Swimming through air

On October 31, 2019October 31, 2019 By Mike and Christy4 Comments

An interesting new study by V. B. Baliga, I. Szabo, D. L. Altshuler entitled Range of motion in the avian wing is strongly associated with flight behavior and body mass suggests that rather than the shape of a birds wing per se it is the range of motion in the elbow and wrist joints that determine how a bird swims though the air. Some birds glide smoothly like a bald eagle while other can hover like a hummingbird and this paper suggest range of motion in the joint is the key. A interesting read for those who are interested both in biomechanics and evolutionary biology.

You can find a short summary in Science Daily here.

Artists Paintpots

On October 31, 2019October 30, 2019 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

Artists_paintpots_3

In a place with unlimited color, texture and forms it’s hard to know what to focus the camera on.

Artists_paintpots_4

One moment it’s concrete then the next it’s abstract.

Artists_paintpots_1

Dipping the lens into an area called Artists paintpots and observing in wonder at the beauty of our natural world.

Artists_paintopts_2

Little Bear

On October 30, 2019October 30, 2019 By Mike and Christy6 Comments

Little_bear_1

We watched as this little Black bear foraged through the forest nimbley picking Oregon Grape Berries. We did not know Bears ate these little berries but given most of the Choke Cheery bushes had been picked clean this little bear needed to find a few last meals before they retired for the winter and Oregon grape was on the menu that evening.

Will Most Birds Go Extinct?

On October 29, 2019October 29, 2019 By Mike and Christy41 Comments

Earlier this fall it was reported that over 3 billion birds or almost 1/3 the bird population has been lost in North America due to human enterprises. A new report from the Audubon Society demonstrates that about 66% of bird species in North America may be threatened with extinction resulting from anthropogenic climate change. The full report can be found here. The findings of this study are bleak to say the least. When you consider the fact that this report only focuses on climate change and does not consider other anthropogenic factors such as habitat destruction, pollution etc. a dark picture of a world with no birds could certainly be painted. Mass extinction events like the one we are in typically don’t end well for most species humans included. The report indicates that if we take action ASAP to reduce the rate and extent of warming there may be a ray of hope. How do you feel about living in a world without birds?

Click photo for slide show.

Monochromes From The Park

On October 29, 2019October 25, 2019 By Mike and Christy4 Comments

The long view from the Norris Hot Springs area looking out towards the Gallatin Mountain range.

Facing into the ever changing wind as steam heads our way at Biscuit Basin.

A Bison enjoying some open space around Black Sand basin.

Hot water pouring into the Firehole rive as steam clouds the lodgepole forest behind at Midway Geyser Basin.

Along the Yellowstone

On October 28, 2019October 23, 2019 By Mike and Christy8 Comments

Yellowstones_2345

Yellow cliffs, blue waters and an ominous sky filled the landscape this day as we looked down the Yellowstone river. Each time we look from this spot our focus might shift from river to rock to all of the above. A place with a story to tell.

In a Cottonwood Tree

On October 27, 2019September 11, 2019 By Mike and Christy10 Comments

A juvenille Black Crowned Night Heron is taking a break from his fishing but still keeping an eye on the water below while perched in an old cottonwood tree along clear creek in Denver, CO. He sure looks good wrapped in those fall colors.

Green Tailed Towhee

On October 26, 2019 By Mike and Christy8 Comments

The Green Tailed Towhee spends most of its time in dense low thickets, where it forages on the ground. Like other towhees, it scratches in the leaf-litter with both feet as it searches for food. It is somewhat secretive and difficult to see so we were thrilled to get a quick glimpse at this bird when it quickly flew from a berry thicket and landed on this tree for a few seconds.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Green-tailed_Towhee/id
http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/green-tailed-towhee

The first graders

On October 25, 2019October 23, 2019 By Mike and Christy6 Comments

Youth_1

These kids made it through kindergarten and are now on to first grade. Elk and mule deer that were only Fawns and calves just a short time ago are heading into winter as the first snows have hit the ground.

Youth_2

A young mule deer wondering what this white stuff is all about.

Youth_3

An elk calf ponders their next move just a short time ago when the plants still were rich with green.

Youth_4

Perhaps a few leaves from this wild rose will do.

Youth_5

Good luck kids and we hope you make it to second grade next spring.

Happy weekend to all.

Living Color

On October 24, 2019October 21, 2019 By Mike and Christy10 Comments

Living_color_1

Hot pools sparkle with color on a mostly cloudless autumn day. Blue pools ringed with living color in the form of thermophilic bacteria mix with a bluebird sky at Biscuit Basin.

Living_color_2

At Norris the color palette is extensive and the views expansive.

Living_color_3

Many species of Bacteria form the colorful mats found in many geyser basins. Thriving in temperatures that range from a comfortable 30C all the way up to 80C and providing a visual confirmation that life is indeed varied and diverse.

Living_color_4

Afternoon clouds rolled though and dotted the sky adding another layer of color to the wonderful landscape below.

nature has no boss

Month: October 2019