Texas's Hunters Aren't Just Homosapiens
At the turn of the century a rather odd scientist decided to build a tower
specifically to attract bats - to his credit it was with the idea of helping the
surrounding farmers with their insect problems. Well, it worked.
Today, Austin is the center for bat research in the country and arguably the
world. As we further learned, bats are NOT flying rodents, as many would
believe, but are actually closer in evolution to humans than to rats. Beyond
just insect control they perform a multitude of other ecologically-vital tasks.
From mid-August to the end of September, there are literally swarms of bats
that emerge from the 6th Street Bridge, which was specifically designed with
small slits all along it, just the size for bats' breeding needs. Parents who
have mated earlier in the summer, head out into the night, when insects are
most active, to hunt the creepy crawlies both for themselves and their young.
However, though a few came out for us on cue, we missed the swarms, as
most had already migrated for the winter.
At the turn of the century a rather odd scientist decided to build a tower
specifically to attract bats - to his credit it was with the idea of helping the
surrounding farmers with their insect problems. Well, it worked.
Today, Austin is the center for bat research in the country and arguably the
world. As we further learned, bats are NOT flying rodents, as many would
believe, but are actually closer in evolution to humans than to rats. Beyond
just insect control they perform a multitude of other ecologically-vital tasks.
From mid-August to the end of September, there are literally swarms of bats
that emerge from the 6th Street Bridge, which was specifically designed with
small slits all along it, just the size for bats' breeding needs. Parents who
have mated earlier in the summer, head out into the night, when insects are
most active, to hunt the creepy crawlies both for themselves and their young.
However, though a few came out for us on cue, we missed the swarms, as
most had already migrated for the winter.
They Don't Go For Humans and Are NOT Blind!
...so chill-out already... Bats not only have eyes
(that work,) but sonar as well. Both allow them
to find and consume almost their body weight
in insects a night. In other words, they know
how to avoid a woman's curly locks.
...so chill-out already... Bats not only have eyes
(that work,) but sonar as well. Both allow them
to find and consume almost their body weight
in insects a night. In other words, they know
how to avoid a woman's curly locks.
The Sixth Street Bridge
This is the bridge where the bats breed. During the
summer, up to 1,000 babies squish into a single square
foot of the long nest created by three inch-wide slits that
run the length of the bridge (on its underside, of course.)
Mothers find their "pups" by unique calls.
This is the bridge where the bats breed. During the
summer, up to 1,000 babies squish into a single square
foot of the long nest created by three inch-wide slits that
run the length of the bridge (on its underside, of course.)
Mothers find their "pups" by unique calls.
Quite The Photo
Despite the darkness and small number of
flying friends, Brent was able to capture this
image.
Despite the darkness and small number of
flying friends, Brent was able to capture this
image.
Finding Romance Among The Creatures Of
The Night
Almost every view of Austin is beautiful, and
waiting for the critters to emerge provided
time for a rather romantic walk along the river
front.
The Night
Almost every view of Austin is beautiful, and
waiting for the critters to emerge provided
time for a rather romantic walk along the river
front.
The Frosting On The Top
The roof of Frost Bank's headquarters was
designed with the company's icy name in
mind.
The roof of Frost Bank's headquarters was
designed with the company's icy name in
mind.
Journeys
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| October 2005 |
The Bats!
