Here is a link to the National Geographic Project that I mentioned. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/photo-ark/
I’ve always loved photographing wildlife. Zoos make for east subject matter, but what does it mean that these animals are trapped in these small exhibits? Maybe I shouldn’t feel so good about photographing these beautiful wild animals.
A couple of my shots (captive vs. wild)
Captive –
Wild –
I’ve seen Cove before, but it is equally disturbing to watch a second time. As someone who often likes animals more than people, I’ve always been amazed at the intelligence and beauty of whales and dolphins. Seeing the useless bloodshed of the dolphins in Taji makes me rethink my place in the foods chain and my carnivorous dietary choices.
I recently came across this article about how scientists have discovered how dolphins “see” through what they hear.
NBC NEWS – “Researchers claim to have captured an image that shows how dolphins perceive the world around them using echolocation. Jack Kassewitz, founder of the Speak Dolphin research organization, created a complicated process to replicate the reflected pulses of sound.
“When a dolphin scans an object with its high-frequency sound beam, each short click captures a a still image, similar to a camera taking photographs,” Kassewitz said in a press release announcing the findings.
Related: Dolphin Brain Scan Reveals Surprising Similarity to Bats
Echolocation sounds from dolphins observing several objects were recorded and analyzed — a tricky process, since the sounds form not just a flat picture but one with depth information, perhaps almost holographic. The image above shows a 2-D representation of the view a dolphin had of a trainer nearby in a tank — but the original data, captured with a device called a CymaScope, was printed in 3-D as well.
“Seeing the 3-D print of a human being left us all speechless,” Kassewitz said. “For the first time ever, we may be holding in our hands a glimpse into what cetaceans see with sound.”
The researchers also suggest that these sound-based images might be intelligible to other dolphins, implying a “sono-pictorial language.” Work is underway to study this possibility. “
I was following this car yesterday on Rt. 22. This dead buck looks much less regal on the back of this guy’s car than the trophies at Cabela’s.
I haven’t been able to get the chant out of my head since Monday. Koyaanisqatsi, Koyaanisqatsi, Koyaanisqatsi, Koyaanisqatsi, Koyaanisqatsi, Koyaanisqatsi, Koyaanisqatsi, Koyaanisqatsi.
Like many others in our class, the movie weighed really heavily on me. From the very start, I was confused. The film seemed like some type of torture material rather than a documentary. As the film continued, however, I started to feel depressed. I think that many environmental documentaries, like Cove, are presented with a sad or depressing message. This movie was different.
The emotional weight of the film didn’t come from a narrator or a distinct plot line. Instead, it burned analogous images into my brain until I was so overwhelmed with modern society that I could barely keep watching.
The shots of New York City have stuck with me two days later. Although I’m from a densely populated suburb of Boston, I’ve always felt more comfortable in rural settings (you probably know that by now). I’ve been to New York a number of times but I’ve never really enjoyed it. I’m completely overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle. There is always too much going on and everything is cramped and dirty.
Watching Koyssnisqatsi amplified that stress. The film kept repeating the escalator images and the shots of thousands of people in the streets. Everyone seemed so generic, bored, or sad.
Since this piece was filmed in the 1980s, it was interesting to see it with from a modern environmental perspective. The film isn’t addressing climate change or wildlife conservation. Instead, I interpreted it to be a message of warning. “Look what our planet has become. It started as this lush, untouched world that was beautiful. Now, by the billions, we build and move around our cities like robots in an assembly line.”
There was certainly a lot thrown at you in this film. It is hard to process all of it and while I’d like to take another shot at it, I’m not sure if I could stand to watch it again.
For the next two weeks, political leaders from around the world will gather in Paris for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. In recent years, the legitimate issue of climate change has become a more pervasive topic in international politics. With the 2015 convention, world leaders are expected to sign off on commitments that will help reduce carbon emissions in each of the participating countries.
While such a commitment is a step in the right direction, there is still concern that not enough is being done to address the overwhelming problem of carbon emissions. Even in the best case scenario, the countries that agree to reductions will put emissions cuts on a track that will ultimately lead to an mean global temperature increase that is greater than 2 degrees Celsius. Climate scientists have predicted that such warming will have drastic consequences on the future of the human race. Over time, sea-levels will rise by more than 20ft, and climate and weather patterns will change dramatically, putting stress on our ability to produce food and water for growing global populations.
These concerns might lead environmentalists to question the effectiveness of these climate conventions. Are the commitments from the world’s political leaders really making a difference or are the nothing more than savvy PR showings? In his second term, President Obama has increased his focus on climate issues, yet his emissions plans have been met by severe opposition from the conservative party. From a political standpoint, their opposition to the issue is understandable. The conservative politicians don’t agree with the spending required and the limitations that these reduction requirements would put on various industries. However, putting politics aside, it is very upsetting for me to see so much pushback against legitimate climate issues. More and more it seems as if we will continue to argue about these problems until it is too late.
Going back to this week’s conference, the future emissions cuts will put the world on the right track. However, we need to go a step further. A well defined carbon budget with emissions allocations for each country would help us do even better. Undoubtedly, such a budget would create countless challenges for industrialized and developing countries alike. This idea couldn’t be accomplished over night, but with increased recognition of the issue along with more widespread political cooperation, the world could begin to move towards emissions responsibility that would ensure the protection of this planet for future generations.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/29/science/earth/paris-climate-talks-avoid-scientists-goal-of-carbon-budget.html?ref=earth
As the name suggests, Hawk Mountain is a place where the birds rule. The now-famous destination is visited by thousands of people who come to experience nature. From the visitor center at the base to the rocky outlook at the peak, Hawk Mountain is a living memorial for the awe-inspiring eagle populations. From the moment you step foot into the Hawk Mountain Visitor Center, you know that you are there for the birds. Pictures, statues, stuffed animals, and books fill every free inch of the facility. The focus on these winged creatures is overwhelmingly informative. Educational pieces are carefully placed throughout, allowing the visitors to learn as they go. It seems almost impossible to leave Hawk Mountain without a better understanding of eagles and their migratory tendencies. A closer look, however, reveals the significance of the center’s focus. While strolling around the building, one begins to understand the “story of place” that belongs to the picturesque Pennsylvanian hill. From an environmentalist’s perspective, the history of Hawk Mountain can be seen as a place that has transformed from death and destruction into a place where the birds are celebrated and protected. The birds, which were once hunted for pleasure, are now a symbol of nature that is constantly celebrated for its profound beauty. While much of the Hawk Mountain experience is upheld by human development, the meaning of Hawk Mountain as a whole serves not only as an educational advocate for nature, but also as a memorial for uninterrupted beauty which nature provides.
Today, Hawk Mountain is a place to admire the annual migration of healthy eagle populations, however, the strength of these species has never been assured. Decades ago, the extinction of the Bald Eagle seemed imminent. In the early and mid 1990s, widespread hunting and chemical dispersion put the fate of countless eagle populations in jeopardy. During these times of struggle, Hawk Mountain became a place where scientists would develop factual evidence of the human induced threats that the birds were facing. In her book Silent Spring, famous environmentalist Rachel Carson noted that the declining counts of eagles on Hawk Mountain was a direct result of DDT use across the country. Her work helped raise awareness for the environmental harms of DDT and the threats that they posed to various bird species. Since then, annual bird counts taken from the top of Hawk Mountain have served as critical tools in monitoring the strength of the bird populations.
Beyond the scientific significance that is so central to Hawk Mountain’s story, is a place where scientists, tourists, and nature lovers alike can come together to experience the great outdoors. During peak migration season, the mountaintop can often resemble a busy Manhattan corner, with bundled up birdwatchers perched atop each and every rock. Despite the crowds, the hikers and birdwatchers remain mostly silent as the visitors admire the views with their eyes instead of their words. The occasional “bird over 5,” or “I’ve got two way up high,” makes up the majority of the conversation. As an Eagle appears on the horizon, slowly gliding towards the mountain, a sense of excitement becomes evident in the crowd. There is a shear beauty to the birds that everyone can admire. They glide back and forth upon the wind currents, twist and turning with the grace of a falling leaf. The spectators stare up in awe, as if admiring a shooting star or the famous Blue Angels in a choreographed air show.
While this is a pretty bad photo, I think it is significant to the Hawk Mountain experience. I was riveted by the gliders and the similarities that their flight patterns had with the eagles. It is a great example of man trying to be like a bird.
The birds come and go. So do the people. Filing up and down the mountain by the thousands, the people who visit Hawk Mountain leave with very little. The nature photographer leaves with some images, the family with a stuffed animal and the bird watcher with a memory. What all these visitors share, however, is a respect for the natural. Often considered as a “Crossroads of Naturalists,” Hawk Mountain offers a unique perspective of environmental conservation. On the façade, Hawk Mountain is an undeniable tourist destination. Parking lots sprawl through the woods for acres, dozens of staff roam about, and well constructed trails lead even the most fragile city-dweller to the top of the mountain. Despite all this, Hawk Mountain is a place where nature is honored. The people who visit are there to experience a phenomenon that is entirely non-human. The migration of the eagles is something that we hope to have no control over. Instead, we look on in envy as the birds soar past the mountain. At Hawk Mountain, we are celebrating the intrinsic value that nature provides.
A short trip down the road and one can leave behind the crisp mountain air for welcoming arms of consumer America. Occupying 250,000 sq. ft. of floor space, the colossal Cabela’s Retail Store can be defined as many things. Whether it’s a redneck vacation destination, the ultimate zombie-apocalypse hideout or your one-stop hunting shop, the “World’s Foremost Outfitter” offers just about anything that the avid outdoorsman could ever squeeze onto his holiday wish list. Gliding through the rows of jacked-up pickup trucks towards the immense log structure, one can’t help but curiously question the unique sense of nature that the store is attempting to provide. Step through the sliding doors and the Cabela’s greeter immediately welcomes you. “Welcome folks, only 40 days until Christmas… nothing says I love you like a brand new shotgun from Cabela’s!” Despite being momentarily thrown off by this introduction, my concentration immediately shifts to the stores cherished centerpiece. Beyond the horizon of trees (camouflaged hunting clothes) rises a towering mountain covered in… dead animals.
A closer look reveals an interesting dichotomy between man and nature. Life-like taxidermy animals are perched all around the display. A massive black bear is propped in a killing position next to a small sign that says, “taken illegally” with a disclaimer describing the shame in illegal poaching. Does it really matter how the animal was “taken?” It seems trivial for Cabela’s to make this disclaimer when many dead animals fill their store. Nonetheless, almost every shopper stops to take a look at the animals. Many are hunters, carefully examining the prized trophies. Others simply stare. I too can’t help but feel strongly about the exhibit. The animals are beautiful and I can’t help but admire the balance between power and grace that they represent. Despite my awe, the exhibit still feels wrong to me. Maybe it’s the terminology; “taken,” “his kill,” “harvested,” that seems so barbaric and unnatural.
As I stroll through the Deer Country exhibit, I continue asking myself similar questions. Why does this store need to display so many dead deer? What right do we have to take their lives? Is this really nature? In the trophy room, a sleeveless man with a buck tattooed on his bicep shoots me a dirty look. His children dart from trophy to trophy, exclaiming facts about the different types of deer that they likely learned from hunting their father. This observation is important because it reminds me that my perception of nature isn’t the only perception that exists. In Cabela’s one can find a respect for nature that relies on a healthy interaction with the natural rather than distant observation. Hunters, in essence, rely on the preservation of nature to continue practicing the skill that they cherish. In that regard, one could argue that the hunter, while different than the bird watcher on Hawk Mountain, has equal respect for a different type of nature.
Despite the family-friendly atmosphere which Cabela’s markets, the store can’t hide its overwhelmingly masculine character. Tucked away in the corners of the behemoth shopping center are home decoration and cooking sections. Distinctly separated from the hunting and fishing supplies. Hunting and fishing are largely male dominated endeavors and often provide a man with an “escape from his wife.” Thus, it seems very intentional that the hunting sections are very far away from the home departments of the store. Like the hunting and fishing departments, the home decorations section tells its own story. These areas are likely constructed to appeal or distract the female shoppers, who have likely come to the store with their husbands and families. Even in these stereotypically feminine departments, the merchandise emulates a strong sense of masculinity. Decorative signs read messages such as “shopping at Cabela’s with your wife is like hunting with the game warden,” and “If she cooks and lets me hunt, she’s a keeper.” One can’t help but wonder if the women milling about these departments actually want to be there at all.
Downstairs in the gun section, the focus on nature is all but lost. Patrons take numbered tickets and wait in line for service at the gun counter as if waiting to buy a pound of turkey at the local deli. Buzzwords like “self-defense” and “protect my rights” can be heard throughout various conversations. Shoppers grab shotguns off the racks, holding them to their shoulders and pointing them to the ceiling as if imagining a duck in their sights. Signs strictly read “18+ to handle the weapons,” while fathers guide their wide-eyed toddlers through shelves of lead and semi-automatic weapons. Pink guns for their daughters, and M16 replica pellet guns for the young men. The gun section goes beyond the hunter’s needs. Offering a myriad of handguns and assault rifles that look like they belong in a military armory, rather than a civilian shopping center. It’s off-putting, all of these weapons in one place. It was this department of the store that really through off the nature dynamic for me. The guns take away from any respect for nature and replace it with a focus on death and destruction.
To the keen observer, a visit to Cabela’s in a distinctly unique experience. First and foremost, Cabela’s is a company that seeks to profit off of the sale of outdoor supplies. When considering the store’s definition of nature, one must remember that its overarching goal is to sell product. The company is unselfishly marketing itself to a type of consumer that they are trying to sell to. Cabela’s is more than a store, however, it is also an entertainment experience. Nonetheless, one cannot forget that this experience is meant to appeal to a very narrow demographic. But, the people who shop at Cabela’s undoubtedly have some interest in or passion for the environment. While they may be unlikely to consider themselves preservation environmentalists, hunters and fishers rely on the health of the environment as much as the bird watchers atop Hawk Mountain. Within the store, one can find a constructed nature that is intended to appeal to those shopping in the store. After all, if you aren’t a hunter or fisher, you are unlikely to have much of a reason to make the trip. Thus, although they appeal to very different demographics, both Cabela’s and Hawk Mountain alike successfully provide an outlook on nature that benefits those who seek out each experience.
“A Leaf of A Stream” in front of the Tetons.
“A Leaf of A Stream” in front of Cabela’s
Extra Note: A lot of us were intrigued by the statue outside of Cabela’s at the time, it seemed out of place, extravagant, and historically inaccurate. As it turns out, the statue is actually came from one of my favorite places on earth, Jackson Hole, Wyoming. There is a interesting story behind the statue. Does it seem out of place in either of these locations?
“Since the beginning of time, men of all races and nations have sought out the far away and distant places. Legends have been born because of this ambition. Men have pushed themselves to forge oceans, climb the highest mountains and explore the bottoms of the seas. This spirit was at its highest with the settlement of the Americas and so was born the great American heroes that settled our country.
Daniel Boone was one of these great Outdoorsmen that became famous during his life, for his exploration and brave acts. Others became American legends, not realizing they would be celebrated in history books two hundred years in the future. Some of the outdoorsmen and explorers were Lewis and Clark. Their loyal young guide and hunter, John Colter, traveled with them to the Pacific and returned almost to St. Louis. Not quite back to the boundaries of civilization, he asked for permission to leave the expedition and return to the unknown Rocky Mountains. He became the first White man to explore the Yellowstone. The human life expectancy in the wilderness was six months. If you made it that long, the mountain men would say, “That boy gets the Boone and Crocket stamp.”
This is a small piece of our history, but it has engraved the outdoor spirit into many of us. It has molded us into people that are eager and thirsting for the outdoors. We always want to get into the big woods or just go see what is on the other side of the mountain. Daniel Boone was quoted for saying late in his life, “my life was like a leaf on a stream, twirling, drifting back and forth, but always going forward”. This sculpture is not of Daniel Boone, but rather a salute to all of the men that came before us and made the woods, mountains and rivers ours.” – (Vic Payne Studio)
“I learned this, at least, by my experiment; that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” “In proportion as he simplifies his life, the laws of the universe will appear less complex, and solitude will not be solitude, nor poverty poverty, nor weakness weakness. If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” (Walden, 351-352)
This passage resonates with the themes of many modern day motivational speeches. Nonetheless, I think that this thought is pretty inspiring and exemplifies the emotions that I would expect Thoreau to have after spending so long at Walden Pond. This passage ties back to the concept of getting of the beaten path. Thoreau went to Walden pond to live differently then the commoner. He went to find the meaning of his own life and learned that his solitude wasn’t actually solitude. He developed new values and learned that life should be experienced from moment to moment, savoring some story from every second. In the conclusion, Thoreau sounds like a new man with a refreshed sense of life, a sense that he wishes to share with the rest of the world.
As a kid, I was always afraid of the dark. I would ask my parents to leave the hallway lights on at night and I would shy away from stargazing that required walking 50 yards through the dark New Hampshire woods from my house to the lake. However, as I grew up, I learned to love the night sky and the stars. Living in the suburbs of Boston, I rarely see that many stars. I long for trips to the Lake or to Martha’s Vineyard, where light pollution is minimal and the stars shine bright. Looking at the stars gives me a sense of freedom and relaxation. Bogard talks about how the sky above Times Square is an empty blackness that shows few signs of life. In contrast, the rural night sky reminds us of how small we are. It dominates all of human life in a completely natural and awe inspiring way.
A shaky image that I took of the night sky over Martha’s Vineyard, MA.
Vegas from space.
Before today’s Eagles football game, the NFL brought in a special guest to fly around the stadium. Turns out that Challenger the eagle is actually a pretty big celebrity in the sports world. Here is an article about him.
In 2015, it’s hard to imagine that a fully developed city in North America would be willing to dump billions of gallons of untreated sewage into their waters. Well… it’s happening. Starting on Wednesday, the Canadian city of Montreal will begin releasing nearly 2.1 billion gallons of raw sewage into the St. Lawrence River. City officials claim that there is no alternative in the matter, as the sewage must be released in order to complete construction of a new highway for the city.
Although I have no engineering background and little information on this story, I wonder if there truly were no alternatives to this situation? It will be interesting, and probably unsettling to see what the environmental impacts of this decision will be.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/montreal-sewage-dump-to-begin-wednesday-1447182904