Here’s my favorite of the new posts:

CreatureCast – Multicellularity from Casey Dunn on Vimeo.

Jellyfish are stirring up the oceans. Above is a video demonstrating, with dye, how the negative pressure void behind a swimming jellyfish brings some water along for the ride. This may seem trivial, but when you add up the movement of all the swimming ocean creatures it sums to a major component of (previously unknown) significant ocean water movement. Which of course has major implications for world climate. Read more here (WIRED Science).

Also, sorry for the long blogging silence. The good news is that I have been very busy! The bad news – no time for blogging. A New Year’s resolution of mine is to find time for this blog – stay tuned and hold me to it!

Jellyfish and plastic pieces from the Pacific Ocean.

Crabs, Algae, and Flying Fish Eggs on Ocean Plastic.

Barnacles living on plastic bottles in ocean.

A research ship recently docked back home after weeks out at sea studying plastic in the ocean. You can read about the fascinating trip and see amazing photos on their blog. Or check out the official website.

Their destination was a location in the Pacific Ocean, far off the coast of California, where sea currents converge and cause a mass gathering of plastic. The plastic gathering isn’t a floating raft; but small pieces suspended at varying depths.

These plastic pieces probably leech chemicals into the water but they also act like magnets attracting hydrophobic industrial and agricultural chemicals – which are suspected to be consumed by small fish and work up the food chain to top-level-consumers like us.

Interestingly, larger pieces of ocean plastics become homes to pelagic creatures like crabs, algae, flying fish eggs. They anticipate needing six months (or more) to analyze all the data – should be some interesting results!

Clouds reflected in Silver Lake. Photo by Leslie Witte.

Have you been to the newest addition to Three Rivers Park District?

Silverwood Park, in St. Anthony, is “devoted to the integration of nature-based experiences and artistic creation”

I will be spending a lot of time there as an “arts educator.” The park and its mission really excite me; the potential of using art to teach science – and science to teach art – hits home with my two greatest passions. However, this doesn’t change my business goals; I will still have lots of time and energy to dedicate to Ami Thompson Consulting LLC.

I highly recommend checking out the park. The visitor center is brand new, Silver Lake is beautiful, and the paved paths are extremely welcoming to people of all abilities.

UPDATE: I am sad to report that I am no longer working at Silverwood. I found myself to be hopelessly overcommitted and needed to let go of something. So with a sad heart I resigned, but it was a wonderful experience. I encourage everyone to visit the park – and keep your eyes open for the Great Horned Owl!

Ponyo Movie Poster

There is a new delightful Hayao Miyazaki movie out called Ponyo. In the film, the world is returning to the Devonian Period, AKA the Age of Fishes.

The movie is worth watching alone for the beautiful animation of trilobites, armored placoderms, and other pre-historic creatures. I tried to fish-out some clips of the sea creatures but the official trailer doesn’t feature any devonian animal scenes. If you’re a historical geology lover this is a must-see movie!

Link to more info about the Devonian Period.

It looks like this is the first in an intended series of Creature Casts. I can’t wait to see the future episodes!

CreatureCast Episode 1 from Casey Dunn on Vimeo.

“Sophia Tintori and Alison Sweeney talk about iridescence in squid. Audio production and animations are by Sophia, who normally studies siphonophores in the lab.”

Photo from a post titled "Occupational Hazards"

The Infinite Universe Blog is an engaging and witty site authored by local naturalist and photographer Tim Boyle.

I highly recommend scrolling down and checking out the sidebar section titled “Things kids say to a naturalist…”

Meteors radiate from the constellation Perseus (Image from the BBC)

If the weather cooperates, tonight may be a stunning night for star-gazing. Even though the North American peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower was this morning, there should still be some good viewing tonight – if the clouds stay away. The bright moon may also obscure your view so bring along binoculars.

Despite the less than ideal conditions you should check it out in honor of 2009 being the International Year of Astronomy.

If the clouds roll in or you’re not in the mood to lay on the ground outside you can follow along on twitter or check out photos.

Giant Pitcher Plant (From BBC Earth News)

Discoveries like this are one of the reasons I love environmental science so much!

From the BBC Earth News:

“A new species of giant carnivorous plant has been discovered in the highlands of the central Philippines.

The pitcher plant is among the largest of all pitchers and is so big that it can catch rats as well as insects in its leafy trap.

During the same expedition, botanists also came across strange pink ferns and blue mushrooms they could not identify.

The botanists have named the pitcher plant after British natural history broadcaster David Attenborough.”

Bonus Link: Awesome Photos of Pitcher Plants.