Murky Mentalness: Deep Ocean Vents Just Got Deeper, And Hotter… Scientists working at the deep sea trench known as the Cayman Trough (near the Cayman islands in the Caribbean) have recently discovered a new group of vents which reading show are the deepest (at 4,968 metres - approximately 3 miles) and hottest (401 degrees celcius) to be found yet. The scientists are hoping the research they are conducting in this mysterious black-water-belching murkiness can help us better understand exactly how, and why life has come to exist in such extremely hostile environments. See some video footage and read more from BBC News’ David Shukman here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21520404
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Murky Mentalness: Deep Ocean Vents Just Got Deeper, And Hotter… Scientists working at the deep sea trench known as the Cayman Trough (near the Cayman islands in the Caribbean) have recently discovered a new group of vents which reading show are the deepest (at 4,968 metres - approximately 3 miles) and hottest (401 degrees celcius) to be found yet. The scientists are hoping the research they are conducting in this mysterious black-water-belching murkiness can help us better understand exactly how, and why life has come to exist in such extremely hostile environments. See some video footage and read more from BBC News’ David Shukman here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21520404
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Murky Mentalness: Deep Ocean Vents Just Got Deeper, And Hotter… Scientists working at the deep sea trench known as the Cayman Trough (near the Cayman islands in the Caribbean) have recently discovered a new group of vents which reading show are the deepest (at 4,968 metres - approximately 3 miles) and hottest (401 degrees celcius) to be found yet. The scientists are hoping the research they are conducting in this mysterious black-water-belching murkiness can help us better understand exactly how, and why life has come to exist in such extremely hostile environments. See some video footage and read more from BBC News’ David Shukman here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21520404
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Murky Mentalness: Deep Ocean Vents Just Got Deeper, And Hotter… Scientists working at the deep sea trench known as the Cayman Trough (near the Cayman islands in the Caribbean) have recently discovered a new group of vents which reading show are the deepest (at 4,968 metres - approximately 3 miles) and hottest (401 degrees celcius) to be found yet. The scientists are hoping the research they are conducting in this mysterious black-water-belching murkiness can help us better understand exactly how, and why life has come to exist in such extremely hostile environments. See some video footage and read more from BBC News’ David Shukman here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21520404
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Murky Mentalness: Deep Ocean Vents Just Got Deeper, And Hotter…

Scientists working at the deep sea trench known as the Cayman Trough (near the Cayman islands in the Caribbean) have recently discovered a new group of vents which reading show are the deepest (at 4,968 metres - approximately 3 miles) and hottest (401 degrees celcius) to be found yet. The scientists are hoping the research they are conducting in this mysterious black-water-belching murkiness can help us better understand exactly how, and why life has come to exist in such extremely hostile environments. See some video footage and read more from BBC News’ David Shukman here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21520404

Rainbow-eyed Surprise: Refraction Of Light Captures Third Prize Delight… This spectral spectacular (top photo), captured by American photographer Randall Benton, was awarded third prize recently in the Nature (singles) category of the 2013 World Press Photo contest. Although it looks like some weird demon-possessed other-worldly creature of the night, this prize pic shows nothing more sinister than a very-much-of-our-worldly trumpetfish of the Caribbean. The rainbow-eyed effect is the result of light bending as it passes through the eye of the fish which causes it to split into different wavelengths (ie, colours) - a phenomenon known as dispersion.  Trumpetfish (Aulostomus maculatus) are long thin fish who derive their name from their snouts, which look a bit like - you guessed it - a trumpet. Masters of disguise, trumpetfish can often be found hanging out around pipe sponges, sea fans and sea whips in a vertical, head down position which helps them to blend in with their surroundings as they wait for unsuspecting prey to pass by or indeed, try to avoid becoming prey themselves. They are also known to swim alongside the vertical lines of other fish while hunting. The trumpetfish’s mouth is able to stretch to a size equal to the diameter of its body and creates a vacuum which sucks up its prey (this is known as “pipette feeding”). Typically a mottled reddish-brown in colour, these fish can also change their colour to suit their surroundings, much like squid and octopus do. Changes in colouration are also observed during trumpetfish courtship rituals (known as “dances”. For a video complete with groovy guitar music, see here). As with their close relatives the seahorses, it is the male trumpetfish who carries most of the reproductive burden. Having received eggs from the female following a successful courtship (score!), he then fertilizes them and carries them in a special pouch until they are born. Haha, suckers… For more cool info on trumpetfish, check out here and here. For a picture of an actual demon-possessed creature, check here (but be warned, it will eat your soul!)
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Rainbow-eyed Surprise: Refraction Of Light Captures Third Prize Delight… This spectral spectacular (top photo), captured by American photographer Randall Benton, was awarded third prize recently in the Nature (singles) category of the 2013 World Press Photo contest. Although it looks like some weird demon-possessed other-worldly creature of the night, this prize pic shows nothing more sinister than a very-much-of-our-worldly trumpetfish of the Caribbean. The rainbow-eyed effect is the result of light bending as it passes through the eye of the fish which causes it to split into different wavelengths (ie, colours) - a phenomenon known as dispersion.  Trumpetfish (Aulostomus maculatus) are long thin fish who derive their name from their snouts, which look a bit like - you guessed it - a trumpet. Masters of disguise, trumpetfish can often be found hanging out around pipe sponges, sea fans and sea whips in a vertical, head down position which helps them to blend in with their surroundings as they wait for unsuspecting prey to pass by or indeed, try to avoid becoming prey themselves. They are also known to swim alongside the vertical lines of other fish while hunting. The trumpetfish’s mouth is able to stretch to a size equal to the diameter of its body and creates a vacuum which sucks up its prey (this is known as “pipette feeding”). Typically a mottled reddish-brown in colour, these fish can also change their colour to suit their surroundings, much like squid and octopus do. Changes in colouration are also observed during trumpetfish courtship rituals (known as “dances”. For a video complete with groovy guitar music, see here). As with their close relatives the seahorses, it is the male trumpetfish who carries most of the reproductive burden. Having received eggs from the female following a successful courtship (score!), he then fertilizes them and carries them in a special pouch until they are born. Haha, suckers… For more cool info on trumpetfish, check out here and here. For a picture of an actual demon-possessed creature, check here (but be warned, it will eat your soul!)
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Rainbow-eyed Surprise: Refraction Of Light Captures Third Prize Delight… This spectral spectacular (top photo), captured by American photographer Randall Benton, was awarded third prize recently in the Nature (singles) category of the 2013 World Press Photo contest. Although it looks like some weird demon-possessed other-worldly creature of the night, this prize pic shows nothing more sinister than a very-much-of-our-worldly trumpetfish of the Caribbean. The rainbow-eyed effect is the result of light bending as it passes through the eye of the fish which causes it to split into different wavelengths (ie, colours) - a phenomenon known as dispersion.  Trumpetfish (Aulostomus maculatus) are long thin fish who derive their name from their snouts, which look a bit like - you guessed it - a trumpet. Masters of disguise, trumpetfish can often be found hanging out around pipe sponges, sea fans and sea whips in a vertical, head down position which helps them to blend in with their surroundings as they wait for unsuspecting prey to pass by or indeed, try to avoid becoming prey themselves. They are also known to swim alongside the vertical lines of other fish while hunting. The trumpetfish’s mouth is able to stretch to a size equal to the diameter of its body and creates a vacuum which sucks up its prey (this is known as “pipette feeding”). Typically a mottled reddish-brown in colour, these fish can also change their colour to suit their surroundings, much like squid and octopus do. Changes in colouration are also observed during trumpetfish courtship rituals (known as “dances”. For a video complete with groovy guitar music, see here). As with their close relatives the seahorses, it is the male trumpetfish who carries most of the reproductive burden. Having received eggs from the female following a successful courtship (score!), he then fertilizes them and carries them in a special pouch until they are born. Haha, suckers… For more cool info on trumpetfish, check out here and here. For a picture of an actual demon-possessed creature, check here (but be warned, it will eat your soul!)
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Rainbow-eyed Surprise: Refraction Of Light Captures Third Prize Delight… This spectral spectacular (top photo), captured by American photographer Randall Benton, was awarded third prize recently in the Nature (singles) category of the 2013 World Press Photo contest. Although it looks like some weird demon-possessed other-worldly creature of the night, this prize pic shows nothing more sinister than a very-much-of-our-worldly trumpetfish of the Caribbean. The rainbow-eyed effect is the result of light bending as it passes through the eye of the fish which causes it to split into different wavelengths (ie, colours) - a phenomenon known as dispersion.  Trumpetfish (Aulostomus maculatus) are long thin fish who derive their name from their snouts, which look a bit like - you guessed it - a trumpet. Masters of disguise, trumpetfish can often be found hanging out around pipe sponges, sea fans and sea whips in a vertical, head down position which helps them to blend in with their surroundings as they wait for unsuspecting prey to pass by or indeed, try to avoid becoming prey themselves. They are also known to swim alongside the vertical lines of other fish while hunting. The trumpetfish’s mouth is able to stretch to a size equal to the diameter of its body and creates a vacuum which sucks up its prey (this is known as “pipette feeding”). Typically a mottled reddish-brown in colour, these fish can also change their colour to suit their surroundings, much like squid and octopus do. Changes in colouration are also observed during trumpetfish courtship rituals (known as “dances”. For a video complete with groovy guitar music, see here). As with their close relatives the seahorses, it is the male trumpetfish who carries most of the reproductive burden. Having received eggs from the female following a successful courtship (score!), he then fertilizes them and carries them in a special pouch until they are born. Haha, suckers… For more cool info on trumpetfish, check out here and here. For a picture of an actual demon-possessed creature, check here (but be warned, it will eat your soul!)
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Rainbow-eyed Surprise: Refraction Of Light Captures Third Prize Delight…

This spectral spectacular (top photo), captured by American photographer Randall Benton, was awarded third prize recently in the Nature (singles) category of the 2013 World Press Photo contest. Although it looks like some weird demon-possessed other-worldly creature of the night, this prize pic shows nothing more sinister than a very-much-of-our-worldly trumpetfish of the Caribbean. The rainbow-eyed effect is the result of light bending as it passes through the eye of the fish which causes it to split into different wavelengths (ie, colours) - a phenomenon known as dispersion. 

Trumpetfish (Aulostomus maculatus) are long thin fish who derive their name from their snouts, which look a bit like - you guessed it - a trumpet. Masters of disguise, trumpetfish can often be found hanging out around pipe sponges, sea fans and sea whips in a vertical, head down position which helps them to blend in with their surroundings as they wait for unsuspecting prey to pass by or indeed, try to avoid becoming prey themselves. They are also known to swim alongside the vertical lines of other fish while hunting. The trumpetfish’s mouth is able to stretch to a size equal to the diameter of its body and creates a vacuum which sucks up its prey (this is known as “pipette feeding”). Typically a mottled reddish-brown in colour, these fish can also change their colour to suit their surroundings, much like squid and octopus do.

Changes in colouration are also observed during trumpetfish courtship rituals (known as “dances”. For a video complete with groovy guitar music, see here). As with their close relatives the seahorses, it is the male trumpetfish who carries most of the reproductive burden. Having received eggs from the female following a successful courtship (score!), he then fertilizes them and carries them in a special pouch until they are born. Haha, suckers…

  • For more cool info on trumpetfish, check out here and here.
  • For a picture of an actual demon-possessed creature, check here (but be warned, it will eat your soul!)
Blue Whale Scale: Getting Into The Heart Of The Matter… If you happened to catch the neat infographic on animal hearts posted by the National Wildlife Federation earlier, then you’ll now know that a Blue Whale heart is, incredibly, as big as a small car (If you didn’t see the infographic, then guess what?; a Blue Whale heart is as big as a small car). Amazeballs. And just as neat and amazebally is this model of said heart constructed by the New Zealand company Human Dynamo Workshop.Originally commissioned for The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the model impressed curators at the LWL Museum of Natural History in Munster, Germany, so much that they ordered one for themselves. The model was designed to be crawled through and contains an integrated sound system which enables arterial-explorers to hear and feel the whale’s heartbeat. Groovy! The model is currently on display at the “Whales - Giants of the Ocean” exhibition at the LWL Museum until the 11th of March, 2013. So what are you waiting for, get booking your flights to Deutschland pronto! Or, if you’re a tad bit totally-completely-and-utterly-wayyy-too-broke for that (like me!), you can just read more about the model here.
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Blue Whale Scale: Getting Into The Heart Of The Matter… If you happened to catch the neat infographic on animal hearts posted by the National Wildlife Federation earlier, then you’ll now know that a Blue Whale heart is, incredibly, as big as a small car (If you didn’t see the infographic, then guess what?; a Blue Whale heart is as big as a small car). Amazeballs. And just as neat and amazebally is this model of said heart constructed by the New Zealand company Human Dynamo Workshop.Originally commissioned for The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the model impressed curators at the LWL Museum of Natural History in Munster, Germany, so much that they ordered one for themselves. The model was designed to be crawled through and contains an integrated sound system which enables arterial-explorers to hear and feel the whale’s heartbeat. Groovy! The model is currently on display at the “Whales - Giants of the Ocean” exhibition at the LWL Museum until the 11th of March, 2013. So what are you waiting for, get booking your flights to Deutschland pronto! Or, if you’re a tad bit totally-completely-and-utterly-wayyy-too-broke for that (like me!), you can just read more about the model here.
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Blue Whale Scale: Getting Into The Heart Of The Matter… If you happened to catch the neat infographic on animal hearts posted by the National Wildlife Federation earlier, then you’ll now know that a Blue Whale heart is, incredibly, as big as a small car (If you didn’t see the infographic, then guess what?; a Blue Whale heart is as big as a small car). Amazeballs. And just as neat and amazebally is this model of said heart constructed by the New Zealand company Human Dynamo Workshop.Originally commissioned for The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the model impressed curators at the LWL Museum of Natural History in Munster, Germany, so much that they ordered one for themselves. The model was designed to be crawled through and contains an integrated sound system which enables arterial-explorers to hear and feel the whale’s heartbeat. Groovy! The model is currently on display at the “Whales - Giants of the Ocean” exhibition at the LWL Museum until the 11th of March, 2013. So what are you waiting for, get booking your flights to Deutschland pronto! Or, if you’re a tad bit totally-completely-and-utterly-wayyy-too-broke for that (like me!), you can just read more about the model here.
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Blue Whale Scale: Getting Into The Heart Of The Matter…

If you happened to catch the neat infographic on animal hearts posted by the National Wildlife Federation earlier, then you’ll now know that a Blue Whale heart is, incredibly, as big as a small car (If you didn’t see the infographic, then guess what?; a Blue Whale heart is as big as a small car). Amazeballs. And just as neat and amazebally is this model of said heart constructed by the New Zealand company Human Dynamo Workshop.Originally commissioned for The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the model impressed curators at the LWL Museum of Natural History in Munster, Germany, so much that they ordered one for themselves.

The model was designed to be crawled through and contains an integrated sound system which enables arterial-explorers to hear and feel the whale’s heartbeat. Groovy! The model is currently on display at the “Whales - Giants of the Ocean” exhibition at the LWL Museum until the 11th of March, 2013. So what are you waiting for, get booking your flights to Deutschland pronto! Or, if you’re a tad bit totally-completely-and-utterly-wayyy-too-broke for that (like me!), you can just read more about the model here.

Marine Medical: Global Ocean Health Index Revealed… The first comprehensive means of measuring the health of the world’s oceans has finally been unveiled in the form of the Ocean Health Index (Huzzah!). Developed through the collaborative efforts of 65 experts from a range of organisations including, among others, the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis at the University of California, Santa Barbara, the University of British Columbia’s Sea Around Us project, Conservation International, the National Geographic Society and the New England Aquarium, the index scientifically compares and combines all dimensions of ocean health – biological, physical, economic and social - in order to generate an objective and accurate picture of the health of the ocean as controlled by every coastal country. The Index focuses on ten public “goals” representative of a wide range of benefits that a healthy ocean can provide to people. With almost 100 various components factored into their evaluation, the goals set out in the Index are thus: Food Provision (Harvesting Seafood Sustainably) Artisanal Fishing Opportunities (Ensuring Food For Local Communities) Natural Products (Harvesting Non-food Ocean Resources Sustainably) Carbon Storage (Preserving Habitats That Absorb Carbon) Coastal Protection (Preserving Habitats That Safeguard Shores) Coastal Livelihoods And Economies (Sustaining Jobs And Thriving Coastal Economies) Tourism And Recreation (Maintaining The Attraction Of Coastal Destinations) Sense Of Place (Protecting Iconic Species And Special Places) Clean Waters (Minimising Pollution) Biodiversity (Supporting Healthy Marine Ecosystems) With Jarvis Island in the South Pacific Ocean ranking #1 in terms of ocean “health” and West Africa’s Sierra Leone bottoming out in the benthos at #171, why not follow the map’s click-through link to find out where your country ranks, read some more and decide for yourself whether or not you think it’s time to break out the waterproof plasters… 
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Marine Medical: Global Ocean Health Index Revealed…

The first comprehensive means of measuring the health of the world’s oceans has finally been unveiled in the form of the Ocean Health Index (Huzzah!). Developed through the collaborative efforts of 65 experts from a range of organisations including, among others, the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis at the University of California, Santa Barbara, the University of British Columbia’s Sea Around Us project, Conservation International, the National Geographic Society and the New England Aquarium, the index scientifically compares and combines all dimensions of ocean health – biological, physical, economic and social - in order to generate an objective and accurate picture of the health of the ocean as controlled by every coastal country.

The Index focuses on ten public “goals” representative of a wide range of benefits that a healthy ocean can provide to people. With almost 100 various components factored into their evaluation, the goals set out in the Index are thus:

  • Food Provision (Harvesting Seafood Sustainably)
  • Artisanal Fishing Opportunities (Ensuring Food For Local Communities)
  • Natural Products (Harvesting Non-food Ocean Resources Sustainably)
  • Carbon Storage (Preserving Habitats That Absorb Carbon)
  • Coastal Protection (Preserving Habitats That Safeguard Shores)
  • Coastal Livelihoods And Economies (Sustaining Jobs And Thriving Coastal Economies)
  • Tourism And Recreation (Maintaining The Attraction Of Coastal Destinations)
  • Sense Of Place (Protecting Iconic Species And Special Places)
  • Clean Waters (Minimising Pollution)
  • Biodiversity (Supporting Healthy Marine Ecosystems)

With Jarvis Island in the South Pacific Ocean ranking #1 in terms of ocean “health” and West Africa’s Sierra Leone bottoming out in the benthos at #171, why not follow the map’s click-through link to find out where your country ranks, read some more and decide for yourself whether or not you think it’s time to break out the waterproof plasters… 

Wedsnesday’s WTF!?!: Clear Heads off the Californian Coast… You may be excused for thinking these images are more akin to something from a sci-fi movie or the result of some over-enthusiastic Photoshopper with too much time on their hands rather than anything that Mother Nature could come up with. With its weirdly cute but almost forlorn zombie-like appearance, this little aquatic anomaly just doesn’t seem like it could possibly be for real. These are, however, very much real images of a very much real creature: one Macropinna microstoma. A member of the Barreleye family, this 6-inch-spectacular is the only species of fish within the genus Macropinna.  It’s unusual dome-shaped head is fluid-filled and totally transparent. Within can be found the two greenish-coloured lenses of its eyes. These lenses, which are barrel shaped, can be rotated either forward or straight up, allowing the fish to observe prey as it hangs motionless in the water. Found at the inky depths of 600 - 800 metres, it is assumed that the fish detects prey in these low light conditions by way of silhouette or the bioluminescent glow of jellies. The two spots (themselves resembling eyes) located to the front of its head above its mouth are actually olfactory organs called nares, which are analogous to human nostrils. So there you go. This week’s WTF!?! in all its fluid-filled fabulousness! Smell ya later!… Still don’t believe your eyes? Watch the vid of Macropinna microstoma in action here Read the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute Info Blitz here 
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Wedsnesday’s WTF!?!: Clear Heads off the Californian Coast… You may be excused for thinking these images are more akin to something from a sci-fi movie or the result of some over-enthusiastic Photoshopper with too much time on their hands rather than anything that Mother Nature could come up with. With its weirdly cute but almost forlorn zombie-like appearance, this little aquatic anomaly just doesn’t seem like it could possibly be for real. These are, however, very much real images of a very much real creature: one Macropinna microstoma. A member of the Barreleye family, this 6-inch-spectacular is the only species of fish within the genus Macropinna.  It’s unusual dome-shaped head is fluid-filled and totally transparent. Within can be found the two greenish-coloured lenses of its eyes. These lenses, which are barrel shaped, can be rotated either forward or straight up, allowing the fish to observe prey as it hangs motionless in the water. Found at the inky depths of 600 - 800 metres, it is assumed that the fish detects prey in these low light conditions by way of silhouette or the bioluminescent glow of jellies. The two spots (themselves resembling eyes) located to the front of its head above its mouth are actually olfactory organs called nares, which are analogous to human nostrils. So there you go. This week’s WTF!?! in all its fluid-filled fabulousness! Smell ya later!… Still don’t believe your eyes? Watch the vid of Macropinna microstoma in action here Read the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute Info Blitz here 
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Wedsnesday’s WTF!?!: Clear Heads off the Californian Coast… You may be excused for thinking these images are more akin to something from a sci-fi movie or the result of some over-enthusiastic Photoshopper with too much time on their hands rather than anything that Mother Nature could come up with. With its weirdly cute but almost forlorn zombie-like appearance, this little aquatic anomaly just doesn’t seem like it could possibly be for real. These are, however, very much real images of a very much real creature: one Macropinna microstoma. A member of the Barreleye family, this 6-inch-spectacular is the only species of fish within the genus Macropinna.  It’s unusual dome-shaped head is fluid-filled and totally transparent. Within can be found the two greenish-coloured lenses of its eyes. These lenses, which are barrel shaped, can be rotated either forward or straight up, allowing the fish to observe prey as it hangs motionless in the water. Found at the inky depths of 600 - 800 metres, it is assumed that the fish detects prey in these low light conditions by way of silhouette or the bioluminescent glow of jellies. The two spots (themselves resembling eyes) located to the front of its head above its mouth are actually olfactory organs called nares, which are analogous to human nostrils. So there you go. This week’s WTF!?! in all its fluid-filled fabulousness! Smell ya later!… Still don’t believe your eyes? Watch the vid of Macropinna microstoma in action here Read the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute Info Blitz here 
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Wedsnesday’s WTF!?!: Clear Heads off the Californian Coast… You may be excused for thinking these images are more akin to something from a sci-fi movie or the result of some over-enthusiastic Photoshopper with too much time on their hands rather than anything that Mother Nature could come up with. With its weirdly cute but almost forlorn zombie-like appearance, this little aquatic anomaly just doesn’t seem like it could possibly be for real. These are, however, very much real images of a very much real creature: one Macropinna microstoma. A member of the Barreleye family, this 6-inch-spectacular is the only species of fish within the genus Macropinna.  It’s unusual dome-shaped head is fluid-filled and totally transparent. Within can be found the two greenish-coloured lenses of its eyes. These lenses, which are barrel shaped, can be rotated either forward or straight up, allowing the fish to observe prey as it hangs motionless in the water. Found at the inky depths of 600 - 800 metres, it is assumed that the fish detects prey in these low light conditions by way of silhouette or the bioluminescent glow of jellies. The two spots (themselves resembling eyes) located to the front of its head above its mouth are actually olfactory organs called nares, which are analogous to human nostrils. So there you go. This week’s WTF!?! in all its fluid-filled fabulousness! Smell ya later!… Still don’t believe your eyes? Watch the vid of Macropinna microstoma in action here Read the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute Info Blitz here 
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Wedsnesday’s WTF!?!: Clear Heads off the Californian Coast… You may be excused for thinking these images are more akin to something from a sci-fi movie or the result of some over-enthusiastic Photoshopper with too much time on their hands rather than anything that Mother Nature could come up with. With its weirdly cute but almost forlorn zombie-like appearance, this little aquatic anomaly just doesn’t seem like it could possibly be for real. These are, however, very much real images of a very much real creature: one Macropinna microstoma. A member of the Barreleye family, this 6-inch-spectacular is the only species of fish within the genus Macropinna.  It’s unusual dome-shaped head is fluid-filled and totally transparent. Within can be found the two greenish-coloured lenses of its eyes. These lenses, which are barrel shaped, can be rotated either forward or straight up, allowing the fish to observe prey as it hangs motionless in the water. Found at the inky depths of 600 - 800 metres, it is assumed that the fish detects prey in these low light conditions by way of silhouette or the bioluminescent glow of jellies. The two spots (themselves resembling eyes) located to the front of its head above its mouth are actually olfactory organs called nares, which are analogous to human nostrils. So there you go. This week’s WTF!?! in all its fluid-filled fabulousness! Smell ya later!… Still don’t believe your eyes? Watch the vid of Macropinna microstoma in action here Read the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute Info Blitz here 
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Wedsnesday’s WTF!?!: Clear Heads off the Californian Coast… You may be excused for thinking these images are more akin to something from a sci-fi movie or the result of some over-enthusiastic Photoshopper with too much time on their hands rather than anything that Mother Nature could come up with. With its weirdly cute but almost forlorn zombie-like appearance, this little aquatic anomaly just doesn’t seem like it could possibly be for real. These are, however, very much real images of a very much real creature: one Macropinna microstoma. A member of the Barreleye family, this 6-inch-spectacular is the only species of fish within the genus Macropinna.  It’s unusual dome-shaped head is fluid-filled and totally transparent. Within can be found the two greenish-coloured lenses of its eyes. These lenses, which are barrel shaped, can be rotated either forward or straight up, allowing the fish to observe prey as it hangs motionless in the water. Found at the inky depths of 600 - 800 metres, it is assumed that the fish detects prey in these low light conditions by way of silhouette or the bioluminescent glow of jellies. The two spots (themselves resembling eyes) located to the front of its head above its mouth are actually olfactory organs called nares, which are analogous to human nostrils. So there you go. This week’s WTF!?! in all its fluid-filled fabulousness! Smell ya later!… Still don’t believe your eyes? Watch the vid of Macropinna microstoma in action here Read the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute Info Blitz here 
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Wedsnesday’s WTF!?!: Clear Heads off the Californian Coast… You may be excused for thinking these images are more akin to something from a sci-fi movie or the result of some over-enthusiastic Photoshopper with too much time on their hands rather than anything that Mother Nature could come up with. With its weirdly cute but almost forlorn zombie-like appearance, this little aquatic anomaly just doesn’t seem like it could possibly be for real. These are, however, very much real images of a very much real creature: one Macropinna microstoma. A member of the Barreleye family, this 6-inch-spectacular is the only species of fish within the genus Macropinna.  It’s unusual dome-shaped head is fluid-filled and totally transparent. Within can be found the two greenish-coloured lenses of its eyes. These lenses, which are barrel shaped, can be rotated either forward or straight up, allowing the fish to observe prey as it hangs motionless in the water. Found at the inky depths of 600 - 800 metres, it is assumed that the fish detects prey in these low light conditions by way of silhouette or the bioluminescent glow of jellies. The two spots (themselves resembling eyes) located to the front of its head above its mouth are actually olfactory organs called nares, which are analogous to human nostrils. So there you go. This week’s WTF!?! in all its fluid-filled fabulousness! Smell ya later!… Still don’t believe your eyes? Watch the vid of Macropinna microstoma in action here Read the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute Info Blitz here 
Zoom Info

Wedsnesday’s WTF!?!: Clear Heads off the Californian Coast…

You may be excused for thinking these images are more akin to something from a sci-fi movie or the result of some over-enthusiastic Photoshopper with too much time on their hands rather than anything that Mother Nature could come up with. With its weirdly cute but almost forlorn zombie-like appearance, this little aquatic anomaly just doesn’t seem like it could possibly be for real. These are, however, very much real images of a very much real creature: one Macropinna microstoma. A member of the Barreleye family, this 6-inch-spectacular is the only species of fish within the genus Macropinna. 

It’s unusual dome-shaped head is fluid-filled and totally transparent. Within can be found the two greenish-coloured lenses of its eyes. These lenses, which are barrel shaped, can be rotated either forward or straight up, allowing the fish to observe prey as it hangs motionless in the water. Found at the inky depths of 600 - 800 metres, it is assumed that the fish detects prey in these low light conditions by way of silhouette or the bioluminescent glow of jellies. The two spots (themselves resembling eyes) located to the front of its head above its mouth are actually olfactory organs called nares, which are analogous to human nostrils.

So there you go. This week’s WTF!?! in all its fluid-filled fabulousness! Smell ya later!…

  • Still don’t believe your eyes? Watch the vid of Macropinna microstoma in action here
  • Read the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute Info Blitz here 

Wednesday’s WTF!?!: Clear Heads off the California Coast…

A couple of years ago, researchers from Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in California obtained these amazing images of one Macropinna microstoma, a Barreleye fish with one particularly unusual and striking feature (let’s be honest, it’s fuc$ing awesome!) - it’s transparent, fluid-filled head! Though the species had been known to science prior to this, early drawings failed to include the bewildering bubble bit due to it’s fragility and tendency to collapse when being removed from the depths by nets (Oops…) 

Their YouTube page has this to say:

MBARI researchers Bruce Robison and Kim Reisenbichler used video taken by unmanned, undersea robots called remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to study barreleye fish in the deep waters just offshore of Central California. At depths of 600 to 800 meters (2,000 to 2,600 feet) below the surface, the ROV cameras typically showed these fish hanging motionless in the water, their eyes glowing a vivid green in the ROV’s bright lights. The ROV video also revealed a previously undescribed feature of these fish—its eyes are surrounded by a transparent, fluid-filled shield that covers the top of the fish’s head.

This video is narrated by senior scientist Bruce Robison.

For more on this story, see MBARI’s news release at: 
http://www.mbari.org/news/news_releases/2009/barreleye/barreleye.html

  • To see some still images of this watery-wonderosity see here

Nature's Now Cheap As Chips*...

Nature's Impact FactorIf you’ve ever looked into subscribing to Nature Magazine only to yelp in dismay at the sight of the yearly one-off subscription fee ($199/£135/€209 - Ouch! BUT, this does serve you up 51 plates of Natury goodness, so overall still pretty darn good value) then you may be interested to hear that in celebration of being ranked the No.1 weekly science journal with an Impact Factor of 36.280 (I have no idea what that means either…) Nature is now offering themselves to us with at a tempting limited-time subscription fee of only £36/$36/€36! BAR-GAIN!!! So what are you waiting for?! Get on this deal now. Quick, before they change their minds!!!

  • *Based on a modest consumption rate of 1.2 bags per month of 1.5Kg McCain Crispy French Fries over 12 months when purchased from Tesco Supermarket assuming no further inflation in prices of french fries occurs within this 12 month period.
Feel Good Friday: A Kiss With a Fish is Better Than None… Fish can be found in virtually every aquatic environments, from high mountain streams (e.g., char and gudgeon) to the abyssal and even hadal depths of the deepest oceans (e.g., gulpers and anglerfish). Ranging in size from the tiny 8 millimetre (0.3in) stout infantfish to the huge 16 metre (52ft) whale shark and encompassing a whopping 32,400 known species, fish exhibit greater species diversity than any other group of vertebrates. Human-created problems such as overfishing, habitat destruction and the introduction of exotic species to alien environments have wreaked havoc with population numbers across hundreds of species around the globe. Indeed, the 2006 IUCN Red List names 1,173 fish species that are threatened with extinction. With World Oceans Day just a week ago, we all need to remember to show our aquatic second-cousins-thrice-removed a little more love. So go on, kiss a fish this weekend. Or if you can’t manage that, then at least remember to reduce, reuse, recycle - ‘cause every little helps!
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Feel Good Friday: A Kiss With a Fish is Better Than None… Fish can be found in virtually every aquatic environments, from high mountain streams (e.g., char and gudgeon) to the abyssal and even hadal depths of the deepest oceans (e.g., gulpers and anglerfish). Ranging in size from the tiny 8 millimetre (0.3in) stout infantfish to the huge 16 metre (52ft) whale shark and encompassing a whopping 32,400 known species, fish exhibit greater species diversity than any other group of vertebrates. Human-created problems such as overfishing, habitat destruction and the introduction of exotic species to alien environments have wreaked havoc with population numbers across hundreds of species around the globe. Indeed, the 2006 IUCN Red List names 1,173 fish species that are threatened with extinction. With World Oceans Day just a week ago, we all need to remember to show our aquatic second-cousins-thrice-removed a little more love. So go on, kiss a fish this weekend. Or if you can’t manage that, then at least remember to reduce, reuse, recycle - ‘cause every little helps!
Zoom Info
Feel Good Friday: A Kiss With a Fish is Better Than None… Fish can be found in virtually every aquatic environments, from high mountain streams (e.g., char and gudgeon) to the abyssal and even hadal depths of the deepest oceans (e.g., gulpers and anglerfish). Ranging in size from the tiny 8 millimetre (0.3in) stout infantfish to the huge 16 metre (52ft) whale shark and encompassing a whopping 32,400 known species, fish exhibit greater species diversity than any other group of vertebrates. Human-created problems such as overfishing, habitat destruction and the introduction of exotic species to alien environments have wreaked havoc with population numbers across hundreds of species around the globe. Indeed, the 2006 IUCN Red List names 1,173 fish species that are threatened with extinction. With World Oceans Day just a week ago, we all need to remember to show our aquatic second-cousins-thrice-removed a little more love. So go on, kiss a fish this weekend. Or if you can’t manage that, then at least remember to reduce, reuse, recycle - ‘cause every little helps!
Zoom Info
Feel Good Friday: A Kiss With a Fish is Better Than None… Fish can be found in virtually every aquatic environments, from high mountain streams (e.g., char and gudgeon) to the abyssal and even hadal depths of the deepest oceans (e.g., gulpers and anglerfish). Ranging in size from the tiny 8 millimetre (0.3in) stout infantfish to the huge 16 metre (52ft) whale shark and encompassing a whopping 32,400 known species, fish exhibit greater species diversity than any other group of vertebrates. Human-created problems such as overfishing, habitat destruction and the introduction of exotic species to alien environments have wreaked havoc with population numbers across hundreds of species around the globe. Indeed, the 2006 IUCN Red List names 1,173 fish species that are threatened with extinction. With World Oceans Day just a week ago, we all need to remember to show our aquatic second-cousins-thrice-removed a little more love. So go on, kiss a fish this weekend. Or if you can’t manage that, then at least remember to reduce, reuse, recycle - ‘cause every little helps!
Zoom Info
Feel Good Friday: A Kiss With a Fish is Better Than None… Fish can be found in virtually every aquatic environments, from high mountain streams (e.g., char and gudgeon) to the abyssal and even hadal depths of the deepest oceans (e.g., gulpers and anglerfish). Ranging in size from the tiny 8 millimetre (0.3in) stout infantfish to the huge 16 metre (52ft) whale shark and encompassing a whopping 32,400 known species, fish exhibit greater species diversity than any other group of vertebrates. Human-created problems such as overfishing, habitat destruction and the introduction of exotic species to alien environments have wreaked havoc with population numbers across hundreds of species around the globe. Indeed, the 2006 IUCN Red List names 1,173 fish species that are threatened with extinction. With World Oceans Day just a week ago, we all need to remember to show our aquatic second-cousins-thrice-removed a little more love. So go on, kiss a fish this weekend. Or if you can’t manage that, then at least remember to reduce, reuse, recycle - ‘cause every little helps!
Zoom Info
Feel Good Friday: A Kiss With a Fish is Better Than None… Fish can be found in virtually every aquatic environments, from high mountain streams (e.g., char and gudgeon) to the abyssal and even hadal depths of the deepest oceans (e.g., gulpers and anglerfish). Ranging in size from the tiny 8 millimetre (0.3in) stout infantfish to the huge 16 metre (52ft) whale shark and encompassing a whopping 32,400 known species, fish exhibit greater species diversity than any other group of vertebrates. Human-created problems such as overfishing, habitat destruction and the introduction of exotic species to alien environments have wreaked havoc with population numbers across hundreds of species around the globe. Indeed, the 2006 IUCN Red List names 1,173 fish species that are threatened with extinction. With World Oceans Day just a week ago, we all need to remember to show our aquatic second-cousins-thrice-removed a little more love. So go on, kiss a fish this weekend. Or if you can’t manage that, then at least remember to reduce, reuse, recycle - ‘cause every little helps!
Zoom Info
Feel Good Friday: A Kiss With a Fish is Better Than None… Fish can be found in virtually every aquatic environments, from high mountain streams (e.g., char and gudgeon) to the abyssal and even hadal depths of the deepest oceans (e.g., gulpers and anglerfish). Ranging in size from the tiny 8 millimetre (0.3in) stout infantfish to the huge 16 metre (52ft) whale shark and encompassing a whopping 32,400 known species, fish exhibit greater species diversity than any other group of vertebrates. Human-created problems such as overfishing, habitat destruction and the introduction of exotic species to alien environments have wreaked havoc with population numbers across hundreds of species around the globe. Indeed, the 2006 IUCN Red List names 1,173 fish species that are threatened with extinction. With World Oceans Day just a week ago, we all need to remember to show our aquatic second-cousins-thrice-removed a little more love. So go on, kiss a fish this weekend. Or if you can’t manage that, then at least remember to reduce, reuse, recycle - ‘cause every little helps!
Zoom Info
Feel Good Friday: A Kiss With a Fish is Better Than None… Fish can be found in virtually every aquatic environments, from high mountain streams (e.g., char and gudgeon) to the abyssal and even hadal depths of the deepest oceans (e.g., gulpers and anglerfish). Ranging in size from the tiny 8 millimetre (0.3in) stout infantfish to the huge 16 metre (52ft) whale shark and encompassing a whopping 32,400 known species, fish exhibit greater species diversity than any other group of vertebrates. Human-created problems such as overfishing, habitat destruction and the introduction of exotic species to alien environments have wreaked havoc with population numbers across hundreds of species around the globe. Indeed, the 2006 IUCN Red List names 1,173 fish species that are threatened with extinction. With World Oceans Day just a week ago, we all need to remember to show our aquatic second-cousins-thrice-removed a little more love. So go on, kiss a fish this weekend. Or if you can’t manage that, then at least remember to reduce, reuse, recycle - ‘cause every little helps!
Zoom Info
Feel Good Friday: A Kiss With a Fish is Better Than None… Fish can be found in virtually every aquatic environments, from high mountain streams (e.g., char and gudgeon) to the abyssal and even hadal depths of the deepest oceans (e.g., gulpers and anglerfish). Ranging in size from the tiny 8 millimetre (0.3in) stout infantfish to the huge 16 metre (52ft) whale shark and encompassing a whopping 32,400 known species, fish exhibit greater species diversity than any other group of vertebrates. Human-created problems such as overfishing, habitat destruction and the introduction of exotic species to alien environments have wreaked havoc with population numbers across hundreds of species around the globe. Indeed, the 2006 IUCN Red List names 1,173 fish species that are threatened with extinction. With World Oceans Day just a week ago, we all need to remember to show our aquatic second-cousins-thrice-removed a little more love. So go on, kiss a fish this weekend. Or if you can’t manage that, then at least remember to reduce, reuse, recycle - ‘cause every little helps!
Zoom Info
Feel Good Friday: A Kiss With a Fish is Better Than None… Fish can be found in virtually every aquatic environments, from high mountain streams (e.g., char and gudgeon) to the abyssal and even hadal depths of the deepest oceans (e.g., gulpers and anglerfish). Ranging in size from the tiny 8 millimetre (0.3in) stout infantfish to the huge 16 metre (52ft) whale shark and encompassing a whopping 32,400 known species, fish exhibit greater species diversity than any other group of vertebrates. Human-created problems such as overfishing, habitat destruction and the introduction of exotic species to alien environments have wreaked havoc with population numbers across hundreds of species around the globe. Indeed, the 2006 IUCN Red List names 1,173 fish species that are threatened with extinction. With World Oceans Day just a week ago, we all need to remember to show our aquatic second-cousins-thrice-removed a little more love. So go on, kiss a fish this weekend. Or if you can’t manage that, then at least remember to reduce, reuse, recycle - ‘cause every little helps!
Zoom Info

Feel Good Friday: A Kiss With a Fish is Better Than None…


Fish can be found in virtually every aquatic environments, from high mountain streams (e.g., char and gudgeon) to the abyssal and even hadal depths of the deepest oceans (e.g., gulpers and anglerfish). Ranging in size from the tiny 8 millimetre (0.3in) stout infantfish to the huge 16 metre (52ft) whale shark and encompassing a whopping 32,400 known species, fish exhibit greater species diversity than any other group of vertebrates.

Human-created problems such as overfishing, habitat destruction and the introduction of exotic species to alien environments have wreaked havoc with population numbers across hundreds of species around the globe. Indeed, the 2006 IUCN Red List names 1,173 fish species that are threatened with extinction.

With World Oceans Day just a week ago, we all need to remember to show our aquatic second-cousins-thrice-removed a little more love. So go on, kiss a fish this weekend. Or if you can’t manage that, then at least remember to reduce, reuse, recycle - ‘cause every little helps!


Source: Wikipedia

Sing Another Song, Boys, for He Can No Longer: Tribute to a Humpback “Yes, I just might go to sleep But kindly leave, leave the future, leave it open”                                       - Leonard Cohen, “Sing Another Song, Boys” One of the most emotive images I’ve seen in the week following World Oceans Day, this serves as a somber reminder of how human carelessness and neglect can be the downfall even of giants. Of this photograph, The Guardian reports: “[This humpback whale] died at low tide in White Rock, British Columbia, a few hours after beaching itself. It was found to be tangled in a fishing net and authorities are now trying to track down the owner of the net. After the whale died, local people held a makeshift funeral – gathering to pay their respects and laying flowers.” Image ©Canadian Press/Rex Features
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Sing Another Song, Boys, for He Can No Longer: Tribute to a Humpback

“Yes, I just might go to sleep

But kindly leave, leave the future, leave it open”

                                      - Leonard Cohen, “Sing Another Song, Boys”


One of the most emotive images I’ve seen in the week following World Oceans Day, this serves as a somber reminder of how human carelessness and neglect can be the downfall even of giants.

Of this photograph, The Guardian reports:

“[This humpback whale] died at low tide in White Rock, British Columbia, a few hours after beaching itself. It was found to be tangled in a fishing net and authorities are now trying to track down the owner of the net. After the whale died, local people held a makeshift funeral – gathering to pay their respects and laying flowers.”

  • Image ©Canadian Press/Rex Features

Source: Guardian

Feel Good Friday: Can’t Beat a Bit of Animal Anthropomorphism for a Good Giggle… World Oceans Day is today folks (like you don’t already know!) No doubt you’ve all been busy brushing up on all things briny and beautiful and/or depressing yourselves learning about all the horrors of humanity that have been obliterating the oceans and all within them; but if you fancy a break from all that, why not chillax for a few moments and have a google at these pics gleaned from those lovely people at icanhascheezburger.com and see if you can find one to make you giggle. My money’s on the seal…
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Feel Good Friday: Can’t Beat a Bit of Animal Anthropomorphism for a Good Giggle… World Oceans Day is today folks (like you don’t already know!) No doubt you’ve all been busy brushing up on all things briny and beautiful and/or depressing yourselves learning about all the horrors of humanity that have been obliterating the oceans and all within them; but if you fancy a break from all that, why not chillax for a few moments and have a google at these pics gleaned from those lovely people at icanhascheezburger.com and see if you can find one to make you giggle. My money’s on the seal…
Zoom Info
Feel Good Friday: Can’t Beat a Bit of Animal Anthropomorphism for a Good Giggle… World Oceans Day is today folks (like you don’t already know!) No doubt you’ve all been busy brushing up on all things briny and beautiful and/or depressing yourselves learning about all the horrors of humanity that have been obliterating the oceans and all within them; but if you fancy a break from all that, why not chillax for a few moments and have a google at these pics gleaned from those lovely people at icanhascheezburger.com and see if you can find one to make you giggle. My money’s on the seal…
Zoom Info
Feel Good Friday: Can’t Beat a Bit of Animal Anthropomorphism for a Good Giggle… World Oceans Day is today folks (like you don’t already know!) No doubt you’ve all been busy brushing up on all things briny and beautiful and/or depressing yourselves learning about all the horrors of humanity that have been obliterating the oceans and all within them; but if you fancy a break from all that, why not chillax for a few moments and have a google at these pics gleaned from those lovely people at icanhascheezburger.com and see if you can find one to make you giggle. My money’s on the seal…
Zoom Info
Feel Good Friday: Can’t Beat a Bit of Animal Anthropomorphism for a Good Giggle… World Oceans Day is today folks (like you don’t already know!) No doubt you’ve all been busy brushing up on all things briny and beautiful and/or depressing yourselves learning about all the horrors of humanity that have been obliterating the oceans and all within them; but if you fancy a break from all that, why not chillax for a few moments and have a google at these pics gleaned from those lovely people at icanhascheezburger.com and see if you can find one to make you giggle. My money’s on the seal…
Zoom Info
Feel Good Friday: Can’t Beat a Bit of Animal Anthropomorphism for a Good Giggle… World Oceans Day is today folks (like you don’t already know!) No doubt you’ve all been busy brushing up on all things briny and beautiful and/or depressing yourselves learning about all the horrors of humanity that have been obliterating the oceans and all within them; but if you fancy a break from all that, why not chillax for a few moments and have a google at these pics gleaned from those lovely people at icanhascheezburger.com and see if you can find one to make you giggle. My money’s on the seal…
Zoom Info
Feel Good Friday: Can’t Beat a Bit of Animal Anthropomorphism for a Good Giggle… World Oceans Day is today folks (like you don’t already know!) No doubt you’ve all been busy brushing up on all things briny and beautiful and/or depressing yourselves learning about all the horrors of humanity that have been obliterating the oceans and all within them; but if you fancy a break from all that, why not chillax for a few moments and have a google at these pics gleaned from those lovely people at icanhascheezburger.com and see if you can find one to make you giggle. My money’s on the seal…
Zoom Info
Feel Good Friday: Can’t Beat a Bit of Animal Anthropomorphism for a Good Giggle… World Oceans Day is today folks (like you don’t already know!) No doubt you’ve all been busy brushing up on all things briny and beautiful and/or depressing yourselves learning about all the horrors of humanity that have been obliterating the oceans and all within them; but if you fancy a break from all that, why not chillax for a few moments and have a google at these pics gleaned from those lovely people at icanhascheezburger.com and see if you can find one to make you giggle. My money’s on the seal…
Zoom Info

Feel Good Friday: Can’t Beat a Bit of Animal Anthropomorphism for a Good Giggle…

World Oceans Day is today folks (like you don’t already know!) No doubt you’ve all been busy brushing up on all things briny and beautiful and/or depressing yourselves learning about all the horrors of humanity that have been obliterating the oceans and all within them; but if you fancy a break from all that, why not chillax for a few moments and have a google at these pics gleaned from those lovely people at icanhascheezburger.com and see if you can find one to make you giggle. My money’s on the seal…