Author: Al Denelsbeck
It’s a jungle out there
A few days back, I began finding a solitary jagged ambush bug nymph (genus Phymata) on the dog fennel plants. I was pleased, because there’s something about these little predators that’s appealing, and not just to me The Girlfriend likes them too, solely based on their appearance. I don’t find many of them – my last round of decent
Recognizing pseudoscience
One would think that recognizing pseudoscience is an easy thing, almost intuitive – and, to be honest, it is, provided the right measuring stick is used. But there’s simple, and then there’s simple, you know?
First off, we can get some other bits out of the way first. There’s no reason to get all pedantic over a firm definition of pseudoscience, but can we count such things
Frustrations, part 12
As several separate thunderstorm cells moved through tonight, I was watching the inordinate amount of electrical activity lighting up the sky like a disco strobe, and figured I should be doing something about it. I haven’t pursued much lightning photography in my current location because it’s remarkably difficult to find a good setting. This area of central NC is loaded with trees, and
All the answers
So, let’s look at this in detail. We all know jesus could walk on water, but could he sleep on water? Could he even swim? If he dove off the dock, would he break his neck?
Maybe the effect was limited to his feet, in which case he’d have to be careful of his balance. Could he walk on rough water? Would he orient to the surface, pivoting around on the crest of an incoming wave? Stand upside
From the diaphragm
Down at the park the other day, chasing whatever I happened to come across, I did a few casual photos of unknown insect larvae, roughly 15mm in length, doing their best at denuding a small tree. Upon returning and unloading the memory card, I realized I’d caught some details I never expected to see, and certainly didn’t realize at the time, or I would’ve gotten
It’s… literature
Walkabout podcast – It’s… literature
By the time I finish this post, the article making the rounds may have already died its internet death, in which case I’m either resurrecting it or in denial (I’ll let you judge.) I’m referring to 20 Books You
I meant to do that
Yes, of course I chose this particular focus – anyone can focus on the bee, but using the bee as a backdrop, that takes creativity!
Okay, I lie, this was a missed shot handheld during a breezy overcast day, but I realized I liked the effect with the flowers. While I don’t encourage hanging on to less-than-ideal shots “just in case,” sometimes they can be repurposed by considering
Alien psychology
I feel slightly guilty about appending an ‘astronomy’ tag to this, because it’s going to seem not just distantly-related, but wholly out of place to some reading. Yet, there really is a legitimate bearing, as I hope to demonstrate. So let’s take a brief look at the history of extra-terrestrial encounters, because sometimes it helps to know the perspectives of the time.
I am
Harken back
This is a revisit of a post from a few years ago, partially because I always wanted to tackle the images better, and partially because this is the season for it. But at the same time, this post is aimed in part at the people with a fear of spiders, because it just might be a factor in getting over this phobia.
If you go outside in the early evening, just as it’s gotten fully dark, and hold