nature

The Science and Nature of Wanderlust, tourism, landmarks for nature buffs and more.

Sailing with the sail fish
We heard the horn blow as this huge floating little city proceded out of the port area and began our cruise adventure. The ship glided perfectly over the calm seas allowing excellent opportunities to watch for marine life. While my husband and I were cruising the Pacific Ocean off of the coast of Mexico, camera in hand, out popped this beauty! I have always loved taking photographs and recently became obsessed with nature. Two days into our cruise was a particularly beautiful, sun filled day with minimal wave and swell making spotting achievable. The mesmerizing sun-filled day began with a hot cup of coffee and croissant, enjoyed out on a secluded side deck. As I felt the warm ocean breeze and warm sun on my skin, I found my mind would wander off, strangely remembering “The Little Mermaid” and how it becomes a whole new world under the sea. Other than photography, another of my passions is snorkelling. Floating through calmness of underwater with the abundance of life peaking out all around me. The assortment of shapes, sizes and flora of these creatures is always so intriguing. Equally abundant is the fabulous plant life, observing the underwater creatures nibbling on the plants, spewing sand while digging their trenches and pathways down to the, unknown to me, treasure below. During my snorkel adventures I have spotted a variety of marine life but today I focus on the sail fish becoming curious of the long barb leading it’s way as it travels so quickly and effortlessly through the water. I wondered if this sword of sorts was to penetrate food, or to assist with balance, speed, what was the creative design purpose? So I begin my research and I learn some fun facts about the sailfish! I learn that this species of fish holds the record for the fastest speed of any of Earth's marine animals, how fascinating! The sail fish gets it’s name due to the “sail” type fin hidden on the back. This sail protrudes and becomes raised when attacking prey. Supposedly, the raising of this sail makes it difficult for the head to move freely discouraging predators as the long bill looks less desirable to eat. Also, during spawning the female sailfish will attract a male partner by extending her dorsal fin above the surface of the water. So this fin has much purpose. This fish hunts and manipulates the “sword“ to injure it’s food, making the meal more easily attainable. Studies have shown that most of their prey get injured from the back versus the front as they swiftly speed up behind the school of fish bumping their food source enough to inflict an injury allowing the possibility of capture. Approximately only 24% of the hunt is successful. These fish really work hard for their meals! These fish tend to hunt in groups for various reasons, such as, fish can be predictable and a fish on it’s own can repeat its movements and directionality. Studies show that the mob mentality creates much movement at the same time making it more difficult for predators to track or plot their path. More fascinating, is studies have shown that these fish may be able to change colour, throwing off their predators. Studies also show that this species may be able to communicate with each other and that they have the ability to display emotion, who knew, fish can have emotions. I was thrilled to see this Vocal challenge, prompting me to step out of my comfort zone, chose my photo with then educating myself on these majestic water beauties. I look so forward to my next wildlife adventure!
By Holly Allison-Kay5 years ago in Wander
Running Free
Last Fall was a different year for many reasons. It made the Sweet 16 for our oldest a little challenging. Her Aunt asked if she would like to go to Outer Banks for her birthday and the resounding answer was YES!
By Kaiz 5 years ago in Wander
Cloud Walker
Soft white steam exhales into the morning mist as cloud and drizzle fall about her feet. She, who walks a top cloud and dances upon the ridge of mountainous alpined moss, sees all the way along the great valleys that edge the Tasman Isles flowered beauties. All paths intersect and celebrate at her feet, with the Green-mans leafy trail laid before each step she takes. Cool and chilled she whispers to the shifting winds, all the secrets and hidden mysteries that shower their bounties upon an unknowing world.
By Karen Eastland 5 years ago in Wander
Heading Home
I was living in the state of Oaxaca in the Southwest of Mexico when I decided to take the four-hour, vomit-inducing bus ride through the crinkled mountain ranges from the heart of the state to its sea-lapped edge. I was headed to Puerto Escondido - which means 'hidden port' in Spanish - to meet up with a friend who was spending the week playing guitar on the beach, which sounded like an ideal way to spend my long weekend off work.
By Alison Victoria Shepherd5 years ago in Wander
How to get a glimpse of the Arabian Oryx
The entirety of the Arabian Peninsula is home to a mere 4 indigenous mammals and from these, the Arabian Oryx is one such species that calls for careful consideration whenever touring regions such as Abu Dhabi for that matter. Referred to in Arabic as ‘Al Maha,’ the Oryx is an important part of the Bedouin culture where the animal is associated with beauty. Provided below is an account of the species and how travellers like you can set about discovering one of the most treasured species of antelope the world over.
By traveltheworld world5 years ago in Wander
Wild Wild Horses
My husband and I were road tripping on the outskirts of Las Vegas, Nevada. There is such incredible beauty just outside of the neon lights and crowds of the strip. As we began the drive leading out of the Mount Charleston area, on a downhill section of the road, we came across a wide-open expanse of Joshua Trees. We pulled into a small dirt section of the road to explore and started snapping pics to clog up our social media feeds.
By Patti Hodder5 years ago in Wander
Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park
My last hike to Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park was in August 2020. This is a short drive from Calgary if you live around here and right next door to Cochrane. I went on one of the trails that I haven't hiked before and discovered new (or rather old) delights along the way. I always like the feel around Cochrane. I get a feeling of comfort there for some reason.
By Yvette McDermott5 years ago in Wander
Morris the Moose
This is my friend Morris. Morris the Moose. I meet him while traveling to a remote lake in the Interior of Alaska. How remote? The directions are coordinates- Latitude: 62.281264, Longitude: -146.556511. Or, if you ask the locals, go 42 miles past Delta Junction and look for a bent tree next to an old mailbox with purple flowers and turn left onto the dirt road. If you drive the border of Canada, turn around- you went too far.
By Rose Loren Geer-Robbins5 years ago in Wander
Kolchak and Kodak
I got my first camera when I was a kid, and my first role model for a photographer was Kolchak: The Night Stalker. As far as I remember he always had his camera and recorder with him on his investigations as a newspaper reporter. He wasn't really a photographer, but he used his camera to take shots while researching amazing stories that were not always what they seemed. This appealed to me greatly at my young age.
By Yvette McDermott5 years ago in Wander
Dumela
Dumela! Dumela! Those were the first words I saw at the Botswana International Airport. I later learned during our orientation that it meant Welcome. Excited can not fully explain how I felt about visiting Africa. As a dental student, going on an externship was a part of our requirements. My dental school had partnered with many places both within and outside of the United States. The year prior, a few friends of mine had completed their dental externship in Africa and kept raving about their experience. A Local dentist from there had come to visit them in the United States. During her visit, we became friends. There was no doubt in my mind that I would be going to Africa too.
By Ali SP5 years ago in Wander
Voyage Into the Veil
Alas, this wandering would yield my final musings as everything else has deteriorated inside what remains of my fragile mind. I can feel the memories slipping and in a way, this reveals a more stripped-down version of reality than what appeared before. This long, arduous journey seems to have forgotten to yield a climax. Is there a point in continuing a search that is missing a destination? To find that treasure it is important to discover the workings of the mysterious veil around you.
By Cai Levi Carney5 years ago in Wander
THE OTHER END OF THE HORIZON
Chapter 1 No one really knows what built the ship. Most think it dropped out of the universe as a present to the ocean. What was known is that it stood 1200 feet high and 300 feet wide in the air. Both the sails stood elevated across from one another. The deck was embroidered with shimmery wood with the wheel cushioned to its irresistible attachment. The hull allowing its intriguing stature to hover and bow amongst the enormously still waters. No need for the anchor just yet. It hung even, making sure it did not interrupt the flow of constant. The keel and stern unitedly positioned as the ship’s last stance. It was created from the finest of steel, pale aqua colored as a reflection of the ocean’s fictional beliefs.
By Beautiful Intelligence5 years ago in Wander