More random thoughts about bartending
9 years ago
Monday, May 31, 2010
Image of the Day
Enjoy Memorial Day, but remember those who have paid and are still paying the price for our freedom.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Zoo's new penguin dies
Arkansas Blog
Zoo's new penguin dies
One of two female penguins brought to the Little Rock Zoo Wednesday for a new exhibit died Thursday following a seizure.
LITTLE ROCK (May 28, 2010) –The Zoo is sad to report that one of two penguins recently acquired for the new penguin exhibit died yesterday afternoon.
The two female penguins were transported from the Tautphaus Zoo in Idaho Falls to the Little Rock Zoo this Wednesday to serve as education outreach penguins in anticipation of the grand opening of the penguin exhibit later this year.
The penguins were being kept in a quarantined area of the Zoo. Zoo policy requires all newly acquired animals to go through a 30 day quarantine period before being placed on exhibit in order to determine whether-or-not the animal is in good health.
The penguins arrived at the Little Rock Zoo on Wednesday morning and Zoo staff say the birds were doing fine and adjusting well to their new off-exhibit enclosure.
Yesterday afternoon one of the two birds had a seizure and died. The cause of the seizure and the death of the bird are still unknown and preliminary necropsy results gave no indication of cause of death. Medical records on the bird from Tautphaus Zoo did not show the animal suffered from any sort-of known medical condition.
The remaining penguin is healthy and doing fine according to Zoo staff.
Both penguins were hatched at the Tautphaus Zoo six months ago. The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information, visit www.aza.org.
Source
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Name that bird!
1. Claudio (KLAHD-ee-o) , Submitted by Anonymous “After Claudio Arrau (1903-1991) who was Chile's greatest classical pianist. If ‘Claudio’ wins, could you please attribute this entry to ‘anonymous’ and then choose a needy kid or a teenager to be the penguin's honorary parent for the year and to receive the private guided tour of the zoo? Thank you very much, and highest regards!” 2. Esteban (ess-TAY-bahn), Submitted by Hannah Caccamo of Kirkville, NY “I think the name Esteban would be a great name for the new baby penguin because it is Spanish for Steven and that's my dad's name. Since the daddy penguins take care of the penguin egg/babies, I think it would be cool to have a penguin named after my dad because he takes care of me. Especially since my dad's dad (my grandfather) is named Fred and the baby penguin’s father's name is Frederico. Plus, how cool would it be to tell my dad that a penguin at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo was named after him in June, which is when he is turning 40?” 3. Juntos (HOON-tos), Submitted by Ashliegh Kinder’s kindergarten class at the International School in Antofagasta, Chile “The same Humboldt penguins swim in the ocean-waters just outside our classroom. I explained to my Kindergarten students the exciting news of my hometown zoo and they have become obsessed with this pingüino and finding a suitable and worthy name. As you may know, several months ago Chile suffered a tremendous blow in the form of a devastating earthquake and tsunami south of us in the Concepcion region. In addition to contributing to the relief effort by fundraising and sending toys, we have also had discussions about patriotic unity and helping each other. So when I asked for suggestions of the baby’s name, I thought it was really special that they settled on the Spanish word meaning ‘together’ since Chile has come together after the earthquake. In the minds of my students, Chile and Syracuse are strongly linked already. We correspond with my nephew’s second grade class in the West Genesee school district and both groups are very excited about the possibility of our name being selected. They are hoping to visit the newest baby Humboldt soon and bring greetings from our Chilean classroom, too!” 4. Santiago (sahn-tee-AH-go), Submitted by Bobbi Vergara of Clay, NY “In Spanish, Santiago means ‘St. James’ and Santiago is also the capital of Chile.” 5. Sinchi (SIN-chee), Submitted by Batja Bell of South Orange, NJ “This comes not from Spanish. but from Quechua, the indigenous language group of Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, etc. The word means strong, vigorous and valiant, as you would like all your young penguins to be.” 6. Talcahuano (tahl-kah-WAH-no), Submitted by Mariah Dillon of Syracuse, NY “Talcahuano is a city in Chile that was devastated by the 8.8 magnitude 2010 Chile earthquake and its subsequent tsunami. The city of Talcahuano is named after an Araucanian chief, Talcahueñu, who inhabited the region during the time when the Spanish arrived. In Mapudungun, the language of the indigenous Mapuches, Talcahuano means ‘Thundering Sky.’ I thought that was a good fit with the baby's thundering sky coloring. While this is a BIG name for a baby penguin, I believe our little guy would grow into it, honoring both his native country and in remembrance of the people who have been affected by the devastating earthquake. Perhaps a shorter version might be Talca, another Chilean city not far from Talcahuano.” Source |
Image of the Day
Galapagos Penguin on rock in the sun at Tagus Cove on Isabela Island in the Galapagos.
Penguins p-p-pick up a criminal record
Penguins p-p-pick up a criminal record
Caught in the act.Keeper Amy Beckerleg: “They are provided with nesting material in the form of sticks provided by volunteers - but they pinch the paper sacks, too!”
The penguins have taken tools including brushes and small plastic buckets. Pens, pencils and small clipboards used to make a note of how much fish the birds eat have all disappeared, only to turn up later in penguin burrows.
Amy: “We had a small torch that we used for checking inside the burrows – they took that, so we had to get a bigger one that they couldn’t carry. You only have to turn your back for a moment!”
The penguin pickpockets have also taken personal belongings that keepers have put down on the beach, like sunglasses. They have even tried to make off with keeper walkie-talkies.
Torbay’s coastal zoo is home to 80 African penguins. They live on their own private beach and nest in burrows. Living Coasts senior head keeper Tony Durkin said: “We know penguins are attracted to shiny things - we hang up old CDs on the beach as environmental enrichment, they catch the sunlight and the penguins chase the reflections. But they will take anything they can get their beaks on!”
It seems as though all things bright and beautiful appeal to all creatures great and small – especially penguins…
For more information go to www.livingcoasts.org.uk or ring (01803) 202470.
Source
Monday, May 24, 2010
Image of the Day
It's soccer fever at the Hakkeijima Sea Paradise aquarium in Yokohama. First fish got into the soccer-playing act in advance of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, and now an African penguin tries his hand wing at the sport as well on Thursday, May 20.
Source
Sunday, May 23, 2010
"The Tourist Trail" Update
Hi Everyone!
Today I received a nice email from my friend, John Yonker, who has informed me that within 6 months, his book, "The Tourist Trail," will be published. If you haven't read the short story (soon to be novel) yet, then please, by all means, go HERE to download a copy. It's free. And while you're there, take a look at John's blog. It's a very interesting and information site and I highly recommend it!
Stay cool!
wiinterrr
Today I received a nice email from my friend, John Yonker, who has informed me that within 6 months, his book, "The Tourist Trail," will be published. If you haven't read the short story (soon to be novel) yet, then please, by all means, go HERE to download a copy. It's free. And while you're there, take a look at John's blog. It's a very interesting and information site and I highly recommend it!
Stay cool!
wiinterrr
Penguin Funnies!
Cheer Up, Honey, Someday a Producer Will Notice Your Talent and Make You a Star
He’s The Blacksheep Of The Family
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
New use for salmon carcasses
New use for salmon carcasses a 'win-win' for three trusts
Click photo to enlarge
Sue Downton and Colin Wolverson feed a yellow-eyed penguin from Bushy Beach with salmon from a Rangitata River hatchery. They have authorisation from the Department of Conservation to catch, hold and release protected wildlife. Photo by David Bruce.
"It's doing us a favour and we are doing them a favour; it's a win-win," riparian trust trustee Phil de Joux said.
The two penguin trusts have already collected 50 salmon, each weighing 6kg to 8kg, from the hatchery, sharing them evenly.
Rosalie Goldsworthy, of the Katiki Point Penguin Charitable Trust, said salmon was the best food for penguins, especially those that needed to put on weight quickly.
Her trust spends about $10,000 a year on food, which is difficult to fund because grants organisations prefer to fund capital projects.
She estimated the 25 free salmon would save about $1000.
The salmon have been frozen - half-filling her freezer - and will be thawed then filleted before being fed to the penguins.
New Friends of Bushy Beach trustee Colin Wolverson estimated his trust spent about $5000 last year on food for 65 penguins. It costs about $5 a day for the kilogram of salmon a penguin needs.
The McKinnon's Hatchery is based on McKinnon's Stream, a tributary of the Rangitata River. Managed by the riparian trust, volunteers strip salmon returning to the stream of their eggs, which are then hatched and raised for release back into the river.
Once stripped, the salmon die, as they do in the wild after spawning. Some of the bodies are returned to the stream as part of the salmon's life cycle, but usually, many more are left than are needed, Mr de Joux said.
At last year's TrustPower national awards, Mrs Goldsworthy showed a video of her feeding salmon fillets to penguins at the Moeraki lighthouse, which amazed the riparian trust's salmon-loving anglers.
So, she and Mr de Joux talked it over. A deal was struck, ratified by the Central South Island Fish and Game Council, for the Rangitata-based trust to freeze and supply salmon carcases for the penguins.
- david.bruce@odt.co.nz
Source
Unleashed dogs a danger to penguins
Unleashed dogs a danger to penguins, council told
By RYAN EVANS - Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 05:00 19/05/2010
ANDY JACKSON
A Frozen Dead Blue Penguin was displayed at a New Plymouth District Council Meeting yesterday.
A proposed revamp of dog control areas could have a serious effect on the endangered penguins and other coastal wildlife, the New Plymouth District Council's policy committee was warned.
The council is considering changes allowing dogs to go unleashed at Bell Block Beach, Tongaporutu Domain and Oakura River/Corbett Park, as part of a 10-year review of its bylaws.
But Mark Meyburg, who is studying little blue penguins in Taranaki, said there had been concerns for a number of years about their shrinking numbers and allowing unleashed dogs on beaches would not help.
"Beaches like Oakura, that used to have significant numbers of penguins nesting 10 years ago now rarely see penguins," he said. "This decline is largely due to the increased number of dogs roaming the beach."
Mr Meyburg cited three recent examples of unleashed dogs harassing little blues, including a dog owner sending a fox terrier into a cave at Wai-iti Beach to "dispatch" two penguins in January, and displayed a frozen penguin corpse from Tongaporutu.
The council has previously said one of the reasons it is considering revamping its leash control areas is the soon to be opened walkway extension.
Mr Meyburg said the extended walkway will introduce dogs to a relatively untouched piece of coast.
"It is not only nesting penguins but other shorebirds that would be affected by relaxed dog controls in this area.
"I strongly suggest that rather than loosen the dog control by laws the council takes measures to increase the protection and preservation of not only little blue penguins but other shore birds on our coast."
His concerns were echoed by Anne Scott of the Nga Motu Marine Reserve Society.
"We are deeply concerned about the detrimental effects of uncontrolled dogs on coastal wildlife," she said.
"Bridging the Waiwhakaiho River for pedestrians brings thousands of walkers and their dogs into an area previously undisturbed and used by endangered shorebirds and penguins for nesting and sheltering at night.
"There are precious few penguins and shorebirds left on the Taranaki coast and we ask this committee to take this 10-year opportunity to give the remainder a better chance of survival."
But the committee disagreed.
At this stage, the proposed bylaws are being approved only for public consultation.
Source
Images and Story of the Day!
Warm on Mum's Happy Feet! The fluffy penguin chicks who know how to stay cosy
By Mail Foreign Service18th May 2010
Snuggled safely on its mother's feet, a newborn penguin chick peers out at the camera.
A photographer braved sub-zero temperatures to capture these tender moments between adult penguins and their young.
Linda Drake travelled onboard an icebreaker ship to get to Snow Hill Island, which lies off the east coast of the Antarctic Peninsula.
I've found my cosy spot! A newborn penguin chick gets snuggled in on top of its mother's feet in the Antarctic
Sorry, Mom! The pair look at each other solemnly after the chick appears to take a nip at its mother's feet
The birds allow their newborn chicks to perch on their feet and nuzzle under their bodies to shelter while the other parent forages for food.
Ms Drake, 40, said: 'I only had three hours with the penguins that trip but it was still the most fantastic thing I have ever experienced.
'Seeing the bond between the parents and the young penguins was really special.
'"The chicks were being kept warm in the brood pouch and on top of the feet of the parent. They looked so cute.'
Everyone find a travel buddy: Another adult penguin leads a group of slightly older chicks through the snow
Family affair: The Emperor penguins take it in turns to look after their brood
The male spends the winter incubating the egg in his brood pouch, balancing it on the tops of his feet for 64 consecutive days until hatching.
The young chick is then brooded in the 'guard phase', spending time balanced on its parent's feet and sheltered in the brood pouch.
The female penguin returns at any time from hatching to ten days afterwards and the parents then take it in turns to look after the chick and forage for food.
Ms Drake, from California, United States, added: 'I make trips to the Antarctic and the Arctic every year.
'I have endured temperatures of 60 below zero, had frostbite on my nose and cheeks and even lost a few milimetres off the tip of the finger I use on my camera button.'
Source
Santa Barbara Zoo Home to Two New Penguin Hatchlings
Sheri Horiszny
Two new penguin babies hatch at Santa Barbara Zoo.
Perfect Penguins
Santa Barbara Zoo Home to Two New Penguin Hatchlings
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Two Humboldt penguin chicks hatched recently at the S.B. Zoo (500 Niños Dr.). Though the two share the same parents, the chicks arrived about one month apart in April and March and are being housed off-exhibit for the next few weeks until they learn to swim. For updates on the baby penguins’ progress, visit sbzoo.org or call 962-5339 for more info.
Source
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Image of the Day
You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you're all the same.
Originally uploaded by Slow Loris
Monday, May 17, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Images of the Day
May 11, 2010
Day-Old Gentoo Penguin Chicks at Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh Zoo celebrated the hatching of its first Gentoo Penguin chicks of the year this weekend. Photographer Debbie Grant snapped these little ones on Saturday. Gentoos are known for their unique circular nests that they build out of piles of stones. Some penguins give each other stones as gifts, typically to curry favor with the opposite sex. Kind of a penguin Valentine's Day.
Photo Credits: Debbie Grant taken at the Edinburgh Zoo
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Living Coasts Aquarium Calculates Raising One Penguin Costs
Living Coasts Aquarium Calculates Raising One Penguin Costs £200,000
By Philip KnowlingTorquay, UK - They say bringing up a child is an expensive business – but try raising a penguin!
The cost of looking after a child until it is 18 is said to be around £120,000. The animal experts at Living Coasts in Devon calculate that caring for one penguin for an average lifetime of 30 years costs in the region of £200,000 – and Living Coasts has 80 of them.
Keeping penguins is a serious business. The average adult African penguin weighs approximately 5 kilos and eats about 835 grams of best quality, locally-caught sprats every day. This means that a penguin consumes over 9 tonnes of fish in its lifetime.
Staff costs include both zoo keepers and penguin patrollers, who are employed at Living Coasts to make sure visitors and penguins enjoy their close encounters without any problems.
Living Coasts Director Elaine Hayes said: “The total comes to £200,522. That doesn’t include rent or council tax or inflation - and you can’t put a price on the enthusiasm and experience of staff. Penguins don’t leave home when they grow up or get a job, either. It’s just as well we don’t do this for the money!”
One way people can help Living Coasts – a registered charity - meet these costs is by adopting a penguin. Animal adoptions are a great way to join in and support wildlife.
You can adopt a penguin from as little as £35 a year. Adopters receive a certificate, an engraved plaque put up on site, a year's subscription to Zoo News magazine, a photograph and one free ticket to visit Living Coasts.
Living Coasts is home to 80 free-ranging penguins of two species – African and macaroni. For more information go to www.livingcoasts.org.uk or ring (01803) 202470.
To view Living Coasts Aquarium's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to: http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-786-Living_Coasts
Source
Famous penguin helps pop the question
Famous penguin helps pop the question
May 13, 2010 7:11pm
- Xorey Tinkess proposed to his girlfriend Amanda Timmers after Tweeblik , a 12 year African Penguin carries in the engagement ring into the room around her neck. The Marine Life Department at West Edmonton Mall worked with Corey explained that Amanda loves penguins. (PERRY MAH/QMI AGENCY)
“I’m shaking,” said Amanda Timmers, 22, as she tearfully accepted the diamond ring at the mall.
“Didn’t expect that did ya?” Tinkess said.
She didn’t suspect a thing.
Tinkess, 23, a high-school teacher in Ingleside, Ont., began planning the unique proposal to his girlfriend of five years in October. He coincided a week-long trip from their home province of Ontario to Edmonton with a penguin class at the mall to learn more about the critters.
The couple sat down, ready to watch a penguin create them a painting, when Tweeblik waddled in the room with an engagement ring. “I do love penguins,” said Timmers, who is working toward a career in psychology. “I love them because they are so awkward, the way they walk.” Tweeblick was selected by her caregivers for the special task thanks to her friendly and outgoing demeanour, said trainer Jill Young.
“(She) is very comfortable working with the cameras,” Young said. Gnome-sized Tweeblick ¬ the smallest of the West Edmonton mall penguins ¬ starred in the 2007 romantic comedy Good Luck Chuck with Alba and Dane Cook. Born and raised at the mall, Tweeblick has also been in Telus commercials and a power-conservation commercial with Suzuki.
This wasn't the only time Tweeblick has helped in the romance department. Last year the tiny penguin was the ring bearer at an Edmonton wedding. “I had to walk down the aisle (with the penguin),” Young said with a smile. But this was the two-legged creature’s first marriage proposal. “It’s so creative. It’s such a great idea,” said Lori Reinholt, Marine Life education supervisor, who helped plan the secret proposal.
After the question was popped, Tweeblick’s trainer dip the animal's feet in blue and white paint to create a picture for the newly-engaged couple.“Penguins (have the same) mate for life and that’s really symbolic of how I feel about her,” Tinkess said. Strangely, this wasn’t the only penguin proposal recently. Last month, a U.S. couple were engaged in the penguin exhibit at an Ohio zoo.
Source
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Image of the Day
2008 was our proudest moment as Nils was given the prestigious honour of a knighthood--a position so high it had to be approved the King of Norway, King Harald V.
Scientists to track penguin migration
Southwest Marine Fisheries Service
Chinstrap penguins are one of the species that will be tracked by the Southwest Marine Fisheries Service.
Scientists to track penguin migration
Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 7:35 p.m.
- Southwest Marine Fisheries Service
McKenzie Mudge, left, and Kevin Pietrzak tag a gentoo penguin this year at Cape Shirreff, Antarctica.
To follow Antarctic penguins and seals being tracked by the Southwest Fisheries Science Center, go to uniontrib.com/taggingmap.
Now you can track the animals’ movements, thanks to the Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla.
Scientists from the facility have attached satellite tags to 61 of the creatures. They and the public will be able to see the results on an online map.
Gentoo and chinstrap penguins and fur, leopard and Weddell seals recently were outfitted with cell phone-sized transmitters that send information to satellites whenever the animals surface. The researchers will process information on the species’ range of movement, the places they frequent most and the temperatures and salinity levels of those areas.
“No one has ever done this many species from one location and see how they disperse over the winter,” said Mike Goebel, a researcher for the fisheries center, which is run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“Prior to doing this study, we had no idea which species remain in the Antarctic (for the winter) and which species migrate.”
Federal researchers typically monitor the Antarctic ecosystem from October through March, which is summertime there.
“Our research has led us to believe that the winter activities of these animals are important to their reproductive success,” said biologist Amy Van Cise from the center.
“For example, their ability to forage during the winter is linked to their ability to reproduce and raise offspring the following summer.”
Source
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