image of the day
grrlscientist | December 25, 2008tags: Small World Photography Competition, Convallaria majalis, micrography, image of the day
Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) 1300X
Albert Tousson, Burmingham, Alabama, USA [larger view].
This is a cross-section of a Lily of the Valley. The cell walls are shown in red, while the starch granules, which the plant uses to store energy, are shown in yellow and green. The three-dimensional structure contains information from 120 optical sections that have been combined.
Nikon International Small World Competition is held annually to recognize excellent photography through a…
grrlscientist | December 24, 2008tags: Small World Photography Competition, Pleurosigma, micrography, image of the day
Pleurosigma (Marine Diatoms) 200X
Image: Michael Stringer, Westcliff-on-Sea, England [larger view].
Michael Stringer gathers diatoms, which are a type of algae and one of the most common types of phytoplankton, from the mud collected on Two Tree Island in the River Thames. He estimates that he has discovered more than 2,000 species of diatoms so far.
Nikon International Small World Competition is held annually to recognize excellent photography through a microscope. This year, more than 2,000…
grrlscientist | December 24, 2008tags: Central Park, NYC, racoon, image of the day
Central Park Racoon.
Image: Bob Levy, author of Club George [larger view].
The photograher writes:
I am offering this image from my "Almost Too Cute For Words File." Last year my holiday offering was also of a Raccoon. That's not surprising as they are one of my favorite photographic subjects. I am not well acquainted with this particular critter though I have reason to believe that we did meet when he or she was extremely young. I had lost track of a female I knew had a newborn cub when she abandoned her den after a storm deposited broken…
grrlscientist | December 23, 2008tags: Small World Photography Competition, Three Chemicals, micrography, image of the day
A crystallized mixture of three chemicals: Resorcinol, Methylene Blue and Sulfur (13X).
John Hart, Boulder Colorado, USA. [larger view].
Nikon International Small World Competition is held annually to recognize excellent photography through a microscope. This year, more than 2,000 micrographs were entered from around the world. I am sharing some of them with you here.
grrlscientist | December 22, 2008tags: Samkos bush frog, Chiromantis samkosensis, Cambodia, image of the day
Samkos bush frog, Chiromantis samkosensis.
Image: Fauna and Flora International [larger view].
When conservation group Fauna and Flora International began its surveys in Cambodia's remote Cardamom Mountains in 2000, the national list of known amphibians stood at just nine species. Now, the list has been extended to at least 63, including the green blooded and turquoise boned Samkos bush frog, Chiromantis samkosensis (above).
The Samkos bush frog is thought to be extremely rare. Its strange colored bones and blood…
grrlscientist | December 21, 2008tags: Central Park, NYC, juvenile cardinal, image of the day
Central Park Cardinal.
Image: Bob Levy, author of Club George [larger view].
The photographer writes:
When I pointed my camera at this perky juvenile Northern Cardinal she surprised me with her savvy and sophistication. "If you want any more images", she seemed to intone politely but firmly, "Please call my agent." Well, I guess this is the kind of thing I might have expected from any young and upwardly mobile New York City songbirds even in these tumultuous times, right?
...But seriously folks this little beauty is one of the…
grrlscientist | December 20, 2008tags: Central Park, NYC, house finch, image of the day
Central Park House Finch
Image: Bob Levy, author of Club George [larger view].
The photographer writes:
I found this male House Finch and a female (maybe it was a juvenile?) gobbling up Hawthorn berries in Central Park. The fall colors of the tree compete with this bird but I think it's a draw. How about you?
grrlscientist | December 19, 2008tags: Central Park Lake, NYC, reflections, image of the day
A Drizzly Evening On Central Park Lake 5:56PM November 13, 2008
Image: Bob Levy, author of Club George [larger view].
grrlscientist | December 18, 2008tags: National Geographic, Vanuatu, Pencil Urchin, biodiversity, image of the day
Image: David Lane, University of Brunei.
My friends at National Geographic have provided permission for me to share some of the images from the recent discovery of a huge number of new species on and around the south Pacific island of Vanuatu.
Tiny Tropical Island Yields a Wealth of Species
The thick, solid spines of a pencil sea urchin jut out like the writing instruments that lend this creature its name.
These nocturnal animals hide in coral reef cavities during the day and crawl out after dark to forage…
grrlscientist | December 17, 2008tags: National Geographic, Vanuatu, cockle, biodiversity, image of the day
Image: Delphine Brabant, MNHN.
My friends at National Geographic have provided permission for me to share some of the images from the recent discovery of a huge number of new species on and around the south Pacific island of Vanuatu.
Tiny Tropical Island Yields a Wealth of Species
A cockle's large, muscular foot juts through an opening in the mantle supporting its shell.
The cockle bends and straightens the foot to jump away from predators in its shallow-water ocean habitat off the island of Espiritu Santo,…
grrlscientist | December 16, 2008tags: National Geographic, Vanuatu, sundial snail, biodiversity, image of the day
Image: Annelise Fleddum, University of Oslo.
My friends at National Geographic have provided permission for me to share some of the images from the recent discovery of a huge number of new species on and around the south Pacific island of Vanuatu.
Tiny Tropical Island Yields a Wealth of Species
Scientists sampled some 4,000 different mollusk species in Espiritu Santo. Mollusk expert Philippe Bouchet speculates that as many as 1,000 of these could be new species.
Among the finds: this sundial snail, already…
grrlscientist | December 15, 2008tags: National Geographic, Vanuatu, lobster, biodiversity, image of the day
Image: Dr Tin-Yam Chan, University of Keelung.
My friends at National Geographic have provided permission for me to share some of the images from the recent discovery of a huge number of new species on and around the south Pacific island of Vanuatu.
Tiny Tropical Island Yields a Wealth of Species
November 24, 2008--Even on tiny remote islands, scientists can find an impressive array of life.
During the Santo 2006 biodiversity survey in Vanuatu, 153 scientists from 20 countries fanned out across the remote South…
grrlscientist | December 14, 2008tags: National Geographic, 2008 International Photography Contest, Antelope Canyon, nature, image of the day
Image: Michael Tuttle, United States.
My friends at National Geographic have provided permission for me to share some of the images from their recent 2008 International Photography Contest.
Places Honorable Mention.
The photographer writes;
This is Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona, at mid-day, as a sunbeam was shining directly through the canyon entrance above. The room was filled with glowing light as the dust and sand particles illuminated the light beam.
grrlscientist | December 13, 2008tags: National Geographic, 2008 International Photography Contest, snow leopard, nature, image of the day
Snow leopard, Panthera uncia.
Image: Stephen Oachs, United States [larger view].
My friends at National Geographic have provided permission for me to share some of the images from their recent 2008 International Photography Contest.
Nature Winner.
The photographer writes;
The incredibly beautiful snow leopard, Panthera uncia, is indigenous to the mountains of Central Asia. Their dense coats and snowshoe-like paws are ideally suited for their cold, dry, rocky native environment.…
grrlscientist | December 12, 2008tags: National Geographic, 2008 International Photography Contest, lightning, nature, image of the day
Image: Mitchell Krog, South Africa [larger view].
My friends at National Geographic have provided permission for me to share some of the images from their recent 2008 International Photography Contest.
Nature Honorable Mention.
The photographer writes;
Our first electric storm of summer 2007 set alight the grasslands, causing the orange glow to the right of the photo, which is commonly mistaken as a sunset or digital manipulation. I rushed out with my camera and had a 15 to 20 minute…
grrlscientist | December 11, 2008tags: National Geographic, 2008 International Photography Contest, dolphins, nature, image of the day
Image: Andrew Wong [larger view].
Nature Honorable Mention.
The photographer writes;
Dolphins are known to jump out the back of big waves as they break against the shores. This pod of bottlenose dolphins was leisurely surfing in the waves as the offshore wind blew against the incoming waves, creating an atmosphere that was most unique and magical. At a place called Waterfall Bluff in the Transkei, South Africa.
grrlscientist | December 10, 2008tags: green sea turtles, Hawaii, landscape, nature, image of the day
Egg-laying Green Sea Turtles
Pacific green (black) sea turtle Chelonia mydas, Maui, Hawai'i.
Image: John del Rio [larger view].
grrlscientist | December 9, 2008tags: sunset, Mt Shasta, landscape, nature, image of the day
Sunset over Mt. Shasta
Image: John del Rio [larger view].
grrlscientist | December 8, 2008tags: sunset, Mexico, landscape, nature, image of the day
Sunset with Palm
Rosarito Beach, Mexico.
Image: John del Rio [larger view].
grrlscientist | December 7, 2008tags: sunset, Mexico, landscape, nature, image of the day
Sunset
Rosarito Beach, Mexico.
Image: John del Rio [larger view].