Anthropology of Nature: Week 11 - 20131111

This blog entry is part of a project for the class Anthropology of Nature. 

Week 11, technically one day late, on a three day weekend. Eek.
However, I have much opportunity to view the interaction of humans and nature/environment this week. It's been a busy week.

July Summary! (And Mars).

I got A's in both Geology and 'Environment and Society', which, in addition to my 3 A's from the beginning of summer, give me a 4.0 semester for five classes! I was exempted from my Environment Final (because I got 102% on the first midterm, 110% on the second, and 100% on both my papers). I didn't know they could do that, but I'm certainly happy about it!

EDIT UPDATE : I got a letter from the university telling me I earned President's Honor List for my 4.0! WOOHOO!

I'm registered for Fall, and that will be the end of my curriculum. I'll graduate when I finish the 6-Month independent teaching in Spring!

I'm currently studying for my last teaching certification, the Biology 6-12. I took the pretest and got a 70% on it (pre-studying) and 70% is the lowest passing percentage. I take the exam in a couple weeks and plan to knock it out of the park.

Palm Beach Zoo - Safari Nights

Shane and I went to this special evening admission at the local zoo to see the animals when they're most active! We've been to the zoo before, and it's a GREAT zoo, but it's really hot in Florida. If I could sleep through the hottest part of the day and ignore all the screaming children, I probably would too.

We had a schedule to keep, so first went to see the Wings Over Water show. It was the same show they do during the day, but I always love it. ONE exception: Hunter the Eurasian Eagle Owl is back! He's been out for a while because of a foot fungus, but was back and ready for pictures. Is it weird that I know these things? I did get to see a Harris's Hawk, Austin, which was made extra cool because I'd just seen a little educational video on them the night before! During the WoW show the birds fly very close to you while the hosts tell you about the birds, their habitat, and how you can help preserve that habitat through little things. I always enjoy it.

We went to the Tiger Talks next. We've seen the three male tigers before, but I got to hear the very interesting talk about their habits and habitat, and watch the trainer show off some husbandry actions. This means that they have trained the tigers to display in certain ways, in exchange for treats, so they can check the health of their paws and belly etc. It was SO COOL hearing the tigers bark. I learned that the three males could never be reunited with their mother after being separated. Interesting.

We saw the Wild Things show, which I've never seen before. I saw two wild guinea fowl rampage around the stage, an ocelot walk on a leash, a young alligator, a BARN OWL land on the perch 6 inches above Shane's head (so close!) and a Hyacinth Macaw! Squee!

We went to the Jaguar Talk next/last. They've always been my favorite of the big cats but I still learned new things. I learned that mothers decide their kittens are ready to be on their own when they chase them up a tree and won't let them come down. Also, they have the strongest bite of any of the big cats though they are only the third largest. She talked about their stalking style of hunting, and threw fish in for her to pounce on. People asked why she didn't give it to Maya (the jaguar) through the fence, and Maya showed them why... Maya reached through the chain link fence farther than she ever had before (according to the trainer) and grabbed the trainer's ankle, pulling her the ground, and stealing her rubber boot. The trainer was unharmed, though embarrassed. They had to clear the area and feed the cat just to get the boot back! The whole trip was exciting! I love the Palm Beach Zoo!

FL reviewing the NGSS and YOU can help!

Hey Floridians!

The DoE has fairly quietly initiated a statewide public review of the Next Generation Science Standards. The period will last until the end of this month. The first thing we are asking each and every one of you to do is take some time to go to the review site and participate.

I've followed the development of the standards and they are good standards. These standards support all the things you expect science to support while provide excellent cross-cutting concepts to undercut the "I'll never use this" mentality.

If you're a Floridian, parent or not, teacher or not, this effects you. How and what students learn now effects YOUR future. So please, take a minute to either A: Peruse the standards and voice your opinion, or B: Yes, I'm ok with you taking my very responsible word in vouching for them, and selecting any grade level (I choose HS, of course) and clicking "Accept" under each of the subheadings, and "Approve" at the bottom.

If YOU don't take an interest in children's education, someone else will. 
Thank you.

The site to do so is: http://www.cpalms.org/standards/NGSS_Public_Opinion_Survey.aspx

If you'd like to become more familiar with the NGSS, you can check out their website: http://www.nextgenscience.org/.

You can also get a great overview of their purpose from this 6 minute video from BozemanBiology, a science teacher that posts student-friendly lectures on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9SrSBGDNfU

Teaching Moment: Maria Sibylla Merian's 366th Birthday

Teaching Moment!

Today's Google Doodle is a very pretty figure with leaves and animals. The hovertext proclaims April 2 as "Maria Sibylla Merian's 366th Birthday".

Wasserskorpion, Frösche, Kaulquappen
und Wasserhyazinthe
Amsterdam 1705

Wikipedia says Maria Sibylla Merian was a naturalist and scientific illustrator who studied plants and insects and made detailed paintings about them. She was born in 1647 in Frankfurt, Holy Roman Empire (now in Germany) and received her artistic training from her stepfather Jacob Marrel, who was a still life painter.


When she was 52 she traveled to the Surinam jungle in South America to understand metamorphosis in as many species as possible. There she discovered a new species, but was known to have huge trees cut down just to collect the insects. (Not a very eco-friendly tactic, from a modern point of view).

She published her major work "Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium", containing her careful observations and documentation of the metamorphosis of the butterfly, and is considered the most significant contributors to the field of entomology (the study of insects).

 Though it was difficult for women to work in science during Medieval times, during the 16th and 17th centuries of the Scientific Revolution women could work in science Germany. There, the tradition of female participation in craft production enabled some women to become involved in observational science, especially astronomy. Between 1650 and 1710, women made up 14% of all German astronomers.

Still, according to Michon Scott "Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium was often judged harshly during the 19th century. Merian was occasionally criticized for depicting insects on plants they didn't inhabit, but she explained that she didn't want to show the same plant again and again. One picture that drew particular scorn showed the murder of a hummingbird by a wretched tarantula. Reverend Lansdown Guilding, who, in the words of one historian, "never set foot in Surinam," called the plate "entomological caricature." What upset him, besides the bird-killing spider, was the depiction of ants building bridges with their bodies — a process that surprises no one today" (Scott 2011).

For more information check out a biography on her, like Kim Todd's Chrysalis: Maria Sibylla Merian and the Secrets of Metamorphosis. I know I will!

Santa's Reindeer - Alaska Department Fish & Game

*From:

Santa's Reindeer

Santa’s Magical Reindeer (R.t. saintnicolas magicalus) look very similar to common reindeer or caribou, but have many characteristics that distinguish them from the seven common subspecies: barrenground (Rangifer tarandus granti), Svalbard (R.t platyrhynchus), European (R.t. tarandus), Finnish forest reindeer (R.t. fennicus), Greenland (R.t. groenlandicus), woodland (R.t. caribou), and Peary (R.t. pearyi).

Home Range and Population: Santa’s reindeer live at the North Pole. They are cared for by Mr. and Mrs. Claus and a few specially trained elves. Even though there are only nine R.t. saintnicolas magicalus, they are not listed as a threatened or endangered species. The life expectancy of Santa’s reindeer is infinite. There have been no deaths or fatalities, though some very close calls have been reported due to slippery rooftops and heavy jet traffic around the Los Angeles airport. The nine reindeer are named: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph. All are extremely agile, quick, and friendly.

General Description and Differences Between Subspecies: Among the common subspecies of reindeer, the largest bulls shed their antlers in late October and the small bulls and non-pregnant cows shed their antlers in April. It is not known when or if Santa’s reindeer shed their antlers. We do know, from a few furtive sightings, that their antlers appear to be extremely velvety and robust in late December. Santa’s reindeer also have the unique and remarkable ability to fly. The Claus’ have helped to further develop and condition this ability enabling them to fly great distances in a very short time period, provided they receive frequent carrot snacks.

Rudolph: One of Santa’s reindeer, Rudolph, was born with a genetic abnormality. His nose is bright red. As a calf, the other reindeer excluded Rudolph and often made disparaging remarks about his nose. However, this genetic abnormality became his greatest asset. One fateful, snowy and foggy Christmas Eve, Santa summoned Rudolph for his bright red beacon of a nose. Rudolph guided Santa and his sleigh through the treacherous night by the light of his nose. Had it not been for Rudolph, Santa’s sleigh would have been grounded. Christmas stockings would have remained devoid and limp, and Christmas day would have been marked with cries of sad disappointment. From that fateful eve forward, Rudolph has been revered and honored by his fellows and through stories, legends and songs.

Little more is known of Santa’s reindeer. They remain well loved and rarely seen, though several reports of harness bells and hoof sounds on rooftops are reported each Christmas Eve.

"Text: Nancy K. Long Illustration and Photo: ADF&G Staff Web posted 12/10/04, updated 12/6/05."

This "article" has been reproduced in its entirety without permission from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game. All images and content above this notice is the property of the ADF&G and Nancy K. Long.
For the original PDF on their site, please click the Link.

Personal note: The ADF&G website does have a wonderful listing of factual information for educators. Not that everything in this article isn't completely vetted by science. A lot of the information here definitely is.
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=educators.teacherresources

Long, Nancy K, and Alaska Department of Fish & Game, "Santa's Reindeer". Posted December 10, 2004. Accessed December 13, 2012. [http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/education/wns/santas_reindeer.pdf]