Monthly Archives: February 2011

How Black Saddlebags Lay Their Eggs

Posted on 28 February 2011 by

I find it fascinating to watch black saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) lay their eggs, especially since I have not seen any other species of dragonfly distribute its eggs in quite the same way. Continue reading →

Posted in Entomology, Photography | 1 Comment

Another Trick with a Digital Camera

Posted on 26 February 2011 by

Many city, county, or state parks have public binoculars for use by visitors. They can give nice, close-up views of the local wildlife. They can also be pressed into service as an ersatz telephoto lens for your compact digital camera. Continue reading →

Posted in Photography | 3 Comments

When to Observe the Moon

Posted on 24 February 2011 by

Most people who have never looked at the moon through a telescope think that the best time to do so is when the moon is full. And why not? That’s when it is the biggest and the brightest. It just has to be the ideal time – not really. Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Best Practices, Photography | 1 Comment

A Trick for Photographing Through Glass

Posted on 23 February 2011 by

Sometimes in a museum or other exhibit, you see something in a display case that you’d like to photograph. The problem is that you need a steady camera to make it work. This might be because the light is too low, as is sometimes the case in formal exhibitions, so working with a camera sans tripod can be a problem if you need a longer exposure time. Continue reading →

Posted in Photography | Leave a comment

The Duck that Laid the Golden Egg

Posted on 21 February 2011 by

On February 11, as I was strolling around the pond in Penitencia Creek Park, I noticed a quacking duck standing next to a soft-shelled egg. The egg must have been quite fresh, since it had not been there at the time of my previous circuit around the pond a few minutes earlier. Moreover, I do not know what happened to the egg—it was gone by the time I made my next trip around. The duck was still there, but she now had her head tucked under her wing in a resting posture. Continue reading →

Posted in Ornithology, Photography | Leave a comment

Some Thoughts After Week One

Posted on 20 February 2011 by

Today marks the end of the first week of the Citizen Scientists League’s blog, and a couple of weeks longer since the launch of our page on Facebook. We have been pleased to see showing up and taking part in the dialogue on the FB page. We’ve seen some interesting ideas for projects, reports from people who are out there observing and collecting data, and some good advice for people who are getting started in amateur science. Continue reading →

Posted in General Interest | Leave a comment

How to (and How Not to) Engage Professional Scientists

Posted on 19 February 2011 by

by Reginald Smith Editor’s Note:  If you are an amateur scientist, or want to become one, this is one of the most important articles you will ever read. Creating good working relationships with professional scientists can make all the difference … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Practices, General Interest | 1 Comment

Love, War, and Buffleheads

Posted on 18 February 2011 by

The bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) is the smallest duck in North America. Buffleheads spend the summer in southern and western Canada and central Alaska, and they winter in the southern United States and along the western and eastern coasts of the United States. So it is not surprising that at local ponds here in San Jose, California, they are common sights during the winter months. Continue reading →

Posted in Ornithology, Photography | 1 Comment

Curiosity Revisited

Posted on 17 February 2011 by

A little over seven years ago I wrote an earlier version of this article for The Citizen Scientist. At that time I was about to end nearly three years as the Editor of that publication and hoped to condense into one short essay the great pleasure I had experience working on a publication dedicated to the pursuit of prodigal curiosity. Continue reading →

Posted in Amateur Science | 1 Comment

Book Review: A Life of Discovery: Michael Faraday, Giant of the Scientific Revolution

Posted on 16 February 2011 by

Michael Faraday wasn’t destined for greatness. The son of a blacksmith, he was a bookbinder’s apprentice when he stumbled upon books about chemistry which interested him in science. Lesson one: interest in science is not innate and has to be nurtured. Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | 2 Comments