From Ashes to Coconuts Biologists classify organisms in many ways: their taxonomy, their ecological niche, their mating habits. One fascinating classification scheme is called the r/K continuum. Two fine scientists, Robert MacArthur and E.O. Wilson (1967), developed the concept, which was popularized in the following decades. It is a spectrum…
Instinct and Intelligence I love birds. I have two feeders outside my work room window and keep them well stocked with seeds, fruits, and suet. I don’t consider myself a birder by any stretch, but I have done some thinking about birds and seed bombs.The picture on left is a young…
Lactobacillus and electrons [click images to see a larger version] There’s a lot of discussion about what color clay to use for seed balls. We discuss some of the theory behind that here, but thought it would be a good idea to put some of that to the test. I…
Things you might not think about In order to maximize the effectiveness of your efforts and also prevent inadvertent damage to the environment, there are some steps to planning a seed bombing campaign that should be undertaken diligently. Location Seek out a location that is in need of native vegetation.…
Monika Maeckle is a Master Gardener in South Central Texas. She is also one of the most articulate and enthusiastic Monarch advocates on the web. Her website,TexasButterflyRanch.com, is an amazing mix of well-written articles and commentary. Posts centered on the butterflies at all stages of life, these range from scientific,…
Usually, when people think of pollen, sneezing comes to mind. But there’s an entire branch of science that studies pollen – not from the perspective of allergies, but from the stand point of natural history: Palynology. Dr. Eric Grimm is the Director of Sciences at the Illinois State Museum. He’s…
