In my previous article, I discussed the sixth mass extinction (also known as the Holocene Extinction) and its major causes. The concept of a sixth mass extinction is nothing new, but evidence to support the elevated extinction rate (and whether or not humans are responsible) had been dubious and fleeting. Now, a team of scientists led…
Category: Ancient Posts
The Sixth Mass Extinction: Why Species are Disappearing 1000x Faster
Right now, life on our beautiful planet seems normal and calm. The trees are green and blossoming. The birds are flocking on branches and power lines. The fish are jumping in the rivers and creeks. The summers are hot, and the winters are cold. Surely, we have it good, and it cannot possibly get better,…
Genesis: A Sestina Poem About the Creation of the Earth and the Evolution of Life
I haven’t published anything on here in a couple weeks, but I am currently working on a rather long and detailed article for your viewing pleasure. In the meantime, I am publishing this. Below is a poem called a sestina, and it’s about the creation of the Earth, the evolution of life, and mass extinctions….
Amazing Pictures of Camouflaged Animals
Many animals use camouflage to hide from predators or ambush prey. This is basic, elementary life science. But there is more to camouflage than the revelations of a grade-school textbook. There are actually two forms of camouflage: crypsis and mimesis. Crypsis is when an organism is very hard to see. Examples of crypsis include a…
What is the Difference Between a Centipede and a Millipede?
2021 Edit: Narceus americanus is not the largest millipede in North America, but it is among the largest on the continent. I love bugs, but I am afraid I haven’t given them much love lately, so here’s a little post about some of my favorite bugs, the myriapods. Myriapods (which means “10,000 feet”) are centipedes,…
How (and Where) to Find Unicorns
Since the Bronze Age, humans have hunted a legendary, horse-like beast. Feared by men and adored by women, it prances around the world’s forests and has no concept of personal space. This rare creature is none other than the common unicorn (Equus unicornus). In this post, I will discuss how to find and attract them….
The Magnificent Artwork of John James Audubon
2021 Edit: The print Oiseaux of the two ibises below is not by Alexander Wilson. The glossy ibis on the left is by Pierre-Joseph Redoute. The white one on the right is by Jacques Barraband. The print is from a book commissioned by Napoleon and is a compendium on the birds of Egypt. The book…
8 Cool Clownfish Facts
Thanks to the popular Disney/Pixar film Finding Nemo, clownfish are among the world’s most popular fish. Scuba divers hope to encounter them, and aquarists hope to own them. But what’s the real story behind these small, anemone-hugging fish that inhabit tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific? Swim down–I mean, scroll down–to find out! 1. There are…
Walking with Dinosaurs: The Cassowaries of Etty Bay
In my travels, I’ve encountered many strange critters. But, in September 2013, about a month after my Mudskipper blog post (my last blog post for well over a year), I encountered a very special creature in the rainforests of northern Queensland, Australia. A dinosaur. Yes, that’s right, a dinosaur, which is fitting because the rainforests of Far…
My Top 20 Wildlife Photos (So Far)
my-top-20-wildlife-photos-so-far Here’s a list of my top 20 photos (so far). I have hundreds of high quality photos, but these are my best, which I have chosen based on uniqueness and artistic value. If you have a moment, check em out. If you’d like to order any prints, please let me know. Thank you! A…
Tidewater Teddy 