|
||
|
Velella, a.k.a. the by-the-wind sailor, a.k.a. Velella velella. A tiny inflatable raft (it comes equipped with an internal chitinous air chamber) with a sail. Usually about 7 cm across — the smallest seaworthy vessel on the planet. A colonial hydrozoan. These little sailors are distant relatives . . . → Continue reading Tiny Sailboats of the Great Ocean
This creature is not rare but quite asocial, misanthropic, and hidden. It usually walks gloomily in shallow water looking for fish, frogs, and other delicatessen. Bittern prefers overgrown marshes, so to meet and especially to see a bittern is not easy. Before this time, I saw the . . . → Continue reading American bittern
More of winter. End of December on Long Beach, a really loooong beach near the Oregon border. . . . → Continue reading Long Beach and sandpipers
Rough-skinned is a name (quite descriptional, it definitely has rough skin), neurotoxic – physiological property (not a temper, as some may think). aka Taricha granulosa. . . . → Continue reading Rough-skinned neurotoxic newt
Cathedral Park. Ten years hence. Part One. Aka Lagopus leucura. The smallest ptarmigans. Already started to change colour for winter. Soon will be completely white, just right for snow. Now they are so similar in colour to rocks and grass, that can be seen only when . . . → Continue reading Cathedral Park. Ten years hence. White-tailed Ptarmigans
This March we sailed with friends in the Anacortes island region. It was a beautiful time, thanks, guys. We wanted to see whales, but they didn’t come, fortunately, we found a small island covered with with sea lions. The lions roared, smelled, and were completely perfect. The . . . → Continue reading Sea lions
The longest night of the year had just passed. Today is the shortest day. In several hours we will be in the closest to the Sun position. Because of this, it is so cold and dark. My household animal by all her body demonstrates what she thinks . . . → Continue reading Close to the Sun |
||
