I thoroughly enjoy reading this blog by Erica McAlister, curator of Diptera at the Entomology Department at the Natural History Museum (London). Plenty of really interesting fly (and other insects) stuff.
Closed Sunday: Observations of life on the remote Isle of Lewis.
A most enjoyable read. Sometimes I feel like I'm living in the sticks, but Lincolnshire is a throbbing metropolis compared with Lewis!
Here's my seasonal greeting for friends and family - but I'm afraid you'll have to click on the link to view it, seeing as we can't post pictures here any more!
(It involves a seal in a silly santa hat...)
I've exported my SU blog to here - and might continue adding to it as and when I feel like it. See it how it was before all the images and links were stripped away!
Snacks of the Great Scribblers
Wendy MacNaughton takes a light-hearted look at what well known writers snacked on when working.
I'm not a creative writer at all, but thought I'd share my snacks of choice for those times when I'm sitting there looking for inspiration: a variety of nuts (and, for a treat if I manage to write something without deleting it, dried mango and pineapple). And pots of green tea, although that can interfere with progress once it reaches the bladder...
Via: Xineann and Gladsdotter
Noma Bar 'Cut-It-Out'
Beautifully striking negative space cut outs by Noma Bar are currently at at Outline Editions as part of this year's London Design Festival. This interesting blog post describes the project.
(See, I'm not all insects and sciency stuff!)
Via: rugenius
Bug Art by Ashley Wood
Hawthorn shieldbug by Ashley Wood
A great collection of illustrations of British bugs by Ashley Wood. In many cases, nymph stages and adults are shown. An excellent reference resource - and can also be seen at the British Bugs website alongside photographs of the bugs.
A Tale of (More Than) Two Butterflies
A yellow form of the female eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly
(Credit: K. Kunte, Harvard University)
"Appalachian tiger swallowtail butterfly is hybrid of other swallowtails."
Research on these butterflies could be increasing our knowledge of species formation.
The Butterfly Effect
Common Blue by nutmeg66
This year's Big Butterfly Count runs from 16 - 31 July. In conjunction with it, the Butterfly Effect has been developed for school children in KS2. Resources for teachers include six downloadable lesson plans and associated material - which should encourage schools to get involved. I'd certainly use it with my pupils.
The Blades Display Team
Photo: nutmeg66
I'm not particularly interested in aircraft or airshows, but when my son won a sixth form scholarship from the RAF and was invited along to RAF Wittering to attend a presentation, I went along too (in my role as Mum's Taxi) and entertained myself by trying to photograph some of the aircraft. The Blades Display Team is his favourite (even ahead of the Red Arrows).
Dinosaur size comparison
This sort of page has been kicking around for quite some time, but I thought I'd post it here because it'll be easy to find next time I do a dinosaur theme with my young pupils. They love to see comparisons such as this.
Use in conjunction with this page.
Ed Reardon's blog
Ed Reardon is one of my favourite radio characters and I've been listening to his 'week' on Radio 4 for some time. I love the failed fifty-something hack-writer, pipe-smoker, fare-dodger and master of the abusive email, who lives with a cat called Elgar. These blog entries give a taste of his outlook on life - just a shame there are only four.
Photographing bees and wasps in flight
Wasp in flight by Jeremy Early
I often try to photograph insects in flight - with varying degrees of success. Jeremy Early writes here about how he goes about it and gives some useful advice, along with photographs to illustrate his work.
It's a vole lotta fun!
Water voles at play - Terry Whittaker
Delightful series of pictures of water voles by one of my favourite wildlife photographers, Terry Whittaker.
Website of my favourite wildlife illustrator, Richard Lewington. I frequently refer to his superb illustrations in 'Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland' when I find unfamiliar moths in my light trap - I find them far more useful than photographs when searching for an identification.
Microscope objectives in photography
Image: copyright John Hallmen
Excellent information about the use of microscope objectives in photography. I'd love to give it a go - and reading this has inspired me!
John Hallmen's images are superb so please take a look at them when visiting this site.
Beautiful science
Moth wing scales by Kevin Mackenzie
An audio slideshow of the winners in the Wellcome Image Awards 2011, showing the aesthetic beauty of scientific images.
Leap for fleadom!
Short clip of a flea jumping - accompanied by traditional flea circus drum roll. Like most people, I don't welcome fleas into my home... but viewing their remarkable leaping ability from afar like this appeals to me!
"New research from the University of Cambridge sheds light on how fleas jump, reaching speeds as fast as 1.9 meters per second. Using high-speed recording equipment and sophisticated mathematical models, Professor Malcolm Burrows and Dr Gregory Sutton from the University's Department of Zoology, were able to prove that fleas use their toes to push off and propel themselves into the air."
"Bats may be mysterious and misunderstood, but the earth's only flying mammals are essential to our global environment. Discover how bats contribute to our rich biodiversity and well-being, through pollination, seed dispersal, insect control and other eco-services in rainforests, woodlands, wetlands, grasslands, deserts and cities."
Why not see if there's a bat walk being held somewhere near you - and discover more about your local bats. From my experience these events are great fun - and children love using bat detectors!
Norfolk Moths
Hebrew Character - a moth seen early in the year. nutmeg66 (not in Norfolk!)
This site is an extremely useful reference guide and photo archive to the moths of Norfolk. I don't live in Norfolk, but it's a site I use frequently to help identify unfamiliar moths and check for similar (confusion) species.
Particularly useful is the 'Flying Tonight?' section which gives an indication of which species are likely to be around now.