Flora and Fauna

2008-05-17-dscn3789
Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Lady bug and honeysuckle

On the beach: South Beach

2008-03-04-dscn2708
Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Here's a photo on the shore at South Beach. I'm actually here for a conference (WebWise) and not just beachcombing!

Wouldn't it be great to have an way to look up information about the life you see as you walk along the beach or even in your own backyard?

Well, we're on the way there! The Encyclopedia of Life (www.eol.org) and the Biodiversity Heritage Library (www.biodiversitylibrary.org - the pages of which are integrated into EOL) are on the way to making this possible.

The EOL launched it's first 30,000 or so species pages in late February and the majority of these are from marine species. So, next time your on the beach, bring your smart gadget and find out more about what you're seeing!

Ladybugs

2007-11-17-rscn1416
Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Ladybugs on the Netherlands Carillon in Arlington, Virginia

Great Auk

2007-11-08-dscn1384
Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

The Smithsonian Institution Libraries is currently highlighting extinct animals in its exhibition case in the lobby of the National Museum of Natural History. Here is a Great Auk, along with heritage literature, an engraved egg, and photo of Smithsonian ornithologist, Storrs Olson

"Hatcher" skull cast, National Museum of Natural History

2007-09-04-dscn0637
Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Recent sidewalk construction has placed the cast of the skull of "Hatcher", the Smithsonian's Triceratops behind fencing. The juxtaposition of the skull, the flag, the barbed wire and the IRS building made for an interesting composition.

Nevada State Fossil

2007-08-25-dscn0422
Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Shonisaurus popularis, a species of ichthyosaur is the state fossil of Nevada. Read more about it here: http://www.statefossils.com/nv/nv.html

The Manta Ray

One of the most beautiful sea creatures is the manta ray. The Washington Post ran an interesting story about the latest discoveries about this animal.

This threatened animal, that can grow to 25 feet across and weigh over 6,000 lbs., ranges around the world and is harmless to humans.

Photo by David McMurdie, near San Bendicto Island, Mexico, Spring, 2003

Whales watch us!

2007-04-08-dscn7572
Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic.

Whale watch kiosk at Long Wharf, near the New England Aquarium in Boston. Whales are one of the "charismatic megafauna" that get much of the biodiversity attention around the world. But if you were to pick some species to highlight, what might they be?

How about:
- Corn (Zea mays)
- E. Coli
- Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus)
- Rice (Oryza sativa)
- Fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster)
- Death cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides)
- Humans (Homo sapiens)
- Yeti lobster (Kiwa hirsuta)
- Chimpanzees (Pan paniscus or P. troglodytes)

Or something completely different!?!?