This image entitled ‘Snowy Owl’ was awarded second place in the juried photographic exhibit held at the Medford Arts Center in Medford, New Jersey.
This image along with 35 other amazing images are on display at the Medford Arts Center until March 18th.
Tonight (February 18th from 5 to 7 p.m.) is the final receptions for three separate exhibits held at Medford, N.J.
The Medford Arts Center is presenting a juried Photographic exhibit with a wide diversity of photographic images contributed by New Jersey Photographers. There are over 35 images on display.
The “All About Nature” exhibit held at the Hansen Warner Building is also a juried exhibit by the very talented South Jersey Camera Club members. There are over 60 images on display.
Stop by this evening.
You are invited to our next “Great American West” exhibit by Larry Lyons and Pat Worley. This exhibit will be hanging at the Deptford Galleria, Deptford, NJ from January 22 to March 30, 2016. The exhibit includes over 65 framed images captured from national parks including Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Redwood Forest, Badlands, Yosemite, Desert Valley, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and much more.
A reception will be provided on Sunday, February 28th, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. There will be flutists playing and hors d’oeuvres being served. Save the date.
Feel free to contact me at lalyons@comcast.net if you have any questions.
Island Beach State Park is one of the last significant remnants of a barrier island ecosystem that once existed along most of the New Jersey coastline. In fact, it is one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier beaches along the north Atlantic coast.
Island Beach State Park is about 3,000 acres along a 10-mile stretch of coastal dunes. It is situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay. This barrier island ecosystem consists of primary dunes, beaches, dense thickets of brush and trees, freshwater wetlands, maritime forest and tidal marshes. There are over 400 plant species. This ecosystem is utilized by a wide diversity of birds including ospreys, peregrine falcons, wading birds, shore birds and songbirds. Island Beach State Park is also the home of a red fox population.
‘Red Fox On Snow-Covered Dunes’ © Larry A Lyons
The red fox population at Island Beach State Park in New Jersey appears quite healthy and prosperous. This past winter of 2015 appears to have a particularly high population of foxes present. In one drive through at least 8 to 10 foxes were observed over a period of four hours. Since Barnegat Bay has been frozen for several weeks this winter, some migration of the foxes is suspected to the park via the frozen bay.
‘On The Run’ © Larry A Lyons
Foxes are generally nocturnal and like to hunt at night. However, if they live in a place where they do feel safe, like Island Beach State Park, they may also hunt in the daytime. One fox was observed running across the road with a bird in its mouth. It quickly disappeared into the thickets to either stash its catch or eat it.
‘Do Not Feed Me’ © Larry A Lyons
It is obvious that the foxes of Island Beach are somewhat unafraid of humans since they will approach you waiting to see if you will feed them. However, it is strictly forbidden to feed them. There is plenty of natural food in the park for their needs. Feeding them is detrimental to them. One fox was observed walking around with a broken leg. This injury could have resulted by being struck from a vehicle.
‘On The Prowl’ © Larry A Lyons
Red foxes are successful animals in the wild. They live throughout the continental United States and also in Europe, Asia and North Africa. They can be found in a variety of habitats including forest areas, grasslands, deserts, mountains, and coastal areas.
Living in the wild is a harsh life. The life span of a red fox is three to five years in the wild as opposed to red foxes that live in captivity can live up to 10 to 12 years.
‘Oh So Pretty’ © Larry A Lyons
Red foxes are the size of a medium sized dog. They are naturally lean, but do not appear that way when seen in the winter with their rather bulky coat.
Foxes have excellent hearing and can hear low frequency sounds and rodents digging underground.
‘Red Fox Profile’ © Larry A Lyons
Red foxes also have great eyesight. They have vertically-split pupils like a cat that would be advantageous when hunting at night.
‘Red Fox Close-up’ © Larry A Lyons
Foxes being omnivores have a very diverse diet of animals and plant material. Plant material would include fruits, berries, acorns, grasses, sedges and tubers. Their animal diet consists of small mammals (mice, rabbits, voles), insects and grubs, birds, and if they live near the ocean they will also consume mollusks, crabs and fish.
Although foxes typically hunt or forage alone, they are social animals that live in packs. Packs can consist of older siblings, pups, nannies (non breeding females) and mates.
‘Winter Courting’ © Larry A Lyons
Their breeding season is in the winter when they will court and mate. The female fox is referred to as a ‘vixen’ and the male as a ‘dog’. The dog fox will support the vixen by bringing food to the family in early spring. A vixen can produce a litter of 2 to 12 pups. Both parents care for their young through the summer after which they are out on their own.
‘The Dog and The Vixen’ © Larry A Lyons
Vixens can also be assisted in rearing the cubs by non-breeding females or a female cub from a previous litter.
Fighting and posturing of red foxes can either be the result of aggressive and dominant behavior or by fearful or submissive behavior. When male foxes are courting females, the male will turn its’ ears outwardly and raise it’s tail in a horizontal position.
‘Dominance’ © Larry A Lyons
When a fox is afraid or expressing submission to a dominant animal, foxes will arch their backs while crouching their legs and curving their bodies. Their ears are pointed backwards and their tails are lashing back and forth.
‘Submission’ © Larry A Lyons
Playful individuals will perk their ears and rise on their hind legs.
‘Playing’ © Larry A Lyons
‘The Chase’ © Larry A Lyons
When red foxes move into an assertive attack, the foxes approach each other directly instead of sideways. They will stand on each other’s upper bodies with their forelegs using open-mouthed threats.
‘Squabble’ © Larry A Lyons
These fights typically occur among juveniles or adults of the same sex. These fights tend to be very short-lived.
‘Foxy Vixens’ © Larry A Lyons
It is no wonder why the red fox has a reputation of being cunning and smart. They are quite resourceful with their ability to find food and appropriate habitats, like Island Beach State Park, to achieve their livelihood. They have a social structure that is not only interesting to observe but is quite successful.
The preservation and management of habitats, particularly unique ecosystems like Island Beach State Park, is a treasure that must be protected, respected, and cherished.
Resources:
http://www.islandbeachnj.org/index.html
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/island.html
Two exhibit announcements to be made for the month of February 2015.
Three images were accepted into the 2015 Wilmington International Exhibition of Photography. This is an annual exhibition that is a juried competition from entrants from all over the world.
For the “Photojournalism Projected” competition a total of 632 images were received and a total of 155 images were accepted. Two of my images, entitled “Wedding Caravan” and “Innocence”, were accepted for the “Photojournalism Projected” competition.
‘Wedding Caravan’ © Larry A Lyons
‘Innocence’ © Larry A Lyons
For the “Color Projected” competition a total of 1,257 images were received and a total 296 images were accepted. My image, entitled “Vigilant”, was accepted.
‘Vigilant’ © Larry a Lyons
The projected images can be viewed on February 22nd and March 1st from 12 noon to 5 pm at Arshst Hall, University of Delaware, Wilmington, Delaware.
In addition, three ‘printed’ images were accepted at the Medford Arts Gallery in Medford, NJ. A juried exhibition of all prints can be viewed at the gallery during the month of February. One of the prints, entitled “Out of Africa”, was a metal print that received an “Honorable Mention” award.
‘Out of Africa’ © Larry A Lyons
The other two images (Innocence and Vigilant) are displayed as fine art prints.
That is enough of the bragging.
The Grand Teton National Park, 310,000 acres in size, is located just 10 miles south of Yellowstone within the State of Wyoming. It encompasses the Teton mountain range, glacial lakes, the 15-mile long Jackson Lake, the upper stem of the Snake River and part of the Jackson Hole Valley.
‘Grand Teton National Park Map’
This is the second part of the National Park series following a post on “Yellowstone- The Landscape”. It really is astonishing to travel only 10 miles (16 km) south from the geothermal landscapes of Yellowstone to the majestic, and more serene, landscapes of the Tetons.
‘The Tetons’ © Larry A Lyons
The Teton mountain range is a sub-range of the Rocky Mountains that extends for 3,000 miles (4,800 km) from British Columbia to New Mexico. It is the youngest mountain range within the Rocky Mountains that began forming between 6 and 9 million years ago.
Mount Grand Teton is the tallest mountain within the Teton mountain range with an elevation of 13,775 ft. (4,200 m). Here Mt. Grand Teton stands 7,000 ft. (2,100 m) above a Moulton homestead within Jackson Hole Valley.
‘Mt. Grand Teton Overlooking Jackson Hole Valley’ © Larry A Lyons
The beauty of the Tetons is never far from your view while visiting this national park. You just have to face west. In addition to Mount Grand Teton, there are another nine mountain peaks at elevations over 12,000 ft. (3,700 m).
‘Teton Mountain Range’ © Larry A Lyons
Mount Moran, named after Thomas Moran, a frontier landscape artist, stands at 12,605 ft. (3,840 m). Mount Moran rises 6,000 ft. (1,800 m) above the Snake River at an area called Oxbow Bend.
‘Mt. Moran At Oxbow Bend’ © Larry A Lyons
Here Mount Moran is reflecting in Jackson Lake.
‘Mt. Morans’ Reflection’ © Larry A Lyons
The major peaks of the Teton mountain range were carved out into their current shapes by glaciers that have vanished long ago. Small glaciers that continue to recede still exist at the highest peaks.
‘Mt. Moran’s Peak’ © Larry A Lyons
The peaks with their light blue glaciers and bare granite are often viewed through the clouds.
‘In The Clouds’ © Larry A Lyons
‘Bare Granite Peaks and Glaciers’ © Larry A Lyons
Jackson Hole Valley within the national park is 55 miles (89 km) long and 6 to 13 miles (10 to 21 km) wide. It is a fairly flat terrain at an average elevation of 6,800 ft. (2,100 m). The Snake River starts out as a small river flowing west and south into Jackson Lake. The first 50 miles (80 km) of Snake River runs through Jackson Hole Valley.
In the early 1800’s mountain men came to Jackson Hole Valley to trap for beaver and hunt for other fur bearing animals. Fur trading businesses thrived until about 1840 when businesses folded as a result of the decline of beaver populations from over-trapping. Today, beavers are back in business and building rather extensive dams.
Weather conditions can really change how your images will be portrayed. The overcast days and extensive cloud cover when photographing within the park this past autumn really provided for some dramatic images. Here only the foothills of the Tetons were visible because of the extensive cloud cover when photographing the large beaver dam.
‘Beaver Dam On Snake River’ © Larry A Lyons
Jackson Hole Valley is also the home of the National Elk Refuge with the largest elk herd on earth.
‘Elk Grazing’ © Larry A Lyons
And Bison also roam free in the valley. Here the bison were moving in one direction, whispery faint clouds passing in the opposite direction in front of the Tetons, and the sun was beginning to set that lit-up the peaks and clouds.
‘Bison On The Move’ © Larry A Lyons
Like Yellowstone, the Grand Teton National Park supports a wide diversity of wildlife. An upcoming post will provide a glimpse into the wildlife that utilize and reside in the ‘Greater Yellowstone’ ecosystem encompassing both the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.
‘Western Ho’ © Larry A Lyons
All of the images in this post were captured in the autumn when the aspen trees brighten up the landscape with their quivering, yellow foliage. Autumn is a particularly good time to visit this national park.
‘Aspens Accenting The Landscape’ © Larry A Lyons
‘Autumn Colors of a Meadow’ © Larry A Lyons
The green tint of the bark of aspen trees is created by chlorophyll that allows photosynthesis, providing energy from the sun for their growth. This allows aspen trees to flourish during their short growing season.
‘Stand of Aspens’ © Larry A Lyons
Homesteads settled by few frontiersmen in Jackson Hole Valley during the 1890’s and early 1900’s have been historically preserved.
One particular homestead, known as the “Shane Cabins”, was actually used as props for a 1953 movie starring Alan Ladd in the movie entitled “Shane”. It is an American West movie about homesteaders. A clip of this movie with the Grand Tetons as the setting can be found at Shane.
‘Shane Cabins and Homestead’ © Larry A Lyons
Historically this homestead was the “Luther Taylor Homestead” that was built in 1916; however, for the most part it is referred to as the “Shane” cabins.
‘Teton Sunset’ © Larry A Lyons
‘Shane’ © Larry A Lyons
While photographing these nighttime images, the howling of coyotes in the distance added to the lore of the Shane cabins.
‘Big Dipper Over Shane Cabin’ © Larry A Lyons
There is also a complex of homesteads within Jackson Hole Valley referred to as ‘Mormon Row’. Mormon homesteaders began to arrive in the 1890’s. These homesteaders clustered their farms to share labor and community. Despite the arid and long winter conditions of the Jackson Hole Valley, these settlers grew crops by using irrigation. They dug out levees, dikes and ditches to funnel water to their fields. Today the barns of two settlers – John and Thomas Moulton- remain as historic testament to these hardy homesteaders.
‘Thomas Moulton Homestead’ © Larry A Lyons
‘John Moulton Barn’ © Larry A Lyons
‘Glacier Framed by Corral Fence’ © Larry A Lyons
Bid adieu to the Tetons for now. As majestic and grand as the Tetons stand here on planet Earth, you can only ponder when glazing into the Milky Way and its millions of stars the infinite wonders of this universe.
‘Infinite Wonders’ © Larry A Lyons
Stay tuned for upcoming posts. One upcoming post will provide a glimpse of the wildlife utilizing both the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Another post provide a glimpse of Mammoth Springs, which consists of extensive limestone formations generated by the hot springs in Yellowstone. In addition, a ‘glimpse’ into other National Parks, including the Badlands, the Redwood Forests, Yosemite, Death Valley, and the Grand Canyon, will be forthcoming.
An upcoming series of posts will be providing a “glimpse” of the National Parks in the United States including Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Badlands, Redwood Forests, Yosemite, Death Valley, Grand Canyon and others. This series is intended to provide a glimpse into the uniqueness of each national park encompassing the beauty of its topography, its geological make-up, and the distinct ecosystems supporting a diversity of wildlife and plant species.
This National Park series will begin with Yellowstone National Park, which is the first U.S. National Park established in 1872.
Yellowstone is situated in the northwest corner of Wyoming and includes small areas of Montana and Idaho. It encompasses 2.2 million acres (or 3,400 square miles). It is an area larger than the states of Delaware and Rhode Island combined.
‘Map of Yellowstone’
Yellowstone is one giant volcano resting on top of one of the largest magna chambers in the world. The last major eruption was 600,000 years ago. From 1,000 to 3,000 earthquakes occur each year at Yellowstone, but most are too small to be felt.
Geysers and Steam Vents Galore’ © Larry A Lyons
Yellowstone is home to more than 10,000 geothermal features encompassing geysers, hot springs, steam vents and baths, and percolating mud baths. All of these geothermal features are fueled by heat just a few miles underground.
Sixty percent of the world’s geysers are situated in Yellowstone with over 200 active geysers. Geysers are hot springs that are constricted at the surface that periodically erupt into a fountain of boiling water and steam.
The ‘Old Faithful’ geyser is probably the most famous geyser in the world, not because it is the tallest geyser, but rather it is one of the more predictable geysers. ‘Old Faithful’ erupts several times each day and its eruption is predictable within 30 minutes prior to erupting. Eruptions may occur as frequently as every 60 to 90 minutes. Each eruption blasts 3,400 to 8,400 gallons (14,000 liters to 32,000 liters) of boiling water to a height of 120 feet (36 meters).
‘Old Faithful’ © Larry A Lyons
The reason “Old Faithful” is quite the predictable geyser is because it does not share its underground plumbing system with other geysers. Most of the water from geysers first arrives from rain or snow melt. The water seeps deep into the earth and begins a long recycling journey back up again. The journey can take 500 years or more before it is recycled and blasts into an eruption. In other words, the hot water erupting that this image captured was last seen during the time of Columbus.
‘Grand Geyser Erupting’ © Larry A Lyons
Grand geyser is consistently the tallest and perhaps the most spectacular of the predictable geysers. Grand geyser will erupt around every 8 to 12 hours and will blast to a height of 150 to 180 feet (46 to 55 meters).
‘Petrified Trees’ © Larry A Lyons
Petrified trees border the Grand geyser pool area. There are two types of geysers, that is, either cone-shaped like the Old Faithful geyser or fountain-type geyser. The “Grand” geyser erupts from a pool of water to produce a fountain-type geyser. After the eruption has ended, the water will be out of sight or sometimes a pool of water will be visible.
‘Castle Rock Venting Steam’ © Larry A Lyons
Castle geyser is considered a very old geyser that is 5,000 to 15,000 years that has a 12-foot (4-meter) cone. Castle geyser erupts at an interval between 9 to 11 hours. Bison are often seen grazing near the geysers.
‘Hot Spring’ © Larry A Lyons
Hot springs are the most common geothermal feature in which rising hot water is released as a runoff or as steam. Water temperatures can exceed 190 degrees F (90 degrees C). Unlike geysers with a pressurized plumbing system that erupts through a small constriction, hot springs have wide openings where super heated water is continuously circulating to the surface.
‘Colorful Microbial Mats’ © Larry A Lyons
Colorful microbial mats, composed of trillions of pigmented bacteria, live in and around the hot springs. The colors can range across a wide spectrum of colors.
‘Thermophiles’ © Larry A Lyons
The bright colors found in Yellowstone’s hydrothermal basins originate from thermophiles – microorganisms that thrive in hot temperatures and the mineral-rich water.
‘Close-up of Pigmented Microbial Mats’ © Larry A Lyons
‘Small Geysers Sprouting’ © Larry A Lyons
Large Hydrothermal basins, like the ‘Grand Prismatic Spring’, also reveals extensive microbial mats with the vivid colors that flourish throughout the basin.
‘Grand Prismatic Spring’ © Larry A Lyons
‘Sunset Over Grand Prismatic Spring’ © Larry A Lyons
In addition to all of the geothermal features that Yellowstone has to offer, there are many other spectacular vistas including snow covered mountains and a golden grand canyon.
‘Rocky Mountain Vista’ © Larry A Lyons
Here a couple of bison are resting in the grassy plateau while waterfowl wade in the pond. Yellowstone is home to 50 species of mammals and 300 species of birds. An upcoming post will provide a glimpse into the wildlife of Yellowstone.
The “Grand Canyon of Yellowstone’ is situated in the middle of the park with Yellowstone River flowing through it. The canyon is 24 miles (38 km) long and 1,200 feet (365 meters) deep. Yellowstone River drops an astonishing 300 feet (91 meters) at the Lower Yellowstone Falls.
‘Grand Canyon of Yellowstone’ © Larry A Lyons
This golden canyon was formed from volcanic rock about 600,000 years ago. The golden color of the volcanic rock evolved from the iron in the rock that had become ozidized from steam and hot water.
‘Volcanic Rock Close-up’ © Larry A Lyons
Yellowstone River is recognized as the longest free-flowing (undammed) river in the United States.
‘Upper Yellowstone Falls’ © Larry A Lyons
Forest fires are an important part of Yellowstone’s ecosystem and has become to be understood that fires are a natural regeneration process. Yellowstone, like other parks, have instituted a natural fire management plan that allows fires caused by lightning to burn out on their own. For instance in 2013 there were 15 fires. Of the 15, eleven of the fires were only 0.1 to 1.0 acres in size. The remaining four fires ranged in size from 189 acres to 7,200 acres for a total of 11, 933 acres. Five of the 2013 fires were attributed to human activity while the remaining ten fires were caused by lighting. In 2014, there were only five fires reported and each of those fires was only 0.1 acres in size.
‘Forest Regeneration’ © Larry A Lyons
Many of Yellowstone’s plant species are fire-adapted. For instance, lodgepole pines (Pinus contorta), which make up nearly 80% of the park’s extensive forests, have cones that are sealed by resin until the intense heat of fire cracks open and releases the seeds inside.
Pine and Aspen Saplings’ © Larry A Lyons
One lonely Aspen sapling along with the pine saplings are in the process of regenerating into a new forest. Fires may stimulate regeneration of aspen, sagebrush, and willows, but the interactions between these plants and fire is complicated by other influences such as grazing levels and climate.
The scenery of Yellowstone at night can be as grand as the daytime hours.
‘Night Eruption of Old Faithful’ © Larry A Lyons
‘Venting To The Stars’ © Larry A Lyons
‘Big Dipper and Yellowstone’ © Larry A Lyons
Here a full moon is shining through Old Faithful’s eruption.
‘Goodnight Yellowstone’ © Larry A Lyons
Bid adieu to Yellowstone for now. What a magnificent treasure! Stay tuned for upcoming posts. Two more posts on Yellowstone will be forthcoming. One is a glimpse of Mammoth Springs, which consists of extensive limestone formations generated by the hot springs of Yellowstone, and the wildlife of Yellowstone. In addition, a ‘glimpse’ into other National Parks, including Grand Tetons, Badlands, Redwood Forests, Yosemite, Death Valley, and Grand Canyon, will be forthcoming.
The manatee is an endangered species living in coastal estuaries and freshwaters in Florida. It is currently estimated that the “minimum” current population stands at about 5,000 manatees within the state of Florida.
‘Endangered Manatee’ © Larry A Lyons
The endangered manatee is a large mammal also known as a sea cow. Manatees are believed to evolve from plant-eating and wading-like mammals with their closest relative being the elephant. In spite of their cuddly-like appearance and non-aggressive manner, manatees are as wild as free-ranging elephants.
‘The Graceful Manatee’ © Larry A Lyons
Manatees are migratory animals and in the summer will migrate along the eastern and western coasts of Florida. Some individuals will migrate as far north as the Carolinas and as far west as Texas. However, during the winter calendar months manatees do tend to concentrate near warm water springs or near thermal discharges of power plants within Florida. When water temperatures go below 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Centigrade), the stress from the colder waters can be fatal. In the winter of 2010, more than 280 manatees died from an extended period of cold weather.
One of the longest-term threats to the manatees is the loss of habitat of warm water habitats. Residential development in Florida continues to encroach on these warm water spring habitats that are essential for their survival. Although power plant discharges do provide the essential warm water for a large portion of the manatee populations, the expectations of these power plants not shutting down because of equipment failure or even being decommissioned creates a high risk to the manatee populations. A means of conserving “natural” warm water habitats within Florida is absolutely critical.
‘The Sea Cow’ © Larry A Lyons
The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge including the Kings Bay in Florida, which is also referred to as the manatee capital of the world, was established for the protection of the endangered manatees in 1983. The warm water springs originating from Crystal River provide a critical sanctuary for the manatee populations that migrate there each year from November to April. During the winter months it is estimated that up to 600 manatees migrate into this sanctuary.
All of these images were captured at the Crystal River sanctuary using a Nikonas V underwater film camera in January 1995. The Crystal River sanctuary has become a tourist attraction where it is estimated that 150,000 visitors come each year. Visitors are permitted to snorkel with the endangered manatees within designated areas following specific guidelines. Unfortunately there have been disturbing instances in which people have been harassing the manatees and swimming in areas that are strictly for manatees only. Of particular importance is that all watercraft travelling through manatee sanctuaries do so cautiously and at idle speed.
It really is a remarkable and unforgettable experience to be able to swim with these gentle giants. If you have the opportunity, be sure to abide to the specific guidelines defined by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
‘Vulnerable Swimmer’ © Larry A Lyons
Manatees are graceful swimmers powered by a strong tail. They generally swim along at three to five miles (5 to 8 kilometers) an hour, but they can swim up to 15 miles (24 kilometers) an hour on short bursts. Manatees are generally observed swimming close to the surface that creates a high level of risk of being injured or killed from outboard motors.
Manatee mortalities are recorded each year by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. These mortality counts define whether mortalities are the result of watercraft accidents, cold stress, natural causes, perinatal causes, undetermined causes, and other causes. From 2007 through 2013 it is estimated on the average that at least 20 percent of the manatee mortalities resulted from being struck by watercraft. It is also important to note that this 20 percent mortality from watercraft does not include all of the mortalities that were undetermined or the mortalities that go unreported.
‘Manatee Close-up’ © Larry A Lyons
The manatee with their small eyes and no outer ears do have good sight and hearing. Manatees emit a variety of sounds used in communication. They can also communicate by smell, taste and touch. Their face contains over 600 vibrissae (whisker-like hairs), but the sensory function of the whiskers is unknown.
‘Taking A Breath’ © Larry A Lyons
Manatees must resurface regularly to breathe air through their nostrils. When just resting, manatees may resurface every 20 minutes. However, when they are moving about and consuming energy, they may resurface for a breath every three to five minutes. Resurfacing to breathe or just resting in shallow waters creates a high level of vulnerability for their survival from being accidently hit by boats. In fact, researchers can often identify many surviving manatees by the scars that have resulted from being injured from outboard motors.
‘Herbivorous Mammal’ © Larry A Lyons
Manatees are herbivores grazing on algae, sea grass and a variety of other aquatic plants. They consume 10 to 15% of their body weight in vegetation each day. By far, sea grass beds would be the most important source of vegetation for the manatees. The manatee above is grazing on algae and stirring–up sediment in the process.
‘Gentle Giant’ © Larry A Lyons
Manatees are gentle giants with an average length of ten feet (3 meters) and weighing up to 1,200 lbs. (540 kg). This manatee was attempting to remove any algae on this rope that was dangling in the water.
Red tides are another major threat to the manatees. Red tides are algal blooms of a specific algae that contain neurotoxins. Red tides are naturally occurring events that will occur offshore. If the blooms move inshore, an extended algal bloom can occur from nutrient loading by urban and agricultural runoff. Manatees are exposed to the neurotoxins when they come to the surface to breathe and when grazing on grasses coated with the algae. The neurotoxins cause seizures and subsequent drowning of manatees. In 2013 it was estimated that as a many as 276 mortalities may have resulted from red tidal events. It is also important to note that the total mortality count for 2013 was 829 manatees, which is more than twice the mortalities reported in 2012.
‘Pair Resting’ © Larry A Lyons
Female manatee is usually larger than the male and breeds only once every few years. It is believed that only one calf is born every two to five years. The gestation period is 12 months. The calf is dependent on its mother for a 12 to 18 month period. This low reproduction cycle creates a high level of risk for their long-term survival.
News Flash: A July 2nd, 2014 news flash from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) stated that the agency is in the process of considering removing the manatee from the endangered species list to merely a species that is threatened. The USFWS is responding to a lawsuit originating from a citizens group, Save Crystal River, Inc. This citizens group is concerned about new idle-speed rules for watercraft and the expansion of manatee refuge areas in Kings Bay. It will be interesting to see how the USFWS decides on protecting the manatees.
‘Protect The Manatee’ © Larry A Lyons
So let’s recap on the vulnerability of manatee populations in Florida and why this gentle giant should remain as an endangered species for maximum protection. Manatees require warm water sanctuaries like the Crystal River for appropriate habitat during the winter months for their survival. Manatee dependence of thermal discharges from power plants for warm water habitat should be cautiously monitored. Conservation efforts to enhance and manage ‘natural’ warm water sanctuaries in Florida are critical.
Manatees have a low reproduction cycle with only one calf being born every two to five years. Manatees living, grazing and moving about in shallow waters causes a high level of risk from being killed or injured from the ever-increasing boat traffic in Floridian waters.
In addition to the high vulnerability from watercraft, manatees are vulnerable to the loss of turtle grass habitat, which is their main food staple. The population is quite vulnerable to any extended cold winters. In addition, the sudden appearance of red tides can decimate a large portion of the manatee population. The possibility of even sustaining the current manatee population should be one of grave concern.
References:
You are invited to our next “African Adventure” exhibit by Larry Lyons and Patricia Worley. The exhibit will be held at the Deptford Galleria, Deptford, NJ from June 9th until September 10th, 2014. A reception and slide show will be provided on June 22nd from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The slide show will provide a conservation perspective of the most dangerous animals including the lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and the rhino.
‘An African Adventure Exhibit’
This is the fifth exhibit that Larry and Pat have given related to their African experience. The exhibit displays over 70 framed prints including the wildlife and the people of Africa. You do not want to miss this exhibit and reception.
You are invited to an exhibit entitled “An African Adventure: The People” by Larry Lyons and Patricia Worley. The exhibit will be at the Cherry Hill Library, Cherry Hill, NJ for the month of February 2014.
Here is the announcement about the reception:
‘An African Adventure: The People’
A reception and slide show will be provided on February 8th, 2014. The slide show will present the experiences that Larry and Pat had as volunteers with the African Impact Organization for a six-week period from from September through October 2012. The slide show presentation will focus on working and playing with the Zulu children, photographing people at work and even photographing a wedding at a small village in Mozambique.
This is the third exhibit that Larry and Pat have given related to their African experience. The previous exhibits focused on the wildlife and conservation. Some of the images from the previous exhibits can be found at this blog.
Here are just a few selected images that are displayed at the exhibit:
The children are patiently waiting for their cue to pick-up their bowls and have their lunch. The children are provided a breakfast and lunch each day at school. Every morsel of food in their bowls is consumed. The orderly behavior exhibited by the children was endearing that provided a display of innocence.
‘Innocence’ © Larry A Lyons
This is the door to the one-room schoolhouse (referred to as a creche) where these little ones were posing. You can see some of the crafts that they created hanging from the ceiling. A creche provides the initial foundation of learning for these young Zulus.
‘Tree of Knowledge’ © Larry A Lyons
Washing their hands before eating was a required ritual. This little one needed some help and her eyes just say “My Turn”.
‘My Turn’ © Larry A Lyons
Here the children are practicing their letters on an outdoor chalkboard.
‘Learning The Alphabet’ © Larry A Lyons
Ziggy, a community relationship counselor for the African Impact Organization, is requiring each child to pronounce the letter and word before being permitted to go out and play. The children line-up and wait their turn. One child was held back until the end to try again.
‘Rite of Passage’ © Larry A Lyons
An unexpected encounter while strolling along the dirt roads of a seaside village in Mozambique was viewing and photographing a caravan of a wedding party. The first pick-up truck carried the entire troupe of bridesmaids while the bride and groom followed in a truck decorated with balloons.
‘Wedding Caravan’ © Larry A Lyons
Once the wedding party arrived at the market place the celebration literally moved into “full swing”. You can feel their rhythm with their movements and the singing in their native language was absolutely beautiful.
‘Party!’ © Larry A Lyons
A fisherman with his homemade raft was poling through a series of fish traps within Kosi Bay estuary. Kosi Bay is a series of four interlinked lakes in the coastal northeastern region of South Africa and is a World Heritage site.
‘Gone Fishing’ © Larry A Lyons
Stay tuned. There will be upcoming posts related to more wildlife images from Africa.
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