Earlier I sent around this pic of a fat rattler encountered by one of my field survey crews near Rawlins, Wyoming last week. It came just at the time that Chas was reviewing a book written by a rattlesnake bite survivor and reflecting on his own close encounter with one a couple of years ago. …
Author: Reid Farmer
Another Antikythera Mechanism Study
Not quite two years ago, I posted on the Antikythera Mechanism, a Hellenistic Greek “celestial computer” dating to 100 BC, recovered from a Mediterranean shipwreck. It appears to be a metal gear-driven device that allowed the ancient people to track and predict astronomical phenomena. It was recovered from the wreck almost 100 years ago, but …
Friday Feeder Friend
Scrub jay.
You Can’t See Me
I’ve been meaning to post this picture of a masterful camouflage job for all you reptile lovers out there. One of my crew members took this shot of a flat-tail horned lizard while we were in the field in the Yuha Desert in Imperial County. The state of California lists these guys as a “Species …
C.U.D.
I found this NYT essay on narcissistic personalities in the news somewhat interesting, but absolutely loved the acompanying graphic. Following my sister’s usage, lately I’ve been referring to such self-important people as suffering from C.U.D. (Center of the Universe Disorder).
Problems in Pompeii
The Italian government is taking measures to save the ruins at Pompeii from deterioration, and has declared a year-long state of emergency for the ancient Roman city. Approximately 2.6 million tourists visit Pompeii annually, and the pressure of all those feet pounding through the place, vandalism and exposure to the elements has the ruins falling …
Why I Haven’t Been Posting Much Lately
My apologies, but getting this draft report prepared on our fieldwork in the Imperial Valley has taken most of my attention. I’ll be picking up the pace soon.
Friday Feeder Friend
Squirrelus americanus. This poor fellow was quite frustrated trying to get into the squirrel-proof feeder. But judging from the chewed up cones under our pine trees, he’s doing okay in the pine nut line.
Woodland Park
I kept forgetting to post this picture of a great antler arch we saw in the town of Woodland Park while on our way to the Florissant Fossil Beds some days back. Also, great views of Pike’s Peak from Woodland Park.
Caffeine Addicts Rule
Wonderful news for us coffee junkies that long-term coffee drinking does not appear to increase a person’s risk of early death and may cut a person’s chances of dying from heart disease. Between the recently documented benefits of drinking coffee and red wine some of us have a good chance of living to 150 or …