Whale Watching In Faial

If you’ve never been close to these awe-inspiring creatures in their natural habitat, the island of Faial is a good place to find out what you’ve been missing. (read more...)

Is This A Sea Monster?

image source 

The Giant oarfish, also known as the King of herrings may well be the longest bony fish alive, reaching an amazing length of up to 17 meters (listed in the Guinness Book of World Records). This astonishing creature is thought to be the inspiration of many myths of sea serpents and sea monsters – even the Loch-Ness monster. To many people, the oarfish may look frightening, but it is in fact harmless - it has no visible teeth and its diet consists of small crustaceans and zooplankton. 

Oarfish are actually remarkable creatures. They have long, laterally flattened, silvery blue bodies, and brilliant crimson fins. The first few rays of the long fringing dorsal fin that runs the entire length of the body form a spectacular crest on the head. According to recent accounts, the oarfish maintains a vertical position in the water, propelling itself slowly with rippling movements of the dorsal fin. The long ribbon-like pelvic fins, meanwhile, are held out to the sides as stabilizers. 

Sightings of live oartfish are extremely rare - this is because it lives in depths of 300 to 1000 meters and hardly ever appears near surface. Oarfish are most often encountered washed up on land either dead or dying in shallow waters. However, when an oarfish is sighted, it usually stirs considerable public attention, but the species has no commercial value, and its gelatinous flesh is not considered edible.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk Visit...

Have a look at this awesome video and see what it is like to walk on a glass walkway 4000 feet (1,220 meters) above the Grand Canyon which is situated in the Northern Arizona.

Looking For A Pleasant And Relaxing Getaway?

On my previous post I spoke about the floating tropical island on a Yacht which is truly stunning. Well readers, what do you think about this "dreamland"? Incredibly awesome, don’t you agree? The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Luxury Resort is situated in the tropical gardens on Rangalifinolhu Island (access to the resort is only by seaplane). Couples can choose to stay in the resort´s unique undersea Honeymoon Suite or dine at the exclusive undersea Restaurant, located 16 feet below sea level, and marvel at 180 degree views of reef and swarms of exotic marine life (imagine waking up surrounded by sharks!!!). With 50 water villas, 79 beach villas, 21 spa villas with private treatment rooms, and many others interesting outdoor activities, Conrad Rangali Island is, beyond doubt, a dreamland on earth for those looking for a pleasant and relaxing getaway.

For more images and information

Lets Go For A Cruise On A Paradise Yacht!

I was going through a website a few moments ago when I came across a floating tropical island on a Yacht. Wow… what a vessel! According to the designers, it was inspired by the islands of the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and Polynesia. The stunning vessel has its own volcano as well as a “beach cove” deck with cabanas and a massive view swimming pool, fed by a stream originating from a cascading waterfall falling nearby from the volcano. (for more information, go to dailymail.com)

Well guys, I really think that this is a stunning vessel, but unfortunately it is completely out of my range… I prefer camping (hehehe)

One Of Many Amazing Vancouver Attractions - The Capilano Suspension Bridge

The main reason why I love to travel so much is so that I can see what we have on our lovely planet, and not just read about it in books. I’d love to go to Vancouver to see one of the most amazing Vancouver attractions – the Capilano Suspension Bridge. The current bridge is 136 meters long and 70 meters above the river. By the way, have any of you been there?

I’m not sure I’d have the courage to actually walk across this amazing bridge, but it would definitely be an unbelievable experience. It’s one of those things that I’d love to do just so I can say I did it. A few months ago I walked across a small suspension bridge and by the time I made it to the other side, I was exhausted! After relaxing during a few minutes I realized that I had to cross it again to get back to where I started. The Capilano Suspension Bridge would beyond doubt be a once-in-lifetime experience, so hopefully one day I’ll go to Vancouver - Capilano Suspension Bridge and work up the nerve to make it across. Don’t worry; I’ll be sure to take memorable photos for evidence to show you :-)

Are You Planning On Having A “Whale” Of A Time This Vacation?

Source: Blue Whale Fluke

The greatest experience that anyone can wish to participate in is to have a close encounter with the largest creature in the entire world which is the magnificent Blue Whale. These marine mammals’ can grow up to 30 meters in length and can weigh up to 180 metric tons or more. Their tongues alone can weigh as much as an elephant, and their hearts, as much as a vehicle. They were once numerous in our oceans, but were hunted almost to extinction by whalers in the nineteenth century. Today they are still an endangered species, but they have so far survived. These magnificent creatures can be seen on whale-watching tours in certain parts of the world at certain times of the year. So if you still don’t know what to do or where to go to this summer vacation, why not go on a whale-watching tour? For instance, the South Coast of Sri Lanka is currently known as one of the very best locations (amongst the top two or three) for such magnificent tours. People that have been there say that Blue Whales were by far the most commonly encountered species, with sightings on 14 out of 14 days (and an average of 4.5 sightings per day). "Wow"…this definitely does makes the South Coast of Sri Lanka one of the very best places to see Blue Whales in the entire world!

See Eggs Of Pregnant Frog Through Her Transparent Skin

Have a look at this awesome image of a pregnant See-Through-Frog almost bursting with eggs, we can actually see right through her! This species was recently rediscovered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Like most of the “vanished” amphibian species, this species simply hadn't been seen for many decades, and its status was completely unknown, until it was rediscovered during recent field expeditions, which took place between the years 2009 to 2011. It is always “good news” when we hear that “vanished” species have been rediscovered!

Source and for more information...

The World´s Most Famous Polar Bear Is Dead

Knut at Berlin Zoo - 23 March 2007

(5 December 2006 – 19 March 2011)

Knut, the polar bear cub who was born in captivity at the Berlin Zoological Garden, is dead. He was only 4 years old. Knut collapsed and died in front of approximately 600 to 700 visitors. Witnesses reported that after the bear’s rear left leg began shaking, he became agitated before convulsing several times and falling backwards into the pool. Unfortunately, knut drowned before zookeepers could rescue him from the water.

Thomas Dörflein playing with Knut - May 2007

Knut had risen to stardom when he was rejected by his mother at birth and hand raised by zookeepers. Although Knut was the first Polar bear to be born and survive past infancy at the Berlin Zoo in more than 30 years, his tragic young life was shattered by tragedy from the start. Both Knut and his twin brother were rejected by their mother at birth and Knut’s brother died four days later due to an infection. After spending the first 44 days of his life in an incubator, he was put in the care of zookeeper Thomas Dörflein who began raising the infant with round-the-clock care. As a result, Dörflein turned out to be a minor celebrity in Germany and was awarded Berlin's Medal of Merit in honor of his incessant care for the cub. Tragedy struck again before Knut´s second birthday, when Dörflein died of a heart attack on 22 September 2008 at the age of 44. According to observers, Knut seemed to suffer from depression in the weeks after his dearly-loved keeper and constant companion passed away. Experts had earlier described Knut as turning into a "psychopath" because he was becoming addicted to human beings. In 2009 Knut was the subject of a bitter custody battle between two zoos (Neumuenster Zoo and Berlin Zoo). And last year Knut's cousin died subsequent to a mystery virus that spread throughout the zoos bear enclosure.

Knut at age of two years - December 2008

Source and more images: Mailonline

Images: Wikipedia

The Smallest Primate On The Planet

I recently watched a TV documentary about the minute Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur (Microcebus berthae) and I really enjoyed it. These minute creatures are currently known as the smallest primate on the planet, with an average body length of less than 100mm long and weighing something like 30g. This species is endemic to the lovely island of Madagascar (renowned as the fourth largest island in the world). These minute lemurs were only lately described as a species, in 2000.

Mouse lemurs have large eyes due to its nocturnal nature. They spend practically all of their life in trees, sometimes sleeping in a burrow otherwise nesting during the day, but more commonly just sleeping in the branches and hunting during the night. Their diet varies from fruit and favored honeydew of plant hopper larvae to chameleons. These minute lemurs have the extraordinary ability to lower their metabolic rate and body temperature throughout the cold weather which saves precious water and energy. Given that lemurs only live in a single place and new species are being discovered often, it is critical to maintain habitat and food sources for these sweet minute lemurs. For a video of a mouse lemur, click here.

Source: BBC
Image: Mammals´Planet

Cheetah Cubs Pictured Climbing Trees

Have a look at this image, don´t you find it remarkable? Six cheetah cubs which are still covered in their baby fluff and balancing on legs that give the impression of being too long for their bodies have been pictured climbing the acacia tree, just like their mum, outside the Kicheche Camp in Kenya's Masai Mara. I am quite surprised to see that all the cubs have reached this stage. Sadly, something like 90 per cent of cheetahs are killed during this time, because there are so many dangers out there in the wild (including lions, leopards and hyenas). The species is believed to be endangered. Estimation suggests some 12,500 cheetahs are living in the wild, and are spread across 25 African countries. Namibia is known to have the densest population - the southern African state is believed to be home to something like 2,500 of the cats.

A quick fact - cheetahs are amongst the most agile creatures on the planet, and are renowned for being faster than any other land animal.

More information and images: Dailymail

Children Swimming Next To Polar Bears...

When I saw these images for the first time, I thought that Photoshop was used on them, Well Guess what, It wasn’t.

In Canada, children can actually swim with Polar Bears. The Polar Bear Habitat is a water zoo situated in northern Ontario that allows children to experience an outdoor swim with these magnificent beasts. Obviously, humans and bears are in a swimming pool that has a glass partition in it. The children swim on one side of the pool and the Polar Bears also swim in the water, but on the other side (wow, what a unique experience). Nevertheless, it is still a real shock for those people who see such a panorama for the first time in their life. So, if you are passing through Ontario, why not take your children for a swim with the Polar Bears – the children love this place!

Shangri-La TV Ad - It's In Our Nature

This advert is without a doubt one of the most beautiful adverts I´ve come across. The first time I saw it I was completely touched by the beautiful shot. The wolves are really outstanding. It has a meaning which actually makes you think. Whenever I see this advert on TV I have to stop, watch and listen to it very attentively, I actually become emotional watching it… and I have no doubt that you are going to feel the same way as I do once you have a look at it.

The Jewel Of India

The Taj Mahal is a majestic mausoleum located in Agra, India. It is considered the most beautiful monument in the world built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India, and for good reason.There is no solid proof to corroborate the following myth, but it still makes an interesting “tale”. Back in 1632, Shah Jahan, an emperor in northern India, decided to build the Taj Mahal in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is believed that Ustad Isa, a Persian, was chosen to design the mausoleum. It took more than 20 years and the labor of 20.000 workmen to complete the Taj Mahal. The building began around 1632, and was completed around 1653. Shah Jahan was greatly pleased with the large graceful building of pure white marble. According to myths, Shah Jahan thought so highly of the mausoleum that he took steps to see that no building would ever equal its beauty. It is said that Shah Jahan had the architect hands cut of so that he could never again create anything as beautiful as the Taj Mahal.
The Taj Mahal, which contains the tombs of Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, stands on a large white marble terrace. The mausoleum, with its gleaming white domes and slender minarets, stands at the end of a long reflecting pool. Beautiful gardens with shrubs and dark green cypress trees surround the building. There is no question that the Taj Mahal is quite a place. This extravagant monument of love is one of the most visited and most photographed places in the world. The Taj Mahal attracts from 2 to 4 million visitors annually, with more than 200.000 from overseas. Those that have been there regard the Taj Mahal as literally breathtaking, being the most beautiful, astonishing and inspiring sights that they have had the privilege of seeing, and if anyone has the opportunity to see it, it’s a definite must!

Eco-Sensorial Park

Pia do Urso Park which is situated near a small village in the council of Batalha – Portugal, is the first and only park in Portugal developed in particular to offer new experiences and sensations to the visually impaired. All through the magnificent trip, the sounds, shapes and fragrances awakens the senses to magical and refreshing experiences - it´s an authentic wonderland.
This awe-inspiring park has a spectacular natural landscape and a serene environment to experience and take pleasure in. It is composed by a number of different paths in which Mother Nature plays a fundamental key role. Throughout the village, the walking trails have been specially designed (wooden paths) for the visually impaired so that they can wonder around freely without the help of anyone.
There are 6 Sensory stations (Planetarium, Water Cycle Station, Jurassic Station, Music Station, Creative Station and Abstract Station) as well as historic attractions to be visited. Explicative information in Braille (method that is widely used by blind people to read and write) is also used.
According to legend, the park Pia do Urso – meaning Bear´s sinkhole in Portuguese, was given its name because of a Bear that used to travel every day up and down the mountains. Ignorant to the people around him, he would always stop at the beautiful natural sculpted sinkhole to refresh himself before carrying on with his trip.

Kruger National Park - South Africa

On the 26th of March 1898, Paul Kruger, the president of the Transvaal Republic, signed a proclamation establishing a sanctuary for wild life between the Sabie and Crocodile rivers in order to control hunting and protect the diminished number of animals in the park. The first national park in the world had been created by the Americans at the Yellowstone in 1872, but the Sabie Game Reserve (the original name of the Kruger National Park) was the first in Africa.

The park is considered one of the largest national parks in the world, occupying almost 20.000 km2 of the eastern Transvaal in Southern Africa. It is approximately 360 km long and has an average width of 65 km. This area contains various species of birds, plants, fish, frogs, snakes, reptiles, tortoises, numerous crocodiles and mammals. A large amount of mammals inhabits various divisions of the park. The most common animal species is the impala, and the second most common is the African Buffalo. Among other game scattered throughout the park are African Hunting Dogs, Black Rhinoceros, White Rhinoceros, Burch ell’s Zebras, Bushbucks, Cheetahs, Common Eland, Giraffes, Greater Kudus, Hippopotamus, Lions, Leopards, Spotted Hyenas, Elephants, Waterbucks, Blue Wildebeest and many others.The Kruger National Park has a subtropical climate, the summer days are usually humid and hot with temperatures often increasing to above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The dry winter season is the ideal time to visit this region for various reasons. There is not as much risk of becoming affected by malaria and the days are calmer. Viewing wildlife is more satisfying as the vegetation is sparser and animals are attracted to the waterholes to drink every morning and evening. I guess that each month has its own character though, with innumerable fascinating things to do and see.

The Kruger National Park is a game reserve that will always be regarded as a prototype of the wild life sanctuaries in Africa. Comparisons with other reserves are inevitable, and some reserves will be praised as better, bigger, wilder, more varied in their animal populations, but the Kruger National Park sets a formidable standard. Other parks may, indeed have natural assets which the Kruger Park lacks, but its scenery, plants and animals, will always ensure that it has a unique place among the world’s game reserves.

Flower Festival in Madeira

Every year during the spring season, when the flowers are at their best, Madeira hosts its annual flower festival. This is the finest time of year to get to know the beauty that Madeira Island has to offer you and experience one of the biggest touristic attraction that takes place every year.

This event spreads a fairy tale atmosphere all over the city centre of Funchal. The visitors marvel at the spectacular flower exhibits that cover the streets, houses and shops. The street processions have floats decorated almost entirely out of flowers as well as costumed dancers to new choreography every year making their way through the city´s Street. In the past few years, another popular feature called the “Wall of Hope” was added to this event. At the Colégio Square, children build a large wall of flowers as a symbol of hope for a better and more peaceful world.

A small island full of beautiful flowers is really a beautiful sight! Have you imagined what it’s like being on such an island and letting yourself get intoxicated with nature’s floral perfumes flowing throughout the region?

The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef can be found off the shore of Queensland in northeast Australia. It is known to have the largest coral reef system on earth, with something like 3.000 individual reefs and 900 islands which stretches about 2.600 km over an area of more or less 344.400 square kilometers. This natural beauty contains the world’s largest collection of corals (more than 400 different types of coral). It is also regarded as the world’s biggest single structure made by living organisms. The reef has been built by billions of tiny organisms called coral polyps.

The Reef is home to a huge variety of sea creatures, including many venerable or threatened with extinction species such as the large Green Sea Turtle and the Dugong (Sea Cow). Many dolphins, whales and reptiles have been seen at the Reef. The Great Barrier Reef has become a popular destination for tourists. It possesses tropical islands with the world’s most beautiful beaches. The tourist love to take photos of the reefs natural beauty and many scuba divers are attracted to the breathtaking beauty of the underwater coral gardens.
In recognition of its importance, UNESCO listed The Great Barrier Reef as a world heritage site in 1981. This natural beauty is the only living thing on earth that can be seen from space. It is considered as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and has once again been nominated for the New 7 Wonders of Nature (the results will be revealed in 2011).

Regrettably, there are threats to the Great Barrier Reef. The impact of humans are among these threats. The crown-of-thorns starfish are eating the coral polyps resulting in an increase in the number of starfish because their natural predator, the triton, is prized by the humans for its shell. This has caused a drop in the triton numbers and an increase in starfish, and the destruction of large areas of coral. Pollution is another problem because coral can only grow on clear water. Oil spills of ships can destroy large sections of the reefs. Visitors walking on the reef also destroy coral.

Erta Ale Volcano

Erta Ale is a phenomenal volcano located in the Afar region of the northeastern Ethiopia which is known to have a persistent lava lake activity. It rises more than 600m from below sea level in the barren Danakil depression, a desert area stretching across the border with Eritrea.
This remarkable volcano of incomparable beauty is the most active in Ethiopia; it is notable for erupting continuously since the early nineteen hundreds, making it one of the longest continuously erupting volcanoes in the world. Erta Ale, or the “Smoking Mountain” in the language of the Ethiopian people, is classified as a shield volcano. It is 613m high; the summit caldera has two large steep-sided pit craters (north and south) and one smaller pit situated at the southeast side of the north pit. The caldera has an elliptical structure with approximate dimensions of 1600 x 700m.

Volcanoes are one of nature’s most breathtaking and destructive forces. When a volcanic eruption takes place, it releases a huge amount of energy which is far greater than the energy of the most powerful nuclear bomb. However, they are also the life force of our planet. They can form great mountains and create new land.
Volcanoes bring to the surface many of the minerals that plants need in order to grow well. In a way, this has led to trouble because people have gathered round the fertile volcanic regions. And because of this, eruptions have now and then killed many people and done great damage to poverty.

Erta Ale´s last major eruption took place on the 25th of September 2005, which unfortunately killed numerous livestock and forced thousands of people to flee from their homes. In August 2007, additional lava flow took place forcing hundreds of people to evacuate their homes and leaving two missing.

See more images of Erta Ale Volcano

The largest living organism in the world

Redwood trees are known as the largest living organisms on earth, some of them reach heights of over 300 feet high (the size of a football field). As a matter of fact, people that have been to a Redwood forest say that it is an awesome sight and that it will remain in your memory for as long as you live. Just when you assume that you've seen the largest tree of the forest, an even bigger one will appear around the corner. Redwoods are also known for their prolonged existence, meaning that some of the trees are hundreds or even thousands of years old. These outstanding trees are found alongside the pacific coast of Northern California where the summer fog and mild winters contrast with harsher inland climates.

The contemporary Coast Redwood is "Sequoia sempervirens". The species name is Latin which means “always green.” Coast Redwoods belong to the Taxodiaceae Plant Family, which include two other surviving Redwood species: the Giant Sequoia - "Sequoiadendron giganteum" found in Sierra Nevada, Mountains of California, and the Dawn Redwood - "Metasequoia glyptostroboides" a tree species unique to China.
 

The roots of a Redwood are extremely shallow; they grow no deeper than 10 feet, however, they spread out from the tree in every direction as far as 150 feet. By the time a few hundred years go by, the roots are so intermingled with the roots of other trees, making it impossible for a tree to fall down. By "holding hands" underground, the roots form a network allowing the trees to withstand even great storms (nevertheless, Redwoods are more defenseless to wind than fire, fierce winter storms are capable of bringing down these giants). As the roots grow out, crown root sprouting takes place. Sprouts in fact come out of the roots, out of the ground, and actually grow into the trees. New trees are often produced from sprouts which form at the base of the trunk.

Redwoods produce very small cones relative to the size of the tree. A mature Redwood tree can produce up to 100.000 cones in a year and each of these cones produce about 100 very small seeds. However, few are fertile, and fewer are capable of producing viable seedlings. Those that do survive, on the other hand, are amongst the fastest growing trees in the world.
 

Some trees have burn and char scars, recalling a tough past. Some even have huge caverns carved out of their middles due to gutting fires, but this doesn't stop them from growing; they are always full of life, making the wounds of the past seem so irrelevant. Besides the fires, some of its other enemies are the vagaries of climate change, occasional harsh storms and unfortunately, on a more immediate scale, chain saws...