WildCreatures

These cows are living a wonderful life on a beautiful farm in Ontario, Canada. They have acres of lush, green grass to graze on, rolling hills to wander, forested areas for shade, and ponds full of fresh water to drink from. They spend their days lazing in the sunshine, or cooling off under a tree. It's a world full of choice and gently blowing breezes. There is even a large bull named Gus who watches over his herd protectively. Life on this farm is as close as possible to what nature intended for these gentle creatures. Fiona and Flossey are the two cows here that compete for attention when Dave, the farm hand enters the meadow. These cows are well treated and they respond to kindness with trust and acceptance. They actually seek out human interaction and follow the farmers and Dave around the fields, curiously watching them work. Sometimes they even seem to want to help. These cows are brighter than most people realize and they have personalities and a gentle nature that make them extremely endearing. The cows form bonds with each other, preferring to spend time in the close company of their cow "friends". When given the chance to live like this, the cows develop a social structure and relationships. They even take turns caring for the calves, almost like aunties would do in our own families. Dave enjoys watching the cows and interacting with them during quieter moments. When it's break time, the cows will sometimes wander over and lie down beside Dave as he sits and takes a rest. And other times, the cows will ask for a scratch on the head or behind the ears, enjoying the petting the same way a family dog would. Surprisingly, these cows will also show a touch of jealousy if one of them gets more attention than they do. Flossey and her sister, Fiona keep Dave busy on this sunny day. He has both hands going and they let him know when he's not keeping up. These are large animals, each weighing more than 450kg (1,000lbs) but they seem to understand this and they take enough care to avoid knocking Dave over with their enthusiasm. It seems we are not the only beings with compassion and an understanding of the need to be gentle. Farms like these treat their animals with respect. When looking for a place to buy our food, there are a lot of good reasons to support the farmers like these ones who are doing everything right. Although it costs a little bit more to raise beef here than on a factory farm, it's worth spending our money at a place that avoids cruelty and poor conditions for the animals. Farms like this one can usually be found locally too, offsetting a lot of the added costs of transportation and retail. In the end, it doesn't cost much more and we can feel better supporting the farmers close to us while we encourage better care for such beautiful and gentle souls.

This Farm in Ontario is home to many unique animals. Among the most interesting of them all is Violet, a 4 month old Lamanche goat who seems to believe that she is a puppy. Since she was born, she has followed her people around the farm wherever they go. She also loves to chase and play with the dogs on the farm, just like she was one of them. She will wander up to people, even visitors, looking for affection and attention. She gently places her head against them, begging to be scratched and rubbed, just like a dog would. Violet is very smart and she quickly figures out everything on the farm, such as how to get food that she is not supposed to get into. But, with an adorable face like that, how can anyone ever be annoyed with Violet? After exploring and playing on the farm all morning, Violet is eager for her morning bottle. Violet has responded to the love and wonderful treatment that she gets on this beautiful farm. She is happy and trusting and she is incredibly affectionate. She is a perfect example of how animals respond so well to kindness.

Nurse sharks are often called the puppy dogs of the ocean. They are sharks, but they are completely harmless to people, unless they are treated unwisely. These sharks have a curious and gentle disposition and their mouths are downturned, similar to the mouth of a catfish. more like a catfish. But these sharks do have a mouth full of teeth in many rows and they are capable of biting if they are handled or feel threatened. Surprisingly, these sharks are ranked number 4 for bites on humans, simply because people mistakenly believe they can be touched or fed by hand. This nurse shark is a juvenile and it was following these scuba divers along the reef in Belize. When they stopped to look at creatures in the sand, the shark was immediately curious and it swam over to see what they were looking at. The shark headed straight for this scuba diver and his camera. To his surprise, the shark swam straight into his open palm, resting its nose briefly before turning and calmly swimming away. It's possible that the shark wanted to smell the diver's hand and it's also possible that the shark simply wanted to make contact. Allowing the shark to choose the terms of this interaction reduced the chance of a mishap, especially in the case of such a small shark. But it is still advisable to maintain a respectful distance from all wildlife to be on the safe side. Nurse sharks typically hunt at night, rooting through the sand for small fish and crustaceans. They inhale prey with by rapidly creating suction. They are capable of producing a more powerful suction than any other known vertebrate. Nurse sharks are just one of the endless number of fascinating animals that one might encounter on the reef. Scuba diving opens up a whole new world of beauty and mystery for the lucky few who are adventurous enough to slip beneath the waves to explore.

Humpback whales are beautiful and peaceful creatures. They are highly intelligent, with cognitive abilities that are comparable to dogs, chimpanzees, and dolphins. Scientists believe that as recently as 100,000 years ago, humpbacks were the most intelligent creatures on the planet at that time. Humpbacks are gentle creatures, despite their immense size and power. They are curious in nature and they tolerate the presence of humans in the water along with them, as long they are given a respectful distance. Tonga is one of the few places in the world where people are still allowed to get into the water with these magnificent beings. These lucky swimmers quietly slipped into the ocean and waited as a mother humpback and her calf approached and curiously looked them over. Tonga is a world free of orcas and other predators that would kill a defenseless baby whale. These whales come to the waters around Tonga to breed and bear their young. This calf is less than two weeks old. It will stick close to its mother and drink milk as rapidly as possible so that it will gain weight and strength. The baby will need both to survive as the whales migrate to their feeding grounds. When threatened, the mother will swim under her baby and lift it out of the water on her head. She will also use her massive fins to create a barrier between a predator and her calf. As a last resort, the mother will position herself so that she can slap her tail and strike with enormous power. Spending time with such a beautiful animal in its own environment is an indescribable experience. To be given the trust to interact with this newborn calf is touching and unforgettable. Humpback whales deserve every chance to thrive without human interference. To lose them forever would be beyond tragic.

Flossey is living a wonderful life on a beautiful farm in Millbrook, Ontario. It's what is knows an "ethical farm" where cows have space to roam and graze instead of being kept indoors for most of their lives. Flossey's farm has vast expanses of lush, green grass, rolling hills, ponds full of fresh water, and forested areas for shade. This is life as it should be for these gentle creatures. Dave is a farm hand who often helps out with some of the chores and animal care. He decided to take a break on this warm, summer day and he took a seat on the hill overlooking the pasture.

Hawksbill sea turtles are critically endangered. They are gorgeous, with ornately patterned shells and a unique facial structure, resembling the beak of a predatory bird. This striking beauty has caused a dramatic population decline for the hawksbills. They were already facing a threat due to meat and egg harvests, and they were placed at greater risk when their shells became the much sought-after material used to make jewelry boxes and hair clips. In the last century, their numbers plummeted, and they were on the brink of extinction. Conservation efforts and increased protection laws have helped this beautiful animal begin a comeback. These two turtles are actually success stories due to the efforts of researchers and rehab workers in Papua New Guinea. They were given critical care in their early years and then released back into the wild in a remote part of Kimbe Bay. Scuba divers visit the island where they live to document and study the wildlife and the ecosystem in this area. The turtles still trust humans, and they approach them curiously, looking for food and interaction. The turtles are interested in what the divers are looking at, and they will often swim between the divers and their photography subjects, competing for the attention of the divers. It is believed that these turtles remember the trust that they were shown, and they respond with particular interest to the specific diver that played a direct role in their upbringing and release. Hawksbill sea turtles are among the most beautiful and beloved animals in the ocean. To interact with turtles like this on their own terms is a beautiful and memorable experience.

Chris and Cameron are brothers who have been diving all around the world. They are young, but seasoned scuba divers with a serious love for nature, especially for the ocean. They have dipped their fins in the waters of Cuba, Cayman Islands, Belize, Mexico, Galapagos Islands, and Canada. True conservationists and nature lovers, they are seen here as they cruise over the reef in Belize, looking for invasive lionfish. An introduced species, lion fish were never meant to exist in the Atlantic Ocean. Since their accidental introduction by humans as early as the 1980s, these predators have been bred prolifically. Lion fish have no natural predators on this side of the world. They have voracious appetites, consuming up to 30 smaller reef fish each, every single day. This has been wreaking havoc on populations of resident fish. Experts encourage scuba divers to eradicate the fish through spearing, where allowed by law. Cameron and Chris have been doing their part by removing lionfish whenever they can. Ideally, lion fish should be removed from the ocean and eaten. They are an excellent fish for eating, with firm, white flesh, and a mild taste. Some experts have encouraged scuba divers to feed the lion fish to other predators in an attempt to teach them that the lion fish represents food. This is a hotly debated topic because this will affect the behaviour of sharks and eels, teaching them that humans are a source of feeding opportunities. This could potentially lead to dangerous interactions and accidents. The nurse shark that we see in this video has possibly been the recipient of a few lion fish. It seems curious about the spear that Chris holds and it may be able to smell fish on the end of it. It is more likely that the shark knows that Chris is hoping to spear one. It cruises around the divers, posing no threat to any of them. But Chris is severely startled as he looks down and sees the shark directly beneath him. A scuba mask limits peripheral vision and the divers are not aware of the animals that approach from the side until they are in front of them. In this case, Chris mistook the harmless nurse shark for another species of shark for a moment. Before he recognized it for what it was, he let out a blast of air and frantically paddled up and away from the friendly creature. Brothers are often entertained by the mishaps of the other, and these two are no different. Cameron could see this coming and Chris' momentary terror is more than a little amusing. Cameron pokes a little fun by trying to pet the shark and then he looks to see that the camera caught this moment. Scuba diving is a relaxing sport, but entering the ocean among the animals that were built to dominate this world leaves even an experienced scuba diver a little apprehensive about animals coming too close.

Wasps are surprisingly complex insects. They are carnivores, preying on pest insects that are harmful to agriculture. Although they feed primarily on carbohydrates such as fruits and nectar, they capture insects and carry them back to the nest as a source of protein for the larvae. They will also carry back chunks of meat or fish, when available. The workers chew and condition this food for the larvae. This can be seen happening through the opening of the nest. Although it appears that the worker is eating a grub, it is conditioning the food for the larvae. In an amazing display of partnership, the larvae secrete a sugary substance that the workers feed on. As the food supply outside the nest diminishes in late summer, there is less for the larvae to eat and they secrete less of the sugars. The workers begin to forage more for fruits and human garbage as a result. Other wasps can be seen building additional layers on the nest. These workers chew on wood fiber that is mixed with saliva to produce a paper-like substance that is used to increase the size of the nest. The queen is a much larger wasp with black and white markings instead of yellow. She can be seen moving within the nest. She will continue to lay eggs rapidly and the larvae will pupate after 18-20 days. By the end of the summer, a nest may have 3,000 to 4,000 workers and more than 15,000 larvae cells. Wasps carry a potent venom and are capable of stinging multiple times. Understandably, people fear these insects and see them as a dangerous threat. In truth, wasps are beneficial to humans, keeping the populations of other harmful insects in check.

Water snakes can grow to 1.5m (4.5 feet) in length. They are often confused with venomous rattlesnakes and cottonmouths. Snakes strike fear in the hearts of many, even though they are beneficial to our own existence. Perhaps it is the fear of the venomous snakes that could potentially cause us illness, or worse. Perhaps it is more rooted in the common fear of snakes that is the second most common fear in the world. It is helpful to at least understand which of the snakes pose a threat and which do not. Unprovoked attacks by snakes are rare and most of these are caused by an accidental close encounter that makes the snake react in self defence. Another common cause for mishap is when snakes are handled irresponsibly. This common northern water snake has similar markings as Massassauga rattlensnakes and cotton mouths. They are often mistaken for the more dangerous varieties. Water snakes swim beneath the water, able to hold their breath and completely submerge while hunting or moving in the water. Rattlesnakes keep their head above water when they swim. Watersnakes prey on fish, frogs, and other small animals along the shore. Although they can inflict a painful bite, they are not capable of seriously harming a human. Even the bite of a Massassauga rattlesnake, Canada's only venomous snake, is not powerful enough to cause life threatening symptoms for most humans. These snake make a loud buzzing sound when threatened and people and animals often have ample opportunity to avoid a regrettable encounter. Understanding snakes and their benefit to us is an important step in avoiding a problem with them, and preventing unfounded fear. Without them, rodent populations would go unchecked and we would have serious problems with parasites and other illness. Rodents are also an extreme problem for farmers, causing crop damage and increased costs.

Trail cameras are a great way to investigate and observe the wildlife without disturbing them. The footage often reveals wonderful and surprising things that happen in the quietest moments. But sometimes these cameras also reveal a heart breaking and cruel side of nature that is hard to watch. This was the case when the owner of this trail camera looked at the images recorded at a beaver dam in Northern Ontario. The bobcat in this video can be seen walking along a beaver dam. Its right, rear leg appears to be badly injured, as if it had been broken but healed improperly. The cat is emaciated and is obviously unable to pursue its prey. The will to survive must be strong as the bobcat is on the lookout for game birds or beaver that might present an opportunity for a meal. Sadly, the cat never appeared again on any future footage. It is very likely that it did not survive long after this video. In other footage captured during the same time period, a healthy bobcat can be seen stalking something at the water's edge. When healthy, these cats can be silent and shockingly quick. It appears to have its eye on a bird or other small animal that has come to the pond for a drink of water. A healthy bobcat such as this one is an impressive sight.

Cameron is a young, but seasoned scuba diver who has dipped his fins in the ocean in Galapagos Islands, Mexico, Cuba, Belize, Cayman Islands, and Canada. He has seen incredible marine life and he has experienced close up encounters with some of the world's rarest and most beautiful animals. This hawksbill sea turtle in Mexico has been one of his favourite interactions. Hawksbill sea turtles are a rare and special sight for underwater adventurers. Once hunted for their ornate shells, as well as for food, their numbers decreased drastically in the past century. They were captured for ornamental jewelry, hair clips, and ornate boxes. The banning of hunting and exportation of animals, and hawksbills in particular, has allowed the turtles to slowly increase their populations in recent years. This hawksbill is very relaxed with Cameron being near. He knows that a slow approach and non-threatening movements can create a sense of trust, or at least acceptance. He cautiously approached from the side and closed the distance over time to get a close look at this beauty. Over time, the turtle moved closer to him as well, obviously recognizing that Cameron meant no harm. Cameron was thrilled with this encounter and he imitated the movements of the turtle in an effort to "be at one" and also to put it at ease. The result was a prolonged swim with this critically endangered turtle and a memory that he will never forget. These turtles are beautiful as well as being beneficial to the reef. To lose them forever would be beyond tragic.

Swimmers in the Galapagos Islands took advantage of a sunny day and a break between scuba dives to enjoy a dip in an inviting cove. The water was a beautiful blue and the sheltered bay was home to a colony of sea lions that were basking on the shore nearby. Two playful sea lions ventured out to meet the swimmers and they looped and swirled all around them for a few moments before darting back toward the shore. Mesmerized, the swimmers followed the curious and energetic young sea lions and they watched from afar as the sea lions in the colony swam back and forth along the edge of the island. But two of the sea lions were not playful youngsters or tolerant females. The two larger sea lions have the well developed bone crest on their head that tells observers that they are mature males, and full of testosterone. With the increased hormones comes increased territorial aggression. These swimmers quickly found that the younger male was curious and he made a few close passes to inspect them. This seemed harmless enough and he made no move to suggest irritation. But another bull showed up and he turned out to be the dominant male of this colony. Bull sea lions have little sense of playfulness and they are likely to engage in challenging behaviour such as swimming directly at animals near their females. The bull in this case made a few close passes and even opened his mouth, grunting or barking. On one pass, the bull opened wide and snapped at the swimmer in what appears to be a half serious attempt to bite. Sea lions are extremely agile in the water and they can swim circles around a clumsy human, much faster than one would expect, considering their large and blubbery physiques. Realizing that they were unwelcome, these swimmers backed away and kept a greater distance from the colony. This was the message that the sea lion was sending and he was satisfied that they had understood his warning. Sea lions are a joy to watch, and the younger sea lions, as well as the females are likely to approach swimmers and invite them to play. They will dart back and forth, nearly touching humans. They loop and dive and then hang suspended upside down while they stare at people. They almost seem to be smiling and few can resist a friendly invitation to play with them.

Scuba diving is a thrilling sport that takes people into a world that only the lucky few get to experience. It is a world of bizarre and fascinating animals, colourful coral, and sights that are beautiful beyond description. Life beneath the waves is complex and intriguing. The creatures of the ocean exist in a delicate balance where they can be the predator one minute and the prey the next. This balance can flip in an instant and almost all of the animals have unique ways of tipping the balance in their favour and increasing their odds. The octopus is a perfect example of a creature with incredible adaptations and abilities. This octopus has attached itself to a chunk of coral and it has changed its colour and texture so that it resembles part of the ocean floor. As the scuba diver approaches, he is unsure of what is right in front of him. Only a tiny movement causes the diver to focus on the black lump that looks like a rock or piece of coral. As he moves closer to inspect the object, it suddenly comes to life and lifts up and away from him. This diver is meeting one of the ocean's most capable hunters. It has more ability to remember and learn than any other invertebrate. The octopus can change shape, texture, and colour to camouflage itself for ambush or for concealment. They have a specialized tooth on their tongue that they use to bore tiny holes in mollusk shells. They then inject toxic saliva into the shells which kills the animal, allowing the shells to be more easily pried open. The octopus glides across the ocean bottom. They are beautiful to watch, especially when witnessed so close up.

These scuba divers are thrilled to have found an octopus gliding over the sand in broad daylight. They've never seen such a tiny octopus and it's as cute as a button! Octopus are one of nature's most perfect predator. They are highly intelligent, capable of observational learning and even possess both short and long term memory. The octopus is capable of changing its shape, colour, and texture to perfectly blend in with its surroundings. It is no coincidence that the tiny fellow in this video is almost impossible to see against the sand. Octopus feed on fish, crabs, and mollusks. They have a tiny tooth-like structure on their tongue that allows them to bore a hole in mollusk shells. An enzyme in their saliva breaks down calcium carbonate, the substance that the shells are made of. They inject a toxic saliva into the shell to paralyze and kill their prey. This makes it easier for the octopus to open the shell and eat what is inside. Watching an octopus glide through the water is fascinating. This little one found a conch shell and took shelter inside. The scuba divers continued on their way, leaving the octopus in peace.

Marine iguanas are fascinating animals that exist in only one place on earth; the Galápagos Islands. They are descended from regular iguanas but they have changed over time so that they can thrive in this beautiful, but hostile environment. During the dry season there is little vegetation growing in this harsh climate. Food is scarce and competition for what little nourishment there is can be tremendous. Marine iguanas evolved to be able to live on algae, but the catch is that the algae grows only underwater. The iguanas learned to feed when the tide receded, but competition drove them to seek out algae that grew outside of the intertidal zones. Marine iguanas have developed an ability to hold their breath for up to 30 minutes, allowing them to swim out beyond the surf and into a world full of food. They are able to dive as deep as 30m (100 feet) in search of food. Because the waters around the Galapagos Islands are cold, the iguanas must store up body heat by basking in the sun each morning before venturing out to feed. Eventually, cold will drive them back onto land where they will stretch out on lava rocks to warm up again. Females and juvenile iguanas are not strong enough to withstand the crashing waves and strong currents as they seek algae. They feed closer to shore in calmer waters and leave the deeper algae to the larger males. Marine iguanas have also evolved to have long, powerful claws so that they can anchor themselves in the surge. Their mouths have shortened and become more suited for chewing on the plant growth that exists on the rock surfaces underwater. These iguanas, and the other animals of the Galapagos Islands helped Charles Darwin form his theory of evolution that changed the way we thing about our planet, as well as our own origins.

Mola mola are fascinating and bizarre giants of the ocean, yet we know very little about them. They are one of the most elusive and mysterious of the ocean's creatures. They spend most of their time at depths where there is less light and less food. For scuba divers, venturing below 30m (100 feet) comes with complications and the time that they are able to spend at these depths is limited. Mola mola are very shy creatures and it is difficult for people to see these fish in their natural environment. Also called ocean sunfish, they have many names. People refer to them as "nature's mistake" and "the fish that shouldn't be". Their structure looks like a giant head with two fins. In truth, mola mola have a head and a body, and although they do possess a tail, it has evolved to become almost non functional. They are extremely clumsy looking animals and generally very slow moving. Mola mola drift slowly on the current, although they can actually swim at slow speeds to move throughout the day. They are also capable of impressive speeds for very short distances to avoid predators. Small Mola Mola are often prey to a variety of sharks, tuna, sea lions, and many types of large fish, but once they reach full size, their thinck skin makes them difficult to eat. Mola Mola can reach a size of 3.3m (more than 10 feet) in length and a mass of more than 2300kg (5,000lbs). Once they reach this size, only orcas, large sharks, and sea lions pose a threat to them. They are also capable of diving deep to avoid predators. The Mola Moila preys on small fish, fish eggs, squid, and other small marine life. They often seek food at deeper temperatures which causes them to lose a significant amount of body heat. It is believed that this why they can often be seen lying flat on the surface, basking in the sun. Mola Mola lay more eggs than any other fish, with a mature female laying as many as 300,000,000 at one time. These fish are a rare sight for scuba divers and this man was thrilled to be swimming among a group of these strange animals that seemed unconcerned with his presence. These fish were found swimming around the remote islands of the Galapagos.

Sea lions are the most loveable and playful animals in the ocean. The juveniles are intelligent and curious and they often seek attention from scuba divers who enter their world. These divers entered the water to meet and photograph marine iguanas, one of the most fascinating and unique creatures on the planet. Found only in the Galapagos Islands, they are famous for their evolutionary adaptations that allow them to hold their breath and dive deep under the waves to feed on algae. This is crucial to their survival because vegetation is sparse during the dry season in this hostile environment. The sea lion in this video is tent on playing with the divers and he loops and circles them, demanding their attention with his antics. For a few minutes, the divers are captivated by his dog-like behaviour and imploring eyes. He is as much like our loveable canine companions as an animal can be and he is happy to play and cavort until he becomes exhausted. But the discovery of a marine iguana munching on the algae captures their attention and the sea lion is confused. He seems to understand that the iguana has ruined his fun and that he is now second fiddle to a lizard. When his twists and turns don't get the attention of the divers, he gently grabs the iguana by the neck and pulls him up and away, as if trying to tell him he's not welcome. After a few playful nips and pulls, the iguana is adrift in the current and the sea lion goes back to rolling and blowing bubbles for the divers. Listening carefully, we can hear the sea lion making sounds that are remarkably similar to sinister laughter. Sea lions have complex personalities and an unmistakable sense of humour. They will often let out grunts of triumph or what seems to be laughter, as we hear on this occasion. The sea lion seems to have no interest in harming the iguana, although the adults will occasionally eat one. The marine iguana doesn't panic. It seems as if he's experienced pranks like this before. He slowly drifts to the surface for a breath of air. He will return to the bottom to feed more before he becomes too cold to remain in the water. Marine iguanas bask in the sun to warm their bodies for better movement and digestion. They feed for roughly 30 minutes each day. It's a race against time as they lose their body heat in the cool water. The sea lion might have lots of time for leisure and play, but for the iguana, the heat of the day is a serious time in which to gather food.

These Tesla owners have loved their electric car. They carefully weighed the decision to wade into the electric car world and they have never regretted their decision. The lower daily costs have roughly equaled the extra cost and they have felt very good about having less of an impact on the planet as they drive. But Tesla had a Christmas surprise for their owners in the form of a dazzling Christmas light show. The most recent software download causes the car to play a beautiful Christmas carol that is synchronized with not only the lights on the car, but the movements of the trunk, mirrors, windows, and the charge port. The Tesla instructed Dave to press the start button and then get out and enjoy the show. The whole family watched in amazement at this brilliant, and exciting holiday greeting from their car. Exploring the new features, Dave and his wife also found a cozy fireplace video that plays on the control screen of the Tesla. Synchronized with the heaters in the car, a gentle warm breeze comes out of the events to match the fire. Aptly referred to as "romance" on the control menu, this caused a giggle as the screen lit up. Other features include games, themed screen backgrounds, "Tesla" projected in the headlights, and even the sound coconuts clopping as the car drives. This is reminiscent of the epic scene from Monty Python as the knights gallop across the highlands without horses. Just in time for Christmas, this download and light show is available to all owners of any recent model Tesla. It's a Merry Christmas message from your car. What will they think of next?

Whale sharks are magnificent animals that only the lucky few will ever see in the wild. Growing to an incredible 18m (55 feet) in length and weighing an estimated 45,000kg (100,000lbs) they complete dwarf humans. To be in their presence is awe inspiring, and often an emotional experience. Few people get to swim with these gentle giants, but even fewer will actually see the juveniles. Whale sharks come to the eaters surrounding Wolf Island and Darwin Island in the Galapagos. There is an abundance of plankton and other food here, brought by the convergence of three strong ocean currents. But it is not the food that lures these great beasts to this remote corner of the world. Scientists do not know much about how or where whale sharks are born. They do know that whale sharks do not exhibit feeding behaviours here because they are not seen with their mouths open, filtering for food. Almost every whale shark found in these waters is a mature, pregnant female. They females may come here to give birth, but they young are never found here. This juvenile whale shark is only a few years old. Although it is already immense, it has a lot of growing to do. Curious and unafraid, this youngster playfully circles a group of scuba divers, seemingly interested in getting a better look at these strange creatures. The scuba divers are delighted with the interaction, knowing that this will probably be the only time that they see a young whale shark in its natural environment.

Buddha is a rescued beagle who has a nose and stomach that are always working overtime. He suffers from seizures that have left him disadvantaged. He was abandoned by his first owner who was not willing to provide the care that he needed, but he found more than enough love in this forever home. But Buddha tests the boundaries with his antics and his lack of training. He can smell food at great distances and zero right in and his nose doesn't just lead him to food that dogs are supposed to like. He will eat or drink almost anything. He discovered that the family van often has half finished coffee in the cup holder and he developed quite a taste for it. Kristy would carry her groceries in and then return shortly afterwards to get her coffee. It was suddenly disappearing from the open van without a trace. There was little doubt about who was behind this, but it was hard to imagine that Buddha was smart enough to carefully lift out a near full cup of coffee. Hidden cameras in and around the van told the story. Buddha is crafty enough to climb in and then carry the cup out, only spilling a little bit of it on the front seat. Then he trots down the path to a quiet spot in the trees where he can gulp it down. After watching from a distance and seeing the close up footage, this family actually had to give the dog credit for this stunt. Buddha is no angel but he makes up for it by being so lovable!

There are more than 300 species of octopus. They are mollusks and being invertebrates, they possess no bones. They are masters of shape shifting, able to fit their entire bodies through spaces barely larger than their eyes. They can elongate for better propulsion, spread out like a parachute to capture prey, and extend their arms into the tiniest of crevices too explore for food. One of the most intelligent creatures in the animal kingdom, they are capable of observational learning and they possess short and long term memories. This octopus is hunting during the day, which is a rare sight. Generally nocturnal feeders, they hide during daylight hours and emerge when darkness envelops the reef. They feed on crabs, fish, and other mollusks, groping around and under coral to capture a meal. Able to control all eight arms independently, their brains are sophisticated and highly efficient. They are even able to smell and taste with their tentacles which is of great benefit when using their arms to find food. When an octopus captures crabs or shelled mollusks, they may be strong enough to tear them apart, but for those with seemingly impenetrable shells, the octopus has an impressive method of overcoming the armour. Minute teeth are used to drill a hole in the shell. With the help of an enzyme in the octopus’ saliva they can dissolve calcium carbonate in the shells. After creating a tiny hole in the exoskeletons, the octopus injects a toxin that will kill the animal, causing the muscles to relax so that the shells can be opened. The octopus has two thirds of its neurons located in complex nerve systems in its arms. They are capable of complex reflex actions that do not require input from the brain. This makes the octopus a powerful, flexible, and formidable predator. The octopus must be wary of sharks, eels, sea lions and other large predators. It is agile and quick in the water for short distances, using jet propulsion for locomotion. It can also expel ink, making it difficult for a predator to see or smell the octopus. Able to conceal itself in small spaces, it is well protected. In the open, it is the master of camouflage and shape shifting, able to disguise itself well against almost any background. There are few predators in the ocean with skills and abilities that rival those of the octopus. It is truly a super predator.

Whale sharks are the animals that are most deserving of the name "gentle giants". They grow to an incredible 18m (55 feet) in length and can reach an estimated weight of more than 42,000kg (100,000lbs). They are known to travel great distances and they occupy all tropical and sub tropical oceans. Yet very little is known about how they reproduce or why they congregate in the Galapagos Islands as they do. Three strong ocean currents converge in the remote islands of Darwin and Wolf in the Galapagos. Part of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands straddle the equator, yet the Humboldt current brings cold water to this area and it creates a unique and surprisingly temperate climate in an area that would be expected to be one of the warmest regions on the planet. These currents bring an abundance of plankton, fish, and other food sources for marine animals of all kinds. It would be the perfect environment for a whale shark to thrive, coming here what would be perfect feeding grounds. Yet, whale sharks are not seen feeding in these plankton-rich waters. Almost all of the whale sharks found here are pregnant females, ready to give birth to their pups. But researchers and scientists will almost never witness this miracle in action, and they don't even know where the young go in the first months of their lives. Scuba divers also congregate in these waters, traveling from all over the world, hoping to catch even a glimpse of one of these goliaths as they slowly swim through the area. Whale shark sightings are a bucket list item for scuba and nature enthusiasts. These lucky divers were treated to more than a glimpse as this magnificent lady casually cruised right up to them and circled around as if she was inspecting them. Fearless, the whale sharks do not see people as a threat. They are so massive that a clumsy person in the water could do them no harm. This is mutual, as whale sharks do not possess teeth, or even the ability to harm people, except for the possibility of a collision. These giants are filter feeders, feeding by opening their mouths wide to capture eggs, plankton, and small fish. They have little ability to defend themselves against predators, except by out swimming them, or diving deeper than their predators can go. These gentle beasts are truly awe inspiring to witness in their natural environment.

There are many different species of stingray, each with unique characteristics and behaviours, but all of them equally impressive. They are fish, despite the lack of resemblance to the more common species of fish that we envision. Stingrays have flattened bodies to allow them to swim over the sand and coral as they search for food. They use electro sensors in their wings and snouts that allow them to detect even the smallest electrical impulses of creatures hidden below. They hover over their prey and beat their wings to stir up the sand and the small animals along with it. They inhale their food and vent the sand and debris out through gill holes on the top of the heads. Stingrays have a reputation as being fearsome creatures that are a threat to humans. While they do possess a sharp barb in their tail that is equipped with a powerful neurotoxin, this is designed for defense, not attacking, and the stingray is not likely to ever pose a threat, unless provoked. Stingrays in the shallows have been stepped on and they are capable of lashing out when they believe they are being attacked from above, but unprovoked, intentional attacks on humans are unheard of. Highly intelligent, these animals are fascinating to watch from a respectful distance. This baby stingray is a rare sight for the scuba divers filming this encounter. It is extremely rare to see such a young juvenile out on the open. As it glided over the sand in search of food, these divers watched in amazement. The rapid flutters and wing beats are adorable to watch as this youngster hunts for a meal in Belize.

Nature can be beautiful but it can also be harsh. The orca is a perfect example of this contrast. One of the most sophisticated and intelligent animals on earth, it is capable of hunting cooperatively with other orcas, communicating and planning as it does so. Although it is not the largest creature in the ocean, it is undeniably the most formidable. Even great white sharks avoid contact with these super predators. Orcas in the Galapagos Islands are known to eat sharks, sea lions, penguins, and even giant sea turtles. The seemingly impervious shell of the Pacific green turtle is no match for the frighteningly powerful jaws of the orca. With unbelievable crushing force, this orca cracked the shell of an enormous turtle with ease. A group of scuba divers from Canada had been exploring the undersea world from their liveaboard tour boat but they ventured out in two of the inflatable pangas to enjoy a close look at the creatures on the shore line, in between their dives. What they saw was an unbelievable sight. Thrilled to witness the dorsal fin of this giant and see it surfacing nearby, they eagerly shot video and pictures of the once in a lifetime display. It was only after a few minutes that they realized that the orca was hunting in the bay and that they were witnessing the results of an underwater battle for survival as the orca ate a magnificent turtle right in front of them. As the orca surfaced, the split shell could be seen hanging off the dorsal fin of the killer whale. The guides explained that an orca will crush the shell of a turtle and then lodge it between rocks to allow them to scrape out the meat with their jaws. These scuba divers have experienced conflicting emotions on many occasions as they have encountered animals fighting beneath the waves. For both the predator and the prey, these battles are about survival and it is not the place of humans to meddle in the struggles. Their guides have taught them that nature does not need our help. This is especially well understood in the Galapagos Islands where the balance of nature can be more precarious and interference from people can have unthinkable consequences. While it was difficult to witness the end of this beautiful turtle, it was a privilege to be present to witness the spectacle of such a powerful animal in its natural environment. These scuba divers entered the water here an hour later to swim with marine iguanas. While they are well aware that orcas have never killed a human in the wild, the image of the turtle and the immense power of the orca was on their minds as they dove, reminding them that humans are visitors in this unforgiving domain. When people enter the water, they are clumsy and awkward and always at the mercy of the animals who thrive in this world. We must respect those animals that call this home.

The peacock flounder has a unique and amazing ability to blend in perfectly with its surroundings. It is capable of changing its pattern and colour in as little as 8 seconds. Researchers have found that this fish can even change its colour to mimic a checkerboard pattern. Flounders start their life with an eye on each side of their heads, swimming upright as most fish do. As juveniles, they feed and act like normal fish. As they reach adulthood, the right eye of the flounder migrates around the head to the left side of the fish. The eyes extend updawards from the fish like tiny periscopes that move and see independently. This allows the flounder to visualize a threat in all directions. As adults, the flounder swims along the bottom, constantly changing colour to blend in with it surroundings. Visual cues, along with hormone manipulation give the flounder the ability to control its pigmentation. If a flounder sustains damage to one or both eyes, it will not be able to change colour properly. When motionless, the flounder is nearly impossible to detect on almost any surface. Flounders are nocturnal hunters, preferring the cover of darkness while they search for small fish, crabs, and shrimp. Flounders mate in late winter and early spring with the female releasing 2-3 million eggs. As they are deposited in the sand, the male fertilizes them. After fertilization, the eggs float to the surface and are carried on ocean currents. The eggs can hatch hundreds of miles from where they were laid.