October 2021

POTD: Cloud Chamber

Cloud Chamber
American Prairie Reserve, Montana
2021

Even though I did statistical work for several nuclear scientists for a number of years, my knowledge of particle physics is stunningly minimal. Still, when I saw these weld marks on a corral panel, for some reason my mind immediately thought “cloud chamber.” I believe that reaction was not due to my work with the physicists; rather it was the result of my mind going back to some bit I read or heard about in science class, probably in junior high school.

It turns out that most cloud chamber photographs have a black background and white streaks instead of the reverse as is shown here. That means, I suppose, that I’ve been having negative thoughts about cloud chambers all these years.

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POTD: Self-Portrait With Bison

Self-Portrait With Bison
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
2021

More recently than our trip to the American Prairie Reserve we spent several days camping in Yellowstone, enjoying fine weather and the best fall colors in years and of course the wildlife. We saw literally hundreds of bison in various areas of the park’s north side. This is the only safe way to get a selfie with some bison. I probably should have stuck my head further out the window if I really was going for a selfie but this actually happened by accident.

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