The most-visited penguin colony in the world is in South Africa. According to this article in DiscoveryNews, more than 600,000 tourists visit each year to see the African penguins. The African penguin population has decreased by 90 percent over the past century, earning it an “endangered” label. It stands to reason that the locals better … Read more
Did you know that there were 17 species of penguins? You would if you had matriculated at Antarctica University. There’s a university in Antarctica? Well, not exactly. It’s a virtual university. And it’s hosted by one of the leading Antarctic research organizations: Oceanities. Oceanities is an impressive organization — balancing public education (like Penguins 101) … Read more
I came across a short piece on the Magellanic penguins of Punta Tombo in the Salem-News today. The writer Gail Parker hits on a theme that is sure to sharpen in the year ahead, and one that I often wrestle with. Ecotourism. She asks if ecotourism is an oxymoron. According to my fictional researcher based … Read more
Granted, this is a brief list of birds, but you’ve got to start somewhere. I will expand it. I’m currently searching for the elusive Bufflehead. Every time I see one I’m without camera. Here’s what I’ve photographed so far, all along Elliott Bay. A goldeneye. There are two different types; I’m not sure which one … Read more
If you don’t want to feel depressed, stop reading now. Because this is a post about a depressing story — and one that is likely to become more common as we deplete the oceans of life. This story is about the penguins of Phillip Island, an island south of Melbourne. It’s a popular tourist destination … Read more
Penguins may look cute and cuddly but you wouldn’t want to get too close to one. They bite and they bite hard. Which is probably why we’re so fascinated by those select penguin who choose not to bite humans. There is a penguin, named Sandy, in a zoo in German that has developed quite an … Read more
It is all too easy to assume that penguins are clumsy animals. After all, we typically encounter them on land, where they spend roughly half their lives. And boy are they awkward on land. But they are not built for setting land speed records. They are built for the sea. For evading other creatures that … Read more
In Seattle, you don’t have to walk far to catch glimpses of nature going about its business. But today I was fortunate enough to catch an eagle and seal going about their business — and catch them on camera. I had gone for a walk along the Sound, or the Salish Sea, with the goal … Read more
I was happy to see a very young King Penguin on Bing this morning. This photo was taken on South Georgia Island by Tony Ernst. I hope to visit this island some day, as it’s home to one of the largest King Penguin colonies on the planet. Kings aren’t the largest penguins on this planet … Read more
We are only just discovering our oceans. For most of human history we focused on land. The water was useful to finding new land areas, for mapping land areas, and so on. But now we are turning our eyes on the oceans, and there is so little we know. Take the Kimberly Coast, an enormous … Read more
The Sea Shepherd crew is gearing up for another run at the Japanese. I really wish the Japanese government would come it its senses and stop subsidizing this annual slaughter. Until then, Paul Watson keeps coming up with news and creative ways of getting in the way of business as usual. Say hello to the … Read more
It’s difficult to convey size through words. Square miles doesn’t mean much to people. But a picture, well, like this one… The US would disappear within Antarctica, with room to spare. Photo courtesy of Icebridge.