Even though my study species is White-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys), we sometimes catch other hungry birds by accident. This is a dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis) that wandered into our research traps for a quick birdseed snack. They’re fun to see and we let them go on their way as soon as they are satisfied with…
Creature Feature: Coastal Cutthroat Trout
Fog rolls in one drizzly May morning on the Olympic Peninsula of northwestern Washington. The precipitation is somewhere between mist and rain, decreasing visibility to about a hundred feet in the temperate rainforest. The river is high, but still clear, and there is only one other car in the boat launch parking lot. May is…
Sunday Sketch: Magnificent Mangroves
A fact about the importance of mangroves
Sci Hero: Dr. Ernest Everett Just
The Ethogram believes that science should be accessible and diverse in order to increase the sense of belonging within the science community. As a part of our continuing effort to make science a more inclusive field, we will be highlighting a “Sci Hero” each month so that the next generation of scientists and naturalists may be inspired and identify with the diverse community that came before them.
Field Frame Friday: Eating away an ecosystem
Kelp-craving purple urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) are contributing to an underwater housing crisis! Kelp are considered ecosystem engineers because they provide food and shelter for many marine species. Due to several disturbances in the kelp forest, this underwater ecosystem in Northern California has been thrown off balance. Without predators to keep purple urchin populations in check…
Science Heroes: Dr. Ernest Everett Just
Welcome to Science Heroes, the column highlighting incredible scientists and naturalists that if you don’t know, you should! This month highlights embryologist and marine biologist Dr. Ernest Everett Just!
Sunday Sketch: Choosy Roommates
A fact about parasites on the move between hosts
Field Frame Friday: It’s for science, baby.
At 6-days old I take measurements of nestling White-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys). Each nestling is affixed with a small metal band around its leg, this band has a unique ID number so if it is ever caught anywhere in the world, we’ll know exactly where it is from. [Photo and caption by Carly Hawkins] Carly…
Arts & Crafts: Whale Hello There!
Check out this whaley nice piece of art by one of our young explorers!
Creature Feature: Whale barnacles
If you look closely at a photo of a southern right whale (Eubalaena australis), you’ll see that few animals accessorize quite like they do. Their crusty white ‘bonnet’ (which looks more like a mustache, if you ask me) complete with their classic goatee and cumulus eyebrows truly set them apart as charismatic megafauna. But what…
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