Curiosities

The normally colorless cells are staining shades of pink and purple, which indicates different stages of the cells. The pink were on the surface being sloughed off, the purple were a bit deeper in the lining tissue. The are all about the same size with similar size and shape nuclei (dark purple dots).

Abnormal Cells 200x

At first this may look similar, but look at the different colors and sizes of the nuclei in the cells. They are especially different in the bluer cells that are deeper in the cervical lining, This indicates abnormal growth and could not be easily detected without stains.

Following Darwin’s success aboard the H.M.S. Beagle, a science expedition was planned aboard the H.M.S. Challenger in 1875. The mission in part was to discover whether life existed in the depths of the oceans. Without light, it was thought that life could not exist.

The ship had a dredging mechanism to pull samples out of deep submersed ocean soils.

We have been fortunate enough to obtain two microscope slides prepared during this research voyage.

This sample was taken at 4475 fathoms, about 26,000 feet beneath the ocean surface, from an area of the Pacific Ocean now known as the “Challenger Deep,” named after this ship.

They are not stained, this is what the researchers saw on their own microscopes aboard the ship.

45x

At this lower magnification, the colors and clumps suggest the organization of organisms.

100x

There are definitely organisms, including algae (green), other protists, and small animals.

400x

A small protist, from the Kingdom that gave rise to animals and remains abundant in aquatic habitats.

Rockscapes

The entire world can be found in a small rock. The patterns in nature we see at large scale; mountain ranges, branching streams, and ocean waves, can also be observed at a much smaller scale in the mineral patterns that compose rocks.

Part of studying nature is seeking and explaining patterns, repetitive occurrences in natural phenomena. The ring in this photo features merlinite, a type of white agate with small black dendrite inclusions of psilomelane. Our brains may see a familiar pattern of a snowy scene. Scan the close-up images of rocks on this page and see what your brain finds.

Curiosities

Corvids

Family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, blackbirds, magpies, and jays. These intelligent and wide-ranging birds are often nearby, ready for closer study.

A small cerebral cortex does not indicate an inability to process information. The structure of the brain and relationship of brain size to the overall size of the animal are also significant.

Corvids can adapt to a variety of environments, aided by the flexibility of an omnivorous diet.

Let’s get journaling! Corvids are frequently mentioned in literature and represented in the visual arts, including sculptures.

Crickets

Crickets are a fascinating animal that can be kept as a pet and studied over time. Find out why these are excellent subjects for nature journaling.

There are many cricket species, if you find them is the pet store they are most often being sold as food for reptile pets. An adult bearded dragon can eat 30 large crickets a day. However, there is a long history of crickets themselves being kept as pets.

Deciding to keep crickets as pets, or to breed as animal food, requires providing adequate heat, a clean enclosure, cover or hiding places, reduced noise/vibration, air ventilation, moisture, and food.

Since crickets can jump a foot or more into the air, move them between habitats in a tub or deep sink, if possible.

These crickets were just released into their new habitat. Watch their reaction to the moisture (oranges) and food (oatmeal bedding).

Crickets are an excellent model for animal biology: they have interesting observable structures, and distinct observable behaviors, including elaborate social behaviors.

Do you have any idea of the type of behavior occurring between the two crickets approximately 10 seconds into the video?

Bengal Cats

If you have a pet, you have a natural journal subject. Our three Bengal cats Tanjiro, Uschi-Swirl, and Vladimir are constant inspiration. Their wild behaviors and high activity levels make taking photos, sketching, and writing about their antics irresistible.

Most Bengal cats are very active, providing plenty of journaling opportunities. In their youth, all three of our boys spent an hour or more daily on supervised walks, hours in a large screened yard, and an hour or more on an exercise wheel.

Here is a look at the unique animal created through artificial selection.

Antique Microscope Slides

Stains can turn clear cells that are difficult to read into powerful sources of information. Using a medical example, women get regular pap smears to detect possible abnormal growth in the cells lining the cervix. These cells are colorless under bright light until stain is added.

Normal Cells 200x