Directions, Please Nobody coming to Riverdale would normally go out of their way to travel on Spaulding Lane. In fact, I doubt most residents even know where it is. So I will take you there. Go north on Palisade Avenue along Riverdale Park. The road does not end but makes a sharp right and goes […]
In the Beginning Darwin developed the theory of evolution to explain the progression of life from simpler to more complex biological forms. In this geology course offered by The Great Courses – How the Earth Works – the professor, Michael Wysession, asked a different, but equally intriguing question, “Where do the component elements of our
Building Blocks of Our World Read More »
Rosh Hashannah and Honey Rosh Hashanah and the Jewish holiday season are now almost two months behind us. Most of my blog topics are the result of some subject or natural occurrence that caught my interest. However, if there is a natural history tie-in with one of the holidays, I like to highlight that in
Fascination with Honey Read More »
This summer I had a large clump of an unknown plant in one of my garden’s sunnier locations. I was reluctant to tamper with it in case it was actually something wonderful. All summer it kept growing until it was about three feet tall. Finally, around September it budded, then flower and it seemed that
Heavenly Scented Flower Read More »
Attractive but Dangerous Cuteness We automatically respond to babies both human and otherwise. We would probably not have reacted so forcefully against the fur industry if baby fur seals were not so cute. However, while such cuteness has no moral dimension, it is not always benign. Baby Fur Seal – Courtesy of John Solaro As
Cute but Destructive – Rabbits moving In Read More »
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 »
Taking Stock When I was younger, there was a seasonality for produce. We looked forward to enjoying ripe strawberries in springtime and nothing compared to a warm peach dripping its juices in on a hot summer’s day. Over the years so much has changed. Positive changes include progress in the sciences with its attendant health
Rosh Hashanah and Botany Read More »
Art Course in College Ancient Greek Statue Back in the 60s when I was in college, an art course was required to fulfill the basic Core course requirements. I signed up for the introductory course, listed as “History of Art”. Greek sculpture had already defined my esthetic and a semester devoted to art originating in
Perspective is Everything Read More »