Category: Nature

Very Cold, Very Deep; Vostok is Breached

On February 5th of 2012, Russian scientists broke through the Antarctic ice sheet and breached a prehistoric lake. At a depth of over 2 miles(!) beneath ice, the secrets of Lake Vostok remained hidden to all for more than 20 million years. Now, after decades of work, the team has reached their goal – even… Continue reading Very Cold, Very Deep; Vostok is Breached

Embrace Humility

In a recent rebroadcast from WNYC’s RadioLab show, listeners compare animal and human morality. As the brain is studied under morally stressful situations, scientists learn that a battle is being fought in our minds for the right answer to a difficult question. Scenario 1: Before you are two sets of train tracks splitting away from… Continue reading Embrace Humility

A Comment on the Weather

I got a Christmas card from the nice folks at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) – the Climate Witness division. You may recall the article I wrote for them concerning the pitiful state of Lake Lanier (speaking of which, the scientific review of my story is now available). The card reminded me of… Continue reading A Comment on the Weather

Ill-Conceived Science

I have heard this one before.  It was once said that bumblebees were scientifically incapable of flight.  Today’s future-potential piece of mythical folklore is that the pterodactyl was also incapable of flight.  Katsufumi Sato has collected and assessed the data only to reveal nature’s secret to flight: “…the largest animal capable of soaring across the… Continue reading Ill-Conceived Science

I’m a Climate Witness

I was contacted a while back by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), originally through Flickr from a picture I posted on the severe drought conditions around Lake Lanier. I was invited to write a “Climate Witness” story to tell the world about how the climate has changed in northeast Georgia from my perspective. It has… Continue reading I’m a Climate Witness

Tastey Nuts

I’m a fan of the seed and nut family, as many can attest. I maintain a supply of them at my desk at work for the occasion of snacking, which comes regularly. There are also infinite jokes to be told that never get old: Hello everybody. I have brought my nuts for everybody to enjoy.… Continue reading Tastey Nuts

The Hot is Here to Stay

Well…that’s it, folks; it’s official.  Summer is here and it’s not going to be getting any cooler for a while.  Enjoy the longer days, bar-b-q’s, swimming, and sun.  The lake still isn’t up to a satisfactory level for those using it recreationally, but at least it’s still here! Balthazar and I swam in it just… Continue reading The Hot is Here to Stay

The Lumberjacks were Here

This morning a guy with a fluorescent-green shirt came to the door a little after 8:00am. “It’s a little too early to be sporting that color,” I thought. Apparently, after 7 or 8 years now, it was time for the local officials to take notice of a small stand of Mimosa trees I had reared… Continue reading The Lumberjacks were Here

The First Camping Trip

While Balthazar’s first camping trip was actually over just before 10:00pm, he did get some good exposure to camp-life and the adventures that surround it. Balthazar has been going on about a camping trip for days now. We’re not exactly sure where he picked this up, but I couldn’t be happier. I love camping and… Continue reading The First Camping Trip