grrlscientist | February 17, 2009I have been ill, so I've not been able to access the internet consistently since I do not have my own connection, so I am somewhat late in notifying you about the latest blog carnivals that are available for you to read.
The Giant's Shoulders, issue 8, has been published. This blog carnival focuses on science that is based on "classic" scientific papers, although entries that describe current discoveries that confirm "classic" predictions (such as my contribution) are also included.
grrlscientist | February 17, 2009tags: Central Park Wildlife, New York City, Bob Levy, image of the day
Northern Cardinal Gets His Turn In The Spotlight
Northern cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis.
Image: Bob Levy, author of Club George [larger view].
The photographer writes;
A shaft of sunlight fortuitously fell on this male Northern Cardinal at just the right moment. I regularly visit a set of cardinal families. I wish I knew which of the Central Park clans this fella was from but I don't. It does not take away from the enjoyment of this image, does it?
grrlscientist | February 17, 2009tags: Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapillus, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapillus, photographed at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, Arizona. [I will identify this bird for you tomorrow]
Image: Richard Ditch, 22 January 2006 [larger view].
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Review all mystery birds to date.
grrlscientist | February 17, 2009Since I am unemployed, I get these notices second-hand, but I am more than happy to share them with those of you who still manage to keep a job that actually pays money.
Dear Employees:
It has been brought to management's attention that some individuals throughout the company have been using foul language during the course of normal conversation with their co-workers.
Due to complaints received from some employees who may be easily offended, this type of language will no longer be tolerated.
We do, however, realize the critical importance of being able to accurately express your feelings when…
grrlscientist | February 17, 2009tags: kingfisher, dive bombing bird, bird attack, nature, streaming video
This streaming video shows what it looks like to be a fish attacked by a kingfisher -- from the fish's point of view [0:23]
grrlscientist | February 16, 2009tags: Chestnut-sided Warbler, Dendroica pensylvanica, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Chestnut-sided Warbler, Dendroica pensylvanica, photographed at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Arizona. [I will identify this bird for you tomorrow]
Image: Richard Ditch, 4 January 2009 [larger view].
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
As an added bonus, can you identify the insect in this bird's beak?
Chestnut-sided Warbler, Dendroica pensylvanica, photographed at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Arizona.
Image: Richard Ditch, 4 January 2009 [larger…
grrlscientist | February 16, 2009tags: Dancing cockatoo, Little Corella cockatoo, Bare-eyed cockatoo, Cacatua pastinator, Frostie, Shake your Tailfeather, streaming video
This streaming video documents a Bare-eyed (Little Corella) cockatoo, Cacatua pastinator, named Frostie, dancing to the song, "Shake Your Tailfeather" [2:42]
grrlscientist | February 15, 2009tags: NYC, New York City, Bob Levy, image of the day
In the Spotlight
Central Park Grey Squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis.
Image: Bob Levy, author of Club George [larger view].
The photographer writes;
The sunlight fortuitously fell on this Gray Squirrel as it chomped through a peanut shell on a fair winter's day. I confess I did not give that peanut to the squirrel nor have I given them to any other squirrels. Oh, there was a time when I might have. When I started birding it was not unusual for me to give them an occasional snack but that all changed when these animal got a little too bold…
grrlscientist | February 15, 2009tags: Birdbooker Report, bird books, animal books, natural history books, ecology books
"One cannot have too many good bird books"
--Ralph Hoffmann, Birds of the Pacific States (1927).
The Birdbooker Report is a special weekly report of a wide variety of science, nature and behavior books that currently are, or soon will be available for purchase. This report is written by one of my Seattle birding pals and book collector, Ian "Birdbooker" Paulsen, and is edited by me and published here for your information and enjoyment. Below the fold is this week's issue of The Birdbooker Report which…
grrlscientist | February 15, 2009tags: Leucistic Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Leucistic Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia, photographed at the far end of the Nisqually River, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, near Olympia, Washington State. [I will identify this bird for you tomorrow]
Image: Dan Streiffert, 25 January 2009 [larger view].
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Review all mystery birds to date.
NOTE: If you have seen this bird or images of it, please don't "spill the beans" for everyone else who hasn't yet seen it!
grrlscientist | February 14, 2009tags: Costa's Hummingbird, Calypte costae, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Costa's Hummingbird, Calypte costae, photographed in Arizona. [I will identify this bird for you tomorrow]
Image: Richard Ditch, 23 December 2004 [larger view].
Date Time Original: 2004:12:23 16:04:23
Exposure Time: 1/60
F-Number: 8.00
ISO: 640
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Review all mystery birds to date.
grrlscientist | February 13, 2009I've been getting worried emails from people who want to know if I am alright.
Yes, I am fine, although my troubles have multiplied since I am now ill with a rather nasty cold as well as experiencing other unpleasantnesses. In fact, due to my inability to sleep, I wonder if my illness is partially (or totally) due to that alone. So I started taking citalopram once more, just for a few more days, so I can make myself get some sleep, and hopefully, recover from this cold more quickly.
In addition to all that drama, I am leaving for Finland in a few days (this is last-minute, at least as…
grrlscientist | February 13, 2009tags: Spring Seep Mimulus, Mimulus guttatus, Biosparite, image of the day
Spring Seep Mimulus, Mimulus guttatus, photographed near near Kernville, California.
Image: Biosparite, June 2008 [larger view].
grrlscientist | February 13, 2009tags: Ross's Gull, Rhodostethia rosea, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Ross's Gull, Rhodostethia rosea, photographed near the Tuttle Creek Reservoir outflow tubes in Kansas. [I will identify this bird for you tomorrow].
Image: Dave Rintoul, 14 January 2009 [larger view].
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
In alternate plumage, the pinkish cast to the plumage and black ring around the head are diagnostic. In basic plumage, the evenly gray wings on both the upper and under surfaces and the wedge-shaped tail (which isn't easily seen in…
grrlscientist | February 13, 2009tags: The Blue Planet, marine life, evolution, streaming video
Thanks to one of my readers who wishes to remain anonymous, I have the great pleasure to own this fascinating BBC documentary, The Blue Planet [Amazon: $38.99], about those amazing creatures that live thousands of feet beneath the waves. I think you would love this series as much as I do. Narrated by the amazing David Attenborough [8:21]
grrlscientist | February 12, 2009tags: NYC, New York City, Bob Levy, image of the day
Reflection On Frozen Central Park Lake: 01.17.09, 4:19 PM
This image is of the New York City skyline reflected on the ice at Central Park Lake. I was looking south from Bank Rock Bay at the northern end of the lake. The original shot was darker. I adjusted the brightness to achieve this effect.
Image: Bob Levy, author of Club George [larger view].
grrlscientist | February 12, 2009tags: blogosphere, meme, science books meme
Here is a meme that I was tagged with recently by the good peeps at Science on Tap. The author writes;
Imagine: YOU are asked to assign a half-dozen-or-so books as required reading for ALL science majors at a college as part of their 4-year degree; NOT technical or text books, but other works, old or new, touching upon the nature of science, philosophy, thought, or methodology in a way that a practicing scientist might gain from.
Post your list, and forward the meme to a half-dozen-or-so other science-oriented bloggers of your choosing.
As you…
grrlscientist | February 12, 2009tags: mystery bird, identify this bird, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Probable hybrid hummingbird, Violet-crowned x Broad-billed hummingbird, Amazilia violiceps x Cynanthus latirostris, photographed in the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Arizona. [I will identify this bird for you tomorrow]
Image: Richard Ditch, 18 December 2007 [larger view].
Date Time Original: 2004:12:23 16:04:23
Exposure Time: 1/60
F-Number: 8.00
ISO: 640
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Review all mystery birds to date.
NOTE: If you are one of those peeps who…
grrlscientist | February 12, 2009tags: The Blue Planet, marine life, evolution, streaming video
Thanks to one of my readers who wishes to remain anonymous, I have the great pleasure to own this fascinating BBC documentary, The Blue Planet [Amazon: $38.99], about those amazing creatures that live thousands of feet beneath the waves. I think you would love this series as much as I do. Narrated by the amazing David Attenborough [10:17]
grrlscientist | February 11, 2009tags: Greater Sage-Grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
Here is a feather pic from a [Mystery bird] Male Greater Sage-Grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus, for the mystery bird quiz, along with a map (below the fold) from Google Earth showing where it was collected (East Canyon Road SW of Henefer, Utah, 40.95N, 111.55W, elevation 6200 ft or 1890 meters) [I will identify this bird for you tomorrow]
Image: Dave Rintoul, feather collected on 10 April 2005 [larger view].
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
East Canyon Road SW…