Water Power Engineering, the Theory, Investigation and Development of Water Powers Book

I think Heinrich’s research is awesome, whether he’s putting pipe cleaners around young raven necks or counting sticks in a kinglet nest. This book was fantastic not only for the “wow” moments contemplating his field methods but for offering in-depth information about a group of animals I knew very little about. Bumblebees <> honeybees (also nifty creatures), and the differences are fascinating. For example, bumblebees don’t dance, which seems unfortunate that the bumbles miss out on a sophisticated form of communication. But because of their basic natural history, it totally makes sense that dancing wouldn’t provide much advantage! Learn how queen bumbles are like songbirds (but unlike birds, they spend nights with their face in a honeypot). Learn how they can sustain themselves in cool climates few insects dare inhabit! Learn why bees visit a few flowers in an inflorescence rather every single one! I was terrifically excited by all these explanations, and I’m not even a bug nerd. Plus, I just love that Heinrich’s approach to most scientific questions is “Hey, let’s stick a thermocouple in it.”