Comments on: Saturday links

By: Joseph Ting

Joseph Ting — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 02:03:15 +0000

The stellar distances travelled by several tracked feathered flyers are truly astonishing and inspirational (7000 miles non stop, and no pretzels. Carl Zimmer May 24th 2010). In my trips to the Antarctic, I would marvel for hours at the albatrosses that effortlessly glided on the winds generated by the ceaselessly turbulent southern ocean, following in our ship’s wake. Maybe we are seen as fishing vessels with the prospects of discarded fish and squid. To add import to the flying feat of birds, it is worthwhile mentioning that albatrosses have also been tracked to fly the phenomenal distances alluded to in Carl Zimmer’s article. Their continuous journeys however have been without respite at any intervening land mass in the circumpolar southern ocean, a feat aided by expertly using the updrafts generated by stormy ocean waves. I wonder whether smaller non sea going birds are similarly attuned in using jet streams to aid their gargantuan journeys-to physiological adaptation for marathon flights add attunement to, and intelligence in using, nature’s helping hand.

By: Diana Guerrero (Animal Behaviorist)

Diana Guerrero (Animal Behaviorist) — Mon, 31 May 2010 20:02:55 +0000

OMG the sloth video was too cute. Thanks for the links. Yep, think you are right about the antelope article showing up soon as a post and I really enjoyed the snaps of the shark senses.

By: SimonG

SimonG — Mon, 31 May 2010 00:27:01 +0000

A particularly fine selection this time. Steve Silberman’s article was especially interesting and as you said, an excellent piece of science writing. A problem I’d never even considered, clearly explained.

By: Adrian Morgan

Adrian Morgan — Sun, 30 May 2010 04:29:50 +0000

@zackos As far as I can tell, the planets series on Australian TV (the one on Thursday nights) has nothing to do with the BBC. Here is a link which states that the series is Australian-made.

By: zackoz

zackoz — Sun, 30 May 2010 02:49:09 +0000

Thanks for the Saturn link.

Wonderful pictures (but get a load of the comments!)

Good timing – coincidentally the BBC series on The Planets is showing on Australian TV, and I had just seen the episode about Saturn.

By: Steve Silberman

Steve Silberman — Sun, 30 May 2010 01:42:26 +0000

Thanks for the link to my Wired story, Ed. You’re a continuing inspiration.

By: Adrian Morgan

Adrian Morgan — Sun, 30 May 2010 00:26:51 +0000

I think the palaeothermometer story is the most interesting for me, though as they say, it’s yet to be seen if it works on dinosaurs. I wonder if the method would verify the cold-blooded mammal story from 2009 (which is one of the most interesting 2009 science items that I never saw mentioned on any blog).

The “Women’s Mag Science” link is broken. Very broken – looks like a copy & paste error. I think it’s a good policy to click on all links in one’s own blog posts at the time of publication.

By: Thonoir

Thonoir — Sat, 29 May 2010 19:39:53 +0000

I loved all these links except the one pointing to the Dana Carvey sketch. It had a couple of decent moments but the guy is just not funny.