kickingfrog

Good find. I think many of us take our, and others, safety on the water far to lightly.

Anybody see fish blood, or your own for that mater, in the water? Not hollywood blood, real blood.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/inflatable-shark-among-300-species-discovered-philippines-135007930.html Inflatable Shark Among 300 New Species Discovered in Philippines By Charles Q. Choi, LiveScience Contributor LiveScience.com | LiveScience.com – Mon, 27 Jun, 2011 A treasure trove of hundreds of new species may have been discovered in the Philippines, including a bizarre sea star that feeds exclusively on sunken driftwood and a deep-sea, shrimp-eating shark that swells up to scare off other predators. Scientists braved leeches and a host of venomous creatures from the mountains to the sea to uncover more than 300 species that are likely new to science. These findings include dozens of new insects and spiders, more than 50 colorful new sea slugs and a number of deep-sea armored corals "which protect themselves against predatory nibbles from fish by growing large, spiky plates," said researcher Terrence Gosliner, dean of science and research collections at the California Academy of Sciences and leader of the 2011 Philippine Biodiversity Expedition. Researchers at the California Academy of Sciences and their colleagues from the University of the Philippines and the National Museum of the Philippines conducted a 42-day expedition this past spring to survey Luzon Island, the largest island in the Philippine archipelago, as well as its surrounding waters. [image Gallery: Colorful Creatures of the Philippines] Challenging field work Working in the field is always a challenge, Gosliner noted. "We had our work both on the coral reefs and rain forest interrupted by an early typhoon; we were out of the water for two days," he said. "One of the biologists working in the mountains was sleeping in a hammock; during the night, one of the trees his hammock was tied to was uprooted and he was suddenly on the ground," Gosliner added. "One researcher knelt on a venomous lionfish and later found himself on a mountain kneeling on poisonous plants." The hard-won result of their efforts was the most comprehensive scientific survey effort ever conducted in the Philippines. "I have been working in the Philippines on my own research for 20 years — I thought it would be great to bring a large team of researchers together to study from mountaintops to the deep sea, to determine if all of these places harbor new species," Gosliner said. "I was delighted that my hunch proved to be correct." Their novel discoveries include a cicada that makes a distinctive "laughing" call, a crab whose pincers are lined with needlelike teeth, and a wormlike pipefish that hides among colonies of soft coral. In addition, they discovered a possible new species of swell shark — a shark that pumps water into its stomach to puff up — which unlike its relatives possesses a very distinctive camouflaged color pattern. A number of species live in places rarely, if ever, visited by people, such as a primitive plant called a spikemoss from the perilously steep upper slopes of Mount Isarog and a snake eel from the bottom of the ocean. Many others have avoided detection in the past because of their diminutive size, such as goblin spiders and barnacles that all measure just a few millimeters long. "One of the likely new urchins is very small — it's called a pea urchin, and yes, it's about the size of a pea," Gosliner said. Hot hotspots All these new findings help support the idea that the Philippines "is one of the hottest of the hotspots for diverse and threatened life on Earth," Gosliner said. "We found new species during nearly every dive and hike as we surveyed the country's reefs, rainforests and the ocean floor." [10 Species You Can Kiss Goodbye] In fact, the researchers suggest the waters of the Philippines may house more species than any other marine environment on Earth. The deep-water channel they sampled is nutrient-rich, allowing life to flourish, and has existed for about 60 million years, giving species a great deal of time to evolve. "All of those factors together have led to the high diversity," Gosliner told LiveScience. The researchers are sharing their results with Filipino agencies and international groups to develop strategies to best protect the island nation's extraordinarily rich life. This includes outlining the most important places for establishing or expanding marine protected areas, suggested locations for reforestation and reduction of plastic waste. "We are hoping the findings will result in recommendations that will translate into policies that will produce a more sustainable future for Filipinos while simultaneously protecting the unique biodiversity," Gosliner said. "This expedition has led us to want to undertake more expeditions to the Philippines in other unexplored areas," he added. The scientists will present their preliminary results on June 30, during the California Academy of Sciences' weekly NightLife event.

Bleach and water. Bleach is very volatile so it breaks down quickly and is environmentally safe. Just follow the instructions. To quote an ad tag line I put that "stuff" on everything.

Thanks for the tips. Here is another site to consider if you are in the market for a new car. http://www.unhaggle.com/ BTW If you are thinking of buying a new car this summer or early fall you might find your choices are limited or non-existant. Subaru, Volkswagen and Kia all had me ready to sign a deal, but they had no vehicles to sell me (I bet that's a kick in the pants for the salespeople). A few others told me the same thing before I even got in the door. All wanted me to hold out until the fall for their 2012s. I would have, but I did not want to take the chance that I would have to repair something on my old car. I did get a great deal on the car I settled on, but I'll be looking to turn it over sooner rather than later.

This comes up every now and again. Always entertaining.

http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3188519 FLIR on the water South Simcoe police unveils new technology By Miriam King, QMI AGENCY Posted 1:00am June 27, 2011 It's after dark on Lake Simcoe and a storm is brewing. A call comes in reporting two Sea-Doos have collided somewhere in a bay off Innisfil's 6th Line. There may be injuries. Someone has been thrown into the water. The South Simcoe police department's marine unit, Wardrop II, rushes to the scene. Leaving Lefroy Harbour marina, where the boat is berthed, officers use radar, overlaid on a GPS electronic chart to get their bearings, avoid obstacles in the water, and locate the two Sea-Doos adrift in the bay. The radar has no problem picking up the signatures of the machines, but there's no sign of anyone in the water. That's where the police department's newest tool comes into play. The Wardrop II has just been fitted with a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) thermal imaging unit. The unit picks up the man's heat signature as he drifts prone in the choppy water. Time to rescue: 8 minutes.] The collision was, in fact, a training exercise to demonstrate how FLIR can assist police in search and rescue. Drowning and hypothermia are the most obvious potential outcomes for a person in the water, but they are also placed at great risk of being struck by vessels responding that can't see them, notes Staff Sgt. Steve Wilson, who oversees the marine unit. FLIR can pick up the vessel's heat signature from more than a kilometre away, and a person from about 60 metres. "This equipment will allow our officers to find vessels in distress and persons in the water much quicker," Police Chief Bruce Davis said. "Just a few minutes can make the difference between a rescue and a recovery on Lake Simcoe." The South Simcoe police department is one of several services mandated to provide search and rescue on Lake Simcoe, a service not provided by the Coast Guard because it has no vessels on the lake. South Simcoe police works closely with York Regional Police (YRP) to ensure that a police boat is always available in the Cook's Bay area. YRP already has FLIR technology in place. With the new technology, "we can go out here in darkness and go full speed," Wilson said. "The electronic chart shows hazards and sets off an alarm if we get too close. You get accustomed to the good technology. It saves you time, and when you're in the water, time is important." Last year, the marine unit responded to 45 search-and-rescue calls on Lake Simcoe, including one drowning. "We were on a couple of calls last year that we could have used (FLIR)," Wilson said. So far this year, the marine unit has been called out approximately eight times. However, due to the rainy, cold weather and high price of fuel, it has been a little quiet so far. But once boating season picks up, South Simcoe police will be more prepared. [email protected]

That big one might be directly connected to the shield.

Those are some nice shots Rich. I love that first one. Something to get you through the long winter, waiting for the thaw.

... and it is the frigin' whitehouse. You're right Lew

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario/in-cottage-country-jerry-cans-are-the-new-gas-pumps/article2075661/ In cottage country, jerry cans are the new gas pumps KIM MACKRAEL From Saturday's Globe and Mail Published Friday, Jun. 24, 2011 11:53PM EDT Last updated Saturday, Jun. 25, 2011 12:06AM EDT Last summer, Dave Murray pumped what was left of the gasoline at his dockside station into his boat, and closed the valve on the gas tank for the last time. Fifty-eight years after opening Nahma Lodge Marine on Balsam Lake, northwest of Peterborough, Ont., Mr. Murray is out of the gas business for good. Squeezed by a combination of price-conscious buyers and the cost of keeping up with safety and environmental standards, many marina operators in Ontario’s cottage country are closing down their fuel pumps, leaving some boaters with little choice but to lug gasoline to the water in jerry cans. “We’re having a terrible dilemma with it right now,” said Al Donaldson, executive director for Boating Ontario, an association of marine operators. Mr. Donaldson said he’s seen dozens of marinas close their gas bars in recent years, and knows of at least 20 more operators who are seriously considering doing the same now. Despite a slow start to Ontario’s boating season driven by rainy weather, marina operators say there’s no reason to think there will be fewer boaters on the water this summer than in previous years. Soaring gas prices – which reached new highs in May – don’t seem to be a deterrent so far for people who spend their summers on the water. But seeing the difference between the price of gas on the highway and the price on the lake can give some boaters pause. Marina gas typically costs at least 10 cents more than gas sold on the road – and sometimes much more than that – a premium operators say they need to charge to cover the cost of transporting gas to the water, paying an attendant to pump it, and, in most cases, buying gas that does not contain ethanol, which boaters say damages their engines. Gas bars also face the ongoing cost of repairing and upgrading old equipment to remain in compliance with rules set by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, which oversees fuel suppliers in Ontario. While the rules governing marine gas operators haven’t changed in recent years, Mr. Donaldson said he believes they are being enforced more strictly than they once were. And as operators’ equipment gets too old to meet the standards, the cost of replacing it can be prohibitive for some. Peter Johnston, co-owner of Ed Huck Marine Ltd. in the 1,000 Islands region, spent about $20,000 upgrading the pipes for his gas bar last year. “There are a lot of capital costs that go with trying to keep up with the safety standards,” he said. “Which is all good. If you’re pumping gas around the water, you want those.” But a growing number of inland marina operators seem to be making the same calculations Mr. Murray made last year. “My bookkeeper said, ‘Why are you selling gas? You aren't making a cent off it,’” said Mr. Murray, who still offers winter boat storage and runs a store. “Finally, I just decided that, after all those years, there was just too much red tape and risk.” Jim Killer, who operates Killer’s Cove Marina on Harrison Lake, east of Vancouver, said his gas bar doesn’t make him enough money to justify the expense of maintaining it. “Right now I’m in the position of applying for more moorage,” he said, adding that if he gets enough to compensate for the gas he sells now, he’ll likely leave the fuel business behind. His gas bar is the only one on Harrison Lake. Fred Pohler, owner of Freddy’s Marine Services north of Trenton, Ont., said he considered installing gas pumps a few years ago at his marina on the Trent-Severn Waterway, but balked when he heard it would cost upwards of $100,000 to install and license the pumps with the TSSA. “It was really too much money to invest, personally,” he said. It’s about a 25-kilometre ride along the river from Mr. Pohler’s marina to reach the next gas bar. Where gas isn’t readily available on the water, or when boaters want to avoid paying higher prices at a marina, they pick it up at roadside stations. It’s less common to find big marinas on Alberta’s southern lakes, so most people haul their boats around on trailers and fuel them up while they’re getting gas for their cars, said Greg Beauchamp, who owns Alberta Marine, which sells and services boats. In Ontario’s cottage country, where many people leave their boats on the water, boaters often fill up jerry cans at a roadside station, haul them down to the water and pour the gas into the tanks themselves. On Balsam Lake, Mr. Murray estimates at least half of his former customers have switched to transporting gas in jerry cans to avoid the six-kilometre trip to the closest marine gas station. But the practice has some people worried about environmental consequences. While gas attendants are trained to handle hazardous materials and usually have spill prevention kits on hand, “none of that exists when a boater takes five jerry cans down to the dock and starts putting [gas] in a boat,” said Mr. Donaldson of Boating Ontario. Mike Hendren, executive director of Kawartha Heritage Conservancy, said he knows from experience with his own boat that it’s not easy to pour from a jerry can without spilling. “It’s definitely an issue,” he said. “We’d much rather see people filling up at the marina gas stations than [using jerry cans].” Mr. Murray says he’s taken a little flak from local boaters for his decision to close, but adds, “When I tell them why, most of them say, ‘If I was in your position, I would have done the same thing.’” But there are some traditions Mr. Murray and his wife, Aileen, aren’t yet prepared to give up. They’re still selling little brown bags of candy to the local kids – they just see a few less of them now that their fuel pumps are empty.

Makes me think that they may have been close to going with something different.

Yep.

Easier typed than done however. Big and long salary.

That was great. When that pike came off I swear he was thinking of the word that soooo many of us have uttered when we've lost a fish at the boat.

Nothin' else planned for tonight. Laptop and tv set for the drama. I wonder if yesterday was the big day thought?

Richards did appear to have much teflon.

Web site: http://www.teachakidtofish.com/ Article link: http://www.simcoe.com/community/barrie/article/1032004 Barrie Advance article: Kids fish for free on Sunday BARRIE - If you think you’ve got a future Bob Izumi on your hands, Heritage Park is the place to be this Sunday. Kids are invited to grab a poll and hook and try out fishing as part of Kids Fishing Day, presented by Tim Hortons and the Kempenfelt Rotary Club. The annual event, for kids 13 and under, offers an opportunity to experience fishing, learn about conservation and have lots of fun. “All they you need to bring is a fishing rod with a line and hook,” said Mark Campbell, from Kempenfelt Rotary marketing. “The entire day is free. We supply the bait.” To take part, kids must be registered online. Each kid must also have an adult guardian present. The day also features entertainment, games, inflatables and crafts. “The Toronto Sportsman Show is also on board as a sponsor and will be handing out fishing rods for the kids.” Rotary members Coos Uylenbroek and Barry Peacock founded the event. Kids Fishing Day runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. For more information and to register, visit www.teachakidtofish.com.

WOW! That came out of no where. That's around 100 million dollars of cap cleared.

Article link has a video: http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3183198 Turkeys gone wild in south end Aggressive birds becoming a problem for residents By BOB BRUTON – Barrie Examiner Posted 12:30am, June 23, 2011 Gobblers are getting on the nerves of south-Barrie residents. Wild turkeys are behaving aggressively in the Cox Mill Road and Little Avenue areas, venturing onto city streets and going after vehicles. City councillor John Brassard was going home one morning last week on Cox Mill Road, near the GO Transit bridge, when he saw the big birds on the road. "They attacked my car," he said. "I stopped (and) honked my horn, but they started pecking at the grill (of his vehicle). Then they came along side." Brassard was able to drive away without further damage to his car and didn't hit any turkeys. "It's getting to the point of being ridiculous," he said. "Something has got to be done or somebody is going to be hurt. People are getting out of their cars and the turkeys are chasing them back." Coun. Alex Nuttall raised this matter at Monday's general committee of council meeting, but was told by city staff that wild turkeys are a protected species and little could be done. Staff are looking into the matter anyway. Nuttall said that beside Brassard, his mother and a friend have also had their vehicles attacked by wild turkeys. "It's a very bizarre situation, because it's happening consistently," Nuttall said. "I personally know three people's cars that have been attacked." He estimates there are 40 or 50 wild turkeys in the Mill Creek area. "They are really quite aggressive," said Mayor Jeff Lehman. "Really, really aggressive." Brassard saw more wild turkeys Wednesday morning and videotaped an encounter with a woman who tried to chase them off the road. He sees it as a problem for vehicles as well as people. "You can't get past them unless you run over the turkeys, which nobody wants to do," Brassard said. "It was cute in the beginning. It's not funny anymore." He said wild turkeys are very territorial and it would be difficult to relocate them. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resource's Midhurst office could not be reached for comment by the Examiner about wild turkeys on Wednesday. But the ministry website says wild turkeys very rarely act aggressively toward people or pets. They may come into semi-rural areas in search of food and shelter, and can damage gardens, foul decks and lawns. Turkeys are active during the day, according to the MNR, roosting at night to avoid predators. In residential areas, it's common for turkeys to roost on railings, roofs, or sometimes vehicles. While wild turkey thrived in southern Ontario forests before European settlement, the species disappeared from this province a century ago due to unregulated hunting and the loss of native forests. In 1984, efforts to restore turkeys to Ontario began. Today, some 70,000 wild turkeys live in areas across southern Ontario. Its natural predators in Ontario include coyotes, raccoons, opossums, skunks and foxes. Harsh winters can also reduce turkey populations. Adult male wild turkeys weigh as much as 24 pounds (11 kilograms) and are 39-49 inches tall (100 to 125 centimetres). The females are usually much smaller. Ontario has controlled wild turkey hunts in both spring and fall, but not in urban areas. [email protected]

http://www.nugget.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3183080 Callander exhibit lures interest in fishing, boating Anniversary show combines art, history By MARIA CALABRESE The Nugget Updated 7:30pm June 22, 2011 CALLANDER — Renowned artist Arlie Hoffman doesn't do a lot of fishing. Renowned bait merchant Bill "Billy Bob" Richards has never shown at a gallery. Their paths cross in Callander for a popular exhibit looking at the business and pleasure of boating and fishing on Lake Nipissing. "Everyone is charmed by this part of our culture," Hoffman said. "And people don't see a lure in an art gallery." A Lure is currently on display at the Alex Dufresne Gallery and Callander Bay Heritage Museum featuring a combination of history and art, with a mix of artifacts, painting, photography, sculpture and a video homage to the winter ice shacks, all drumming up memories and inspiring future plans to play in "big water" Nipissing. People drop into Richards' bait shop with old tackle boxes with handmade wooden lures, and he loaned some of them when he was asked to contribute to the show that also features delicate fly fishing lures on loan from David Lewis. It's Hoffman's departure from realistic landscapes and people as he puts brush to paper to recreate some of the handmade lures, and shares paintings featuring his beloved Giesler cedar strip boats by the Powassan boat and canoe builder. A restored 1945 Johnson 10 horsepower motor on loan by Bernie Giesler and a Johnson 1959 5 1/2 horsepower outboard motor from Lewis frame Hoffman's large-scale painting Bail Water featuring the famous outboard. Across the room is a wooden canoe with a sailing rig offered by Paul Waque of Callander. It's Callander's 125th anniversary, and the goal of the show is to lure people to an exhibit who wouldn't normally go, and a reminder to support a local gallery and museum that collects and celebrates local history. A Lure continues until July 30. It includes a speaker series that continues June 29 with the presentation Wilderness Wanderings by Paul Chivers, Carl D'Amour will speak about ice fishing on Lake Nipissing July 6 and Carl Crewson will give a presentation about the Sportspal Canoe July 13. The presentations run from 7 to 9 p.m. [email protected]

Wasn't there, but for spitballin' purposes: Could there be a pit or ditch that had some nasty water? Were all the dogs in the lake? Could there be a parasite in the water? Just wondering what the sick dogs could have had in common beyond the other theories. Not sure how I would react if I thought someone had done intentional harm to my dog? Glad to hear they are on the road to recovery.

Imagine someone having morels and ethics because it is the right way to do things, and not because they fear punishment from their god.

Glad to see Chris recover from 2 years ago. I guess he got his tackle organized.

No idea.