Okanagan Wildlife and Nature: December 2009

Thursday, 31 December, 2009

Happy New Years!

May everyone have safe travels this evening and be careful on the roads. Have a great new year from Okanagan Wildlife and the family!

Jessica

(A new years note has been linked in the title, to check it out please click above)

Wednesday, 30 December, 2009

Mackenzie pipeline report online December 30, 2009

As another pipeline proposal comes to the headlines in Canada, aboriginal groups and communities in the Northwest Territories of Canada continue ponder the idea and possible outcomes of this environmentally destructive opportunity.

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxiT64a3_Nk

CBC News released that a report by the Joint Review Panel is set to be released later today which provides analysis of all sides of this proposed venture by the Makenzie Gas Project including "the socio-economic and environmental impacts" of the project.

"The report has been anxiously awaited by the proponents of the proposed pipeline, which would run more than 1,200 kilometres through the Northwest Territories' Mackenzie Valley to the Alberta boundary."

With names such as Conoco, Shell and Exxon attached to this massive pipeline project Canada need only wait for September and the final decision to be made by the National Energy Board. However, a review that "was only expected to take 10 months" ended up taking almost six years to complete due to heavy environmental stress this project will put on the already sensitive Canadian north.

NowPublic

Friday, 25 December, 2009

Ecotourism, saving our natural environment and traditions

Happy Boxing Day everyone,

Although not relevant to the holidays or Boxing Day, the topic today at Okanagan Wildlife and Nature is ecotourism and its involvement in the protection of our natural environment and preservation of tradition.

A summary has been quoted below and the full length article can be viewed here.

"Several reasons exist as to why ecotourism protects natural environments and preserves traditions. In consideration of the present and looming future state of our planet, ecotourism is the saving grace for many businesses that rely on tourism industries all over the world. The low environmental impact, if no impact, of this niche of tourism is incomparable to that of recent years where thousands of acres of parkland and untouched earth were seen developed for some form of tourism. Ecotourism shows an appreciation for our natural environment, history and cultural diversity that protects our natural environment while working to preserve tradition."

Source: http://www.helium.com/items/1692747-ecotourism-protects-natural-environment-and-preserves-tradition

I hope the holidays treated and are treating everyone well, that bellies are full and spirits are content.

Cheers, Jessica

Wednesday, 23 December, 2009

What to look for in snowboarding goggles

In spirit of winter, the cold and Christmas my articles lately have been taking on a winter tone. Although these latest articles may not really touch on Okanagan wildlife or nature I thought they still hold relevance to the weather we are experiencing.

I have included below a snippet of my latest article, what to look for in snowboard goggles, that was written aside a skiing safety article as part of a seasonal contest at Helium.com. The provided links will take you to both articles.

"Have you ever tried snowboarding without goggles? If you have, you will agree it is no fun at all unless you happened to be blessed with a beautiful day on the mountain. When looking for snowboard goggles a few key thoughts need to be kept in mind. Essential factors in this search are proper fit, versatility, price and particular product features that the different companies and styles offer. For the best advice first though, always watch out for spring sales on goggles. You might not find the newest, hottest and latest styles but you definitely will save yourself a couple bucks..."

Please follow the provided article link to be taken to the article on tips to avoiding skiing injuries.

Happy holidays from Okanagan Wildlife and Nature...

Saturday, 19 December, 2009

Check out the fresh New Year’s site updates!

Hello everyone and happy Saturday!

With the cold air and snow having made home again in the Okanagan for the winter, my Saturday has been happily spent within the warm confines of my office.

Over the last week many changes have been made to my sites and finally today all of the final updates and changes are complete. Feel free to take a look at changes to the layout and new features added, any suggestions or comments can be emailed to jessytucker@gmail.com.

Seasons greetings and best wishes from Okanagan Wildlife and Nature,

Jessica

Friday, 18 December, 2009

Photo Update: Lenny Clouds

A few months ago, I posted an article and photos I had taken of lenticular clouds (also known as Lenny clouds) because I thought the particular cloud formation was quite interesting.

I was recently passed on another photograph of the same formation of cloud and once given permission to post it, thought it should be added.

This lenticular cloud formation was caught by my mother while vacationing in Palm Desert, California in early October of 2008.

To view the previous post of Lenny cloud images and article, please click here.

Thanks again, Mom!

Wednesday, 16 December, 2009

5 tips to avoid skiing injuries

With the rising popularity of winter sports and skiing in the last century injuries related to skiing, snowboarding and the winter cold are extremely common and often overlooked. Five steps can be taken to avoid injuries while enjoying a day of skiing up on the hill and help to keep skiing a pleasurable experience for any beginner.

1. Proper instruction.
The number one tip for avoiding injuries while skiing is to have some general idea about what you are supposed to be doing! If you are a beginner, it is a great idea to inquire about lessons to get you started. Most ski areas and facilities offer introductory courses and ongoing lessons with registered and trained ski instructors that will help anyone on their way to comfortably cruising down the slopes.

2. Warm up, especially in the cold air.

Although most of us tend to overlook the importance of stretching and warm-up routines before exercise, in the chilly temperatures associated with skiing and winter sports, these actions should definitely not be overlooked. In the article Back Stretches at home and pre-skiing, Michael J. Mullin, ATC, PTA, provides many suggestions and descriptions of several different stretches for skiers.

The video link Trainer Tips: Ski stretches, by Cindy Billhartz Gregorian, provides a demonstration by Craig Marcacci of stretches that one might want to take advantage of before a day of skiing. Marcacci and an instructor from Hidden Valley also discuss soft tissue damage that can occur when skiing and how easily a skier can damage themselves early in the season or when first learning.

3. Proper Equipment.

Proper equipment and clothing is absolutely essential to your safety and avoiding injury while on the hills. If you are a beginner to the sport, the rental shop or mountain shop that can usually be found at your local ski hill will be able to properly fit boots and skis to make sure you are comfortable fitted into you equipment. While you are it, you make want to make note of the size of boots and skis you have been fitted into so that next time you know right away what you need, or if you plan to purchase what size will of proper fit.

4. Watch your speed and know your limits.

Speed can be such a dangerous ability once that set of skis is strapped to your feet. However, until a skier is comfortable on the slopes speed should be somewhat avoided as to not injure oneself or anyone else on the hill, for that matter.

Almost every ski area offers a maze of tracks to entertain skiers of all levels hosting mogul runs, groomed or powered trails, board parks and marked ‘Out of Bounds’ areas. Maps of the facility are usually available where lift passes are purchased and provide direction for skiers and mountain goers to the rating of the different trails and which are suited to their individual ski level. Any questions to particular facilities should be directed to ski patrol or mountain staff of that particular mountain.

5. Be Aware.

When skiing, it is of the utmost importance to be always aware of your surrounds and others around you. Someone else could be hurdling down the mountain out of control behind you and you would never know until they hit you. Avoid use of alcohol and drugs while on the ski hill, skis are really no different than a car. Environmental factors and hazards also need to be kept in mind, a tree well can suck a skier down in a matter of seconds and the injuries possible are numerous. Out of Bounds markers can also be easily missed if a skier is not paying attention and an area has not been fenced.

All in all, skiing is an enjoyable pastime of people from all over the planet and done properly and safely it will stay an enjoyable sport for generations to come.

Sources:

1. Back Stretches at home and pre-skiing, Michael J. Mullin, ATC, PTA, http://www.caiboston.com/ski/t raining_stretch_back.html

2. Trainer Tips: Ski stretches, by Cindy Billhartz Gregorian, http://videos.stltoday.com/p/v ideo?id=2410076

View this and other articles of mine at http://www.helium.com/users/277591.

Monday, 14 December, 2009

Poems of Time, Above and beyond: A brilliant night sky

Another poem has been added to my poetry site, Poems of Time. This newest work has been titled Above and beyond: A brilliant night sky

"Comets spark intensely into a dark sky of immense magnificence.

Exploding fireballs through a unpredictable atmosphere

Cause a stillness of calm comfort and mild bewilderment

To entertain the onlooker bundled up for the evening to relentlessly peer..."

Original Source: http://www.helium.com/items/1682429-above-and-beyond-by-jessica-a-tucker

Please visit the provided link to view the complete work.

Sunday, 13 December, 2009

An astronomical event: the Geminid showers

Source Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiIXcMEs5jA

For the last 150 year on a cold day in mid December, stargazers warm themselves with thoughts of excitement over the arrival of an amazing "annual cosmic" event.

"Late tonight is the peak of the year's most prolific annual cosmic fireworks show—the Geminid meteor shower."

Source: news.nationalgeographic.com

This shower is believed to have originated from the extinction of 3200 Phaethon, an ancient comet. 2009 is being considered as what could be the best year for viewing this event due to the shower's arrival so close to the new moon.

"It is, basically, the rocky skeleton of a comet that lost its ice after too many close encounters with the sun. Earth runs into a stream of debris from 3200 Phaethon every year in mid-December, causing meteors to fly from the constellation Gemini."

Source: science.nasa.gov

As this shower is reported to intensify as each year passes, lucky onlookers should be surprised by the astronomical occasion that unveils itself to spectators this evening and into the early hours of tomorrow.

"The Geminids are slow meteors that create beautiful long arcs across the sky—many lasting a second or two."

Favoring observers in the Northern Hemisphere, the Geminids are expected to be most frequent within two hours of 1:10 a.m. ET in the wee hours of Monday.

The shower's radiant—the point in the sky from which the meteors appear to originate—is the constellation Gemini, which rises above the eastern horizon after 9 p.m. local time."

Hopefully the snowy skies that are covering a good majority of Canada today, can part even for a short while to uncover this evenings show of lights.

NowPublic

Friday, 11 December, 2009

A Morning sunrise, with a mountain view

M3ET5FEKVTQZ

~Images of the morning~

The beauty of a British Columbia winter

by JCVdude
Source video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ET7ghAXXOM

Friday, 4 December, 2009

Drug and people-trafficking tunnel is found

Another underground, well actually under border, tunnel has been discovered under a building in Tijuana, Mexico. The incomplete elaborate walkway measuring a completed length of almost 1000 feet was just another attempt made by groups of individuals to illegally enter the US for a multitude of reasons. The Times Online reported the following information.

The incomplete tunnel, equipped with a lift, ventilation and lighting, was discovered yesterday after a tip-off from security agents. It begins in a warehouse district in Tijuana, near the busy Otay Mesa port of entry into San Diego and extends nearly 1,000ft, including 860ft into US territory. It even boasts a lift to move materials and workers to depths reaching 100ft. The builders had not yet got around to completing the exit on the US side.

Whether the purpose of this tunnel and the rest discovered so far was for drug trafficking or illegal immigration, either way for some reason these people need to enter the country illegally. To think of what may have been accomplished had they succeeded and broken through onto US soil. Really though, this is nothing new. Poeple have been breaking through borders and climbing walls since those walls were erected. It is like a "Do Not Enter" sign on a door, it is almost human nature to wonder what on the other side.

The latest find comes a month after Mexican soldiers discovered another incomplete 400ft tunnel in Tijuana leading from a house west of the airport. It had electricity, ventilation system and walls shored up with wood.

NowPublic

Thursday, 3 December, 2009

This kid is ripped and not letting it go to his head!

Five year old strong child sensation, Giuliano Stroe has set Guiness Book of World Records as the World's Strongest Child for a ten meter jaunt on his hands with a wieght between his legs.

A Romanian by birth, this boy has been toddling around a gym since he was two. His interest in the world of weight lifting has brought him to this place of record breaking achievements.

Giuliano, the oldest of four children, says his stardom has not gone to his head and he still enjoys normal kids stuff like painting, watching cartoons and playing in the park when he is not weightlifting.

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Tags: Sports | Italy | Romania | Strange | Offbeat

Tuesday, 1 December, 2009

Monbiot bashes Canada as "the real villian" in climate change war

Words of Wisdom have been shared, will we listen?
Has Canada become the eyesore in a global fight on climate change? As tar sands continue to pillage the earth, oil patches continue to pump and precious, untouched areas of our 'home and native land' are destroyed- is Canada now sadly leading the way down that ugly road to environmental ruin?

"British journalist and environmental activist George Monbiot took aim at Canada's climate policies today... He is in Toronto today, slated to debate climate change at the University of Toronto's Munk Centre for International Studies tonight.
On the eve of his appearance, he fired a fusillade at the Harper government from his journalistic perch. He writes that he is so appalled by Canada's climate policy that he has broken a self-imposed ban on flying in order to come to Toronto (jumbo jets are far and away the worst transportation emitters of climate-destroying carbon)... "
Source:http://www.thestar.com/news/sciencetech/environment/copenhagensummit/article/732958--climate-writer-blasts-canada-as-a-corrupt-petro-state

It is a sad day that Canada is considered in such a negative way, we should be leading the pack in regards to changing our ways in the protection of what is left of our planet.

George Monbiot Links:

George Monbiot, The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/georgemonbiot

George Monbiot http://www.monbiot.com/

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