Slime molds are diamonds in the rough, and the closer you look, the more they shine. You may have encountered them as amorphous blobs on a lawn or a walk in the woods. They are on leaves, in the soil of Antarctica, and in deserts, to name a few habitats.
Birds have perfected the fine-tuned ability to fly over millions of years. In fact, some geese have been observed flying over Mount Everest. Their enviable ability to fly relies upon several factors, the first and foremost being the engineering marvels called feathers.
Picture ancestral humans huddled around a fire, peering beyond the edge of the firelight into a nighttime world dotted with the golden eyes of other animals. Welcome to the gleaming world of eyeshine, where wildlife, or perhaps your dog caught in the beam of a flashlight on the last walk before bed, stares at you with glowing eyes.
Leaf miners are often overlooked and don’t get no respect. Yet they are everywhere and
offer a fascinating look at life inside a leaf and the subtle communication between the miner and the host plant.
You may have heard about porcupines. They are dim-witted, forest-destroying pests who throw their quills and serve no useful purpose. But is this truth or fiction?
Bug-Eyed Beauty An old proverb says, “The eyes are windows to the soul.” But what if the eyes belong to a bug? Bugs may or may not have souls – whatever a soul actually is – but their amazing eyes are an endless source of fascination and beauty and endow insects and their allies with surprising …
Cannons and Catapults – Nature’s Projectiles Catapults and cannons aren’t just military devices invented by humans; plants and fungi have been using them for millions of years to help them survive and prosper. This essay explores these tiny machines. Expect to be amazed! Cluster of Pilobolus fruiting bodies, each only about 2mm tall The Cannon …
The Lying Lady’s Slipper We’ve all met people who lie, but have you met a flower that lies? And how would you know you’ve met a deceitful plant? Such plants are quite crafty in their deception, just like lying people. And they certainly have their reasons, also like people. Pink Lady’s Slipper Plants are necessary …
Bioluminescence – The Prometheus Within Bioluminescence, the ability of an organism to produce its own light, is widespread in nature from mushrooms to deep sea fish. Yet, we often overlook the richness of the bioluminescent world because we bring our own lights wherever we go. In this article, join us on a journey into the …
