It's official: I'm no longer blogging here.
If you want to keep up with what I'm doing now, check out my author site at apstevens.com.
If you use the resources here, never fear--this site will remain so people can continue to make use of old posts. :)
Friday, March 13, 2015
Monday, January 20, 2014
When patience pays off
Researchers have aerial footage of a penguin colony taken by none other than a caracara (a bird of prey) that thought it was stealing an egg. If you haven't seen this, you have to check it out.
(This is the work of John Downer Productions, one of a series of films made by placing cameras in the midst of a group of animals to record footage of behaviors we don't typically observe.)
Impressive, no?
Footage like this reminds me how much I loved studying animals--of the incredible, unexpected things they sometimes do.
Of course, it also reminds me that in order to get this footage, someone had to spend countless hours sitting in a hide not far from the rookery. Creature comforts tend to be lacking, back muscles spasm, and a game of canasta (or any other activity that involves other people) beckons like the golden light at the end of a long, dark tunnel. But then, for a scientist or photographer out to capture something incredible, that's just part of the daily grind.
Sometimes, something happens to make all the waiting worthwhile.
(This is the work of John Downer Productions, one of a series of films made by placing cameras in the midst of a group of animals to record footage of behaviors we don't typically observe.)
Impressive, no?
Footage like this reminds me how much I loved studying animals--of the incredible, unexpected things they sometimes do.
Of course, it also reminds me that in order to get this footage, someone had to spend countless hours sitting in a hide not far from the rookery. Creature comforts tend to be lacking, back muscles spasm, and a game of canasta (or any other activity that involves other people) beckons like the golden light at the end of a long, dark tunnel. But then, for a scientist or photographer out to capture something incredible, that's just part of the daily grind.
Sometimes, something happens to make all the waiting worthwhile.
Labels:
nature,
perseverance,
research,
science
Friday, January 10, 2014
Celebrating success
Confession time: I thought I'd be wrapping up 2013 with a big announcement. I had it written in my head. Things were about to happen. Then, in early December, it all fell through. After eight months of back and forth with a wonderful agent, she ultimately decided my work was too similar to those of her existing clients, and, well, it wouldn't behoove any of us for her to take me on.
It was devastating.
But she was right.
Now I'm trying to pick myself up and get my work out there again. It's not easy, not when I'd let myself get so invested. But I need to move on, and what better way to do that than to focus on recent successes!
I have two new stories out in Science News for Students:
Caught in the act looks at how animals adapt to a rapidly changing world. Humans are changing the world faster than ever (in fact, we are now considered to be THE driving force of change on the planet, the focus of another story that should be out in a month or two), and only animals that can adapt in time will be able to survive the transition. "Caught in the act" provides some hope on that front.
Why are bees vanishing?, out today, examines the latest scientific findings that are unraveling the mystery of colony collapse disorder. With one-third of the food on our tables requiring pollination by bees and other pollinators, their disappearance is nothing to ignore. And pesticide use--around the home and garden--might be a major culprit, even when used in moderation. You can find out better ways to control pests in my explainer, How to limit the need for pesticides.
Things are moving forward. As they should.
What successes are you celebrating?
It was devastating.
But she was right.
Now I'm trying to pick myself up and get my work out there again. It's not easy, not when I'd let myself get so invested. But I need to move on, and what better way to do that than to focus on recent successes!
by Christine Matthews |
Caught in the act looks at how animals adapt to a rapidly changing world. Humans are changing the world faster than ever (in fact, we are now considered to be THE driving force of change on the planet, the focus of another story that should be out in a month or two), and only animals that can adapt in time will be able to survive the transition. "Caught in the act" provides some hope on that front.
Why are bees vanishing?, out today, examines the latest scientific findings that are unraveling the mystery of colony collapse disorder. With one-third of the food on our tables requiring pollination by bees and other pollinators, their disappearance is nothing to ignore. And pesticide use--around the home and garden--might be a major culprit, even when used in moderation. You can find out better ways to control pests in my explainer, How to limit the need for pesticides.
Things are moving forward. As they should.
What successes are you celebrating?
Labels:
celebration,
climate,
learning,
life,
magazines,
non-fiction,
science,
writing
Thursday, January 2, 2014
A fresh start
Happy New Year!
May you unearth treasure in the coming year! |
Here's hoping we all succeed in accomplishing what we set out for ourselves this year.
What do you hope to accomplish?
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