bookofjoe

AlbatrossCam — On the trail of the killer whale

Long story short: researchers attached lipstick-sized still cameras to four black-browed albatrosses, which returned thousands of images of featureless open ocean among which were scattered some remarkable pictures (above and below).

Caption for the photo above: "A killer whale breaking the ocean surface, apparent from its dorsal fin [white arrow] and three black-browed albatrosses attracted to the whale."

Here's Henry Fountain's October 9, 2009 New York Times Science section story with more.

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Aerial View: Albatrosses Following a Killer Whale

Surveillance cameras are everywhere these days, capturing just about everything: the good, the bad, the unmentionable.

One has even soared above the Southern Ocean, attached to the back of black-browed albatrosses. It has captured a rare sight: albatrosses following a killer whale, probably to obtain food.

The camera weighs less than three ounces and includes depth and temperature sensors. It was installed on four albatrosses at Bird Island in the southern Atlantic.

 
Kentaro Q. Sakamoto of Hokkaido University in Japan, Philip N. Trathan of the British Antarctic Survey and colleagues pored through thousands of images. While most were of the featureless open ocean [above], they report in PLoS ONE that one bird encountered a killer whale [top]. The bird appeared to have descended to the surface, perhaps to eat scraps left behind by the whale.

The photograph suggested albatrosses may sometimes forage in the open ocean the way other seabirds do closer to shore — by following other predators for clues or leftovers.

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The caption for the photo below: "A fisheries vessel in the distance (white arrow) with an aggregation of birds."

Wrote Bex Walton in an October 7, 2009 PLoS ONE community blog post, "Kentaro Sakamoto of Hokkaido University, Japan, and colleagues at the National Institute of Polar Research, Japan, and the British Antarctic Survey detail the fascinating interactions between black-browed albatrosses (Thalassarche melanophrys) and a killer whale (Orcinus orca) in the Southern Ocean. The images were captured by small cameras about the size of a packet of Polos (or a lipstick) attached to the birds and show the birds foraging in groups and feeding with a killer whale."

Finally, here's the abstract of the PLoS ONE report.

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From the Eye of the Albatrosses: A Bird-Borne Camera Shows An Association Between Albatrosses and a Killer Whale in the Southern Ocean

Albatrosses fly many hundreds of kilometers across the open ocean to find and feed upon their prey. Despite the growing number of studies concerning their foraging behaviour, relatively little is known about how albatrosses actually locate their prey. Here, we present our results from the first deployments of a combined animal-borne camera and depth data logger on free-ranging black-browed albatrosses (Thalassarche melanophrys). The still images recorded from these cameras showed that some albatrosses actively followed a killer whale (Orcinus orca), possibly to feed on food scraps left by this diving predator. The camera images together with the depth profiles showed that the birds dived only occasionally, but that they actively dived when other birds or the killer whale were present. This association with diving predators or other birds may partially explain how albatrosses find their prey more efficiently in the apparently ‘featureless’ ocean, with a minimal requirement for energetically costly diving or landing activities.

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Can't get enough?

No problem: read/print out the original PLoS ONE article in its entirety here.

Ceramic Notepad — 'World's first dishwasher-safe notepad'

From the website:

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Ceramic Notepad

The Ceramic Notebook, made entirely from clay, can be used to make lists, jot down phone numbers or leave notes for your loved ones.

You can write on the jotter with the china pencil which comes supplied or use dry-wipe markers.

With the Ceramic Notepad you can say goodbye to scraps of paper cluttering your desk.

The wipe-clean notepad is the solution for saving paper and getting more organised.

Hole through the top resembling a spiral jotter keeps pen and pad together.

To clean, simply use a dry or damp cloth or tissue.

Probably the first dishwasher-safe notepad.

13cm W x 20cm L x 3cm H.

Desk or wall mount.

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£10.99.

Helpful Hints from joeeze: How to avoid a deer collision

For a change, something that might be of value.

In today's "Outdoors" column in the Charlottesville Daily Progress, Jim Brewer offers the following tips on making your fall driving experience safer.

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• Always, always watch for deer. "I expect them to pop out of the woods at any time. And if I see even one deer along the road, I slow way down."

• When driving through forestland, "I try to stay as close to the center line as possible. This gives me one split-second longer if a deer bounds out."

• The most likely times to encounter deer are at dawn, dusk and when it's raining. "I'm extra careful during these occasions."

• Don't rely on deer whistles. They are gimmicks. Just be observant.

• "If a deer does jump out in front of you, don't swerve. Brake steadily and maintain control of the steering wheel. It's better to hit the deer with your car than to swerve off the road and crash."

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[Graphics via Kentucky State Police]

Chalk Chess (Not recommended for rainy climates)

"Play anywhere you find a smooth surface, drawing your chessboard on the spot. 32 pieces."

$24.95.

Lost [in] Scotland

Dr. Margaret McCartney, the nonpareil Financial Times Glasgow-based columnist, informed me yesterday that "there is actually a hamlet here called Lost. With signpost."

And to think all these years I thought that was some Photoshop job (top) I saw every now and again.

Good to know.

Not all who wander are [from] Lost, considering that its population, according to Wikipedia, is "less than two dozen."

Toilet Fisherman — No! It's not what you think...

Pete Stanley sent me a link to this nifty setup; he wrote:

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Hey,

Loved your post about the Potty Putter so much I bought them as birthday presents for my friends!

On the look out for christmas presents and spotted this:

http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/toilet-games-toilet-fishing-potty-fishing.html

You've probably already seen it but just in case...."

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In fact, Pete, my less-than-worthless crack [heh] research team missed this entirely.

You're hired.

From the Toilet Fisherman website:

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Toilet Fishing — Potty Fishing Toilet Game

You loved our Potty Putter, now try Potty Fishing! This hilarious toilet game is an ideal fishing gift for birthdays, Christmas and Father's Day! Try and catch 4 fish in the bowl of water with the provided fishing rod as you sit astride your toilet. Who knows how long you may be in there? With this Potty Fishing toilet game there is no need to rush things. Sit back, relax and enjoy a spot of fishing whilst you finish your business. The Toilet Fishing Set includes 4 fish, a perspex bowl, fishing rod and 'Do Not Disturb' sign! Treat an avid fisherman to Potty Fishing, pack him a few sandwiches and a flask of tea and watch him trudge up the stairs for an hour of quiet time.

If your toilet time is the only time you get any peace and quiet then why not introduce a bit of fishing. You've finished counting the tiles behind the bath and trying to work out what that stain on the carpet is behind the door. Now put your mind in a serene and tranquil state with our Potty Fishing Toilet Game!

If your partner seems to spend more time in the bathroom than anywhere else, then Potty Fishing will be the ideal novelty gift for him!

Try to catch 4 toy fish in a bowl of water with your little fishing rod.

Great gift for toilet users aged 4 to 140!

What’s in the Toilet Fishing — Potty Fishing Toilet Game box?

• 4 x Fish

• 1 x Bowl

• 1 x Door Sign

• 1 x Fishing Rod

• 1 x Set of Instructions

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$15.72.

'Joe writes articles for Technorati' — You're always the last to know

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Same principle as checking the Daily Progress obits first thing every morning to see if I'm there — if not, then it's onto the treadmill to begin the day's ridiculousness.

First I heard I was writing articles for Technorati was when I happened to see the page up top this morning while diddling around wasting time.

Huh.

Does that mean I'll be getting a check?

Or will that be as imaginary as my "articles?"

I find I'm now #915 (below)

among the blogs Technorati's following, a big step in the right direction from my previous high of 2,992.

Onward and upward.

What are they?

Answer here this time tomorrow.