Hi to all of you who are madly blogging around the world on this special day. Save the trees, purchase e-published books like mine. I couldn't resist letting the world know about e-books that you can read on your computer, laptop or hand-held reader. No trees lost to manufacture paper. Just a lot to enjoy.But this is Blog Action Day. I live on the west coast of Canada with the Pacific Ocean on my doorstep so to speak. We our blessed with bountiful sea life and the joy of seeing gray whales and Orcas. And this year a great event occurred. A small group of humpback whales appeared off Vancouver Island. This was hugely interesting to the marine scientists who study whales. Humpbacks have been missing from this area for a long time.
Around Vancouver Island, pods of Orcas swim and procreate - very slowly. There is much excitement when an Orca calf appears swimming beside its mother. One of the Orca pods swims in Johnson Strait and they rub themselves on the rocks. It's a restricted area for ships and other marine craft. But accidents do happen and fuel is spilled. A barge carrying dredging equipment tipped near the restricted area and diesel fuel leaked. Scientists and whale lovers were deeply concerned about the health of the Orcas but weeks later they all seem to be fine.
Out on the east coast of Canada the Federal government has declared a certain area off limits for shipping so the endangered Right Whale can breed in peace. They are in dire danger from ships passing over them.
Big sea lions hang out around Vancouver Island. We had a very cold winter several years ago - mostly we have a mild climate - and a gang of sea lions cruised into one of the local bays. They lie on their backs and wave their flippers in the air - to warm them I guess. Our home is three kilometres from the bay and we can hear them barking. It was fun to watch them lying in the water waving their flippers.
So many little creatures that share our planet find themselves in danger. The Oregon spotted frog, for instance. Although not endangered in Washington and Oregon, it is in British Columbia. Efforts are being made to encourage the frogs to breed. Speaking of which...
Introducing species that don't belong on Vancouver Island can create havoc. A man, of little sense, decided many years ago to raise bull frogs for their legs. Gourmet treats - Frogs legs! However, his business failed and instead of disposing/killing the frogs he let them loose. Now there are huge bull frogs damaging the habitat of our natural frogs. The big suckers eat the spawn and the babies and have been known to snatch a baby duckling and chomp it down. Who knew frogs have teeth?
Canada is blessed with natural resources and a wonderful variety of animals, birds, fish and crawly things. But we have to be careful of what we throw away and where we throw it. As a final note. I read in the paper recently of hikers in Waterton Provicincial Park finding bear scat with a small plastic bag shredded through it. A hiking rule. Carry it in. Carry it out. No one should leave plastic floating freely in our oceans or lying on the land.
I hope everyone enjoyed blogging. I did. I'm not a marine scientist but I've seen whales close up and they are magnificent. Our Orcas are particularly close to my heart. If you feel so inclined you may purchase my books from Cerridwen Press. Hug a tree. Read an e-book.
Anita Birt
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