Uncategorized
William makes sure Charlie gets some beer during the party.
Science
Deaths among California’s sea otter populations have been increasing in the last few years. The last few years have set records for dead otters washing ashore on beaches throughout central California. The real reason for this was recently discovered (and covered earlier today by Andrew here), but I wanted to stress what was NOT responsible. … Read More “Sharks are not to blame for increases in California Sea Otter deaths” »
Conservation, Science
Sea Otters are turning up dead in central California. In 2007, 11 sea otters were recovered from Monterrey Bay. Over the last three years, dead otters washing up on beaches has reached a record high?
What could be causing all these otter deaths? Are there new predators in the area? Is there some kind of disease? Could increased otter deaths reflect an increase in otter populations, indicating not otter population decline, but otter population growth? The answer turns out to be even more surprising – freshwater algae.
Uncategorized
For the first time in history, all the Vandovernauts are in one place at the same time.
Science
Objective 1: Develop the least publicly accessible title for a blog post about seadragons, mate selection, and evolution
Objective 1 Status: complete
Objective 2: Draw in whatever readers push passed the unwieldy title with an unconventional narrative structure.
Objective 2 Status: complete
Objective 3: Hook the reader with a fascinating, though brief, background on seahorses, seadragons, and pipefish.
Uncategorized
Chapter 10 of the classic Moby Dick by Herman Melville, summarized in verse. Read along with us and discuss this chapter or the book as a whole in the comments. A Bosom Friend Returning from the sermon, Ishmael finds Queequeg sitting alone, soul unhidden. A philosopher in savage trappings. A pagan wise, serene, comtemplative, whom … Read More “Finding Melville’s Whale: Chapter 10 – A Bosom Friend” »
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Tom and David stand guard over William, King of the Bismarck Sea, who is probably in the air near the international date line. Today marks the 35th year of Papua New Guinea independence, and Will will be losing the day as he jumps from Wednesday to Friday. Let’s all wish @BomaiCruz a happy independence day!
Conservation, Science
Last Monday, the Pew Environment Group’s Global Shark Conservation Campaign arranged for a brilliant PR stunt – they arranged for survivors of shark attacks to speak about shark conservation outside of the United Nations headquarters in New York. Though very few people are ever bitten by sharks, many fear them, which makes it difficult to … Read More “Innovative Conservation: Shark Attack Survivors Speak About Saving Sharks” »
Science
A new blog has just joined our humble little network. Head over to SouthernPlayalisticEvolutionMusic and give DNLee a hearty welcome! From the author: Yea, I love hip-hop and many might be surprised as how knowledgeable I am in all of the various hip-hop and rap demonimations. I am a Hip-Hop Maven….and I’m also a nerdy … Read More “A new blog joins the Southern Fried Science Network” »