Category Archives: Nature

MAPA1: A most stubborn individual

Posted on December 27, 2023 by Sebastian Marquez

One lone bird flies back to its home range on the other side of a volcano. Seems straightforward enough. Animals making their way back home after an arduous journey are typically feel-good stories that are sometimes made into movies. Homeward … Continue reading →

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Who let the dogs out? Wolves, Coyotes and the Post-Hemphilian Canis radiation

Posted on December 8, 2023 by Sebastian Marquez

So this post may just be an excuse for me to post more photos from my trip to the Living Desert Zoo and Garden. While wolves and coyotes may look similar enough for the lay person like myself to confuse … Continue reading →

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Kahurangi: Missing a friend but happy for the success

Posted on December 6, 2023 by Sebastian Marquez

I was sadden when I heard of the passing of Kahurangi, the only kokako in captivity. While she may be gone her species, and family really, have been making a steady comeback from the brink of extinction.

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Snapshot: Bennett’s Wallabies

Posted on November 30, 2023 by Sebastian Marquez

I was thoroughly impressed with the Australia exhibit at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert, CA. It had an automated double-door system and staff to let you know the rules and keep eye on things. Once inside, … Continue reading →

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More Banza Katydids

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Sebastian Marquez

One of our volunteers, Alex, came across this female Banza katydid today. I don’t have the eye for it, last time I saw one was years back when I last posted about our native katydids. I had forgotten how large … Continue reading →

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The surviving flora of Crouching Lion

Posted on September 13, 2023 by Sebastian Marquez

I had family in town and took them to a short hike with expansive views over Kahana Bay. While very popular with out of town guests, I was pleasantly surprised to come across some native plants persisting at low elevation … Continue reading →

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The time wanderers

Posted on August 31, 2023 by Sebastian Marquez

Right off the bat I’d just like to say the world is a better place with rhinos in it. Rhinos for me are also interesting because they are vestiges of a bygone era; when I look at one, I can’t … Continue reading →

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Getting to know your Hawaiian Lobeliads #40 Cyanea shipmanii

Posted on June 7, 2023 by Sebastian Marquez

Cyanea shipmanii *From Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai’i

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Legend of the Fall (Ashfall Fossil Beds)

Posted on June 2, 2023 by Sebastian Marquez

Lagerstatten present an interesting, if morbid, paradox. The very processes which leads to exquisite fossil preservation for appreciation and study, while quite fortuitous from our point of view, are also horrible, no good, very bad ones for the object of … Continue reading →

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Let’s talk about: Olonā

Posted on May 21, 2023 by Sebastian Marquez

In the 13 years that I’ve run Studia Mirabilium, I may have mentioned olonā (Touchardia latifolia) in passing a few times. Well today, let’s give olonā its due. Olonā, long revered for the high quality cordage it provides, may prove … Continue reading →

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