Jason E. Andersen

Blog

Welcome to a world of limitless possibilities, where the journey is as exhilarating as the destination, and where every moment is an opportunity to make your mark on the canvas of existence. The only limit is the extent of your imagination.

  • Monarch misinformation

    Bonus (not so?) Fun Fact: Despite news you may have heard, the Monarch butterfly has not been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). However, it was listed as endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list. These two things are not the same and the news is causing some considerable confusion. Monarchs…

  • Tight squeeze

    Okay, one more octopus fact. Bonus Fun Fact: Octopi can fit through any hole that is big enough to accommodate their beak. The beak (the mouthparts of the octopus at the center of their underside) is the only rigid body part on an octopus and is rarely larger than an inch in diameter, except for quite large…

  • Many-brained

    The octopus is an amazing and alien animal. As an upland bird biologist in a landlocked state, I know virtually nothing about the marine world. That is likely why I find the ocean and its creatures so fascinating! Octopi have all kinds of neat bodily features that make them highly adapted to their undersea realm. I’ll…

  • Thistle time

    Bonus Fun Fact: It’s Canada thistle time! Okay, maybe that’s not a fun fact but, it is a jumping off point for potentially useful (and fun?) information. When the purple flowers of thistles start popping up this time of year, lots of people start worrying and asking questions. I wanted to take this opportunity to remind…

  • Hot stuff

    Humans are sensitive to temperature. You can feel when objects or the air is hot or cold.  We can also feel as temperature changes. Have you ever entered your house, found it to be a bit warm, and turned on the air conditioning? It felt nice didn’t it? That wasn’t just your imagination, you could…

  • Tea, anyone?

    As part of my job, I have been mowing roadsides for poison hemlock this week. It’s not much, but it’s honest work.  Bonus Fun Fact: Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is a highly toxic, introduced plant found across the United States. The leaves, stems, and flowers (and, I assume, the roots as well) can all kill if…

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