Songs from the deep: what, how, and why?
Sunday Sketch: Tiger Beetle
Tiger beetles are known for being both ferocious predators and extremely fast runners, capable of reaching speeds of up to 9 km/h (5.6 mph; 2.5 m/s). They run so fast that they can’t visually process the world around them while in motion, relying instead on their antennae to avoid collisions. Consequently, most tiger beetles hunt…
Sunday Sketch: Cat
Cats don’t just socialize with each other because they live near each other; they have preferences for who they hang out with. Cats are more likely to be friendly towards members of their own family, so if you’re thinking of adopting cats, consider getting siblings! Art and fact by Mia Karlsson, Instagram @picklesandwitch [Edited by…
Field Frame Friday: Songs of the Sierra
While conducting field work in the Eastern Sierra Nevada, one encounters a plethora of bird speices. The Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) is a striking songbird found across much of Western North America. Both males and females sing, and their song is sometimes described as sounding like an extra operatic robin song. This individual certainly chose…
Creature Feature: American Alligator
Summer’s beginning to set in. There’s a heavy heat settled over everything like a thick, wet blanket. In the distance, a sound ripples through the night, inspiring both awe and terror. It’s the sort of sound that you could admire from afar, but would be hesitant to get too close to. It’s the sort of…
Sunday Sketch: The Sleeper Banded Goby
Amblygobius phalaena, known as the Sleeper Banded Goby, is notable for its habit of rearranging rocks and sand to construct burrows as nests. These fish mate monogamously and males tend to the eggs in the burrow nests. Art and fact by Darien Satterfield, Instagram & Twitter & Tiktok @DiverDarien [Edited by Nicole Rodrigues] Reference: Takegaki,…
Sunday Sketch: Bumble Bee
Some bumble bee species are able to inhabit extremely cold environments, with their distribution stretching far north into the Arctic Circle. Vector art and fact by Danielle Rutkowski, Bluesky @daniellerutkowski.bsky.social & Twitter @DanielleRutkow. Screen printed on sticker vinyl and color by Dino Sbardellati, @phagebeelicious.bsky.social [Edited by Nicole Rodrigues] Reference: Burns, C. T., et al. (2022,…
Arts & Crafts: Keeping Corals Cool!
Even though corals look like a combination of rocks and plants, they are actually part of the animal kingdom [1]! Sadly, these amazing animals are in danger due to warmer ocean water and other threats [1, 2]. In awareness of Endangered Species Day (May 16th), we wanted to share some coral reef and ocean artwork…
Throwback Field Notes: California Plants and Pollinators
Allergies are on the rise for many Californians as spring has sprung. But while our eyes may be itchy, the pollinators are loving it! Many species are closely tied to the sneeze-bringing flowers that you may have seen recently blooming. In today’s throwback to Rebecca Nelson’s Field Notes article from 2021, we take a dive…
Creature Feature: Tentacled Snake
Let’s be honest, the tentacled snake (Erpeton tentaculatum) is not the flashiest reptile in the jungle. These snakes blend in with their native habitat of freshwater or brackish lakes, ditches, and other wetlands in Southeast Asia, thanks to mottled gray, brown, and green scales that line their bodies. They average a modest 50 centimeters in…
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