish Lawn Ornaments.
Chilean Flamingos, Phoenicopterus chilensis, Korkeasaari (Helsinki Zoo).
What have I done and seen so far in Helsinki? So far, I've;
- visited the Korkeasaari (Helsinki Zoo), where, among other things, I watched endangered Przewalski's horses actively working at increasing their tiny population -- and no, I did not photograph that, but it sure was tempting!
- met some of my host's friends over beers .. many many beers ...
- had beers on the SS Hyöky, oddest quaintest little boat-bar/museum I've ever visited (yes, I have lots of photographs that I plan to share with you soon)
- eaten dozens of delicious pastries and quiche -- the Finns can really make fabulous pastries!
- Kansallismuseo (National Museum of Finland), and saw a really interesting exhibit of the history of Finland from prehistoric times through the present
- Sea Life Helsinki, where I watched lots of fishes (after eating a few smoked fishes myself)
- Hakaniemen Kauppahalli, where I bought, and then ate within a few minutes, sometihing like 500 grams of smoked fish -- of course, I "forced" my host to also eat it along with me!
- Ataneum Hall Museum (the Finnish National Art Museum), where I saw lots of art I've never seen before by artists whom I've never heard of before -- art that appears to have a strong Japanese influence, except that it doesn't at all -- why doesn't the Met have a Finnish art show so these works can be exposed a larger audience?
- Gallen-Kallela Museum, which is kept in his very wonderful house -- a house that completely entralled me
- Tuomiokirkko (Helsinki Lutheran Cathedral), where I photographed the largest pipe organ I've ever seen, and I've seen plenty of them in my life. I hope to return to photograph this church a little more before I leave, and possibly to attend a service so I can hear that organ being played
Today, I will visit the Helsingin Luonnontieteellinen museo (Helsinki Natural History Museum), Kauppatori Helsingin, where I will photograph lots of dead fish, and Suomenlinna
And tomorrow, I will go birding in the area all day long, and the bird I most want to see is the Steller's White-tailed (Grey) Sea-eagle, Haliaeetus pelagicus albicilla, although I am happy to see anything.
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Sounds like you're having loads of fun!
Steller's Sea-eagle? Aren't those restricted to the north Pacific? You don't mean White-tailed Sea-eagle Haliaeetus albicilla, do you?
Posted by: Hai~Ren | November 22, 2008 8:40 AM
indeed i do. unfortunately, i didn't see either sea-eagle species, but i did see a saunaduck. i'll let you entertain me by filling in the species name for me. :)
Posted by: "GrrlScientist" | November 22, 2008 10:09 AM
Museovirasto = National Board (or Bureau) of Antiquities.
Kansallismuseo = National Museum (of Finland).
Posted by: Jusu | November 24, 2008 3:39 AM
thanks for the corrections, jusu. i am already making plans to begin learning finnish after i return to NYC, so hopefully, i will return to finland this spring (summer?) with a better command of the language.
Posted by: "GrrlScientist" | November 24, 2008 3:43 AM
Hi Hedwig, haven't been by in a while. It's so cool that you're in Finland, and it sounds like you're loving it! Good luck with Finnish. In college, I had some friends from Finland and I understand their language is very difficult, one of those ones that's not related to any other tongue. Enjoy the rest of your time there!
Posted by: Library Diva | November 26, 2008 1:58 PM
moikka, library diva! it's GREAT to see you again! i am back in the USA now, although i am thinking i'd rather leave the country -- for good -- since my employment opportunities here have never been worse in my entire life. sad, but oh so true!
Posted by: "GrrlScientist" | November 26, 2008 4:43 PM