Walking and Auking (04/30)

I have always thought that the Auk was a flightless bird.

You call those wings?

However, that is only true for the Great Auk which is now extinct (and pictured above). The Auks that are around today certainly enjoy their evolved wings…

Go Little Auk Go!

BONUS FACT: The Great Auk is was the only species in the genus Pinguinus, a group which included several flightless giant auks from the Atlantic, to survive until modern times!

Big Fish (03/31)

I do not know the man in this picture, nor do I know anyone who has caught a fish this large. I have, however, seen many pictures like the one above (most often hanging on a wall in movies, next to a stuffed swordfish).

In case you are wondering, the fish in the picture above is a Greater Amberjack fish.

Here is more about the species:

Family Carangidae, JACKS and POMPANOS
Seriola dumerili

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Description: dark stripe (variably present) extends from nose to in front of dorsal fin and “lights up” when fish is in feeding mode; no scutes; soft dorsal base less than twice the length of the anal fin base.

Similar Fish: other Seriola.

Where found: OFFSHORE species associated with rocky reefs, debris, and wrecks, typically in 60 – 240 feet of water; sometimes caught NEARSHORE in south Florida; juveniles associated with floating objects and may occur in water less than 30 feet deep.

Size: common to 40 pounds.

*Florida Record: 142 lbs.

Remarks: largest of the jacks; thought to spawn OFFSHORE throughout most of the year; feeds on squid, fish, and crustaceans.