Terms and Conditions
I read a wide variety of materials in the process of writing this blog. At one extreme are the peer-reviewed scientific references including papers, reports, and text books. At the other extreme are the informal writings such as home-grown web pages, blogs, and online encyclopedias. Somewhere in between lie the lovely, photograph-studded nature books you can find on the shelves of your local library. I consume words about the natural world as if they were chocolate.
Although the web is my medium of choice when publishing much of my work, it can be a fickle fact provider. There are sites that provide accepted scientific truths and keen insights into the natural world. But there are also online writings that are fogged by misunderstanding and a tenacious desire to make complex concepts too simple. My own articles, despite my best efforts, may at times belong to this well-intentioned group. Since Nature Notes is a personal website, published at the click of a button and without the restraint of peer review, I must declare the possibility of errors or misinterpretations within its text.
The aim of my writing is expression, appreciation of nature, and pursuit of fact. The articles included here have not been scruitinized by anyone but me and a few kind-hearted friends and family members. They should be treated with a pinch of skepticism, the spice of science. Most are open to comments and where you take exception with my words, please speak up. If you're polite about it, I won't be offended. Really.
If you're a student, you should not use my articles as primary references. What you can do is look to my writings for starting points. Where relevant, I have included my sources at the bottom of each article. Refer to these sources as you do your own reasearch. If you find out something new or think I've gotten something wrong, stop back and leave a comment or send a quick message, I'd love to hear about what you've discovered.
Photos © iStockphoto.
An Assortment of Articles
- A New Way to Track Migratory Songbirds
26 Feb 2009 -
- Until recently, small migratory songbirds, too small to track via satellite, have eluded scientists who wish to follow their annual migrations. Now, a tiny device that senses light levels and records sunrise and sunset times, enables scientists to gain...
- Global Plan Aims to Save Amphibians 23 Sep 2005
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- A recent meeting of top scientists—experts in amphibian biology—paved the way for the future protection of amphibians around the globe. The Amphibian Conservation Summit, held on September 17th-19th, brought together more than 60 experts to discuss the threats amphibians...
- Scientists Track New England's Leatherbacks 01 Aug 2008
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- A research team from the University of New Hampshire has tagged three wild Leatherback Turtles—one male and two females—as part of an effort to learn more about the species and to identify ways to better protect it. Each satellite...
- Wildlife News Roundup - October 2008 31 Oct 2008
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- In this issue of Wildlife News Roundup, we find out about the evolutionary origins of bats, the social life of sabertooth cats, and the purpose of the first feathers. There's news that climate change poses grave threats to penguin...
- No Shadow in Sight This Groundhog Day 02 Feb 2007
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- The world-famous groundhog 'Punxatawny Phil' emerged from his den today, Groundhog Day, to proclaim he was unable to see his shadow. As the tradition goes, no groundhog shadow means an early spring is on the way. The official Groundhog...
by Rachel Carson
by Douglas Adams
by Edward O. Wilson
