The skin of the dart frog exudes a form of poison. This is why it is unwise to drink the water when traveling in central America.
All posts by Josh More
Common Ostrich (Struthio camelus)
When threatened, ostriches crouch down, spread their wings, and sway rapidly back and forth to scare off predators. Even though it is located behind the fence, this tree is profoundly dangerous.
Sign
It’s always interesting what a sign can tell you, both from what it does and does not say. For example, the snacks here are intended for ducks, chickens, and left hands. Though the snacks cost but twenty-five cents, they are critical enough that they warrant two padlocks. Also, the snacks are invisible.
River
It turns out, when you get a variable neutral density filter from Amazon Gold Box deals, it might not turn out to be a high quality piece of photographic gear. Still, some of the shots turned out OK.
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
This golden eagle is still sad that Bunheads was canceled before it really got a chance to succeed.
Rock
Eventually, this will be wet sand.
Gilded Flicker
“Having been thwarted in his previous attempt to gild a lily, Johnny succeeded with the woodpecker.”
Detection
Humans think they’re all smart and stuff, but what if the aliens tunnel their way in?
Robin
Robins are able to turn water and bugs into feathers. This may not sound very impressive, but I’d like to see you try.
Swainsons Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
Once upon a time, Pueblo Colorado had a steel mill. That time was a while ago and, as often happens, when the largest employer leaves, there’s not a lot left behind. Pueblo has a zoo, which I went there to see but the combination of reduced revenues and the onset of winter meant that many of the animals were off exhibit or no longer there. So instead of spending my day at the zoo as I had planned, I popped next door to their raptor center. The center does rescue work and most of the birds there either couldn’t fly or couldn’t take care of themselves so they’re kept in fairly large enclosures. Some of the photos turned out. A lot didn’t. However, as I taking the photos, one of the rescue workers came out and offered to bring a bird out for me to see close up.
I picked the Swainsons Hawk because I’d never seen one close up.
As is often the case, I picked the most cantankerous creature there, who was hard to catch and spent a lot of time trying to eat my new friend’s fingers. However, every once in a while, the lighting landed at the right time and shots like this came out.
Cactus
The second invasion was more successful. Instead of blinding the humans, they came at night, armed and armored. Those that ran, tripped and were skewered. Those that fought, fell beneath the onslaught of spines and ever marching roots. The bullets did not stop them, flesh healing over into hardened knots, protecting them againt further violation. They were impervious to drought, to heat. And, as the humans made their planet ever warmer, eventually the next generation of triffids ruled over all.
Cactus
When you pluck the needles of a cactus, they make very light pinging sounds that can be heard clearly in the desert still. For some strange reason, playing the cactus harp never really caught on amongst the native peoples.
Sign
Cactus
As dusk falls, and the last gleam of the setting sun casts itself over the desert, cactus wrens tell their hatchlings bedtime stories and hope that the rains will fall before they fledge.
Ball Python (Python regius)
It is said that kappa range from the mischievous to the downright evil. They play pranks and murder people, depending on their whim at the time. Their one weakness is a bowl that they keep on (or, in some legends, in) their heads. In this bowl, they store water, which is necessary for movement and life. Should you encounter one, the best method of defense is to be exceedingly polite and exchange a series of bows. Eventually, the kappa will bow low enough that their water spills out and they become frozen in place. At this point you may flee or, if you wish, refill the bowl from a nearby stream, after which the kappa will become your servant.
Over the years, kappa have shed their legs, evolving to protect themselves against the bowing attack. Modern day kappa no longer have the ability to bow and view excessive politeness negatively as it is quite rude to expect them to bow when they cannot. They are, however, still vulnerable to dehydration, as shown here.
Bird
Long as he remembers, the rain’s been coming down.
Clouds of Raven’s secrets spreading confusion all ’round.
Humans through the ages tryin’ to find the sun.
But he’s certain, yes he’s certain, they won’t stop the rain.
Red Cornsnake (Pantherophis guttatus)
This snake’s scales overlap everywhere but on the head. This keeps costs low when trying to find the source of a leak.
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
This is the eye of the American kestrel. According to numerous reports, this eye is capable of seeing an insect that is only 2mm long from the top of an 18m tree.
This being the Internet, however, it is uncertain as to how accurate this figure is, so I went digging for experimental detail. I was unable to find this particular one. However, there is a study by Matthew F. Gaffney and William Hodos in which they anesthetized a kestrel and poked stuff in its eyes. (More scientifically accurate detail here : http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0042698903003043 ), in which they found that there is (potential) conspiracy behind avian vision acuity studies, and data does not always match the reality we live in. This (possibly) represents a scam in which bird scientists bilk the public out of hundreds of dollars to further promote their own research. It’s a travesty (maybe) and we should (perhaps) do something about it.
Alternatively, maybe different birds just have different eyes.
North American River Otters performing Measure for Measure
The prairie dogs are on vacation this week. Taking their place are these understudies.
“But might you do’t, and do the world no wrong, if so your heart were touch’d with that remorse as mine is to him?”
Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
Wikipedia says “The gray fox appeared during the mid Pliocene epoch 3.6 million years ago.” That must have been quite the surprise to the Irish elk.
And probably, to the foxes as well.