Book Review - Life's Devices: The Physical World of Animals and Plants - Princeton University Press

 

     I think that Steven Vogel must have been a quirky character and this book is impressive evidence of a scientific curiosity influenced by that quirkiness, as he explores the biomechanics of the common organisms around us. We see them every day, we watch how they take their place in the world, yet seldom (I suspect) ponder how it all happens. 

     The laws of physics and mathematics dictate the order of the universe, and all the living things therein from the simple to the complex, are governed by those immutable laws. Gravity affects everything! The properties of air and water influence action and reaction. 

     If you are now feeling daunted by the thought of physics and higher math set your fears aside. The book is aimed at the non specialist and Vogel provides refresher sections to bring you up to speed. It is a very long time since I studied physics, and a bit of a refresher in algebra didn't do any harm, but I had no difficulty at all reading the book at a lively pace. 

     Many very appealing and illustrative illustrations complement the text. 

     I am almost ashamed to reflect on the number of times I have examined Caddisfly larvae, and viewed them only from the standpoint of their protective housing, or as food for American Dippers, without probing further. Thank you Steven Vogel for pushing me along!

     This is a book to answer questions you didn't even think to ask, and you will experience a whole series of "aha" moments as you plough through it.

     Rob Dunn furnishes a highly engaging foreword which sets you up for what is to follow, imparting before you even read Vogel's first word, that you are in for a journey of discovery.

     You will have so many esoteric anecdotes for your next cocktail party, that alone makes it worthwhile! After all, who doesn't want to know why a fish swims with greater ease than a duck can paddle?

     And you will know the answer! 

Life's Devices: The Physical World of Animals and Plants - Princeton University Press

Steven Vogel

Paperback - US$21.95 - ISBN: 9780691270586

384 pages - 5.5 x 8.5 inches (13.75 x 21.25 cm)

Publishing date: 27 May, 2025

A Visit to RIM Park, Waterloo, ON

 14 April, 2025

     We were joined by Lisa for a morning's birding at RIM Park.

     Migrants are flooding the area almost daily and we were delighted to see our first Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) of the spring.

     No doubt with a surge of "if you've got it flaunt it" sentiment, he showed off the yellow belly from whence derives his name.

     As a consequence of the death of Pope Francis we have been seeing a great deal of cardinals in Rome in their red robes. They fade into irrelevance when compared with the bird!

     And he's doing everything possible not to remain celibate!

     Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) never fail to accentuate my already good spirits as they sing from a high perch, spilling forth their ardour with every fibre of their body.

     This individual is buffeted by the wind but remains an unapologetic, enthusiastic minstrel.

     Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) were spotted in the upper third of the trees but never 

favoured us with a clear view.

      A Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) was busy gathering nesting material; it looks like a comfortable feather bed is in the offing.

     A pair of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) and a sleepy Mallard (Anas platyrynchos) shared the Grand River together.

     This flotilla of Buffleheads (Bucephala albeola) looked quite grand as it mastered the flow of the water, all the while diving for food.

     This nest looked quite new, and well constructed, but we were unable to figure out the identity of the architect.

     There is latent joy in an American Robin (Turdus migratorius) from its jaunty, cheerful song to its splendid appearance.

     It is a source of consternation for every birder that one can always find evidence of Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) excavations, but seldom the bird itself.

     The Swiss Guards at the funeral in Vatican City would hardly rival a robin for an upright stance!

     A Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens), in sharp contrast to its pileated cousin, is always willing to bring greetings.

     There's never a bad time for a snack.

     When we left RIM Park, Lisa said, "We're close to Millennium Pond, let's take a quick look."

     Our reward was a very cooperative American Coot (Fulica americana).

     We saw much more, but those pictures are locked in our mind.  It had been a great morning and, as always, spending time with Lisa only added to the pleasure.

Birding in Costa Rica - Part 11

15 January, 2025 

Natural Lodge Caño Negro - Entrada Los Chiles - Cinchona - Bougainvillea Hotel

     

     Caño Negro had delivered for us in fine fashion, but it was time to move on. Our time in Costa Rica was drawing to a close; there were still more birds to see, however!

     Before leaving the lodge we managed to spot a few familiar species. 

     A Black-striped Sparrow (Arremonops coniristris) was partially hidden, initially.....

      ..... but then popped up to please his human admirers!

     Blue-grey Tanager (Thraupis episcopus) was one of the most frequently seen species.

     Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl) was amazingly common, so as barely to garner a passing glance, but oh how thrilled we would be to see one today.

     Our stop at Entrada Los Chiles (El Parque) was very productive and we were greeted by a Cinnamon-bellied Saltator (Saltator grandis) feeding on fruit.

     A male Yellow-throated Euphonia (Euphonia hirundinacea) was no less shy to take advantage of the avian buffet.

     A female was conveniently on the ground nearby.

     A female Scarlet-rumped Tanager (Ramphocelus passerinii) gave us a pretty good dorsal view.

     And here is a more conventional view.

     
     A Buff-throated Saltator (Saltator maximus), like his Cinnamon-bellied cousin, was quick to claim a share of the fruit.

     A Clay-coloured Thrush (Turdus grayi) is the national bird of Costa Rica, after all, and deserves its place in the sun.

     It reminds me of some people I know, not flashy, but always reliable.

     Who could fail to be enchanted by a Black-cheeked Woodpecker (Melanerpes pucherani)?

     Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) always reminded us of home; indeed, it will not be long before they start to show up at our backyard feeders.

     We have grape jelly and oranges ready for their arrival. No one goes hungry!

     A Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus) is a sensational little bird.

     Here it is sharing a banana with a Blue-grey Tanager.

     We moved on, and from time to time had to share the road.

     A Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris) paid little heed to the cattle, no doubt concentrating more on the grasshoppers and other insects stirred up by pounding hooves.

     We were in an area of grassland, very much to the liking of various seed eaters, and we were not disappointed with good numbers of individuals and species.

     The bill of a Nicaraguan Seed-finch (Sporophila nuttingi) is really quite arresting.

     A White Peacock (Anartia jatrophae) was a pleasing addition to our morning.

     A female Variable Seedeater (Sporophila corvina) was present too.

     Grey-breasted Martins (Progne chalybea) were like laser-guided missiles picking off aerial insects, but  two birds perched on a wire for a few seconds.

     Thick-billed Seed Finch (Sporophila funerea) added to the very agreeable challenge of identifying grassland species.

     There is no confusion about a Greater Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus).

     Red-headed Paper Wasp (Polistes erythrocephalus) is apparently common to abundant in Costa Rica, but we did not see them often. 

     This is an insect that it best left alone to go about its business; its sting rates 3/5 (intense) on the Schmidt Pain Index.

     In addition to grassy fields, we were in an area of flooded land, creating perfect habitat for wetland species.

    The number of juvenile Northern Jacanas (Jacana spinosa) was astonishing.

     As might be expected herons were very much in evidence.

Bare-throated Tiger Heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum)

Tricoloured Heron (Egretta tricolor)

     The highlight from this stop was, without a doubt, clear looks at a White-throated Crake (Laterallus albigularis).

     This is a tiny bird (14-16cm), normally staying within cover and difficult to see. We were fortunate to see it so well and it was a "lifer" for most people.

     Our attention was so rivetted on the Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus) seen below that we didn't notice the Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) at the time and only became aware of it when editing the picture.

     Domestic horses came for a drink.

     A Zebu bull is an impressive animal.

     I am struck by the confiding nature of American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) in Cuba and Costa Rica, in sharp contrast to the skittish nature of this species at home.

     We stopped along the road to look at a Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus), a curious mammal, and the object of everyone's delight.

     In addition to the algae in their fur, clearly visible above, B. variegatus lives commensally with sloth moths, including Cryptoses choloepi, which live in the sloth's fur and lay eggs in the dung.

     I know that Victoria and Carlos disagreed as to the life cycle of the moth, but I believe that Victoria expressed the process as herein described so it appears that this is vindication for her.

     To support this conclusion I consulted the following, all of which support the life cycle of sloth moths as enunciated above, beginning with eggs laid in dung.

Waage, J.K and Montgomery, G.G. (1976), "Cryptoses choloepi: a coprophagous moth that lives on a Sloth. Science 1933 (4248)

Wainwright, Mark (2007), The Mammals of Costa Rica

Reid, Fiona A., Leenders, Twan, Zook, Jim and Dean, Robert (2010), The Wildlife of Costa Rica

   

     It started to rain and we clambered quickly onto the bus to head off to Soda Cinchona where we would have lunch and (surprise!) look at more birds.

     I was glad not to be the driver under these conditions.

     Upon arrival we were greeted almost instantly by several Blue-throated Toucanets (Aulacorhynchus prasinus caeruleogularis), the equivalent of a royal welcome for us.

      Conditions for birding were far from ideal, but we did the best we could.

     After all, we can't change the weather, nor can we blame anyone for it.

     The waterfall looked quite splendid through the mist.

      A Crimson-collared Tanager (Ramphocelus sanguinolentus) shared a banana with a Silver-throated Tanager.

         Indulge me while I add another picture of a Blue-throated Toucanet.

     The rain did little to deter hungry birds, anxious to gobble up their share of the smorgasbord laid out for them.

     Stoicism was the order of the day for a Baltimore Oriole.

     A Blue-grey Tanager was handsome, as always, basking in its cerulean splendour.

     It was exciting to share the day with a couple of Green-crowned Brilliants (Heliodoxa jacula).

     Here is a very poor picture of a Violet Sabrewing (Campylopterus hemileucurus).

     Reliable as ever, a Rufous-tailed Hummingbird joined the party too.

     When it was time to leave the sun was doing its best to poke through the gloom and a rainbow was our reward.

     How would you like to be a lineman working on this tangle?

     By late afternoon we reached the Bougainvillea Hotel, that oasis of splendid calm in a troubled world.

     And yet another rainbow greeted us.

     It was time to go for dinner.