A pigeon, to land, needs stereopsis in a triangular region in front and below. The cheeks of pigeon are hollow to allow optical axis of each eye to "sneak" past beak, allowing a small area of overlap for precision landing.

Otherwise, pigeon has eyes that give a panoramic view with little overlap.

This leads to obvious danger. What happens when pigeon is on ground? Is it vulnerable to attack by cats?

No. It JERKS ITS HEAD!

From one position it takes a "SNAPSHOT" of scene. Then it moves its head to a position that is removed by a distance remarkably similar to interocular separation of human eyes.

From new position, it takes a new "SNAPSHOT". It "knows" which image is front one, and which is back because its brain not only commanded movement but also received gnosisceptor confirmation.

So it needs only REMEMBER first image for a split-second, long enough to combine it with second image for a "Wheatsone glimpse", and it has perceived stereoscopic depth of its environment.

Does this only apply to pigeons?

Apparently not. When a human closes one eye, limbic system will no longer have two images for stereoscopic evaluation of environment. It will become dependent upon "TEMPORAL" data in one-eye image. That is, upon how perspective changes over TIME.

I have made some tools for stereoscopists available at http://www.wehner.org/3d/ or http://www.wehner.org ools .

Of interest in this context is LEN.COM lenticular stereogram maker. This creates an image of interleaved stripes for use with lenticular plastic.

However, suppose we make stripes HORIZONTAL instead of vertical. Suppose also, that we make a mask in GIF process where each odd row of pixels is black and each even row transparent. As mask slides over striped image, left-eye and right-eye images will be seen alternately.

Using Internet Explorer, trick works quite well. So you can see Professor Wheatstone rocking back and forth if you slide scroll-bar whilst viewing introductory page at http://www.wehner.org/3d/ .

Look closely, and it becomes quite obvious that tuft of hair to left of his head is moving forward and backward in space.

You can see effect EVEN WITH ONE EYE CLOSED.

Remarkable!

Charles Douglas Wehner

This stance is one of understanding and one that places responsibility for getting necessary help in hands of person who needs it. Don’t rescue! Many people play victim role so that others can play rescuer role. Give people opportunity to find strength they need and you will both gain.

Practice Empathy

Practice using empathy next time you’re in a situation where someone is suffering emotionally. Assuming this person is an otherwise functional and healthy human being, be present with them in an effort to understand what you might be feeling in a similar situation. Don’t try to have their feelings. Instead, trust that they have inner resources necessary to solve their problems and to get help they need to move forward. Let them feel their feelings, express their concerns, and shed their tears. Don’t try to fix anything for them. Just be with them with your heart open and with an inner and outer certainty that their’s is just one perception of their current reality and that they will find strength in your silent witness to their temporary fantasy of limitation.

About Author: Steve Davis, M.A., M.S., is an Facilitator's Coach, Infoprenuer, and free-lance human, helping facilitators, organizational leaders, educators, trainers, coaches and consultants present themselves confidently, access their creativity, empower their under-performing groups, enhance their facilitation skills, and build their business online and offline. Subscribe to his free weekly ezine at www.MasterFacilitatorJournal.com.