|
|
Post by Deleted on May 20, 2009 22:11:33 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 20, 2009 23:25:04 GMT
I witnessed one of these Sharp Shinned Hawks rob a baby Purple Martin chick out of the house this a.m.,the parents went crazy.  |
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on May 21, 2009 16:14:14 GMT
What a beautiful bird!
I hate the expression on the seal's face -- it definitely knows what's happening to it!
|
|
|
|
Post by happytraveller on May 21, 2009 18:41:35 GMT
Nature is cruel !
|
|
|
|
Post by Kimby on May 21, 2009 19:02:33 GMT
I think the seal is saying "Oh, shit!"
|
|
|
|
Post by gyro on May 21, 2009 19:12:52 GMT
I like the impression of the North Face of the Eiger that the shark is doing. Truly a misunderstood animal. Anything that can be THAT multi-talented should be applauded, not feared.
|
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on May 21, 2009 19:28:51 GMT
Applaud, right.
Too bad I'd be using my hands to swim frantically toward shore. Either that, or waving goodbye.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kimby on May 22, 2009 19:51:32 GMT
You're supposed to use your hands (the ones the shark hasn't bitten off, if any) to beat the beast on the snout, which MIGHT cause him to let go of you.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 22, 2009 19:52:50 GMT
I thought that was mostly for bears. You would know about that in Montana.
|
|
|
|
Post by gyro on May 22, 2009 19:56:12 GMT
You have to 'get big' for bears and shout and jump up and down a lot. That gives them the right shits.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 22, 2009 20:04:12 GMT
Does a bear shit in the woods? (famous American question just in case you are not familiar with it)
|
|
|
|
Post by Kimby on May 22, 2009 20:14:10 GMT
The companion expression is "Is the pope catholic?"
Actually, bears are treated differently depending on species and what they are doing to you.
If the bear is far enough away, you back away, cede the trail and go far around the bear's turf. If it is standing up and peering at you, looking big couldn't hurt, but that is advice that is usually given for mountain lion interactions. If the bear charges you - don't run! Stand your ground, it is often a bluff charge and the bear will veer away or stop before reaching you.
If you ARE attacked, if it's a grizzly, drop to the ground and assume the fetal position with your hands locked behind your neck to protect your spinal column. OR if you're wearing a backpack, lay face down with your legs spread wide so it can't roll you over exposing your delicate undersides. Do not try to climb a tree, even if it's a grizzly. Chances are he can climb better than you can, though black bears are star tree climbers.
If you are in your tent and a black bear tries to enter your tent, chances are he's regarding you as food. In this case, fight for your life! Fetal position will not help you. If you have pepper spray, hopefully you put it next to your pillow before bedtime and you know how to use it, as you will not have time to read the instructions and it will be too dark anyway.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 22, 2009 20:20:15 GMT
Whew! Nothing to worry about in downtown Paris then!
|
|
|
|
Post by Kimby on May 22, 2009 20:21:20 GMT
Except protecting yourself from Catholics!
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 22, 2009 20:23:16 GMT
Oh damn! I didn't know that there were any left in France.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kimby on May 22, 2009 20:24:11 GMT
In name only, correct?
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 22, 2009 20:27:51 GMT
Most of the so-called ones aren't even baptised anymore.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kimby on May 22, 2009 20:30:56 GMT
The catholic church has done a good job of un-recruiting members. The most devout atheists I know used to be catholic.
|
|
|
|
Post by rikita on Jun 2, 2009 21:53:14 GMT
i guess i might not go hiking anywhere with bears, then... ah well, shame about all my planned romania trips. but that all just sounds really scary.
|
|
|
|
Post by gyro on Jun 3, 2009 5:58:06 GMT
When Mrs G was doing the Inca Trail, they specifically said it would be unwise for any menstruating woman to be out camping because of the bears and their amazingly strong sense of smell. Her tent partner at the time was indeed on the blob.
They both survived though.
|
|
|
|
Post by rikita on Jun 3, 2009 15:05:30 GMT
on the inca trail? well there i don't think i'd be that worried, as there are so many people on that trail all the time, so i guess the danger of attacks is a lot smaller there than in a remote area where humans are the exception... also, from what i heard the andean bears aren't particularly aggressive - just read that they don't eat large cuantities of meat and thus would only attack humans to protect their cubs. non of the bear-horror-stories i heard so far took place in south america... so i guess i wouldn't be too worried there...
|
|
|
|
Post by gyro on Jun 3, 2009 19:33:43 GMT
It was about 15 years ago, but even so, like you say, I don't think it was much of a threat; more a good story to wind up the bastards whose bags they have to carry all day ... !
|
|
|
|
Post by rikita on Jun 3, 2009 20:52:47 GMT
yeah i suppose... 15 years ago it must have been quite nice (well i suppose it is nice these days too, didn't do the inca trail yet) - back then i suppose you didn't even need a permit to go on the trail? my peruvian ex said he sometimes worked as a guide on the trail when he was a kid, like 12 years old, so that was about 20 years ago, and at least then you didn't need a permit, and he said it was a lot less people back then, than nowadays... less regulated and all that...
|
|
