Marine iguanas are the only modern lizards that hunt for food above and below water. Due to natural selection, they have adapted to survive in deep underwater meadows. With the ability to hold their breath for half an hour and sharpen their claws to grip slippery rocks, they are able to thrive in the chilly underwater temperatures that many cold-blooded reptiles could not survive.
Category Archives: Wildlife
New Books: ‘The Mind Of A Bee’ – Lars Chittka (2022)
Most of us are aware of the hive mind—the power of bees as an amazing collective. But do we know how uniquely intelligent bees are as individuals? In The Mind of a Bee, Lars Chittka draws from decades of research, including his own pioneering work, to argue that bees have remarkable cognitive abilities.
He shows that they are profoundly smart, have distinct personalities, can recognize flowers and human faces, exhibit basic emotions, count, use simple tools, solve problems, and learn by observing others. They may even possess consciousness. Taking readers deep into the sensory world of bees, Chittka illustrates how bee brains are unparalleled in the animal kingdom in terms of how much sophisticated material is packed into their tiny nervous systems.
He looks at their innate behaviors and the ways their evolution as foragers may have contributed to their keen spatial memory. Chittka also examines the psychological differences between bees and the ethical dilemmas that arise in conservation and laboratory settings because bees feel and think. Throughout, he touches on the fascinating history behind the study of bee behavior. Exploring an insect whose sensory experiences rival those of humans, The Mind of a Bee reveals the singular abilities of some of the world’s most incredible creatures.
Views: The ‘Blue Paradises Of French Polynesia’ (4K)
Bora Bora, Fakarava, Ranguiroa, Tahiti, Tikehau, Moorea, Maupiti…
Our Odyssey through these islands and atolls is one of the most spectacular diving expeditions we have had the chance to do.
A crystal clear water (visbility can reach 45 meters), hundreds of different reef fish species, corals and pelagic, to sum up : an exceptional beauty both in terms of flora and fauna.
French Polynesia is known as the largest shark santuary in the world,
probably the only place in the world where you can see 6 species of sharks in a single dive : Grey reef sharks, Tiger sharks, Black-tip sharks, White-tip sharks, Nurse sharks and Lemon sharks. Yes! In a single dive.
The dives are mainly drifting because of the underwater topography of its passes, this is where the show begins, life is teeming: Hammerhead sharks, dolphins, school of barracuda, eagle rays, turtles, manta rays, marbled groupers, tuna, napoleons… We are not going to give you an exhaustive list, because there are around 800 species, I’ll let you imagine.
We dived into the main passes:Tiputa, Tumakohua, Garuae, Avatoru,… But the one that offered us the most beautiful spectacle is undoubtedly Tetamanu, the southern pass of Fakarava. Imagine yourself in front of a wall of 700 sharks (We were there the third week of June).
If you do not yet practice scuba diving, no worries, you can fully enjoy the beauties that French Polynesia has to offer by practicing snorkeling.
In the stunning lagoon of Moorea, you can snorkel with stingrays, black tip sharks and colorful fishes.
If French Polynesia benefits from a unique underwater environment, magnificent coral reefs and amazing lagoons, it is also an earthly paradise, not only for its majestic scenery or its dream beaches but above all for the kindness of the Polynesians (Tahitians).
So far we have mainly traveled to the Society Islands and the Tuamotus but we are planning to go in the Austral archipelago to swim with the
Humpback whales. Exploring Polynesia is the adventure of a lifetime, because it is the size of Europe.
South Dakota Black Hills: Bison At Custer State Park
“Sunday Morning” takes us to Custer State Park in South Dakota, where bison and their young calves are roaming. Videographer: Kevin Kjergaard.
Custer State Park is a South Dakota State Park and wildlife reserve in the Black Hills, United States. The park is South Dakota’s largest and first state park, named after Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer.
Montana Views: Red Fox Kits In Paradise Valley
“Sunday Morning” shows us a vixen with her paws full, in Paradise Valley, Montana. Videographer: Judith Lehmberg.
Red fox are found throughout Montana. They can make their home while following their food source. Foxes use their nose to find prey, and then quickly pounce, much like a house cat. Spotting a red fox in Montana is never difficult if you look carefully?just keep a close watch for the bushy tail.
Texas Views: Water Birds At Smith Oaks Sanctuary
A rainy day doesn’t seem to bother the birds of Houston Audubon’s Smith Oaks Sanctuary.
Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary is 177 acres of fields, woods, wetlands and ponds. Sixty-four acres were purchased by Houston Audubon with the help of Houston Audubon members, friends, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
Views: Bighorn Sheep On The Salmon River In Idaho
“Sunday Morning” takes us among Bighorn sheep along the Salmon River near Riggins, Idaho. Videographer: Hank Heusinkveld.
The bighorn sheep is a species of sheep native to North America. It is named for its large horns. A pair of horns might weigh up to 14 kg; the sheep typically weigh up to 143 kg. Recent genetic testing indicates three distinct subspecies of Ovis canadensis, one of which is endangered: O. c. sierrae.
African Views: Secretary Birds – ‘It Stomps Its Prey’
Secretary birds are also referred to as Sagittarius serpentarius. The secretary bird is one of the weird birds in Africa and it inhabits the savannah region with a head which is like that of an Eagle and the legs like that of a stork. The secretary bird is popularly known as a bird of prey together with its family. It has got technics of killing just like that of a snake which is fabric of legend. These are the 5 Interesting facts about the Secretary bird;
Waterfall Views: Reedy River In South Carolina
“Sunday Morning” takes us under waterfalls on the Reedy River near Greenville, South Carolina. Videographer: Kevin Kjergaard.
The Reedy River is a tributary of the Saluda River, about 65 miles long, in northwestern South Carolina in the United States. Via the Saluda and Congaree rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Santee River, which flows to the Atlantic Ocean.
Views: BBC Earth’s ‘Most Loved Animal Moments’
From the world’s smallest cat to death-defying impalas; these are some of BBC Earth’s most loved animal moments from the last year.
Boomers Daily 