Tag: Nature

May 9, 2011 - Flutterby

Today, I met up with some colleagues to photograph wildlife around one of our employer's campuses. We are entering an annual wildlife photo contest sponsored by the Wildlife Habitat Council through our employer.  One photo will be selected for their 2012 calendar. The photos must be of wildlife — flora or fauna — that live in the forested areas on campus.  It was a warm day — somewhere in the high 60's °F — and we chatted about random photography related topics ( Aperture vs Lightroom, lenses, camera formats ) as we walked the two-mile loop road around the campus.

We did not spot much wildlife although we could hear a cacophony of bird calls. What was also strange for this time of year is that we spotted no deer or squirrels. I would also have expected the streams and marsh areas to contain fish or amphibia but we saw none of that either. Perhaps it was the time of day. Animals and insects may be avoiding the noon-time sun.

This was the sharpest photograph I took during the entire hour we spent walking around. I have no idea what kind of butterfly this. Please let me know if you do.

UPDATE: One of my friends on Facebook has informed me that this is an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. This specimen is a dorsal female.

May 6, 2011 - Garba for Bhupen

Shaadi is a Sanskrit word for a wedding. Next Sunday this couple will be married. By Western standards, Hindu weddings are long, large and complicated affairs involving many and varied religious, cultural and family traditions. Indian weddings are very bright events, filled with ritual and celebration, that continue for several days. The event I attended last night is called a Garba, a kind of dance similar to many western folk dances.

I think the reason that Indian weddings take so long is that it reminds the bride and groom of the serious nature of their decision. Indian consider marriage a multi-life commitment; 7 lifetimes. If you are going to be bound body and soul to someone for the rest of your lifetimes, then the decision to marry should not be taken lightly. Unlike most western marriages which seem focused on the bride and her “special day”, Indian weddings tend to focus on the bonds and commitments between a man and a woman and their families.

Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8
Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8
Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8
Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Shaan, Rahul, and Rohan | Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6

Direct to E-Patient Marketing | 33 charts

Direct to E-Patient Marketing - 33 Charts by Dr. Bryan Vartabedian

Will the industry be required to publicly list monies used for sponsorship, travel and swag support of high profile patients in the social sphere?

Dr. Bryan Vartabedian presents some interesting questions about patient advocacy for the medical and health industry.

I’m not sure they will be required but I think they should. Whenever any kind of compensation is involved objectivity is ruined.  I think that even when the compensation is without expectation of reciprocity, the recipient often feels, because of cultural norms, obligated to respond in a positive way. We always feel the need to say “Thank You” whenever someone does something nice for us. It’s just the way we are trained.

Should high visibility patients who serve as stewards and advocates disavow themselves of contact with pharma just as many academic medical centres have begun?

In my opinion, this one is a lot more challenging. If my life has been saved by a drug or treatment I am more likely to recommend or endorse that treatment. It’s human nature. We want to share our experiences — positive or negative — and that’s a powerful thing. The trick is sometimes we think that everyone can benefit from doing things our way even if the facts don’t fit the situation and we may not even be aware that our objectivity had been compromised. We may think, “I’m recommending this because this IS the best thing, not because I like happen to like the owner or because they paid for my expenses.” If we stick to relating our own personal experience in it’s full context then I think it’s okay.