Holga photo, Waterloo State Recreation Area in Michigan, early March 2012.
The Holga is a “toy” cameras, made all out of plastic, even the lens. It’s so cheap that it lets in weird light leaks. You can’t really focus it or be sure of what exactly is in the frame when you’re shooting. That element of surprise, especially because it’s a film camera, is what makes it so appealing.
Cochineal Insect by BestofDanSilver on Flickr.
Here’s the dye that comes out if you squish a cochineal insect, shown here alive and well on a cactus.
Tropical herbivory, part 5. This is actually in the desert, unlike the previous photos, which were from the rainforest. These are cochineal insects feeding on an Opuntia cactus. The white stuff is a waxy coating to prevent water loss. If you squeeze the insect, a very bright red dye comes out, carmine, which is used in cosmetics and food coloring, and has been used for textiles for a very long time by indigenous Americans. The insect is native to tropical and subtropical South and Central America. From the insect’s point of view, the dye deters insect predators.
from wikipedia
Tropical herbivory, part 4. Well, I think it’s herbivore damage, but I’m not sure! Could be a fungal disease? Looks pretty anyway.
Tropical herbivory, part 3. More leaf miner damage. Leaf miners eat between the surfaces of the leaf to avoid most of the defenses of the plant—cool, right? Notice in this photo that you can see by the size of the trail that the insect started very tiny, and grew!
Tropical herbivory, part 2. Leaf miner damage. Leaf miners eat between the surfaces of the leaf to avoid most of the defenses of the plant—cool, right?
Tropical herbivory, part 1.
a neotropical Cockroach in the rainforest of Guyana
(photo: Artour_a)
Louie Schwartzberg: The hidden beauty of pollination (by TEDtalksDirector)
Gorgeous footage of pollination. This is what I study! So beautiful! However, I must disagree that it’s “rarely seen by the naked eye.” In fact, it’s pretty easy to observe pollination in action, even with your naked eye! Go out and watch some, and marvel at how plants have long-distance sex with the help of their pollinators.
Antibiotic resistance explained 
Who knew antibiotic resistance could be so cute?? But seriously, this is a huuuuge public health problem. If you’ve never understood it, watch this video!
This website has some great videos about evolution that are free to use non-commercially.
This website has some great videos about evolution that are free to use non-commercially.
Ants and their parasites video
That snail is SO DEVIOUS!! This is a wonderful 10-minute video about army ants and their parasites in the tropics.
This website has some great videos about evolution that are free to use non-commercially.
Holga photo, Colorado diner, February.
The Holga is a “toy” cameras, made all out of plastic, even the lens. It’s so cheap that it lets in weird light leaks. You can’t really focus it or be sure of what exactly is in the frame when you’re shooting. That element of surprise, especially because it’s a film camera, is what makes it so appealing.
Holga photo from Colorado, February.
The Holga is a “toy” cameras, made all out of plastic, even the lens. It’s so cheap that it lets in weird light leaks. You can’t really focus it or be sure of what exactly is in the frame when you’re shooting. That element of surprise, especially because it’s a film camera, is what makes it so appealing.
Centennial Theme by One by Four. Powered by Tumblr.
