Time to talk of other things ...

 The complex world of birdsongs and mimicry Some years ago, I came across a fascinating study by BBC on birdsongs that showed the human ear could only detect a subset of the frequencies - by shifting the audio waveform to a human audible frequency it was clear that we were listening to just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. That got me thinking - how complex is the world of birdsongs? Birdsongs are traditionally defined as the long, often complex learned vocalizations produced mostly by males but also by females to attract mates (typically only during mating season) and defend their territories (year-round). In contrast, bird calls are usually shorter, simpler, innately known (not learned) sounds for more discrete functions, such as signalling about predators and food.  Analysis of Parus minor , aka Oriental tit, bird calls by Toshitaka Suzuki and his colleagues at The Graduate University for Advanced Studies in Japan show that the shorter coded message involves syntax, or ...

   Yosemite Valley draped in Fall colours We finally made it to Yosemite Valley for an overnight trip, inspired no doubt by the indelible photos of Ansel Adams featured in the National Geographic magazine. With the recent rains and splendid Fall weather, it was everything one could hope for and more ... Yosemite Valley, to me, is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space  ~ Ansel Adams Yosemite Valley is a glacial valley in Yosemite National Park located in the western Sierra Nevada mountains of Central California.  Yosemite valley is encased in impressive granite monoliths (Half Dome and El Capitan being the two most iconic) - making for some of the most spectacular and challenging rock climbing faces in the world !! The Valley floor features the gentle Merced river (aka River of Mercy) winding its way through dense pine forests.  Yosemite falls (actually 3 separate falls) drops a total of 2,425 feet (739 m) fro...