Wednesday, Aug. 27 turned out to be an eventful day, bird-wise. I set out before dawn for the upper reaches of Hoover Reservoir. It was a clear day, and I wanted to secrete myself in a good honey hole ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about biodiversity and the hidden quirks of the natural world.

Despite the common belief that reptiles such as crocodiles and alligators are the closest living relatives of dinosaurs, ...