Category Archives: Uncategorized

Years ago I took an Ichthyology class from a guy named Al Ebeling. Last night I came across a paper about him and got to remembering those days. Richard N. Bray, Gregor M. Cailliet, and Daniel C. Reed “Alfred Wallace Ebeling (1931–2022),”Ichthyology & Herpetology 111(2), 335-342, (14 July 2023) It occurred to me that IContinue reading “Spit on the Frying Pan”

There was a time I worked the nightshift, 1800-0600. Cannon F1 camera, automatic-nothing, manual-everything.No digital, No AI. Thought, estimation, a little luck, and click.Investing in some good Kodachrome film increased the chances,But the film couldn’t be developed for another three months.Delayed gratification, if any. Sometimes there was no film in the camera.Click it and forgetContinue reading “The Day Without Darkness”

Caught the low tide at 11th St. today and was reminded of why I got into this stuff in the beginning. That place where yesterday and tomorrow melt away; leaving just sensory experience. A breeze on the cheek, rock under feet, the singing of the waves reaching shore, the smell of the ocean. Science hasContinue reading “Signal to Noise”

Every good book has chapters. I recently ran across a chapter written 10 years ago: “Just ride it…you’ll be fine.” Grandpa would say when I’d get afraid. His friend Carlton, the first time I rode with them: “Michael you have much experience with horses?”Me: “No sir” (a lie, hoping for one that was old andContinue reading “Kintsugi”

Years-ago I worked at a field site called Radio Island Jetty; a narrow strip of rock just inside Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina.  The tidal flux though the inlet produced extreme currents on the jetty; water rushing in at high tide, then reversing and flooding back out as the tide receded.  Trying to work in these conditions (yes,Continue reading “Mind the Gap”

The more time I spend here on Earth, the more I see circles.This particular circle has a circumference of 40 years. No, we didn’t win. But who knows, maybe that will happen sometime. A quest to find truth. What do this horse and I have between us?Is she really with me?In search of that placeContinue reading “Circles”

When I was a graduate student in the ‘90s I thought data could change the world. Properly designed, controlled, replicated experiments; good data would point the way. Sometimes it seemed the key didn’t open the door; old bittings perhaps, an aged key worn by time; efficacy lost. The disappoint of youthful dreams; idealism tempered byContinue reading “Go for the heart”

Maybe old Feynman was on to something. Maybe if we’re not getting it wrong we’re not doing it right. Stumbling toward the truth;A tiny candle shining into the darkness of the unknown;Incomplete, inaccurate, misidentification;The cutting edge of ignorance Even ideas we are most sure of; the door of uncertainty left open just a crackA crackContinue reading “Thoughts from a sit by a tide pool”

Sometimes giants are found in unexpected places.High school biology, the very beginning of an odyssey,40 years ago. He taught us biology, the facts, and more importantly how to navigate.In the field he showed us the rules; which to follow and which to politely ignore in the name of keeping things interesting. He was the kindContinue reading “Tall Masts, Fine Humans”

Before the grindstone that transforms idealism into realism begins to turn,a teacher dreams of what could be. Don’t give them a roadmap, give them a compass. Don’t give them a pathway to “Success” or a roadmap to riches.Prescription kills curiosity and joy. Teach them the principles of navigation.And give them courage to drift and wander.TheContinue reading “Early August”