-
Injured farmer uses drone "cowscan" technology to check newborn calves in pasture
WildCreaturesWhen Farmer Dave badly injured his foot in a farming accident, he needed to check his cows and calves several times each day. But walking was difficult while he was on the mend. A large piece of machinery had shattered the bones in his foot and he needed several surgeries to put things back in place. He could see the pasture and the cows from his porch, but walking around and giving them the proper attention took more walking than he was able to do. But Farmer Dave has a drone and he started using it to watch his cows while they were in calving season. He could fly around and look at each heifer and each calf and he could make sure that none of them were in distress as they gave birth. He could tell when a new calf was born and he would know exactly where to find it without making laps around the meadow. Farmer Dave was able to recuperate and rest while still giving the cows the proper care. The drone camera resolution is shockingly clear and he can even read the ear tags from his seat on the porch. But in the name of fun, a little editing turned the regular video into a little spoof of something you might see in a science fiction movie. Special effects create the illusion that Farmer Dave is scanning the udders with a sensor to detect milk content and match full cows with thirsty calves. Although this is all in jest in this case, that technology won't be too far in the future as we see the advances in tech and everyday work saving devices.5.73K views 4 comments -
Bossy cow pushes herd mate off to enjoy a good face scratch
WildCreaturesThese cows live a wonderful life on a beautiful farm in Ontario, Canada. They have lush, green pasture to graze, rolling hills, treed forest, and ponds full of fresh water to drink from. They have sunshine when they want and shade when they choose. It's life on a free range farm and it's as close as possible to what nature intended for these gentle souls. They even have a post with brushes at different angles to allow the cows to satisfy an itch if they have one. Here, we see Mildred using the brush, having a good old time, until she sees Colleen approaching. Colleen is a year or two older and enjoys a higher place in the pecking order among the girls here. Colleen asserts her seniority and Mildred moves away respectfully. Colleen then takes over the brush and scratches contentedly. It almost appears that Colleen is smiling as she has her turn at the scratching post.16.2K views 25 comments -
Drifting on the current with gigantic Pacific green sea turtles
WildCreaturesPacific green turtles are huge sea turtles with a gentle and mildly curious disposition. When a swimmer moves slowly and keeps a respectful distance, they will treat them with mild curiosity and allow them to drift with them and observe their feeding behaviour. These turtles were feeding in the shallows in a quiet bay on Floriana Island in the Galapagos. They come to the bay to feeb on sea weed and algae that grows on the rocks. The turtles can be seen in great numbers as they drift and munch contentedly. At this size, very few predators are able to harm them. They fear orcas and large sharks, but even those animals are generally discouraged by the nearly impervious shells of the turtles. These are gentle creatures, having no means of attacking other animals, or humans. Their defense to an attack would be to simply swim away. Graceful and powerful swimmers, they propel themselves by flapping their powerful fins. They stay near the surface or in the relative shallows, needing to breath air to survive. They can dive deep, when they wish to and hold their breath for up to thirty minutes but they prefer to be in areas where the light allows the most lush vegetation to grow. This lucky swimmer drifted on the waves and the current, recording dozens of these magnificent and peaceful animals as they went about their business. Occasionally, the waves and the surge would push the turtles within inches of him, which the turtles did not react to. It is never allowed to intentionally touch, harass, or swim too close to turtles of other animals. These turtles seem to understand the difference and they will swim away rapidly if they are uncomfortable. Swimming with such gigantic, gentle beasts is a memory that will not soon be forgotten.8.56K views 8 comments -
Canada's most beautiful waterfalls captured by drone
WildCreaturesBridal Veil Falls are tucked away in the hills near Hope, British Columbia. They are picturesque and beautiful beyond description.12.8K views 13 comments -
Tourist uses ingenuity to boil eggs in natural hot spring in Canada
WildCreaturesHarrison is a small town in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. This province is home to mountains, waterfalls, and the legendary Sasquatch, or Bigfoot. It is also the home of an incredible natural hot spring beside the picturesque Harrison Lake. Tourists from the Toronto area were out for a walk and an explore when they came across a family of tourists from China who had brought a dozen eggs with them for their visit. Considered a delicacy in their home, eggs boiled in a natural hot spring are highly prized and quite expensive. As a novelty, this lady was boiling her eggs in the hottest area of the spring. She told the Canadians that the eggs would be fully cooked in about an hour. She used chopsticks to turn the eggs as they cooked, so that she would not burn her fingers by dipping them in the water.2.8K views 12 comments -
This treacherous pass was "The Gates of Hell" according to early explores
WildCreaturesHell's Gate lies at the bottom of a steep canyon carved out of the mountain by the Fraser River in British Columbia, Canada. It is the narrowest portion of the mighty Fraser River, originally known by other names. The Tsilhqot'in name for the river is ʔElhdaqox, meaning Sturgeon. The river is home to gigantic sturgeon that feed on the bottom in slower running sections, but the river is also Canada's greatest source of salmon and the Indigenous peoples who inhabited this nation first relied on the salmon for their survival. This strikingly beautiful section of the Fraser River has a fascinating history. At these narrows, the current rages through a steep canyon, making it impossible for boats to navigate the river. Indigenous people gathered here to harvest salmon as the fish rested in the eddies before continuing upriver. The rapids and steep banks made it a treacherous and dangerous area to fish, yet the opportunities to catch the salmon were plentiful. Rope and wooden structures helped the local fishermen make their way along the sheer rock faces to fish. In the middle and late 1800s, European settlers began to gather and fish here. The gold rush and fur trade brought even more settlers and people passing through. This area became a busy trade corridor. A railway was built and the area saw more traffic and people than ever before. In 1911, a second rail line was built along the south and east bank of the Fraser River. During construction of the second rail line, a catastrophic rockslide poured huge boulders into the river. This decreased the depth by 5m (15 feet), increasing water velocity by more than a third. Very few salmon made it through and they perished in the attempt, before spawning, or they found other rivers to spawn in. The salmon populations plummeted. Commercial fishing was already putting heavy pressure on the salmon and the Indigenous people faced famine. Fishing restrictions were put in place, but commercial fishing continued in the areas south of Hell's Gate. Intense debates raged over the causes and the solutions, with harsh criticism from many angles. From 1947 to 1951, two corridors were built along the banks of the river. These structures created tunnels with reduced current, allowing the fish to pass through and avoid the worst of the turbulence. Other conservation efforts were also put in place. As a result, salmon populations rebounded. In the 1970s, an airtram was built to allow people to traverse the river and view the fishways from both banks. The site hosts a restaurant, giftshop, along with educational films and plaques to explain the history of this canyon. The Fraser River is named after the explorer, Simon Fraser. He wrote in his journals that this passage was: "a place where no human should venture, for surely these are the gates of Hell." It was known thereafter as Hell's Gate. Without the benefit of roads or rail lines, explorers were forced to find a way through these treacherous and dangerous waters. What was once seen as a foreboding and treacherous place is now appreciated for its magnificent beauty and interesting history. It is also an undeniable demonstration of the potential consequences of human intervention in our attempt to battle or conquer nature.9.25K views 15 comments -
Orca Inspects Tourists In A Tiny Boat In Galapagos Islands
WildCreaturesThese tourists in the Galapagos Islands were on a tour around the bay when they witnessed one of nature's spectacles close up. An orca was hunting in the bay where Pacific sea turtles had come to feed. The orca had no fear of the humans in the tiny, inflatable boat, passing very close to the tourists and even under the boat as it went on about it's business. Nature can be beautiful but it can also be harsh. The orca is a perfect example of this contrast. One of the most sophisticated and intelligent animals on earth, it is capable of hunting cooperatively with other orcas, communicating and planning as it does so. Although it is not the largest creature in the ocean, it is undeniably the most formidable. Even great white sharks avoid contact with these super predators. Orcas in the Galapagos Islands are known to eat sharks, sea lions, penguins, and even giant sea turtles. The seemingly impervious shell of the Pacific green turtle is no match for the frighteningly powerful jaws of the orca. With unbelievable crushing force, this orca cracked the shell of an enormous turtle with ease. A group of scuba divers from Canada had been exploring the undersea world from their liveaboard tour boat but they ventured out in two of the inflatable pangas to enjoy a close look at the creatures on the shore line, in between their dives. It was then that they saw this unbelievable sight. Thrilled to witness the dorsal fin of this giant and see it surfacing nearby, they eagerly shot video and pictures of the once in a lifetime display. It was only after a few minutes that they realized that the orca was hunting in the bay and that they were witnessing the results of an underwater battle for survival as the orca ate a magnificent turtle right in front of them. As the orca surfaced, the split shell could be seen hanging off the dorsal fin of the killer whale. The guides explained that an orca will crush the shell of a turtle and then lodge it between rocks to allow them to scrape out the meat with their jaws. These scuba divers have experienced conflicting emotions on many occasions as they have encountered animals fighting beneath the waves. For both the predator and the prey, these battles are about survival and it is not the place of humans to meddle in the struggles. Their guides have taught them that nature does not need our help. This is especially well understood in the Galapagos Islands where the balance of nature can be more precarious and interference from people can have unthinkable consequences. While it was difficult to witness the end of this beautiful turtle, it was a privilege to be present to witness the spectacle of such a powerful animal in its natural environment. These scuba divers entered the water here an hour later to swim with marine iguanas. While they are well aware that orcas have never killed a human in the wild, the image of the turtle and the immense power of the orca was on their minds as they dove, reminding them that humans are visitors in this unforgiving domain. When people enter the water, they are clumsy and awkward and always at the mercy of the animals who thrive in this world. We must respect those animals that call this home.19.3K views 41 comments -
High speed drone provides unique look at life on a country farm
WildCreaturesThis is a unique and unforgettable look at farm life through the lens of a high speed drone. Swooping in from high above, zipping under machinery, cruising through a herd of grazing cows, through vehicles, and weaving among hay bales, it's a look at farm life from a different perspective. A DJI Avata drone creates new possibilities for seeing the world. This drone operator sat near the farmhouse, watching the drone with virtual reality goggles, seeing exactly what the drone saw as it flew. The sensation is as close to flying as you can get without leaving the ground. With stunning clarity, objects whipped past as the drone navigated through tight spaces with only inches to spare. Crashes are inevitable with this sort of flying, but this drone is capable of flipping itself over and taking off again. Propeller guards and a tough plastic body make it a tough little unit. Conventional drones can't perform like these, and they can't maneuver through slots without the danger of their propellers being stopped by even the smallest twig or object. This drone operator is actually helping out his farmer buddy who wants to keep a close eye on the cows during calving season. The drone provides a quick look at the herd without having to trudge around the pasture so many times in a day. Of course, the up close and personal look at the herd is still required each day, but the drone provides a good peek in between pasture. foot patrol.9.92K views 22 comments -
Protective rhinoceros mother keeps a close eye on her precious calf
WildCreaturesThis rhinoceros mother and her baby are enjoying the sun on the plains in Kenya. Generally solitary, tight bonds are formed between a mother and her calf. They are wild and free, among a population of rhinos in Kenya that are protected by highly trained poaching enforcement officers. It is estimated that only 6,000 black rhinos remain in the wild, placing them dangerously close to extinction. Here, the rhinos roam through a vast conservation tract that is patrolled and monitored, allowing the rhinos to live as nature intended, while reducing the threat of poaching and predation. Black rhinos can reach a massive size, 180cm (71 inches) high, and weighng in at more than 1400kg (3100 lbs). In a few cases, weights have been reported at up to 2900kg (6385lbs). Generally gentle creatures, they can be prone to aggression, charging at anything that they perceive as a threat. It is best to keep a respectful distance at all times. They are vegetarian, feeding on branches and leaves. With their enormous horns, they look formidable, but the horns are used for defense, intimidation and for digging up roots while feeding. They are also protected by their thick skin which serves almost as armour to prevent injury from sticks and thorns while feeding. Black rhinoceros are aggressive in their behaviour toward each other, with nearly half of black rhinos dying from combat related injuries. They are prone to predation by lions and crocodiles when they are smaller. Predation of a full grown rhino is rare. Capable of reaching speeds of 55km/h (34mph), they are able to run from predators and they are exceptionally fast when charging at a perceived threat. A wild rhinocerous is a spectacular sight that few have the privilege of experiencing. It is crucial that we do all that we can so that we do not lose these majextic beasts forever.15.3K views 19 comments -
Kenyan woman shows Canadian friend how she gets water in her village
WildCreaturesWhen Dave, a man from Canada asked his friend, Naomy how she gets water in her village, she recorded this video to tell the story. Kenya has a dry season and a rainy season. Both are extreme, but the dry season brings drought and hardship. Usually, the only source of water is a small drainage ditch near her family home. There is a pool that it is deep enough to dip a cup and fill a jug. But the water is not clean and it is 2km from her house. Still, it is all they have. During the rainy season, this reservoir fills up and the villagers can fill their jugs here. But the water is contaminated with animal feces and runoff from the farms around the reservoir. It will be short lived because this will dry up, but it's the best water source while it is full. This video highlights the extreme challenges of life in Africa. Naomy is a farmer, managing a small plot of rented land. It is how she feeds her family and how they survive. It is also the same farm plot that allows her to grow some extra vegetables for sale. In Kenya, the average wage across the country is approximately 100 schillings, or $88 U.S. This is not much to survive on and making ends meet requires hard work, commitment, and even ingenuity and imagination. The sales from Naomy's farm plot net her $3-5 on a very good day. She will use that money to pay for medical needs of the family, as well as necessities like kerosene, sugar, salt, and clothing. Naomy has an extra challenge. She adopted Emannuel, a boy who was abandoned by his parents when he was two years old. Naomy uses her meager savings to fund schooling for Emannuel so he can have a decent life. Naomy also makes videos, like this one, and Dave and Naomy use the videos to show the world what life is like for Naomy and the others in her village. The videos have helped provide a small income for Naomy and her family. As she faces some upcoming medical fees, she is using her phone camera to share her life with the world, and to try to meet the costs ahead. Please enjoy this video and share it. You can help Naomy by doing so and you can also help her with this link. https://gofund.me/39e4d22a Asante san. Thank you.6.71K views 49 comments