Discoholic 🪩
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祝日 / Permanent Vacation
Claire Keane
Today's Document
if i look back, i am lost
roma★
YOU ARE THE REASON
NASA
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Acquired Stardust
tumblr dot com
we're not kids anymore.
titsay
hello vonnie
Game of Thrones Daily
Kaledo Art
pixel skylines
will byers stan first human second
styofa doing anything
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@talkstotheanimals
Secretary Bird
Although you’ll see Secretary birds most often on the ground, they can fly very well! In the air they actually look more like a crane than a bird of prey. They’re impressive hunters, going after a lot of different animals, including venomous snakes from time to time. Secretary birds will stomp on their prey until the unfortunate prey is either dead or can’t move anymore.
Blacktips!
Blacktip reef sharks are gorgeous! They live in the shallow tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific, and have some of the smallest home ranges of all sharks. They’re extremely bound to their home site, inhabiting the same stretch of reef for years. They’re quite timid sharks, and are easily scared away by humans swimming up to them.
People sometimes claim they have witnessed a whale, dolphin, seal, or sea lion “crying”. Cetaceans (and pinnipeds) have glands near the corners of their eyes which continuously produce an oily, nearly-gelatinous mucous that protects and streamlines their eyes in the aquatic environment. You will often see photos of fuzzy, dry sea lions sleeping on the beach with tear stains on their faces (they do not have tear ducts so it just runs down), but it’s not always so easy to see on cetaceans. The most common situation in which you’d be able to see a cetacean’s natural eye secretions is when they have been stranded/beached and their head is not in near-constant contact with the water. This situational association causes some to belief the animal is weeping in distress. While a stranded cetacean is no doubt in distress, the appearance of tears is not a symptom of their feelings as they do not physically “cry” in the same way as humans do. The animal’s eyes will continue to produce this substance regardless of emotional state. I chose this photo because the lighting actually allows you to see the protective “tears” coating the eye, causing it to appear somewhat blurry.
There is no doubt that whales, dolphins, sea lions and seals have emotions, can be sad or in distress - but they don’t cry like humans do. Their tears are actually very important and helpful to them! Read all about it above.
Things Aelita loves
Tagged by the awesome @autopilot03
Ten Things that Aelita absolutely Loves (in no particular order)
Animals
Nature
Having fun, new, challenging things to do
Swimming
Her friends
Doing what she does best
Exploring
Helping nice people (and those are not just humans)
Singing and dancing
Taking a moment to calm down and relax
Climbing trees
It’s Enough For Today by Jacopo Fiocco Volpin
Sometimes you just have to close your eyes, take a nap and decide that it’s been enough for today.
This young Harp seal certainly did. Take it easy sometimes.
I’m a bad kid (but only just)
RULES: Mark the ones you’ve done. Use your result as your post title. Please, repost and don’t reblog! TAGGED BY: @autopilot03 TAGGING: anyone who feels up to it!
Everything is answered for Aelita, of course.
Pilot whales Bubbles, Squirt and Bimbo in their 640,000 gallon home at the Marineland of California. Bubbles lived to be in her 50′s and spent some 20+ years at Seaworld San Diego until her passing this summer. She was known to be an exceptionally social and gentle animal and will be missed by all who knew her.
!!! This is an amazing and rare photo.
I know Bimbo was a long-finned adult male (so obviously to the left) who was released, but don’t know who is Squirt and who is Bubbles, in this photo (because I don’t know who is older).
And does ANYONE know when Bubbles 1 (captured 1957, first pilot whale ever) died, or when Bubbles 2 was captured or died?
Because all I know is that Bubbles 1 was captured in 1957, and then people say there was one in between, and then Bubbles 3 was captured in 1966.
So, these three whales:
1957
1965, must be Bubbles 2
Unknown year, but it’s the Bubbles we know and love.
Edit: So I found the “source” of the photo (the only place Google can find with it), and it says the photo was taken in 1959, so it’s Bubbles 1 in it. Bimbo was released in 1967.
Great info on Bubbles, thank you! I must correct you though on that Bimbo was a Short-finned pilot whale, just like Bubbles and Squirt. Squirt was the youngest of the three, so that’s the little pilot on top in the first photo, with Bubbles all the way on the right. That was indeed Bubbles I.
As you mention there were three Short-finned pilot whales called Bubbles. I couldn’t find the capture date of Bubbles II either, though it was inferred that Bubbles I died somewhere between mid 1962 and 1963.
The dolphinproject has a pretty great article on Bimbo’s life, with photos and videos from the time of him, as well as Bubbles and Squirt too: https://dolphinproject.net/blog/post/one-dolphins-story-bimbo/ (even though I’m not at all fond of the dolphinproject, this post is actually kinda good and well researched and all).
I did see that one, and Bimbo was indeed a long-finned. Not only have I read that everywhere, but just look at him:
Or the photo in the original post. He had pecs like no short-finned pilot whale.
He really was not - perhaps most conclusive being the fact that Long-finned pilot whales do not even occur off California. The only species found in the northern Pacific Ocean are Short-finned pilot whales. And also when looking at morphology alone: he may have long pecs for a Short-fin, but they’re not at all out of range :) The anchor marking on the chest also gives it away, as it is much larger and lighter on Long-finned pilot whales. Bimbo on the other hand has the thinner, darker anchor that’s typical of the species.
Here’s a comparison with an actual Long-finned pilot whale from Andenes, Norway on the left, and an even longer finned Short-finned pilot whale from Hokkaido, Japan on the right (and Bimbo of course in the middle):
Notice the much longer pec fins on the Long-fin, but also their different shape. Short-fins tend to have strongly curved, sickle-shaped pecs while those of Long-fins are really straight and almost sword-like.
Pilot whales Bubbles, Squirt and Bimbo in their 640,000 gallon home at the Marineland of California. Bubbles lived to be in her 50′s and spent some 20+ years at Seaworld San Diego until her passing this summer. She was known to be an exceptionally social and gentle animal and will be missed by all who knew her.
!!! This is an amazing and rare photo.
I know Bimbo was a long-finned adult male (so obviously to the left) who was released, but don’t know who is Squirt and who is Bubbles, in this photo (because I don’t know who is older).
And does ANYONE know when Bubbles 1 (captured 1957, first pilot whale ever) died, or when Bubbles 2 was captured or died?
Because all I know is that Bubbles 1 was captured in 1957, and then people say there was one in between, and then Bubbles 3 was captured in 1966.
So, these three whales:
1957
1965, must be Bubbles 2
Unknown year, but it’s the Bubbles we know and love.
Edit: So I found the “source” of the photo (the only place Google can find with it), and it says the photo was taken in 1959, so it’s Bubbles 1 in it. Bimbo was released in 1967.
Great info on Bubbles, thank you! I must correct you though on that Bimbo was a Short-finned pilot whale, just like Bubbles and Squirt. Squirt was the youngest of the three, so that’s the little pilot on top in the first photo, with Bubbles all the way on the right. That was indeed Bubbles I.
As you mention there were three Short-finned pilot whales called Bubbles. I couldn’t find the capture date of Bubbles II either, though it was inferred that Bubbles I died somewhere between mid 1962 and 1963.
The dolphinproject has a pretty great article on Bimbo’s life, with photos and videos from the time of him, as well as Bubbles and Squirt too: https://dolphinproject.net/blog/post/one-dolphins-story-bimbo/ (even though I’m not at all fond of the dolphinproject, this post is actually kinda good and well researched and all).
Spirit Of The Eternal Lion King of the Forest
‘It’s clear sign language is not her forte, but she speaks English so we still got a language between us.’ Pidge was happy they had a language in common, even though speaking had proved to be exhausting. He had to get out of here and find his lion. He gave charades a shot instead. First shaking his head gently while using his index finger to point downward motioning for her to stay put.
He placed his index figure and thumb on the bridge of his nose, and contemplated how best to ask his next question with as few words, and thus, as little effort as humanly possible. Talking left him short of breath and he wanted to minimize the fatigue. “Seen. Giant. Lion?” Three words, they were off to a great start. He hadn’t chocked on any of the words, but his chest still felt as if someone had kicked him three times. One kick per word. This probably wasn’t going to get him anywhere either. The question was vague and by all counts even at his best someone would have given him a dubious glance. ‘I don’t want to sleep, but I know I should. I need to get out of here. Even if I wanted to… I can’t move.’ Thunderstruck as common sense struck him as the obvious hit him square between his eyes. Without thinking he hit his face, immediately regretting this impulsive action. It was plain to him he wasn’t working on all cylinders, but this was daft even by his standards. “Ah-tatata, stupid…” He said to himself in a whisper. ‘I’ll use my Voltcom to recall the lion.’ So he pointed to the desk toward his belongings motioning for something as vague as ever. He pointed toward his arm and then at the desk in hopes that maybe, just maybe, the arm shaped device would be understood as the item he wanted. Little did he know…
Shaking heads, pointing fingers - this was a much more communal ‘sign language’ that Aelita thankfully did understand. So he wanted her to stay. Good. She honestly didn’t feel much for leaving anyways. She nodded once. “Okay. I will stay here.” The last word had barely left her mouth when recollection suddenly flashed before her eyes. Memories presented themselves, but in reverse. Six years ago, when she first came to the lodge, when she first met Pete - back then she could not speak. She was the one lying in bed, wounded, without a voice, having only the gestures she could think of to communicate her thoughts. And Pete had been the one standing by her bedside, carefully trying to suss out her intentions, calmly speaking back in English and patiently enduring her loudly growled temper tantrums concerning her situation. And now everything had turned around, with a stranger wounded under the sheets, and Aelita there to take care of him. Or at least trying to.
It was quite strange, and as often she lightly shook her head in an attempt to rid the thoughts from her mind. Aelita’s eyes still looked at scenes far beyond the present when she took two steps back towards the drawer, ushering Mimi to do the same. She wanted to return to her previous spot to sit. But the man’s mention of a giant lion made her stop and she looked up, her gaze and mind very quickly returning to the physical world. So they were connected. The strange man and the stranger lion. At least if Boko’s story was true. She still was not certain, although the story was slowly beginning to seem more and credible. However strange it might be. Even though the thought of a giant lion scared her, there was no danger right now. And so she relaxed, losing the stiffness in her body.
She was about to answer when the second round of charades suddenly started, and the man’s pointing to his arm and the drawer redirected her physically. Not understanding what he was looking for she nonetheless rummaged through his suit, while explaining the lion situation. “No,” came her first answer. “I have not seen it. But I think a friend of mine has? Not so far from where I found you. He said he saw a very big lion, like, very big. Not a normal one, but made of metal. Is it yours? You don’t have to speak, you can just nnn-.” She cut herself off, mouth hanging onto that ‘n’ for just another second. With a giant lion occupying her thoughts she hadn’t even considered what the man was actually looking for. But now it dropped. A thing? For his arm? Hold on a moment. She looked at the man again and re-realised there was still that rather massive thing RIGHT THERE ON HIS ARM. Now it was Aelita’s turn to facepalm, albeit mentally and with a substantial less amount of pain.
She was still wary of it. It had been a few hours, but the severe shock that the strange bracelet had dealt out lay fresh in her memory. So she came back to the bed and just pointed at voltcom, her eyes still looking at it suspiciously, her finger carefully held not too close. “Is this what you’re looking for?” He sort of reminded her of Pete looking for the phone in his hand or the sunglasses on his face and she couldn’t help but internally smile at that.
A very descriptive and detailed profile of your muse.
TAGGED BY THE AWESOME @autopilot03
—————————————————————————- NAME: Aelita Stones NICKNAME: Aelit, just to lose one syllable ALIAS: Gloria Kwiatkowski AGE: mid twenties...? SPECIES: Human (for the most part) GENDER: Female (for the most part) PRONOUNS: She/Her ORIENTATION: Heterosexual PROFESSION: None, officially
ღ- Sexuality?
Aelita is heterosexual, so romantically interested in men only. Overall romance and physical attraction are difficult things for her though – and even more so for me as the writer, they give me headaches trying to think through! I won’t go into endless rambling here but I guess I might say some things.
❦- What is your muse’s favorite fruit?
She’s quite a lover of fruit in general and would be hard pressed to really pick a favourite. It might be melons though, even if only for the fond memories. While most fruit she loves comes from lush areas where they’re a wonderful sweet snack, most wild melons she has encountered were little life-saving packets of water found in the desert. Finding a bunch of melons as an oryx was like hitting gold.
ツ- Can your muse speak any other language other than their main one?
Yes she can. As of now, her main languages are English and Portuguese. She’s fluent in English, more or less so in Portuguese. Besides that she knows some bits and pieces of French, Spanish, native African and native Amazonian languages. The Amazonian ones she has not used in a while though, so she’s very rusty with those (not to mention there are a plethora of languages spoken within the vast expanse of the Amazon).
However her true mother language is Russian, even though she can’t speak a word of it anymore now, nor really remembers ever learning it. It’s the first human language she picked up on, first as a newborn living with her natural parents, and a little later while roaming the huge country with foxes, moose, wolves, and many other animals.
Although other animals do not have true language like humans do (with separate words and grammar and stuff), I should note that she can also understand many of the calls and verbal communications of the species she can turn into (as well as some she can’t).
❣- What calms your muse down?
Little calms Aelita more and faster than being in close physical contact with a close friend. Especially with her human friends she can really be quieted down by having a pair of strong arms wrapped around her. It makes her feel safe. Nose in shirt, eyes closed – no more sensory input besides hearing their breathing and beating heart. With no friends around going underwater can help too. Especially if she turns into a whale and dives down really deep. In the starving cold and pitch darkness there is nothing more to frighten or worry her. Basically sensory deprivation is what can really reset her mind, especially if the upset was caused by sensory overload in the first place. If the disturbance is more emotional she really does crave the comforting touch of a familiar. Be it the tight hugs described above, or a friendly trunk-to-mouth touch from an elephant, or an amicable flipper stroke from a dolphin.
♡ : Is there a certain scent that brings about nostalgia? If so, describe a memory this scent brings back.
The smell of the sea. Sawubona is quite a ways away from the Indian Ocean, and on her travels too she does not get to visit the ocean very often. But the truth is she has spent many years of her childhood in salty waters with families that lived there, and she misses the great blue an awful lot sometimes. Especially the whale and dolphin pods who took her under their fins are very, very dear to her heart. And while whales lack any real sense of smell, Aelita would occasionally turn into a human, breathing in the salty winds.
One memory the smell of the sea may bring back is her time with the Antarctic type A killer whales, who travelled from the calm Antarctic waters through the rough southern seas, almost to the equator. On one particularly stormy day in Drake Passage (honestly, the calm days are a rarer sight in the roughest sea on the planet) she returned to her human self. Supported by the huge black-and-white bodies of her adopted family, she rode the swell that would rise and fall some ten metres at a time. It was one of those moments where it was really driven home to her what a small and insignificant creature she was compared to the grandeur and endless power of the ocean.
❣: Describe a way that will earn affection (whether platonic or romantic) from them.
Most of Aelita’s affection is dealt out to dear friends she loves, be they human or any other animal, while just doing things together. So in that sense just being her friend and spending time with her will earn affection, not in the least because she’s a very affectionate person to begin with. But if I had to really point out a solid, single action, then it would have to be saving one of her animal friends. It barely even matters whether she knows the person or not, saving an animal will warrant them a heartfelt hug and perhaps even a kiss from Aelita.
☾ : On a sleepless night, what would they be found doing?
Let me start by saying Aelita does not have many sleepless nights to begin with. Sleeping is a rather dangerous activity in her eyes. She may be a light sleeper, but letting her guard down and relinquishing her awareness of any potentially dangerous situation is very frightening to her (one of the main reasons she despises tranquilizers). So if she goes without sleep for a night, or cannot fall asleep even if she wants or needs to, it’s usually for very good reason. So she’d spend her truly sleepless night trying to fix whatever is keeping her from her sleep.
That all being said, there are times when she has nightmares and is simply afraid to go to sleep again. In those cases she usually seeks comfort with her close friends, especially if the dreams spelled out said friends dying or being taken away. In Sawubona this would usually mean waking up Pete and asking if she could spend the rest of the night with him. His bed is large enough, and she’s been with him for so many years that she trusts him enough to sleep in the same bed and not be scared. In the Navy she’d head over to Ryan and spend the night sleeping next to his bed as a wolf or so – cramming herself into his one-person bed together with him would probably give her about as much stress as the nightmares themselves.
