Aquaria Whenever, we vacation, if there is a beach, we go shelling. The same holds for aquaria. Some aquaria specialize in local fish and some are more zoo-like, containing a large number of beautiful and exotic marine animals from all over the world. One of my favorite aquaria, Underwater Observatory Marine Park, (https://coralworld.co.il/en/) is in […]
Nudibranch! What’s a Nudibranch?!! Read More »
Fall Foliage Entices Tourists Living in the NYC area, we usually enjoy a dramatic fall. The trees are bursting with colors and everywhere you turn there is a feast for the eyes. This year (2021) with unusually warm temperatures and poor rainfall, we were forced to take our own trip up to New Hampshire, in
Chlorophyll – Fall & Spring Color -V Read More »
Nature is never simple. We have discussed chlorophyll, the chlorophyll containing structures known as chloroplasts, and even animals that have incorporated chloroplasts into their cells. Today, we will move along to other pigments found in plants. Accessory Pigments – Carotenoids & Anthocyanins Carotenoids The carotenoids are divided into two classes based on their chemistry –
Chlorophyll has Colleagues-IV Read More »
So, just to be clear, chlorophyll powers photosynthesis. Chlorophyll is found in chloroplasts and chloroplasts are found only in plants. Well, not so fast. Nature is always surprising us. A Fascinating sea slug May I present the sea-slug ,Elysia viridis. Elysia viridis – Courtesy of Genet Their green color is really due to chlorophyll located
Where did all the chloroplasts go? – Part III Read More »
Desert environments can be majestic with the bones of the earth on full display. However, after a few days my eyes hunger for the green of grasses and trees. You can read Part I here. The many varieties of chlorophyll The name is derived from the Greek where khloros means “pale green” and phyllon means
That Magic Pigment – chlorophyll Read More »
Finally, finally winter seems to have arrived! While I am not yet a snowbird, I try to ride out the cold snug inside my home. A beautiful snowfall can pull me outdoors for a few minutes, but I long for spring and the reawakening of the plant world. Loving that Special green of Spring I
How Leaves get their colors Read More »
Fall Foliage can be Subtle By mid-October, we finally drove to New England in search of the fall foliage that just was not arriving in Riverdale. All that changed by mid-November and the neighborhood is dazzling. We have been gifted with beautiful weather, chill but filled with bright and penetrating sunlight. Although we usually talk
Gingko Trees in the fall Read More »
We were walking home Shabbos morning(9-11-21) at 11:30am and passed Independence Avenue & W. 236th St. On that corner (property of PS24), there was a white-flowered buddleia attracting tens of Monarch butterflies. We went back today, Sunday morning (9-12-21), and took pictures and videos. Buddleia flowers tend to bloom and die back quickly and, I
Years ago I planted a Clethra alnifolia, otherwise the Sweet Pepperbush. Although it has bloomed every year, I never paid much attention to it despite its fragrance because the flowers are not highly dramatic. Today, I realized that the shrub was awash with flowers and finally took a closer look. I was rewarded with partially
Conceptual Origin of Today’s Post The idea for this post came from Stephanie Coggins who closely studies Riverdale through a camera lens as she walks her newly adopted dog, Dickie. Dickie – Courtesy of Stephanie Coggins When I was in grade school we were already starting to wear woolens as the new school year began.
Strange Doings in Riverdale Read More »