From TedTalks:
Photographer James Balog shares new image sequences from the Extreme Ice Survey, a network of time-lapse cameras recording glaciers receding at an alarming rate, some of the most vivid evidence yet of climate change.
April 17, 2009
Baby Mammoth Discovery on Video
As a teaser for an upcoming National Geographic documentary on the 26 April, here is a clip which describes the discovery of a baby mammoth in the ice of Siberia:
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/videos/satellite/satelliteEmbedPlayer.swf
More to follow next week, after I return from the tour.
April 13, 2009
A Morning in Elk Island
We made another visit to Elk Island National Park on Saturday, passing through the industrial community of Fort Saskatchewan on the way. Our goal this time was the Lakeview Trail, on the east side of Lake Astotin. The trail was still mostly snow-covered, not quite slush but of a consistency that collapsed underfoot unpredictably, making trudging along the short trail seem much longer. The trail winds past beaver ponds, through aspen forest and shrubby shoreline. It was not the peaceful nature walk you may imagine – besides our stumbling up the path due to the snow, there were cawing crows, chattering squirrels and the honking of pairs Canada Geese as they came in to land on a still frozen Astotin Lake. Rush hour in Rome is more peaceful. The geese, seemingly still frustrated as they stand on the lake, honk their dissatisfaction as they wait for the thaw.
It was while watching these geese that my wife noticed the coyote crossing the lake. Was this the action packed moment that every photographer hopes for? Would the coyote stalk the frustrated geese and reek bloody havoc on the icy whiteness? No…he loped on, only occasionally glancing over his shoulder at the honkers. We too moved on.
As the trail returns, we enter a spruce grove. It is one of the reasons that I like this trail: it passes through a variety of habitats in its short distance. The mature spruce in this area are aging. One tree, shattered at the base, but not totally destroyed, leaned wearily against another. Quite a few of the old spruce have fallen here over the years and more light is entering this once shaded area. Eventually it will succumb to aspen forest as well, as the surrounding bog dries up.
We stopped at the last viewing platform for a hot drink and a snack. At this location we could see and hear Pileated Woodpeckers as they worked their way through the poplars. I could not get close enough for a good photograph, but this backlit image shows the characteristic markings of the largest living woodpecker in North America.
Back at the car park, we pack our gear and head for the west gate to leave the park. It is a nice drive that has some pullovers with views over the south side of Astotin Lake. These are good viewpoints to view the pelicans and swans that come into Elk Island — but it is too early for that now.
