I am a behavioral and evolutionary ecologist interested in exaggerated traits, animal communication, and trait/signal diversity. I study these topics using animal coloration and behavioral displays as a model in a variety of species, primarily birds, but also spiders and lizards. I am currently a post-doctoral fellow with Stephanie Doucet at the University of Windsor, and I completed my PhD in animal behavior at Arizona State University with Kevin McGraw, where I studied the co-evolution of hummingbird coloration and courtship displays.
I also actively maintain a blog where I discuss my travels, research, and various other topics involving academic life. Please check it out: Thoughts from an academic, amateur naturalist, and adventurer.
This is a first class site. I’ve really enjoyed exploring it. Good job!
Charles and I enjoy reading your blogs. Love your work.
Whoa! This is so cool!! and I’m interested in those kind of things too. Hummingbirds and basically anything to do with animals but this is really awesome and I love your work. Someday hopefully when I get into college, I want to do something similar to what your doing.
Not only is this an aesthetically pleasing page that Richard clearly took the time to construct, but also a fantastic source of information with correlating yet remarkable photos.
Dear Mr. Simpson,
I enjoyed reading your article on hummingbirds.
I am very much interested in writing an article on Hummingbirds, in Tamil, south Indian language for children.
Will it be possible to use your photograph of White-tipped sickle bill hummingbird for my project?
I am a retired nurse, love photography and birding.
If you get this mail, please relply.
Good Luck in your new pursuit.
Kind Regards,
Sarguna
Hi Sarguna,
Thank you for your kind words, and I am excited to hear more about your article on hummingbirds for children! The photograph of the white-tipped sicklebill from my blog is actually not mine. I borrowed it from another site (https://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/Species-Account/nb/home). You might be able to use it with permission from them or you could see if wiki commons has a good sicklebill photo. Let me know if you want to use any of my other photos!
Cheers,
Rick
Dear Richard,
Thank you for your prompt reply.
And thank you for your suggestions.
I will try free google pictures.
When the publisher accept the booklet , I will try to send a copy.
Happy Holidays.
Kind Regards,
Satguna
Dear Richard,
Will you please let me know where I could see your other hummingbird pictures?
Thank you,
Refards,
Sarguna