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Surreal Volcanic Landscapes, Pristine Beaches, and Flamingoes (Isla Isabela, Galapagos Islands)
A fast two hour ferry ride got us from Isla Santa Cruz to Isla Isabela, and it was like going from a big city center to an idyllic deserted island. Isla Isabela is the largest island in the Galapagos by land area, but with at most 3000 residents, it is the least populated by far…
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In the land of Giant Tortoises and Marine Iguanas (Isla Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands)
We took a 2 hour ferry to the town of Puerto Ayora, on the main island of Santa Cruz. The town itself was quite a bit more urbanized than the main town in San Cristobal, with a very busy bay area and downtown. In addition to actual high rise buildings, businesses such as restaurants and…
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Gallivanting to the Galapagos (Isla San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands)
The Galapagos Islands have always been one of the bucket list destinations for many travelers. Not only are the volcanic islands the home of many photogenic and endemic animals such as the land tortoise, but it played a pivotal role in the elaboration of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection. It is also…
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The Beauty of Grass Flowers #1
When people are asked to name some of the most beautiful flowers, it’s very unlikely that members of the Poaceae would be included in such lists. This is because grasses are wind pollinated, and thus there is no need to spend energy on elaborate and large floral structures that would attract pollinators. And yet when…
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The Rebel Grassland Scientists of Madagascar
Note: Images from video by grasstube below. Awhile back we touched on grassland research in Madagascar, where entrenched colonial mindsets in the local government and populace has threatened the existence of extant grasslands in the country’s interior highlands and western parts. As in many tropical areas, people have the idea that grasslands are only secondary…
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Panicoideae Pair: Giant Paspalum and Little Pogonatherum Parade their Pretty Posies
During the last week, I was lucky to find strong flowering in two separate but related grasses in the subfamily Panicoideae. I am quite familiar with Paspalum notatum, which is locally called Bahia Grass and is used as turf grass quite a bit in the community where I live. I am also aware of various…
Sejarah Poaceae (Volume 2)
The Story of Grasses – Grasslands and Grassy Open Ecosystems