travel
grrlscientist | July 22, 2009tags: Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland, nature, image of the day
I expected to see hobbits running around this part of Suomenlinna,
but alas ..
Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland.
Image: GrrlScientist, 19 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
I have returned to one of my two favorite haunts in Helsinki; Suomenlinna. This island fortress was built from stone by the Swedes to protect Finland (a part of Sweden in the 1700s) from invasion by sea.
grrlscientist | July 22, 2009tags: Ruff, Philomachus pugnax, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Ruff, Philomachus pugnax photographed in Swakopmund, Namibia, Africa [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]
Image: Dennis Paulson, April 2007 [larger view].
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Review all mystery birds as of this date.
grrlscientist | July 21, 2009tags: Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland, nature, image of the day
Suomenlinna in summer, 3 [the same place in the winter]
Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland.
Image: GrrlScientist, 19 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
I have returned to one of my two favorite haunts in Helsinki; Suomenlinna. This island fortress was built from stone by the Swedes to protect Finland (a part of Sweden in the 1700s) from invasion by sea.
grrlscientist | July 21, 2009tags: Tallinn Estonia, travel, photography, Europe
Tallinna sadam, Eesti Vabariik (The Port of Tallinn, Estonia).
Image: Ralf Roletschek (Wikipedia) [larger view].
[NOTE: Does this announcement sound familiar? Hopefully, I will not have this trip ruined by undergoing surgery to have a piece of titanium screwed into the bone of my wrist this time, which cost the travel insurance company more than $10,000 -- and still counting. Ahem.]
I am SO EXCITED! As if spending three glorious weeks in Helsinki, Finland isn't enough, I will be visiting Eesti Vabariik, or Estonia, tomorrow. I will arise…
grrlscientist | July 20, 2009tags: Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland, nature, image of the day
Suomenlinna in summer, 2.
Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland.
Image: GrrlScientist, 19 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
I have returned to one of my two favorite haunts in Helsinki; Suomenlinna. This island fortress was built from stone by the Swedes to protect Finland (a part of Sweden in the 1700s) from invasion by sea.
grrlscientist | July 20, 2009tags: Spot-Bellied Eagle-Owl, Forest Eagle-Owl, Malay Eagle-Owl, Bubo nipalensis, identify this bird, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Spot-Bellied Eagle-Owl, also known as the Forest Eagle-Owl or the Malay Eagle-Owl, Bubo nipalensis. This interesting bird, which is a pet, is endemic to Southeast Asia. [I will identify these birds for you in 48 hours]
Image: "juannasue."
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Review all mystery birds to date.
grrlscientist | July 19, 2009tags: Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland, nature, image of the day
Suomenlinna in summer.
Image: GrrlScientist, 18 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
I have returned to one of my two favorite haunts in Helsinki; Suomenlinna. This island fortress was built from stone by the Swedes to protect Finland (a part of Sweden in the 1700s) from invasion by sea.
grrlscientist | July 18, 2009tags: Tvärminne, zoological field research station, Finland, nature, image of the day
Wildflowers photographed at Tvärminnen eläintieteellinen asema
(Tvärminne Zoological field research station) in southwestern Finland.
[read more about it: English Suomeksi PÃ¥ Svenska]
Image: GrrlScientist, 16 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
Can you name the species?
grrlscientist | July 18, 2009tags: Swee Waxbill, Yellow-bellied Waxbill, Estrilda melanotis, identify this bird, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Yellow-bellied Waxbill, also known as the Swee Waxbill, Estrilda melanotis, photographed on Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa. [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]
Image: Dan Logen, 2007 [larger view].
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Review all mystery birds to date.
grrlscientist | July 17, 2009tags: Tvärminne, zoological field research station, Finland, nature, image of the day
Wildflowers with beetle photographed at Tvärminnen eläintieteellinen asema
(Tvärminne Zoological field research station) in southwestern Finland.
[read more about it: English Suomeksi PÃ¥ Svenska]
Image: GrrlScientist, 16 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
Can you name the species?
grrlscientist | July 16, 2009tags: Tvärminne, zoological field research station, Finland, nature, image of the day
Wildflowers photographed at Tvärminnen eläintieteellinen asema
(Tvärminne Zoological field research station) in southwestern Finland.
[read more about it: English Suomeksi PÃ¥ Svenska]
Image: GrrlScientist, 16 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
Can you name the species?
grrlscientist | July 15, 2009tags: Tvärminne, zoological field research station, Finland, nature, image of the day
Succulents photographed a few meters outside the doorway
to the apartment that I am staying in at Tvärminnen eläintieteellinen asema
(Tvärminne Zoological field research station) in southwestern Finland.
[read more about it: English Suomeksi PÃ¥ Svenska]
Image: GrrlScientist, 15 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
Can you name the species?
grrlscientist | July 14, 2009tags: Tvärminne, zoological field research station, Finland, nature
Hornet Moth, Sesia apiformis: Hymenopteran biomimic.
Tvärminnen eläintieteellinen asema
(Tvärminne Zoological field research station) in southwestern Finland.
[read more about it: English :: Suomeksi :: PÃ¥ Svenska]
Image: Bob O'Hara, 15 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
This insect is sitting on my camera (to give you a sense of size). I would happily share all my gorgeous photographs with you (several of which were stunning), but my camera batteries died while I was photographing and didn't save roughly 100…
grrlscientist | July 14, 2009tags: Munkkivori, Helsinki, Finland, nature, image of the day
Another view of the woods right outside the door of the apartment building
where I am staying in Helsinki, Finland.
Image: GrrlScientist, 12 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
grrlscientist | July 14, 2009tags: lunch, Helsinki, Finland, nature, image of the day
Lakritsi Iscream, complete with a picture of ME, your penguin whisperer!
Image: GrrlScientist, 12 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
grrlscientist | July 14, 2009tags: Tvärminne, zoological field research station, Finland, nature
Tvärminnen eläintieteellinen asema
(Tvärminne Zoological field research station) in southwestern Finland.
[read more about it: English Suomeksi PÃ¥ Svenska]
Image: GrrlScientist, 14 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
The view from the dock (looking east?), just outside the cafeteria windows. It brings tears to my eyes, this place reminds me of my many happy times spent at the University of Washington's field research station in Friday Harbor, Washington state.
Tvärminnen eläintieteellinen asema
(Tvärminne…
grrlscientist | July 13, 2009tags: Munkkivori, Helsinki, Finland, nature, image of the day
A view of the woods right outside the door of the apartment building
where I am staying in Helsinki, Finland.
Image: GrrlScientist, 12 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
grrlscientist | July 13, 2009tags: Antarctica, Orcas, Killer Whales, Orcinus orca, wildlife, streaming video
In this video, we are given a look at a pod of Orcas -- "killer whales" -- Orcinus orca, that live in the Antarctic. I have spent many happy hours in Friday Harbor at the University of Washington's research station, watching Orcas and talking to the biologists who study them. These biologists were fairly certain that the Friday harbor Orcas are a different subspecies or species from those orcas that live in more open waters, such as the ones you see in this video. The reasons? At the time, they didn't have DNA…
grrlscientist | July 12, 2009tags: Matajoki River, Helsinki, Finland, nature, image of the day
A view of an abandoned boat in the Matajoki river (in northern Helsinki, Finland).
Image: GrrlScientist, 6 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)
grrlscientist | July 11, 2009tags: River Vantaa, Helsinki, Finland, nature, image of the day
A view of a natural waterfall in a park near the River Vantaa.
This waterfall is in the same park that I showed you yesterday.
I believe I was in Vantaa (will check after my host returns),
in northern Helsinki, Finland, when I photographed this.
Image: GrrlScientist, 6 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)