Science, Nature & Conservation

[CoyoteChris]

this is not a scientific post

but this summer has been crazy in Montreal.

Heat waves.
Bad air quality from the forest fires up north.
Not very much rain, but when it did fall, it was so intense that apartments and even roads were completely flooded.

For the firs time ever, some of the plants I use in my garden just burned from the sun.

I am now growing lemons on my balcony.... (of course, they will come inside soon)

Oddest summer ever in Spokane. No paper wasps. No Yellowjackets. 3 inches behind on rain. Hot. Trees are dieing at a very fast rate. I have taken down 15 so far this year.....

 

[CoyoteChris]

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Google >>>
There are eight species of pangolins, which are mammals known for their unique, scale-covered bodies. Four of these species are found in Asia, and four are found in Africa. All eight species are facing threats from illegal wildlife trade.
>>>

Yeah, pretty depressing, but its not only pangolins. I started birding over 50 years ago. Now one third of North America birds are gone....Rain forests from Indonesia to Brazil are being burned to grow crops. 1/2 of North American corn goes to ethanaol. You an imagine the herbicides and insecticides and fuels and power it takes to grow and convert corn to a fuel. Yet no one wants a inflation adjusted gas tax. Europe is smart to charge something like the true social cost of Gasoline.

 

[CoyoteChris]

The price of people making too much carbon. Good special on CBS Sunday Morning on a father and daughter studying how WA state glaciers have disappeared over 40 years, just like those in Europe and Montana and Alaska. My trees are dieing due to the drought. No water means no sap. No sap means the trees cant surround the bark beattles and they kill the trees. I have 10 on the ground. First you cut them down, then shread the branches in the chipper. Then you stack the wood.

 

[CoyoteChris]

You can see the effect all around the world.

Capturing the melting of glaciers, with data and art

For more than 40 years, glaciologist Mauri Pelto has been measuring shrinking glaciers in Washington State. He's been joined by his daughter, artist-scientist Jill Pelto, whose watercolors provide another view of the drastically-changing landscape.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[elbkup]

May 15, 2025
CBC
Tourists watch as Argentinian glacier calves in front of their eyes..

https://www.cbc.ca/news/climate/argentina-glacier-1.7535766

Needs to be shared to be believed. In general people are cryptic, cynical; “ it will take so many years for the polar ice caps to melt.. who cares”.

 

[elbkup]

The price of people making too much carbon. Good special on CBS Sunday Morning on a father and daughter studying how WA state glaciers have disappeared over 40 years, just like those in Europe and Montana and Alaska. My trees are dieing due to the drought. No water means no sap. No sap means the trees cant surround the bark beattles and they kill the trees. I have 10 on the ground. First you cut them down, then shread the branches in the chipper. Then you stack the wood.

This is a tragedy ..
we on the east coast had a lot of rain spring into summer carrying us through the drier late summer and we thank God for it. (But half of us don’t believe in climate change right?!) Raining today and cool, delightful change)

 

[VickB]

When I was a little boy I was a fan of the Oryx, oh my God.


Oryx as a large antelope species characterized by its long, straight horns and habitat in the arid regions of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The name "oryx" originates from the Greek word for "pickaxe," referring to the shape of its horns, and is scientifically classified with the Greek word for "gazelle or antelope". Scientific studies have detailed the oryx's DNA, its critical role in desert ecosystems, and successful reintroduction efforts, which have seen the species move from "Extinct in the Wild" to "Endangered" and then "Vulnerable" thanks to dedicated conservation programs.

Governmental and Local Support
Government support in countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE has been crucial.
Efforts to regreen desert areas and protect habitats, such as in AlUla, have been vital in making the environment suitable for the oryx.
AlUla is protected through the work of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), which is restoring its ecosystem by creating nature reserves, planting trees, and reintroducing native species like the Arabian leopard and gazelles. The RCU partners with organizations like the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to provide scientific expertise and develop strategies for sustainable development, community involvement, and ecosystem protection within the region's distinct natural and cultural heritage.

Wildlife Art by Roger Hall

There are four species of oryx living in Africa and the middle east. They are large antelopes with long, spear-like horns — with the Gemsbok (Oryx gazella) being the largest. One subspecies exists -...

www.facebook.com

Source Nat Geo Wild - Wild Arabia S1 E 2

Source Google research

 

[CoyoteChris]

This is a tragedy ..
we on the east coast had a lot of rain spring into summer carrying us through the drier late summer and we thank God for it. (But half of us don’t believe in climate change right?!) Raining today and cool, delightful change)

You are blessed with rain...we only have record heat. The earth is having the hottest year, I am told, in 120,000 years. I dont know if that is true but climate change...rather sudden, dramatic short term climate change is a fact, no matter what causes it. We seldom had fire season like we now have. There is a free app for people in fire country called "Watch Duty" , you pinch and spread to the fire you are interested in, tap the fire, and all sorts of good information comes up about its history....evacuation centers, containment, etc.

 

[CoyoteChris]

Spent the weekend at the Helena fair grounds. Watched 5 big air tankers make 6-9 runs a day to the Windy Rock fire 50 miles west of Helena (3000 acres) The biggest, a super three engined tanker made from an old DC10, cost $22,000 an hour to fly plus $68,000 a retardant drop (2020 prices) Climate change is expensive in many ways....the cost of fighting the fires as well as the damage of putting all that stored carbon into the atmosphere. I thin my trees and chip the branches, ...If one old man can take care of 15 acres, why cant we manage our forests better? I have no answers.

 

[elbkup]

You are blessed with rain...we only have record heat. The earth is having the hottest year, I am told, in 120,000 years. I dont know if that is true but climate change...rather sudden, dramatic short term climate change is a fact, no matter what causes it. We seldom had fire season like we now have. There is a free app for people in fire country called "Watch Duty" , you pinch and spread to the fire you are interested in, tap the fire, and all sorts of good information comes up about its history....evacuation centers, containment, etc.

I have a first cousin who lives near Mason County Washington State .. (someone I have never met but connected when our DNA paths crossed!). I follow her FB account. I believe she is close to Cushman Ridge/Lake region; her August 1st post outlined evacuations but the fire turned I think. She seems OK now.. will text her

 

[elbkup]

When I was a little boy I was a fan of the Oryx, oh my God.


Oryx as a large antelope species characterized by its long, straight horns and habitat in the arid regions of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The name "oryx" originates from the Greek word for "pickaxe," referring to the shape of its horns, and is scientifically classified with the Greek word for "gazelle or antelope". Scientific studies have detailed the oryx's DNA, its critical role in desert ecosystems, and successful reintroduction efforts, which have seen the species move from "Extinct in the Wild" to "Endangered" and then "Vulnerable" thanks to dedicated conservation programs.

Governmental and Local Support
Government support in countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE has been crucial.
Efforts to regreen desert areas and protect habitats, such as in AlUla, have been vital in making the environment suitable for the oryx.
AlUla is protected through the work of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), which is restoring its ecosystem by creating nature reserves, planting trees, and reintroducing native species like the Arabian leopard and gazelles. The RCU partners with organizations like the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to provide scientific expertise and develop strategies for sustainable development, community involvement, and ecosystem protection within the region's distinct natural and cultural heritage.

Wildlife Art by Roger Hall

There are four species of oryx living in Africa and the middle east. They are large antelopes with long, spear-like horns — with the Gemsbok (Oryx gazella) being the largest. One subspecies exists -...

www.facebook.com

Source Nat Geo Wild - Wild Arabia S1 E 2

Source Google research

Beautiful animals.. in NE Connecticut “quiet corner” I see a lot of deer.. they do some funny weird things.

 

[TallyT]

Thanks to figure skating, @DizzyFrenchie and this twitter post. I have discovered something I never in all my years even knew about... white or ghost rainbows, simply magical. It is a wonderful feeling that there are still beautiful things in nature that I will learn about.

 

[elbkup]

Robert Redford as The Redwood

16K views · 673 reactions | This week, this world lost not only a Hollywood legend, but also a champion for nature and our planet. All at Conservation International mourn the passing of Robert Redford. | Conservation International

This week, this world lost not only a Hollywood legend, but also a champion for nature and our planet. All at Conservation International mourn the passing of Robert Redford..

www.facebook.com

 

[elbkup]

RIP Great Lady

Jane Goodall, famed primatologist and conservationist, dies at 91

Jane Goodall, the most prolific primatologist of a generation, has died. She was 91 years old.

abcnews.go.com

 

[VickB]

Jane Goodall is a renowned ethologist and conservationist whose work is rooted in science, with groundbreaking research on chimpanzees, and a strong commitment to nature and conservation through the Jane Goodall Institute. Her legacy extends beyond scientific data, as she advocates for environmental crises by connecting with people and promoting hope and individual action to protect the natural world and its inhabitants.


Thank You Jane


https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-jane-goodall-remembrances-globe-readers/


https://people.com/jane-goodall-dies-at-91-while-on-speaking-tour-7502634

 

[elbkup]

Tonight November 6 2025
the first and largest of the super moons of the season - the Beaver Moon - has entered the first day of its waning Gibbous phase made special by its conjunction with the Pleiades or Seven Sisters. Here in Connecticut I had to walk in darkness to my property line because the huge old maple tree blocked my view but it was there and wonderful! Gives one such a feeling of complete satisfaction. My photographic skills are no match but I found a view that is similar to what I saw..

EDT to add we can expect another conjunction in the December 31 night sky, hopefully clear for viewing

Edit 12/31/25 8 pm: Two photos this evening of the waxing moon
with the moisture ring… Pleiades are to the left behind the tree branches, Dippers and Polaris to the right, all faint but visible to the eye; tho my phone was not adept enough to capture the stars.. it was enough to see them. Who says magic doesn’t exist?

 

[VickB]

While no brand-new whale species were announced in late 2025, scientists made huge strides in identifying the elusive Ginkgo-toothed beaked whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens), photographing it alive at sea for the first time off Mexico in November 2025, confirming its presence in North American waters after years of only finding dead ones. Also, an ancient whale fossil, Janjucetus dullardi, was named in Australia in August 2025, expanding our knowledge of prehistoric whales.

Mysterious Ginkgo-toothed Beaked Whale documented alive for first time

For the first time, scientists have photographed and genetically confirmed live Ginkgo-toothed Beaked Whales – a species previously known only from stranded animals – showing just how little we knew about one of the ocean's most cryptic large mammals.

www.birdguides.com

Yes, Canada and the world are actively trying to save the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale (NARW), focusing on reducing human-caused deaths from ship strikes and fishing gear entanglements, with Canada implementing strict measures like vessel slowdowns and fishing closures, while scientists and groups push for permanent, collaborative solutions like ropeless fishing gear to help the population of ~340 individuals recover.

Key Threats

Ship Collisions: Whales are hit by large vessels in high-traffic areas like the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Fishing Gear Entanglement: Ropes from fishing gear wrap around whales, causing injury, infection, and drowning.

Canada's Actions

Vessel Management: Mandatory slowdown zones and dynamic management areas (DMAs) based on whale sightings.

Fishery Regulations: Earlier fishing season starts and closures when whales are detected.

Surveillance: Extensive aerial and acoustic monitoring using aircraft, gliders, and buoys.

Collaboration: Working with U.S. partners, industry, Indigenous communities, and NGOs.

International & Collaborative Efforts

U.S. Involvement: Joint efforts with the U.S. to manage threats across borders.

Technological Innovation: Developing and testing ropeless fishing gear to eliminate entanglement risks.

Advocacy: Groups like Oceana campaign for stronger, permanent measures, noting no known deaths in Canadian waters since enhanced measures began in 2020-2021.

The Goal

To increase the population of North Atlantic right whales, of which only about 340 remain, with fewer than 70 being breeding females, giving them a real chance at survival and recovery.

North Atlantic Right Whale: Road To Recovery | NOAA Fisheries

www.fisheries.noaa.gov

 

[CoyoteChris]

I was personally saddened by the loss of Brigitte Bardot. Back when I was into activism, I was never one to admire her movies...but I heard about her environmental activism, the money and time she put in, and the awards she won. Bardot was a member of the Global 500 Roll of Honour of the United Nations Environment Programme and received several awards and accolades from UNESCO and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

 

[CoyoteChris]

Adding to my post #21, the Queen of Bhutan has just been awarded an honorary degree in environmentalism for all her work but especially saving Asian Tiger habitat.

I am sure she is passing on her values to her daughter.

Bhutan's Queen Jetsun Pema recently received an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology and Anthropology from Chulalongkorn University in Thailand Chulalongkorn University in Thailand on December 22, 2025, recognizing her significant contributions to social well-being, environmental conservation, public health, and inclusion, alongside her husband, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who received a degree in International Development.

 

[elbkup]

Woke up early this morning to catch the lunar eclipse and was not disappointed. Wish I had decent photos to share but alas my only iPhone camera was not up to the task. Slowly the moon disappeared behind a blood red disc as it sank below the horizon just before totality.. an awesome sight that gave me shivers thinking how such events were regarded in antiquity. I was able to watch from inside a warm house as it could be seen from my west facing front doorway. Commuters traveling the road at that early hour whizzed by seemingly unaware..