Study of Living Organisms

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Sat, 06 Apr 2013 01:39:19 -0400

Winter.

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 00:04:26 -0500

Winter.

"The earth has grown a nervous system, and it’s us."

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:00:09 -0500

“The earth has grown a nervous system, and it’s us.”

- Daniel Dennett; The Genius of Charles Darwin (via mentalfornication)

Photo

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 02:45:18 -0400

magicalnaturetour: “Mantis” by Mustafa Öztürk

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 02:31:10 -0400

magicalnaturetour:

“Mantis” by Mustafa Öztürk

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Wed, 23 May 2012 23:52:23 -0400

(via Vintage Photos « The Sartorialist)

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:55:34 -0500

(via Vintage Photos « The Sartorialist)

"For last year’s words belong to last year’s language And next year’s words await another voice. And..."

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:11:17 -0500

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.”

- T.S. Eliot [via overflowing] (via tallgirltales)

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Sun, 17 Apr 2011 00:33:01 -0400

Photo

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 00:08:01 -0500

Flamingos! What is it about these wading birds that gets...

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:57:45 -0500

Flamingos!

What is it about these wading birds that gets everyone’s attention? I know they have always captured my attention at the local zoo! I like the fact that they are so unique looking. Their color and those long legs! Also seeing a bird stand on one leg is an interesting site to see.

But, I do think most people are attracted to their pinkish orange color. Flamingos eat foot-algae and crustaceans that contain pigments called carotenoids. The liver has enzymes that break down the carotenoids into the pink and orange pigment molecules deposited in the feathers and legs. There is variation in color depending on the amount of carotenoids the bird gets. So if there was a flamingo living in captivity that wasn’t getting additives with beta-carotene or pigmented crustaceans it would be white or pale pink. :-)