Get bitten by a shark and survive. Every news program around the world will report on you, most likely before peace erupting in the Middle East*.

*Unless the Middle East negotiators have also been bitten by sharks.

Labels: Nature, Politics

Miette and Michah having fun throwing stones at the chunks of ice floating in Lake Ontario. Bad ice!

Labels: Canada, Nature, videos

Last night at 1am GMT, so actually yesterday evening at 8pm EST for me, Britain had its biggest earthquake in 25 years. The earthquake was only 5.1 on the richter scale, yet was felt over most of the country from its epicentre in Lincolnshire - even down to my mum's near Norfolk. Thankfully noone was killed and there seems to only be one injury. Still, it's yet another earthquake I've managed to miss - in fact I don't recall ever actually being in one! Maybe one of these days.. just nothing too exciting.

Labels: Brit Stuff, Nature

When I was diving in Australia off the Queensland coast, we all sort of lived in fear/awe of the Irukandji jellyfish - tiny, transparent jellyfish whose venom can kill purely from the extreme pain it inflicts. Worrying stuff indeed. Luckily, jellyfish stings find it hard to get through any sort of material so in our wetsuits we were relatively safe.

Now its seems more of us will be at risk from swarms of these jellyfish as they migrate around the world in search of food. In a new film, cinematographers trace the path of these surprisingly intelligent and well defended animals as they head away from their traditional areas and foray for new food sources. Beautiful but unnerving, this is one film everyone who dives (and swims) should probably watch.

Labels: Environment, Nature, Scary, Scuba Diving, World

This sunday stay up late and watch the annual Perseids Meteor Shower. It's supposed to be best on the east coast at 2am Monday morning, or in the UK around 10pm Sunday night. Meteor showers are like uber-cool free fireworks, so get 'em while their hot!*

*Note: If a meteor does land near you then don't touch it. It will be very hot. Actually, if a meteor lands near you then there's a good chance you'll be dead from the impact. So remember to duck and cover.

Labels: Annual Events, Cool Stuff, Nature