Drones are for the Birds

Seriously, they are. Repurposed first-generation military drone technology as well as cheaper commerical devices are now being used for myriad scientific research projects, including bird studies.

I went to Colorado's beautiful San Luis Valley to report on a team of U.S. Geological Survey pilots and biologists from the Fish and Wildlife Service who are flying a small airplane drone called the Raven - once used to see enemy positons in Iraq and Afganistan - to monitor and count sandhill cranes.

My accompanying print story for the Science section delves into other ways that drones may be safer, cheaper and more accurate for a host of research missions.

Bridge of Light

For two years, starting on March 5, 2013, the utititarian Bay Bridge, which is often passed over for the rusty-red splendor of the Golden Gate, will be transformed at night by a coat of thousands of computer-controlled LEDs. Artist Leo Villareal's "Bay Lights" project is one of the largest public art pieces ever launched and will stretch nearly two miles along the bridge's western span.

The Perfect Pig

A quick journey back to the heartland to muck around at a secret farm where Carl Blake believes he's bred the best tasting pork since the original German Swabian Hall.

The Cookie Titan of Tucson

Ron Lieber, the Your Money columnist, examines the power of sales on a door-to-door mission with Mary Ruiz, a 10-year-old Girl Scout cookie-selling powerhouse.

Last Word: Ed Koch

Do ya miss me? In an interview conducted in 2007, former Mayor Edward I. Koch reflected on his life and political career, and talked of how he would like to be remembered.

This was one of my first assignments after being hired by the Times in 2007. Researching and spending some time with Ed Koch was a pretty good introduction to New York City for a new New Yorker.