Articles
Video: Threshers by Howard and Michelle Hall
Howard and Michelle Hall have posted a silky smooth montage of pelagic thresher sharks (Alopias pelagicus) filmed at Malapascua Island, Philippines. The footage was shot in 8K resolution with a RED 8K Digital Cinema camera.
Deep-sea coral garden estimated at 1,000 years old
During the recent NOAA expedition aboard the Okeanos, the scientific team discovered a hidden coral bed of bamboo coral 7,500 feet beneath the surface. The 23-day expedition was aboard the only federally funded vessel devoted entirely to oceanic research. NOAA estimates that the coral structures are up to 1,000 years old.
New housing for the Canon EOS 7D released by Ikelite
Ikelite has released an updated version of their housing for the Canon EOS 7D, the 200DL. The housing is manufactured from Ikelite’s new ABS-PC which is stronger than it’s clear counterpart. The shutter and AF-ON lever have both been ergonomically improved as well as an updated Dry Lock (DL) port system that accommodates pro lenses. The housing is priced at $1,695 US MSRP and available now.
Sharks prefer jazz music
In a newly published study, scientists have shown that shark may prefer the regular beat of jazz music over classical music. Experts have long hypothesized that sharks associated the noise of a boat’s engine with food after many years of being fed. In this study, scientists trained port jackson sharks to follow music played at one end of a fish tank for a food reward. The results of the study illustrate a lot about what sharks are capable of.
Invasive rats have been successfully eradicated from Antarctic Island
A successful invasive species eradication program has rid South Georgia island in the Antarctic of rats. The efforts of the Scottish charity, South Georgia Heritage Trust, began in 2010 and just wrapped up after waiting two years after the last application of rodenticide. There are no trees on the island and the introduced rats were devouring species of birds that nest on the ground and are found nowhere else in the world. Rats were first introduced to South Georgia by sealers and whalers in the early 19th century.
Pregnant humpback whales surge near Antarctica
Scientists have seen a significant upswing in the number of pregnant female humpback whales in the Antarctic recently. Blubber samples over a six year period showed approximately 60 percent of females had high progesterone levels, an indication that they were pregnant. The scientists also have seen an increase in the number of calves born in recent years. Both signs are encouraging as humpback whales are at ten percent of their population from pre-whaling years.
Live Updates: Canon Collective/Scubapix imaging event at Heron Island
The Canon Collective, along with Scubapix-Nauticam Australia and Heron Island Resort have partnered to offer a unique underwater imaging event at Heron Island, Queensland, Australia. Kicking off on 5 May, the event will offer 25 underwater image makers an opportunity to experience the diving and scenery around the resort and to try out the latest Canon and Nauticam imaging gear.
In a new study scientists admit there is a lot to learn about mantis shrimp vision systems
In a newly published study on mantis shrimp, scientists admit “We’re nowhere close” to solving the mystery of their vision systems. In a study published yesterday in The Royal Society, scientists tried to get to the bottom of mantis shrimp vision systems once again by investigating gaze stabilization. Biologist Ilse Daly, with the University of Bristol in Britain, was the lead scientist on the study of peacock mantis shrimps. During the research Daly found the orientation of their eyeballs “doesn’t seem to have any bearing on their perception of space”.
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