Young male snowy owls have dark brown barring, which fades as they grow older, making them whiter over time. They live in the tundra, so their coloring helps them blend in while stalking prey. Art and fact by Cloude Shao, Instagram @cloude_paint [Edited by Nicole Rodrigues] Reference: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (n.d.). Snowy owl. All…
Field Frame Friday: Snow on the beach
Every time I go home to New Jersey for break, I make sure to stop at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park. There’s something really nice about visiting the same place season after season and watching the birds, crabs, sand, waves, etc. change; and at BLSP I also get to watch the people shift from large groups…
Throwback Sunday Sketch: Penguin Pals
Penguins exhibit what is called “bi-parental care,” which is where both parents cooperate to care for their babies. They will take turns watching over their nest, and one parent will leave to retrieve food or other resources. Once the chicks are a few weeks old, they will gather in groups called crèches. Art by @tsoooki…
Animated Animals and Their Impact on Wildlife Awareness
If you grew up watching animated movies, you likely remember that breathless feeling of sadness as Simba mourned the loss of his father or the heartbreak when Bambi’s mother was killed by a hunter. For many, these films weren’t just stories—they were stepping stones into a deep love and appreciation for the natural world and…
Creature Feature: Blobfish
Behold! The ugliest fish in the world. The Blobfish (Psychrolutes marcidus) is renowned for its wide, downturned grin, bulbous nose, and loose skin. But what if I told you that this isn’t its normal appearance? During a 2003 deep-sea expedition off the coast of New Zealand, over 3000 ft below the ocean surface, researchers found…
Field Notes: How Questions Develop During a Field Season from an Undergraduate Perspective
Every undergraduate begins their college education expecting to gain knowledge, but gaining hands-on experience in the field is just as important as learning in the classroom. In the biological sciences, undergraduate access to field research can be limited and highly sought after. It’s a prized jewel that many students yearn for. Reaching my final year…
Field Frame Friday: Staring mantis
Praying Mantids (Order Mantodea), like this Mediterranean Mantis* (Iris oratoria), are well-known for their awesome predatory strikes and cannibalistic tendencies. Our subject here is doing neither; based on its pupils, it appears to be simply watching the photographer. But wait—surely insects don’t actually have pupils like us… what are those black dots in its eyes?…
Creature Feature: Corn earworm
Lend an ear to hear about this creature’s bore-ing Thanksgiving!
Sunday Sketch: Terrific Turkey
The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is often synonymous with autumn in North America, with the males’ striking tail fans and blue and red heads being especially iconic. Despite their large size and nesting on the ground when incubating eggs, they are frequently found roosting in treetops. Art and fact by Isabel Kier, Instagram @izzy_does_art_sometimes [Edited…
Field Frame Friday: Diamonds in the marsh
Now that we’ve lured you in with a cute baby turtle, let’s talk about conservation and science! The Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is a native of East Coast marshes and the only turtle in the United States to live in brackish water (a mix of fresh and salt water). They are surprisingly speedy swimmers and…
