Video: Longest known flying fish flight
May 22, 2008
A Japanese TV crew has filmed what is believed to be the longest flight of a flying fish ever recorded.
The NHK television network said one of its camera crews captured the 45-second flight on video on Monday, from a ferry near Kuchino-erabu island in southwestern Japan’s Kagoshima Prefecture. The crew was reportedly on its way to shoot footage for a nature documentary.
The fish can be seen occasionally beating its tail against the surface of the water to keep itself aloft. The ferry was traveling at a speed of about 20 mph (30 kilometers per hour) during the encounter, NHK said.
More than 50 species of flying fish, in the marine family known as Exocoetidae, are found in warmer ocean waters worldwide. They can rise out of the water to avoid predators underneath, and stretch out its long pectoral fins to glide through the air.
Usually the fish remain airborne for just a few seconds before landing back in the water — but as Monday’s video demonstrated, they can give themselves another boost with their tail fins. The previous record for a fish’s compound flight was 42 seconds, reported from Florida by a sea captain with a stopwatch in 1928.
Other experts have cited flights lasting 28 seconds.
A 45-second flight may well be close to the physical limit for a flying fish, since the creature must suspend brachial respiration in the air, NHK reported.
Watch video: here
Video: Satellites tracking the global melt
April 9, 2008
Fascinating video explaining how environmental monitoring satellites are tracking global warming by watching polar ice melt.
A study of polar bears in the south Beaufort Sea, which spans the northern coasts of Alaska and western Canada, found that adult males weigh less and have smaller skulls than those captured and measured two decades ago.
The study does not directly blame the changes on a decline in sea ice. However, fewer cubs and smaller males are consistent with other observations that suggest changes in sea ice may be adversely affecting polar bears.
From LiveScience: Watch the video
Dream underwater filming rig
March 15, 2008
In an dream underwater filming world I would put together a rig which would give me extra mobility and speed, increase my bottom-time and shoot HD format footage with lights, all contained in the one unit. Although this is theoretical, the equipment (separates) is out there to do it. The Seabob high-powered underwater scooter will take you down to 40m at speeds of nearly 20km/h. Fit this out with a lightweight O2ptima FX rebreather and a Gates XL-H1 housing with lights and I reckon you’re pretty much there.
For ‘Aliens’ fans out there, now imagine adding a personal 360-degree sonar device with a 200/300m range and your ready to go!
