Disney's Oceans

              For my third blog, I watched Disney’s Oceans.  It is a very well made documentary that tells much about the oceans and its inhabitants.  From the smallest parts, like the larvae of crustaceans, to the largest inhabitants, like the blue whale, oceans possess a vast array sea life, much of which we have yet to even discover. One fascinating scene of the film showed a pod of dolphins swimming at a rapid pace to chase and devour a school of sardines.  Then out of nowhere, “dive-bombing” birds got in the mix to get their fill of the sardines as well. And lastly a massive blue whale, trumped all of the participants to get his fill of the sardines before they were too dispersed for the remaining diners.  The blue whale is one of the largest animals in the history of the world.  Whales are magnificently fascinating creatures.  Humpback whales sleep upside down and can tread water while they sleep to maintain their position. Orca whales feed on young sea lions near the shores.  It’s amazing that they have the mental capacity to monitor the sea lions’ patterns and plan their attacks.

                Though the sun goes down, the creatures of the ocean do not sleep. Many of its inhabitants are more lively at night, in the dark disguise than they would be in the daylight.  Many of the crustaceans venture out at night. Crabs inhabit new homes, shrimp dig new hideouts, and moray eels look for their next meal.  One fascinating creature, a sea slug called a Spanish Dancer, seems much more radiant than any land slugs that we see. The smaller creatures at the lower ends of the food chain use the night time to change or move their homes and gather food for the next days. 

                Ocean creatures are well adapted to disguising.  The octopus can disguise itself and camouflage with its surroundings to capture its prey.  Garden eels blend in with the sand before striking their victims.  Though stone fish are not very fast or agile, they have superior camouflage capabilities like the octopus, and can look just like a stone (thus their name) and capture their unsuspecting victims.  The leafy sea dragon lives at the same depth and in the same area its entire life and is almost unnoticeable amongst the vegetation it inhabits. Each creature is uniquely designed with abilities to ensure its survival.

                Disney’s Oceans, is a wonderfully made movie.  The images they were able to capture are simply remarkable.  With modern-day technology, we are able to see the mysteries of the ocean like never before.  The movie also draws attention to the important issues of over fishing and the endangered animals that we need to fight to protect.  Many of the awesome creatures that are featured in the film are in jeopardy of extinction because of overly lenient fishing policies and pollution.  It raises the issues that if we don’t modify our behaviors now, many of these creatures won’t be around for our children to observe.  I think everyone should watch this film to gain an appreciation for the intricacy and delicacy of the oceans’ ecosystem.  After all, “human indifference is surely the oceans’ greatest threat.”