Nature & Form studies Swanand Kalugade PG Sem 4
Relative sizes of the species shows the population in comparison to others
Characteristics large heads, long, sharp, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails
Fast facts Size: Length 16-17cm, wingspan 24-26cm
Weight: 35-50g Lifespan: Maximum 15 years, Avg. 7 years Diet: Predominantly fish, tadpoles, shrimps and aquatic insects
Size relative to a tea cup:
Kingfisher details
A kingfisher perches or hovers over water, watching below signs of movement. When it sees a fish, it plunge-dives head-first and grabs – never spears – its prey.
Anatomy of bird
Skeleton of bird
Structure Kingfisher
Flight pattern of a Kingfisher bird
Fast Facts: #1 The natural buoyancy and swift down-stroke of its wings enables kingfisher to come out of water.
Beak of kingfisher
#2 Kingfisher catches its prey in less than 1/10th of a second, which is normal reaction time for fish. Its diving speed can range upto 60mph.
Squirrel details
Source: National Geographic
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1 1. A squirrel grabbing a nut with her claws 2. Skeleton of a squirrel showing arrangement of teeth 3. Claws of a squirrel usually in pairs of 2 and 3
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Skeleton of a squirrel
Muscular structure of a squirrel
Characteristics: a long tongue, feet that are shaped into bifid claspers, a prehensile tail, independent eye movement and the ability to change skin colour Diet: locusts, mantis, crickets, and other insects
Chamaeleo zeylanicus
Chameleon details
Fast Facts: #1 special cells called Chromatophores have pigments, situated in layers under the chameleon’s outer skin.
#2 top layers of chromatophores have red or yellow pigment, while lower layers have blue or white pigment
Cut section of chameleon’s leg showing different layers
Internal anatomy of a female lizard
Structures of tulip flower protect their pollen from rain by various physical structures.
Tulip details
they are perfect flowers containing both Male and Female parts in structure.
Anatomy of flower
Anther contains pollen
1
2
3
1. 2. 3.
Stamen Top vies of tulip Close-up shot of pistil, stamen
Biomimic Taxonomy: Modify Adapt/Optimize Optimize space/materials
Diet: thousands of tooth-like protrusions called denticles scrape algae into its mouth
Mollusks
Shellfish
Gastropods
Cephalopods
oysters mussels cockles
slugs snails limpets conches
cuttlefish nautilus
Gastropod mollusks
Conch details
Mollusks live in the sea having a hard, calcium carbonate rich shell to protect their soft body.
octopus squid
Fast Facts: #1 Conch are herbivores, they use a tough tongue-like organ called a radula in its proboscis to feed. As it feeds, thousands of tooth-like protrusions called denticles scrape algae into its mouth. #2 Shell growth can be left handed or right handed
Increasing size by adding to an edge
Function
Geometry
Proportions
Protection Enclosure
Shell revolves around central pillar
Relative Incremental Double to previous
Growth pattern
Color & Texture
Incremental Spirals formation
White Tan
Spiral lines
#1 Can you really hear the sea in a seashell? The wave-like sound we hear is actually a concentration, within the shell, of certain frequencies of our surrounding environment. The seashell captures this noise, which then resonates inside the shell. The actual sound we hear, therefore, will depend on its size and shape, as different shells accentuate different frequencies – larger seashells produce lower pitched sounds, whilst smaller shells will tend to produce higher pitches.
#2 Health tip one who blows a conch shell daily is cured of respiratory disorders such as asthma. He shall not be affected with lung disorders. http://healthmad.com/health/miracles-of-a-conch-shell/
Some interesting things conch
A boy listening to sound of sea from a conch
# Conch shells are occasionally used as a building material, either in place of bricks, or as bulk for landfill. # In the Bahamas, broken or up-turned conch shells are imbedded into the tops of outdoor walls in an effort to maintain home security; the broken or up-turned shells are sharp enough to cut any intruder who attempts to jump or crawl over the wall.
White conch: One of the eight auspicious Symbols from Buddhism
History conch
ROCOCO Decoration: The radiating shape of a clamshell has been used to decorate an arched recess.
A saint using conch
In Indian epic Mahabharata, conch was worshipped on religious occasions as well as blown to announce battle.
Cultural relevance conch
Hindu god Vishnu holding the conch