grrlscientist | May 23, 2008tags: blog writing, navel gazing
Why do people write blogs? I suppose the reasons underlying this activity are as varied as the writers themselves, but according to an article that was published yesterday, writing a blog might actually be good for your health. As a lifelong compulsive writer, it's unexpected good news to me to learn that something I do naturally and derive a tremendous amount of pleasure from is actually good for my health.
Several scientists are studying blog writing using several different techniques to uncover the beneficial aspects of this activity. But in this article,…
grrlscientist | May 23, 2008tags: osprey, fish eagle, Pandion haliaetus, raptors, streaming video
This streaming video, courtesy of National Geographic, shows a brief glimpse into the life of the osprey, or fish eagle, Pandion haliaetus. It's amazing to see the size of the trout that these birds catch and carry to their nests. This video features some really interesting visual angles, too [2:34].
grrlscientist | May 22, 2008tags: West 86th street subway art, subway art, NYC through my eye, photography, NYC
West 86th Street Subway tile mosaic art #11
as seen at NYC's West 86th Street stop at Broadway for the uptown 1 train.
(This piece was completed in 1989 and was mounted on 2 July 2006).
Artist: Nitza Tufino.
Image: GrrlScientist 2008 [larger view].
I have photographed tile artworks from several NYC subway stations now, so far, all are westside Manhattan subway lines, including Chambers Street (A & C trains), Houston Street (1 train), Pennsylvania "Penn" station (1, 2 & 3 trains) [subway art…
grrlscientist | May 22, 2008tags: Oology And Ralph's Talking Eggs, conservation, ornithology, oology, Carrol L. Henderson, book review
People's methods for learning about the lives of birds have varied throughout the decades. Today, birders learn about their feathery subjects by using binoculars, telescopes, sound recording devices and cameras, while ornithologists and molecular biologists add further insight by analyzing avian DNA, transponder data and satellite information. But such powerful technologies have not always been available, so people have relied on other methods to learn about birds. For example, between…
grrlscientist | May 22, 2008tags: Red-Vented Cockatoo, Cacatua haematuropygia, birds, Image of the Day
Second in a series of psittacine images by this photographer.
The Critically Endangered Red-Vented Cockatoo, Cacatua haematuropygia.
Image: John Del Rio. [larger view].
grrlscientist | May 22, 2008tags: osprey, fish eagle, Pandion haliaetus, raptors, streaming video
This viral streaming video depicts 10 optical illusions in two minutes, and reveals how they are done. Despite the fact this is made by a company as a form of advertizing, I still think it is interesting to watch [2:16].
grrlscientist | May 21, 2008tags: West 86th street subway art, subway art, NYC through my eye, photography, NYC
West 86th Street Subway Art #10
as seen at NYC's West 86th Street stop at Broadway for the uptown 1 train.
(This piece was completed in 1989).
Artist: Nitza Tufino.
Image: GrrlScientist 2008 [larger view].
I have photographed tile artworks from several NYC subway stations now, so far, all are westside Manhattan subway lines, including Chambers Street (A & C trains), Houston Street (1 train), Pennsylvania "Penn" station (1, 2 & 3 trains) [subway art archives] and, my favorite subway station of all…
grrlscientist | May 21, 2008tags: online books, ornithology, birds, anatomyAvian Anatomy books
I have been informed that the previous link for one of the avian anatomy books has been deactivated. I am not surprised by this since my source warned me that this would likely happen. But there is still demand for this book, so I have downloaded it, along with the other one, to RapidShare, where you can get your free copies. I have updated the link on the previous blog entry, too.
The first book, The Anatomical Atlas of Gallus by Mikio Yasuda is the English edition of the Japanese book published by the University of Tokyo in…
grrlscientist | May 21, 2008tags: pets, insects, beetles, coleoptera, hercules beetle, neptune beetle
Male Hercules beetle, Dynastes hercules hercules,
from South America. This is a popular pet throughout Asia, especially in Japan.
Orphaned image.
What constitutes a pet? Different people keep pets for different reasons, although I'll guess that companionship is likely the top reason for keeping pets. While I do enjoy the companionship of my pets, I enjoy keeping interesting animals as pets, and that means that, in addition to the large variety of mammals, birds, fishes and the few reptiles, amphibians and…
grrlscientist | May 21, 2008tags: White-bellied Caique, Pionites leucogaster, birds, Image of the Day
First in a series of psittacine images by this photographer.
White-bellied parrot (caique), Pionites leucogaster.
Image: John Del Rio. [larger view].
grrlscientist | May 21, 2008tags: Snow, Aldo, Kate DiCamillo, poetry
"A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful implanted in the human soul."
-- Johann Wolfgang Goethe.
I received so many poetry suggestions from you that I decided to continue to publish poetry on my site once per week for you to enjoy. One of my SB colleagues, John Lynch, posts a poem every Friday (here's his poetry archives), so -- because I don't want to conflict with John's poem of the week -- I will post a poem…
grrlscientist | May 21, 2008tags: GOP, republicans, politics, antidepressants, humor, Comedy Central, streaming video
This streaming video by Comedy Central shows you the real reason there are so many antidepressants advertized on TV these days: Republicans: Doughy. White. Happy. [2:38].
grrlscientist | May 20, 2008tags: West 86th street subway art, subway art, NYC through my eye, photography, NYC
West 86th Street Subway tile mosaic art #9
as seen at NYC's West 86th Street stop at Broadway for the uptown 1 train.
(This piece was completed in 1989).
Artist: Nitza Tufino.
Image: GrrlScientist 2008 [larger view].
I have photographed tile artworks from several NYC subway stations now, so far, all are westside Manhattan subway lines, including Chambers Street (A & C trains), Houston Street (1 train), Pennsylvania "Penn" station (1, 2 & 3 trains) [subway art archives] and, my favorite subway…
grrlscientist | May 20, 2008tags: online books, ornithology, birds, anatomyAvian Anatomy books
A reader of mine sent me the links to two more avian anatomy books that are available for download from FlipDrive. How long these two downloads will last is anyone's guess, though. But I know that my overseas readers, particularly those two of you who are working on your dissertations, will be interested in these. Both books are important additions to your bookshelf, for different reasons. One book is in full color and both books are more up-to-date than the Baumel book I made available to you for download earlier (However,…
grrlscientist | May 20, 2008tags: peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus, birds, urban birds, image of the day
Male peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus, named Eric
who lives and breeds in a city in North America.
who replaced "Erik", the former resident on his current territory in a
city in North America.
Image: John P. Baumlin [larger view].
This image is being shared with you by bird artist, John P. Baumlin, who writes;
I've been following your blog for some time and have been enjoying the bird images you posted along the way and thought you might like to see this one.
It is a male Peregrine, one of a pair that are…
grrlscientist | May 20, 2008tags: Rube Goldberg machine, Cadbury creme egg, Unleash The Goo, Wow, streaming video
This streaming video shows a Rube Goldberg machine that is used to squish a Cadbury Creme Egg. It is an entry in Cadbury's "Unleash The Goo" competition, in which entrants must find the most creative way to break a creme egg. By the way, a keen eye will notice that the egg unravels out of its foil wrapping before it is smashed. The music is by the Jews Brothers Band. [2:35].
grrlscientist | May 19, 2008tags: West 86th street subway art, subway art, NYC through my eye, photography, NYC
West 86th Street Subway tile mosaic art #8
as seen at NYC's West 86th Street stop at Broadway for the uptown 1 train.
(This piece was completed in 1989).
Artist: Nitza Tufino.
Image: GrrlScientist 2008 [larger view].
I have photographed tile artworks from several NYC subway stations now, so far, all are westside Manhattan subway lines, including Chambers Street (A & C trains), Houston Street (1 train), Pennsylvania "Penn" station (1, 2 & 3 trains) [subway art archives] and, my favorite subway…
grrlscientist | May 19, 2008tags: raccoon, Procyon lotor, mammals, Central Park, Image of the Day
Raccoon, Procyon lotor kit (with mother)
in Central Park, NYC.
Image: Bob Levy, author of Club George [larger].
This image appears here, courtesy of Bob Levy, who writes;
A Central Park Raccoon known to her admirers as Raquel has been thought to have recently given birth to cubs in her Locust Grove den. At least that is what the scant observable evidence suggested to this reporter. My conclusion turned out to be 100% accurate. Or should I say 200% accurate since I saw two cubs inside the den. Her lair may have a posh…
grrlscientist | May 19, 2008tags: Birds in the News, BirdNews, ornithology, birds, avian, newsletter
Yellow-Throated Laughing Thrush, Garrulax galbanus.
Image: John Del Rio. [larger view].
Birds in Science News
A team of researchers recently described fossils from two Lower Eocene parrots that were discovered in Denmark. Analysis of the fossils reveals that one of the ancient parrots, named Mopsitta tanta, is the largest fossil parrot found so far and it has the most northerly distribution yet known. Further, it resembles modern parrots almost as closely as younger fossils found from the Miocene, making it the…
grrlscientist | May 19, 2008tags: mystery insect, name that bug, insects
Mystery Bug, as seen in Houston, Texas.
Anisomorpha buprestoides, a stick insect that sprays acid from its back, temporarily blinding its assailants. So don't mess with this bug if you value your eyesight!
Image Biosparite [larger].
The only identification I can think of is a stick insect, but I don't know if that is correct, nor do I have any idea what species it might be (if it is a stick insect).