grrlscientist | October 9, 2007tags: researchblogging.org, conservation, birds, ornithology, ecology, environment, endangered species
Image: Robert Linder.
I suppose this seems obvious to you city dwellers, but recently published research demonstrates that urban birds are better overall survivors than their country-dwelling cousins. Apparently, this is because city-dwelling birds are less specialized in their requirements, and thus, are more broadly adaptable to a variety of microenvironments, such as those found in large cities. While this might seem to be a mere conversational topic to many of you, this observation…
grrlscientist | October 8, 2007tags: books, blog carnival
The 7 October 2007 Books Carnival is now available. I am pleased to say that they included two submissions from me, so be sure to go there and let them know how much you appreciate their hard work of putting this together for all of us to enjoy by reading the links they've collected!
grrlscientist | October 8, 2007tags: mystery insects, bugs, Image of the Day
The photographer writes: I was wondering if you might wish to post an unknown bug that showed here in Charlottesville.
Context: My Mom's also down here in C-ville. Outside her house, she has a hydrangea (sp?) bush. This bush was invaded by shoots of some unknown weed. The shoots were in turn mobbed by the yellow critters in the picture. Besides hardly looking bilateral, these things were also twitching alarmingly. Perhaps a reader can identify them?
Image: David Harmon. [bigger size]
My guess: Aphids.
grrlscientist | October 8, 2007tags: Birds in the News, BirdNews, ornithology, birds, avian, newsletter
Can anyone out there identify these mysterious birds? I have no information about the birds, such as location, but several experts are already proposing their guesses (one thinks it's a Chough, another one disagrees). Several ornithologists think these birds are captives rather than wild birds. [larger view].
Birds in Science
Urban birds are regular tough guys compared to their country cousins. The avian urbanites adapt to changing environments and noisy, crowded habitats, a new study shows. Birds that hang out on…
grrlscientist | October 8, 2007tags: A Computer Love Story, streaming video
Here's a silly video about electronic love that you will probably enjoy. Includes some cute music by Burt Bacharach and Randy Newman. [4:12]
grrlscientist | October 7, 2007tags: mystery insects, bugs, Image of the Day
Leafcutter Bee on Helianthus annuus, White Oak Bayou along E. T.C. Jester Blvd., Houston.
The photographer writes: Here is a picture of what I believe is a leafcutter bee, and a hirsute one at that, gathering pollen on the flower of a wild sunflower.
Image: Biosparite. [bigger size]
grrlscientist | October 7, 2007tags: reading quiz, online quiz
What Kind of Reader Are You?
Your Result: Dedicated Reader
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You are always trying to find the time to get back to your book. You are convinced that the world would be a much better place if only everyone read more.
Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm
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Literate Good Citizen
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Book Snob
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Fad Reader
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Non-Reader
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What Kind of Reader Are You?
grrlscientist | October 6, 20071842 THE BIRTHDAY OF BEER! Lager Beer is perfected in the city of Pilsen, you know, as in Pilsner Beer. Beer was made by the Egyptians and Sumerians and traced back to the Ice Age, but our concept of beer requiring an advancement in refrigeration is Pilsner or Lager.
1905 The initial description of Tyrannosaurus rex, its junior synonym Dynamosaurus imperiosus, and Albertosaurus sarcophagus was published. Albertosaurus remains a valid genus name of a related but smaller tyrannosaurid.
grrlscientist | October 5, 2007tags: butterflies, pupa, insects, Central Park, Image of the Day
Can you identify the species?
Image: Bob Levy, author of Club George. [Wallpaper size]
The photographer writes; I found this Pupa practitioner of the Yoga arts working out at Turtle Pond in Central Park. Definitely do not try this pose yourself. I suppose the acrobats among you -- especially among those more athletically inclined and adventurous Parrot Pals -- might try for the same result with his or her teeth provided, of course they are not dentures or implants, but for all others I strongly recommend you give it a pass.
grrlscientist | October 5, 2007The pathology tests are finally back regarding the sudden death of Alex the Congo African Grey parrot.
Alex died quickly. He had a sudden, unexpected catastrophic event associated with arterosclerosis ("hardening of the arteries"). It was either a fatal arrhythmia, heart attack or stroke, which caused him to die suddenly with appparently no suffering. There was no way to predict his demise. All of his tests, including his cholesterol level and aspergillosis levels, came back normal earlier that week. His death could not be connected to his current diet or his age; the veterinarian said that…
grrlscientist | October 5, 2007tags: birds, birding, blog carnival
The 59th edition of I and the Bird blog carnival is now available for your reading pleasure. Be sure to go there and give them some support by reading the stories they have linked!
grrlscientist | October 5, 2007tags: worry, online quiz
Your Worry Factor is 67%
The amount you worry is definitely borderline unhealthy.
Even when things are going well, you find yourself fixating on the negatives.
Try to remember the times you've been able to let your worries go.
If you can do that again, you'll be much happier!
Do You Worry Too Much?
Have you ever been able to "let your worries go"? I haven't, but then again, I have very good reasons to worry all the time!
grrlscientist | October 5, 2007tags: fighting giraffes, streaming video
Below the fold is some astonishing footage of wild giraffes fighting. It gets quite vicious at times. Filmed on safari in Tanzania.
grrlscientist | October 4, 2007tags: finances, blog carnival
The 4 October 2007 edition of the Carnival of Financial Planning has just been published. This carnival takes a long-term view of personal financial planning for individuals and families. They focus on efficient and sustainable personal financial planning practices that can lead to lifetime financial security. Unless, of course, you can't afford health insurance and find yourself dreadfully sick! But ohwell, that's just a minor detail, insn't it?
Anyway, be sure to go there and take a peek around at the links they've collected.
grrlscientist | October 4, 2007Does anyone out there have access to the PDF version of Scientific American's "The Mind"?
If so, I'd like the most recent issue .. not sure of it's the September or October issue, so maybe you can just send both to me and I'll figure it out?
grrlscientist | October 4, 2007tags: researchblogging.org, Brown paper wasp, Polistes fuscatus, hymenoptera, evolution, eusociality, social behavior
Brown paper wasp , Polistes fuscatus.
Fairport, New York, USA. 2003.
Many thanks to Alex Wild for sharing his amazing images here.
Thanks to Elizabeth Tibbetts for the species identification.
[larger view]
Eusociality, or "true social behavior", is the most extreme form of cooperative sociality known. Due to its seemingly altruistic nature, eusociality has provided many interesting challenges for evolutionary theory. Eusociality, as exemplified by ants, bees and wasps, is…
grrlscientist | October 4, 2007tags: Red-breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis, birds, Image of the Day
Yesterday's mystery bird is revealed: Red-breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis.
Image: David Lee. [Wallpaper size]
grrlscientist | October 4, 2007tags: economics, social policy, blog carnival
The XXXV edition of the Economics and Social Policy blog carnival is now available. This is a new blog carnival for me to contribute to, so be sure to go there for a look around at what they have to offer.
grrlscientist | October 4, 2007tags: birds, birding, word play, humor
When I was working on my dissertation, my colleagues and I referred to any large or mixed flock of birds as "a shitload of birds" for obvious reasons. I hadn't thought about this for awhile until recently, when I noticed that one of the email lists I am on is discussing the made-up nouns that we use to describe flocks of particular bird species .. you know, like "a murder of crows" and that sort of thing. Below the fold are some of these names for you to enjoy and of course, feel free to add your own inventions to the list!
A coronation of Emperor Geese…
grrlscientist | October 4, 2007tags: blog carnivals, Carnival of the Spineless, invertebrates
It has come to my attention that the latest edition of the Carnival of the Spineless is now available for you to enjoy. Remember that the majority of life on earth consists of living creatures that lack a spine, so there is a great deal of information out there for you to read and learn from.