Fibs are everywhere except in sunrises

Yesterday's sunrise caught me totally by surprise. My colleague, Mary, came into the building and told me to grab my camera - that the sunrise was going to be beautiful. So, with camera in hand, I ran out to the parking lot and watched. I almost missed everything by watching and not snapping. 

The more I watched, the more I wondered what the sky was saying...

It certainly seemed that a story was building here.

Mary was right - a sunrise not to be missed. 

I am glad we are the only two at work that early. No traffic, no people... just the silence of the sun rising and the clouds warming to sun's rays... and God suggesting a little light changes the whole day.

NOW TODAY:

This is before sunrise, on our back patio. 

Yes, this is Arizona.

In response to some of my previous 'Fibonacci in nature' comments - I offer a few more. I kind of feel like I glossed over the whole depth of Fibonacci in my excitement. I think of Fibonacci moments as 'Aha!' moments. At least they have been in my lifetime. Every time I look at our rosebushes, I see 'fibs'. I still see roses, but the fibs are the mathematics of the beauty. Here is a picture how:

Most simple, most basic, most obvious. Most easy way to say 'Aha!' to math in nature.

The branches are in a fibonacci sequences. 

Add the lowest sequence to its above (the 1 to the 2) and you find 3 branches.

The 2 to the 3, and you find 5 branches.

3 + 5 = 8.

5 + 8 = 13.

AHA! I get it! Fibonacci in a rose bush!

It also works perfectly in a conch shell, the spiral of it. My aunt once sent me a rather large conch shell from near her place in Florida. I thought it was pretty cool - until Mr. Fibonacci made me say "aha!" Yea, chances are I don't always see the shell any more, I see the sequence.

When  my mother knitted me a fair-isle sweater, I bit my tongue to not point out the fibonacci sequence she had colorfully created. I knew explaining that to her would rather ruin the art of her knitting... and that I would be wearing yarn dumped on my head (geez, who knows where she would have stabbed me with the knitting needles!). More on knitting with Fibonacci can be found here. Just in case you need to know...

Look for fibonacci sometime... in the next daisy you pick. I promise, you will be ruined for life.

Wallace & Gromit came to work

Wallace & Gromit showed up at my work today.

Who can resist a red motorcycle with a sidecar?

I don't know if this red sidecar will turn into an aeroplane.

Since the ladder was not attached to the sidecar, I figured W&G were nearby, washing windows. I couldn't find them...
So then I hunted all through the library for a man with a white helmet and his long suffering dog in tow... alas, no luck. Maybe they were in a group study room preparing for midterms...

Would anyone care for a nice bit of Wensleydale?

From the office window and beyond

As I unlocked my office door this morning, I noticed movement outside the window. These guys were certainly having fun!


These are gambel quail. They are ground-dwelling birds that run more than they fly.
They have a delightful top-knot on their head. One friend has an odd description for them when she sees them running - she thinks they look like 'church ladies' running for the late service!

I have been told this was the logo of Thunderbird Field (circa 1942). The thunderbird design has changed MANY times over the years. One time it was re-invented in the ying/yang style, to emphasize our student body.


In front of the Tower building is a blue rising phoenix - or is it a thunderbird?


All these photos were taking early this morning. The sun was still rising and the shadows were long.

Back to school

I work in a graduate school. Our classes go year around - we are on a tri-mester system. This week is an orientation week for new students, and most of our returning students are enjoying a week vacation. For those of us working, this week is very busy. New students are put through mock classes and a mock assignment while participating in information sessions, etc. It is fun to see the enthusiasm on these new faces. They are ready to take on the world!

Our campus was once a World War II air training base. Pilots from England and China came here to learn to fly combat style. Our weather allows for year around pilot training, perfect for the rapid response needed during the war. Our campus still maintains the base layout and a few of the original buildings.


The backroad through campus winds past the old barracks. The barracks became dorms for the graduate school, but now are empty.


The old base tower is still 'our tower'. For many years it was used as the student lounge area, but then had to close for renovation. It is still under renovation, and alumni have created a fund for its update costs.


The new dorms have some 'exotic' palm trees - the 'curly' trees!

The campus is a gorgeous garden of history. I love my walks across campus.