Tag Archives: University
BV-worthy new exhibit
The California Academy of Sciences has long been beloved by the author of BV, figuring in her elementary school field trips, and, more recently, looming large in her consciousness as an example of stunning sustainable architecture. And a friend is … Continue reading
Filed under academia, endangered species, extinct species, human behavior
You’d be Prickly, too
A rare Prickly shark ( Echinorhinus cookei) was recently “found” and displayed at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, quite the coup for the eager grad student type who “found” the shark. The shark was ”collected” in an area where the Monterey Bay Aquarium Supported research, by the unnamed … Continue reading
Filed under human behavior, marine life, the strange and the beautiful, Uncategorized
Banana Slug: “hard” life.
Beloved by alumni of UC Santa Cruz, banana slugs seem to have a pretty good thing going. Sure, they’re slow and eat detritus on the forest floor. But they’re beloved. …Just, you know, not by each other. In fact, … Continue reading
The missing link: Darwinius masillae, Sweet as Apple cider
The sound of the name “Ida” has suddenly become sweet sweet music to paleontololical ears. This is because “Ida,” a 47 million year old fossil hidden in a closet for 20+ years has recently been unveiled. Apparently, a … Continue reading
Filed under academia, extinct species, Uncategorized
Humanatee: A dying breed
The humanatee is an ancient, intelligent beast, most often found in large “schools.” When members of far-flung schools gather together in large, gregarous groups called “conferences.” During these sporadic expeditions, humanatees may demonstrate dominance by flashing the “TT” position. These … Continue reading
Undead Spiders Survive Mass Drowning.
The author of BV, dear readers, is not happy. She is, in fact, deeply, deeply troubled. And all because what she is about to report confirms her deepest suspicions about order Araneae; spiders are, in fact, evil minions of the undead sent … Continue reading
Sloth
Sloths once lived both on the ground and in trees, but ground sloths, too slow to outmaeuver enemies, are now extinct, leaving only the familiar upside-down tree dwelling variety.* The surviving species belong to families Megalonychidae (two toed sloths) and Bradypodidae (three toed … Continue reading
Bushtit
Despite its name, the Bushtit (Order Passeriformes, family aegithalidae) is not a well-endowed member of a prominent American political family but a tiny, insect-eating bird. Once called “Common Bushtits,”* these birds are primarily found in woodland and suburban habitats (ranging from southwest British Colombia, along … Continue reading
Filed under academia, backyard fauna, Uncategorized
Breaking News: latest addition to list of endangered species
Shall we sing a requiem for a dying breed? Genus Newspaperus Printae , which long sat at the top of the media food chain, has been in a state of gradual decline for the last decade. The situation is now critical, as the genus has been dealt a resounding blow … Continue reading
Filed under academia, endangered species, extinct species, Phobia-inducing, Uncategorized
Dissertation Elf
There have long been tales of the wise old owls who swoop through the windows of sleeping doctoral students in the wee hours of the morning to finish their dissertations. Elf Owls (micathrene whitneyi), the world’s smallest owls, are often spotted perched … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Drones and Worker Bees (a.k.a. “TA”s and “adjuncts”)
Apiologists were surprised to discover University hive system of California, wherein, counter to typical apian behavior, a body of largely non-productive, post-prime leaders known as “Regents” live on after their productivity has expired, draining the resources of the entire hive system. Drones in the University hive … Continue reading
Filed under academia, endangered species
