Monthly Archives: June 2008

When offered the opportunity to design a one-of-a-kind miniature television station that would be strapped onto the backs of the birds and transmit video of their remarkable flight in real-time, Rob MacIntyre was unable to resist. Freelance engineer Rob MacIntyre has been fascinated with raptors ...

It may be impossible to ever know exactly where and when the practice of falconry -- the training of raptors to hunt wild prey for humans -- arose. Some experts place its origins between 4,000 and 6,000 BC in the steppes of Mongolia. Other historians ...

Raptors are among nature's most extreme aerialists -- swift, stealthy, and agile killing machines. Are they the most nimble? Perhaps not. "You'd have to rate a hummingbird higher on maneuverability," says Al Bowers, Deputy Director for Research at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, located in ...

WEB SITES Raptors Adapt http://www.dvrconline.org/raptoradapt.html Learn about the unique adaptations that have helped raptors master the skies, at the Delaware Valley Raptor Center web site. The Peregrine Fund http://www.peregrinefund.org The World Center for Birds of Prey. Hawk Conservancy Trust http://www.hawkconservancy.org Learn about birds of prey ...

Web Sites Cool Antarctica http://www.coolantarctica.com/index.html This site contains pictures, general information and a travel guide of Antarctica. National Science Foundation: Arctic & Antarctic Research Overview http://www.nsf.gov/news/overviews/arcticantarctic/index.jsp Learn more about the research NSF is doing in the Antarctic. NSF manages the U.S. Antarctic Program, which coordinates ...

An ant is a tiny thing, a mere speck crawling upon the ground. Most people might think there is little they could learn from such a seemingly insignificant creature. But in some ancient cultures, ants were venerated as productive and wise insects. Their teamwork and ...

With their curious nature and trademark "smile" -- formed by delicately curved jaws -- dolphins have become the symbol of the friendly playmate of the sea. Indeed, as NATURE's Wisdom of the Wild shows, some dolphins do seem to form special attachments with people -- including ...

Do you owe your life to a chimpanzee? Over the last century, millions of people have been able to live longer, healthier lives thanks to the medicines and surgical techniques that were tested on chimpanzees -- one of humankind's closest relatives. Dozens of vaccines, for ...