Our collection is used primarily as a research collection, so we get all kinds of people coming in to use our birds. Last week, University of Chicago PhD candidates Shane DuBay and Carl Fuldner were in our skin collection taking photographs for their collaborative project. By looking at common species of Great Lakes area birds over time, they hope to make connections between the amount of industrial pollution in the air over time and the changes in bird coloration. Birds during pollution-heavy times, such as the 1930′s, are much more likely to be covered in a gray layer of soot and grime, even now, as most of our skins are not washed. Shane and Carl have already photographed hundreds of specimens at the Field Museum, and were at our collection for two days trying to photograph another 700 or so!
I think my favorite thing about their project is the interdisciplinary aspect. Shane studies evolutionary biologist, while Carl works with art history. These disciplines are incredibly different, but projects like these show how everything ties together in good research. It was wonderful to meet them both!
OH AND HEY these two were just here at the Field recently and here’s a fantastic video all about the project.
I want a massive poster that features all of those birds gradually becoming less sooty over time.
Very cool project combining Natural History museum research with #SciArt!
(via thebrainscoop)
