Some interesting Science Stories posted to another list and some comments I made about one on Darwin and Galápagos:
>From Mike Comet out of NY State: Cool stories I found today Snake Alert! The science behind venom http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2013/01/09/on-the-origin-of-venom/ Walking in Darwins footsteps http://moreintelligentlife.com/content/places/rebecca-willis/footsteps-darwin Fish using sucker mouths to climb walls http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2013/01/determined-fish-climb-waterfalls-with-special-sucker-mouths/ Comments I made about Darwin and Galápagos. Thank you. Mike Nolan....see below Just a couple of comments about Galápagos and even Darwin. I think to title something like this is just a bit inaccurate. He spent a good deal more time in Patagonia than he ever did in Galápagos. If you have been or go there someday, you will quickly see the attraction to someone like him. Also, there are many places in Galápagos never did set foot on. The article is correct, most Islands go be several names....it can be confusing. Some vessels that cruise Galápagos these days go to the far NE, and to the Island of Genovesa, also called Tower. If you go, try and find a boat that goes there. It is idyllic to say the least. You will feel like you are the only people on Earth. It is the only place to really see a nice breeding colony of Red-footed Boobies. You shouldn't touch things in Galápagos, but on several occasions in Darwin Bay would go to the front of our boat and had young Red-footed Boobies crawling all around me and have handled several. I have video footage of one pecking at my video lens, probably not a great idea. In most places, and it depends on your Guide, if you even pick up a feather or stray from a trail to get that National Geographic quality image, you will be quickly told to get back on the trail. There are exceptions....the article talks about how tame the Animals are, sometimes you have to get off the trail because a pair of Birds has decided to make their nest right on the trail itself. At Tower Island, you will dock in Darwin Bay. Kind of funny, he never saw Tower Island in his travels. The list goes on and on, but also one of the few places to see a nesting colony of Great Frigate Birds. Even if you are not a Bird person, it is breath-taking. The Males have graced the covers of dozens of books written about Galápagos and it is a wonder to watch them puff their chests out, actually inflate them to attract a Female. They are not very attractive. The nests are made in the Salt Bush Plants, and they have very sharp spines. At times this air sac is punctured. I have never looked it up, but believe it heals quickly and probably is painless. See: https://www.google.com/search?num=10&hl=en&newwindow=1&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1152&bih=568&q=great+frigatebirds+of+gal%C3%A1pagos&oq=great+frigatebirds+of+gal%C3%A1pagos&gs_l=img.12...1338.14419.0.17348.37.35.2.0.0.0.404.3013.27j7j4-1.35.0.cpsugrpq1high..0.0...1.1.4ac5LfT_1tc There many other reasons to visit Tower Island and the Snorkeling is fairly good. Heading far to South, the article mentions the Island of Floreana. Many books talk about mystery, intrigue and possibly even murder there. Not bragging, trust me, just commenting. The Family, that I believe still lives there....the Wittmers are discussed in many books. Margaret Wittmer was still alive in one trip I took there. She was fairly well limited to her bed at the time. On that trip a German friend was with me. So, we talked to a Grandaughter about talking with her. She ok'd it and Margaret came out to the kitchen table. My friend did the interpreting, we both asked the questions. She died shortly after that interview. I doubt if it worth any money, would like to send it to the Family someday. Probably the last interview she did with anyone. http://www.margret-wittmer.com/ The now have a Lodge where the farmhouse used to be and am not sure if any of the Wittmer lineage still even lives in Galápagos. I have seen others mention this book, but Galápagos: A Natural History is one of the best ever written in a general way for taking a broad look at the archipelago. Author is Michael H. Jackson. Thanks for listening. Small Marketing plug, should you ever want to communicate with someone I have sent to Galápagos, let me know. There have been many. Mike Nolan Walking in Darwins footsteps http://moreintelligentlife.com/content/places/rebecca-willis/footsteps-darwin ---------- If we are on another line or away from the phone, please leave your number, best time to return your call and your e-mail address. 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