Note: Matt Young directed the selection of the finalists and wrote most of this text.
We received approximately 60 photographs from 20 photographers. Most of the pictures were excellent. Approximately half represented endangered or invasive species, very loosely defined. We therefore established 3 categories: general, threatened or endangered, and invasive.
Choosing finalists was difficult. We considered what we thought was the scientific and pictorial qualities of the photographs, and also attempted to represent as many photographers and present as much variety as possible. The text was written by the photographers and lightly edited for style.
Here are the finalists in the
invasive category. Please look through them before voting for your favorite. We know it is possible to game these polls. Please act like adults and don't vote more than once. If we believe that the results are invalid, the contest will be canceled. The photos and poll are below the fold.
The
Talk Origins Archive Foundation will provide the winner with an autographed copy of
Why Evolution Works (and Creationism Fails), by Matt Young and Paul Strode.
Oryctolagus cuniculus,
European rabbit, Victoria, B.C. by Ken Lord — This species of rabbit was introduced to the area around Victoria British Columbia several decades ago, probably through the release of unwanted pets. Their population has grown enough for them to have become a pest.
Agapornis roseicollis,
rosy-faced lovebird by Pete Moulton — These have established a large and growing feral population in the Phoenix metro area. The Sonoran desert habitats serve them very well, and they're thriving on a diet composed largely of mesquite beans, and nesting in cavities in the saguaros, or in the spaces under roof tiles.
Eichhornia crassipes,
water hyacinth by Bob Riggins — Definitely an invasive species here in South Texas! Clogs up irrigation canals and other waterways. This one is floating in a whiskey barrel which serves as part of my goldfish pond. The water hyacinths are good at filtering water and removing toxic compounds.
Apis mellifera,
European honeybee, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, New Zealand by Malcolm S. Schongalla — This species was introduced to New Zealand in 1839. It has suffered from worldwide population declines and "colony collapse disorder." This species holds the unlikely honor of being simultaneously invasive, valued, and in peril.
Carabus nemoralis,
European ground beetle, Glendale, New York by Kurt Andreas — A tramp species that recently found its way to my hometown.
Balanus improvisus,
bay barnacle by Al Denelsbeck — They are now showing up far removed from their originating Atlantic home. Here, I caught detail of the "toes" (cirri) during feeding, with a depth of field estimated at less than 2mm. And of course, Darwin spent no small amount of time working with barnacles and their taxonomy.
Update: Pete Moulton has withdrawn his photograph of the Rosy-Faced Lovebird, and we have removed it from the poll.
12 Comments
Rhacodactylus · 23 August 2010
These are all stunning pictures, all the participants should be proud.
darvolution proponentsist · 24 August 2010
Just Al · 24 August 2010
Once again, the text accompanying the images, in order:
Oryctolagus cuniculus, European rabbit, Victoria, B.C. by Ken Lord — This species of rabbit was introduced to the area around Victoria British Columbia several decades ago, probably through the release of unwanted pets. Their population has grown enough for them to have become a pest.
Agapornis roseicollis, rosy-faced lovebird by Pete Moulton — These have established a large and growing feral population in the Phoenix metro area. The Sonoran desert habitats serve them very well, and they're thriving on a diet composed largely of mesquite beans, and nesting in cavities in the saguaros, or in the spaces under roof tiles.
Eichhornia crassipes, water hyacinth by Bob Riggins — Definitely an invasive species here in South Texas! Clogs up irrigation canals and other waterways. This one is floating in a whiskey barrel which serves as part of my goldfish pond. The water hyacinths are good at filtering water and removing toxic compounds.
Apis mellifera, European honeybee, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, New Zealand by Malcolm S. Schongalla — This species was introduced to New Zealand in 1839. It has suffered from worldwide population declines and "colony collapse disorder." This species holds the unlikely honor of being simultaneously invasive, valued, and in peril.
Carabus nemoralis, European ground beetle, Glendale, New York by Kurt Andreas — A tramp species that recently found its way to my hometown.
Balanus improvisus, bay barnacle by Al Denelsbeck — They are now showing up far removed from their originating Atlantic home. Here, I caught detail of the "toes" (cirri) during feeding, with a depth of field estimated at less than 2mm. And of course, Darwin spent no small amount of time working with barnacles and their taxonomy.
And, oh yeah, buy shoes!
Ntrsvic · 24 August 2010
Damn, I had a picture of Spanish Slugs that are invasive to Norway, but, I was partially drunk and it was taken on black top at night....maybe that's why I didn't enter it.
Pete Moulton · 25 August 2010
Thanks, crew!
RWard · 25 August 2010
Why couldn't I vote for the lovebird?
Great photos. I wish I was talented.
JR in WV · 25 August 2010
Any word on why the rosy-faced lovebird is being withdrawn?
Beautiful bird, colorfull, seems somewhat harmless. Maybe not invasive enough?
Pete Moulton · 25 August 2010
RWard and JR, I asked Reed and Matt to withdraw the lovebird because I learned that one of my relatives had organized an ad hoc 'get out the vote' astroturf campaign on her facebook page, and her astroturfing was already underway. In order to prevent some kind of facebook 'vote bomb' from skewing the results, I took the only honorable course I could see: invalidate the votes generated by the campaign by removing my picture.
Too bad, really. This contest was never about winning for me. I like the photograph, and wonder if my feeling's justified. Now I'll never know whether any of the votes the lovebird received were based on the photographic merit, or an astroturf campaign.
You guys still win, however. There remain five superb images by five fine photographers for you to check out.
Dave Luckett · 25 August 2010
Cripes, ethical standards among scientists! What next? Before you know it, someone will be denying that they're pawns of Satan, and then where will we be? (Consider the smiley face attached.)
Matt Young · 25 August 2010
At the risk of seeming serious (but not, I hope, solemn*), I thought that Mr. Moulton's action was scrupulously honest, and I look forward to his entries in any future contests. It is a pity that he saw the need to withdraw such an excellent picture.
* A nice distinction due, I think, to Russell Baker and not original.
Dawn Dietzel · 27 August 2010
Mr Moulton: what a honorable thing to do. However, I would have voted for the bird on the merits of the picture; it was beautiful. I hope you make a print of that photo and enjoy it.
All the photos have been amazing to me. It makes voting very difficult to have to choose only one.
Fred Wilson · 30 August 2010
Wow! Picking a "best" among these is a challenge; truly outstanding, each and every one.