Critter News

MAY 18, 2009

Looks like blue whales may be coming back to Alaska. From the Associated Press: Blue whales are returning to Alaska in search of food and could be re-establishing an old migration route several decades after they were nearly wiped out by commercial whalers, scientists say. Here's hoping Sarah Palin leaves them alone.

Whales 100

Whales Whaling Marine Life Alaska 100

Critter News

APRIL 8, 2010

The steeply declining number of whales in the world's oceans is causing the remaining creatures to suffer loneliness and 'lose the will the live', a leading expert has claimed. The psychological impact of over-hunting on the highly intelligent and sociable animals has been identified as the latest threat to the survival of the species.

Whales 100

Whales Whaling Norway Psychology 100

Critter News

JANUARY 24, 2009

A brief story with two subjects I love, whales and the Azores. On 5th January 2009 a North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) was seen 5 miles south of Faial Island in the Azores by biologists from Whale Watch Azores and the University of the Azores (UA). Tags: oceans right whale azores whaling.

Whales 100

Whales Whaling Rights Endangered Species 100

Critter News

JANUARY 26, 2009

First wolves, then polar bears, now beluga whales. At issue is the population of {the Cook Inlet beluga) whales, which were put under the protections of the Marine Mammal Protection Act eight years ago, which scientists argue hasn't sped their recovery: Palin begs to differ.

Whales 100

Whales Whaling Polar Bears Alaska 100

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 19, 2014

Whales are cows. The point is, of course, that whales are not cows. Whales emerge from within the larger group of mammals that includes cattle, deer, pigs, camels, with camels being the most deeply rooted. (So You should have said whales. Even though whales are cows. Meanwhile I have a few random thoughts.

Camels 230

Camels Whales Whaling Apes 230

Critter News

DECEMBER 3, 2010

A severely injured whale off the shores of Olympia has little chance of survival, an expert said Thursday. The animal is either a sei or Bryde's whale, said biologist John Calambokidis with Cascadia Research. The Bryde's is a more tropical species not usually seen north of southern California." Both would be extremely rare.

Whales 100

Whales Whaling Suffering California 100

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 4, 2012

The descriptions of the territory’s birds, seals, whales, introduced mammals, invertebrates, and plants are written within the framework of the conversationist, so it is more than a field guide, it is a record of endangered wildlife and the efforts being made to protect it. Who can resist penguins and whales?

Georgia 182

Georgia Penguins Wildlife Whales 182

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 22, 2020

Despite depicting 540 species/56 families, it is a lightweight book of 173 pages, easy to pack and carry. Mammals of South Asia follows the latest taxonomy, describes all the species recorded within the region and provides a range map for each species. Larger species, that is, excluding dolphins and whales.

Mammals 211

Mammals Asia Sri Lanka Bhutan 211

10,000 Birds

JULY 24, 2011

They can walk forwards unlike other species that can only walk sideways and form large armies. Soldier Crabs My biggest excitement this week on my bike was chasing three Humpback Whales ! They were absolutely everywhere on low tide and although I have seen them before on other beaches I had not seen them in this area before.

Whales 260

Whales Whaling Turtles Birds 260

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 3, 2014

I actually have many targets, in a way, a I want to see lots and lots, but there is one species that the reason that the trip is even happening, the animal that has been pretty much the top of my animal bucket list for well over a decade. It’s a species that has bedeviled and bewitched me over the years. A beaked whale.

Sharks 201

Sharks Leopards Whales Whaling 201

10,000 Birds

APRIL 7, 2015

We were woefully under-prepared in terms of planning – which almost kept us from meeting our friends – but we were also surprised and thrilled to learn that not only were Gray Whales migrating past the lighthouse, but Elephant Seals were lounging on a nearby beach! Migrating Gray Whales. Point Reyes is a magical place.

Seals 228

Seals Elephants Whales Whaling 228

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 15, 2013

It has also found its way to Japan where it is considered to be an invasive species. Now and then individual catfish of various species hunt nearer the surface and larger catfish such as the American Channel Cat will take a duck or other water bird. It is sometimes known as the European Catfish. Cucherousset, J., Boulêtreau, S.,

Fish 243

Fish Whales Whaling France 243

10,000 Birds

MARCH 7, 2012

As pigeons go it is very large, measuring up to 50 cm, and it is one of two species of pigeon endemic to New Zealand. Unlike the rare Parea the Kereru is a relatively common species as does particularly well around Wellington, where they are often seen flying round in search of fruit and leaves.

New Zealand 205

New Zealand Whales Whaling Collecting 205

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 21, 2016

The Ross Sea is the most productive stretch of water in the Southern Ocean, teeming with large predatory fish, whales, seals, penguins and other animals that form the last intact marine ecosystem on Earth. There are 11 species of birds that breed in the Ross Sea region. Enough History – Back to the Future. Finally – the Seabirds.

Russia 189

Russia Penguins Whales Whaling 189

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 12, 2014

Everything was going to be extinct – the condors, the whales, the Whooping Cranes , the elephants and tigers, the whole shebang, and that was even if we didn’t get nuked. A species, wiped off the earth, never to exist again. Extinction is what befalls the species that fails to adapt, to survive, to thrive.

California Condor 239

California Condor Guam Whales Whaling 239

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

And besides, it’s nice to see something that isn’t the same 12 (now 13) species of seabird (plus Molly Meep Meep, a Black Brant ) There may not be as many as in October, but they are there, and they can be cool. The seas were glass still, and far out we could see whales, dozens of the things. A Humpback Whale.

Whales 157

Whales Whaling Sharks Bats 157

10,000 Birds

MAY 8, 2012

Africa has more than its fair share of storks, with 8 of the world’s 19 species gracing the continent. Furthermore we have another very special stork-like bird, the regal Shoebill , previously known as the Whale-headed Stork but now placed in its own family. It is also related to Wood Stork of the Americas and Milky Stork of Asia.

Africa 250

Africa Tanzania South Africa Uganda 250

10,000 Birds

JULY 23, 2024

Fitz used his free time to observe the many hummingbirds in his mother’s flower garden and soon, with the help of the internet he was able to identify the various species. His interest soon grew to include other species of birds developing a love for wildlife and especially bird photography.

Trinidad 241

Trinidad Costa Rica Panama Whales 241

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 2, 2016

A little longer than its predecessor (by eight pages to be exact), the East Coast guide is your handy dandy, pocket-sized, all-in-one guide to the seabirds, marine mammals, sea turtles, fish, and other creatures you are likely to encounter on pelagics or whale watching trips, from Bar Harbor, Maine to Ponce de Leon Inlet, Florida.

Pennsylvania 189

Pennsylvania Texas Whales Whaling 189

10,000 Birds

JUNE 24, 2013

It took me awhile, but I managed to get on quite a few, especially when the boat slowed down to go check out some Humpback Whales and a huge number of Common Dolphins. Sooty Shearwaters and a Western Gull fly back the aftermath of a Humpback Whale breaching. Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae. It was amazing.

Whales 153

Whales Whaling Dolphins California 153

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2015

Offshore Sea Life ID Guide: West Coast is designed to be a quick, handy resource for use on whale watching and one-day pelagic trips. But, I did take many photos, and used the book, in spurts during the trip and more closely afterward, to identify three seabird species, two expected (Sooty and Black-vented Shearwaters) and one a surprise.

Dolphins 162

Dolphins Porpoises Whales Whaling 162

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 11, 2011

This Yellow-crowned Amazon was not quite as vociferous as his Central American cousins And like many of these birds, I too love to spend time beneath the water – there are few things better than free diving or scuba diving with dolphins, whale sharks or coral reef fish.

Sharks 235

Sharks Thailand Dolphins Whales 235

10,000 Birds

JULY 18, 2019

Reachable by direct flights from Portugal, the island country of Sao Tome and Principe lying in the Gulf of Guinea, in the armpit of Africa, has about 140 bird species and 28 endemics – more endemics per square mile than anywhere else on Earth. The main island of Sao Tome has about 100 species and 17 endemics among them.

Costa Rica 203

Costa Rica Sri Lanka Rwanda Papua New Guinea 203

10,000 Birds

JUNE 16, 2011

It is much stranger and illustrative of the ways of evolution to point out that whales are a form of “hoofed animal&# (unlikely but true). Also, there are reasons why statements like this are scientifically incorrect even if there is ‘some truth’ to them.

Birds 271

Birds Marsupials Primates Whaling 271

10,000 Birds

JULY 24, 2012

What’s even more frustrating is when animal rights people learn of plans to cull nonnative species. Taking risks with any of these removals of “alien” species renders the whole operation pointless…it only takes two (2) to start the cycle all over again. on a daily basis, both legally and otherwise.

Animal Rights Movement 252

Animal Rights Movement Animal Rights Wildlife Rights 252

10,000 Birds

JULY 16, 2013

The birdlife in the Cape is nothing short of spectacular, with a healthy dose of charismatic endemic species. Over 40 species of South African endemics can be found in the Cape – Cape Sugarbirds, Cape Rockjumpers, Orange-breasted Sunbirds to name but a few.

Penguins 248

Penguins South Africa Sharks Leopards 248

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 1, 2011

So much so that the two species are placed within their own family, Chaetopidae. The species is insectivorous and nests amongst the scree and boulders on the steep mountain slopes. Chaetops frenatus, the Cape variety, is endemic to the mountain fynbos vegetation of the extreme southern Cape and therefore has a small range.

South Africa 257

South Africa Penguins Africa Birds 257

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 13, 2013

One is the sea canyon that comes close to shore, ensuring plenty of pelagic species can be found close to shore. The canyon also brings Dusky Dolphins and Sperm Whales close in, and has turned Kaikoura from a sleepy fishing village on the Picton to Christchurch road into a premier ecotourism site. This lovely bird is Westland Petrel.

Albatross 213

Albatross New Zealand Dolphins Whales 213

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 20, 2012

From the fishing boats we spotted lots of water in the air, both from a whale breaching and blowing. We tracked it down and had a great show of a Humpback Whale breaching repeatedly, one of two in the area. Nonetheless, I added a species to my state list and two to my year list so there was that… …

Whales 177

Whales Whaling Dolphins New York 177

10,000 Birds

APRIL 15, 2024

They are ridiculously unafraid of people there – so the cynic in me suspects that swan meat is not regarded as tasty by the Japanese (another explanation, that the Japanese just like animals too much, can presumably be discarded given the country’s very principled approach in insisting on the right to kill whales).

China 246

China Iceland Whaling Whales 246

10,000 Birds

APRIL 25, 2013

Like several species, breeding Peregrines were extirpated during the height of the DDT era but have reclaimed their island domain in more recent years. The Channel Islands have all sorts of species and subspecies that are endemic to the islands, including mammals, reptiles, plants, and of course birds, many of which are nonmigratory.

California 200

California Sea Lions Whales Whaling 200

10,000 Birds

JUNE 27, 2018

There are important details within that dictum that we will ignore here, but this has to do with knowing when a characteristic doesn’t really tell you about the relative position of species on a “tree of life” vs when the characteristic works for that purpose. Rather, cladistics is a way of looking at the process of evolution of species.

Monkeys 177

Monkeys Gorillas Whales Whaling 177

Critter News

DECEMBER 2, 2011

They sued the National Marine Fisheries Service for excluding captive killer whales from listing under the Endangered Species Act. The federal complaint focuses on a whale named Lolita, who was captured more than 40 years ago, and has been held at the Miami Seaquarium.

Miami 100

Miami Animal Legal Defense Fund Ethical Treatment Whales 100

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2012

It was a Benguela Nino year, and pelagic seabirds were in super-abundance in the south eastern Atlantic, with the total of species by variety and number exceeding all expectations for the birders on the inaugural trip as we pitched and wallowed about in the rolling swells on our way out to the trawling grounds.

Albatross 221

Albatross Penguins Dolphins Whaling 221

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 7, 2023

Because, let’s face it, when you get off that plane and look at those severe volcanic landscapes and then find yourself face to face with one of the islands’ four mockingbird species, you’re not going to think, “Oh, look, lava and a mockingbird.” The updating of the text is very important.

2006 278

2006 Tortoises Sea Lions Porpoises 278

Critter News

FEBRUARY 9, 2012

Do whales deserve constitutional protection against slavery? PETA went on to request that the whales be freed and released to a habitat better suited to their needs. SeaWorld’s attempts to deny [orcas] the protection solely based on their species is the same kind of prejudice used to justify any enslavement. On Wednesday, U.S.

PETA 100

PETA San Diego Ethical Treatment Whales 100

10,000 Birds

APRIL 17, 2013

Two hours after getting off the boat after checking out Sperm Whales we were off again out to find some albatross. It wasn’t quite winter yet, with all the species that brings, but already some summer species like the Hutton’s Shearwater and Salvin’s Albatrosses were gone.

Albatross 174

Albatross New Zealand Fur Seals 174