Category Archives: animals

The Great White Sharks are Still Here

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Great White Sharks Hang out off Cape Cod

Great white shark swimmingThe sharks of Cape Cod aren’t leaving anytime soon. Our vacations may be over but according to Dr Greg Skomal of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy August and September are active months for our Great Whites.

 It’s been A busy August

With a cool spring Shark season took its time ramping up but August was a busy month.

  • July 31: A Great White tried to snack on one of the research cameras.
  • On August 10: Chatham beach goers watch a real life “Jaws” as a Great White chomped a seal in half in clear view of the beaches.
  • August 11: Whale Watchers spotted 2 Great Whites feasting on a dead minke whale
  • August 12 : A fisherman had his catch stolen by a shark. The video became an internet sensation 
  • August 21 A Shark enjoyed a seal lunch as beach goes looked on
  • August 24 A shark tasted a paddle board off Marconi Beach.

Great White Shark

Staying Safe with Great White Sharks

There are a few things you can do to stay safe with these apex predators in the water. 

  1. Avoid swimming with the seals
  2. Swim or surf in groups
  3. Stay in Shallow water
  4. Don’t wear shiny jewelry

Great White SharkSurvey Says…..

The good news is that even with this shark activity the beach going public remains fascinated by the sharks. The Polls and surveys show that public opinion is against the politician’s ill advised suggestion that the sharks be culled. According to Chatham natives, at least some of the beaches may be monitored by balloons equipped with cameras to provide an early warning system.

 2 More Months

If the past is any indication we’re looking at 2 more months of Great White activity. The season winds down off Cape Cod at the end of October. I guess the Great Whites don’t like our winter weather any more than I do.

White Shark

 

 

 

 

 

Great Whites Prowl the Coast of Cape Cod

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Cape Cod Paddle boarder attacked!

Shark bite in paddelbaord

082317- Paddleboard bitten by shark off Marconi Beach in Wellfleet, MA. (Cape Cod National Seashore photo)

That’s a juicy headline for Cape Cod. And not just on the cape. It made the headlines on all the local Boston stations too. The attack was in 3 ft of water off Marconi Beach, Wellfleet, Ma.

 

 

 

Where are all the Sharks?

Sharks have always been summer visitors to the Cape. But now that the seal population has exploded more and more sharks are here. So why do we have so many seals? In 1972 the Marine Mammal Protection Act made it illegal to harm or harass these animals. Great White sharks help keep the seal populations in check. Believe it or not, we need more white sharks to balance out  the seals.

Swimmers and boaters should understand that sharing the water with great whites means sharing the beaches and land with fewer seals. Check out this map of sightings, tagings and pings!  http://www.capecodtimes.com/great-white-sharks-map

Cape Cod Officials want to Kill Great Whites

Is it JAWS all over again? In 1975 we were all afraid to go in the water when Steven Spielberg turned Peter Benchley’s book into a big screen success. It was set on Martha’s Vineyard. Now in a twist of life imitating  art we have Great Whites paroling our coast. Once again our local officials want to wage war on these magnificent creatures. Why do we think we have the right to kill off any animal that interferes with humans? These Great Whites are just doing their own thing acting as apex predators. That’s what they are supposed to do.

Killing Sharks is not the answerGreat white shark swimming

Why do we humans feel we have the right to kill off the predators. I don’t want anyone hurt but why is the ocean any different than bears in the forest? Do you let your child wander alone in grizzly country? Sharks are hunting for food. When humans go hunting most often it is for sport. What if the animals we hunt could decide to kill us because we are a threat?

What do you think?

Should we hunt down the Great White Sharks of Cape Cod? Yes or No?

Please share this post to raise awareness. Thank you

Exotic Animal Sanctuary Right Here In Massachusetts!

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Welcome to Animal Adventuresfluffy bunny

The sun came out after all so I was off to check out Animal Adventures. It was really easy to find and only an hour drive. Once you take the exit off 495 you’re practically there. I was anxious to see what they consider exotic as far as animals are concerned.  The parking is minimal and cars lined the street when I arrived. I didn’t expect such a crowd.

First Impressions are important.

Ham Solo the Pot Bellied Pig

Ham Solo

It was a little after 1 pm when I arrived. As I approached the entrance I saw a well built play castle that young children were climbing on. A staff member greeted me and pointed me to the entrance where I could buy my ticket and get an arm band. I passed a pot bellied pig named Ham Solo. He made me think of my friend’s little pig. Those tails never stop wagging!

There was a presentation going on in the next room. It looked like a full house. So far the staff I was meeting were all very warm and friendly. I decided to explore the grounds first and catch the next show at 3:30.

Eurasian OwlWhere do they get all these animals?

As I wandered from cage to cage I felt very bad for some of the animals. The cages were clean but in many cases small and dark. The animals seemed to be well cared for if a bit cramped. They have some really interesting creatures. There are a pair of Eurasian owls, a red fox and a white fox. I don’t think it was an albino because it’s eyes didn’t look pink.Red Fox

 

 

 

 

 

A gorgeous serval  cat had it’s own couch to lounge on.There were bunnies and alligators, an arctic fox. (It looked like a mini gray wolf), a  bobcat, goats, a pony and monkey. (Deep breath) A turkey, a tortoise, some chinchilla’s, hamsters and more. There were snakes and reptiles for the folks that love those scaly creatures . I guess you could say something for everyone. And you know what, all of these animals are abandoned. They come from Zoos, private owners, shelters and breeders. These poor animals don’t know what it is to be wild. They are totally dependent on humans for survival.

I think the staff truly love and care about the animals and try their best. But it’s still sad.

Leopard

Its a Beautiful Day on Stellwagan Banks

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Sun, Seas and Stellwagan BanksWhale Tail

Taking advantage of  a beautiful day I climbed aboard another Captain John Boats Whale Watching Tour to Stellwagan bank. I’ve had a tough time seeing Breaching whales when I’ve gone out. They seem to come around  on every trip except the one I’m on! Very frustrating! The trips have been good. There are whales every time but not doing really exciting behaviors.

View from the BowWhere to ride? Top deck or bottom?

I’ve been riding the top deck thinking I’d get a better angle for my photos. The problem is that if I’m on the right, the whales are on the left. Ugh! It’s just the luck of the draw. Usually when the whales show up on one side, everyone runs across to that side of the boat. I’ve stopped doing that. But today I think I have a solution.

I’m King of the World

I grabbed the middle seat in the front row on deck one. This is right at the bow. I can run out to the tip of the bow and watch the whales on the right, left and front. About the only view I don’t have here is off the stern. I made myself comfortable for the hour and a half ride to Stellwagan Bank National Marine Sanctuary,

 Gurnet Light

WOW A 10- Plus Plus Plus tripWhales slpashing a boat

The first whales we found were doing “close ups” for another Whale Watching ship. There were a lot of small fishing boats in the area too. As we approached a whale did a full body breach right next to us. Of course I missed it.  I only saw the splash. The next breach practically landed on one of the fishing boats. There were flipper slaps and tail breaches and multiple body breaches! It was during all this activity that I managed to catch a full body breach. We’d only just begun and the trip was already a winner.

 

Breaching Whale

A Disappointing Truth

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Egret with a hot dog

Hungry Egret with Hot Dog, Gatorland, Orlando FL

Sometimes the Truth Hurts

When I learned this secret truth I felt so let down! As an amateur photographer my favorite subjects are animals. (They don’t complain about how they look.) I can spend hours pouring over books with animal photos. I love National Geographic shots. Although I know I will never be that good, I still use them for inspiration.

Nat Geo Photography Specials

Red Fox 2016

Red Fox , Audubon Sanctuary

I watch all of the Nat Geo specials especially the ones about how they got the shot. They always show the poor photographer trudging through the rain forest or freezing in the Arctic while they search for another iconic photograph worthy of a National Geographic publication. The photo magazines are full of trips and tours with (drum roll please) National Geographic Photographers! Take our trip and you too will learn to take worthy photographs.

 

 

White Tiger

White Tiger , Southwick Zoo

The Sad Truth about many animal photos

So it was a real let down when I spotted in the tiny print at the bottom of the credits a disclaimer. It said photo taken at XYZ Zoo! What!  Sure enough. Credits include zoos, sanctuaries, and preserves. Of course some are legitimate but far more than I expected are in controlled environments.

endangered gray wolfIf They Can so can I

With my new knowledge I looked into wolves. I’d love to get a great photo of a wolf. I’m sure that even if I go to Yellowstone any wolves will be too far away for a great photo. So my search began and I located the Lakota Wolf Preserve in New Jersey. I was so excited. This was a couple of years ago. They recommended a winter shoot when the fur is thick and photogenic. I immediately booked a shoot in February. It was snowed out. Then we got ice. In the end I didn’t get there but it’s on my bucket list.

Think Local

That’s why I was thrilled to hear about a wolf sanctuary right here in my homeWolves in winter state of Massachusetts. Located in Ipswich, MA I can’t wait to check it out. Its called Wolf Hollow and they have photo shoots too. You can be sure you’ll be hearing more about this place as soon as I can get a day to drive up there! Stay tuned.