Weddell Seal pups are born during the Antarctic spring, when it’s usually around -10 F, dry and windy. Their birthing grounds are farther south than those of any other mammal.
Having spent winter 150 miles north in the Ross Sea feeding on fish, octopus and krill, the mothers are 1,000-1,200 pounds when they give birth – or about the weight of a horse, says biologist and Montana State University professor Jay Rotella, who leads a study on the animals.
Holding their breath for up to an hour, they swim long distances south beneath the frozen sea ice along the continent, using tide cracks to breathe. They return to the same colony each year.
Lead researcher Jay Rotella (left), with PhD students Glenn Stauffer and Thierry Chambert, using a mother seal’s tag numbers to look up her age and reproductive history on a field computer. PHOTO BY JESSICA FARRER
Their largest predator, Orcas, cannot swim as long beneath the ice, so when the mothers haul out to give birth, their pups are safe during the 4-6 weeks it takes them to nurse and learn to swim. When the pups are weaned, the females return to the water and breed.
Only about 20 percent of pups survive to breeding age – 7 or 8. Those that do may live into their teens and 20s, Rotella said, noting that the oldest recorded animal is 33.
The Ross Sea is perhaps the most pristine area of ocean on Earth, and although the seals aren’t endangered, studying them gives scientists “bellwethers that tell us [if] this last best place in the ocean is having problems,” Rotella said.
Don Siniff, of the University of Minnesota, initiated this study in 1967. Rotella and Bob Garrott took the project over in 2001. Find more at weddellsealscience.com.
Both photos here were obtained under NMFS Permit No. 17236.
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Please join the Arts Council of Big Sky for free music from Jacob Rountree at the Wilson Hotel Lobby Bar from 5-7 p.m.
Event Details
Please join the Arts Council of Big Sky for free music from Jacob Rountree at the Wilson Hotel Lobby Bar from 5-7 p.m. on April 24.
Jacob Rountree is an alternative/indie songwriter living in the stunning alpine of Montana. Contemplative yet playful, his lyric forward style is reflective of his love for philosophy, poetry and quantum physics.