WildCreatures

Orioles are among the most beautiful of the all birds in North America. Bird lovers and nature enthusiasts excitedly track their spring migration, eager to see the vividly coloured little creatures at their feeders. People count the days and share information about sightings with great anticipation. And finally, when these beautiful birds arrive, they are greeted with seeds and brightly coloured fruits in the hope of attracting them to the back yards. This feeder provides oranges, grape jelly, and seeds of all varieties for the song birds that live in Ontario. Habitat loss along the migration corridors, as well as pesticide use, has decimated food supplies and bird populations, causing experts to tell us that helping the birds with food and habitat is essential to their survival. A rose-breasted grosbeak has been pecking at the suet in this feeder but he would like to wash it down with a little orange juice. The problem is that there is a female oriole dominating the orange platform and she will not share. The little grosbeak makes an attempt to get in on the treat but she scolds him and sends him on his way. He patiently waits on the other side of the feeder and eventually gets his share. A male oriole also frequents this feeder to get orange juice and pulp. He is the most brightly coloured bird in the neighbourhood. He has neon orange plumage with black accents that make him an extremely striking specimen. Within a few days, this feeder will see constant action as more than a dozen pairs of orioles fly in and out. Loyal to their feeding grounds, orioles will return to the same feeders year after year and they will also bring their young to the spots that offer their favourites.

Traffic cops do a tough job, and yet, they are criticized by some people regardless of what they do or where they are. It's common for people to curse them when they are seen monitoring traffic, especially by those who are breaking the law. Hitting the brakes and showing resentment for the officer in the median seems to be synonymous for many. And then there are the times that we are annoyed by a reckless driver who cuts us off, tailgates, or whizzes past us. People are equally critical of the police in those cases because the person isn't caught putting us in danger. How many times have we heard: "Where are the cops when you need them?" Well this motorist found that sometimes the police are exactly where they should be when they are needed. The speed limit on this Canadian road is 100 km/h (60mph) and as a matter of etiquette, most drivers travel at about 115 - 120km/h so they are not holding up traffic, as is the case here. This black Nissan was tailgating for several minutes, even though he had lots of opportunity to go around the car with the dash camera. It seemed to be a display of aggression that might have been meant to reprimand the driver for not going quickly enough. The car with the camera is in the right lane, where slower traffic is expected to be. And despite the fact that he is actually speeding, the Nissan driver just isn't happy. He finally pulls into the left lane to pass, accelerates and continues down the road at a much higher speed than is necessary. The driver with the camera comments that the Nissan is doing approximately 45km/h over the posted speed 100km/h limit. He jokingly asks where the cops are, as we have all done at one time or another. And moments later, as the Nissan is almost out of sight, his brake lights go on. But it's too late. The officer in the median is parked in an unmarked traffic car, monitoring the speed of traffic coming at him. To the delight of the camera man, the officer pulls out from his hiding spot, which actually wasn't all that hidden, and engages his lights. For the Nissan driver to not notice the police car in the median, even though it's a stealthy plain black, is possibly a display of how oblivious he was. If he wasn't quick enough on the brakes to avoid a ticket, he wouldn't be quick enough on the brakes if a hazard suddenly appeared on the road. Everybody knows that the Nissan driver has been caught and he pulls over dutifully. The driver with the camera is quite pleased to see this officer doing such a fine job and he quietly praises him as he goes by. The officer must hear a lot of negative comments, but surely there are some positive ones as well, even if he doesn't get to hear them. In Ontario, the fine for this speed is approximately $310 and there are 4 demerit points. Wouldn't we all like the police to catch those around us for things like this? As a reminder to all, police on our roads are in danger of being hit by cars passing too close to them as they conduct traffic stops. Almost all police officers can tell at least one story of having their cruiser door taken off, or having had to jump out of the way of a car coming at them. And tragically, some are not so lucky. Moving into the left lane is the law. There is a hefty fine in most cases for not doing so. We can all help the officer stay safe, and able to focus on the stopped vehicle, if we smoothly move into the far lane when passing a stopped cruiser. In fact, this applies to all emergency vehicles and tow trucks in most provinces and states. At the end of the day, all of our public servants should make it home to their families.

These are free range chickens that are living the good life at a little farm in Millbrook, Ontario. They have full run of the yard and forest beside the house, although they gather in the fenced area for food and for protection during the night. Foxes and coyotes also roam free here and the chickens are smart enough to know that they are better off in the coop and behind the wire enclosure. But even their enclosure is a big one. This is life as chickens would want it. Aside from laying eggs, these chickens don't have much responsibility in life. They scratch and peck, eat grain from their feeder and even some vegetables from the garden. Their owners enjoy the company in the yard and the chickens follow them around like pets, even hopping up on their backs to perch on their shoulders if they are bent over weeding in the garden. The egg supply never stops here, and in typical smalltown fashion, the extras are put out at the roadside on a little table for passing neighbours to buy. The money jar is left on the table and in several years of operation, only once has somebody forgotten to pay. Their little egg store is a perfect example of buying direct from the producer, limiting the environmental impact of shipping food, and also supporting ethical farming. The owners were giving a little tour of the henhouse and enclosure to a couple who had been buying eggs from them for several months. Fascinated, the man with the camera phone held out his phone and found that the chickens were extremely curious and completely unafraid. They even took grass right from his hand, much to his delight. The faces of the chickens were quite comical as they looked with great interest at the camera.

Whale sharks are the biggest sharks in the ocean. In fact, they are the biggest fish of any kind. Second in size only to a few species of whales, they are truly enormous. But despite their size, they are truly the gentle giants of the deep. They have no teeth and they cannot bite a human or cause any harm, unless they crash into one who does not move out of their way. These scuba divers were in complete awe and wonder as they witnessed these mammoths up close in the remote waters off the Galapagos Islands. The sharks come here each year to bear their young and to feed in the currents around the islands. These waters are filled with hammerhead sharks, white tipped sharks, Galapagos sharks, sea turtles and fish of all shapes and sizes. Scuba divers also come here to explore the waters and see these animals in their natural environment.

This sea anemone is a nocturnal feeder that opens up in the darkness and spreads its tentacles out in a quest for food. It will sting and ensnare crabs, fish, and even sea urchins. The tentacles are covered with nematocysts, or sting cells that inject a powerful toxin, capable of paralyzing prey. The stunned creatures are then drawn toward the anemone's mouth and ingested. This creature is as beautiful as it is deadly. The waving tentacles dance continuously in the current, making the anemone resemble a coral or a plant. Anemones are animals and although they are quite stationary for most of their lives, they are capable of movement. It is almost imperceptibly slow, but they are able to burrow and move through sand or over hard surfaces to which they have anchored. This scuba diver was exploring the reef and the beach at night in Tonga. The world after dark is beautiful and strange, and many creatures that are hidden by day come out to hunt or feed in the night. This anemone remains closed up while the sun shines. Anemones here covered a stretch of sand that appeared barren in the daytime. Fish seemed aware of the danger and although they avoided contact with the stinging tentacles, many used the anemones for cover or protection from predators. Some fish have a slime that ins not protein based and the anemone does not recognize them as food. They are able to swim among the tentacles, enjoying the safety that is offered. The ocean is full of wonderful and fascinating life if we dare to enter and explore. But we must also recognize that even the smallest of creatures will often have a means of defense and understanding this, we are best to avoid contact with most of the creatures in this world.

Great horned owls are one of the largest of all owls in North America. They are the heaviest of the species, and the most formidable. They have powerful talons with the most impressive grip strength of any owl and they are capable of killing even a medium sized mammal by breaking its spine with their feet. Great horned owls prefer rabbits but they feed on rodents and other birds, even preying on other owls occasionally. Their contribution to the delicate balance of the food web is crucial as they keep the rodent population in check. Capable of near silent flight, they are skilled hunters, with stealth that is unmatched. This baby owlet is beyond adorable as he wakes up and yawns in the early morning sunshine. His mother has been out hunting for breakfast. She and her mate have been feeding their baby for several months, keeping him warm in the harshest weeks of winter. Great horned owls nest earlier than other owls and they work hard to protect their eggs and babies from the elements in the coldest stretches of winter. This baby is getting ready to fly. He meets his mother on the branch and he watches carefully as she opens her wings and takes flight.

Puppe the orangutan lives at the Metro Toronto zoo in Canada. One of the highest rated zoos on the continent, this facility has excellent habitat and nutrition for their animals. Puppe has just been given some mango slices in a jar. This provides some mental stimulation as the jar is an unusual object and she must figure out the easiest way to remove the food. Often, the containers and food items are presented in unique ways that require thinking to locate or access them. Puppe is one of the few primates not born at the zoo. She was brought here as an orphan needing a safe home. Due to hunting and habitat loss, orangutan populations are in serious decline. Irresponsible consumer demand for products that drive the growth of farms causes the encroachment on orangutan forest that robs them of their home. We can prevent this by researching which products avoid the use of palm oil, a leading cause of competition with the orangutans. Puppe has a safe and happy home here. Sadly, there is no place for her in the wild anymore due to human interference. These beautiful animals are intelligent and gentle and they deserve to be protected. Through outreach and education, organizations like the Toronto Zoo strive to improve this tragic situation. They also provide funding and expertise, along with volunteers, to work in the area of conservation so that we might see the orangutans make a comeback. To lose these noble beasts forever would be beyond tragic.

These groundhogs have just emerged from their burrows after a long winter nap. Their mother spent all of last summer grazing furiously to store up enough fat to get her through hibernation. Her pups were born in the burrow and they also needed her to supply the food in the form of milk. They nursed throughout the cold, winter months until the snow melted and the grass appeared. When it became warm enough, they all ventured out in the sunshine. These pups are seeing the world for the first time. They have just set eyes on the grass, the sky, and the world at their doorstep. They have also never seen an action camera before and they are very curious about this strange object at their den door. They sniff and poke at it in the most adorable fashion. Everything in the world is scary to creatures as small as these ones are and they constantly jump and run for their underground shelter. They are wisely skittish and will not venture far from the hole. A baby groundhog would be an easy meal for a hawk or a fox and they seem to understand this. With luck, they will learn quickly from their mother and they will also store up enough fat to get them through the winter. Nature is full of adorable and furry little creatures like these little bundles of fluff.

This critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle is a very unique character. Rescued as a hatchling, the turtle spent her first year in a centre where she was cared for by humans. She was released in the ocean in a remote area off an island in Papua New Guinea. Although wild, and completely independent, she responds well to the scuba divers who occasionally come here to explore and to check on the turtles that they released. This turtle is critically endangered, among a population that has been declining due to illegal hunting and also due to habitat loss and destruction of nesting areas. This scuba diver was fortunate enough to be among a group of biologists who came to this site. The diver was meeting the friendly turtle for the first time. Curious and unafraid, the turtle latched onto Kristy like they were old friends. She followed Kristy around the coral head, watching everything that Kristy did. Kristy pried some yellow sponge out from between two rocks when the turtle was unable to get to it and the eager little turtle munched away happily. After a few minutes of feeding this adorable little creature, Kristy made her way back to the boat and up to the surface, saying goodbye to her new friend. Kristy is a seasoned scuba diver who has explored many waters and she has seen many of the ocean's animals up close, but this was one of the most memorable dives that she has had. You can see on her face that this little turtle completely captured her heart.

Sumatran tigers are an endangered species that were estimated to be less than 700 in number in 2008. Sadly, this population was declining and is almost certainly lower today. It is one of the smallest tigers, topping the scale at 140kg (310lbs). It has distinctive striping and differences in skull size when compared with other tigers. This beautiful big cat was lazing on the edge of the forested area, soaking up some sunshine. Fearless, these tigers have no predators, except other tigers and humans. Their decline has been caused by habitat loss and hunting. These tigers shy away from areas that are frequented by humans, or areas where this is encroachment due to construction. Yet fear, misunderstanding, and black market demand for skins and teeth continue to drive the illegal poaching that threatens them. This tiger eventually retired to a shaded area under some fallen timbers. It has a small cave that it treats as its den. As the tiger watches its surroundings, there can be no doubt about the look in its eyes that it is ready to spring into action if an opportunity for food comes along. Conservation agencies around the world have declared the Sumatran tiger decline a crisis. Conservation efforts and enforcement efforts are being funded to reduce poaching and reduce the killing of these tigers by farmers who feel the need to protect their livestock. Forest ranger patrols have put pressure on the poachers and the rangers continue to remove snare traps. It is difficult to know if the efforts will be enough to save the species. Losing these beautiful animals forever would be beyond tragic.

Johnson is a two year old ringneck parrot who lives in a loving home in India. She has free range of the house and enjoys her flights and free time. But one of her favorite things to do on a sunny day is to spend time eating sunflower seeds on the patio. For her safety, she is kept protected in a cage as she sings and whistles and calls to the other birds. Johnson's voice has reached the trees around her home and has attracted wild parrots to see what is happening. Each day, they have ventured closer and eventually they began perching on her cage and peeking at her through the bars. They rub her beak with theirs and seem to be inviting her out to play. Johnson is a very polite bird and she happily entertains her guests and shows them hospitality by passing them sunflower seeds through the bars. They eagerly take the seeds as fast as she shares them. The parrots have come to see Johnson for months now, always at the same time in the morning. After exchanging pleasantries and some snacks, the parrots fly off to the trees and continue their day. Johnson chirps and calls out happily. Johnson also speaks and it seems that she is trying to engage them in human conversation at times. She has shown off her impressive vocabulary and one of her friends has tried to repeat a few words. Johnson speaks Punjabi, which is very fitting for an Indian lady such as herself. This particular wild parrot is especially keen on Johnson and he seems to be looking at the cage with ideas of helping her escape. The amorous wild parrot would obviously like a girlfriend. This is quite amusing to Suq, the owner of the parrot. He can be heard explaining this situation as the video is recorded. Imagine seeing your parrot making friends, sharing snacks, and engaging in conversation with new friends. This is very similar to watching our children as they interact on the playground at a new school!

Gus is an enormous young bull, weighing in at well over 1,000kg (2,200lbs). He has a gigantic appetite and he eats almost constantly. He dwarfs the other cows in the paddock and he has an unbelievable amount of muscle in his shoulders and neck. One look at Gus tells you that he is all muscle and immense power. As he begins his lunch at the new hay bale, Gus nudges it and moves it like it's nothing for him, even though these bales weigh over 300kg (700lbs). The hay bale bounces and rolls slightly as he prods it with his big nose. He then pulls off layers and chews away, eager to get at it. Gus is as gentle as he is gigantic and his easygoing personality has allowed his owners and visitors to get close to him without any trouble. He's actually an affectionate bull and he enjoys a head scratch or pat on the nose along with a treat or tow. This is rare for bulls, as most are grumpy and territorial. Most bulls would not be approachable like Gus is, especially when there are females around, or when food is in the picture. Out of caution, even an apparent softie like Gus should never be trusted completely, as any bull can be unpredictable. Gus spends most of his day lounging in the meadow with his herd, watching over them protectively. In colder weather, he has a paddock and a barn for shelter, but he's a free range bull who has the freedom to roam over a vast expanse of pasture and lush, green grass. He cools off in one of his ponds on hot days and he spends time at the edge of his forest when he wants shade from the sunshine. He really is king of the land here on his farm. Life on this beautiful farm is close to ideal for a gentleman like Gus. Aside from wandering and eating, he enjoys hanging out with the ladies and scratching his huge shoulders on the trees. Gus also likes visitors who bring him bread or corn, and he can devour a whole loaf of bread in under a minute. Feeding Gus bread is like putting a bank card in an ATM. It simply disappears. Gus is an endearing and comical fellow who inspires laughter as well as awe. Standing beside him as he eats his hay is an experience in sound and sight. His hot breath can be felt as he burps and snorts, and the smacking of his lips is impossible to miss as he eats with enthusiasm. He is nearly 2m tall (6 feet) and the shoulder and when he stretches his neck up, his nose is 3m (9 feet) in the air. There are few, if any animals in North America that would be more immense than a bull like Gus.

Male peacocks are among the most striking and spectacular specimens in the bird world. They have the largest feathers and the most extravagant displays of detail. With iridescent feathers on their neck and an ornate crown, they are truly royal birds in appearance. Commonly called peacocks, the females are actually peahens and both males and females are referred to as peafowl. They are the national bird of India and they run free here, as these wild peafowl do. These beautiful creatures appear daily in this garden near the edge of the city in Delhi. They come to eat the seed that is left out for them and other birds. Almost as striking as the plumage is the shrill call of the male peacock, able to be heard for miles as they shriek to assert dominance over other males in their territory and to attract females. With such a heavy train, peacocks spend more time on the ground than in the air. Although they are capable of flight, they prefer to outrun predators and hide in the brush rather than to take flight. A full grown peacock is quick and agile enough to outrun most animals through dense brush. This videographer was thrilled to be able to capture footage of such a magnificent, wild creature so close up.

This baby great horned owl has had the luxury of sleeping in while his mother and father were out hunting in the forest nearby. He has napped as the sun slowly rose and lit up the world around him. He stretches and stands up in the nest, high in a pine tree. As if on cue, his mother returned with breakfast very soon after this moment was captured. She brought him a small rabbit that she tore into pieces and fed him. She tried teaching him how to swallow larger chunks but he isn't quite ready for a full meal yet. He's still only able to swallow small chunks. This was the baby's last day in the nest. He ventured out on the branch the following morning and clumsily flapped to the ground. He was able to make his way up onto a low branch where his parents continued to watch over him and feed him. Very soon, his wings will be fully developed and capable of graceful flight. He will be taught by the best instructors as he learns to hunt for his own food. Great horned owls are the second largest of the North American owls but they are the heaviest. They have powerful grip strength and talons that are unmatched. Able to snap the spine of animals much larger than they are, they are formidable predators. They prey on rabbits, squirrels, mice, birds, and even other owls. These owls are the ones we see most frequently in movies and animated productions. They are often referred to as hoot owls. With their large eyes and familiar call, they are the ones that most people envision when they think of owls.

Galapagos sea lions are among the most playful and fun loving creatures on earth. Left alone at the shore while their mothers go out onto the ocean to hunt for food, they will nap, explore, and frolic with complete joy in the sun. Their lives are easy while they are under the care of their mother. She leaves the babies to go get octopus, eels, fish, or other sea food and she returns exhausted. As she naps on the beach, the babies nurse happily, getting their fill of milk before they join her in slumber as well. Several hours later, this is repeated. And so goes their life of luxury. But when then the babies are too excited and too wide awake to sleep, they find each other and play in the sand or in the waves. They chase each other and bark happily, although their barking sounds more like tremendous burping than anything else. They are not just finding entertainment. Although they don't realize it, they are developing their swimming and hunting skills as well. They will depend on their agility and speed in the water to catch their own food when they are 2-3 years old. They will also need these abilities to escape the predators of the ocean. Young sea lions are a preferred food for many of the large sharks that patrol the waters around the Galapagos Islands. Unable to take down a large sea lion, in most cases, they would not hesitate to attack a youngster like these. Their mothers will not allow them to go into the open water because she knows they would not survive long in the shark infested deep. Even close to shore, they must not venture far out for long. These two are simply adorable as they hop in and out of the waves along this pier on Santa Cruz Island. It would be easy to watch them for hours as they engage in the most delightful game of chase!

Sea lions are truly comical characters that can be found on almost all beaches and rocky shorelines around the Galapagos Islands. They are very similar in looks and personalities to those loveable canine companions that we are so familiar with. In fact, they are often referred to as "sea dogs" or "ocean puppies". These sea lions have taken over a barge at the dock on Santa Cruz Island. The males are gigantic, weighing in at over 140kg (320lbs) and the females are at least half that size. The young sea lions are much smaller and much more playful than the adults. The constant calling and grunting of the sea lions fills the air and when we listen, we can't help but be reminded of high school burping contests. And if that's what this is, any one of these seal lions could be the champion. The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most diverse and unique creatures on the planet. They are "islands born of fire", created when pillars of rock rose from the sea floor due to volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. Cut off from the rest of the world, these new islands were barren and hostile. Fresh water was scarce and animals could not survive here. But, over time, birds and marine creatures found this world and they began colonizing the rocks. Wind erosion, rain, and the droppings of birds created enough soil to sustain life and the first plants began to grow. The ocean currents converge here, bringing an abundance of fish and other ocean life. This in turn provided food for animals such as the sea lions. They spend a good deal of their day resting and burping but they hunt for octopus, fish, eels, and other food throughout the day. Incredibly graceful in the water, they are formidable predators. But on land, they are adorably clumsy. Any trip to the Galapagos Islands is made more memorable due to these hilarious sea dogs and their antics.

Dave loves his job as an Ontario Provincial Police officer. Every day provides an opportunity to help his community and make a difference in the lives of others. And most days it's a lot of fun too. Working in a smaller community, it's a very relaxed pace and his service's relationship with the public has always been good. This career also provides an opportunity to meet wonderful and interesting people. Some days, it can even be an opportunity to meet interesting animals. Known for being an extreme animal lover, Dave received a call one day that was one of the most unusual and thrilling calls ever. A local resident was fostering a lion cub and the adorable cat would be living at her house for a few weeks while it received some special care. Dave was invited to meet the cub, which was a chance he could not resist. When his shift was over, Dave made his way back to the station, taking a detour to attend the residence with this unusual house guest. He could not have been more thrilled as he was handed a very snuggly lion cub that was roughly 8 weeks old. Aslan, the lion was a little ball of the softest fur imaginable. He looked and felt more like a stuffed toy than a real animal. He was deceptively muscular and solid, weighing more than it would appear, but he was all purrs and affection as Dave sat on the stairs and gave him all the attention he wanted. Aslan laid down his head on Dave's arm and went right to sleep, purring happily. The smile on Dave's face shows exactly how fun all of this was. Aslan eventually woke up again and got down on the floor where he settled in for a second nap. Dave petted his head as Aslan drifted off again. Touching a lion cub is an unforgettable experience and seeing that the cub enjoyed this as well made it all the more fun. But the story doesn't end there. Dave later told one of his personal heroes, Jim, a 92 year old World War II veteran about this experience. Jim, an animal lover himself, listened in wonder and his eyes lit up. He said he would also love an opportunity to some day meet a lion. In a touching show of generosity, the facility that owned this cub heard about Jim's dream and they invited Jim to have an experience with their animals. Treated as an honoured guest, Jim spent more than an hour cuddling with lions and tigers. Touched and overwhelmed, Jim left the facility, promising that it was a day he would never forget. True to his word, Jim spoke of that day in his final moments as he passed away peacefully several months later. It had been one of the most wonderful experiences that Jim had ever had. Dave's own experience with the lion cub was one of his best as well, although watching Jim and the lions was more wonderful by a long shot. This day with Aslan, and the second day with Jim, having his dream come true, were both days that Dave will never forget.

Great horned owls are one of the biggest owls in North America. Large and powerful, they are also one of the top predators of the bird world. They have unequaled grip strength and huge talons that are razor sharp. They can sever the spine of even larger mammals. Able to take town rabbits, medium sized animals, and even other owls, these birds are formidable hunters. But they also have a tender side as we see here with this mother and her baby. This owlet was born in February in a quiet patch of forest in Canada. Great horned owls are the earliest nesters of the owls and the freezing cold of the winter months means that the parents work extra hard at keeping their eggs warm and protected until they hatch. As the temperatures creeped up, this baby emerged and began life as a tiny, featherless creature. Leaving it alone for more than a few moments would mean certain death in the dead of winter. Both parents share the responsibility of providing heat and protection from predators. Even squirrels would consider this chick fair game and the nest is closely guarded. As the owl grew, it sprouted tiny feathers and down and became more resistant to the cold. The parents would now dare to venture off in search of food, or they would watch from nearby branches as the owlet slept. The father owl began perching in a nearby tree after the nest was too crowded, but the mother still enjoyed her cuddle time with her beautiful baby. With 24 hours of this footage, this owlet ventured out on the branch and made a clumsy, but controlled descent to the forest floor. It wasn't quite flight but he landed unharmed. His mother fed him and encouraged him and he was able to flap well enough to perch on a low shrub by afternoon. Survival requires that he take flight as quickly as possible in order to avoid predators like foxes and coyotes, as well as other birds of prey. He will need to learn hunting skills as quickly as possible to make it in the wild. Fortunately, he has the best teacher that nature can provide.

The great spring salamander migration is an incredible thing to witness. Normally hidden from view, salamanders are one of the most plentiful vertebrates in almost any North American forest. They make up the majority of vertebrate biomass and it is now believed that they are likely 10 times as numerous as was recently estimated. They hide in the ground, under logs and decaying leaves, in burrows and anywhere that gives them shelter from the light and lack of humidity. Salamanders must keep moist in order to breathe through their skin. They have lungs as adults, but they cannot survive without moisture. They are literally everywhere beneath our feet as we explore the forests around us. They make up a significant part of the food web, preyed upon by foxes, skunks, snakes, birds, and almost any carnivorous creature large enough to swallow them. And these animals in turn, become food for the larger predators in the woods. In the spring, within days of the vernal ponds melting, the salamanders migrate en masse to the pools to breed. They arrive almost simultaneously, driven by natural instinct that creates a spectacle worth waiting for. These researchers have watched for the right conditions; a mild night after the water opens up, with the leaves and ground made wet with fresh rain. They have arrived at the pond, stepping carefully over the fragile little creatures that could easily be crushed underfoot. The salamanders are everywhere, and they are beautiful. A dark blue/black skin is adorned with bright yellow spots. The salamanders move like lizards, although they are amphibians. They emerge from eggs in the water and grow into tadpoles, similar to frogs. They breathe by extracting oxygen from the water in their tadpole stage. They grow legs and lungs and venture onto land by the end of the summer, making their way to underground shelter where they will hibernate through the winter months. They will emerge in the spring and follow the others back to the pond where they were born. And the cycle continues, sometimes for up tp 30 years before the salamander dies. Among the unique traits of the salamander is the amazing ability to regenerate limbs, organs, and even their brains. Scientists are fascinated with this ability and the applications that might assist with human medicine. These researchers have found a mutation in the midst of the thousands of normal salamanders. This one seems to be growing a second tail. But a closer look reveals that it is actually a fifth leg sprouting from the middle of the tail. A partially formed knee and foot can be seen. The forest around us is full of mystery and fascinating things. If we are willing to look closely, it can be seen.

These gulls inhabit the rock cliffs on the isolated shoreline of the Galapagos Islands. They live in a remote world where adaptation is crucial to survival. Rearing their young on the edge of a sheer drop to the raging surf below provides an aspect of danger but it also reduces the chance that they will be vulnerable to predators. The gull's food comes from the ocean below the cliffs as the mother makes frequent trips out over the water to snatch small fish from just below the surface. She carries them back to feed her baby from sunrise to sunset, working hard to keep up with the ravenous chick. This will continue as it grows rapidly. It will soon take flight and leave the rocks to follow her out to sea. The mother gives a beautiful demonstration of a graceful takeoff, stretching her wings wide and lifting smoothly off the rocks without even a single flap. Shel slowly gains height and then banks to the right and arcs beautifully out over the waves with no effort. The wind here is constant and the updraft provides the gull with an easy way to get back and forth with the smallest energy expenditure. The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most diverse and unique animals on the entire planet. Many have adapted to life in this hostile environment as the challenges they face result in evolutionary changes. The animals are isolated from other populations, creating very different physical characteristics than those of animals in other countries. The more we understand the life around us, the better we will be able to protect it.

Humpback whales are among the most revered and respected animals on the planet, and for good reason. They are highly intelligent, extremely social, and they have been around for millions of years. And they are beautiful. This large male has come to Tonga to find a mate. The females come here to bear their calves in the safe waters around the islands. There are no killer whales here, the largest threat to their survival in the early years.

This baby great horned owl has just left the nest moments before this video. The earliest nesters of the owl world, they are also the second largest of the North American owls. The snowy owl is larger, but not as heavy. A powerful bird with incredible grip strength and razor sharp talons, the great horned owl is a formidable hunter, taking down rabbits, large birds, and even other owls. No small mammal is immune to the skill and power of the great horned owl. This baby was born in February during the cold winter months in a Canadian climate. But a nurturing and protective mother kept him warm and safe throughout the sub zero temperatures. He has not strayed from his nest until this morning. He dropped from the branch beside his nest with a clumsy and awkward flapping that brought him gently to the forest floor. Mother and her baby spent the morning hopping around in the underbrush. She left only briefly but came back with a small rabbit that she shared with him. He cannot catch his own food yet but she will supply him with all that he needs as his feathers rapidly develop. The owlet will need to get to higher branches quickly to avoid predators. His flight feathers have grown but they are just losing the coating that prevents him from using them. This process occurs rapidly once the baby has left the nest. He will work his way higher into the trees and he will learn to fly and to hunt form his highly skilled teacher. The mother owl will care for her baby for many months as he develops physically. He will soon be the capable hunter that he needs to be. Here, he is seen trying to work his way along a branch in the most adorably clumsy fashion.

Many people are familiar with the forests around them. They enjoy walks during the day, exploring and gazing at the beauty and serenity of the woods. For those lucky enough to experience true wilderness, the only sounds are often the songs of the birds and the footsteps of distant animals. Sitting or moving quietly can even provide a glimpse of the life that lives in the forest. The benefits of such beauty are greater than we ever imagined, with experts now telling us that "forest bathing" works wonders for our emotional wellbeing and happiness. Spending time in nature is now toted as one of the best ways to cure or prevent depression. As an added benefit, our curiosity about the world around us will be piqued and we will learn a lot about the life that shares our planet. These researchers are well aware of the fascinating world within the trees by day, but they took to the woods in the darkness to witness one of the most spectacular and little known events that happen within days of the ice melting on the surface of the forest's vernal pools. It is the great spring salamander migration. Experts estimate that salamanders make up the greatest amount of a forest's vertebrate biomass. This makes them one of the most important food sources and a critical part of the health of entire ecosystems. The yellow spotted salamander is rarely seen. They spend most of the year hidden beneath leaf litter, logs, or in burrows. They must keep their skin moist to breathe and they shy away from heat and light. There can literally be more than a billion of them in a large forest, yet we might go our whole lives without sighting one. Within days of the spring thaw, especially after a rain, salamanders make their annual nightly migration to meet in the water for an event that lasts only 2-3 nights. Preferring ponds without fish, in hardwood areas, the salamanders make the trek to breed. They enter the water where they began life as a tadpole. The males cluster and deposit sperm as the females lay egg masses attached to twigs, leaves or other underwater structures. There can be hundreds of salamanders in a cluster and tens of thousands in a large pond at any time. They gather on the bottom in shallow water, swimming to the surface when they need to breathe. They quickly return to the bottom to fertilize the eggs. This will go on for several days before the salamanders make their way back to their feeding areas. They will hibernate all winter, emerging again in the spring to repeat the process. These researchers have carefully made their way along the forest path to a pond deep in the woods that rarely sees people. They must watch their step as salamanders cover the ground in some spots. The biologists slowly wade into the water, careful not to disturb or endanger the fragile creatures. They observe and count the animals, making comparisons with other years and other locations. What we are learning now about these amphibians may be critical to forest conservation on the whole. Altering one small body of water could adversely affect an entire food web in a forest. And scientists are carefully looking at the salamanders' ability to regenerate limbs and organs, including their brain. In addition to the salamanders in this pond, the biologists found giant water beetles, cadis fly larvae, a snapping turtle, newts, frogs, and toads. There was even a pair of owls each night that called out in the darkness. On one of the nights, the owl silently landed on a tree branch just above them and watched them curiously. Distant coyotes on the hunt howled and yipped. The forest near you is beautiful by day, but it is also mysterious and active in the dark of night. There is more life around us than we ever imagined.

Groundhogs are adorable creatures, especially when they are young. They emerge from the burrow in the spring and eagerly check out their surroundings. This one has been growing rapidly, nursing on milk from his mother throughout the winter. She feasted on grass and all sorts of plants as she stored as much fat as possible to get her through the cold, winter months. She would need enough fat stores to feed herself and also to supply her hungry babies with enough nutrition to last until the snow melts. As the mother and babies explore their surroundings and feast on grass again, the babies are finding everything new and unfamiliar. This one has found a few apple slices left at the opening to the den. He eagerly nibbles away on the sweet treats, but somebody else has his eye of the snack. A hungry seagull is cautiously making his way over to the opening to try to get a share. The two startle each other in a comically adorable manner.

Orioles are one of the most vividly coloured birds in North America. Their brilliant orange colour and black markings make them a breath taking sight for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts. Each year, in the spring, orioles return to Canada and they seek food such as brightly coloured fruit to eat. This bird lover has found that a simple orange, sliced in half and stuck on a branch attracts these gorgeous creatures. With a few extra orange halves, the back yard is often filled with a dozen or more orioles coming to drink the juice and munch on the pulp. There is no simpler bird feeder than this! These birds also love berries, mango, and even grape jelly. They have been known to eat other fruits as well. Interestingly, they use a unique method of feeding, known as "gaping". Instead of eating by closing their beaks, they poke their beak into the fruit and open it to spread the fruit and create a gaping hole that fills with juice. They then drink the juice that enters the divot.