Did You know that the humpback whales sometimes rest vertically with their heads facing the ocean floor? Neither did I, until I saw the DisneyNature movie Oceans Mother’s Day weekend.

Imagine this creature, 40-50 feet long, silently suspended in the middle of the ocean, taking a nap. Sometimes there may be two of them side by side as well. They don’t sleep for hours like we do, but rest is still necessary.

That was just one of the things I learned, and just one of the amazing bits of photography in the movie. If it’s still in your area (last year’s movie wasn’t out long) I highly recommend you see it with your family. Kids under 5 or 6 may get bored because there isn’t much of a story to follow, but older animal lovers of all ages will be fascinated.

Be Inspired!

Cheryl Pickett

Did you know?

The Giant Pacific Octopus has 8 tentacles (arms). Each one has 200 suckers/suction cups. Each suction cup can hold about 35 pounds. Do the math!

Be Inspired!

Cheryl Pickett

Did you know there are at least 400 “dead zones” along coastal areas around the world? Dead means there isn’t enough oxygen to support living things and there are also often toxic gases being produced instead.

When the area starts changing, things that can crawl or swim away do their best to get out. Things that can’t move die, adding to decomposition and the chemicals produced in that process.

What causes this problem? Mostly drainage and stuff getting dumped into the water that doesn’t belong there. In addition, destroying wetlands and similar environments destroys much of the natural filtering system earth has and the problems increase because of that as well.

The oceans are amazing places, there’s so much we don’t know about them. Find out more about what’s happening to them and what we can do about it on the current Nature series One Ocean (check PBS or similar TV stations).

Be Inspired!

Cheryl Pickett

Did you know there’s a tree called a Dragon’s Blood Tree? I have never heard of it (though I watch lots of nature shows). It gets it’s name because of the color of the resin that comes out if it is cut/injured. I think Dr. Suess must have seen one at some point

BTW, the site that is linked above looks really useful if you are looking for more creation inspiration-lots of pics and videos from around the globe.

Be Inspired!

Cheryl Pickett