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Burrowing Owls from Mac Stone on Vimeo.

These image sequences were all part of an effort to make a unique photograph of burrowing owls in their natural habitat. As diurnal birds, they spend most of the day outside their burrow keeping watch for predators. In order to get really close without scaring them, I placed my camera inside a road cone which they had grown accustomed to as a marker for their burrow. Leaving my camera in the cone-hide, I could let it cycle a photo every 2 seconds, offering a rare glimpse into the secret life of burrowing owls. 

Following the video's release, National Public Radio's syndicated program Science Friday hosted their video pick of the week and highlighted The Secret Life of Burrowing Owls. Listen to the interview here:

 

The Everglades from Mac Stone on Vimeo.

Audubon of Florida brought the Everglades to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City this summer. Shawn Liston, Ph.D., Florida Audubon’s Research Manager for the Southwest Region, and Megan Tinsley, Everglades Policy Associate, were featured June 13 in the Museum’s Milstein Science Sundays: Restoring the Everglades. Dr. William Loftus, an ecologist with more than 30 years experience in the Everglades, accompanied them. Prior to and after the formal presentations, a longer version of this slide show played on dozens of screens throughout the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, giving visitors a true taste of our unique Everglades. Three months later, this movie was chosen to play during the Audubon Assembly in Tampa, Florida. 

 

Field Work from Mac Stone on Vimeo.

Eight months out of the year National Audubon's Tavernier Science Center conducts field research in the Everglades National Park and Biscayne Bay. We are researching fish populations, water salinities, aquatic vegetation, and the roseate spoonbill as a way to monitor and support Everglades restoration efforts. Many of our sites are located in some of the most remote areas of the national park and getting there is only half the battle. While the hours are long, the conditions fickle, and the obstacles aplenty, it's still hard not to look back and think how much fun it really is.