WildCreatures

Spanish dancers are a spectacular sight as they swim through the ocean. They spend most of their lives crawling over the sand or coral, eating sponges. But occasionally, they make their way through the water by undulating and flapping in a motion that is completely mesmerizing. This incredible specimen was one of several in a patch of reef, found in Fiji. Several were observed as they slowly made their way across the coral. But one was swimming freely, flapping like the skirts of a flamenco dancer. These are impressive creatures with brilliant colour. They are truly a sight to behold when they are in motion like this. The Spanish dancer is one of the largest sea slugs, capable of reaching 60cm (24 inches) in length. Most commonly, they are 20-30cm (8-12 inches) long. They are poisonous and few creatures are capable of consuming them. The feathery structures on the back of this slug are external gills, used to filter oxygen from the water.

Murphy is a wonderful dog who would love to make friends with everybody, including the neighbourhood deer. When the herd crosses the path in front of him when he is out for his afternoon walk, he whines and pulls frantically at the leash to chase them. He can barely contain his excitement as he watches them run past and he sniffs eagerly at the ground where they just set foot. After the walk is over, old Murphy likes a good nap. But as we can see from his twitching toes and legs, the excitement is far from over for Murphy as he snoozes. He must be dreaming of the deer and galloping after them. It's tempting to wake him up but a good boy like Murphy deserves every moment of joy that life can bring. His family lets him sleep undisturbed so he can enjoy it all. Murphy is a lucky dog. He belonged to a serviceman in the U.S. military and he was dearly loved and well treated. But when his owner was deployed overseas, he placed Murphy in a caring home. Murphy was somehow not the right fit for this family in the long term, and he eventually found his way to a rescue facility. It was here that he waited a very short time before being discovered by a retired gentleman from North Carolina. These two bonded and became the best of friends. Murphy moved to Tennessee a few years later and it is here that he walks the neighbourhood, meeting his doggy friends and seeing the deer run past. Murphy's days are spent on meandering walks through the forest, chasing a ball in the back yard, sleeping by the fire and getting petted whenever he wants. Murphy really does live the good life, as every dog should.

This strange looking creature is an animal that lives on the ocean floor at various depths. It belongs to a group of animals that is one of the most numerous of the ocean animals, and also one of the most vital. It is a sea cucumber, commonly known as a worm sea cucumber. Although they come in different shapes and sizes, se cucumbers are similar in many ways. They move slowly or remain stationary on the ocean bottom as they filter debris and waste from the water and the sediment. They digest and process large volumes of debris over their lifetime, making the ocean cleaner and keeping it free from harmful bacteria that would overpopulate among the waste if they did not do their jobs. Simple organisms, they possess no true brain. Their sensory ability and locomotion is controlled by a ring neural tissue. They generally have a sensitivity to light and to touch due to the scattering of nerve tissue along the outer surfaces. They move over the ocean bottom consuming the organic matter that has settled. Some of them feed the organic matter into their mouths using feathery appendages that draw in food toward the centrally located mouth. This sea cumber measured approximately 2m (6 feet) in length, with a girth roughly equivalent to a large English cucumber. It was making its way along in the dark of night when it was seen by a scuba diver who was using lights to illuminate the reef as his group explored and recorded the nocturnal activity. The ocean is a completely different world by night. Different animals become active under the cover of darkness, hunting by using their keen senses to locate prey that is less able to see them coming. As the sun sinks beneath the horizon, many animals seek shelter, hiding among the coral and rocks. The animals that emerge from hiding are strange and fascinating. They move easily in the darkness, gathering food and avoiding becoming food. For scuba divers, exploring the darkness is intimidating and enthralling at the same time. It is a world of eerie silence and great beauty at the same time.

Kenya is home to some of the most majestic and beautiful animals on the planet. Some roam free in the wild and others live in vast game sanctuaries where they are easier to protect from poachers. Due to habitat loss and and hunting, many of these animals are on the brink of extinction. These safaris are funded by donations, government grants, and tourism dollars. They provide a haven for the wildlife, as well as an opportunity for people to see them and understand the importance of conservation. To lose animals like the rhinoceros, elephants, lions, or giraffes would be beyond tragic. Imagine taking a hot air balloon into the air and drifting with the wind over Kenya, see the world from above. Tree tops beneath, immense grasslands, and winding rivers make up the landscape. Animals here are a mix of predators and prey. Some are both at the same time. The balance is fragile and it can change without warning. Imagine touching down to explore and get a close up look at some of them, seeing them in their own environment and on their terms. It is not without risk, as these animals are truly wild. Guests on these tours accept that they need to be careful and respectful of the animals and their space at all times. But carefully guided by experienced experts, the animals have no reason to cause anyone harm. Imagine watching giraffes swinging their heads fiercely as they establish the herd pecking order, hippos crossing a rapids, zebras wading through crocodiles to reach the grass beyond the river, and young stallions playfighting in the middle of a herd of wildebeest, and a baby elephant scratching his backside on a thorn bush. Look into the eyes of a giraffe as it chews its dinner of leaves. Watch from the ground as a leopard caches a freshly captured impala in a tree to keep it safe from scavengers and other hungry carnivores. A huge lion, the king of beasts, scratches in satisfaction after feasting in the sun. A mother rhino and her large calf keep a watchful eye as they graze behind some shrubs. Two young lionesses chase each other playfully but the technique we see in the chase is striking similar to how a grown lion takes down its prey. A lion with a gorgeous mane grooms himself without a care. Another tears apart the remnants of his earlier catch, or perhaps he's sharing in kill that was made by his pride. The sights of Africa are breath taking and a slow ride over the wilderness in a balloon is possibly the most incredible way to experience them all. These memories were captured on video so that those who have not had the good fortune to experience something like this can get a taste of what it would feel like.

The royal blue tang, also known as the regal blue tang is a gorgeous fish, but it's fascinating for reasons that go far beyond the beautiful colour. This fish start out as eggs, which is not unusual, but they hatch 24 hours after fertilization and begin their life in the ocean as larvae that feed on plankton. As a fish species, they are important, but not as human food. Since they eat algae that has bacteria, they can cause ciguatera poisoning if consumed. They are important as bait fish for other species, contributing to the fisheries industry and overall health of the reef. Tangs have a caudal spine that can inflict a serious wound. The spines protrude when the tang experiences stress. With a quick, sideways thrashing motion, the spines are used as a weapon. The injuries caused are prone to infection. Some tangs are believed to also be venomous. These two fish are involved in a territorial dispute or a courtship attempt. It's difficult to tell the two situations apart. The fish dart rapidly up and down and in circles as one pursues the other. Scuba divers are delighted to find these fish on the reef. They are very photogenic and visually appealing. The royal blue colour that lends them their name is extremely striking.

Almost everyone has memories of a sunrise that they will never forget. Perhaps they shared it with someone special in a moment that will live on in their memory forever. Or maybe it was the first rays of morning seen in a magical location. These tourists embarked on a journey that would take them up the side of a volcano in Bali, Indonesia, to one of the most perfect vantage points to meet the dawn. The journey started long before first light, departing at 3am by jeep for a drive over rugged terrain, marked by lava rocks and gullies. The steep inclines and tumbling rocks made the trek a treacherous one. But the prize waiting for them was worth every minute. Guests arrived by the dozens, all taking a seat on benches or ledges on the side of one volcano to gaze out over the valley and neighbouring volcano in front of them. As the sun began its slow climb, an orange and red spread over the horizon like a crimson blanket, slowly being unrolled. Streaks of golden light spiked upwards, piercing the dark blue sky and drawing gasps of amazement and appreciation from the crowd. Clouds rolled through between the volcanos, obscuring the jungle and village below. It was like watching the world wake up as the colour flooded the sky and slowly revealed the outlines of palm trees and volcano peaks in the distance. At times, there was only the hushed silence as the spectators took it all in. At other times there were emotional moments and cries of delight as some people were actually brought to tears by the glory of our planet. The meaning and the impact were very different for each person watching, but they all seemed to share the understanding that this place and this time would be remembered forever. The silhouette of such a majestic peak, formed so long ago was stunning. Knowing that from this high peak, these would be the first rays of light to shine on this part of the world made it even more special. With pictures and memories to last a lifetime, guests slowly got into their jeeps for the trip back. And every single one took a long, last look, drinking it all in before saying goodbye to one of the most beautiful sunrises imaginable.

Monkeys are very clever and very cheeky animals. They have extremely flexible ethics when it comes to food and they are not above robbery and theft to get it. This big male macaque ventured in the open door of a tour bus and hijacked an entire bag of bananas from the seat nearest the door. Tourists watched in disbelief as the monkey brazenly hopped up onto the bus and climbed onto the seat. Knowing exactly what he wanted, he snatched the bag and jumped back down onto the ground before anyone could intervene. He made his way over to the sidewalk in front of the bus and ripped the bag open so he could sample the "fruits of his crime". Without shame or worry, he munched away, confident that nobody would try to take the bananas back. He eats rapidly and keeps a watchful eye all around, but that's only so that he can be aware of any other approaching monkeys. With his agility and quick reflexes, no clumsy human would stand a chance of getting the bananas away from him. This monkey lives in Ubud Monkey Forest in Bali, Indonesia. It's a sanctuary where the monkey troop roams freely, enjoying a very natural life in many ways. Tourists are welcome to wander the paths of the forest and watch the monkeys. Occasionally, the monkeys take a serious interest in the tourists, or their snacks. Although these animals are still wild, they are well acquainted with people visiting and they can be trusted enough to allow some interaction. Guides wander the paths as well and they keep a close eye the animals to make sure that everything remains friendly. Visitors are able to see monkeys close up here. The monkey troop thrives in a sanctuary that is protected and funded by tourism, and the village itself profits from the tourism funds that the forest brings. This is a win for all concerned. But guests are warned to avoid bringing food as it can cause misunderstandings and aggression, even among the monkeys themselves. The bananas had been left on the bus innocently enough. Nobody expected this smooth criminal to commit such a brazen daylight robbery.

Hawksbill sea turtles are the most beautiful of all sea turtles. Their ornate shells are decorated with green, brown, and golden markings, making them a true to delight to see on the reef. But their beauty was nearly their downfall as the demand for their shells brought them perilously close to extinction. Hunted to make brush handles and jewelry boxes, the number of hawksbill sea turtles plummeted in the last two centuries. Although they are making a comeback, they are still listed as critically endangered. Strict laws now prohibit the use or exportation of turtle shells like these. Conservation efforts and education have also helped to ease the pressure on these beautiful animals. They are carnivores because they eat sponges, which are also animals, and they eat coral. But the hawksbill helps keep algae at bay on the reef, which helps with the health of the coral. Their absence would leave a hole in the ecosystem that would have detrimental effects on the ocean. This magnificent turtle is a large one, and likely to be at least 50 years old. Some turtles live more than 100 years but the true longevity of hawksbills is unknown. They have many predators in the early years, including crabs, birds, and fish. But once they reach maturity at about 20 years of age, their shells act as sufficient protection from all but large sharks and orcas. Habitat loss and fishing nets also continue to be a serious threat for the turtles. This large female was busy trying to get at a yellow sponge that had grown in the crevice under some coral. Determined, the turtle broke off chunks of coral and rubble to get at the tasty meal beneath. The videographer spotted the turtle from quite a distance. Hoping to get a close look without disturbing the turtle, he made a very slow and cautious approach. The turtle kept an eye on the scuba diver at first, but soon realized that the clumsy human meant her no harm. She carried on eating without reaction. Usually, hawksbills are shy and reclusive. They will not allow a close approach under most circumstances. Even among their own species, they are not social animals and they will only gather together to mate. This beautiful animal was a joy to see so close up. This is a dive that the scuba diver will not soon forget.

Monkeys are one of the most amusing and fascinating animals. Perhaps their faces, or their behaviours remind us of ourselves. They have an uncanny resemblance to humans that strikes a chord with us. This monkey lives in Ubud Monkey Forest in Bali, Indonesia. It's a sanctuary where the monkey troop roams freely, enjoying a very natural life in many ways. Tourists are welcome to wander the paths of the forest and watch the monkeys. Occasionally, the monkeys take a serious interest in the tourists. This lucky visitor was taking a break from the walking and she took a seat on a wall. The cheeky monkey was quick to run out of the trees and climb up on her shoulder. It was hard to decide if the little fellow was looking for an opportunity to groom her hair, or hoping for a treat out of her pocket. This sanctuary guest was thrilled to have such an encounter with such a friendly little monkey. Although these animals are still wild, they are well acquainted with people visiting and they can be trusted enough to allow such an interaction. Guides wander the paths as well and they keep a close eye the animals to make sure that everything remains friendly. Visitors are able to see monkeys close up here. The monkey troop thrives in a sanctuary that is protected and funded by tourism, and the village itself profits from the tourism funds that the forest brings. This is a win for all concerned. And it was a huge win for this Canadian guest who described this as a bucket list item for her.

Wrasses are small fish that enjoy a symbiotic relationship with many larger fish and animals in the ocean. They hide among the rocks and coral, waiting for the signal from predators to go to work. When the predators suspend themselves pointing upwards and hold their mouths open, the wrasses will dart into the mouth cavities and pick at meat and food lodged between the teeth. Cleaner fish pick at parasites and loose skin on their hosts as well. They even clean the gill areas of food particles and pests. Usually, the larger hosts are happy with this arrangement and they welcome the wrasses, but this black spotted puffer fish is not in the mood for grooming. He shakes and spins in an obvious effort to discourage the wrasse. This pair were spotted in the waters around Komodo Island in Indonesia. Puffer fish have large gill holes that cannot be closed. The wrasse knows this and he darts in upside down to get at something edible. Incredibly, the wrasse is almost half inside the gill of the puffer fish.

Scuba diving in Indonesia is a dream come true for many divers. The waters here are home to beautiful and fascinating animals. Manta rays are among the most beautiful of all of them, and a highlight for the lucky few who see one up close. This thrilled diver met one face on as it drifted toward him with what appeared to be curiosity. It banked to the side and drifted away, but to his delight, the manta returned a few moments later and suddenly appeared right beneath him. The current had carried the diver into shallower water and he swam along, looking at the coral and the ocean bottom. The giant stingray had snuck up behind him and then swam right under him, close enough to touch. It seems that curiosity had brought the manta back for another look. It drifted lazily under the diver for almost a minute, even circling and allowing the diver to keep up, as if it wanted to stay close enough to prolong the encounter. The manta ray swam off again, leaving the diver in disbelief that he had swam in the close company of one of the ocean's most majestic creatures. As if this was not enough, the manta ray appeared one more time, passing over the diver's head. Giant mantas are capable of reaching impressive speeds with just a few flaps of their powerful wings. If the manta was at all concerned about the diver being close enough to touch it, there would be no difficulty for it to be out of sight in seconds. This manta seemed to be as fascinated with the clumsy human as he was with the ray. Mantas are highly intelligent and very inquisitive. Although it is rare for them to repeatedly circle a diver, they do occasionally make close passes with apparent interest. Mantas have the largest brain to body mass ratio of any fish. Their brains can be up tp ten times as large as that of a whale shark. They have highly developed areas of the brain that are responsible for problem solving, adaptive learning, and communication. It is believed that they are self-aware, having the ability to recognize themselves in a reflection. In studies involving mirrors, mantas acted with extreme interest, but the behaviours were very different than those displayed when mantas encountered other individuals. The mantas even used the mirrors to examine areas of their own bodies that they could not see. The belief that was once held that we are the only species with extreme intelligence is now being challenged as we begin to understand animals around us much better. But even still, we have more questions than we do answers. And it's clear that we underestimate the complexity of animals far too frequently.

This male lion is the undisputed king of his pride. He's the alpha male on this African plain and he enjoys the rights to mate with the lionesses in the pride and he eats first when there is a successful hunt. He's just finished a big meal and his stomach is full. He's now getting sleepy and it's time for him to have a snooze. Lions spend a lot of their day sleeping. They are daytime hunters, only hunting at night if they feel pressured due to lack of food. Skilled hunters, they are capable of working together to take down prey with ease under normal circumstances. They share their kill, making sure that the whole pride stays healthy and strong. Lions are the biggest of the cats, with the exception of the tiger. Only the male lion has the large mane that makes it instantly recognizable. The mane grows in the presence of testosterone. Recently, reports have been received of lionesses in northern Botswana that have grown manes due to their increased testosterone levels.

Zebras are one of the most distinctively patterned mammals on earth. Their unique black and white striping has made them the subject of art and stories for centuries. They are beautiful to watch, especially when they gather in a herd and blend together in one of nature's most splendid optical illusions. Scientists have debated the purpose or benefit of these stripes for years, concluding that they are confusing to predators who try to visually isolate an animal during pursuit. This creates a problem for lions that are trying to exhaust a single zebra by continually chasing it. This is hotly debated, as the stripes do not match background structures of the zebra habitat that would make them more camouflaged. Zebras also flee and separate during a chase, so lions would not have any obvious difficulty with the stripes. Another theory is that the striped pattern is a deterrent for biting flies. It was found that flies preferred solidly coloured surfaces for landing. Thermoregulation was also suggested and studied, but there was no evidence that these stripes helped dissipate heat in any way. These young males are beautiful as they posture and push each other around, establishing dominance and social position. It's all friendly enough and there seems to be no intent to injure. Much like horses, zebras have a complex and important social structure within the herd. These behaviours are crucial to the way the herd relationships are managed. Grooming each other and biting at the manes are also important behaviours that assist with social bonding.

Sea turtles are among the most beautiful and peaceful animals on earth. They drift through the ocean with elegance and tranquility. For many who swim or scuba dive in the ocean, encountering a sea turtle is one of the most memorable experiences ever. To share the reef with them for a few minutes on their own terms is a magical experience. Occasionally, scuba divers may encounter a turtle grabbing a snooze on the coral or on the sea floor. A full grown sea turtle has only a few predators and they will rest on the ocean bottom with confidence, even though they may keep their eyes partially open in case a threat appears. With a slow and cautious approach, sea turtles will sometimes regard humans with mild curiosity, or with indifference. This scuba diver slowly descended to the sandy bottom and approached the turtle from the side. Taking his time, he avoided approaching from above, or straight on, as either would possibly alarm the turtle. Once it was clear that the turtle was not concerned, he crawled slowly over the sand, capturing video of the sleepy turtle. The image is zoomed slightly, but the diver was able to rest on the sand only a few meters from this beautiful creature. After getting a close look and a short video, the diver made his way over the sand with a slow crawl so he would not disturb the turtle. Once clear of the area, he lifted off the sand and swam away in search of other sights. This is a Pacific Green Turtle that lives in the waters surrounding Komodo Island in Indonesia. This area is famous for being the home of the world's largest and most ferocious lizards, the Komodo dragons. The waters around these islands are equally exciting to explore and they are home to sea turtles, manta rays, sharks, and fish of magnificent colour and indescribable beauty. The underwater world is as mysterious as it is beautiful and we are only beginning to understand the complex life that exists beneath the waves.

Drones allow a view from great heights, providing a way of looking at the world around us that would not be possible from the ground. This drone operator was trying to film a construction crane that was being used to build a highrise apartment. As the drone circled around for the right angle of approach, a flock of pigeons was also circling around. They took a sudden interest in the drone and flew straight at it. The drone operator stopped it and let it hover so that the pigeons could continue on their way. They continued to circle and fly at the drone as if they were unhappy with the disturbance. It's possible that the pigeons thought the drone was another bird, even a predator. It's possible they were acting territorial, unwilling to welcome a newcomer around their rooftops. Either way, the birds didn't seem pleased with the camera on a quadcopter. After waiting for them to settle down, the drone slowly moved away from their precious rooftop and left them to do what pigeons do on a sunny morning. This crane looks impressive from the ground, but up close, it's an enormous piece of equipment that towers high above this city.

Raven is a very happy dog who is living her best life. Her family loves long hikes in the nearby forest and they take her exploring almost every day. In the summer, Raven gets a special treat. Their weekends are spent at a remote cottage and the hikes in the woods nearby are an even bigger adventure. Moose and deer wander the woods and trails here. They leave scents that are a joy to the nostrils of a dog like Raven. But the scents of the animals are not the only thing that register on this giant nose. She also smells the sweet aroma of the snacks in the backpack. On this extra long hike, salmon sandwiches are on the menu and Raven can hardly wait for hers. As her family eats, she prances around and sings with impatience. She doesn't have to wait long before she gets to enjoy her own salmon on two big slices of wholegrain bread. Raven eats politely, biting off chunks, but she chews and swallows the whole thing in seconds. Raven's appetite is as big as she is. Great Danes are wonderful companions. A fiercely loyal breed, they make great family pets. Although they do well with lots of exercise and adventure, they sleep a lot and tolerate lazy days on the couch equally well. After a hike like this one, Raven will flop down on her oversized bed in front of the fire and close her eyes. Until supper time, at least. Anyone who has ever owned a Great Dane has fallen in love with this beautiful breed.

Bull sharks are massive and powerful animals that have a reputation for aggression. They can grow to more than 3m (10 feet) in length, weighing upwards of 350kg (800lbs). They are fearsome predators that are afraid of very little. These scuba divers in Fiji have descended 25m (75 feet) beneath the surface to gather in an area inhabited by hundreds of bull sharks. They have a front row seat to a controlled feeding. These feedings are controversial and experts have differing opinions on how appropriate they are. Initially, it was seen as harmful to the animal life to interfere and change their behaviour. It cannot be denied that encouraging sharks to associate humans with food is potentially dangerous. But this situation is far more complex than it would first appear. The nearby village off the island of Fiji was struggling to survive. Large fishing operations offered a substantial and irresistible compensation for the rights to fish on the reef within their boundaries. Soon after, the fish were depleted and the health of the reef was in serious decline. The sharks were in danger of starving. These shark feedings began as a way to attract tourism dollars that would allow the village to thrive without allowing overfishing. The village is compensated generously for allowing the tours and the fisheries are not threatened. Fish populations are on the rebound and sharks have returned to the reef. It's a matter of debate whether the benefit outweighs the harm on an ethical front, but it's undeniable that the sharks and fish populations have increased as a result of this change. If something had not been done, the reef and the village would have suffered irreparable harm.

Rivers like this one in Kenya, Africa, are dangerous places for animals. Crocodiles inhabit the waters here, stealthily moving in on animals that cross them. A crocodile can take down large animals like zebras or gazelles with ease. They drag them under water and drown them, making them an easy meal. But a full grown hippo is a force to be reckoned with. Hippos have enormous and powerful jaws and they would give even the hungriest crocodile a serious fight. This mother hippopotamus knows that lingering in the water is a hazardous thing, but she and her baby pause to gulp water before finishing their crossing. Aside from rhinoceros' and elephants, hippos are the largest land animals. A female like this one will weigh over 1300kg (2800lbs). They are known to be one of the most dangerous animals in the world. Aggressive and unpredictable, the males claim stretches of river as their territory, defending it from other males and threats with ferocity. Their jaws can open as wide as 180 degrees and their gigantic teeth can deal a fatal wound. While hippos appear to be similar to pigs, they are not closely related. Their closest relatives are whales, dolphins, and porpoises, having diverged from them approximately 60,000,000 years ago. Whales' ancestors were once land dwellers, and much smaller than the whales of today. In this time period, whales evolved rapidly to grow much larger than their ancestors. Their intelligence also increased dramatically in a relatively short period of time as well. Hippos have few predators when full grown. These two will not likely encounter trouble as long as the baby stays close to its mother.

Humpbacks are among the most beautiful and peaceful animals on the planet. They spend part of the year in colder northern climates, feeding on krill, plankton, and small fish. They are gentle creatures that have baleen instead of teeth. Despite their immense size, they are gentle giants. Even so, they are massive and powerful animals, capable of protecting themselves and their young with their huge tails, if needed. Mother whales come yearly to the waters in the Kingdom of Tonga, a cluster of islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It is here that they give birth to a single calf. This is one of the few areas in the world where orcas don't venture. Orcas and large sharks are the few predators that prey on newborn humpbacks. A full grown adult can outswim these killers, but a calf could not. Mother humpbacks feed their babies milk for several months while they drift in the safe waters of Tonga. Humpback cows have built up a large fat reserve before they arrive here and it is depleted as they produce a fat and protein rich milk for their babies. The calves grow rapidly and gain strength that will be needed when their mothers need to return to the feeding grounds in colder waters. And while they make the return trip, they will need to avoid hungry predators. These nature enthusiasts are actually swimming with three humpbacks. The mother drifts lazily as she rests, making her way from the depths to the surface every eleven to twelve minutes to breathe. She is aware that her baby is playfully swimming around the people in the water, but she seems to understand that they mean no harm. They must be careful to keep their distance because the mother might object of they get too close. A male, or bull humpback waits patiently with the female. Referred to as an escort, the male will intervene if the cow is threatened. He will also fend off other bulls who are interested in mating with the female. In return, he hopes that she will consider him favourably in the weeks that follow when she is ready to mate again. Females carry their calves for eleven and a half months and give birth every two years. These swimmers are incredibly lucky to experience this interaction with the baby whale. They are also lucky to experience such trust from the mother whale to allow it.

These wasps are banded paper wasps and they are among the biggest wasps in the world. They were seen in Bali as they rapidly began construction of a nest under a small overhang beside a busy city street. A tourist who was waiting for his friends to come out of a store, found shelter from the rain under this overhang. He heard a loud buzzing sound and saw one of these giant wasps fly right over his head. It sounded more like a small drone than an insect as it came in for a landing. The tourist looked up to see several of these beasts right above his head. Wasps were coming and going, bringing chunks of meat or insect carcasses. These were being fed to larvae and young wasps that had recently emerged from the cells. Wasps like these are carnivores. They kill and eat insects and use them to feed their young. They prefer caterpillars or larvae, but they will feed on various flying or crawling insects. As they feed the larvae, larvae emit a sweet fluid, similar to honey that the adults also feed on. These wasps were 3-4cm (1.5 inches) in length, with large wings and large heads. A local tour guide said that they are commonly referred to as turmeric wasps due to their yellow colouring. He warned that these wasps deliver an extremely powerful sting if they are disturbed or threatened and that anyone experiencing this would feel an intense fire in the affected area that could also make them feel very sick. Indonesia is home to many unique and fascinating creatures. In comparison with North America, many creatures such as these wasps seem more formidable and more dangerous. We are only beginning to understand the world around us.

This Komodo dragon makes his home on Komodo Island in Indonesia along with over 1700 other dragons. They are the largest lizards on earth and they are ferocious hunters. Capable of taking down huge prey, they are the top predators in their domain. They can dislocate their jaws to swallow animals whole as well. Komodo dragons are known for their highly toxic saliva. Laced with venom and bacteria, their saliva can incapacitate their prey. Animals they bite will suffer from infection and internal bleeding that can kill them within a day or two, even if they survive the initial attack. These dragons are also opportunistic feeders that will eat freshly killed animals. They have a keen sense of smell that helps them track dying animals or locate carrion. This dragon found a large sea turtle washed up on the beach and he claimed it as his own. He carried it up on the beach and swallowed it, shell and all. This footage was captured a few minutes after the sea turtle was consumed. The Komodo dragon's belly bulges obscenely as he waddles into the trees to rest and digest his meal. The dragon's drool hangs from his jaws as he saunters along. It's a foul mix of bacteria that that would be enough to make anything that touched it ill. And if the dragon was not already full and slow moving, the people capturing pictures and videos would not be so wise to venture so close. Guides are present and always vigilant, willing to step in with large sticks to dissuade an aggressive animal. These dragons are fascinating and terrifying at the same time. Reaching a weight of nearly 130kg (300lbs), they are huge creatures with a reputation for violence that is well deserved.

Drones have been used for filming and for looking down at the earth from above for a few years. As technology advances, they become better at providing a view that was once impossible without great expense. The world is beautiful when seen from above and amateur videographers are now able to explore and record almost everything. A recent advance is shown here with footage from a DJI Avata. It's a small and affordable quad copter that flies like an airplane, hovers like a helicopter, and records in ultra high definition. What's even more amazing is that the operator wears virtual reality goggles that show a crystal clear display of everything the drone sees as it flies. The Avata tilts, dives, climbs, and zooms over the terrain, giving the pilot the sensation that they are in full flight instead of merely watching a screen. The experience is so real that the operator often needs to sit down to avoid falling over during the flight. The motion controller on this drone is held like a joystick and tilted to make the drone bank, climb, or dive. A trigger throttle controls the speed of the drone which reaches exhilarating 55km/h (34mph). The drone is so responsive that it can be flown inches from the ground and through tight spaces. As this drone owner took his first flight with the tiny machine, he started out slowly over a very quiet road near his home. What he didn't realize is that he was about to have an extreme deja-vu experience. For years, he had dreamed of flight, a very common dream for many people. But the surprising part is that he accidentally began his test flight in a setting that was much like his recurring dream. And the experience as he began to lift the drone into the air was eerily similar to the way the dream unfolded. And it was as close to the feeling of true flight as anyone can experience while their feet are still on the ground. Footage of flights in the days that followed give us the same chance to see what the operator sees as they fly this drone. This is how the world would look if you could fly like a bird.

The disco clam is an aptly named creature that appears to be generating electricity in pulsating waves. It gives off the appearance of a light show that is mesmerizing and fascinating to watch. The light comes from thin bands along the outer surface of the clam when it is open. But the truth is that the clam does not generate electricity, and it does not even generate light. This is not an example of bioluminescence. The thin bands are reflective tissue that are merely reflecting the light that is already present. The clam is able to expose and hide the thin band of reflective tissue very quickly. These tissues consist of nano-spheres made of silica. The appearance that this presents is reflection of light, alternating with red tissue in a rapid fashion. To the human eye, or the eye of a predator, this appears to be flashing light or even electricity that warns the predator to stay away and avoid contact. The clam is able to reflect sunlight, or lights from a scuba diver's camera. This is an incredible and unique adaptation that is very effective as a survival tool. Nature provides many creatures of the ocean with the tools to create a defence. The variations of these mechanisms inspire awe and wonder. There are more mysteries in the ocean than we have answers for. We are only beginning to understand the complexity of life under the waves.

Scuba divers in Indonesia were thrilled to see a school of giant manta rays drifting casually past them. But even more amazing was the fact that one of them was entirely black, except for a few white spots on its underbelly. These mantas typically have white underbellies and white markings on their backs. Referred to as melanism, it is highly unusual in marine species. In terrestrial animals, it is much more common. AN example is black panthers, which are actually jaguars with a colour differentiation. Although this phenomenon has been occurring more frequently in recent years, it is specific to manta rays. No other shark or ray species exhibits this melanism. Scientists are fascinated with this development. Recent studies have revealed that there is a significant population of black mantas in Raja Ampat, Indonesia as well as Ecuador. The confusing part for researchers is that these two populations have shown up despite the great geographical distance between the two regions. This has produced more questions than answers. Scientists have explored whether this colouration affects survival rates. There has been no evidence to suggest that predators are more or less likely to target black mantas. Understanding melaism among manta rays will help scientists understand the migration and breeding habits of mantas as they explore the possibility that this trait has been spread because different manta ray populations are connected. As we learn more about animals and about the world around us, we also learn how much we don't yet know.

Rice is the most commonly eaten food for half of the humans in the world, making up more than 20% of all calories consumed. It is eaten by almost all people of all cultures to some extent, and for many countries, it is a staple food that is relied upon for survival. Affordable and easily stored, it is a popular food among those with less income. Ironically, it is also produced almost exclusively by workers who have less income as well. Indonesia is one of the top producers of the world's rice. Most of the rice consumed by North Americans comes from Indonesia, China, and India. Many of us eat it almost daily, yet we don't give much thought to the way it is grown and harvested. This rice paddy in Bali is strikingly beautiful, especially when seen from the air. Terraces have been constructed on the hillside by making low walls to retain water. The terraces are flooded after the rice shoots are planted. Many people believe that rice needs this flooding to grow, but rice would grow just as well with wet soil that was not submerged. The flooding is done to control pests and prevent weeds from growing among the rice. Workers harvest the rice by hand, working long hours, toiling in the hot sun. It is a labour intensive job and the pay is meager. The workers in Indonesia are usually not paid for their efforts. Instead, they are given a portion of the harvest. This means that they will have a considerable food supply, but they will also need to work elsewhere to earn an income. We pay only pennies per serving for our rice, creating a market that prevents workers receiving much compensation. Rice is an excellent food source, but the plants absorb and retain a high concentration of arsenic in comparison with other crops. North America and many other countries regulate rice imports to limit concentrations to 100 parts per billion. China allows up to 150ppb, a much higher concentration of the carcinogen.