Everything is ALIVE

This is not entirely news. Nonetheless, a world that a month ago was bare of brightness has now burst forth in an explosion of burgeoning.

Everything is vividly, almost obscenely, full of life: the trees are unfurling brilliant, tender young leaves; the branches throb with birdsong; the flowers are tipping the open cups of their petals up to the frantic touch of the ecstatic bees, who moan in nectar-drunk pleasure as they rub themselves into a pollen-dusted frenzy.

Now the spiders once more stretch their fine prismatic strands across the tips of hedges and between long stems, trapping the light in their stealthy geometries.

Now beetles and ants traverse the uneven surface of the earth, the sun brightening their carapaces until they glisten like moving beads of liquid, drops of quicksilver.

Now, finally, once again, the world seethes with millions of small motions that spin us dizzyingly through spring.

{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}

Seven Science-y Topics for the Thanksgiving Table

Running out of conversation starters for the holiday? These subjects will keep the whole group engaged:

1. The U.S. National Dog Show

[this breed ("schnerrier") not recognized by the American Kennel club]

A great all-around topic for dog lovers (favorite breeds; favorite fur-styles; “I love it when the Afghan hounds/Komondors run!”) and a good springboard for discussions on artificial selection.


2. Turkeys

Of course. More opportunities to discuss artificial selection, tryptophan

, wild turkeys taking over (sub)urban areas, and why we’re eating such a basically boring food (there is no good reason).


3. The science of food

I’m more of a zoology/ecology-focused conversationalist myself, but there’s a lot of ground to cover here, from the pH of cranberries and how heavy cream whips to new research into how we process taste (though I’m a bit skeptical of the interpretations of some of the studies).


4. Local bird sightings

This gives the birders a chance to talk about migratory ducks and the first juncos of the year and gives the non-birders an opportunity to drink more.


5. Why everything related to biology-and/of-queerness is problematic and fraught

If you have an LGBT gathering, you can spend a good 45 minutes—at least—rehashing the topic of homosexuality and heterosexuality as social constructs and why dolphin sex lives (as fun as they are to discuss) can never be the final word on human identity politics.


6. Thankfulness

Probably I should be grateful more often and regularly, but one a year is a start, right? Among the many wonderful things on your list, consider adding primary producers, corrective lenses, wildlife refuges, and pollinators.


7. The myriad sexual systems of marine invertebrates

Because it’s always the right time to talk about barnacle endowment, sex-changing snails, and parasitic males.

{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}

One Shot: Dreamy Bee

{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}

Alien Explorers

I know they know where they are and what they’re doing there.

Sometimes, though, as I watch bees traverse those bright, bizarre, pocked landscapes of nectar and pollen, I can’t help but imagine that they’re the leaders of expeditions to marvelous new worlds.

{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}