| Global Update: Africa: Monkeypox Cases Surge in Rural Areas as Price of the Victory Over Smallpox Monkeypox is 20 times as common in parts of the Congo as it was 30 years ago, when smallpox vaccination was discontinued. feeds.nytimes.com |
Mystery bird: Swainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni | GrrlScientist A daily mystery bird demystified. Also includes some information about how this species was originally namedSwainson's hawk, Buteo swainsoni, dining on a dragonfly (I am uncertain of the species name for the dragonfly, but according to my reader, ThomLS, it is likely an Anax species). This large Buteo is also known as the grasshopper hawk or locust hawk in honour of its fondness for eating these insects. Photographed at Smith Point Hawk Watch, Chambers County, Texas.Image: Joseph Kennedy, 4 September 2010 [larger view]. I encourage you to explore this generous photographer's frequently updated website. Nikon D200, Kowa 883 telescope with TSN-PZ camera eyepiece 1/1000s f/8.0 at 1000.0mm iso400.This inaugural mystery bird image was suggested by our very generous photographer, Joseph Kennedy. Even though this is a North American Buteo, it seemed appropriate to start with because this species was named by Charles Bonaparte in honor of William Swainson, a British naturalist, artist and globetrotter. Swainson's hawks nest in semi-arid grasslands throughout the central and western interior of North America. This species is a long-distance migrant, wintering in Argentina (which may be where William Swainson encountered them during his own peregrinations). Interestingly, there is one accepted record of a vagrant Swainson's hawk popping up in Norway!GrrlScientistguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Kids' science kits may take hit from safety ruling By JENNIFER C. KERR 2010-09-29T17:04:22ZWASHINGTON (AP) -- One of the tools that teachers use to get kids jazzed about science - hands-on science kits - could face an uncertain future amid a debate on safety.... hosted.ap.org |
Foes Outspend Backers of Proposition 23 A coalition of environmentalists, investors and Silicon Valley technology companies is raking in the cash as they fight a move to repeal California's global warming law. feeds.nytimes.com |
Mystery Bird: Gadwall, Anas strepera Bottoms up! This lovely bird can be found throughout much of North America, Europe and Asia. Includes a Birdnote radio podcast featuring calls of this speciesPair of Gadwalls, Anas strepera, photographed in Bonelli Park in San Dimas, California, USA.Image: Steve Duncan [with binoculars].This is a pair of Gadwalls, Anas strepera, feeding. This strongly migratory species has a large breeding range, encompassing the northern regions of Europe, Asia, and central North America, extending from the the Saint Lawrence River through the Great Lakes, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Dakotas, south to Kansas, west to California, and along coastal Pacific Canada and into southern coastal Alaska. Embedded below is a 2 minute radio programme about the gadwall, thanks to my friends at BirdNote Radio:If you have bird images, video or mp3 files that you'd like to share with a large and appreciate audience, feel free to email them to me for consideration.GrrlScientistguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |