Category Archives: Science

I Drew a Butterfly and Learned Something New

Posted on July 30, 2013 by

It surprised me, too. Insects have six legs, and butterflies are insects. So it should follow that butterflies have six legs, too, right? Then I found a freshly emerged gulf fritillary (see previous post) clinging to its chrysalis under the … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Drawing, entomology, Environment, field sketching, natural history, Nature, nature journaling, Oklahoma, Science, Sketching | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Your Natural History Moment

Posted on July 23, 2013 by

When I planted native passion flower on the back fence, it was part of my hardy-tropicals garden scheme. But instead of fabulous flowers I got an outbreak of glorious butterflies- gulf fritillaries. The butterflies are so beautiful I’ve forgiven their … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Diversions, Drawing, entomology, Environment, garden, natural history, Nature, nature journaling, Oklahoma, Science, Sketching, Stupid Critter Tricks, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Friday- Feathers or Figures? Feathers.

Posted on June 21, 2013 by

In a recent post about chestnut-headed oropendolas, I promised to get back to you with better (published) information, and after some searching found The Nesting Habits of Wagler’s Oropendola (Zarhynchus wagleri) On Barro Colorado Island, from the Bulletin of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure!, Art, bird art, birding, birds, digiscoping, Drawing, Environment, field sketching, natural history, Nature, Panama, rainforest, Science, Sketching, Stupid Critter Tricks, travel, tropics, Video clips, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Random Oddities from the Rainforest Planet

Posted on June 11, 2013 by

The word of the day: mucilage. Rolls right off the tongue. It’s a zoo out here. And a botanical garden. And a science camp, a steam bath and a cabinet of wonders all grabbled up in one writhing clump of … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure!, Art, bird art, birding, birds, Diversions, Drawing, entomology, Environment, Evolution, field sketching, Nature, nature journaling, Panama, rainforest, Science, Sketching, travel, tropics, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Friday Feathers- The Lady Oropendola Weaving Collective

Posted on June 7, 2013 by

A flock of chestnut headed oropendolas, oriole relatives common to the Canal Zone of Panama, are establishing a colony in a bare-branched tree near our cabina on the hill. There are seven of them and they’ve just gotten started as … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure!, bird art, birding, birds, Diversions, Drawing, Environment, Evolution, field sketching, Nature, Panama, plein air, rainforest, random speculation, Science, Sketching, Stupid Critter Tricks, tropics, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Friday Feathers- Tropical Flycatchers

Posted on May 31, 2013 by

There’s a vine-covered tree mass beside the lab building which I’ve tried to tease apart, unsuccessfully, in botanical terms. It’s like untangling cables without using your hands. Two trees side stand by side in the clearing, one identified for me … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure!, Art, bird art, birding, birds, Drawing, field sketching, Nature, Panama, rainforest, Science, Sketching, travel, tropics, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

My Short-Attention-Span Rainforest Theater

Posted on May 28, 2013 by

A peculiar form of entertainment here on Science Island is going out for a short walk and getting waylaid by natural history. Distraction from head-scratchers to jaw-droppers to warm and fuzzy cuteness will cut you off at the knees, trip … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure!, Art, birds, Diversions, Drawing, Environment, field sketching, nature journaling, Panama, plein air, rainforest, random speculation, Science, Sketching, Stupid Critter Tricks, travel, tropics, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments