For cute falcon cam action click:
http://library.umass.edu/falcons
These are Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) and are considered Endangered in the state of Massachusetts.
Showing posts with label birds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label birds. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
UMass Du Bois Flacons hatched and ready for cuteness!
The UMass Amherst falcons are at it again atop the Du Bois library....
For cute falcon cam action click:
http://library.umass.edu/falcons
These are Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) and are considered Endangered in the state of Massachusetts.
For cute falcon cam action click:
http://library.umass.edu/falcons
These are Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) and are considered Endangered in the state of Massachusetts.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Bat by Bat- writing as a biologist
Writing can be tough. It can frustrate, madden or bore- but it is also rewarding.
This is the topic of today's post.
Much of being in academia is writing and scientific writing can be particularly intimidating. It is commonly jargon rich, feels non-creative and highly formulaic. This is because for a paper to be successful precision and thoroughness are key while creativity or prose tends to be an afterthought.
In any case, I find that writing is a key aspect of my work-life I most wish to improve upon or at least enjoy more. Thus, I'm always excited to learn about books or other resources about writing, presenting motivation or even better advice on how to be a more efficient writer. For example Stanford has a series of videos that present interviews with different faculty members - each discussing why writing matters to them. Below is the video from Deborah Gordon a well-known biologist who studies ant behavior and has written several books on this topic.
My favorite part of the video is when she says:
I very much agree with this idea. Even in scientific papers where researchers explain complex methodologies, results and concepts I believe they should be able to at the very least write a jargon free abstract AND discussion. I often describe this as the 'explain it to your grandmother requisite'. Namely, one should be able to explain the ideas and general methods of what they are doing research-wise to anyone- particularly grandmothers. (I choose to think of explaining it to a grandmother because in my experience they are so often: interested, patient and encouraging- in my mind - the perfect audience)!
Perhaps in science we want others to think we are smart so less weight is put on this skill: communicating clearly without jargon- whereas obtuse writing is rewarded because if it is difficult to understand 'you must be smarter than I am'. This is just a guess. In any case, it seems to me to be a rather unfortunate state of affairs. Particularly sad and surprising is that early biologists did not always write in this way. Pick up early papers by Darwin for example, and I think you'd agree that things are presented in a much more story-telling manner.
So while it is most certainly not a book aimed at non-fiction writers I ordered a copy of the book Bird by Bird. It arrived today and I am so excited I may spend the rest of the night reading it! Bird by Bird is written by Anne Lammot and seems to be funny and inspirational. I learned about this book from another blog: Orangette- where the blog's author: Molly spoke very highly of it and I get the impression drew a good deal of inspiration when writing her 2nd (no I haven't bought it yet- but I will....) book.
In any case Molly is a great writer and makes me smile a lot with her blog posts so I tend to take her word not only on recipes (hasn't let me down yet) but on writing as well.
"I had the strangest feeling. It took me a long time to figure out what it was, because I’d never felt it before. Turns out, I missed writing. ... I know that probably seems like a perfectly normal thing to feel, given that writing is what I do. But the truth is, most of the time, I will do anything to avoid it.
...
I understand that some people wake up itching to write. They feel as though they somehow aren’t complete unless they’re writing. I have never been one of those people. I have wondered what it’s like to be one of those people. Sometimes I have wondered what it would be like to punch those people."
She also recommends this lovely Ted talk by Elizabeth Gilbert which I will echo here- it really is great!
Bird by bird's book description is pasted here from Amazon: (Book Description)
Anyway- hopefully I've given you some useful links here and inspired you to think about how scientists do and should write. I am not going to launch into the whole 'Publish or Perish' dogma in academia. Perhaps another day. Plus- really the fact of the matter is that I think there are much more positive ways to view the publishing process. So as I work my way through this book and try to find my own muse- I'll share more about that here! Meanwhile it is bat by bat for me!
So now... not much to do but get to it!
This is the topic of today's post.
Much of being in academia is writing and scientific writing can be particularly intimidating. It is commonly jargon rich, feels non-creative and highly formulaic. This is because for a paper to be successful precision and thoroughness are key while creativity or prose tends to be an afterthought.
In any case, I find that writing is a key aspect of my work-life I most wish to improve upon or at least enjoy more. Thus, I'm always excited to learn about books or other resources about writing, presenting motivation or even better advice on how to be a more efficient writer. For example Stanford has a series of videos that present interviews with different faculty members - each discussing why writing matters to them. Below is the video from Deborah Gordon a well-known biologist who studies ant behavior and has written several books on this topic.
My favorite part of the video is when she says:
"when someone really understands what then mean to say-
they don't need jargon anymore."
I very much agree with this idea. Even in scientific papers where researchers explain complex methodologies, results and concepts I believe they should be able to at the very least write a jargon free abstract AND discussion. I often describe this as the 'explain it to your grandmother requisite'. Namely, one should be able to explain the ideas and general methods of what they are doing research-wise to anyone- particularly grandmothers. (I choose to think of explaining it to a grandmother because in my experience they are so often: interested, patient and encouraging- in my mind - the perfect audience)!
Perhaps in science we want others to think we are smart so less weight is put on this skill: communicating clearly without jargon- whereas obtuse writing is rewarded because if it is difficult to understand 'you must be smarter than I am'. This is just a guess. In any case, it seems to me to be a rather unfortunate state of affairs. Particularly sad and surprising is that early biologists did not always write in this way. Pick up early papers by Darwin for example, and I think you'd agree that things are presented in a much more story-telling manner.
So while it is most certainly not a book aimed at non-fiction writers I ordered a copy of the book Bird by Bird. It arrived today and I am so excited I may spend the rest of the night reading it! Bird by Bird is written by Anne Lammot and seems to be funny and inspirational. I learned about this book from another blog: Orangette- where the blog's author: Molly spoke very highly of it and I get the impression drew a good deal of inspiration when writing her 2nd (no I haven't bought it yet- but I will....) book.
In any case Molly is a great writer and makes me smile a lot with her blog posts so I tend to take her word not only on recipes (hasn't let me down yet) but on writing as well.
"I had the strangest feeling. It took me a long time to figure out what it was, because I’d never felt it before. Turns out, I missed writing. ... I know that probably seems like a perfectly normal thing to feel, given that writing is what I do. But the truth is, most of the time, I will do anything to avoid it.
...
I understand that some people wake up itching to write. They feel as though they somehow aren’t complete unless they’re writing. I have never been one of those people. I have wondered what it’s like to be one of those people. Sometimes I have wondered what it would be like to punch those people."
She also recommends this lovely Ted talk by Elizabeth Gilbert which I will echo here- it really is great!
Bird by bird's book description is pasted here from Amazon: (Book Description)
"Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old
at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he'd had
three months to write. It was due the next day. We were out at our
family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears,
surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books on birds,
immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down
beside him, put his arm around my brother's shoulder, and said, 'Bird
by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.'"
Anyway- hopefully I've given you some useful links here and inspired you to think about how scientists do and should write. I am not going to launch into the whole 'Publish or Perish' dogma in academia. Perhaps another day. Plus- really the fact of the matter is that I think there are much more positive ways to view the publishing process. So as I work my way through this book and try to find my own muse- I'll share more about that here! Meanwhile it is bat by bat for me!
Thursday, October 24, 2013
mini SICB (regional DVM/DCB)
I am mid getting ready for the joint DVM/DCB (Division of Vertebrate Morphology/Division of Comparative Biomechanics) Northeast Regional SICB meeting. SICB is the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (link). The 'big' SICB happens in January and this year it will be in Austin, Texas which is exciting (warm weather in January- big fun conference...)! SICB is a fun group because people who study lots of different animals get together to discuss everything from behavior to physiology and morphology. There are lots of different 'divisions' in SICB with most people involved with at least 2. I think I'm in 3 or so... DVM, DCPB (or is it DPCB ?? see below) and DAB (Division of Animal Behavior). They don't have DM (division of mammals) nor do the have a DC (division of Chiropterologists- (people who study bats)).
From the SICB website (red text is my emphasis.... I am curious: is there anyone affiliated with all or all but one of these?! I will investigate- worry not!)
Members are allowed to choose affiliations with as many divisions as they wish.
At the regional meeting of us 'northeasteners' (which I guess now includes me- I'll work on embracing that drastic change) I will be presenting my work with bats with a focus exciting images I am getting from Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). I look forward to some exciting updates for you but for right now I can only say that I'm busy getting my power point (talk) wrapped up. Currently, this means making what is a 10 minute talk into a 5 minute talk! I guess having lots to say is better than the alternative.
*Bear with me- as I wouldn't usually post a Dave Matthew's Band video-- but this one is in my head...and is so appropriate but careful! It's sticky!
"Joint DVM/DCB Northeastern Regional Meeting 2013
The 2013 joint DVM/DCM Northeast Regional SICB meeting will be held at Yale University on Saturday, October 26, 2013.
The meeting will be hosted by Yale's Department of Geology and Geophysics, in New Haven, Connecticut. Following last year's successful format, students and faculty will deliver 5-minute general session talks that will be interspersed with a handful of 10-minute talks with a broader focus, with ample opportunity for questions and discussion.
Lunch and snacks will be included in the registration fee, and we anticipate convening at a nearby pub for a post-meeting celebration.
Please visit the link below for more information:
http://earth.yale.edu/sicb-joint-dvmdcb-northeastern-regional-meeting-october-26-2013"
From the SICB website (red text is my emphasis.... I am curious: is there anyone affiliated with all or all but one of these?! I will investigate- worry not!)
"Divisions of SICB
- DAB - Division of Animal Behavior
- DCB - Division of Comparative Biomechanics
- DCE - Division of Comparative Endocrinology
- DCPB - Division of Comparative Physiology & Biochemistry
- DEDB - Division of Evolutionary Developmental Biology
- DEE - Division of Ecology & Evolution
- DIZ - Division of Invertebrate Zoology
- DNB - Division of Neurobiology
- DPCB - Division of Phylogenetics & Comparative Biology
(Formerly: DSEB - Division of Systematic & Evolutionary Biology) - DVM - Division of Vertebrate Morphology "
At the regional meeting of us 'northeasteners' (which I guess now includes me- I'll work on embracing that drastic change) I will be presenting my work with bats with a focus exciting images I am getting from Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). I look forward to some exciting updates for you but for right now I can only say that I'm busy getting my power point (talk) wrapped up. Currently, this means making what is a 10 minute talk into a 5 minute talk! I guess having lots to say is better than the alternative.
"Joint DVM/DCB Northeastern Regional Meeting 2013
The 2013 joint DVM/DCM Northeast Regional SICB meeting will be held at Yale University on Saturday, October 26, 2013.
The meeting will be hosted by Yale's Department of Geology and Geophysics, in New Haven, Connecticut. Following last year's successful format, students and faculty will deliver 5-minute general session talks that will be interspersed with a handful of 10-minute talks with a broader focus, with ample opportunity for questions and discussion.
Lunch and snacks will be included in the registration fee, and we anticipate convening at a nearby pub for a post-meeting celebration.
Please visit the link below for more information:
http://earth.yale.edu/sicb-joint-dvmdcb-northeastern-regional-meeting-october-26-2013"
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
The evolution of flight (Part 1)
Many animals are able to fly and most of these are insects. However, when one stops to consider which vertebrates fly (vertebrates are animals with an internal skeleton including a spine and something resembling a spinal chord) only 3 main groups are able to fly.
These are: birds, Pterosaurs and bats.
The wing surface formed in 3 different ways one for each of these groups (see above).
Both bats and Pterosaurs used a wing-surface created by finger elongation (the 'pinkie' in Pterosaurs and all fingers elongated except the 'thumb' in bats).
Meanwhile, birds fly using a surface created by modified scales (feathers) and a strong series of arm and finger bones that are the result numerous bones fusing. Additional details are left out for brevity but are extremely interesting such as skeletal lightening in birds.
Pterosaurs are extinct and so only two extant flying vertebrate groups (extant = animals that are still alive today) are bats and birds. (What is a Pterosaur? Click here!)
Why did flight evolve?
There are two main thoughts about this. Basically either animals were able to flap and lift UP to escape predators etc. OR they were living in trees and started to glide from tree to tree (like 'flying' squirrels) also to catch food (insects) or avoid predators.
Regardless, the sky is (and was) full of potential food and once they were able to fly bats quickly filled a new niche (a niche is the ecological role of an animal generally relating to the food it eats). Both bats and birds were able to eat flying insects but bats as nocturnal animals compete with a fewer set of birds. Indeed this successful niche 'nocturnal insectivore' has since been radically expanded to include other more unusual food-types such as frogs or fish!
You can read more about the evolution of flight here.
Click here for cool videos of bats flying in slow motion.
For my next I will try to summarize the physics required for flight.
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