grrlscientist | October 1, 2009
The Spix Macaw, Cyanopsittacus spixi, by Karl Plath and published in the April 1931 edition of Aviculture, the journal of The Avicultural Society in London, England [larger view].
A reader is wondering where this painting of a Spix's Macaw is located; does anyone know?
grrlscientist | October 1, 2009tags: food, Seurasaari, Helsinki, Finland, image of the day
Lunch in Helsinki, Finland, as I walked to Seurasaari.
Image: GrrlScientist, 4 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
As you can see from this amazing lunch, I am a piscivore, when not constrained by finances.
Dessert in Helsinki, Finland, as I walked to Seurasaari.
Image: GrrlScientist, 4 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
This picture didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped, but I am sharing it to let you know that my affections can be bought: chocolate (preferably dark chocolate) or licorice (preferably not too salty) will do…
grrlscientist | October 1, 2009tags: DonorsChoose, science education, teaching, fund-raising, poverty
I just looked at my blog and noticed that my first DonorsChoose donor has made a donation and has spoken! Who will be next? Perhaps you will be the next donor to step forward to defend the availability of science education and intellectual development for all Americans, regardless of socioeconomic class?
Remember: YOU can choose projects to fund as well. Just look through the proposals and let me know which one(s) you wish to fund, and I'll add them to the line-up.
I can also be convinced to do a weird stunt to inspire…
grrlscientist | October 1, 2009Hey everyone: here's the coolest news in the world! My colleague and friend, Chris Rowan is being interviewed streaming (and live) by BBC News radio and television on their program, World, Have Your Say [1300-1400 EDT], and the topic will investigate the (lack of) predictability of natural disasters, especially earthquakes and tsunamis. Go there now to hear him (and live blog it, too).
grrlscientist | October 1, 2009tags: White morph Reddish Egret, Egretta rufescens, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] White morph Reddish Egret, Egretta rufescens, photographed at Smith Point, Texas. [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]
Image: Joseph Kennedy, 26 September 2009 [larger view].
Nikon D200, Kowa 883 telescope with TSN-PZ camera eyepiece 1/320s f/8.0 at 1000.0mm iso400.
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Review all mystery birds to date.
grrlscientist | September 30, 2009tags: DonorsChoose, science education, teaching, fund-raising, poverty
October is my favorite month of the year because this is when we, the public, get together to support public education by donating money to the DonorsChoose.org's Blogger Challenge 2009! DonorsChoose.org is a charity that uses your donations to purchase specific items and materials for classroom projects that the teacher has requested, and they send these materials directly to the classroom. Basically, this is a "fraud free" way to support public education and to help needy kids have the same educational experiences…
grrlscientist | September 30, 2009
Emperor penguin pair in courtship ritual with chick, Aptenodytes forsteri.
Dawson-Lambton glacier, Weddell Sea, Antarctica (November)
Image: BBC [larger view]
Unless you've been living under a rock for awhile, you are well aware that the Official Antarctica Blogger contest ended nearly 12 hours ago today. What is more, you probably know that I ended up in third place with 2218 votes. I am quite disappointed with how I did and feel that I've let you all down. But regardless of how I feel about myself, there is one thing I don't doubt for one minute: you all were magnificent. Many many…
grrlscientist | September 30, 2009tags: house, Seurasaari, Helsinki, Finland, image of the day
A road through the woods in Helsinki, Finland.
Image: GrrlScientist, 4 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
grrlscientist | September 30, 2009
Image: wemidji (Jacques Marcoux).
Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est (And thus knowledge itself is power)
-- Sir Francis Bacon.
Scientia Pro Publica (Science for the People) was just published recently at Lab Rat. This edition is entitled Scientia Pro Publica -- 12th edition.
Scientia Pro Publica (Science for the People) is a traveling blog carnival that celebrates the best science, nature and medical writing targeted specifically to the public that has been published in the blogosphere within the past 60 days.
The host for the upcoming 5 October edition will be me. To send your…
grrlscientist | September 30, 2009tags: Seaside Sparrow, Ammodramus maritimus, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Seaside Sparrow, Ammodramus maritimus, photographed at Anahuac Wildlife Refuge, Texas. [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]
Image: Joseph Kennedy, 19 May 2009 [larger view].
Nikon D200, Kowa 883 telescope with TSN-PZ camera eyepiece 1/640s f/8.0 at 1000.0mm iso400.
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Review all mystery birds to date.
grrlscientist | September 30, 2009tags: nature, birds, Antarctica, emperor penguins, Aptenodytes forsteri, David Attenborough, streaming video
This is a chance to see amazing images from deep inside the frozen inland areas of Antarctica. The BBC natural history masterpiece, Planet Earth, documents the gruelling and heroic winter life of male Emperor Penguins, Aptenodytes forsteri, that breed in almost impossibly cold temperatures. Narrated by the incomparable David Attenborough.
grrlscientist | September 29, 2009tags: Blasphemy Day International, religion, politics, free speech, human rights, streaming video
Blasphemy Day International is a campaign seeking to establish September 30th as a day to promote free speech and stand up in a show of solidarity for the freedom to challenge, criticize, and satirize religion without fear of violence or reprisal: murder, litigation and other forms of intimidation. It is the obligation of the world's nations to safeguard dissent and the dissenters, not to side with the brutal interests of those who demand "respect" for their beliefs (i.e., immunity to being…
grrlscientist | September 29, 2009tags: house, Seurasaari, Helsinki, Finland, image of the day
Bench in front of house on the way to Seurasaari (Helsinki, Finland).
Image: GrrlScientist, 4 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
This house is located on the Helsinki side on the way to Seurasaari.
grrlscientist | September 29, 2009
Video created by The Sneer Review.
Since I have recently developed quite a history of visiting cold and snowy places, often during the winter (remember Morris, Minnesota in January? Or how about Helsinki, Finland in November, then again in February?), I wish to preserve that tradition. I am competing for the opportunity to go to Antarctica in February 2010 -- a dream adventure that I've always wanted to pursue (and almost did pursue when I was an undergraduate researching Fin Whales and Crabeater Seals at the University of Washington). To enter, all candidates must publish a picture of…
grrlscientist | September 29, 2009tags: Hooded Crow, Corvus cornix, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Hooded Crow, Corvus cornix, photographed on Seurasaari, Helsinki, Finland. [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]
Image: GrrlScientist, 4 July 2009 [larger view]
Photographed with Canon SX100 IS.
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Review all mystery birds to date.
grrlscientist | September 29, 2009tags: light spectrum, ROY G BIV, music video, entertainment, Here Comes Science, They Might be Giants, streaming video
Here is another song from They Might be Giants' new album, Here Comes Science!
grrlscientist | September 28, 2009tags: sun, music video, entertainment, Here Comes Science, They Might be Giants, streaming video
Here is another song from They Might be Giants' new album, Here Comes Science!
grrlscientist | September 28, 2009
Image: wemidji (Jacques Marcoux).
Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est (And thus knowledge itself is power)
-- Sir Francis Bacon.
Scientia Pro Publica (Science for the People) was just published recently at Lab Rat. This edition is entitled Scientia Pro Publica -- 12th edition.
Scientia Pro Publica (Science for the People) is a traveling blog carnival that celebrates the best science, nature and medical writing targeted specifically to the public that has been published in the blogosphere within the past 60 days.
The host for the upcoming 5 October edition will be me. To send your…
grrlscientist | September 28, 2009tags: house, Seurasaari, Helsinki, Finland, image of the day
Oddly-shaped house on Seurasaari (Helsinki, Finland).
Image: GrrlScientist, 4 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
Can anyone tell me why this house is shaped the way it is? Does it have something to do with heavy snowfall or with how warm air moves inside a house?
grrlscientist | September 28, 2009tags: Willow Flycatcher, Empidonax traillii, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Willow Flycatcher, Empidonax traillii, photographed near Park City, Utah. [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]
Image: Terry Sohl, 29 July 2009 [larger view]
Canon 50D, 400 5.6L lens.
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Review all mystery birds to date.