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California Couple Taking A Break From Quarantine Wowed By Encounter With Friendly Whale

Every year millions of people go out on boat tours for a chance to see whales. But a couple from coastal California out on their boat for fun had the experience of a whale coming by to say hello.

“He is the cutest,” the camera records the woman on a boat saying as the gentle humpback circled their boat, occasionally spraying water 10 feet into the air. And the considerate whale kept social distance the whole time he, or she, we can’t really tell from the video, was visiting with the humans.

The Newport Beach, California couple decided to take a break from quarantine last April 26 by taking a ride on their boat just off the nearby post. They had a drone to take overhead video of any encounters with whales on their trip. And it turned out that a 40-ton humpback whale that day was also interested in human interaction.

Humpback whales love to travel. During the height of summer, they will visit northerly locations like the Gulf of Alaska or the chilly waters off the coast of Maine. During the winter, they seek out warmer waters closer to the equator in places like the Gulf of California off the coast of Baja California and the western states of Mexico. In April, they are usually making their way back up the Pacific coast past the US state of California.

It’s a good thing this whale was friendly. Humpback whales can stretch out from 48 to 62 feet. That’s as long as a bus. Adult humpback whales typically weigh 40 tons. That’s more than twice as much as a loaded bus and 10 tons more than a fire engine. Their pectoral fins, the humpback whale’s equivalent of “pec muscles,” can grow 16 feet long.

Humpback whales have light bellies, dark backs, pleats on their throats, and two tiny humps in front of their tail fins, giving them the name “humpback.” And they love to sing.

The songs of the humpback whales are almost magical. Humpback whale songs can travel as far as 10,000 miles through the ocean without losing their intensity. These songs consist of hours of complex howls, moans, cries, and other sounds. Its possible that humpbacks sing their songs as a form of entertainment, but they may also serve as a kind of personals column for attracting mates, and it is known that humpback calves sing to communicate with their mothers.

Mother humpbacks nurse their young for a full year. A humpback continues growing until about the age of 10. Mothers and young often swim together, touching their fins in what seems to be a gesture of affection.

Humpback whales are carnivorous, but not in a way that humans would find threatening. They feed on krill, which are tiny shrimp, plankton, and small fish.

Humpback whales generally display a benign attitude toward humans, but there are times whale watchers need to be cautious. Humpbacks can use their enormous tail fin, called a fluke, not just for powerful swimming through water but also sometimes to leap completely out of it.

Weighing nearly seven times as much as a school bus, humpbacks leaping out of the water make a huge splash. Scientists don’t know whether this action removes barnacles and other pests on the whale’s skin or whales just do it for fun. Either way, boaters need to station themselves at a safe distance to avoid capsizing their craft.

Humpbacks can also flap their fins as if they were about to fly. That’s usually a sign to enjoy whale watching from a safe distance.

Not everyone has a whale encounter like the lucky couple from Newport News last April. But if you venture into the right waters at the right time of year, you just may have your once in a lifetime moment with the ocean’s majestic humpback whales.

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Three Unlikely Animals Share A Den

Liz L

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The animal kingdom is full of surprises, and one of the most remarkable is the story of a hyena, a warthog, and a porcupine that share a den in harmony. According to the African Journal of Ecology, these unusual roommates coexist in a den at a wildlife preserve in Kenya. Researchers were amazed to discover that these animals could live together in such close quarters, despite being predator and prey.

The den contains 7 hyenas, two porcupines, and three warthogs. They have lived together for months and use the same entrance and exit. Inside the den, they occupy separate chambers so they can keep their distance, but it is still unusual since these animals are both predator and prey. The only explanation so far is that each animal has its own defensive mechanism. Hyenas are natural predators, warthogs have big tusks, and porcupines have sharp spikes.

What is even more fascinating is that the animals seem to have established some kind of social hierarchy, with the hyenas at the top and the porcupines at the bottom. The hyenas have been observed tolerating the presence of the other animals, but they still remain cautious and alert.

The researchers believe that the den may have been the result of a fortuitous set of circumstances. Once the soil in the area became softer after the rain, the species separated because they could find other shelter and dig new holes. However, for these particular animals, the den may have been the only option for shelter, and so they learned to tolerate each other’s presence and established a unique living arrangement.

It is rare to see such a diverse group of animals living together in harmony, and it raises many questions about how animals interact with each other in the wild. The researchers hope to continue studying these animals to gain a better understanding of their behavior and social dynamics.

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Recently Arrived Ukrainian Refugees Among Those Helping Mississippi Tornado Victims

Jolie

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In the wake of natural disasters, communities come together to provide support and aid to those affected. This is the case in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, where the devastating tornadoes that recently ripped through the town left 26 people dead and many more injured. In the midst of this tragedy, a group of volunteers has emerged from an unexpected place: Ukrainian refugees who recently moved to Minneapolis.

The group of refugees, who have been in the United States for only three months, felt compelled to help in any way they could. The Ukrainian refugees were helped by many kind people as they settled into the United States, and now they feel a strong desire to give back. The volunteers are part of a Minneapolis-based nonprofit organization called American Service, which heeded the call for help from Rolling Fork and gathered a team of volunteers to head south.

Despite the challenges that come with a language barrier and cultural differences, the Ukrainian volunteers have shown incredible resilience and determination to help those in need. They plan to bring water and other necessary supplies to people working to clean up and rebuild the devastated town. The volunteers are determined to make a positive impact in any way they can, even if it means putting themselves in difficult and unfamiliar situations.

It is heartwarming to see individuals who have recently faced hardship and adversity in their own lives stepping up to help others in need. Their actions also demonstrate the important role that immigrants and refugees play in building and strengthening communities across the United States.

As the volunteers make their way to Rolling Fork, Mississippi, they carry with them the hope of a brighter future for all those affected by the tornadoes. Their selflessness and generosity serve as an inspiration to all of us, reminding us that we can all make a difference in the lives of others, no matter our circumstances. In a time of great tragedy, their actions are a shining example of the resilience and compassion that unites us all as human beings.

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Surprise Birthday Party At 112 Years Old

Amanda J

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On February 28th, 2023, the town of Wellesley, Massachusetts, came together to celebrate the 112th birthday of Herlda Senhouse, the town’s oldest citizen. The surprise gathering was put together by locals who wanted to honor the remarkable woman and her contributions to the community.

Senhouse, who was born on February 28th, 1911, is a beloved member of the Wellesley community. She has lived in the town for over 60 years and has been actively involved in local organizations and community events. Senhouse is known for her warm smile, sharp wit, and kind heart, which have endeared her to many in the town.

One of Senhouse’s most significant contributions to the community was her founding of Boston’s Clique Club in the 1960s. The social club was dedicated to raising money to help educate Black students in the Boston area. Senhouse and other members of the club believed that education was the key to achieving social justice and worked tirelessly to support educational opportunities for Black students.

At the birthday celebration, Senhouse was surrounded by family, friends, and members of the community who came together to wish her a happy birthday and express their appreciation for her life and contributions. The event was a testament to the impact that Senhouse has had on the town of Wellesley and the lives of those around her.

As the celebration came to a close, Senhouse expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of love and support she had received. She thanked those in attendance and said that she was proud to be a member of the Wellesley community. Herlda Senhouse is truly an inspiration and a reminder of the power of community and the impact that one person can have on the world.

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NYC Owl Escapes Zoo and Starts A New Life In The Wild

Danielle S

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Flaco, the escaped zoo owl, has captivated the attention of people all over the world as he evaded capture for two weeks after escaping from New York City’s Central Park Zoo. However, the story has a happy ending as Flaco can now remain in the wild, thanks to his successful hunting and eating prey.

Flaco is a Eurasian eagle-owl, a large and majestic bird of prey that is found across Europe and Asia. He was living in captivity at the Central Park Zoo when vandals cut the mesh on his cage, allowing him to escape into the surrounding area. Zoo officials and animal experts immediately began searching for Flaco, fearing that he would not be able to survive in the wild after living in captivity for so long.

However, Flaco surprised everyone with his ability to adapt to his new environment. He quickly learned how to hunt and eat prey, and has been thriving in the wild ever since. Animal researchers have been keeping a close eye on Flaco, but efforts to recapture him have been called off, as he appears to be doing just fine on his own.

The story of Flaco is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of nature. Despite the challenges of living in the wild, Flaco has been able to survive and even thrive, thanks to his natural instincts and hunting skills. His story is also a reminder of the importance of preserving natural habitats and allowing animals to live in their natural environment.

Flaco, the escaped zoo owl, has captured the hearts of people all over the world with his incredible story of survival in the wild. Despite escaping from captivity, he has been able to adapt to his new environment and thrive, thanks to his natural instincts and hunting skills.

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Bear Successfully Rescued From Frozen Culvert In Northern Minnesota

Danielle S

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A bear was saved by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in northwest Minnesota in a heartwarming rescue. When a passing motorist noticed the bear, it was stuck in a ditch and unable to climb out. The DNR was notified immediately, and a team of experts was dispatched to the scene.


The bear, a young adult of about two years old, was discovered to be in good health but distressed. The DNR team quickly assessed the situation and devised a plan to return the bear to its natural habitat.


The rescue operation was delicate because the team had to keep the bear’s safety and well-being in mind. Special equipment and techniques were used by the DNR to carefully lift the bear out of the ditch and place it on a stretcher. The bear was then transported to a nearby location before being released back into the wild.


The successful bear rescue demonstrated the DNR team’s skill and expertise. The bear was unharmed when it was returned to its natural habitat, and it quickly ran off into the forest, free once more.


This is just one of many rescues carried out by the DNR each year. This rescue is a prime example of the organization’s important work in protecting and conserving wildlife and their habitats. The DNR works tirelessly to protect all wildlife in Minnesota and to ensure that they have the resources they need to carry out their missions.

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