DavidMcNab

When most people think of penguins, we usually think of Antarctica, yet only 7 of the 17 known penguin species live there. This small penguin actually lives and thrives at the equator. It is the Galapagos penguin and it finds an abundance of food around the remote islands such as Fernandina, due to the convergence of powerful ocean currents. One of the three main ocean currents, the Humboldt, brings with it cold water and this creates the perfect habitat for anchovies, sardines, and mullet. These fish are the main species that make up the diet of the Galapagos penguins. Flightless birds, they are amazingly agile in the water. Penguins are capable hunters, able to reach speeds of 35km/h (20mph) underwater, using their powerful flippers. These penguins are perfectly at home in the surf, but they spend much of their day on the rocky shores of the Galapagos Islands. They take shelter at night in crevices and caves in the lava debris along the shore. These swimmers were scuba diving in the nearby waters off Fernandina but they passed close to shore as they returned to their dive boat. They hopped in the water to explore a particularly beautiful stretch of coastline. As they were snorkeling in the blue waters near shore, they were joined by sharks, curious penguins, and playful sea lions. The penguins hunted and paid little attention to the swimmers, although they came close for a curious inspection a few times. The sea lions however, rolled and cavorted, inviting the clumsy humans to play and follow them as they dashed back and forth and all around them. Sea lions are truly the clowns of the ocean, seemingly laughing and eager to have fun with anyone who enters their domain. The sea lion even tried to catch one of the penguins in what seemed to be a game, but the penguin was not amused. Wisely, penguins avoid sea lions as they are also known to prey on penguins when the opportunity arises. Penguins and sea lions are both hunted by large sharks, making life in these waters hazardous for both of them. The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most fascinating and beautiful animals on the planet. Many of the remote areas such as this one see so few humans that the animals here have very little reason to fear them. Although people must keep a respectful distance, it is not uncommon to find that the animals here will approach humans curiously if they are careful and quiet. The swimmers in this group enjoyed a once in a lifetime experience as they played with sea lions and penguins in their own habitat and on their own terms.

Big eyed jacks are a preferred food of many of the sharks in the Galapagos Islands and they seem to know it. These waters are home to thousands of hammerhead sharks that school in great numbers. There are also Galapagos sharks, the top predators here, as well as black tipped reef sharks. These big eyed jacks have many reasons to be wary of what lurks in the depths all around them. But one way for prey fish like these to avoid being eaten is to find larger animals to hide near. The fish seem to know that the hammerheads we see behind them are reluctant to come too close to the clumsy and awkward looking group of scuba divers. The jacks might understand that the scuba divers are less of a threat, or they might simply hope that the divers are a distraction for the sharks. But either way, they have come directly for the safety of the people in the water. The scuba divers in this group have ventured here from all over the world to see the amazing and fascinating life that thrives under the waves. The fish and other marine animals come here for the food which is brought by the convergence of three powerful ocean currents that create an upwelling of plankton. Bait fish come to eat the tiny and numerous plankton. They in turn attract larger fish and the larger fish attract the top predators. This is the food chain and the web of life that allows all the animals on the planet to survive. Hammerhead sharks are formidable hunters with few enemies. The Galapagos shark reigns, even over the hammerheads, at least until the orcas make an appearance. The orcas are undeniably the ocean's top predators, but it is rare to find them in these waters. The Galapagos Islands are remote and isolated, but they are teeming with life. For most scuba divers, this is the biggest bucket list adventure. It is a world like no other.

The Galapagos Islands are home to an abundance of life beneath the waves and below. It is a mysterious world, frighteningly harsh and inhospitable in many ways. Yet, the animals have evolved to thrive here despite the extreme challenges they face here. Called the "Land Born of Fire", the Galapagos Islands are relatively new in Geological terms, having formed 4 million years ago as a result of violent volcanic eruptions from the ocean floor. Lave cooled and hardened, creating pillars that rose above sea level and eventually became islands. The oceans around the Galapagos are unique due to the convergence of three major ocean currents in one spot. The mix of warmer and colder water creates an ecosystem full of animals and food sources. One of the animals that congregates here is the majestic and enormous whale shark, the largest of all shark species, and the largest fish to have ever lived since the dinosaurs swam these oceans. A few species of whale are larger, but whales are mammals and the whale shark is a fish. Whale sharks come to the waters around Darwin and Wolf Island in the late July and into November. Researchers and scientists have theories about the reason for their presence here but little is known about these gentle giants. Almost without exception, the whale sharks here are pregnant females. They do not exhibit feeding behaviour, despite the masses of plankton and small fish here that make up the whale sharks' diet. Most experts agree that these waters likely provide the whale sharks with an opportunity to bear their young in relative safety, compared with other areas of the world. Scientists do not know much about juvenile whale sharks and the babies are rarely seen anywhere in the oceans around the globe. These scuba divers have come to capture images that will help them identify the sharks by individual spots and markings. They will document behaviour and estimate sizes to compile date that answers questions about their migration and reasons for traveling such great distances to be here in the Galapagos. This whale shark has a unique deformity on its tail. It appears to have a mishapen section on the upper portion of the tail that extends beyond the profile of a normal whale shark's tail. It is possible that the tail has an injury and that the cartilage has been affected, but the upper portion of the tail has elongated skin at the rear, suggesting abnormal and asymmetrical growth. There is a lot to be learned about these giants of the deep. They are magnificent and beautiful, and for many scuba divers, seeing a whale shark up close is the most magical experience possible. Dwarfing a human, they can grow to almost 19m (55 feet) in length. When full grown, they are as enormous as a school bus. Having one swim past within arm's reach, as these researchers have experienced is unforgettable.

Johanita is a beautiful child with a bright future and every hope for a long and healthy life. But it hasn't always been easy for her parents to be as hopeful as they are now. Johanita's struggles and challenges have been extreme, and hope has been elusive as her family fought hard to pay for her medical needs. She was diagnosed at 18 months with an aggressive, cancerous brain tumour. Surgeons rushed to remove it immediately and the surgery was a success but the problems were far from over. Johanita's medical insurance did not cover the entire cost of the first procedure. More surgeries were required in the months that followed and the family moved to the mainland in Ecuador to live close to the hospital that was keeping Johanita alive. Their bills grew quickly as they worked even harder to manage. Johanita's father works in a job that takes him away from his family for many weeks at a time. When he most needs to be at his daughter's side, he is off working furiously to keep ahead of the costs. Johanita's mother works equally hard, looking after Johanita and her two brothers who have been as helpful as any children could be. Johanita recently needed medication that came with an astronomical price tag and the medical bills were already overwhelming. An anonymous philanthropist in Canada had heard about this family and he was touched by their love for their child. His respect for them all was profound. He quietly helped this family to pay for the life-saving drugs. He did this without them ever knowing his name or identity. Johanita responded well to her medication and the radiation treatments. But at four and a half years of age, the shunt that was placed in Johanita's brain to prevent fluid buildup had failed and she needed surgery immediately to place a new shunt. The cost to the family for this surgery was more than they could manage but the alternative was unthinkable. S V Krisnarajah (Kris) is the philanthropist who had helped this family. He understood that the family deserved help yet again. He stepped forward with a financial gift that paid the family's portion of the surgery costs and again, he did this in a way that did not reveal who he was. But this time, Kris also came up with an idea that would put the worry behind them for many years. He would have to step out from behind his anonymity to do something that nobody has ever done before. Kris and his business partner, Shams Syed would travel across North America in a Lamborghini. They asked for pledges from friends and business contacts and donated money themselves. They also funded the entire tour. Kris and Shams wanted to give Johanita's family reassurance for inevitable upcoming expenses. The most eastern point in North America is Cape Spear in Newfoundland, Canada. It is a breath takingly beautiful place with rocky shorelines and a picturesque lighthouse. This would be the starting point for their tour as they drove westward to cross the country, and the continent, in seven days. Reaching Vancouver a week later, the two men would log more than 7,500km (nearly 4,700 miles). The footage captured along the way shows the stunning landscapes. From the rocky coast of Newfoundland, across the forested wilderness of Ontario, over the flat but striking scenery in the prairies, The Badlands, and into the rolling mountains of Alberta and British Columbia, the two saw the country through the windshield of one of the most beautiful and powerful cars on the road. The adventure was life changing for more than just Johanita. More impressive and heart warming than the scenery, they also witnessed the goodness of people. Donations were offered by several sponsors and also by people along the way who admired the car and why it was being driven across Canada. A few very lucky people were given a ride. It was truly touching to see how much love and support there was for a little girl across the ocean who was fighting so hard. Johanita's family are grateful to all who have helped them and they are overwhelmed by what people have done. What strangers have done. Johanita is growing stronger every day. Her future looks bright. Johanita's family can now focus on the joy, with less need to worry. They dared to take her and her brothers to a nearby beach for the first time in years. The pictures of them in this video show them as they deserve to be, making memories instead of worrying. Anyone who wishes to help Johanita and her family can visit her fundraiser page at https://gofund.me/3a8e27b8. This miracle could not have been accomplished without generous support from AptPay, Aptcard, Centurion Capital, Charminar Indian Cuisine, Lamborghini Calgary, Lamborghini Vancouver, Mid East Pharmaceutical, Grand Touring Automobiles, Genesis Appraisals, Posner Metals, Paul Motor Leasing, Empire Capital, HMA Auto Sales, Maurizio Mascioli, Vishnu and Leora. To save a child across the ocean, it all started with just one call.

Johanita is a beautiful five year old child who is meeting llamas for the first time in her life. She is feeding them some salt from her hand and the experience makes her laugh with extreme joy. Whether it is the feel of them tickling her hand or the delight at the interaction with these large creatures is hard to know, but Johanita is loving every minute of this. Johanita has not had as much experience with animals or nature as many children her age. She has been battling a brain tumour and much of her time since the age of 18 months has been spent either in hospital, or at home recovery from the numerous surgeries and treatments that she has gone through. But all of this is behind her now and she is healthy and growing stronger each day. Her family has taken her on an excursion to an archeological site in Ecuador that features beautiful scenery and fascinating history, but for Johanita, the highlight was the opportunity to interact with a herd of more than 100 gigantic and wooly animals. The people who run this interactive site provide a few salt packages to guests who would like to meet the animals up close. The llamas know the routine and they come running across the grass when they see a group of friendly guests. The llamas crowded around Johanita, eager to get their share and she quickly caught on that an outstretched hand would draw them right up to her. Fearless and enthusiastic, this young girl is truly experiencing the joy of life for the first time in her young life. She has some catching up to do and her family is working hard to provide their daughter with every opportunity. For Johanitaès parents and brothers, the highlight of their day was hearing the beautiful sound of her belly laughs as she throws her head back with sheer joy and delight.

The waters surrounding the Galapagos Islands hold some of the most beautiful sights on the planet. Scuba divers venture here from all over the world to view magnificent creatures like gigantic eagle rays, hammerhead sharks and whale sharks. They enter the water in strong current and make a rapid descent to the bottom to grip the rocks and find a perch from which they can watch the most brilliant show in the world. Three strong ocean currents converge around the islands of Darwin and Wolf, causing an upwelling of plankton, nutrients and food that bring small fish, which attract larger fish. The waters are abundantly rich with life and diversity. These spotted eagle rays are magnificent creatures with surprisingly high intelligence. They have evolved an ability to detect the electrical impulses of their prey through thousands of nerve cells located in their wings and around their heads. They can also sense minute changes in water temperature and pressure. They are extremely capable hunters. Spotted eagle rays are unique in appearance and they are among the most graceful and beautiful of all the undersea animals. Their long whip tails possess a barb with powerful venom that acts as a very effective means of defense. Capable of inflicting serious, even fatal wounds on large predators, they are usually avoided by all animals except large sharks. This scuba diver was hanging onto a rock in the strong current off Darwin Island when the two eagle rays appeared and swam casually past him, almost within arm's reach. They fought the current, making slow progress creating a prolonged and memorable experience for the lucky divers in this group.

The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most breath taking sights on the planet, both above the waves and beneath them. For scuba divers, this is a paradise that is experienced by only the lucky few. Remote and seemingly hostile, these islands are not easy to get to and they are filled with unique and strange animals for the same reason. This scuba diver has ventured to the remote waters of Wolf Island and he has just begun to surface after a dive with hundreds of hammerhead sharks and beautiful fish. As he waits for 3 minutes at a depth of 6m, the buildup of dangerous nitrogen gas in his blood will decrease. Rushing to the surface can have disastrous and long term effects for scuba divers. As he waits patiently, this diver is greeted by a magnificent sight. He has surfaced right in the path of a gigantic school of dolphins that are circling the island. They are playful and curious as they swim past closely, some of them returning for a second look at the clumsy human in the water. Dolphins are graceful and beautiful as they arc and change direction quickly. They dart to the surface to breathe and then they dive deeper, sometimes in groups of three or four that are obviously interested in staying close together. Divers may go their whole lives without seeing a dolphin close up. For many, an experience like this one is a bucket list item and an ultimate thrill. To have this incredible interaction go on for several minutes was a dream come true for all of the divers in this area. Dolphins are highly intelligent and highly social animals. There is no question that when they look at you, they are fully taking everything that they see. It would be amazing to know what they are thinking when they encounter us as these one have.

A trailcam mounted in the woods of northern Ontario has captured footage that provides a close look at a very rare creature. So infrequent and beautiful, capturing images of a piebald white-tailed deer is often compared with photographing a unicorn. White-tailed deer are very common throughout North America and capturing video of them on a trailcam is not difficult to do. But nature enthusiasts and hunters alike might go their entire life without ever seeing a live one. Tom, an avid outdoorsman has been stashing cameras in the woods for several years. He has captured amazing footage of deer, bears, lynxes, foxes, wolves, and even eagles. Although he has heard of a few sightings of piebald deer and he once saw one himself from a distance, he has never found one making an appearance in the thousands of hours of recordings that he has made. Piebald colouring results from a genetic abnormality that exists in some mammals and even snakes. It's a recessive trait, meaning that it can only surface when both parents carry the gene. This is extremely rare, occurring in less than 2% of the deer population. Often compared with albinism, both appear to be similar in some respects, but the difference can be readily determined by looking at the eyes of the animal. Albino deer will have pink eyes, pink noses, and pink hooves. They also have poor eyesight. Piebald deer will have brown eyes, brown noses, and brown hooves. Their visual capabilities are unaffected. Deformities in their organs and bone structure is also more common than in regularly pigmented animals. For this reason, piebald deer are less likely to survive to adulthood than other deer. Tom was shocked when he went through the footage on this occasion and he was thrilled to see such clear images of this fawn as it walked right past his camera. The trailcam is set to record intermittently and the footage that came before this video was also very fascinating. A doe with a pair of fawns makes an appearance a few seconds earlier. The doe appears to be in the company of three fawns. With no other deer in sight on this occasion, it is believed that this beautiful animal has triplets. This is quite rare among white-tailed deer. Twins are common enough, but for a doe to have triplets, the habitat and food availability must be ideal. Even with perfect conditions, a doe will bear a third fawn only 15 to 20% of the time. The odds of having a camera in the right place at the right time to capture close up video of a piebald fawn in a set of triplets is astronomical. In fact, photographs and video of such an occurrence is almost unheard of. Tom cannot believe his good fortune and he has shared the footage with his friends. He will continue to explore these woods and video the trails in an effort to capture more images of this beautiful deer.

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.

Dave, from Canada was more than bold about his ghost pepper tolerance. He was absolutely cocky. His wife grew a patch of various hot peppers and he decided to challenge everyone he knew to an eating contest. The idea was to create some hype and stage an event that raised money for a local charity. He issued a challenge to all of his friends and a few took him up on his bold, and exaggerated claim that he held the word's ghost pepper title belt. But since the world was now using Zoom, Dave decided that he could take on the entire internet. He put forth a statement on social media that he was the world ghost pepper champion and that he was unbeatable. Anyone, anywhere in the world was invited, no, DARED to compete over a Zoom call. This might be the world's first virtual ghost pepper challenge. Seltun is from India and he responded through Facebook that he was more than up for the contest. Dave decided to interview Seltun to gauge his suitabilty. Seltun said that he eats ghost peppers for breakfast and he grows them in his garden. This was exactly what Dave was looking for, or so he thought! Dave explained that this virtual version of the stunt was actually going to generate views and hopefully money to be used for a good cause. Because Seltun is from India, it seems appropriate that a cause in his country would benefit. Seltun and Dave agreed to assist an elephant sanctuary in India called Wildlife S.O.S. Seltun was offered half, with Dave donating his half to the sanctuary that he has visited and loves so much. With a chuckle, Seltun answered that he did not want any of the money. He simply wanted the title and he wanted to see Dave suffer. Seltun knew that Dave had grown too bold and that he needed a lesson. Seltun was happy to donate his share as well. Dave and Seltun squared off over Zoom with each one eating a whole raw ghost pepper They had milk and water at the ready. The winner would be the one who did not ring the bell and tap out first. Seltun provided the lesson that Dave desperately needed and he also offered Dave some tips on how to do better next time. Seltun employed a mind over matter/concentration approach that worked well. Dave simply had no strategy except to eat and cry. The result will have you laughing and maybe even crying yourself. Any shares of this video will benefit wildlifesos.org, an amazing animal sanctuary for elephants and sloth bears in Agra, India. Dave visited this haven in 2020 and he was touched by the great work that goes on there for these deserving creatures.

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.