Tag Archives: birds
What an Owl Knows
Humans have always been fascinated by owls. Some people see them as symbols of knowledge and wisdom, others as omens of death. In What an Owl Knows, Jennifer Ackerman surveys the latest research about these enigmatic birds, the scientists who study them, and the ways we humans relate to them. Continue reading
Crow Planet
On a recent holiday in Ireland, we encountered several species of birds from the crow family that are quite different from the American Crow we see almost every day at home. The Hooded Crow has a black head but a … Continue reading
Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid
We know that climate change is having a devastating impact on our planet: rising sea levels, more intense forest fires, more frequent and more powerful storms. We also know that many plant and animal species are going extinct or suffering … Continue reading
Mozart’s Starling
On the 27th of May 1784, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wandered into a Vienna pet shop not far from his home and heard a starling singing a near-perfect imitation of a theme from his Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major … Continue reading
A World on the Wing
I’ve been reading some pretty heavy stuff lately; books about the rise of tyranny around the world and some godawful decisions coming out of the US Supreme Court. I needed to take a break, read something a little more uplifting. … Continue reading
Wintering: A Season With Geese
Over the last couple of years I’ve got into the habit of taking a walk through my neighborhood each evening. On weekends I go for longer walks in a large park a few miles from my home. I suppose it’s … Continue reading
Swainson’s Thrush
They’re back! Swainson’s Thrush have returned to the North Cascades forests. I’m not a birdwatcher – glasses too thick – so I’ve never seen this bird close enough to identify it by color or markings. But I sure have heard … Continue reading
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