Book Review - The Ant Collective: Inside the World of an Ant Colony - Princeton University Press

      There has been a growing level of interest in ants of late, or at least it seems so to me, and this remarkable book continues to stimulate our curiosity about these industrious insects. Ants serve both as a paradigm of hard work and eusocial organization, and drive us crazy if they get into our homes, or ruin a summer picnic.

      Armin Schieb provides us with a detailed examination of the workings of an ant colony, supported by a gallery of computer-generated images that are breathtaking. You will see the intricacies of life in ant society in ways you have never seen before.

     Each picture is supported by a series of notes explaining exactly what is going on. Life beneath your feet is revealed and explained in a concise manner; you are effectively transported underground to witness the events unfolding before your eyes.

    In addition to the subterrainean workings of the colony you are treated to other aspects of ant existence, including such essentials as mating and reproduction. 

     Ants are renowned for their mutualistic association with aphids, from whom they derive a sugary treat, and the depiction of this relationship is exquisite.

     From start to finish the text is terrific - precise and informative, but it is the pictures that really set the book apart.

     The picture of a Green Woodpecker, invading the colony to eat its fill of ants whose poison it has neutralized, is nothing short of wonderful.

     I spent several minutes poring over the pictures, revelling in their exquisite detail, discovering nuance and accuracy with every glimpse.

     How often have you had a pig's snout view of worker ants furiously trying to save their larvae from a marauding hog?

     If you come to this book knowing nothing at all about ants, you will benefit from the introductory sections on anatomy, sex and caste, circulation and respiration - and so on - everything that makes an ant an ant.

     Read, enjoy and return often to look at this unique gallery of pictures. That alone will fill you with satisfaction.

The Ant Collective: Inside the World of an Ant Colony - Princeton University Press

Armin Schieb

Hardcover - US$24.95 - ISBN: 9780691255927

128 pages - 8 x 11 inches (20 x 27.5 cm) 

120 colour illustrations

Publication date: 07 May, 2024

Birding in Cuba - February, 2024 - Part 10

 27 February, 2024

Cayo Coco - Jagüey Grande - Havana

     I was awake early and discovered that the issue with water was ongoing. There was barely enough to flush the toilet and not a drop could be coaxed out of the shower. 

     We all had a good breakfast and then got ready to move on! Havana beckoned.

     It was a little more than three hours before stopping in Santa Clara for lunch. The name of the restaurant eludes me but it is of an exceptionally high quality and the food was terrific. I was especially delighted that they had beets, a firm favourite of mine, and to the best of my recollection the first time I have seen them in Cuba. 

     It was not long after getting back on the road that we heard a loud bang and Jovani pulled over onto the shoulder. We had blown a rear tyre! We limped along at a much reduced speed, and another Transtur bus stopped ahead of us to see what assistance might be rendered. The best they could do was to transfer some tools and equipment, but Jovani was clearly concerned.

     We had planned to stop briefly in Jagüey Grande to visit Tania's parents, but our stay would of necessity be extended to permit a new tyre to be installed.

     It was sheer joy to once again be at Tania's delightful home.

     The garden is very appealing, reflecting the nature of Cuba in many ways.

     There is a tradition in Cuba that when a baby girl is born rum is mixed with fruit and topped up from time to time, and only drunk on the fifteenth birthday of the child. Rocío is now seventeen, but the rum has only improved with age, of that I am quite sure.

     I have no doubt that Alan bestowed upon it his seal of approval. I know I certainly did! Looks like Beth was enjoying the moment too!

     Rocío has become an enormously talented and creative young lady. This is a mural she painted above an outdoor sink; it would make doing the dishes a pleasure!

     Rocío made coffee for us, Tania brought in little bread rolls - I was beginning to rejoice in our blown tyre!

     Everything about this home is charming.

     Charming inhabitants too.

     It wouldn't be hard to figure that Tania is a birder and a photographer.

     Soon help was on the way in the form of a giant repair vehicle, with a friendly driver to assure us that all was under control.

     We were glad to see him and his huge truck.

     

     It took little time before the bus was raised and people were busy changing the tyre.

     I am not sure whether Alan is looking down in despair or bemusement, wondering what might happen next.

     In short order, however, the bus was lowered to the ground and we were ready to motor onwards to Havana.

     I was happy to display a painting Rocío had presented me with for my birthday.

     We noticed that every day is laundry day in Cuba, and when the weather is mostly warm and sunny, why not?

     Perhaps Tania thought that her charges might be hungry on the journey to Havana so she stopped to buy cookies.

     Even a disaster had turned into a very pleasant afternoon.

     There were many fires along the highway, with smoke and the darkness that comes with it.

     No part of the globe it seems is immune from this scourge. Politicians continue to ignore the scientists and everyone pays the price.

     Both Kathy and Virgil produced incredibly interesting and appealing artwork from their photographs.

     I am in awe of their talents and the results they achieve.

     We arrived in Havana after 21h:00 and went to dinner immediately after checking into our rooms at Hostal Azul Habana.

     Katie, the young lady on the front desk is always there to welcome us and to provide impeccable assistance with a broad smile.

     We invited her to join us for dinner across the street at Habana 61.

     It was indeed a pleasure to have her along.

Thanks to Beth, Kathy and Virgil for sharing their pictures.

Birding in Cuba - February, 2024 - Part 9

 26 February, 2024

Playa Paredon Grande - Playa Las Coloradas

     Most of us set off for an early morning start, before breakfast in fact, fuelled by coffee, to hunt for two principal targets, Cuban Gnatcatcher (Polioptila lembeyei) and Thick-billed Vireo (Vireo crassirostris).

     We were successful on both counts, even securing photographic evidence of the gnatcatcher.

     This was the result of a diligent search, of course, with no effort spared.

     It was pleasant to tarry along the shore for a while, all the while searching with keen intent.

          Beach Moonflower (Ipomoea violacea) trailed all across the beach.

        We hunted diligently for Bahama Mockingbird (Mimus gundlachii), without success, but we spotted this unusual Giant Goofy Gull (Larus trumpensis obfuscatiatus) and Virgil quickly swung into action to enshrine it for posterity.

     I haven't quite figured out yet where to include it on my life list.

     As we made our way back to the resort we stopped at various points and saw many shorebirds, spoonbills, egrets etc but mostly quite distant or bathed in direct sunlight, unconducive to good photography.

     A Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) was imposed on us as a substitute for Bahama Mockingbird, but we were gracious and welcomed it to our happy gang.

     This Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) looked lovely bathed in early morning sunlight.

    

     Virgil took this delightful picture of a Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charithonia).

     We were seated for breakfast around 08:45 and ate heartily.

     Around 11h:00 a few of us visited a little mall nearby, mainly a collection of boutiques designed to provide trinkets for tourists to take home, and left a few dollars behind to fuel the local economy.

     When I arrived back at my room I had no water and was advised that the municipal water supply into all the resorts was compromised and "they are working on it!" How fast and how efficient "they" would be was a question that sprang to mind immediately.

     After lunch I went for a stroll at the front of the hotel and there were many Julia Heliconians (Dryas iulia) flying around.

     Not for them any concern with water.

     People in the pools might feel differently if the water was not replaced from time to time.

     Various domestic fowl wandered around the grounds at will, and I found them quite pleasant.

     Some even had chicks who had become very adept at scratching in the dirt.

     Western Honeybee (Apis mellifera) seems to have invaded the whole world, and this one had found a source of nectar.

     At 15h:30 we returned to the beach where Kathy was very excited to have a return engagement with Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodius) and got into position to get lots of pictures, with Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) to keep her company.

     Piping Plovers were once again the stars of the show, although as you will see there was a great supporting cast.

     

     Even Piping Plovers have their little spats once in a while.

    

     A juvenile American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) was an unexpected sighting, and the first time I have seen this species in Cuba.

     Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla), on the other hand, is a "regular."

      Pelicans on the sand really were a joy.

     And in the water too.

     Feather maintenance is always important.

     A few Magnificent Frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) patrolled high in the sky waiting for a hapless tern or gull to pass by with a fish waiting to be pirated.

     Two American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) made us very happy when they put in an appearance.

     Alan took this great shot of one flying past the nest of a Cuban Blackhawk (Buteogallus gundlachii).

     We returned to the hotel at 17h:15 and there was still no water, although it appeared that tankers were being brought in - with water I assume. I had been wondering how dinner could be prepared without water.

      In any event, dinner proceeded as usual, and when I returned to my room at 20h:30 water came out of the faucet - a mere trickle mind you, but water!

     It's perhaps a good thing that we will be leaving in the morning!

Photos have been provided by Alan, Beth, Kathy, Tania and Virgil, with a few of my own too.