JOURNEY OF THE
MONARCH BUTTERFLY
from NOVA
THE STRANGEST MIGRATION IN THE WORLD.
FROM PARTS OF SOUTHERN CANADA AND PARTS OF NORTHERN USA , TO MEXICO.
STARTING FROM A TINY CATERPILLAR TO A BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY, THAT WILL FLY THOUSANDS OF MILES AND NAVIGATE UNLIKE ANYTHING ELSE IN NATURE.
THIS BUTTERFLY HAS NEVER TAKEN A LONG JOURNEY BEFORE; TO A PLACE THEY’VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE; TO A SPOT IN THE MEXICAN MOUNTAINS, ARRIVING EXACTLY THE SAME TIME EACH YEAR.
IT IS UNIQUE - NOTHING LIKE IT!
IN AUGUST JUST NORTH OF LAKE HURON A MIRACLE OF NATURE IS ABOUT TO UNFOLD.
A TINY CATERPILLAR IS ABOUT TO BECOME A MONARCH BUTTERFLY.
IN ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE WORLD, THIS CATERPILLAR WILL SHED ITS SKIN 4 TIMES.
THE 5TH TIME THE CATERPILLAR DISAPPEARS.
IT IS TRANSFORMED INSIDE A CHRYSALIS IN WHICH A COMPLETE NEW CREATURE IS MADE.
AFTER ABOUT 10 DAYS IN THE CHRYSALIS THE NEW CREATURE IS COMPLETE.
ALL TRASES OF THE CATERPILLAR ARE GONE. AND IN ITS PLACE IS A BUTTERFLY WITH 4 DELICATE WINGS.
BUT THE NEW MONARCH BUTTERFLY MUST WAIT A FEW HOURS FOR ITS WINGS TO HARDEN—— THEN IT CAN FLY.
THIS PARTICULAR MONARCH BUTTERFLY IS SPECIAL!
EVERY YEAR A MILLION OR MORE OF THEM BEGIN AN ASTONISHING MIGRATION.
COMING FROM SOUTHERN CANADA AND NORTH-EAST USA, EACH BUTTERFLY WILL TRAVEL ABOUT 2,000 MILES ARRIVING TWO MONTHS LATER IN MEXICO.
Their trip is a carefully planned migration that started 3 generations back, when a group of monarchs left Mexico at the end of winter. They flew north to the Gulf States, mated and died. The next generation flew to the Northern States [central to east] - mated and died, only living about a month.
Their offspring - 3rd generation completed the last leg to Canada, mated and died, living also only about a month.
But the 4th generation will live about 9 months - flying back to Mexico, one epic trip.
It’s an amazing cycle that so far alludes explanation.
The amazement starts immediately for no one knows what triggers the exodus from Canada.
The new butterfly starts on a long journey they’ve never done before, to a place they’ve never seen before.
They are following something we just don’t know how they do it. It’s an incredible journey.
A Monarch’s wings span is just under 4 inches; and they weigh less than a 1/5 of an ounce.
How they survive their marathon journey is another mystery.
They only fly when conditions are perfect.
If it’s too cold they get sluggish and can’t flap their wings.
It it’s too hot they stop flying so they don’t get over heated.
They must also stop often for nectar and water. But every time they land their can be enemies lurking—— cats, spider webs, bad weather, thunder storms.
If it survives it must fly 50 miles a day to get to Mexico.
The effort is remarkable for a creature so small and with fragile wings.
Scientists say to travel so far there are simply a bad design.
[God laughs at them, for what seems impossible to man is possible to God - Keith Hunt]
They have to do much gliding.
[So there’s the answer—— light and 4 wings made for gliding - Keith Hunt]
Just days in to their long flight we have the Great Lakes—— huge body of water, and changing wings, they can’t see across them.
They use their sense of wind to carry them across. They may catch a ride on a boat, rest and wait for the wind to change.
Their destination is 60 square miles, 10,000 feet up in Mexico.
THE LOCAL PEOPLE have lived here for hundreds of years, they believe the monarchs represent the spirits of their ancestors, and the arrival of the Butterflies begins a celebration— they call “day of the dead.”
The Butterflies fly through the town, into homes, and the people until recently did not know they came from faraway Canada.
It was not until 1975 that the people found out about their remarkable journey. Butterflies tagged in Canada were found spending the winter in this ares of Mexico.
SITES
There are 12 specific sites in these mountains where they come to.
This is their only destination in the world. It’s a perfect place for them because of the unique climate.
The forests of trees is shade from the heat of the sun; protection from rain; and the heat from the ranks of the trees give off heat when it’s cold, to the million of more monarchs.
The Monarch Butterfly lives in other part of the world, but the Monarchs of south Canada and North USA, only travel such a distance to miss death in a cold winter.
But how they navigate is an unsolved mystery. There are theories but they are just theories.
Science has discovered things in their brain that regulates their internal clock that helps keep them on course.
At the University of Kansas— Chip Taylor studies the forces at work in their migration.
In 1992 Taylor started a project called Monarch Watch. Children and adults tag them; it doers not hurt or hinder their flight; the tag shows their flight path and even their speed.
Taylor says, “We took them to Washington, D.C. and at first they behaved as still in Kansas. They started to fly direct south. But within a few days changed course to South-West. They ended up in the right place in Mexico.”
Further Taylor said, “They were able to know the direction to go from Washington D.C. —— that’s pretty cool!”
About a month into the migration the monarchs are gathering into huge flocks.
…………………………
TO BE CONTINUED WITH PART TWO——
JUST THINK, HOW COULD EVOLUTION COME UP WITH SUCH A TINY LITTLE CREATURE THAT IS FIRST A CATERPILLAR AND THEN A BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY?
DOES EVOLUTION TALK TO ITSELF AND SAY, “WELL LET’S EVOLVE ONE STRAIN OF MONARCH BUTTERFLIES, IN NORTH AMERICA, THAT CAN FLY TO MEXICO, TO A PLACE THEY DO NOT KNOW, AND A FLIGHT THEY’VE NEVER DONE BEFORE.”
I MEAN HOW DOES EVOLUTION FIGURE IT ALL OUT TO EVOLVE A TINY BRAIN THAT CAN DO THESE TWO THINGS. AND WHY BOTHER IN THE FIRST PLACE?
WHY NOT JUST LET THE MONARCHS LIVE AND BREED LIKE OTHER MONARCHS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, AND NOT BOTHER WITH A 2,000 MILE JOURNEY TO ONE SPECIFIC AREA IN MEXICO.
JUST GIVING BIRTH TO BUTTERFLIES FROM A CATERPILLAR IS MIRACULOUSLY CRAZY STUFF TO BEGIN WITH. WHY WOULD EVOLUTION DECIDE TO DO IT THIS WAY?
DOES EVOLUTION TALK TO ITSELF AND SIT DOWN AROUND A ROUND TABLE AND SAY, “NOW LET’S MAKE A BUTTERFLY THIS WAY… A WAY THAT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE TO COMPREHEND, AND CERTAINLY NOT LOGICAL, A LONG WAY AROUND TO PRODUCE A BUTTERFLY.”
THIS ONE LITTLE DELICATE CREATURE AND HOW IT BECOMES A BUTTERFLY, SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO TELL ANYONE THAT THERE IS A CREATOR GOD BEING, WHO WAS BEHIND HOW A BUTTERFLY WOULD COME INTO BEING.
AND THEN HAVE ONE BATCH OF THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY IN NORTH AMERICA, FLY ALL THE WAY TO MEXICO TO AVOID THE COLD WINTER—— SUCH A DOING BLASTS EVOLUTION INTO A BILLION TRILLION PIECE OF GOO-BI-GOO NONSENSE.
BUT AS GOD HAS SAID IN HIS WORD, ONLY THE FOOL HAS SAID IN HIS HEART THERE IS NO GOD.
Keith Hunt
MONARCH BUTTERFLY
from NOVA —Part 2
BY THE TIME THEY’VE TRAVELLED ABOUT HALF WAY ACROSS AMERICA, OVER THE INDUSTRIAL BELT, THROUGH SMALL MID-WESTERN TOWNS, ACROSS THE GREAT PLAINS, AND FINALLY APPROACHING THE SOUTH-WEST.
NOBODY KNOWS HOW MANY MONARCHS DIE ALONG THE WAY.
BUT IF THEY MAKE IT TO MEXICO THERE’S ANOTHER THREAT!
The destination to the forest in Mexico that will keep them alive for the winter, is in danger.
In 1986 the Mexican Government protected some areas as official sites for the Butterfly. Suddenly logging limits for those dependant on this for livelihood, were off limits. So now illegal logging was a threat to the Monarch Butterflies.
We all have needs, but those who cannot meet their needs, they are the ones doing the clandestine logging.
They come at 2 our 3 in the morning and do the logging, after which they go down to sell their wood in the market of towns.
Mexican police patrol the forest but they’ve not been able to stop the logging.
Some villagers are paid to help stop the logging, but are no match for the forces of the ones logging. They are dangerous people. They will follow you and kill you.
Who would allow their children to die of hunger?
It’s important to preserve the forest for the Butterfly, but for the needs of people, the illegal logging has not been able to be stopped.
We’re talking about hundreds of hectares of forest and then burned; to try and cover their work, which alludes all thinking.
Less and less are left for the Butterflies, and less trees means less protection from the cold, so freezing to death is a real reality now for these tiny creatures.
With sanctuary now sinking, a bad winter in Mexico can mean terrible consequences for the Butterfly.
In one storm 80% can die in one sanctuary.
A bad Spring and few are left to breed and migrate.
We do not know what the critical number is.
LET’S BACK UP TO OCTOBER——
The Butterflies are almost at the Mexican border. They are one flock about 50 miles wide.
One year the Butterflies were late.
Bill Calvery has been studying them for 30 years——
“Well this [weather] is perfect, but no butterflies…. We are concerned the migration would be un-noticed or disappear completely. The prediction is this is going to be the lowest number ever.”
At the end of the day Bill decides to look in one secluded area of the woods.
“Let’s see what we have in there—— O Wow, look at them, 100s of thousands. It’s a beautiful creature and it’s travelled thousands of miles— it staggers the mind.”
The Butterflies have been travelling 6 weeks from Canada. But they still face the most treacherous part of the journey, they must fly over scorching desert and fly over the mountains.
They follow the mountains for 9 hundred miles.
Late October in Mexico—— the butterflies are expected soon, and the people prepare to welcome them.
One person says, “It’s a privilege God has sent us the Butterflies. We earn our living at this time. We have a community that is quite poor. In this season we earn enough to make a living, it’s not a lot of money but you can rely on it.”
They make things to sell to those who come to see the arrival of the Butterflies.
As they wait for the Monarchs they pray for their survival, along with the spirits of their loved ones.
Candles are lit at night.
It’s now the first week in November.
The children look.
Swarms of Butterflies arrive by the 100s of thousands!
After 2 months and thousands of miles the Butterflies have reached safety.
Millions of them arrive over the next few days.
And the people rejoice—— fireworks, parties, games, feasting!
Now with their long journey behind them the Monarch Butterflies rest.
They huddle together in clusters and cling to the trees for warmth. They will leave the trees occasionally to feed on nectar and water. But they return to their clusters and stay there for 5 months.
WHEN SPRING ARRIVES the Butterflies bloom again; they open up their wings to the sun, warming up to the flight they must do. Most of these Monarchs will travel back to Texas; there they will stop to mate.
Each female will lay 300-400 fertilized eggs.
After the eggs are laid the parents will die.
When the new generation hatches they will fly north mating along the way.
The third generation will do the same.
It’s almost a full year since the migration began.
A special fourth generation of Monarchs will be born in Canada, and the migration will begin again.
What difference would it be if we lost these Monarchs - what difference would it be if we lost the music of Mozart, Handel, or other great music composers?
It’s all a part of us now!
The flight of the Monarch Butterfly is unique— it’s breathtaking to those who see them arrive by the millions in Mexico.
It’s unique in the entire animal kingdom, there is nothing like it.
IT’S AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY!
…………………………
THERE ARE THOSE WHO SAY THERE WAS AN ICE-AGE WAY BACK WHEN; SOME CLAIM CANADA AND THE TOP HALF OF THE USA WAS COVERED WITH ONE MILE OF ICE OR MORE. THEY SAY THIS ICE AGE COVERED MUCH OF BRITAIN AND EUROPE. THEY SAY THIS TOOK PLACE ABOUT 15 THOUSAND YEARS AGO OR MORE.
THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY WOULD THEN HAVE BEEN LIKE OTHER MONARCHS, IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, HAPPY TO JUST STAY IN THEIR WARM LOCAL HABITAT.
AFTER THE ICE-AGE [WHICH I BELIEVE NEVER HAPPENED] WAS GONE, I CAN SEE OVER TIME THE MONARCH BUTTERFLIES COULD HAVE MOVED FURTHER NORTH, BUT TO SOMEHOW GET EVOLUTION TO TALK TO ITSELF AND DEVISE A COMPLICATED MIGRATION TO MEXICO, WITH THE 4 OR SO GENERATIONS TO COMPLETE THE ROUND TRIP, AND TO ONLY ONE SPECIFIC PART OF MEXICO, IS WILD THINKING WITH A PLANET PLUTO BRAIN OF DEEP DEEP FROZEN CELLS [PUN VERY INTENDED].
AS I SAID AT THE END OF PART ONE, HOW DOES EVOLUTION SIT DOWN AND THINK UP SUCH A LIVING CYCLE, ONE GENERATION LIVING FOR ABOUT 9 MONTHS, TAKING A JOURNEY THEY’VE NEVER DONE BEFORE, TO A PLACE THEY’VE NEVER BEEN TO BEFORE, AND THE JOURNEY BACK BROKEN UP INTO STAGES WHERE THE BUTTERFLIES ONLY LIVE FOR ABOUT A MONTH, BUT THE LAST BUTTERFLIES TO START THE MIGRATION ALL OVER AGAIN LIVE FOR ABOUT 9 MONTHS.
THIS MIND-BENDING GENETIC MARVEL OF MONARCH BUTTERFLIES DOING SUCH A ROUND TRIP TO MEXICO AND BACK, IN STAGES, DEFIES ALL LOGIC.
EVOLUTION CAN NOT TALK TO ITSELF, CAN NOT SIT DOWN AROUND THE PLANNING DESK, AND DISCUSS HOW IT WILL BREAK UP THIS MIGRATION INTO SECTIONS.
I MEAN HOW DOES EVOLUTION FIGURE OUT IN MINUTE DETAIL HOW TO TURN A CATERPILLAR INTO A BUTTERFLY, THE AMOUNT OF CHANGES THAT HAVE TO TAKE PLACE, EXACTLY IN SINK WITH EACH OTHER IN THE MOVING OF GENETICS, TO HAVE IT ALL COME OUT CORRECTLY, IS MIND-BLOWING IN ITSELF.
AND THIS IS JUST ONE OF THOUSANDS OF THINGS ON THIS LIVING PLANET, THAT LOOKING DEEPLY INTO, MAKE THE TEACHING OF EVOLUTION A LAUGH, ONE OF THE BIGGEST LAUGHS YOU COULD HAVE.
Keith Hunt
Spider Silk Is Nature's Miracle Fiber
- Spider silk is strong, but pliable.
by
Updated January 31, 2019
Spider silk is one of the most miraculous natural substances on Earth. Most building materials are either strong or elastic, but spider silk is both. It's been described as stronger than steel (which is not quite accurate, but close), more impenetrable than Kevlar, and stretchier than nylon. It withstands a lot of strain before breaking, which is the very definition of a tough material. Spider silk also conducts heat and is known to have antibiotic properties.
All Spiders Produce Silk
All spiders produce silk, from the tiniest jumping spider to the biggest tarantula. A spider has special structures called spinnerets at the end of its abdomen. You've probably watched a spider constructing a web, or rappelling from a silk thread. The spider uses its hind legs to pull the strand of silk from its spinnerets, little by little.
Spider Silk Is Made From Protein
But what is spider silk, exactly? Spider silk is a fiber of protein, produced by a gland in the spider's abdomen. The gland stores silk protein in liquid form, which isn't particularly useful for building structures like webs. When the spider needs silk, the liquefied protein passes through a canal where it gets an acid bath. As the pH of the silk protein is lowered (as it's acidified), it changes the structure. The motion of pulling the silk from the spinnerets puts tension on the substance, which helps it harden into a solid as it emerges.
Structurally, silk consists of layers of amorphous and crystalline proteins. The firmer protein crystals give silk its strength, while the softer, shapeless protein provides elasticity. Protein is a naturally occurring polymer (in this case, a chain of amino acids). Spider silk, keratin, and collagen are all formed of protein.
Spiders will often recycle valuable silk proteins by eating their webs. Scientists have labeled silk proteins using radioactive markers and examined new silk to determine how efficiently spiders reprocess the silk. Remarkably, they've found spiders can consume and reuse silk proteins in 30 minutes. That's an amazing recycling system!
This versatile material could have limitless applications, but harvesting spider silk isn't very practical on a large scale. Producing a synthetic material with the properties of spider silk has long been the Holy Grail of scientific research.
8 Ways Spiders Use Silk
Scientists have studied spider silk for centuries, and have learned quite a bit about how spider silk is made and used. Some spiders can actually produce 6 or 7 kinds of silk using different silk glands. When the spider weaves a silk thread, it can combine these varied kinds of silks to produce specialized fibers for different purposes. Sometimes the spider needs a stickier silk strand, and other times it needs a stronger one.
As you might imagine, spiders make good use of their silk-producing skills. When we think of spiders spinning silk, we usually think of them building webs. But spiders use silk for many purposes.
1. Spiders Use Silk to Catch Prey
The best-known use of silk by spiders is for constructing webs, which they use to ensnare prey. Some spiders, like orb weavers, construct circular webs with sticky threads to snag flying insects. Purse web spiders use an innovative design. They spin an upright silk tube and hide inside it. When an insect lands on the outside of the tube, the purse web spider cuts the silk and pulls the insect inside. Most web-weaving spiders have poor eyesight, so they sense prey in the web by feeling for vibrations traveling across the silk strands. A recent study showed that spider silk can vibrate at a wide range of frequencies, allowing the spider to sense movements "as small as a hundred nanometers—1/1000 the width of a human hair."
But that's not the only way spiders use silks to catch meals. The bolas spider, for example, spins a sort of fishing line of silk – a long thread with a sticky ball at the end. When an insect passes by, the bolas spider flings the line at the prey and hauls in its catch. Net-casting spiders spin a small web, shaped like a tiny net, and hold it between their feet. When an insect comes near, the spider throws its silk net and ensnares the prey.
2. Spiders User Silk to Subdue Prey
Some spiders, like cobweb spiders, use silk to subdue their prey completely. Have you ever watched a spider grab a fly or moth, and quickly wrap it in silk like a mummy? Cobweb spiders have special setae on their feet, which enable them to wind sticky silk tightly around a struggling insect.
3. Spiders Use Silk to Travel
Anyone who read Charlotte's Web as a child will be familiar with this spider behavior, known as ballooning. Young spiders (called spiderlings) disperse soon after emerging from their egg sac. In some species, the spiderling will climb onto an exposed surface, raise its abdomen, and cast a silk thread into the wind. As the air current pulls on the silk strand, the spiderling becomes airborne and can be carried for miles.
4. Spiders Use Silk to Keep From Falling
Who hasn't been startled by a spider descending suddenly on a silk thread? Spiders habitually leave a trail of silk line, known as a dragline, behind them as they explore an area. The silk safety line helps the spider keep from falling unchecked. Spiders also use the dragline to descend in a controlled manner. If the spider finds trouble below, it can quickly ascend the line to safety.
5. Spiders Use Silk to Keep From Getting Lost
Spiders can also use the dragline to find their way home. Should a spider wander too far from its retreat or burrow, it can follow the silk line back to its home.
6. Spiders Use Silk to Take Shelter
Many spiders use silk to construct or reinforce a shelter or retreat. Both tarantulas and wolf spiders dig burrows in the ground and line their homes with silk. Some web-building spiders construct special retreats within or adjacent to their webs. Funnel weaver spiders, for example, spin a cone-shaped retreat in one side of their webs, where they can stay hidden from both prey and predators.
7. Spiders Use Silk to Mate
Before mating, a male spider must prepare and ready his sperm. Male spiders spin silk and construct small sperm webs, just for this purpose. He transfers sperm from his genital opening to the special web and then picks up the sperm with his pedipalps. With his sperm securely stored in his pedipalps, he can search for a receptive female.
8. Spiders Use Silk to Protect Their Offspring
Female spiders produce particularly tough silk to construct egg sacs. She then deposits her eggs inside the sac, where they will be protected from the weather and potential predators as they develop and hatch into tiny spiderlings. Most mother spiders secure the egg sac to a surface, often near her web. Wolf spiders don't take chances and carry the egg sac around until the offspring emerge.
Sources:
- Borror and Delong's Introduction to the Study of Insects, 7th edition, by Charles A. Triplehorn and Norman F. Johnson.
- Encyclopedia of Entomology, 2nd edition, edited by John L. Capinera.
- ASU scientists unravel the mysteries of spider silk, Arizona State University, January 27, 2013.
- Iowa State engineer discovers spider silk conducts heat as well as metals, Iowa State University, March 5, 2012.
- Lowering pH regulates spider’s silk production, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, May 12, 2010.
- Stanford Researcher Sheds New Light on the Mysteries of Spider Silk, Stanford University, February 4, 2013.
- Bugs Rule! Introduction to the World of Insects, by Whitney Cranshaw and Richard Redak.
- Spiders, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History website.
- Spiders Listen to Their Webs, by Carrie Arnold, National Geographic website, June 5, 2014.
- Net-Casting Spiders, Australian Museum website.
- Purseweb Spiders, University of Kentucky Entomology website.
…………………………
AND TO THINK THAT EVOLUTION DID ALL THIS BY CHANCE OR EVEN BY MUTATION IS A WEB OF UN-COMMON SENSE
Keith Hunt
A SO-CALLED MINI ICE AGE…..THAT SUPPOSEDLY COVERED MOST OF NORTH AMERICA….MOST OF THE BRITISH ISLES AND A LOT OF EUROPE——SOME SAY 15 TO 20 THOUSAND YEARS AGO, OR MORE.
HOW DOES THIS STACK UP WITH WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO READ— TAKEN FROM A BBC DVD, NARRATED BY DAVID ATENBOROUGHER.
THE GREAT FEAST
THE POWER OF THE SUN DRIVES OUR SEASONS, TRANSFORMING OUR PLANET.
DRAMATIC SEA TIDES AND AIR FLOW BRING CHANGES THROUGH THE YEAR.
AND IN A FEW PLACES THESE CHANGES PRODUCE SOME OF THE MOST DRAMATIC CHANGES ON EARTH.
THE SEAS ALONG THE PACIFIC COAST OF AMERICA CAN BE SOME OF THE RICHEST ON THE PLANET.
THE COAST WATERS CREATE SOME OF THE GREATEST LIFE ON EARTH, DRIVEN BY SOME OF THE TINIEST CREATURES; AS THEIR NUMBERS MULTIPLY THEY FEED VAST SHOELS OF FISH, WHICH IN TURN PROVIDE FOOD FOR EVER LARGER HUNTERS.
BILLIONS OF LIVES WILL BE SHAPED BY THIS EMENSE BLOOM. AND THE MIGHTIEST HUNTER OF THEM ALL, FINDS A REMARKABLE WAY TO HARVEST THIS FEAST.
IT’S JANUARY - BOTH LAND AND SEA ARE LOCKED IN THE DEPTH OF WINTER—— [AH BUT THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN ICE-AGE PREVENTING WHAT YOUR ABOUT TO HEAR - Keith Hunt].
THE SEAS ALONG THE COAST OF ALASKA AND BRITISH COLUMBIA, WILL BECOME THE RICHES ON EARTH [THEY WILL? WITH A MASSIVE ICE AGE 15 TO 20 THOUSAND OR MORE YEARS AGO - Keith Hunt]
BUT FOR THE MOMENT THEY LIE DORMANT [YA UNDER A MILE OR TWO OF ICE, SO THEY WANT US TO BELIEVE - Keith Hunt].
THE TIME OF GREAT FEASTING IS MANY MONTHS AWAY [HOW ABOUT MANY MANY YEARS AWAY UNDER AN ICE FIELD - Keith Hunt].
A NUMBER OF MAGICAL CHANGES MUST TAKE PLACE [YEP THE BIGGEST, MELTING OF THE 1 OR 2 MILE ICE OVER MOST OF THE NORTHERN ICE SHIELD—LONG LONG LONG TIME TO MELT - Keith Hunt]
THE MOST CRUCIAL CHANGE WITH BE DRIVEN BY THE SUN.
AND THIS COASTLINE WITH ITS INLETS AND SHAPED BY GLACIERS, WILL PLAY A HUGE PART FOR THE BIG FEAST. BUT FOR NOW IT REMAINS IN THE COLD, ONLY THE TOUGHEST CAN SURVIVE [I GUESS SO 1 AND 2 MILE ICE SHIELD, AND EVEN A MINI ICE AGE STILL LASTS THOUSANDS OF YEARS BEFORE IT CAN ALL MELT - Keith Hunt].
THE SEA-LIONS HUGGLE TOGETHER TO SHARE WARMTH. IT’S JUST 5 DEGREES F. THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO SUFFER THE WEATHER [DID THEY NOT KNOW THEY WERE 1 OR 2 MILES ON TOP OF AN ICE-SHIELD; DID THEY NOT KNOW FOOD WAS NOT COMING; DID THEY NOT KNOW THEY WERE STUCK IN A MINI-ICE-AGE? Keith Hunt].
THE SHOELS OF FISH THEY DEPEND ON LIVE NOW IN THE DEEP WATER [COLD DOWN THERE, WHY BOTHER COMING UP; VERY COLD UP THERE ALSO — 1 TO 2 MILE ICE SHIELD - Keith Hunt]
THE SHOELS OF FISH THEY DEPEND ON LIVE NOW IN THE DEEPEST WATER.
FOR NOW THE FISHING IS HARD; IT’S AN UNFORGIVING PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY [GUESS SO ICE AND ICE EVERYWHERE, 1 OR 2 MILES THICK; AIN’T GOING TO DO WELL AT ALL RAISING ANYONE. Keith Hunt]
IT’S AN UNFORGIVING PLACE TO RAISE CHILDREN UPON [YA I GUESS SO — 1 OR 2 MILE THICK ICE OVER MOST OF THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE - Keith Hunt].
THE CONDITIONS ARE SO SEVERE THE MOTHER SEA-LIONS HAVE TO SUCKLE THEIR YOUNG UP TO 3 YEARS [WELL IF THEY WERE LIVING ON AN ICE SHELF UNDER A MINI ICE-AGE….. THE MOMS AND YOUNG WOULD NEVER HAVE SURVIVED; THEY WOULD I SUPPOSE HAVE EVOLVED TO GO AWAY, STAY AWAY, AND NOT BOTHER WITH AN ICE SHELF OF A MILE OR MORE THICK. BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE SEA-LIONS, THEY MUST HAVE MIGRATED OR WERE NEVER THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. AND IF THAT WAS SO, WHY ON EARTH DID THEY MOVE UP TO THE ALASKA REGION? WHY LEAVE AN AREA THEY LIVED IN NICELY? HOW DID THEY KNOW AFTER THE ICE-AGE WAS OVER, TO MOVE TO THE ALASKA AREA TO BREED AND RAISE A FAMILY? HOW DID THEY KNOW THERE WOULD BE FOOD FOR THEM? DOES EVOLUTION HAVE A MIND THAT TALKS TO ITSELF - Keith Hunt]
FOR THIS PREGNANT SEA-LION THE RISKS ARE EVEN GREATER.
THE SEAS MUST COME TO LIFE IN GOOD TIME FOR THE ARRIVAL OF HER PUP, AND AT THIS STAGE THE ODDS DON’T LOOK GOOD [HOW DID EVOLUTION TALK TO ITSELF AND SAY “WELL THE ODDS WILL BE GOOD”? - Keith Hunt]
FOR NOW ALL SHE CAN DO IS WAIT FOR THE SUN TO BRING CHANGE [BUT IF SHE WAS SURVIVING WHERE SHE WAS, WHY MOVE AWAY TO A PLACE THAT SHE DID NOT KNOW, AND HAVE TO WORK WITH “ODDS” THAT COULD HAVE KILLED HER - Keith Hunt]
THESE SEAS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO GIVE FOOD AT THE HEIGHT OF THE SEASON; THEY CAN ATTRACT HUNTERS FROM AROUND THE VAST PACIFIC [BUT HOW DID THESE HUNTERS KNOW THERE WOULD BE FOOD IN THE ALASKA AREA? DOES EVOLUTION HAVE A MIND THAT TALKS TO ITSELF? LIKE “YOU KNOW IF YOU TRAVEL TO ALASKA AND THOSE INLETS YOU WILL FIND FOOD THERE.” Keith Hunt]
AND THREE THOUSAND MILES AWAY IN THE WATERS OF HAWAII, ANOTHER MOTHER IS ABOUT TO EMBARK ON AN EPIC JOURNEY. THE HUMP-BACK WHALE HAS ALREADY GIVEN BIRTH. HER CALF IS JUST A FEW WEEKS OLD. HE STAYS CLOSE TO HIS MOM.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAWAII AND ALASKA WATERS COULD HARDLY BE GREATER. HAWAII ARE CALM WARM WATERS WITH FEW PREDATORS. A FINE NURSERY FOR THE YOUNGSTERS. THE CALF IS DRINKING 100 GALLONS OF MILK A DAY. HE IS BUILDING UP STRENGTH FOR THE LONG JOURNEY HE SOON HAS TO UNDERTAKE.
MORE THAN FIVE THOUSAND HUMP-BACK WHALES COME TO HAWAII EACH YEAR; MALES LURED HERE FOR MATING, THEY FIGHT AMONG THEMSELVES WITH GREAT FEATS OF STRENGTH.
BUT NONE OF THESE WHALES CAN ACTUALLY FEED HERE. FOR THESE TROPICAL WATERS ARE PRACTICALLY LIFELESS!
[WOW….. WHY ON EARTH DID EVOLUTION DECIDE TO PUT THESE WHALES IN A LIFELESS SEA FOR BREEDING, AND THEN DECIDE IT KNEW THERE WAS FOOD THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY IN ALASKA? THEN HOW DID EVOLUTION KNOW THE ICE-AGE WAS OVER AND FOOD WOULD BE FOUND IN THE EATERN WATERS OF ALASKA? HOW DID EVOLUTION TELL THE WHALES HOW TO GET TO THE RIGHT SPOT ON THAT COAST OF ALASKA? AND IF THEY WERE SURVIVING SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, WHY DID EVOLUTION PUT THEM IN A DIFFERENT PLACE FOR BREEDING AND THEN HAVE TO TRAVEL THOUSANDS OF MILES TO FIND FOOD? Keith Hunt]
THE OCEANS GREATER RICHES ARE TO BE FOUND IN COLDER WATERS. SO ALL THESE WHALES MUST RETURN TO THE COLDER WATERS OF THE PACIFIC TO FEED.
THE PLAYFUL CALF SUCKLES FROM ITS MOTHER EVERY DAY.
BUT SHE HASN’T HAD ANYTHING TO EAT SINCE SHE LEFT ALASKA 4 MONTHS AGO. SHE WILL NOT FEED AGAIN UNTIL SHE RETURNS [WHY DID EVOLUTION DECIDE ON THIS HARD SOMEWHAT CRAZY WAY OF LIVING AND BREEDING AND NURSING A CALF? THE MOTHER TO-BE, SWIMS ALL THE WAY TO HAWAII TO BREED AND PRODUCE A CALF; NO FOOD THERE FOR EITHER OF THEM; THEN WITH HER CALF SWIMS ALL THE WAY BACK TO ALSAKA TO OBTAIN FOOD, JUST AT THE RIGHT TIME OF THE YEAR, OR BOTH MOTHER AND CALF DIE OF STARVATION! WHY DID EVOLUTION COME UP WITH THIS PATTERN OF LIVING? IF EVOLUTION CAN TALK TO ITSELF, SURELY IT COULD HAVE TALKED ITSELF INTO DOING THINGS MUCH EASIER FOR THESE PARTICULAR WHALES. AND HOW DID THE WHALES KNOW THE ICE-AGE WAS OVER, AND FOOD COULD BE FOUND THREE THOUSAND MILES AWAY? IF THE MOM WAS LIVING AND REPRODUCING OUTSIDE OF THE ICE-AGE-SHELF, FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, THEN WHY BOTHER TO MOVE TO HAWAII WHERE THERE WAS NO FOOD? AND HOW DID EVOLUTION TELL THE WHALE THERE WAS FOOD AT A CERTAIN TIME OF THE YEAR OFF THE COAST OF ALASKA? - Keith Hunt]
LIKE THE PREGNANT SEA-LION THIS MOTHER HAS TO GET HER TIMING RIGHT. SHE MUST ARRIVE OFF THE SEAS OF ALASKA WHEN THEY ARE FULL OF FISH. THEIR JOURNEY NORTH EAST WILL TAKE THREE MONTHS! [HOW DID EVOLUTION KNOW THE ICE-AGE WAS OVER? HOW DID EVOLUTION KNOW THERE WAS AN ALASKA AND FISH FOR FOOD WOULD BE THERE AT A CERTAIN TIME OF THE YEAR? WHY DID EVOLUTION BRING THESE WHALES TO HAWAII TO BREED IN THE FIRST PLACE? AND IF THERE IS NO FOOD FOR THE WHALES IN THE WATERS OF HAWAII, WHY DID EVOLUTION BRING THEM THERE TO BEGIN WITH? WAS IT TO PROVE “THE SURVIVAL OF THE FITEST”? Keith Hunt]
BACK IN ALASKA THE SEAS ARE BEGINNING TO AWAKEN. IT’S MARCH AND AS THE SUN STARTS TO GATHER STRENGTH WINTER LOOSENS ITS GRIP. FOR THE SEA-LIONS THINGS ARE BEGINNING TO LOOK UP [O WOW….I GUESS SO, HOW DID THEY MANAGE TO LIVE THROUGH AN ICE-AGE OF 1 TO 2 MILES DEEP SNOW SHELF? AND IF THEY LIVED BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT THERE, THEN WHY DID EVOLUTION BRING THEM TO BE THERE JUST AS THE LAST ICE WAS MELTING AWAY, AND THE YEAR WAS LIKE IT IS TODAY? IF THEY WERE SOMEWHERE ELSE AND LIVING JUST FINE, WHY WOULD EVOLUTION DECIDE (CAUSE IT HAS A MIND AND CAN TALK TO ITSELF YOU KNOW—TONGUE IN CHEEK) TO MOVE THEM TO ALASKA, AND DEPEND ON FOOD THAT COMES ONLY AT A CERTAIN TIME OF THE YEAR? Keith Hunt]
THE SUN IS DRAWING LIFE FROM THE DEPTH.
WITH EACH PART OF THE DAY THE SUN GETS WARMER, PENETRATING DEEP INTO THE MINERAL RICH WATERS. FERTILIZING NUTRIENTS SUCH AS PHOSPHORUS AND NITROGEN, FUEL A MIRACULOUS CHANGE WHICH IS NOW BEGINNING.
EMPTY SEAS START TO COME TO LIFE!
AS WE ENTER AN ADVANCED VIEW OF THIS MICROSCOPIC WORLD WE SEE THE BEGINNING OF A MICROSCOPIC TRANSFORMATION.
FYTER PLANKTON, TINY FLOATING PLANTS EMERGE. EACH IS SCARCELY BIGGER THAN A SPECK OF DUST; BUT TOGETHER THESE PLANKTON WILL BLOOM IN SUCH IMMENSE NUMBERS THEY WILL TRANSFORM LIFELESS SEAS. AND IF THAT IS TO HAPPEN THIS YEAR IS YET TO BE DETERMINED.
ALL CREATURES HERE FROM THE SEA - SEA-LIONS TO MIGRATING WHALES, ULTIMATELY DEPEND ON THESE MINUTE PLANTS.
[BUT UNDER AN ICE-AGE IT WAS TOO COLD, THE SUN JUST NOT WARM ENOUGH TO PENETRATE THE 1 TO 2 MILE ICE SHELF; NO PLANKTON, NO FOOD TO GO UP THE CHAIN OF FOOD LIFE FOR FISH, FOR SEA-LIONS, FOR MIGRATING WHALES. SO NO LIFE WAS THERE, NO FISH, NO SEA-LIONS, NO MIGRATING WHALE AND ITS CALF FROM HAWAII. THEY WERE LIVING FOR WE HAVE THEM WITH US TODAY; THEY DIDN’T THEN NEED THE COAST OF ALASKA FOR FOOD. SO WHY DID EVOLUTION TELL THEM IT WOULD ALL CHANGE FOR THEM? WHY TRY TO MEND SOMETHING THAT IS NOT BROKEN? Keith Hunt]
FOR ONE CREATURE THAT RELIES DIRECTLY ON THE PLANKTON, THIS IS THE MOMENT TO EMERGE!
PACIFIC HERRING, HAVE SPENT THE WINTER IN THE DEPTHS OF THE FJORDS, BUT THEY NOW RISE UP AND HEAD FOR THE SHALLOW COAST. STIMULATED BY THE SUN AND WARMING WATER, THEY GATHER IN THEIR HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS. BUT THEY’RE NOT DRAWN HERE TO FEED…. THEY ARE FOLLOWING AN IRRESISTIBLE PULL TO BREED.
GROUPS OF MALES SWEEP THROUGH THE SHALLOWS AND RELEASE THEIR SPERM IN VAST MILKY CLOUDS.
THE FEMALES FOLLOW COVERING THE SEA BEDS WITH EGGS.
JUST SUCH A CONCENTRATION OF FISH IS WHAT THE SEA-LIONS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR [HAVE THEY BEEN WAITING ALL THROUGH THE ICE-AGE? OF COURSE NOT, THEY WOULD HAVE DIED OUT FOR LACK OF FOOD. IF THEY WERE SURVIVING NICELY THANK YOU, IN ANOTHER PART OF THE WORLD AWAY FROM THE ICE-AGE OF THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE, WHY BOTHER TO COME TO ALASKA? WHO TOLD THEM THE ICE-AGE WAS OVER? WHO TOLD THEM TO MIGRATE TO ALASKA? WHO TOLD THEM FISH WOULD BE THERE BUT ONLY AT A CERTAIN TIME OF THE YEAR? WAS EVOLUTION JUST PROVING “THE SURVIVAL OF THE FITEST”? GIVE ME A BREAK - Keith Hunt]
THE HERRING WON’T BE HERE LONG; THE SEA-LIONS MUST MAKE THE MOST OF IT ALL WHILE IT LASTS.
OTHER PREDATORS GATHER ALSO—— AFTER THE LEAN WINTER—— THE SEA-GULS! [BUT IF THE SEA-GULS HAVE BEEN EATING AND SURVIVING ELSEWHERE AWAY FROM THE ICE-AGE, WHY BOTHER FLYING ALL THE WAY UP TO THE ALASKA EAST COAST? Keith Hunt]
THIS BOUNTY IS A MAGNET FOR MIGRATING BIRDS. THIS IS JUST THE FIRST COURSE IN THE GREAT FEAST! [BUT IF THE ICE-AGE HAD BEEN AROUND FOR A THOUSAND YEARS OR MORE, AND BIRDS HAD BEEN EATING JUST FINE AWAY FROM IT ALL, WHY BOTHER FLYING ALL THE WAY UP TO ALASKA WHEN THE ICE-AGE WAS GONE. HOW DID THEY KNOW THERE WOULD BE FISH FOOD UP THERE IN THE ALASKA FJORDS? HOW DID THEY KNOW WHERE ALASKA WAS? Keith Hunt]
THE HERRING BREEDING WILL BE OVER IN A MATTER OF DAYS, AND THE SHOELS OF FISH WILL SCATTER ALONG THE COAST. THE HERRING HAVING SPORNED ON AN ASTONISHING SCALE, TURN HUNDREDS OF MILES OF COASTLINE WHITE. IN THIS ONE BAY ALONE THEY HAVE LAID 800 BILLION EGGS.
THE HERRING’S SPORNING IS SO TIMED THAT WHEN THE NEXT GENERATION HACHES IN A FEW WEEKS, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO FEED ON THE GROWING PLANKTON.
[NOW WHO TOLD THEM TO DO ALL THIS, JUST AT THE RIGHT TIME? WHO TOLD THEM THE ICE-AGE WAS OVER AND PLANKTON WOULD BE COMING? IF THEY HAD DONE ALL THIS AWAY FROM THE ICE-AGE, WHY WOULD THEY BOTHER TO GO TO ALASKA AFTER THE ICE-AGE? DOES EVOLUTION TALK TO ITSELF? DOES IT HAVE A MIND THAT CAN TELL ITSELF TO GO THOUSANDS OF MILES TO DO WHAT IT HAS DONE IN ANOTHER PLACE, FOR MAYBE THOUSANDS OF YEARS, AND DO IT IN THIS SPECIFIC NEW PLACE? Keith Hunt]
THIS YEAR THE HERRING APPEAR TO HAVE TIMED IT JUST RIGHT. THE TINY PLANKTON THAT IS BEHIND THE SEAS TRANSFORMATION ARE STARTING TO BLOOM.
GREAT SWATHES OF SEA ARE GREEN WITH LIFE!
THE HUMP-BACKS ARE STILL OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PACIFIC. THEY’VE MISSED THE FIRST TASTE OF THE GREAT FEAST.
AT JUST 8 WEEKS OLD THE YOUNG CALF MUST CROSS THE BIGGEST OCEAN IN THE WORLD. THE MOTHER WILL ONLY SWIM AS FAST AS HER YOUNG CALF. AS HE TIRES SHE SUPPORTS HIM FROM BENEATH.
[YOU TALK ABOUT EVOLUTION PLAYING HARD TO GET AND REALLY PROVING “THE SURVIVAL OF THE FITEST”; THIS MOM AND CALF ARE IN THE GAME OF LIFE AND DEATH, AND THAT EACH YEAR. WHO TOLD THEM THE ICE-AGE WAS OVER? WHO TOLD THEM THEY HAD TO GO TO THE COAST OF ALASKA, THREE THOUSAND MILES AWAY, FOR FOOD, AND AT THE RIGHT TIME OF THE YEAR FOR ALASKA?WHY DID EVOLUTION TELL THESE WHALES TO BREED IN HAWAII WATERS WHERE THERE WAS NO FOOD? Keith Hunt]
SHE’S BEEN LIVING OFF OF HER FAT RESERVES FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS. AND HAS LOST A THIRD OF HER BODY WEIGHT. SHE IS CLOSE TO STARVING!
IT WILL BE ANOTHER 2 MONTHS BEFORE MOTHER AND SON WILL REACH THE FEEDING GROUNDS IN THE NORTH PACIFIC.
IT’S MAY AND SUMMER IN ALASKA, AND THE DAYS ARE GETTING EVER LONGER.
THE SUN CONTINUES TO FUEL THE MICROSCOPIC PLANTS THAT MAKE UP THE PLANKTON BLOOM.
THEY ARE JOINED BY A TINY COMMUNITY OF ANIMALS, ZOWER PLANKTON. THESE ARE THE FIRST CREATURES TO FEED ON THE BLOOM.
IN THE COMING MONTHS THEY CROWD THE OCEAN WATERS IN THEIR TRILLIONS.
THE NEXT STAGE OF THE FEAST IS UNDERWAY!
[WHO TOLD THE FISH, THE SEA-LIONS, THE BIRDS, THE WHALES IN HAWAII, THAT THE ICE-AGE WAS OVER, AND FOOD COULD BE HAD, BUT ONLY AT A CERTAIN TIME OF THE YEAR IN ALASKA - Keith Hunt]
ALL LIFE HERE DEPENDS ON THE PLANKTON BLOOM.
THE HERRING FEED ON IT DIRECTLY; THE GREATER THE BLOOM THE MORE ABUNDANT THE SHOELS.
AND THE FISH THEMSELVES BECOME FOOD FOR THE LARGER HUNTERS.
[IF THEY WERE EATING AND SURVIVING SOMEWHERE ELSE DURING THE THOUSAND YEAR OR SO AGE OF THIS MINI-ICE-AGE , WHY DID THEY SWIM OFF OR FLY OFF TO WAY UP ALASKA WAY FOR FOOD? Keith Hunt]
BUT THE SHOELS OF HERRING ARE SPREAD LARGE AND WIDE. SO FOR THE SEA-LIONS THE FEEDING IS TOUGH; THEY MUST VENTURE FURTHER TO FIND IT. BUT OPEN WATER IS A RISKY PLACE TO FISH.
THIS MALE SEA-LION HUNTS ALONE; HE IS 10 FEET LONG AND OVER 2 THOUSAND POUNDS IN WEIGHT; FEW WOULD DARE TACKLE HIM.
THE SMALL FEMALES TRAVEL AS A GROUP; KEEPING A WATCHFUL EYE ON ALL DIRECTIONS. THEY KNOW THAT KILLERS LIRK IN THE DEPTH—— KILLER WHALES!
THE RICHEST SEAS ON EARTH CAN BE DANGEROUS!
THE VAST MAJORITY OF SEA-LIONS ARE NOT AFFECTED BY KILLER-WHALES—— THE ORKA.
[ONCE MORE WHY WOULD EVOLUTION TALK TO ITSELF AND DECIDE TO PUT FOOD WAY UP NORTH, AND DECIDE TO HAVE BIRDS, SEA-LIONS, FISH, WHALES, GO THERE, WHEN DURING THE SUPPOSED ICE-AGE THEY WERE ALL DOING JUST FINE LIVING AND EATING SOMEWHERE ELSE? Keith Hunt]
IT’S NOW LATE MAY— THE SUNLIGHT LAST FOR 17 HOURS A DAY; BUT THE BLOOM WILL NEED MORE THAN SUN IF IT’S TO REACH ITS FULL EXTENT.
NUTRIENTS IN THESE WATERS ARE CONTINUALLY USED UP; IF USED UP TOO SOON THE PLANKTON WILL DIE AND THE FOOD CHAIN WILL COLLAPSE. THE AFFECTS WILL BE FELT BY ALL [SO WHY DID EVOLUTION BOTHER AT ALL WITH THIS RISKY BUSINESS; ALL WERE OBVIOUSLY DOING FINE ELSEWHERE AWAY FROM THE MINI ICE-AGE COVERING MUCH OF THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE? Keith Hunt]
MEANWHILE IN THE SEA-LION COLONY NEW LIFE IS NOW ARRIVING; AFTER A YEAR OF CARRYING HER PUP THIS MOTHER CAN AT LAST GIVE BIRTH. THE PUP IS UTTERLY DEPENDANT ON HIS MOM, AS HE MAKES SENSE OF THIS NEW WORLD. SHE ENCOURAGES HIM TO TAKE HIS FIRST FEED. THE MOTHER HAS WAITED TILL SUMMER TO HAVE HER BABY, SUCH A SMALL PUP COULD NEVER SURVIVE THE WINTER. ALONG THIS COAST THOUSANDS OF PUPS ARE BORN, TO SURVIVE THE BETTER CONDITIONS THAT LIE AHEAD [DURING THIS MINI ICE-AGE SEA-LIONS WERE SOMEWHERE ELSE, BREEDING AND FEEDING AND LIVING VERY NICELY THANK YOU; WHY WOULD EVOLUTION TELL THESE SEA-LIONS TO MOVE AWAY AND GO TO ALASKA, TO BREED AND LIVE, UNDER RISKY CONDITIONS? DOES EVOLUTION HAVE A BRAIN? CAN IT REASON WITH ITSELF? IF SO THEN ITS BRAINY REASONING AIN’T SO BRAINY - Keith Hunt]
THE HUMP-BACKS ARE STILL WEEKS AWAY FROM ALASKA AND THEIR FIRST MEAL. IN THESE TURBULENT SEAS THE MOTHER AND CALF MUST STAY CLOSE.
A HUGE PACIFIC STORM IS BRUING AND HEADING STRAIGHT FOR THE COAST OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
DIRECTLY IN ITS PATH LIES THE SEA-LION NURSERY.
THE PUPS ARE NOW AT THE MERCY OF THE ELEMENTS.
THE MOTHERS MUST GET THEIR YOUNG TO HIGHER GROUND IF THEY CAN FIND IT.
IN DESPERATION SHE TRIES TO DRAG HER PUP AWAY FROM THE GATHERING TEMPEST. A PUP SWEPT INTO THE WATER IS UNLIKELY TO BE SEEN AGAIN.
AS THE SEAS BEGIN TO SUBSIDE MANY HAVE STAYED ALIVE. BUT OTHERS HAVE NOT.
THERE’S NOTHING THIS MOTHER COULD HAVE DONE TO SAVE HER PUP. SHE GRIEVES OVER THE DEAD BODY.
THESE MIGHTY STORMS THOUGH DEVASTATING FOR SOME, BRING GREAT LIFE TO THE GREAT FEAST.
[AGAIN IF ALL SEA-LIONS AND OTHERS WERE SURVIVING WELL AWAY FROM THIS MINI-ICE-AGE, WHY DID SOME SWIM ALL THE WAY UP TO ALASKA, OR MIGRATE THERE FOR FOOD? WHO TOLD THEM THERE WAS FOOD UP THERE? HOW DID THEY FIGURE WHEN TO GIVE BIRTH THERE? AND WHY DID OTHERS COME FROM THOUSANDS OF MILES TO FEED THERE. WHO TOLD THEM THERE WAS FOOD FOR THEM BUT ONLY AT A CERTAIN TIME OF THE YEAR? Keith Hunt]
WHEN THESE STORMS HIT COAST WATERS THEY STIR UP VITAL NUTRIENTS INTO THE SURFACE WATERS, NUTRIENTS THAT FEED THE PLANKTON.
REPLENISHED SEAS COMBINED WITH LENGTHENING DAYS, CREATE A PLANKTON EXPLOSION.
THIS COMES JUST IN TIME FOR THOSE AT THE END OF AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY.
THE HUMP-BACKS HAVE ARRIVED!
AFTER 3 THOUSAND MILES, MOTHER AND CALF HAVE FINALLY MADE IT TO THE COAST OF ALASKA!
THEY JOIN OTHER WHALES THAT HAVE MADE THE LONG JOURNEY, BUT THEIR JOURNEY IS NOT OVER, FOR THEY HAVE YET TO FEED.
THEY’RE HEADING FOR A PARTICULAR STRETCH OF THE COAST, DEEP IN THE CHANNELS, WHERE THEY KNOW THEY CAN FIND THE GREAT SHOELS OF HERRING [HOW DID THEY KNOW? WHO TOLD THEM? THEY WERE OBVIOUSLY EATING SOMEWHERE ELSE WHILE THE MINI-ICE-AGE WAS THERE, SO WHY AND HOW DID THEY FIGURE FOOD WAS WAY UP ON THE COAST OF ALASKA? Keith Hunt]
IT’S TO THESE ANCIENT GROUNDS THE MOTHER NOW GUIDES HER NEW CALF.
THE UNIQUE GEOGRAPHY OF THIS COAST LINE HOLDS THE FINAL SECRET TO THE GREAT EVENT. GLACIERS HAVE CUT INLETS AND ISLAND OVER 10s OF THOUSANDS OF YEARS [ACCORDING TO THE TEACHING THIS MINI-ICE-AGE WAS THOUSANDS OF YEARS IN DURATION. SO THESE HUMP-BACK WHALES FROM HAWAII WENT SOMEWHERE ELSE TO FEED (AND WHY DID EVOLUTION HAVE THEM BREEDING IN HAWAII WHERE THERE IS NO FOOD FOR THEM?), WHY AND HOW DID THEY CHANGE THEIR PATTERN, TO DO A RISKY THING WITH THEIR CALF, WHERE BOTH COULD HAVE DIED IF MISCALCULATED, AND HOW DID THEY KNOW THE MINI-ICE-AGE WAS OVER? Keith Hunt]
THIS PATCH-WORK CREATES LABYRINTHS, BRINGING TIDAL CURRANTS FLOWING, BRINGING UP VITAL INGREDIENTS FROM THE BLOOMING.
IT IS LIKE A FERTILIZER BEING ADDED TO THE WATER.
IN OTHER SEAS THE PLANKTON WOULD BE SUBSIDING BY NOW, BUT HERE THE SEAS ARE BEING VEGETATED, SO THE PLANKTON BLOOM TIME AND AGAIN THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER.
AND WITH THE SUN AT ITS MOST POWER, ALL THIS CREATES A PLANKTON BLOOM OF GREAT INTENSITY.
IN JULY THE OCEAN IS ALIVE!
THIS FLOATING COMMUNITY OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS IS THE BASIS FOR ALL LIFE HERE, AND A BLOOM OF THIS INTENSITY BRINGS A TRULY GREAT FEAST!
THIS FEAST BEGINS WITH MILLIONS OF TINY MOUTHS, BARNACLES SIFT PLANKTON BROUGHT IN ON THE FLOW OF THE SEA. THESE PLANTS ARE GIANTS. THEY GROW LARGER HERE THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD.
JELLY FISH GATHER FORMING GREAT SWORMS. THEY ALSO EAT THE PLANKTON, RISING TO THE SURFACE WHERE EATING IS MOST ABUNDANT.
BY LATE SUMMER THE PLANKTON BLOOM IS SO VAST IT RADIATES ACROSS THE NORTH PACIFIC.
BLOOMS LIKE THESE PROVIDE HALF OF THE EARTHS OXYGEN. THIS BLOOM ECLIPSES THE AMAZON JUNGLE IN QUANTITY OF ANIMAL LIFE. AND IT IS MOST INTENSE WHERE THE OCEAN STREAMS THROUGH THE COASTAL WATERWAYS.
THE SHOELS OF HERRING ARE NOW AT THEIR MOST PLENTIFUL.
AFTER FEEDING THEMSELVES THROUGH THE SUMMER MONTHS, THE FISH ARE A GOOD CATCH. THE MAIN TARGET FOR PREDATORS NOW GATHERING HERE.
AFTER ENDURING THE WINTER THE SEA-LIONS CAN NOW HAVE THE BOUNTY THEY HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.
BY KEEPING TOGETHER THEY DRIVE THE HERRING TO THE SURFACE. THEN WITH MEMORIZING GRACE THEY PICK OFF THE FISH ONE BY ONE.
FOR A FEW SHORT WEEKS THEY’LL HAVE THEIR SHARE OF THE GREAT FEAST.
OTHERS ARRIVE TO FEAST IN THE COASTAL WATERWAYS.
PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHINS.
THEY DART IN AND SNATCH FISH AS THEY GO.
TIDAL FLOWS NOW SWEAP HERRING UP TO THE SURFACE.
HERE THEY ARE WITHIN DIVING RANGE OF SEABIRDS. MERVES CAN DIVE WAY DOWN BUT OTHERS LIKE THE SEA-GULS ONLY ABOUT 3 FEET.
THE SHOELS TWIST AND TURN TRYING TO EVADE THE SURFACE DANGERS.
MERVE BIRDS CAN SWIM SO FAST THEY CAN OUT-SWIM THE HERRING.
THEY MAKE THE SHOEL TURN IN ON ITSELF, MAKING A BATE BALL.
THE MERVES CORRAL THE HERRING INTO AN EVEN TIGHTER BALL.
SEA-GULS ARE THERE BY THE HUNDREDS.. THE MERVES PUSH THE HERRING UP TO THE SURFACE—— IT’S FEEDING FRENZY.
THEN….THE TABLE IS SET FOR THE MIGHTIEST PREDATOR OF ALL—— THE HUMPBACK WHALE.
AFTER 6 MONTHS WITH NOTHING TO EAT THE HUMPBACKS CAN BREAK THEIR FAST.
THE WHALES HAVE LEARNT TO TAGET THESE BALLS OF FISH.
THEY’LL NEED MORE THAN A MOUTHFUL; NOW WITH THE FEAST IN FULL SWING THIS IS THEIR CHANCE!
TO EXPLORE THE HERRING IN DEEPER WATER THEY RELY ON TEAM-WORK; FOR THESE WHALES HAVE DEVELOPED A TRULY REMARKABLE WAY OF HUNTING.
THEY DANCE TO THE SOUND OF A MYSTERIOUS ECHO SONG. AIR BUBBLES AND A CALL, HAVE GIVEN THEM AN INGENIOUS WAY OF FISHING.
THIS IS BUBBLE NET FEEDING!
A DOZEN WHALES WORK TOGETHER TO HARVEST A FEEDING BONANZA.
SUCH FISHING REQUIRES AN INTELLIGENT MIND AND ALSO CO-OPERATION.
THE LEAD WHALE DIVES FIRST; SHE IS THE BUBBLE BLOWER. IT’S HER JOB TO FIND THE FISH. THE REST FOLLOW IN FORMATION, EACH TAKES EXACTLY THE SAME POSITION IN EVERY LUNGE.
ONCE SHE HAS LOCATED THE FISH, SHE BLOWS THE BUBBLES THAT ENCIRCLE THE SHOEL.
OTHER WHALES CALLS TO SYNCHRONIZE THE GROUP.
BLINDED BY THE BUBBLES AND THE HAUNTING CALLS, THE FISH WILL NOT CROSS THE WALLS OF BUBBLES.
FEW HUMPBACK FISH LIKE A TEAM IN THIS WAY.
IT’S THE ONLY PLACE ON THE PLANET WHERE WHALES FISH THIS WAY!
[AND WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE EVOLUTION TAUGHT THEM TO DO ALL THIS? WE ARE TO BELIEVE EVOLUTION HAD THEM COME TO HAWAII TO BREED AND HAVE NO FOOD THERE. THEN WE ARE TO BELIEVE EVOLUTION TAUGHT THEM THE MINI-ICE-AGE WAS OVER; FOOD WAS 3 THOUSAND MILES AWAY UP IN ALASKA, BUT ONLY AT A CERTAIN TIME OF THE YEAR. THEN WE ARE TO BELIEVE EVOLUTION HAD THEM SWIM WITH THEIR CALF 3 THOUSAND MILES, ARRIVING AT THE CORRECT TIME TO BE ABLE TO EAT THE HERRING. GIVE ME A BREAK - Keith Hunt]
AT THE HEIGHT OF THE SUMMER THESE HUMPBACKS FISH THIS WAY AROUND THE CLOCK, EATING A THOUSAND POUND OF HERRING A DAY.
ONLY MAN HAS LEARNT TO EXPLOIT THE SEA ON A GREATER SCALE.
AS THE SUMMER ENDS THE FEAST DRAWS TO A CLOSE.
THE SUN IS WEAKENING AND WITH IT THE PLANKTON BLOOM. THE MICROSCOPIC PLANTS THAT BROUGHT LIFE TO THESE SEAS BEGIN TO DIE. THE HERRING DESCEND TO SPEND THE WINTER IN THE DEPTHS.
LIFE FOR THE SEA-LION WILL BE HARDER ONCE AGAIN. BUT THEY FED WELL ENOUGH TO FACE THE DARK DAYS AHEAD.
[WHY DID THEY GO THERE TO BEGIN WITH? WHILE THE MINI-ICE-AGE WAS ON, THEY WERE SOMEWHERE ELSE TO FEED AND BREED; WHY DID THEY EVER MOVE TO ALASKA; AND WHO TOLD THEM THE ICE-AGE WAS OVER? WHO TOLD THEM THERE WOULD BE AN ABUNDANCE OF FISH, BUT ONLY AT A CERTAIN TIME OF THE YEAR? WHO TOLD THEM TO STAY THERE AS A WAY OF LIFE, AND RAISE PUPS IN A DANGEROUS PLACE? Keith Hunt]
THE HUMPBACK WHALES WILL SOON LEAVE THESE SHORES. IT’S ASTONISHING TO REALIZE SOME OF THE WORLD’S MIGHTIEST CREATURES RELY ON SOME OF THE TINIEST.
[YA, AND WHO TOLD THEM TO UNDERTAKE THE WAY OF LIFE THEY LIVE TODAY? WHO TOLD THEM THE ICE-AGE WAS OVER? WHO TOLD THEM TO BREED IN HAWAII, WHERE THERE WAS NO FOOD? WHO TOLD THEM TO SWIM 3 THOUSAND MILES WITH THEIR CALF, TO THE WATERS OF ALASKA? WHO TOLD THEM TO DEVISE A GREAT WAY TO HUNT THE HERRING, THAT NO OTHER HUMPBACKS OR KILLER WHALES DO ANYWHERE? Keith Hunt]
HERE ON THE NORTH WEST COAST THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN LAND, SEA, AND THE SUN, HAS PRODUCED A BLOOM OF PLANKTON SO EMENSE, IT MAKES IT ONE OF THE GREAT EVENTS ON EARTH.
…………………
THERE WAS NO MINI-ICE-AGE!
THE HUMPBACK WHALE OF HAWAII TO ALASKA; THE SEA-LIONS OF THAT COAST OF ALASKA; THE MIGRATING KILLER WHALES, THE MIGRATING BIRDS TO THAT AREA, HAVE BEEN DOING THAT LIFE-STYLE FROM THE BEGINNING OF GENESIS ONE.
THE ETERNAL GOD TOLD THOSE CREATURES TO LIVE THAT WAY; THEY HAVE BEEN DOING IT FROM THE BEGINNING!
GOD HAS PROMISED THAT THE SEASONS OF THE YEAR WOULD NEVER FAIL—— “WHILE THE EARTH REMAINS, SEEDTIME AND HARVEST, COLD AND HEAT, AND SUMMER AND WINTER, AND DAY AND NIGHT SHALL NOT CEASE” [GENESIS 8: 22].
DAY AND NIGHT HAS CONTINUED TO THIS VERY 21ST CENTURY.
SUMMER AND WINTER, COLD AND HEAT, SEEDTIME AND HARVEST, HAS ALSO CONTINUED, AND WILL WHILE THIS EARTH OF MANKIND IS ON IT.
CLIMATE CHANGE IS HAPPENING, BUT IT WILL NOT AFFECT GENESIS 8: 22. THAT PROMISE FROM GOD WILL ALWAYS BE TRUE AND REAL.
THERE NEVER WAS A SO-CALLED MINI-ICE-AGE AS EVOLUTIONISTS WOULD LIKE YOU TO BELIEVE.
THERE NEVER WAS A TIME WHEN ABOUT HALF THE PLANET WAS UNDER A THOUSAND OR MORE YEARS OF PERPETUAL FROZEN CLIMATE, A SO-CALLED MINI-ICE-AGE.
THE CREATURES OF EARTH LIVE AND DO WHAT THEY DO BECAUSE GOD CREATED THEM TO DO WHAT THEY DO, FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.
THE SO-CALLED MINI-ICE-AGE IS A THEORY THAT HAS COME FROM PLANET PLUTO, INTO THE DARKENED MINDS OF THOSE WHO REJECT THE INSPIRATION OF THE HOLY BIBLE.
Keith Hunt
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