How Do They Know...?

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Every so often I see people saying things that make me wonder how they know? Or, sometimes, what do they think they mean by that? Here's one I spotted today.

"Monarch butterflies return to the same tree in Mexico 4 generations later."

How do they know? What does that even mean?

Are they talking about the same butterfly returning to the same tree? Do butterflies live that long? Do they tag them somehow? Are they referring to the descendants of the butterflies that were there 4 years earlier? That seems more reasonable, But how do they know? Do they do DNA tests or something?

What things like this have you seen?

 

[The Tradition]

I have a whole list of such "how do they knows"....

http://www.numberwatch.co.uk/warmlist.htm

 

[The Tradition]

But seriously, they say the same thing about purple martin condos.

In case you don't know what a purple martin condo is, here's a pic:

Supposedly, a mating pair that selects a room in the multi-unit bird house will return to that same room year after year. The offspring will inhabit the other rooms over time.

My question is, what happens when all the rooms in the inn are full? At what point does a bird from the family strike out in search of a new condo?

 

[belezabro]

But seriously, they say the same thing about purple martin condos.

In case you don't know what a purple martin condo is, here's a pic:

Supposedly, a mating pair that selects a room in the multi-unit bird house will return to that same room year after year. The offspring will inhabit the other rooms over time.

My question is, what happens with all the rooms in the inn are full? At what point does a bird from the family strike out in search of a new condo?

They throw a fit at the front desk.

 

[artradley]

They throw a fit at the front desk.

Stay in the manger?

 

[shank hawk]

Every so often I see people saying things that make me wonder how they know? Or, sometimes, what do they think they mean by that? Here's one I spotted today.

"Monarch butterflies return to the same tree in Mexico 4 generations later."

How do they know? What does that even mean?

Are they talking about the same butterfly returning to the same tree? Do butterflies live that long? Do they tag them somehow? Are they referring to the descendants of the butterflies that were there 4 years earlier? That seems more reasonable, But how do they know? Do they do DNA tests or something?

What things like this have you seen?

Stamps on their little Monarch passports, perhaps???? Pretty sure they'd fly through customs as long as they didn't try and smuggle some weed in.

 

[BelemNole]

As far as the butterflies go - no, not the same ones. In fact, it takes several generations just to make the trip north from Mexico, up thru the US and back to the forest in Mexico. But they all end up in a few acre part of the forest in Mexico if they survive the trip. Pretty cool. Big tourist attraction.
However their numbers are in rapid decline as more and more people use roundup, etc and kill off the milkweed they need.

 

[BelemNole]

 

[The Tradition]

As far as the butterflies go - no, not the same ones. In fact, it takes several generations just to make the trip north from Mexico, up thru the US and back to the forest in Mexico. But they all end up in a few acre part of the forest in Mexico if they survive the trip. Pretty cool. Big tourist attraction.
However their numbers are in rapid decline as more and more people use roundup, etc and kill off the milkweed they need.

Actually, people have become aware of this and are actively planting milkweed.

http://www.startribune.com/calling-...eeds-a-billion-plants-for-monarchs/306383591/

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

As far as the butterflies go - no, not the same ones. In fact, it takes several generations just to make the trip north from Mexico, up thru the US and back to the forest in Mexico. But they all end up in a few acre part of the forest in Mexico if they survive the trip. Pretty cool. Big tourist attraction.
However their numbers are in rapid decline as more and more people use roundup, etc and kill off the milkweed they need.

I am assured by most people here that Roundup is safe enough to drink.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Very cool.

 

[shank hawk]

Ok, Here's one for you. Scientists tell us the sun is app. 93 million miles away.

If this is true, then shouldn't these rays shining down through the clouds be nearly parallel? How can light from the sun travel directly towards earth for 93 million miles then bend into the angles shown above when they reach the clouds that are only a few thousand feet above?

 

[shank hawk]

I am assured by most people here that Roundup is safe enough to drink.

I don't need to drink Roundup, I get enough of that shit in my food. I'll stick to beer, thanks!

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Ok, Here's one for you. Scientists tell us the sun is app. 93 million miles away.

If this is true, then shouldn't these rays shining down through the clouds be nearly parallel? How can light from the sun travel directly towards earth for 93 million miles then bend into the angles shown above when they reach the clouds that are only a few thousand feet above?

Love it.

 

[BelemNole]

Effect is called "Jacob's ladder". Also known as crepuscular rays.

 

[shank hawk]

Effect is called "Jacob's ladder". Also known as crepuscular rays.

Googled it, thanks. Still seems due to the extreme distance the geometry is wrong but what the hell do I know?

 

[BelemNole]

 

[shank hawk]

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Hah! Thanks for the laugh.

Wait - are you saying I'm the dumb blonde in the room????

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

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Everything is a wave.

 

[ping72]

It takes 3 generations to travel North. 4th generation is superior and makes entire journey back south.

 

[The Tradition]

By the way, purple martins probably eat monarch butterflies.

 

[Chewback]

I am assured by most people here that Roundup is safe enough to drink.

You mean Terry Branstad.

 

[*33*]

I am assured by most people here that Roundup is safe enough to drink.

Well it is safe to drink and for butterflies... Milkweed however...