This will be my third post in a row with a US theme or author. But I just have to share the photos by Joel Sartore at this site
http://www.joelsartore.com/gallery/index.asp . The ‘fragile nature’ gallery has my favourites but it takes a while to download.
I found his photos after reading an interesting piece by Rick Bass on the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park just published by OrionOnline http://www.oriononline.org/pages/om/05-4om/Bass.html .
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD has worked in industry and government. She is currently researching a novel technique for long-range weather forecasting funded by the B. Macfie Family Foundation.
Jennifer,
Great piece of writing by Rick Bass – thanks for drawing my attention to it. In some parts of south-western Australia we are having a population explosion of small to medium native mammals, following poisoning of cats and foxes by CALM. Pleasing, but at the same time a worry. Without predators, we will face an overpopulation soon, and the vegetation will suffer – bandicoots have ruined my lawn already, but they are welcome. I have heard of woylies, in the absence of their favourite truffles, which are promoted by fire, changing their diet to orchid bulbs – oh dear! Former predators were dingoes, and, of course, Noongar people, with their “great harvests of game”, usually by burning. I don’t know what plans CALM has for culling. I can’t see reintroduction of the dingo being popular with sheep farmers. Perhaps encourage Noongars to start burning and hunting again? Otherwise the bush may end up like my lawn – looking like a bare pig paddock.