Cape May Whale Watcher’s Post

This Pelican should be an interrogator for the Coast Guard lol. 😂 Here are a few interesting facts about pelicans that I didn't know: 🔥🔥🔥 1️⃣ Unique Feeding Method: Pelicans are known for their distinctive feeding technique. They use their large bills to scoop up fish, and some species can dive into the water to catch their prey. They often hunt in groups, coordinating their efforts to herd fish into shallow waters. 2️⃣ Gular Pouch: Pelicans have a large, flexible pouch under their bills called a gular pouch. This pouch can hold several gallons of water and helps them filter out fish while retaining the water. It’s a remarkable adaptation for their feeding style. 3️⃣ Social Birds: Pelicans are highly social and often found in large colonies. They nest in colonies and engage in communal activities, such as fishing and preening. Their social structure is crucial for successful hunting and raising their young. 4️⃣ Variety of Species: There are eight species of pelicans, each adapted to different environments. For example, the American white pelican primarily feeds by dipping its bill into the water, while the brown pelican is known for its spectacular diving technique. #Pelican #BirdWatching #WildlifePhotography #NatureLovers #avitrol #birdcontrol #pestcontrol #wildlife #birds

When you think of great swimmers in the animal kingdom, creatures like dolphins, otters, and fish likely come to mind. But what about land animals? You might be surprised to learn that some species we associate with solid ground are remarkably capable in the water. Whether it’s a matter of survival, exploration, or migration, these land-dwellers can dive, paddle, and even thrive in aquatic environments when necessary. Let’s explore some of the most unexpected swimmers among land animals. What’s your favorite unexpected swimmer? Let us know in the comments!

The Grind (or Grindadráp) is a traditional hunt targeting pilot whales 🐬 that takes place in the Faroe Islands 🇫🇴. It is a centuries-old practice where locals drive pods of pilot whales into shallow waters with boats 🚤. The pilot whales are then killed for their meat and blubber. Originating out of necessity when Norse people settled in the Faroe Islands during the Viking era. But The Grind continues today, and is highly controversial - with around 600-800 pilot whales killed per year. Pilot whales, although called whales, are actually oceanic dolphins. In more recent times, due to modern boats which are able to keep up with pods, other dolphins such as white-sided dolphin and occasionally bottlenose dolphins have also been targeted by the hunt. The largest mass killing of white-sided dolphin in the Faroe Islands was in 2021, when a total of 1,428 individuals were killed. It was the largest single cetacean hunt in recorded history 📝. This year, over 150 white-sided dolphins were killed in Skalafjord - according to Sea Shepherd. Share this post to raise awareness, and tune in as we share more information about the issues with The Grind & how you can help. ➡️ Follow The Marine Diaries for more ocean stories 🎥 Beautiful video of pilot whales by Andriana Fragola. #FaroeIslands #TheGrind #StopTheGrind #Dolphins #PilotWhales #WhiteSidedDolphins #BottlenoseDolphins #Faroese #Ocean #OceanScience #OceanConservation #SciComm #OceanStories #Storytelling

The red kite (Milvus milvus) is a medium-large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards, and harriers. The species currently breeds only in Europe

The red kite (Milvus milvus) is a medium-large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards, and harriers. The species currently breeds only in Europe

Hello friends family and acquaintances today is NATIONAL DAY OF THE HORSE - December 13! National Day of the Horse on December 13th encourages people of the United States to be mindful of the contribution of horses to the economy, history, and character of the United States. The domesticated horse we know today, also known as Equus caballus, was introduced into North America by Spanish explorers. Escaped horses eventually spread across the American Great Plains. Interestingly, there is a debate about the origin of E. caballus. Recent mitochondrial studies of an ancient horse called Equus lamei suggest that it is equivalent to the modern, domesticated horse. E. lamei once populated North America and died out more than 11,000 years ago. This could mean that E. caballus is technically a native species, and its evolutionary origin is North America. Aside from the anthropological debate, the horse has contributed significantly to the advancement of civilization in North America. Not only did the horse serve as vital transportation, but they cleared forests for farmland. They led the way westward and into battle, too. Horses diversified Native American hunting habits and defined the western cowboy. In North America, the legendary horse is embedded in our culture and runs deep into the roots of our history. As the country grew, our indebtedness to the horse grew, too. While few people see the horse as much more than a recreational animal today, they still serve on working ranches. As a therapy animal, horses relieve the symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and other disorders. Long past their age as a plow horse or part of the cavalry, they continue connecting to humans, and we continue to rely on them. #DayofTheHorse #dallasharristips

Remember the lovable Disney character, Dumbo the elephant, with his iconic oversized ears? Well, meet the real-life aquatic marvels that share his name! Dumbo octopuses gracefully glide through the ocean depths, their fins reminiscent of the beloved elephant's ears. Moving gracefully through the water, Dumbo octopuses employ their ear-like fins for propulsion while using their webbed arms for steering. They primarily prey on pelagic invertebrates that swim above the sea floor, displaying the prowess of foraging predators in their realm. Despite their unique adaptations, Dumbo octopuses are not exempt from predation. Their primary threats come from diving fishes and #marinemammals like tunas, sharks, and dolphins. However, their preference for extreme depths means they are rarely caught in fishing nets, sparing them from significant human impact. Follow us at Terracon Ecotech to explore the enchanting world of these fascinating creatures, where reality truly meets imagination. #DumboOctopus #OceanAdventures #NaturebasedSolutions #FactfulFriday

Looking for a truly unique underwater encounter? Let us introduce you to the dugong – one of the ocean’s most mysterious marine mammals. These gentle giants, often called “sea cows,” are some of the most fascinating creatures you can encounter underwater. Here are five incredible facts that will make you fall in love with these remarkable animals. https://lnkd.in/g9p8-neh

This remarkable shot of a flock as it swelled into an enormous bird-like murmuration What is a murmuration of starlings? Murmurations are huge groups of starlings that twist, turn, swoop and swirl across the sky in beautiful shape-shifting clouds. Just before dusk, small groups of starlings from the same area come together above a communal roosting site. The group grows ever larger, moving in unison in an aerial dance that casts gorgeous shapes against the waning daylight. Why do starling murmurations form? Starlings are known as ‘partial migrants’: birds that migrate in some places but not in others. Our own starlings tend to stay put while those from colder countries in eastern Europe head to our shores, swelling our numbers during autumn and winter to form seriously impressive flocks. Scientists believe that murmurations offer safety in numbers; protection from predators like peregrine falcons that are attracted by the sheer number of birds. After all, it can’t be easy to single out just one starling from a whirling group of hundreds or even thousands! Experts still aren’t completely sure how each starling knows which way to turn without bumping into the others.