Open Thread – Excitement on the Mudflats!
Every once in a while, I like to share an actual “mudflats story.” Some might call this a slow news day story, but I think it’s pretty exciting.
A rare seahorse is recovering after being found stranded on mudflats on the UK coast, aquarium chiefs have said.
The spiny seahorse was discovered near Weymouth, Dorset, by Justin Roulland while he was out digging for ragworm.
The tiny fish had become stranded on the mudflats above the waterline after a particularly high tide and was at risk of being attacked by seagulls.
The seahorse was taken by Mr Roulland – the owner of a fishing tackle shop in Portsmouth, Hampshire – to the Blue Reef Aquarium in Portsmouth, which is now looking after it.
Blue Reef’s Robbie Robinson said: “The little fellow is recovering well and appears to be in relatively good condition.
“It’s difficult to be certain how he came to be stranded in the mud although it’s quite possible that he could have been picked up by a bird in the shallows and accidentally dropped.
“Justin said there had been a very high tide and when he found him he was barely alive. Apparently he popped him in a bucket of seawater and then nursed him overnight before bringing him in to us. As he was stranded above the waterline and at risk from the seagulls, it was definitely the right thing to do.”
Blue Reef is currently involved in a nationwide captive seahorse breeding programme. When it has recovered, staff plan to transfer the seahorse to the aquarium’s sister centre in Newquay, Cornwall, to join a pair of female spiny seahorses.
Mr Robinson said that there are thought to be two species of seahorse found in British waters – the short snouted and the spiny.
I love this story. I love the fact that it got 10 paragraphs in the Belfast Telegraph. I love the fact that they called the seahorse a “fellow.” I love the fact that some guy who owns a bait and tackle shop rescued a hapless rare seahorse from the risk of seagull attack on the mudflats and that it made the paper. When my own state is doing everything it can to systematically kill off one of its biggest tourist attractions by shooting them from the air, this whole incident just makes me want to go hang out in Weymouth for a while.
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Oops! Almost forgot your Iditarod Update!
“My Teams”
#50 – Aliy Zirkle has moved up into the #9 spot! Her personal best in the Iditarod until now has been 11th. Go Aliy! She’s out of Unalakleet.
#36 – Michelle Phillips and her fabulous lead dogs are running at #29 out of Kaltag.
#61 – Colleen Robertia (who you can read about in today’s Voices from the Flats) is #37 out of Nulato.
#14 – Newton Marshall from Jamaica is #44 out of Galena.
#4 – Wattie McDonald from Scotland is running #47 out of Galena.
The rookies are hanging in there really well!
And there’s been a little excitement in the front of the pack. The front runners have reached the coast of Norton Sound, and our new leader is the reigning champ Lance Mackey of Fairbanks who overtook Jeff King of Denali Park for the #1 spot. (Maybe it was that eight course meal King got for reaching the Yukon first that slowed him down) King is running close behind, and they are both out of Shaktoolik and heading for Koyuk. The end is getting near.
Here’s your link to the leader board.
Only in Britain, where the horse is revered (along with dogs of course).
Seahorses are some of the coolest animals on the planet IMO.
Good luck little fellow.
Oh, that makes me tingle! I love seahorses — and I absolutely ADORE the British people. I’ve visited the UK five times and I’d go back in a heartbeat if I had enough money to stay for longer than two weeks.
Seahorses have always seemed more like a myth than reality. What a touching story and I’m also pleased that just an average person going about his job was quick-witted enough to rescue the “little fellow”, and I agree with AKM – I love the newspaper publicizing this.
A sad story on another front – A 26 year old employee of Wal Mart in Battle Creek Michigan is suffering with inoperable brain cancer and is using medical marijuana, legally prescribed for him. WM not only fired him but is opposing his eligibility to receive unemployment benefits. This is the link to the story, which also has a link for contacting WM to let them know what you think.
http://www.alternet.org/story/146031/walmart_fires_cancer_patient_for_legally_using_medical_marijuana
Sarah has a new FB rant up and she is praising Bart Stupak and continuing to bash the latest health care reform proposals. One of the commenters has posted a good list of fact-checked items that dispute Stupak’s and Palin’s statements.
http://blogs.alternet.org/speakeasy/2010/03/14/sarah-palin-loves-bart-stupak-brings-back-death-panels/
Shock-jock Hal Turner, who has threatened judges and others, has had yet another mistrial and is free to continue spouting his hatred and terroristic vitriol. He claims to have been an FBI informant and was paid to ratchet up his racist and hate speech. His 3rd trial will be in April – one can only hope he is finally found guilty and gets a stiff enough sentence to keep him off the airwaves.
Change.org and CREDO have a new petition up which encourages Congress to stop outsourcing security to Blackwater and other mercenaries. Just go to the change.org home page and you’ll find the links there.
First daffodils of the season opened yesterday, so forsythia won’t be far behind. Huge flocks of Canadian Geese have been stopping over in our pond on their return flights North. I am SO ready for sunshine and digging in the dirt. Speaking of gardening, Victoria Briggs of Ugashik and one of the Anonymous Bloggers is heading off to an agricultural conference this week. Ugashik has one of the new tunnel greenhouses and it is hoped that a number of the villages will have them up and running soon to give our rural people the opportunity to have some fresh produce, and possible a source of income for some. There are several threads that discuss the difficulties in growing food in rural Alaska and they are very interesting.
and on Health Care for Humans:
‘drop a dime’:
[unashamedly lifted from HufffPo]
Senator State State Fax Number DC Fax Number
Senator Daniel Akaka Hawaii 808-935-9064 202-224-2126
Senator Max Baucus Montana 202-224-9412
Senator Evan Bayh Indiana 202-228-1377
Senator Robert Byrd West VA 304-343-7144 202-228-0002
Senator Thomas Carper Delaware 302-573-6434 202-228-2190
Senator Kent Conrad North Dakota 701-258-1254 202-224-7776
Senator Byron Dorgan North Dakota 701-250-4484 202-224-1193
Senator Kay Hagan North Carolina 919-856-4053 202-228-2563
Senator Tom Harkin Iowa 515-284-4937 202-224-9369
Senator Herb Kohl Wisconsin 414-297-4455 202-224-9787
Senator Mary Landrieu Louisiana 202-224-9735
Senator Blanche Lincoln Arkansas 501-375-7064 202-228-1371
Senator Claire McCaskill Missouri 314-361-8649 202-228-6326
Senator Bill Nelson Florida 904-346-4506 202-228-2183
Senator Ben Nelson Nebraska 402-476-8753 202-228-0012
Senator Mark Pryor Arkansas 501-324-5320 202-228-0908
Senator John Rockefeller West VA 304-347-5371 202-224-7665
Senator John Tester Montana 406-449-5462 202-224-8594
Senator Mark Warner Virginia 804-775-2319 202-224-6295
Senator Jim Webb Virginia 804-771-8313 202-228-6363
Fax them your personal story as to why you want them to VOTE YES for HCR NOW!
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:13 AM on 3/15/2010
-AlaskanWannaB I’m a Fan of AlaskanWannaB 114 fans permalink
Tell THEM what you think. Click and post.
Senator Daniel Akaka; akaka.senate.gov/email-senator-akaka.cfm
Senator Max Baucus Montana; baucus.senate.gov/contact/emailForm.cfm?subj=issue
Senator Evan Bayh Indiana; bayh.senate.gov/contact/email/
Senator Robert Byrd West VA; byrd.senate.gov/contacts/
Senator Thomas Carper Delaware 302; carper.senate.gov/contact/
Senator Kent Conrad North Dakota; conrad.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm
Senator Byron Dorgan North Dakota; dorgan.senate.gov/contact/contact_form.cfm
Senator Richard Durbin, Illinois; durbin.senate.gov/contact.cfm
Senator Kay Hagan North Carolina; hagan.senate.gov/?p=contact
Senator Tom Harkin Iowa; harkin.senate.gov/contact.cfm
Senator Herb Kohl; kohl.senate.gov/contact.cfm
Senator Mary Landrieu Louisiana; landrieu.senate.gov/about/contact.cfm
Senator Blanche Lincoln Arkansas; lincoln.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm
Senator Claire McCaskill Missouri; mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=contact
Senator Bill Nelson Florida; billnelson.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm
Senator Ben Nelson Nebraska; bennelson.senate.gov/contact-me.cfm
Senator Mark Pryor Arkansas; pryor.senate.gov/contact/
Senator John Rockefeller West VA; rockefeller.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm
Senator John Tester Montana; tester.senate.gov/Contact/index.cfm
Senator Mark Warner Virginia; warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Contact
Senator Jim Webb Virginia; webb.senate.gov/contact.cfm
To have escaped attack by seagulls while stranded on the mudflats…with the help of a concerned citizen…and celebrated in a story heard ’round the world…way to spread some Hope, little seahorse! and the Belfast Telegraph and AKM, also, too.
GreatGranny2C and megacephalus remind us that we have Important Work that Must Be Done…can we really be half-way through March already?
Off to work, where I will try to channel my inner Justin Roulland when I encounter creatures stranded and under attack. Sometimes my students are as fragile as a seahorse, but with a bit of help, they carry on. (Pulling on my yellow wellies and wading in.)
L’Shalom, all.
what a great story first thing on a Monday morning. Yay for your teams
I saw my first live seahorse at the Coney Island aquarium just a couple of years ago and I was smitten!
They are lovely and seeing a “fish” standing up as they swim, was amazing.
Next to jellyfish, I love seahorses!
i’m a lite embarrassed about my ignorance of geography, i never heard of this place.
what an amazing landscape
Socotra: The Most Alien-Looking Place on Earth?
http://www.treehugger.com/galleries/2010/03/socotra-the-most-alien-looking-place-on-earth.php
The first time I saw a seahorse was when we were children visiting my grandmother. Someone had brought her a souvenir from Florida, a dried little seahorse to display on a coffee table as a trinket. (What a waste!) My brother was absolutely thrilled with the idea of a dried creature of the sea, and he wanted to have one too.
A few years later, our family was visiting an aunt who lived in California. She thought that we would enjoy a trip to the beach, even though it was a cold day. My brother spotted beautifully colored starfish lying on the sand, high above the tide line. Finally, he found a dried ocean creature of his own. My mother reluctantly wrapped two in newspaper, and we each carried out treasure back to the hotel.
Along the way, my mother decide to do some shopping. The department store was jammed with customers, and people kept bumping into us. Somehow, I seemed to be getting all of the jostling, while my brother walked effortlessly through the crowd. What was his secret?!
We thought that the starfish were dead, lying there washed up on the sand. All that they needed a little time, and his had come back to life, its arms waving madly through the torn newspaper. It was a strange sight, and it was no wonder that people scurried out of his way. The only thing that comes to mind is that phrase from a Mel Brooks movie, “It’s alive!” My mother was not amused with the situation, because it meant an end to her shopping and a long trip back to the beach. My brother was heartbroken, explaining that ever since he saw the dried seahorse in Grandma’s apartment, he wanted to own something like that– what a treasure and memory!
We’ll be leaving for Nome in less than three hours. When I get back and get my pictures sorted, I’ll post a link here for any interested Mud Puppies.
We’re flying though, not taking a dog sled.
@ Blue: Please post pictures! I’m so jealous. I wish you could put me in your suitcase.
Monterey Bay Aquarium has the Secret Life of Seahorses until 2012. http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/efc/seahorse.aspx
It is just amazing. The link above has lots of pix of these graceful creatures and info about how they live.
I love the Leafy Dragon and their display is like watching a ballet as they move in the water.
This is a behind the scene look at the exhibit. http://montereybayaquarium.typepad.com/sea_notes/2009/11/behind-the-scenes-at-the-seahorse-exhibit.html Didn’t know that it is the males that get pregnant and give birth. What a species.
Speaking of pictures. Should we start a Flickr group for Mudflats?
So often someone mentions pictures but we don’t really have an easy access place to post them. I know we can put them in the forum, but I think they get lost in the thread.
What do other think?
Hellova time getting here today… and a weird error message- “Ajax error”.
Do they mean the cleaning product?
Go doggies!
Awwww…what a cute little yellow fellow! Also, too – I think it’s cool this article was in the paper! i miss real news. I’m so sick of dramatic, stupid, mean politics. I’m fried on stupid news, and stupid people.
These two leaders have fought it out before – in classic musher fashion of “may the best fabrication win!”. Lance snookered Jeff into thinking he was taking a nap, and when Jeff fell for the bait, Lance took off to victory. Sneaky, sneaky these mushers are! This is going to be quite the finish for the leaders – they are also very close to the record time set for the race. This is also Jeff King’s last year running the Iditarod – so you know he’s fired up!
Go Colleen! Go Penny! Up to 37th, woohoo! You guys are my real dream team!
Blue in AK
Yes, pictures please! It’s gonna be a wild one there in Nome. Hey, and if Stupid Sarah shows up for a photo op, please trip her into dog poo straight away please! The town will be filled with real heros, hundreds of them!
MUYS @16: They’re duking it out aren’t they. Wish I could be a fly on the wall to hear the verbal sparring. There are some funny comments referring to the drug testing issue on one of the latest adn blogs. Sorry-don’t have a link. Something about lighting up a “fattie” at the finish line? I know Lance has something to prove that he can do this medical marijuana-free and still win. A lot of people thought they put that rule in just to try to get him out of the race. I’ve also read somewhere that not one musher could be found who has been drug tested yet. Hmmmm.
Love the seahorse! I’ve always been fascinated by these fellows
Twain12 – thanks for the link to the island. How wonderful is that! But I am a bit worried about the feral cats killing the local fauna, ie: the great looking birds.
I’m looking forward to seeing the pictures from Nome.
Have a great week everyone!
Lance is a grandpa (again). His daughter, Amanda, (who stayed with us when he was undergoing radiation therapy) had a baby girl right before he got to Unalakleet. I always hoped she would go to Harvard (sigh). Momma and baby are doing well.
lovemydogs,
You betcha there was jealousy of Lance, and I’m happy as happy can be that he’s showing ‘em who’s who, once more! I would love to be a fly on those two sleds!
Just goes to show you. Rare and wonderful creatures are attracted to Mudflats.
Colleen is off the river (thank God). Joseph is flying to Unalakleet to meet her there today. I can see him now. Staring down the trail, flapping his hands at his sides like a penguin, hopping from foot to foot. Where is she? Where is she? Where is she?
I remember reading an article about a seahorse in captivity and how this one scientist would watch it all day long. Co-workers removed the seahorse and replaced it with a grape stem, less the grapes. Guess the grape stem looked a lot like a dead seahorse. =) I never found out if all the co-workers were still alive after their friend discovered the ruse.
OK… all you informed MudFlatters…. maybe someone can tell us the
REAL story ( or a close replica ) of where we stand with the Public Option.
I saw a 1 hour episode last week where Nancy Pelosi was being interviewed by Charlie Rose on PBS. She said all the right things and said what they were doing in Congress to get this Bill through… yada… yada…
Thursdays story in the Huffpo says Pelosi is saying they won’t have the Public option in the Bill because they don’t have the votes… yada… yada…
( Different from 3 days earlier with the C. Rose interview )
This morning my email is bombarded by Colorofchange, CREDO, Democracy Now… anybody and everybody…… with messages saying Pelosi will NOT be pushing for the Public Option….. yada… yada…( example below )
“Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she will not pass the public option in the House because it can not pass the Senate.”
I need to call my CongressCritter this morning anyway to scream about the Denali wolves being hunted in the ‘ buffer zone ‘ around OUR Nat’l Park.
Not Sean Parnells Park for the private use of HIS Friends. ” OUR ” Nat’l Park!!
Does anyone have the TRUTH or the REAL story where the Public option stands?… today.
Just asking… as just one single American with No Insurance now.
Here is a cat scan that did not cost a dime.
http://www.fatbastard.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/scan-your-pussy.jpg
@26 austin: That is just sick….but had me LMAO anyway.
Did you know that male seahorses can have babies? At least that is what a college friend told me many years ago!
Huffpo finally have an article about the Grayson smackdown.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/15/palin-slammed-as-wild-ala_n_499387.html
Irishgirl: My favorite comment from that article:
“i love the alaska dingbat—on a plate, right next to the vegetables”
@lovemydogs
Mine is from a commentator callled “Wild Alaskan Dingbat”…………..it says *I’m offended.*
@Irishgirl: Hahahahahahahah. I missed that one.
I wish I were as clever at comments.
holy cow, twain, those Socotra slides are amazing – thanks!
http://www.treehugger.com/galleries/2010/03/socotra-the-most-alien-looking-place-on-earth.php
@32 mo: They look like Dr Suess trees. Cool.
Blue_in_AK Says:
March 15th, 2010 at 8:26 AM
We’ll be leaving for Nome in less than three hours. When I get back and get my pictures sorted, I’ll post a link here for any interested Mud Puppies.
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Bluepup i can hardly wait to see your pictures!
GO DOGGIES GO!!!!
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26
austintx Says:
March 15th, 2010 at 10:22 AM
Here is a cat scan that did not cost a dime.
http://www.fatbastard.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/scan-your-pussy.jpg
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AUSTINTX……………you are one sick mudpup!!! love that sleeping puss.
Well, since this is an open thread I just HAVE to ask this question and hope someone will be able to answer.
I had to loose track of this blog when suddenly called to travel to help an ailing parent for several weeks. Just before I “checked out”, AKM had posted a most intriguing photo of one the most beautifully and appropriately designed buildings I recall seeing. This building was set within a blue-ish snowy scene and the rooflines were simple graceful swoops.
I meant to write down pertinent info and look up more about it later, but that never happened. So, my question is, does anyone recall said photo?…and what was the building called? Thanks to whomever can help.
Yes, KareninOR,
I believe that was a museum in Fairbanks. It was a stunning building. I’ll try and find a link for you.
honestyinGov Says:
March 15th, 2010 at 10:22 AM
This morning my email is bombarded by Colorofchange, CREDO, Democracy Now… anybody and everybody…… with messages saying Pelosi will NOT be pushing for the Public Option….. yada… yada.
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honest to goodness HONESTY, the same thing happened to me this morning.
I hope i don’t catch an attack and drop dead before they do this thing. I am ready to go to D.C. and pimp slap every last one of these congress people. i have had just about enough.
kareninOR missed you and hope all well with you and yours. i believe Irishgirl is right about the museum in Fairfax.
Twain thanks for the link. fabulous pics.
KareninOR
Found it in the archives…here is the link.
http://www.themudflats.net/2010/03/04/open-thread-a-day-north/
twain12 — Great link to the Socotra slides. I’m pretty sure I spotted Rafal Olbinski hiding behind an umbrella tree.
Olbinski art: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb6fPXf28hE
I am presently listen to Shannyn’s show. However… KUDO did ‘ something ‘ with their website over the weekend. The little ‘ pop-up ‘ box you select ” To Listen ” to the Show ( That worked FLAWLESSLY.. before ) has been replaced with a huge pop-up with advertising and all kinds of ‘ stuff ‘ attached to the player that used to just ‘ Play ‘. And the cut-outs are non stop.
Sorry to say KUDO…. you Broke it.
Anyhow… Shannyn did mention the Iditarod Race and was giving Updates.
She said they are expecting/projecting a Winner by maybe Noon tomorrow based on where they are now in the Race.
FYI : Lance was about 2hrs ahead of Jeff King.
Blue in AK
I would LOVE to reconnect with a long-lost friend from Nome. Her name was Vicky (cannot remember her last name) and in the early ’80s, she worked at RCA in Anchorage. She and family had lived over the Nome fire station, I believe her father was both fire chief and police chief. Ring any bells? Thanks a million if someone lucks out on this for me!
Love the story about sea horses.Anyone remember as kids reading comic books and seeing where you could buy a live sea horse..Well as a young Child 8 or 9 maybe I ordered one.Thats when I found out about non truth in advertising the little guys were not alive.
I got an ajax error yesterday R’ipley in CT so you are not alone.
Blue_In_AK–look for Alex from the Forum up there in Nome. He’s doing a documentary on the race ( http://www.themudflats.net/forum/index.php/topic,9519.0.html )
I am giggling here. I found a great video of a sea horse giving birth. And for some mad reason, I keep thinking of Sarah Palin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaoLxR9FTwk
Just WTF is this ass wipe sayin’ ?!?!
Rove: Obama ‘let a cowboy president…violate a fundamental principle of the Constitution.’
http://thinkprogress.org/2010/03/15/rove-cowboy-president/
Moose Pucky Says:
March 15th, 2010 at 9:43 AM
Just goes to show you. Rare and wonderful creatures are attracted to Mudflat
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Why, thank you sugar.
THANK YOU Irishgirl for finding a posting a link for me to the post with that dreamy photo, the Museum of the North! (that’s what I wanted…the name)
It’s the Seahorse MALES that give birth to the little darlings, and guards them for a while.. the female just deposits her eggs and goes on about her merry way…….hhhmmmm..
Smart Girl !! heheheh!!
Palingates had Sarah’s cabin tax values posted… assessor says she’s not liable for past taxes ?? Shoot!! sounds like she’s gonna get off scot-free… is there NO repercussions in Alaska for not following the law ???
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35836844/ns/business-careers/
gee, ya think?
This just gave me a chuckle. I read on Think Progress that more than 200 advertisers are refusing to sponsor time on Glen Beck’s program and some (including Apple) are leaving Fox altogether. They are filling up the empty ad time with smaller advertisers.
One of their current advertisers is…Kaopectate!
Seems rather appropriate somehow!
Mudpup Alex is twittering the Iditarod while making a movie about same. I found this on his twitter page (or whatever it is called). Cool story about DeeDee and service dogs for autistic kids. Check it out: http://bit.ly/bQc2H9#Iditarod.
I just realized something. Alaska is so NOT in the news. Only the Twit, wherever she goes, stepping in dog poop up to her toes.
I love it! This time last year we were in the middle of a Reality TV Legislative Session and were slapping down Palinbots left and right. And center. Now the flying monkeys have moved on to defend the Twit wherever she appears – which isn’t in Alaska much these days! LOL!
Ok, I know I’m in trouble now for saying that. I have been trying to be fair – I’ve looked all over the globe for a place to ship Palin to – but no one will have her. She’s either like a boomerang, or a fart. Or both.
@54 MUYS:
Don’t get too comfortable ……. just think about it ….
She’s down there now, with someone to do her publicity, and she’s talking to the “real” voters in the lower 48. She doesn’t think she needs AK anymore. Now she scares me even more.
@LoveMyDogs:
Don’t know if you’re still here tonight, but wanted you to know I’m thinking ’bout you. I commented on some of the earlier threads, but — as seems to be my habit — I was a little late, I guess.
Lance seems to have had a few surprises in his back of tricks, which was to be expected. If he calculated right and his dogs are good to go, he should do it. I’m much more concerned about who gets 2nd place, and also HOW COLLEEN COMES OUT!
YBG
YBG: You still there?
I just watched the movie “Precious”. Wow. What an amazing film if you can make it through the horror of the subject matter. The acting is superb.