| China Explores a Frontier 2 Miles Deep China has unveiled a submersible designed to go deeper than any other in the world, giving it access to 99.8 percent of the ocean floor and its minerals. feeds.nytimes.com |
Mystery bird: Chin-spot Batis, Batis molitor Yet another striking example of the gorgeous songbirds in this genusChin-spot Batis, Batis molitor, also known as the White-flanked Batis, the Chin-spot Flycatcher, the Chin Spot Puffback Flycatcher and (my favorite name for this species) the the Chin-spot Puffback, photographed at Nyumba ya Mungu reservoir, near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. Image: Dan Logen, 14 January 2010. [larger view]Nikon D300, 600 mm lens ISO 500, f/6.3, 1/320 sec.Hint: This sexually dimorphic African songbird species is the only one of its genus that "should" be found in this location. This Chin-spot Batis, Batis molitor, is probably a young female based on the presence of black feathers mixed into the rust-colored breast plumage (males have a black breast band). In addition to the chestnut breast band, adult females also have a rust-colored spot on their throats for which this species was named. This small songbird can be distinguished from the somewhat similar Pygmy Batis, Batis perkeo, by its longer tail, longer white "eyebrow" (supercilliary stripe) and yellow eye.This common and wide-ranging species is an insect-eating songbird that lives and breeds in a variety of wooded habitats and at a variety of elevations. If you have bird images, video or mp3 files that you'd like to share with a large and appreciative 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 |
Shipping emissions plan scuttled Environmentalists at the UN climate talks in the Chinese city of Tianjin have criticised China and other big developing nations for blocking a plan to cut emissions from shipping. bbc.co.uk |
Coastal residents indifferent to rising seas: study A study says people living in coastal communities recognise climate change but are not worried about the possible effects. abc.net.au |
U.S.-Russian crew blasts off to space station Two U.S. astronauts and a Russian crewmate blasted off successfully Wednesday on a mission to the International Space Station that will see the last ever shuttle visit to the orbiting lab. rssfeeds.usatoday.com |