Clown Face Tiger Moth (Idalus herois) – A Natural Work of Art
This striking moth owes its nickname to the vivid red and black patterns on its thorax, which resemble a stylized clown face — a remarkable example of natural mimicry. Described by entomologist William Schaus in 1889, Idalus herois is native to parts of Central and South America, including Mexico and Venezuela.
Far from a circus trick, this visual illusion serves no known defensive function — making it one of the most visually intriguing species in its family.
Every summer, Earth drifts through the dusty trail of Comet Swift-Tuttle – and the result is one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year: the Perseids.
Peaking in mid-August and active right now, this shower can produce up to 75 meteors per hour under dark skies. But here’s what makes them even more amazing: each meteor’s color reveals what it’s made of.
As the meteors blaze through Earth’s atmosphere at over 130,000 mph, they burn up in brilliant flashes of different colors – and those colors reveal what elements are inside:
Red = Oxygen & Nitrogen
Yellow-Gold = Iron
Violet = Calcium
Orange = Sodium
Teal/Blue-Green = Magnesium
The Perseids are active from July 17 to August 24, with peak nights around August 12–13. Even with some moonlight, it’s still one of the best times to look up.
Find a dark sky, let your eyes adjust, and enjoy one of the best sights of the year!
Humpback Whales Are Outswimming Orcas Just to Play Underwater Superhero and No One Knows Why
Okay get this. Seals are being hunted by orcas and out of nowhere a humpback whale shows up like it’s auditioning for the next Marvel movie.
This isn’t a one-time thing. Over 100 times, scientists have watched humpback whales rescue animals that are not even their species.
We’re talking seals, sea lions and even fish. The whales will literally body-block orcas, lift prey out of the water on their backs and sometimes charge the predators to break up the hunt.
And the weirdest part? They get nothing in return. No food. No social points. No reward. Just vibes.
Researchers are totally stumped. Some think it’s a misdirected protective instinct that started with rescuing baby humpbacks and spread to anything that squeaks. Others believe these giants might have complex empathy or social behaviour we just don’t understand yet.
One scientist described it like this. It’s as if humpbacks just hate bullying.
These whales have been seen travelling long distances just to intervene. That’s like driving across the city to stop a mugging… and then just swimming away.
Is it heroism? Is it instinct? Is it ocean drama we’re too human to get?
Nobody knows for sure. But one thing’s clear. These humpbacks are not just massive. They might be the gentle vigilantes of the sea.
So yeah. Somewhere out there, a 40-ton whale is breaking up a killer whale fight… just because it can.
Final thought: While we’re still arguing over pineapple on pizza, humpback whales are out here saving strangers.
Soz for the slight delay… It was from this original report
On September 7, 2023, National Geographic reported an incredible interaction between humpback and killer whales filmed by National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory off the coast of Antarctica. The footage, part of the “Animals Up Close” series, shows humpback whales interfering with B1 killer whales hunting a Weddell seal. The humpbacks’ actions, seemingly aimed at protecting the seal, highlight a unique behavior where they actively disrupt hunts of other species, even when not directly related to their own calves.
Here’s a more detailed look:
The Event:
The incident took place during an expedition to film B1 killer whales, a rare Antarctic orca population known for their wave-washing technique.
Humpback Intervention:
Two humpback whales intervened in a B1 orca hunt for a Weddell seal, swimming over to disrupt the attack.
A Mysterious Behavior:
While the orcas ultimately succeeded in killing the seal, the humpbacks’ actions are part of a larger pattern of humpbacks disrupting killer whale hunts, even when the prey is not a humpback calf.
Possible Motivations:
Scientists theorize that this behavior might stem from an evolved protective instinct for their own calves, which are occasionally hunted by killer whales, or it could indicate a level of social awareness or empathy in humpbacks.
Rare Footage:
The interaction was captured by Bertie Gregory and is featured in the “Antarctic Killer Waves” episode of his series, “Animals Up Close”.
I’ve heard and read multiple testimonies about dolphins who saved humans who were about to drown. So, if dolphins can do it for humans, why not wales for seals or other animals? I find this incredibly wonderful, and at the same totally credible.
That’s a tidal flow, not a river. Pretty wild stuff! Been wanting a capable boat to explore that coast for a while but the budget isn’t there. Am am heading up the Harrison River tomorrow to explore a few spots
Yeah, I have been at Skookumchuck when it reverses. A group was looking at perhaps putting tidal generation there, but it is just too important to the shíshálh (Sechelt) Nation. Awesome to see a sea kayak surfing a standing wave.
You paddle up the eddy, punch through the trashy white stuff closest to the shore, and then surf the shoulder wave over to the clean area of the wave you can see in the video. What kind of kayak you need depends on just how fast the current is on that day.
Red = Oxygen & Nitrogen
Yellow-Gold = Iron
Violet = Calcium
Orange = Sodium
Teal/Blue-Green = Magnesium
