DavidMcNab

Hammerhead sharks are beautiful animals with one of the most unique appearances in all of the ocean's animals. Immediately recognizable by their elongated and flattened head, hammerheads stand out and can be differentiated from other sharks easily, even from a distance. Scientists and biologists believe that the hammerhead's design has evolved for several different reasons. The wedge shaped head allows the hammerhead to manipulate prey, specifically stingrays, a popular food for these sharks. They are able to lift the wings of the stingray and bite them while avoiding the ferocious stinging tail at the same time. It is also possible that the head contains sensory receptors that allow the hammerheads to locate and capture prey. Having eyes located on the sides of the elongated head provides the shark with superior binocular vision and depth perception, an ability that is crucial for capturing swiftly moving prey. These scuba divers ventured to the outer reaches of the Galapagos Islands near Darwin and Wolf Island to see the amazing and awe inspiring creatures that live around these structures. Created 4,000,000 years ago by volcanic eruptions, towers of hardened lava have provided structure in an area where three underwater currents converge. The combined currents create an upwelling of nutrients and food that attracts smaller fish and marine animals, which in turn, attract whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, and Galapagos sharks. Divers sit on rock ledges at a depth of 20m (60 feet) to watch the current carry the marine animals past in what can be described as the world's largest and most spectacular iMax theatre. Hammerheads are also curious animals and they will often venture close to divers to investigate them and to look for opportunities to feed on the fish that also congregate near the humans. Hammerheads are fearsome beasts with a reputation as being aggressive and dangerous sharks, but the truth is that there have been only 17 documented, unprovoked attacks on humans in almost 500 years. Not a single one of these incidents has been fatal. People are well advised to respect all animal life, including sharks, and to remember that we are the guests in this underwater domain. With proper behaviour, the risk is very small.

Bait balls are an incredible sight for scuba divers. They are nature's way of helping small fish avoid predators. Small fish school tightly to confuse larger fish and sea lions if they cannot hide in vegetation or coral. The enormous mass of moving, silvery bodies makes it impossible for predators to track the movements of individual fish. This makes it hard for a predator to follow and capture one specific fish. A bait ball is a last ditch effort of the smaller fish to evade a larger animal. They large school provides more eyes to watch for an ambush and any reaction to a threat will be perceived by all of the other fish in the bait ball. They will move rapidly away from any threat. But many predatory fish, mammals, and birds have developed sophisticated methods of attack that allow them to successfully feed on the fish within the bait balls. Swordfish slash through bait balls at high speed, slicing or stunning the prey. Whales lunge feed by charging and opening their mouths as they reach the school. Sea lions herd the fish to the surface and work together to charge through the dense ball of fish. These divers saw the dark cloud of salemas approaching and they were mesmerized by the beauty of the swarm as it engulfed them. The fish in these swarms are so densely packed that they block most of the light and it is almost too dark for a scuba diver to see around them. The diver with the camera is Solon Intriago, a seasoned scuba guide with more than 30 years of experience and almost 15,000 dives under his belt. He shows us here what happens when air bubbles are released into the bait ball from beneath. The fish move out of the way as if they don't want the bubbles to touch them. They quickly close in again, engulfing the divers once more. The divers soon learned why the salemas had formed the bait ball when they saw a sea lion hunting at the edge of the school. The beauty and wonder of the underwater world has to be seen to be believed. These scuba divers were overjoyed to spend this time surrounded by such a gigantic school of fish.

Sharks are a crucial and very welcome part of the underwater world. Without them, our oceans would be in serious trouble, as would all life under the waves, and even life above the surface. We need them. We also admire them and live in awe of them. But many of us still fear them. They are capable and formidable predators and we understand that they could cause us great harm with little effort. Yet, they rarely attack humans and we are safer in the water with them than most people would believe. These scuba divers are anchored at a remote site off Darwin Island in the Galapagos. The boat has left civilization to take these adventurers to an uninhabited corner of the planet where life has evolved and changed on its own schedule, largely unaffected by the world around them. Sharks rule here and they swim in these waters in massive numbers. Galapagos sharks, hammerheads, and silky sharks like these keep the population of many other creatures in check. Even orcas roam freely here in the surprisingly cold currents that converge near the equator. The scuba divers on this boat have been enjoying a magnificent underwater theatre full of hammerhead sharks, whale sharks and schooling fish. They enter the water and then return to this boat which serves as their floating hotel while the explore one of the most stunning and beautiful places imaginable. But as they rested between dives, they noticed that the water around their small cruise ship was full of sleek, grey animals. Initially, they thought they were watching dolphins that had come to visit. Yet the large creatures didn't surface as dolphins would. They dangled a camera overboard on a piece of string to capture footage of their visitors. When they watched the footage, they were thrilled, and a little intimidated to see that the figures below were curious sharks that patrolled curiously just beneath their boat. These are silky sharks and they are abundant in waters such as the Galapagos. Aggressive and persistent hunters, they are potentially dangerous to humans who carelessly venture too close, but attacks are rare and seasoned scuba divers know to keep a respectful distance and to avoid being too close to the sharks' food sources. These large animals grow to a length of almost 3m (8.2 feet) and they have powerful jaws and many rows of sharp teeth. They are one of the bolder sharks. Even dolphins show them considerable respect when their competitive hunting brings them in close contact. Like all ocean animals, they are far more agile and capable in the water than we are. Humans are well advised to show all sharks proper respect to avoid serious consequences.

Sea lions are one of the incredible animals that inhabit almost all beaches and rocky coasts in the Galapagos Islands. They are adorable and playful animals that delight tourists and residents alike. But sea lions are also wild animals and these tourists who were swimming in the water were reminded of the fact that they are unpredictable animals and that keeping a respectful distance is always wise. These two were snorkelling in a quiet bay during a tour that involved sight seeing around Santa Fe Island. The boat stopped in a beautiful bay and the tourists were invited to slip into the water to see the fish and the sea lions that were known for their playfulness. As the current gently took the swimmers around the bay, the female sea lions darted around them and chases each other in fun. The bull male sea lions are not known for their playfulness. They are over 2.5m (8.2 feet) long and can weigh as much as 250kg (550lb). They bark constantly, reminding other sea lions to stay away from the colony of females and babies. This reminder is well heeded by people too. On this occasion, the bull cruised around calmly and watched the humans from a distance. Being careful not to venture close to the area where the colony was basking, the tourists were enjoying the view and drifting slowly past. As the females became more playful, one of the swimmers began to engage in the fun by diving down and rolling in a playful manner. Sea lions are known to respond to this by swimming closer and rolling themselves. But the male sea lion took a sudden dislike to the tourists and he came rushing out from the rocks, directly at the swimmer in this video. With just a few flaps of his powerful flippers, the bull swam directly beneath the startled swimmer and opened his mouth wide to display a large mouth full of huge teeth. The head of a male sea lion is easily the size of the biggest giant breed of dog and the formidable jaws are equally impressive. The sea lion seemed to make a half serious attempt to bite the swimmer who was lucky enough to roll in just the right way as she floated upwards and away from the jaws of the sea lion. This behaviour was instantly recognizable as a warning that the sea lion was not in the mood for playing. As the two swimmers began swimming against the current to distance themselves from the shore and the basking colony, the male made a few more passes, closely inspecting them. This video shows the swimmer with the camera recording as he backs away. When the male sea lion swam at him, it intentionally bumped him. The camera comes in contact with the animal in an effort to keep some distance and an an object in between them. Sea lions are clumsy on land, but incredibly agile in the water. The only hope here was to remain calm and slowly swim away. Showing any signs of panic would have agitated the huge beast even more. Luckily, this sea lion was not determined to attack. It was simply sending an unmistakable warning for the tourists that they were not welcome.

Solon Intriago is an accomplished scuba diver by any standards. With more than thirty years of experience as a dive master, he has logged more than 15,000 dives, each one in the Galapagos Islands. He has led thousands of divers on adventures under the waves. He is about to experience the most memorable dive of his life and he was fortunate enough to be recording the whole event on his underwater camera. The dive took Solon’s group over stunning rock formations in 14m (40 feet) of water. They experienced the hypnotic effect of millions of salemas sweeping past them and surrounding them. Small fish that school tightly to avoid predators, salemas are a beautiful sight as they move quickly in unison, almost like a massive organism performing an underwater dance. The dance is designed to help them evade predators, such as the Galapagos penguin and the sea lions that follow the huge schools, hoping for a snack or two. Solon was filming the salemas when a pair of Pacific green turtles cruised past, hugging the wall, looking for sponges and plants to eat. Penguins appeared and dashed past closely, also caught on film. Scuba divers are delighted to see this rare and beautiful flightless bird in its natural environment. The Galapagos Islands are the only place in the world, except Antarctica where penguins can be found. The cold water currents bring sardines and other fish here that the penguins require. Despite being on the equator, the waters around the islands are cold, but rich in marine life. As Solon was filming, he saw a gigantic shadow in the distance and recognized it as an orca. Incredibly, the orca swam directly at Solon as it searched for prey. Orcas, also known as killer whales are unmistakably the top predators of the ocean. Even great white sharks fear these intelligent and powerful animals. Hunting in packs, with a level of cunning that is unrivaled, orcas command complete respect and even awe. Solon managed to keep his camera aimed at the giant animal as it banked and swam toward the surface near him. Another diver can be seen recording the orca as well and screams of disbelief and joy can be heard as they look at each other. A sea lion can be seen chasing the salemas after the orca swims through. It would be wise for all of these animals to keep an eye out for the orca as it hunts. Any of them would be unable to escape if the orca spied them. With jaws powerful enough to crack the shell of even the largest turtle, these formidable beasts can eat anything they want. But there has never been a recorded incident of a wild orca attacking a human. These divers are perfectly safe in the water. Orcas are one of the world’s most incredible animals. These divers will never forget their close encounter with this magnificent whale.

Giant otters, or giant river otters are the largest species of otter in the world. They grow to a length of 1.8m (almost 6 feet). They are powerful swimmers and capable hunters, able to easily outswim and catch even large fish. Their formidable jaws can hold or crush prey, allowing them to feed on fish that weigh several kilograms. They are even capable of feeding on piranha and caiman, a species in the crocodile family. Giant river otters are social animals, often living in groups of up to 20 individuals. With large heads and jaws full of large teeth, the giant river otter resembles a large dog when it opens its mouth. These guests at Sacha Lodge arrived with the hope of seeing the wildlife in a very remote lake just off the Napo river. Their guides, Pablo and Dorian understood their desire to have a close look at the animals of the Amazon. They embarked on a canoe excursion through the waterways and they were treated to a very close look at two otters hunting. The otters swam past the canoe, casting a curious glance at the quiet guests before they began diving for food. They both surfaced with fish in their jaws that were more than half a meter in length (approximately 2 feet). The otters made their way to the shore to devour their meals before repeating this behaviour. The otters could be heard exhaling loudly as they surfaced each time. The lake that these otters are diving in is a dark one, stained by sediment and other materials that seep into the water as it flows through the rich soil of the Amazon basin. Giant otters are endangered, largely due to encroachment on habitat and depletion of their food supply. Being able to sit in a canoe and watch these animals in their natural environment was a priceless experience for these thrilled adventurers. These extremely knowledgeable guides can be found on Facebook (Tour Guide Ec - Buko) @bukoguide

Guests in Ecuador were treated to a spectacular close-up view of one of the Amazon rainforest’s most feared creatures. They ventured all the way from Canada to witness the spectacular wonders and the animal life in the remote Amazon at Sacha Lodge. For several days they trekked through the jungle in search of some of the most unique and fascinating creatures on the planet. Their vacation has come to an end and they are about to make the journey from the rainforest to the second leg of their tour. While stopping at a bathroom, they received one last close-up look at the creatures of the jungle. This gigantic bird eating tarantula dropped from the ceiling and landed on the hat of one of the tour guests. A mix of delight and fear erupted and the screaming from the bathroom caught everyone’s attention. One of the guides rushed into the ladies bathroom to rescue the startled guest. He took her hat and gently moved the spider to one of the nearby planters where it could seek shelter from the screaming. This poor spider was probably more traumatized than any of the guests. Bird eating tarantulas are harmless if they are left alone, but they can deliver a very painful bite if they are provoked. Like all wildlife, they are better left alone. In this case, nobody intended to get so close to this Amazonian monster. After the initial shock wore off, the travelers all agreed that this interaction was a welcome experience.

This scuba diver cannot contain his joy when he finds himself among some of the world's most elusive and unusual fish. These are ocean sunfish, commonly called Mola Mola. They resemble giant heads with fins and no tails and they are extremely clumsy looking animals. They 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.

Cormorants are aquatic diving birds found in many parts of the world. In the Galapagos Islands, these birds have evolved to become flightless. They are believed to be one of the world's rarest birds found only on the coast of Fernandina Island and Isabela Island. In 1999, researchers estimated that there were only 900 in existence. The birds had no predators and lost their ability to fly when a flight was not needed to escape other animals. Since humans have introduced dogs, rats, pigs, and other species, the flightless cormorant's numbers declined sharply. This cormorant has no fear of humans, which is typical of this species. It must have been believed that the divers represented a food source as it followed them and repeatedly dove, pecking at them and their equipment. The divers were amused by the behavior and felt no fear of the bird as it could not easily injure them. It is believed that the birds mistake the air hoses and other scuba equipment for eels or fish. This one is attracted by the camera as well as it tried to peck at or eat the camera. The hooked beak is visible, which is how the cormorant seizes and hangs onto its prey. It will only catch food that it can swallow whole. The cormorants can dive to impressive depths to catch fish, eels, and other marine animals. They use their powerful legs and webbed feet for propulsion. Surprisingly agile, they are capable hunters, and they have no trouble catching enough prey each day. Much of their time is spent basking in the sun and drying their feathers. This cormorant shows its diving ability as it leaves the surface to reach a group of divers on the bottom below quickly. Cormorants are brilliant birds, and they are known for their curiosity. The divers in this video will not soon forget such a bold and entertaining interaction with a wild animal.

Pronghorn antelope are the fastest land animals in North America. They are even the fastest in the entire Western Hemisphere. They are known as prairie antelope, American antelope, and prong buck. Their closest relative is actually the giraffe and okapi. They are capable of running speeds of 89kmh (55mph). The only animal on the planet that is capable of higher running speeds is the African cheetah, although the pronghorn can maintain a high speed for a longer period. They can be found in the interior western United States and parts of the prairie provinces in Canada. Much faster than any predator in this hemisphere, it is believed that it evolved with this running ability to escape the now extinct American cheetah. These pronghorns were seen running across the Badlands of Saskatchewan, Canada. A drone was being used to film the nearby salt flats when the pronghorns came running through. A wolf was seen along a fence line far behind the pronghorns. Other wolves could be heard barking excitedly. The pronghorns had either heard or smelled the predators and they quickly made their way out of the area. The wolves could never catch healthy pronghorns with open space to run. Once abundant in North America, pronghorns were hunted by indigenous people to provide a staple part of their diet. These animals are timid and they run at the first sight of a human, making them very difficult to kill. Early tribes would create fenced areas or pens with sticks and branches and they would surround the pronghorns, gently driving them toward an enclosed area. They are reluctant to leap obstacles so they could be more easily shot with arrows once they were herded into an enclosed area. During breeding seasons, females spend time with one male and then switch to another, inciting conflict and aggression. The males fight for dominance and the females will then mate with the winner. Although these beautiful animals faced a dangerous population decline soon after the turn of the century, conservation efforts have helped their populations increase over the last 100 years. Although still a species of concern due to habitat encroachment, their numbers are no longer decreasing.

When the heat of summer hits hard in Canada, people resort to ways to keep cool and refreshed. Cottage time provides many with a break from the heat as they spend time in or beside the lake. But for many, getting away from the city isn't always possible. This cyclist has found an ample supply of refreshing beverages and he's determined to get them to his home or to wherever he will be enjoying a few cold drinks. Either for exercise or because he doesn't have a vehicle, he has fashioned a trailer and stacked up his cases behind the bike. He'll get those drinks to where he's going with a little pedal power. This is Peterborough, Ontario. It's not unusual in Canada to see people acting in a relaxed manner as they take up a lane of traffic. Known for their politeness and patience, few Canadians will honk or become irritated if they are stuck behind this man momentarily. More likely, they will respect his commitment and willingness to work this hard. Our friend on the bike continued along the street for quite a distance before the car with the camera pulled around and drove off. A true Canadian salute goes out to this man for managing the summer heat in such a way!

Dave is an avid drone fan and he loves to capture footage from above the ground. He wanted a clip that showed his friend’s Lamborghini from above. But when his drone battery was flat, this proved challenging. Luckily, they had parked beneath a high wall at the coast on Vancouver Island. Holding the cell phone out over the wall at the right angle provided the right perspective, but the sound wasn’t right. With a little imagination, Dave made a buzzing sound and tilted the camera back and forth. The truth was revealed when he turned the camera around and it recorded where the sound was actually coming from. Where there is a will, there is a way. This Lamborghini has just completed the world’s first cross Canada tour, breaking several records in the process. It is the first Lamborghini ever to exceed 100,000km (60,000 miles) in its lifetime. It is now the first Lamborghini ever to cross Canada. And it is the first time that a Lamborghini has been used in such a monumental fundraiser. Suganthan Vishnu Krisnarajah (Kris) is the owner of this beautiful machine. A philanthropist, he has been behind many good causes. This time, he set a fundraising goal of $100,000 to help a very deserving family pay for medical expenses for their 5 year old daughter, Johanita. She was diagnosed with brain cancer at 18 months of age. Today, she is a beautiful and healthy child, but she needs a few minor surgeries to keep her healthy. She also needs specialized equipment to help her walk and learn, as she overcomes the effects of the past surgeries and treatments. The incredible journey across Canada was recorded and live streamed. The story will be told soon. The journey can also be followed on the Facebook page of David McNab. If you care to donate to help Kris look after Johanita, please follow this link: https://gofund.me/c7dd9eea Dave will happily answer any questions by email - ptbocyclist@hotmail.com

This Canadian man is enjoying a delicious cultural adventure as his Sri Lankan friends take Him out for lunch. He is experiencing Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine, along with instruction on traditional eating methods using your hands. The right hand is used to mix the rice with the meat and the sauces so that it can be scooped up and brought to the mouth with your fingers. this is also a lesson in the history of the cuisine and the history of the countries. Dave is very enthusiastic about taking part in the full cultural experience, so he eats the food without utensils. Aravinthe explains while Ruben also eats this delicious food. But Ruben is using his fork. in the middle of the meal, Aravinthe suddenly discovers the irony and the humour in the situation. He begins to laugh as he records the reversed cultural rules, pointing out that a Canadian man is eating with his hands while the Sri Lankan man is eating with a fork. Dave laughs along at this irony but is reluctant to stop eating such delicious cuisine. This is Dave’s first experience with the world of flavours and textures offered at Charminar Indian Cuisine. When someone is willing to embrace other cultures and experiences, the result is very rewarding. And the friendship between these two men is also a wonderful illustration of how people can enjoy each other’s company despite coming from different parts of the world.

This lucky photographer had the close up experience of a lifetime with whale sharks in this incredible clip. Researchers took a guided tour to the waters off Isla Mujeres in Mexico to meet these gentle giants close up. Whale sharks are the largest sharks in the world, and even the largest fish. They are next ibn size only to a few whale species. They are not mammals, as they breath through oxygen exchange in their gills, as fish do. These magnificent animals come to these waters to feed on krill, plankton, tiny fish and fish eggs. They are filter feeders and they do not possess teeth. Although they reach a size of 50 feet and can weigh an estimated 100,000 lbs, they are harmless to humans. These whale sharks were so relaxed with the humans who quietly floated and swam near them that the sharks passed by almost close enough to touch them. The laws here prohibit touching the sharks, as tempting as it would be. Even annoying or harassing them is illegal and comes with harsh consequences. More importantly, ethical tours simply will not allow behaviour that would disturb these beautiful creatures. Whale sharks are magnificent to see from a distance, but to be as close to one as this lucky researcher is a breath taking and unforgettable experience!

Samson and Blue are amazing horses who live on a beautiful farm in Ontario, Canada. Check out what this drone footage was able to capture on camera. Beautiful!

Bridal Veil Falls in British Columbia is far from the highest, widest, or fastest running waterfalls in the world, but it is one of the most beautiful. Aptly named, the water gently cascades down a rock wall, adorned by spray and mist that makes it resemble a wedding veil. The falls is 122m (400 ft) high, beginning partway up Mount Archibald in British Columbia and its flow ends as the waters meet the mighty Fraser River. Spectacular in its beauty, the falls draws many thousands of visitors each year and it is a popular spot for memorable photographs and videos. Ranked as the 38th highest falls in the province of British Columbia, it is appreciated more for its visual magnificence than its impressive flow. Equally breath taking is the walk through old growth forest that takes a hiker to the base of the falls. The trail leads steeply upwards for 10 to 15 minutes until hikers reach the observation platform. Unstable rocks and a steep incline make it inadvisable to venture beyond to the falls, but the well worn trail betrays the secret that many observers cannot resist the final section to touch the falls or get a closer picture. This nature lover took his camera and a drone to capture and share the stunning scene from a unique perspective. The drone follows the waterfall up to the top and then it retreats over the forest to give the viewer a clear look at the impressive height of the mountain that gives birth to Bridal Veil Falls. The sound of the running water only adds to the experience of witnessing this falls in person. Viewers stand in awe, gazing silently at the beauty as they take this all in. Anyone planning a trip to British Columbia would be wise to schedule a stop here. The well maintained trail makes the challenge of the climb very reasonable for people of all ages. The free admission to see this wonder is an added bonus.

Humpback whales come to Tonga to breed and mate in the peaceful and safe waters. It is one of the few places in the world where orcas and sharks do not inhabit the waters and pose a threat to the calves or their mothers while they are vulnerable. Tonga is also one of the few places in the world that will still allow people to slip into the water and share moments like these with one of the earth's most majestic and beautiful creatures. This whale was resting on the bottom he came up for air at the surface to the delight of the nature lovers swimming nearby. He is a large bull and he has come to these waters to find females willing to breed. He will compete with dozens of other males for an opportunity to pass along his genes. As recently as 100,000 years ago, humpback whales were the most intelligent animals on earth. They were intellectually superior to the ancestors of humans at that time. We are only now beginning to understand the complexity and the magnificence of these incredible giants. Yet sadly, some countries are still hunting and killing these whales.

The feather star is a creature that does not look like an animal, yet it is. It is part of a family of creatures known as crinoids. They have multiple arms that wave in the water like ferns. They use their arms to filter the water and catch plankton and decaying animal and plant matter. The arms draw the food into the center where it is pushed into the mouth and ingested. In this way, they filter the water and keep it clean and clear of decaying solids. Feather stars attach to rocks, corals or other solid objects and then feed and grow. They appear firmly rooted in place and they do not often move about once they have attached, but they can crawl on the bottom to change locations for better feeding. They have been measured at speeds of up to 5cm per second. While this is not fast, it is surprising, considering their body design. The feather stars' arms remain retracted in the daytime and then they uncoil at night to feed. One of the most unique things about feather stars is that they do not have blood. They rely on gas exchange through water that flows through their vascular system. Feather stars have been alive in our ocean's for over 200 million years. They are one of the most adaptable of the ocean's creatures, seemingly unaffected by the recent increase in the temperature of our planet's oceans.

Great horned owls are the largest and most impressive owls in North America. They are the tallest of their kind and they are the most formidable hunters. They prey on large rabbits and other rodents, such as squirrels and weasels. They will even take down and eat other owls. The great horned owl has the most powerful talons and grip strength of all the owls, capable of severing the spine of even large prey. And, as we see here, these owls also have a tender side. This mother owl is devoted to her baby and she will not leave his side for long until he is ready to stretch his wings and leave the nest on his own. She will leave only to hunt, returning with food for her owlet several times each day. The father shares the responsibility and he will also hunt and care for the baby. He watches protectively from a higher branch while the mother is away. No harm will come to this fluffy little fellow without tangling the male owl first. These parents are so well equipped to deal with a threat that even a large predator would be foolish to make the attempt at eating this baby. The great horned owl is the first to lay eggs each year, often beginning their nest and laying one to four eggs in February, one of the harshest months in the middle of winter in North America. They remain in the nest, keeping the eggs warm through brisk winds, snowstorms, and sub-zero temperatures. The eggs will hatch in March or April and the parents begin their busy task of feeding themselves and their young family. This owl fledged, or left the nest the morning after this video was recorded. The owlets' wings develop quickly and their fluffy down is soon replaced by growing flight feathers. The baby made a clumsy entrance as he flapped and dropped to the ground, breaking his fall nicely. After a brief rest, he hopped and flapped until he grew strong enough to lift off from the ground to perch on a low branch. He spent the day testing his new wings while his parents perched very close by. In a world where survival requires him to quickly gain the skills to feed himself and to be able to avoid a threat, he had no time to waste. Owls are crucial to the delicate balance of the entire eco system. Without them, the rodent population would increase and deplete the food supply for other animals and even humans. Owls, like other birds of prey have been adversely affected by the increased use of pesticides. As the rodents ingest the toxins and the owls ingest the affected rodents, they are also harmed by the buildup of poison. This is one more reminder that we have a responsibility to carefully consider our impact on the world around us.

The mantis shrimp isn't the largest animal in the ocean, but it packs a wallop like creatures many times its size. This is the reason that it doesn't have the need to fear much as it wanders over the ocean bottom hunting for food. These shrimp are quipped with appendages that can strike so fast that the force and speed of their limbs causes water to vaporize around them. The collapsing air bubbles send a shock wave powerful enough to stun their prey, even if they miss with their strike. There are 450 species of mantis shrimp. They are divided into two groups; smashers and slashers or spearers. The spearers have sharp appendages that impale and kill their prey. Smashers have club-like appendages that resemble small, hard boxing gloves. They are able to stun or pulverize their prey. They can smash mollusk shells into tiny pieces, allowing them to get at even the most protected creatures inside. These actions are so fast that they cannot be seen by the naked eye. A mantis shrimp requires only 800 microseconds to strike, giving them the theoretical ability to strike 500 times in the blink of a human eye. This action occurs at a speed of more than 110km/h and the movement causes the water to vaporize around the shrimp's claws. The collapse of the vapour bubbles creates a shock wave that can immobilize prey. In this way, the shrimp strike twice with one blow. For such a tiny creature, it has little reason to fear going out into the open to hunt. Even larger creatures are wary of this small animal with the mighty wallop. Scuba divers have nicknamed this animal the "thumb splitter" because their claws can severely injure or slash a finger or hand. They are beautiful and it would be tempting to pick one up, but the consequences of doing so would be disastrous and immediate. Most animals in the ocean have the ability to defend themselves. Nature has a way of providing each creature with the means to discourage attacks. This shrimp is one more example of the wisdom behind the scuba diver's motto to touch nothing as they explore this mysterious and beautiful world.

Cottage time in Canada is one of the best parts of summer. Cooling off in the lake on a hot day is part of the fun for this family in Ontario. But they took things to a new level when one of the family brought a new game to the cottage and challenged everyone to join in a competitive game of "Cow Tipping". These inflatable cows are designed to carry one passenger each as the riders square off against each other for a duel to try to knock the other off. The cows have side air bags that help keep things stable, allowing the rider to stay afloat. But the side air bags are clipped in and secured by a string that is attached to the bell at the front of the cow. When the bell and string are pulled, the clip underneath is released, allowing one side air bag to detach. This makes it impossible for the rider to balance and they will suddenly pitch forward and off the cow. Cameron and his mother, Kristy were the first contenders and they struggled with the proper technique to even get on the cows. Cameron managed to get on top of his cow by climbing off the dive raft. As he got his balance though, his foot caught the string and pulled the clip. He felt the side air bag swing wide and he knew he was about to tip. He tried to lean back and avoid the plunge. He had time to yell briefly and then his face was rocketed toward the water. With a big smack and a splash, Cameron hit the water and toppled off the cow while everybody laughed. Cameron's father can barely hold the camera steady as he howled with amusement. Cameron is a great sport and he climbed right back on his cow and continued with the challenge. Neither Cameron nor Kristy were able to ride the bulls for anything close to eight seconds as they found this game to be much harder, and even more fun than it looks. The game is actually called "Cow Tipping" and it's as much fun to watch as it is to play!

Baby groundhogs are so cute that they resemble small stuffed toys more than they do wild animals. These baby groundhogs had just emerged from their burrow to explore their surroundings and follow their mother on a quest for food. The babies will not venture far from the entrance to the burrow. They seem to be very aware that the world is a dangerous place for a chubby little creature such as themselves. Groundhogs of this size are vulnerable to hawks, foxes, coyotes and dogs. It would not be difficult for a large bird to carry one off if it strayed out into the open. But some kind person has been watching these beautiful little babies and they have placed a few apple slices in front of the hole. The babies still rely on their mother for milk, but they will also eat plants. They don't see apples very often but it doesn't take long for this one to catch on that the fruit is delicious. Even at such a young age, these groundhogs have enormous claws. They will need those to dig burrows of their own soon enough. Throughout the summer, they will eat as much as they can to store fat for their winter hibernation. They will dig burrows of their own and venture underground below the frost line. They will sleep for 4-5 months before they emerge, starving and eager to start eating again. This little fellow couldn't be cuter as he holds his treat and nibbles away happily.

River is a very unique dog in many ways. She also eats very unusual things, like berries right from the bush. River recently accompanied her family on a trek into the wilderness in Ontario, Canada. They eagerly filled pails with ripe blackberries that filled the bushes under the power lines near their cottage. River is a crafty dog who learns quickly. She watched her humans picking the berries and she came over to see what they were up to. They were intrigued by her curiosity and they handed her a couple of the blackberries. River tasted them and she obviously decided they were not too bad. She started chewing the berries on the bush, enjoying the sweet berries. This isn't something that River's family expected. River is part Australian Shepherd and part border collie, along with a few other breeds mixed in. She is incredibly clever and she seems to understand more than the average dog. When her owners pointed out that she should eat only the ripe, black berries, River seemed to understand and she began being much more selective. Perhaps she had learned from the taste, or perhaps she really did understand what she was being told, but she became very skilled at nibbling only the ones that were ready for picking. River is a unique dog in other ways as well. She was born with a heart defect that allows blood to flow in the wrong direction through her heart when it beats quickly. When she becomes excited or fatigued, her back end loses circulation and she flops on the ground until her heart rate slows. Fortunately, River has found her forever home with a veterinarian and a veterinary assistant for owners. Her care is complex and her medication is expensive. Her first family loved her dearly, but they were not able to provide the care that she required and they made the difficult decision to rehome her. River has done well and she enjoys a very active life, with a few restrictions She spends her day on a large property and she enjoys daily walks in the forest. River's medication is a comical story in itself. She requires a liquid form of Viagra to manage her heart rate. This liquid is infused with beef broth powder to make it easier for dogs to cooperate as it is being administered. But when the medication runs short unexpectedly, a temporary supply of pills can be obtained through a pharmacy with a prescription from the veterinarian. River's owner, Dave often faces a barrage of questions and verbal precautions about being careful with the medication because it appears that he is purchasing the meds for his own use. It often takes a lot of explaining to convince pharmacy staff that the pills are really needed for a dog.

Humpback whales are among the most beautiful and awe inspiring creatures on earth. These lucky swimmers experienced a once in a lifetime thrill when they entered the water in Tonga to swim in the ocean. A pod of humpback whales came through, swimming directly at and under the whales. Humpbacks come to Tonga to breed and to bear their young. This is one of the few areas in the world where they are safe from large sharks and orcas. There are no predators for the whales in the waters around the 169 islands that make up the Kingdom of Tonga. The female humpbacks are followed by eligible males during mating season. They jostle and shove each other, trying to assert their dominance and claim breeding rights. The females aren't always receptive and these courtship rituals might occur over hundreds of miles of ocean. These swimmers found themselves right in the path of one of these events, known as a heat run. They were thrilled to see the whales passing directly beneath them. Intelligent and gentle, the whales had no interest in colliding with the clumsy humans in the water and they submerged long enough to pass under them without contact. Few people will ever come so close to such magnificent creatures in their own environment. For these swimmers to see 7 or 8 of them at once was simply unforgettable.

River is an adorable family dog who is far too intelligent for her family. She is a rescue with an unknown history so her breed is a mystery. It is believed that she is part Australian Shepherd and possibly part border collie so it is no surprise that she is craftier than the average dog. When it gets late and bedtime is approaching, River and Raven, the other family dog are given the instructions to go out for their nightly bathroom duties. Normally, they don't mind and they will obediently trot out the door, off the porch and into the grass and trees on the property. They will come back a few minutes later and settle for the night. River is not a fan of the rain and on this particular evening, she was aware that the weather was not the best. As she was told to go outside, one eye slowly opened and then shut again. She rolled over on her back and pretended to be sleeping or in a coma, unable to respond to any voice commands. River would not open her eyes or move for anything. Finally, River's owner decided to slide her across the hardwood floor towards the door. Only then did River open her eyes, but the wide-eyed look of feigned shock at being pushed is beyond comical. Finally, after a few shoves across the floor, River realized that her trip to the grass outside was inevitable. River has found her forever home after a brush with death that was closer than any dog should have. Her original family cared for her and loved her but River developed a complicated and expensive medical problem. She was brought to an emergency veterinary clinic two days before Christmas. She was deteriorating rapidly and the prognosis was not good. Her tests and diagnosis alone was unmanageable. She has a heart defect that causes her back end to become paralyzed when her heart beats rapidly. She also has a few other medical issues. Her treatment and ongoing care would be complicated and her medication costs would be extreme. River's family made the difficult choice to end her suffering and have her put to sleep. She was seconds away from her final breath when another option presented itself. Serena, the veterinary assistant had fallen in love with this beautiful soul and she knew that she had the expertise and training to manage the dog's care. Serena's mother was also a veterinarian. Between the two of them, the treatment would be manageable. River was given a second chance and a chance for a good life. Under strict medical care and with modified activity, River enjoys a wonderful life. She wanders with Serena in the forest almost every day. She has a large yard to play in, and she has another family dog to keep her company. River's life will not likely be as long as most dogs, but she has had three extra years now with no sign that her condition is worsening. River is smart enough to understand how to play on the emotions of her family, and possibly smart enough to know that feigned paralysis will help her avoid unpleasant obligations, like going out in the rain.