Friday Night Nature Blogging July 14, 2006
Posted by dave128 in Melbourne, Nature, Photography.add a comment
I snapped this possum on our back fence. We’ve always heard the possums in our area scampering across our roof at night, but we’ve been actually been seeing them recently. I think it probably has something to do with the mass tree cutting that went on a few months ago.
A lovely day in Melbourne June 15, 2006
Posted by dave128 in Melbourne, Nature, Photography.1 comment so far
We had a delightful sunrise this morning. I had to take a photo.
After that the sky became rather overcast and we had a little light rain. Then it cleared to a beautiful blue sky and a rather warm morning (though there was a slight chill in the air).
Towards the late afternoon the sky filled with heavy, dark clouds. I love how the orange and deep red light of the sunset colours the trees, a beautiful sight accentuated by the gloomy sky behind.
Now at 7:30pm we are getting steady rain.
All in all a beautiful winter day in Melbourne.
Polar Bears turn to cannibalism June 15, 2006
Posted by dave128 in Global Warming, Nature, Science.add a comment
In a disturbing trend Polar Bears are killing and eating each other because of an increasing difficultly in obtaining their primary food source, say the authors of a new study. The bears use sea ice to hunt for their prey, ringed seals, however with polar ice decreasing the bears are finding it harder and harder to catch the seals. Out of hunger, it seems the bears are resorting to cannibalism.
Researchers say this is an effect of global warming, and have petitioned to have Polar Bears listed as an endangered species. In over two decades of study in the region of North Alaska, scientists have never witnessed Polar Bears killing each other for food.
I wonder if this news will have an impact on the average person in the street. Melting glaciers may not be the most exciting news piece to alarm the general public, but cute, lovable polar bears eating each other? That most certainly is not a Coke ad.
