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Cetaceans are thought to display a diversity of feeding modes that are often described as convergent with other more basal aquatic vertebrates (i.e. actinopterygians). However, the biomechanics of feeding in cetaceans has been relatively ignored by functional biologists. This study investigated the feeding behavior, kinematics and pressure generation of three odontocetes with varying feeding modes (belugas, Delphinapterus leucas; Pacific white-sided dolphins, Lagenorhynchus obliquidens; and long-finned pilot whales, Globicephala melas). Four feeding phases were recognized in all odontocetes: (I) preparatory, (II) jaw opening, (III) gular depression, and (IV) jaw closing. Belugas relied on a feeding mode that was composed of discrete ram and suction components. Pacific white-sided dolphins fed using ram, with some suction for compensation or manipulation of prey. Pilot whales were kinematically similar to belugas but relied on a combination of ram and suction that was less discrete than belugas. Belugas were able to purse the anterior lips to occlude lateral gape and form a small, circular anterior aperture that is convergent with feeding behaviors observed in more basal vertebrates. Suction generation in odontocetes is a function of hyolingual displacement and rapid jaw opening, and is likely to be significantly enhanced by lip pursing behaviors. Some degree of subambient pressure was measured in all species, with belugas reaching 126 kPa. Functional variations of suction generation during feeding demonstrate a wider diversity of feeding behaviors in odontocetes than previously thought. However, odontocete suction generation is convergent with that of more basal aquatic vertebrates.
Approximately 550 million years of vertebrate evolution has resulted in a diversity of jaw functions, such as kinetic skull expansion using 4-bar linkages (Lauder, 1982; Westneat and Wainwright, 1989; Westneat, 1994), ballistic tongue projection (Deban et al., 1997; Deban et al., 2007), surface tension prey transport (Rubega and Obst, 1993; Rubega, 1997; Prakash et al., 2008) and mastication (Hiiemae and Crompton, 1985; Herring, 1993). Among aquatic vertebrates specifically, jaw function includes suction generation, and many aquatic taxa rely on some degree of suction to capture prey. Suction feeding is characterized by rapid buccal volume expansion that generates a pressure gradient and a flow of water and prey into the mouth (Muller et al., 1982; Wainwright and Day, 2007). While suction generation has been best studied among more basal vertebrates, suction performance data for secondarily aquatic vertebrates (such as marine mammals) are limited to only a few pinniped (Fay, 1982; Kastelein et al., 1994; Marshall et al., 2008) and cetacean taxa (Kastelein et al., 1997; Werth, 2000a; Bloodworth and Marshall, 2005; Werth, 2006b).
Some mammals returned to the aquatic environment as recently as 50 million years ago, resulting in the appearance of modern whales and dolphins of the order Cetacea (Rice, 1998; Thewissen and Williams, 2002). This transition resulted in a radiation of adaptations for feeding (O'Leary and Uhen, 1999; Uhen, 2007), and feeding modes that presumably converge with feeding modes of basal aquatic vertebrates. Among cetaceans, certain lineages have specialized for filter feeding (baleen whales, suborder Mysticeti), biting (killer whales, Orcinus orca), ram feeding (some delphinids) and suction feeding (kogiids, porpoises, belugas and some delphinids) (Kastelein et al., 1997; Werth, 2000a; Bloodworth and Marshall, 2005). The feeding morphology of many extant odontocetes is often used to support these functional hypotheses regarding feeding mode, due to the limited availability of direct physiological and kinematic data. Presumed odontocete ram feeding piscivores exhibit long, narrow snapping jaws with many teeth that are characterized as convergent with other amniote ram feeding piscivores (Thorbjarnarson, 1990); presumed suction feeding odontocetes possess short, blunt rostra and few teeth, similar to other suction feeding actinopterygians (Werth, 2006a). However, among more basal suction feeding lineages, morphological diversity is not always indicative of functional diversity (Collar and Wainwright, 2006) and, until recently, functional hypotheses of odontocete feeding modes have rarely been tested directly. For example, beluga whales are anecdotally known to generate large suction forces. However, pressure generation has not been measured directly nor have the kinematics of suction generation been systematically investigated.
Therefore, the present study conducted controlled feeding trials to characterize the kinematics and behavioral performance among three presumed suction or ram feeding odontocetes. Additionally, direct measurements of in vivo pressure changes were recorded to characterize suction feeding capability and performance in each species. Comparisons were made among belugas (Delphinapterus leucas Pallas 1976; DL), Pacific white-sided dolphins, (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens Gill 1865; LO) and long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas Lesson 1828, referred to herein as pilot whales; GM). Belugas, known for their suction capability (Ray, 1966; Brodie, 1989), belong to a more ancestral family within Odontoceti (Monodontidae) whereas Pacific white-sided dolphins and pilot whales belong to the most derived odontocete family (Delphinidae). However, whereas Pacific white-sided dolphins herd and consume individual prey using ram (Fiscus and Kajimura, 1980; Heise, 1997; Morton, 2000), pilot whales have been observed in captivity to capture prey using suction (Brown, 1962; Werth, 2000a). These odontocete species present a diversity of feeding modes that are apparent within multiple families.
Subjects included seven beluga whales and seven Pacific white-sided dolphins, held at Sea World of Texas (San Antonio, TX, USA), as well as two pilot whales housed at Sea World of California (San Diego, CA, USA). All subjects were adults with mean total body lengths of 332±43.9 cm (DL), 193±27.8 cm (LO) and 450±32.3 cm (GM) and mean masses of 577±153 kg (DL), 108±19.2 kg (LO) and 1081±348 kg (GM). The use of all subjects was approved by Sea World, Inc. and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Texas A&M University (AUP 2006-237).
Kinematic analyses
In conjunction with trainers, controlled feeding trials were conducted for each individual. When cued, the subject was released from its station to freely capture the prey item via its preferred feeding mode (Fig. 1A,C,E). Frozen (non-mobile) herring (Clupea harengus), capelin (Mallotus villosus), mackerel (Scomber japonicus) and squid (Loligo opalescens) were presented to the subjects by hand following Bloodworth and Marshall (Bloodworth and Marshall, 2005). The trainer gently held the prey item and presented it to the subject. On cue, the subject was free to approach (approximately 1 m distance) and ingest the prey item via its preferred feeding mode. Opportunistic video was also collected in which the trainer did not retain the prey but instead prey items were free-floating when the subject approached. In these situations, prey items were held 0.5 m below the water, and released when the subject was approximately 3 m from the prey. Prey items were distributed according to the daily regimen for each species and individual. Although mean prey length varied (herring: 24.2±2.8 cm, capelin: 14.5±1.2 cm, mackerel: 23.1±0.8 cm, squid: 20.7±2.3 cm; measured from 10 representative individuals of each species), no significant differences in kinematic variables were found for prey types among odontocete species (MANOVA, Wilks' λ , F=1.21, P=0.18) or within species (MANOVA, Wilks' λ , DL: F=1.77, P=0.19, LO: F=1.85, P=0.19, GM: F=1.81, P=0.42), and all prey types were pooled.
Feeding trials were recorded using a Sony TRV950 video camera (Sony Corp., New York, NY, USA) at 60 Hz. Immediately following each feeding trial, a calibration square of known dimensions was placed perpendicular to the video camera and in the plane of the subject. To characterize the movement of the jaws and hyolingual apparatus during feeding trials, seven homologous anatomical landmarks were digitized (Fig. 1A,C,E) and 17 lateral kinematic variables were calculated (Table 1) using the Peak Motus motion analysis system (v. 9; Vicon, Denver, CO, USA). Gape angle (GANG) refers only to the angle formed between the mandibular tips and the vertex of the jaw and not with landmark 3, which is prominent in belugas. Five additional lateral gape occlusion kinematic variables [percentage occlusion (OCC), maximum posterior velocity of the pursed corner of the mouth (vpost), time to maximum posterior velocity of the pursed corner of the mouth (tvpost), maximum anterior velocity of the pursed corner of the mouth (vant) and time to maximum anterior velocity of the pursed corner of the mouth (tvant)] were calculated to characterize the lip pursing behavior that is common among belugas. Up to five feeding events per individual that best fit the following criteria were digitized and analyzed: (1) both the prey item and the subject were visible in the frame and in focus prior to jaw opening, (2) all anatomical landmarks were visible in all frames, (3) the subject was perpendicular to the camera, and (4) ingestion was observed. For pilot whales, five feeding sequences for each prey type were analyzed (10-15 trials per individual), resulting in approximately the same number of trials for the species. Feeding event duration lasted from the first frame in which gape angle opening velocity increased from zero and gape began to increase (t=0) to the last frame in which gape angle closing velocity returned to zero and gape returned to the original closed position.
In addition to kinematic analyses, a Ram—Suction Index (RSI) was calculated, as well as measurements of maximum biological gape capabilities and oral aperture shape. RSI was calculated following Norton and Brainerd (Norton and Brainerd, 1993) for trials in which prey items were free-floating (not held by a trainer): where Dpredator is the net distance traveled by the subject (landmark 6, subject's eye) and Dprey is the net distance traveled by the food item (landmark 1, prey's head). Calculations were made at the onset of the feeding event and the frame of prey capture (when the prey crossed the boundary between the upper and lower jaws). Maximum biological gape and gape angle were calculated using Image J image analysis software (NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA) from digital photographs (N=5 photographs). These photographs were taken above water during a trained open gape husbandry behavior and when subjects opened their mouths to receive a food reward for the behavior; both behaviors resulted in maximal biological gape capability. These data were compared with corresponding kinematic data to determine what percentage of gape capability was utilized during feeding trials. To characterize the morphology influencing fluid mechanics of suction generation in odontocetes, the degree of circularity of the oral aperture at the anterior lips was calculated from additional feeding sequences that were recorded from the frontal perspective (Fig. 1B,D,F). Feeding event duration in the frontal perspective followed the lateral kinematic protocol (above) except linear velocity of the upper and lower jaws was used instead of gape angle opening velocity. Four frontal kinematic variables were measured (Table 1), and aperture area and circumference at maximum gape were measured using Image J (NIH). The ratio of vertical:horizontal diameter of the oral aperture (aperture ratio) was calculated as a measure of aperture circularity. Measurements of oral aperture stereotypy followed Wainwright et al. (Wainwright et al., 2008).
Pressure generation capability
Pressure generation was measured in conjunction with lateral kinematic feeding trials. A pressure transducer (MPC 500 MikroTip Pressure Catheter, Millar Instruments, Houston, TX, USA) was inserted through the prey item following Kastelein et al. (Kastelein et al., 1997) such that the sensor protruded approximately 2 cm from the head of the prey item and was oriented toward the subject (Fig. 1A,C,E). As the subject approached the prey item, the transducer measured changes in ambient pressure just prior to ingestion of prey. As the subject's lips closed on the prey (using suction or biting), the prey slid over the transducer into the subject's mouth while the transducer was retained by the trainer. Placement of the transducer sensor was verified from video, and confirmed that actual pressures changes were a result of feeding behaviors and not a bow wave. The transducer was connected to a poolside control box (TCB 600, Millar Instruments) and a portable electrophysiological recording system (Biopac MP150 System, Biopac Systems, Goleta, CA, USA), which continuously recorded and saved the output (AcqKnowledge Software 3.9, Biopac Systems) to a laptop computer. AcqKnowledge was also used to analyze subambient and suprambient pressure traces for six pressure variables (Table 1). Prior to feeding trials, the transducer was independently calibrated in the lab. The transducer was inserted into a sealed flask and pressure was decreased to subambient pressure of 80 kPa using a certified vacuum hand pump. Pressure was released in a controlled manner, and readings from the transducer at several intervals were recorded. Known pressure readings from the pump were regressed with corresponding transducer output to obtain a transducer-specific conversion factor and to ensure linearity.
Statistical tests were performed using JMP 7.0.1 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA) to determine differences in kinematic and pressure profiles among species and to analyze correlation among variables. All data were log10-transformed and standardized for normalization and standard comparison among variables of different measurement types. Due to the absence of Phase I in many feeding trials, interspecific analyses of variance (ANOVA) were used to test for species differences within each kinematic phase. An interspecific constrained ordination nested MANOVA and a canonical centroid plot of least squares means (Mardia et al., 1979) tested for significant differences among subjects nested within species for kinematic and pressure variables; tests for lateral kinematics, frontal kinematics and RSI were performed separately. Post hoc tests determined if species differences existed within each variable and in which species differences occurred. Differences among kinematic and biological maximum gape capability were determined using Student's t-tests. Pressure variables were analyzed using the same constrained MANOVA technique, followed with post hoc tests. A separate MANOVA was used to determine if significant differences occurred between subambient and suprambient pressure profiles, and Student's t-tests were used to compare durations and rates between expansive and compressive pressure phases. Correlation within species for kinematic and pressure generation variables was determined using a Pearson's R test for correlation.
Overall, feeding events of odontocetes in this study consisted of four phases, similar to those observed in Werth (Werth, 2000a) and Bloodworth and Marshall (Bloodworth and Marshall, 2005): (I) preparatory, (II) jaw opening, (III) hyolingual depression, and (IV) jaw closing (Table 2). Phase I began at the onset of jaw opening and ended when gape increased by greater than 0.2 cm field−1 and the jaws rapidly opened. Phase I was observed in 32% of all trials and was marked by the occurrence of hyolingual adduction (in some cases), small gape and slow gape angle opening velocity, as well as movement of the subject toward the prey. The absence of phase I was observed during both ram and suction feeding mode trials. When present, no significant differences in duration of phase I were found among species (ANOVA, F=1.30, P=0.29). Phase II began when gape increased by ≥0.2 cm field−1 and persisted until maximum gape. Phase III began when hyolingual depression increased by ≥0.2 cm field−1 and concluded when hyolingual depression returned to its original position or at the end of the feeding event. Phase IV began at maximum gape and concluded when the jaws closed and gape decreased by ≤0.2 cm field−1. Phase III persisted the longest in all three species and overlapped with phases II and IV. Significant differences were observed in phase II, III and IV durations among species (ANOVA, phase II: F=17.4, P<0.0001; phase III: F=11.4, P<0.0001; phase IV: F=11.5, P<0.0001). Total duration of feeding events was significantly shorter (ANOVA, F=22.0, P<0.0001) in Pacific white-sided dolphins (0.28±0.02 s) than belugas (0.68±0.07 s) or pilot whales (0.56±0.04 s).
Feeding behaviors
Belugas were the most versatile at modulating their feeding behavior. They were able to capture prey using pure suction, pure ram and a combination of both (ram—suction). The ram—suction feeding mode was observed most frequently (Fig. 1A, Table 2). Belugas approached prey at low velocity (mean vsubject : 49.2±6.6 cm s−1, maximum vsubject: 168.4 cm s−1). When phase I was observed (31.2% of trials), it occurred as the subject approached the prey (ram component) and included hyolingual adduction. During phase I, bubbles expelled from the lateral lip margins indicated hydraulic jetting, which was supported by suprambient pressure recordings (see below). Supination of the flippers (flares) reduced forward velocity to near zero as subjects approached the prey. At this point, the lips were within one mouth diameter (mean GAPE: 6.3±0.4 cm) from the prey, and the jaws opened rapidly [Fig. 2; mean gape angle opening velocity (GAOV): 119.7±8.1 deg. s−1, range: 60.3-234.3 deg. s−1]. In addition, the mobile lateral lips pursed to occlude lateral gape (mean OCC: 78.8±2.9%) and the anterior lips created a characteristic small, circular oral aperture that coincided with maximum gape (Fig. 1B, see below). This pursing behavior effectively increased gape angle at the anterior lips. Maximum gape angle (maximum GANG: 25.7 deg.) was 45.6% of the biological capability. Hyolingual depression created subambient pressure and a flow of water and prey into the mouth. This observation was also supported by direct pressure measurements (see below). Prey moved into the mouth at a high velocity (suction component, mean vprey: 219.1±18.7 cm s−1, maximum vprey: 555.4 cm s−1) after maximum gape and before maximum hyolingual depression. Rapid opening of the lateral lips was observed after prey capture, and bubbles were again expelled from the entire length of the lateral lip margin (hydraulic jetting) until the lips returned to their resting position and the mouth was closed. For this ram—suction feeding mode, the ram approach component and the suction ingestion component both occurred within one gape cycle and were not separate events. Pure suction and pure ram feeding trials occurred infrequently (N=4 trials). Kinematics were not significantly different from the ram—suction mode (MANOVA, Wilks' λ, F=2.05, P=0.06), although these trials tended to differ in subject and prey velocities, and ram trials tended to display larger gapes (mean GAPE: 10.02±0.87 cm) with faster angular velocities [mean GAOV: 189.12±35.01 deg. s−1, mean gape angle closing velocity (GACV): 175.79±42.42 deg. s−1]. No preparatory phase was apparent in either ram or suction feeding modes, resulting in shorter duration of feeding events (<0.5 s).
Lateral feeding trials for Pacific white-sided dolphins demonstrated that this species captured prey using ram and a small degree of suction (Fig. 1C, Table 2). Pacific white-sided dolphins were frequently observed to utilize more than one gape cycle to fully ingest prey (48.4% of trials), which represented ram capture, followed by additional gape cycles that incorporated suction, in which prey was manipulated. Only the first gape cycle (prey capture) was used in this analysis. Feeding was characterized by high approach velocity (mean vsubject: 81.5±8.5 cm s−1, maximum vsubject: 218.5 cm s−1). A preparatory phase without hyolingual adduction, as opposed to belugas, was observed in 45% of trials. During phase I, the jaws opened slowly, and after maneuvering for orientation, the jaws began to open rapidly (Fig. 2; mean GAOV: 248.4±22.1 deg. s−1, maximum GAOV: 713.0 deg. s−1). At this time, the anterior lips were slightly pursed, and the lateral lips occluded approximately 50% of the total jaw length. This is a surprising finding given that long-snouted dolphins are typically not thought to possess this ability. Maximum gape angle (maximum GANG: 36.5 deg.) was approximately 97.2% of the biological maximum. Rapid jaw movement appeared to create a slight flow of water into the mouth that resulted in some movement of the prey toward the mouth (mean vprey: 89.3±14.5 cm s−1). An oral aperture at the anterior lips was not clearly defined as in belugas (Fig. 1D). Maximum gape was followed by maximum hyolingual depression (mean GULD: 3.4±0.3 cm), maximum prey velocity (range of vprey: 9.6-298.0 cm s−1) and fully opened lateral lips. High prey velocity was observed in some trials and indicated that some degree of suction may have been used to ingest prey. Limited suction capability during prey capture was confirmed with direct pressure recordings (see below). After prey moved into the mouth, the jaws closed rapidly (mean GACV: 226.0±26.0 deg. s−1, maximum GACV: 690.1 deg. s−1) and the hyolingual apparatus returned to its resting position. In some trials, the hyolingual apparatus was adducted farther during phase IV than its starting position during phase II. Once the anterior tips of the jaws were within a few centimeters of each other, water was expelled from the lateral margins of the mouth (hydraulic jetting) as indicated by bubbles. The lateral lips did not return to their resting position until after this time.
Pilot whales captured prey with a combination of ram and suction feeding modes only (Fig. 1E, Table 2) and did not capture prey using pure ram or suction feeding modes. Phase I was infrequently observed (16% of trials) and included hyolingual abduction followed by hyolingual adduction. Also during this phase, bubbles were expelled from the lateral lip margins, and hydraulic jetting was confirmed by direct measurement (see below). Pilot whales approached prey at a high velocity (mean vsubject: 84.8±4.3 cm s−1, range: 41.8-121.3 cm s−1). In some trials, pectoral flares were used to reduce velocity (but not stop) and maneuver as the subject approached the prey. The jaws opened slowly (mean GAOV: 94.9±6.4 deg. s−1, range: 50.2-162.2 deg. s−1) at the onset of phase II (Fig. 2). Hyolingual depression began after jaw opening and appeared to generate a flow of water that slightly drew the prey toward the mouth. The lateral lips occluded lateral gape by more than 50% of the total jaw length (mean OCC: 65.6±2.2%, range: 34.2-91.2%) and reached its minimum at maximum gape; the lateral lips rarely opened along the entire margin of the jaw. Maximum gape angle (maximum GANG: 24.2 deg.) was 61.3% of maximum biological capability, intermediate between belugas and Pacific white-sided dolphins. Synchronous opening of gape and lateral occlusion indicated that the lips were not engaged in an active pursing behavior, to seal the lateral gape for a prolonged duration, and that the proximity of the upper and lower jaws contributed solely to lateral lip occlusion. Pilot whales were the most limited in lip mobility; anterior lip pursing and an anterior oral aperture were not observed (Fig. 1F). Maximum hyolingual depression (mean GULD: 2.4±0.3 cm) occurred after maximum gape (during phase IV) and was concurrent with rapid prey movement into the mouth (mean vprey: 120.0±16.3 cm s−1, maximum vprey: 324.9 cm s−1). Some suction generation was indicated by rapid prey velocity and was confirmed with direct pressure measurements (see below). After maximum gape, water was expelled from the lateral lip margins as the jaws closed (hydraulic jetting). Duration of feeding events was relatively long (mean tDUR: 0.555±0.041 s).
Comparative kinematic analyses
Beluga (N=33 trials), Pacific white-sided dolphin (N=31 trials) and pilot whale (N=25 trials) feeding kinematics differed significantly from each other in lateral kinematics (MANOVA, Wilks' , F=2.35, P<0.0001). Gape angle (ANOVA, F=1.41, P=0.25), tvsubject (ANOVA, F=1.13, P=0.33) and GULD (ANOVA, F=3.12, P=0.0503) were the only variables that did not differ significantly among species. For the remaining 20 variables, belugas and pilot whales were more similar overall in their kinematic profile than Pacific white-sided dolphins were to either of the two other species (post hoc tests, P≤0.05). Exceptions included GAOV and tvpost, for which all species were significantly different from each other (Table 2; post hoc tests, P≤0.05). Additionally, GAPE and vpost, were similar between belugas and Pacific white-sided dolphins but significantly different from pilot whales, and vsubject and vprey were similar between Pacific white-sided dolphins and pilot whales and significantly different from belugas.
Species kinematic differences were also demonstrated through a canonical centroid plot (Fig. 3). Variables tGAPE, GAOV and tvant loaded positively and GAPE and tGANG loaded negatively onto the first canonical axis; variables tGAPE, GANG and tvpost loaded positively and GAPE, tGANG and tGAOV loaded negatively onto the second canonical axis. Together, these axes explained 93.8% of the variance among species. Species means (represented by centroids) did not overlap, and further supports the conclusion that feeding kinematics among species were significantly different. In addition, individuals within species occupied distinct kinematic space, with negligible overlap between a few beluga and Pacific white-sided dolphin individuals. Pacific white-sided dolphin and pilot whale individuals displayed heavy overlap within their respective species, indicating that these individuals generally did not vary in their lateral kinematics. Belugas were more variable among individuals, which reinforces the observed variation in feeding behaviors.
Several analyses support the conservation and coordination of a posteriorly directed 'wave of buccal expansion' among odontocetes (Summers et al., 1998; Wainwright et al., 2008). The sequence and timing of kinematics appear conserved among odontocetes (Fig. 4), with a posteriorly directed wave of expansion from the tips of the jaws through the hyolingual apparatus. Multiple variables loaded onto canonical axes (above) and provided further evidence of kinematic synchrony. Additionally, many variables were correlated (DL: 33.8%, LO: 27.3%, GM: 35.9% of possible correlations) within each species (Pearson R correlation, P 0.05), which indicates coordination of kinematics. All timing variables were positively correlated to each other in belugas (R≥0.47, P≤0.006); timing variables were also highly correlated, although to a lesser degree in Pacific white-sided dolphins and pilot whales. Gape, gape angle, angular opening and angular closing velocities were positively correlated to each other in all species (DL: R≥0.47, P≤0.007; LO: R≥0.70, P≤0.0001; GM: R≥0.38, P≤0.021). Lateral occlusion was correlated to maximum prey velocity for belugas (R=0.47, P=0.007) but to no other variables in Pacific white-sided dolphins or pilot whales (P≥0.08). Significant correlation with GULD was observed singly with vant in belugas (R=−0.41, P=0.021), vsubject in Pacific white-sided dolphins (R=0.54, P=0.002) and tvpost in pilot whales (R=0.40, P=0.048). For pilot whales, correlations between timing variables and magnitude variables were more numerous than either other species. This high degree of correlation contributed to the greater amount of overall correlation present among kinematic variables in pilot whales, and indicates that kinematic magnitude variables were more strongly dependent on timing in pilot whales than for either other species.
A RSI was calculated for belugas (N=21 trials), Pacific white-sided dolphins (N=20 trials) and pilot whales (N=24 trials; Table 2, Fig. 5). All species displayed mean suction distances that were less than mean ram distances. These distances resulted in a majority of positive RSI values that indicated a general reliance on ram feeding in all species. Five trials resulted in negative RSI values (beluga RSI: −0.181 and −0.27; Pacific white-sided dolphin RSI: −0.267; pilot whale RSI: −0.111 and −0.113). However, kinematics (see above) and direct measurements (see below) confirmed stronger suction generation in belugas than that indicated by mean RSI. Maximum suction distance (DL: 8.96 cm, LO: 7.87 cm, GM: 11.54 cm) was approximately one mouth diameter of each species. The range of ram distances varied (DL: 0.86-25.6 cm, LO: 1.78-16.85 cm, GM: 1.84-19.0 cm). No significant differences were found in mean RSI values among species (MANOVA, Wilks' λ, F=1.29, P=0.14).
A clearly defined circular oral aperture formed consistently at maximum gape for belugas (Fig. 1B) but not for Pacific white-sided dolphins or pilot whales (Table 3, Fig. 1D,F). Lateral lip occlusion in belugas allowed an oral aperture to form and dictated its size and shape. Significant differences in anterior lip shape among species were found (MANOVA, Wilks' λ, F=2.14, P<0.0001). Belugas and Pacific white-sided dolphins achieved aperture ratios ≥1.0 (circular to tall and narrow shapes) whereas pilot whales did not. Aperture ratios <1.0 were more common for Pacific white-sided dolphins (78.3% of trials) and were more representative of the typical aperture shape. Aperture width, ratio, area and circumference were significantly different among all species (post hoc tests, P≤0.05) whereas GAPE was not (post hoc tests, P=0.766), although trends were similar to those observed during lateral analyses. Therefore, variance in aperture shape (ratio, area and perimeter) probably reflected differences in pursing capability. The high degree of stereotypy displayed among frontal aperture shape variables in belugas (Table 3) suggests that aperture area and perimeter may be tightly regulated in this species. However, stereotypy was not significantly different among species (MANOVA, Wilks' λ, F=0.65, P=0.75), although belugas were the only species capable of a true pursed aperture.
Intraoral pressure generation
Suction (subambient pressure, N=412 traces) occurred more frequently than hydraulic jetting (suprambient pressure, N=75), and was observed to some degree in all species (Table 4, Fig. 6). Belugas generated the greatest subambient pressures (126 kPa). Although total duration was longest in belugas (0.356±0.01 s), rates of pressure change were greater than either other species. Pilot whale suction performance (22.9 kPa) was similar to Pacific white-sided dolphins (26.4 kPa). However, suction durations of pilot whales were intermediate to belugas and Pacific white-sided dolphins. Species were significantly different among suction variables (MANOVA, Wilks' λ, F=6.86, P<0.0001) but not hydraulic jetting variables (MANOVA, Wilks' λ, F=1.09, P=0.35). For suction timing variables, all species were significantly different from each other (post hoc tests, P<0.0001), and Pacific white-sided dolphins displayed the shortest mean total duration of events (0.146±0.008 s), with the shortest mean expansive (0.076±0.006 s) and compressive (0.070±0.004 s) durations.
A high degree of correlation was observed among pressure generation variables in all species (80% of subambient and 71% of suprambient variables; Pearson correlation, P≤0.038). Subambient pressure generation was significantly correlated to expansive phase duration in belugas (R=−0.16, P=0.023) and pilot whales (R=−0.24, P=0.005) but not in Pacific white-sided dolphins (R=0.08, P=0.451). Total duration was only correlated to subambient pressure generation in pilot whales (R=−0.19, P=0.025). Suprambient pressure generation displayed a similar pattern in correlations, except that expansive phase duration was not significantly correlated to pressure generation (R=−0.13, P=0.692), and pressure generation was significantly correlated to total duration in belugas (R=−0.54, P=0.02) and not in pilot whales (R=−0.33, P=0.302).
The use of ram and suction in odontocetes
Suction is an important component of beluga feeding behavior. When approaching prey items, belugas maintained a slow approach velocity less than 50 cm s−1 and were able to ingest prey with greater velocity than other odontocete species in this study (over 500 cm s−1). Behavioral adaptations that allow belugas to create a pursed circular aperture are clearly integral to prey capture and suction capability in belugas. This was evidenced by suction pressures similar to other mammals capable of some of the greatest subambient pressures known among vertebrates (walrus: 91.4-118.8 kPa, bearded seal: 91.2 kPa) (Fay, 1982; Kastelein et al., 1994; Marshall et al., 2008). In conjunction with the contribution of orofacial morphology, it is possible that hyolingual adduction and hydraulic jetting observed at the onset of the feeding event may also enhance suction generation by enhancing intraoral volume displacement. The strong suction generation of belugas is convergent with suction feeding actinopterygian fishes where the shape and size of the aperture regulates the velocity of water flow into the mouth, and determines the magnitude of suction generation (Wainwright and Day, 2007). The relatively small aperture area and circumference, coupled with aperture pursing ratios that indicated a circular shape, provided evidence that belugas presumably use similar mechanisms as actinopterygian fishes to modulate hydrodynamic parameters to increase suction performance.
Although belugas displayed strong evidence for the use of suction during prey capture, the importance of suction may have been underestimated by RSI measurements in this study. Beluga feeding behavior may not always have a suction component, as indicated by the presence of pure ram feeding trials; ram feeding was also supported by RSI. However, suction is effective over limited distances (Svanback et al., 2002; Wainwright and Day, 2007), which results in prey movement due to suction that is limited and less variable (Wainwright et al., 2001). Kinematic analyses confirmed that the highest velocity prey movements were observed after belugas slowed forward velocity to near zero. Additionally, feeding events with varying ram distances can have the same RSI with proportional suction, resulting in RSI values that are incapable of describing true suction and ram performance (Wainwright et al., 2001). Ram in belugas was probably utilized to bring the subject closer to the prey, at which point direct pressure measurements indicated that prey were exposed to substantial suction forces. Evidence suggests that in the wild, belugas frequently consume benthic or concealed prey (Seaman et al., 1982; Dahl et al., 2000; Barros and Clarke, 2002) and, in this circumstance, suction performance may be of great importance. The presence of the substrate can enhance the distance across which suction is effective (Nauwelaerts et al., 2008). It is possible that suction feeding may be of consistently greater importance during benthic prey capture in belugas than indicated in this study.
Pacific white-sided dolphins
The primary feeding mode of Pacific white-sided dolphins in this study was definitively ram. Pacific white-sided dolphins approached prey items at high velocity (up to 220 cm s−1) with a large gape angle that was ~100% of maximum capability. While a large gape may increase drag exerted on the subject and affect feeding performance, delayed jaw opening in Pacific white-sided dolphins may limit this effect. Additionally, fast approach velocities indicate that this potential increase in drag does not affect their ability to maintain high speed during prey capture. Feeding events were rapid and may reflect a need to rapidly herd and capture elusive schooling prey in natural environments, as demonstrated in some actinopterygian fishes (Wainwright et al., 2001). The low anterior lip aperture ratios of Pacific white-sided dolphins demonstrate that they do not purse their lips as well as belugas, although some lip pursing was observed from the lateral perspective. In some trials, prey was captured before maximum gape occurred, indicating that Pacific white-sided dolphins did not always rely on jaw closure to capture prey. Surprisingly, the lip margins did not fully open until after maximum gape, a behavior that indicated a limited capability to purse the anterior and lateral lips, which partially occluded lateral gape. This was an unexpected finding in a presumed ram feeding odontocete and underscores the need for direct kinematic and physiological measurements of feeding modes. This ability is evidence that Pacific white-sided dolphins are capable of limited suction capability, which was confirmed by the maximum in vivo subambient pressure measurement of 26 kPa; a harbor porpoise generated up to 40 kPa of subambient pressure (Kastelein et al., 1997). In contrast to belugas, the evidence from this study suggests that rapid gape opening is likely to be the primary mechanism by which Pacific white-sided dolphins can generate suction. This suction capability was most likely used to compensate for rapid approach velocities, to manipulate the orientation of prey within the mouth or to transport prey from the jaws to the oropharynx.
Pilot whales
Pilot whales in this study utilized a combination of suction and ram feeding modes with indiscrete components, as opposed to belugas. Some adaptations for suction generation were observed, which are supported by direct observations of suction use by pilot whales in captivity (Brown, 1962; Werth, 2000a). The hyolingual preparatory phase was similar to that observed in belugas. During phase I, water was often expelled at the lip margins, a hydraulic jetting behavior thought to enhance suction generation. Although approach velocity was similar to Pacific white-sided dolphins (85 cm s−1), pilot whales were also able to slow their forward velocity with pectoral flippers, similar to belugas. Gape was limited to ~60% of the maximum capability, which effectively occluded some lateral gape and probably compensated for a lack of anterior lip pursing capability. Unlike Pacific white-sided dolphins, gape and lateral occlusion opened in synchrony, and no changes in morphology (pursing) occurred. Pilot whales in this study performed similarly to previously published pilot whale kinematics (Werth, 2000a).
Despite evidence for suction generation, pilot whales in this study relied more heavily on ram than belugas. Slow prey velocity (half that of belugas) and fast approach velocity contributed to an RSI indicative of ram. Although lateral gape was partially occluded, pilot whales were the least able to create a circular anterior mouth aperture, which may influence their dependence on ram. However, pilot whales were more similar to suction specialized belugas in kinematics, and were capable of generating a slight degree of subambient pressure. Due to low angular opening velocities observed in pilot whales, this suction capability is likely to be a result of hyolingual depression and not rapid jaw opening. However, hyolingual depression did not differ among belugas, Pacific white-sided dolphins or pilot whales, which reinforces the importance of orofacial morphology to suction generation (Bloodworth and Marshall, 2007; Werth, 2007). Maximum subambient pressure values of pilot whales (23 kPa) resembled Pacific white-sided dolphins, and was also less than a harbor porpoise (Kastelein et al., 1997), although kinematics indicated that pilot whales were more similar to belugas in feeding mode. However, in retrospect, pilot whale pressure traces may be misleading. Werth noted that food items were captured by means of laterally directed suction in rehabilitating pilot whales (Werth, 2000a). Futhermore, in the wild pilot whales primarily consume squid (Gannon et al., 1997b; Gannon et al., 1997a), and teuthophagy in odontocetes is presumed to be related to suction feeding behavior (Werth, 2000b). It is possible that if pressure measurements had been collected at the lateral sides of the mouth, this study might have measured greater subambient pressures. Future studies of pilot whale feeding performance should test this functional hypothesis.
Comparisons with other vertebrates
A major finding of this study is that a greater diversity in suction generation mechanisms exists among odontocetes than previously thought. Based on the kinematic data, belugas generate subambient pressure through increased intraoral volume coupled with hyolingual depression and retraction and not by rapid jaw movements. Additionally, belugas adducted the hyoid (and presumably the tongue) just prior to the onset of feeding events (Phase I), which probably functions to remove residual water from the oral cavity and maximize the volume change at the onset of hyolingual depression. Similar behaviors reported in other suction feeding specialists (Lauder, 1980b; Marshall et al., 2008) support this hypothesis. Results from previous mammalian suction performance studies indicate that faster hyolingual and jaw kinematics are associated with suction (Kastelein et al., 1997; Werth, 2000a; Bloodworth and Marshall, 2005; Marshall et al., 2008). This relationship is also prominent among teleosts, with an extreme case represented by sygnathids (de Lussanet and Muller, 2007; Van Wassenbergh et al., 2008; Van Wassenbergh et al., 2009). However, in this study, belugas exhibited some kinematics that were more similar to ram feeding bottlenose dolphins, and that may result from a suite of varied morphological and behavioral specializations for suction generation in belugas. Lateral occlusion and pursing behaviors of belugas are likely to be as important as hyolingual depression and fast jaw movements to generate suction, and may contribute to a broader repertoire of feeding behaviors in odontocetes than previously thought.
Suction generation is tightly coupled with the physical properties of the medium, resulting in conservation of kinematics among elasmobranchs (Wilga and Motta, 1998), actinopterygians (Lauder, 1980a; Lauder, 1982), salamanders (Reilly and Lauder, 1990; Deban and Wake, 2000) and aquatic turtles (Lauder and Prendergast, 1992). Furthermore, the coordination of kinematic sequence and timing is critical for maximum suction generation (Holzman et al., 2007). The kinematic events of odontocetes in this study were similarly conserved, and all species utilized a posteriorly directed 'wave of buccal expansion' that has been observed in all suction feeding vertebrate lineages (Lauder and Shaffer, 1985; Gillis and Lauder, 1994; Summers et al., 1998; Wilga and Motta, 1998; Sanford and Wainwright, 2001; Motta et al., 2002; Carroll and Wainwright, 2003). In teleosts, the progression of expansion from the anterior jaws to the gills coordinates maximum flow velocity with maximum gape (Bishop et al., 2008). This pattern may be especially beneficial to obligate bidirectional flow suction feeders, including odontocetes. Lateral gape occlusion is a common behavioral adaptation of suction feeders, including odontocetes and pinnipeds (Werth, 2000a; Bloodworth and Marshall, 2005; Marshall et al., 2008). The non-kinetic mammalian skull constrains lateral occlusion but this function can be taken on by the oral lips in a behavior analogous to lateral gape occlusion via labial cartilages of elasmobranchs (e.g. Motta and Wilga, 1999), lip membranes in teleost fishes (e.g. Ferry-Graham et al., 2008) and the labial lobes of aquatic salamanders (e.g. Deban and Wake, 2000). Lateral gape occlusion in odontocetes, particularly in belugas, probably functions to create a small, circular anterior aperture to increase the flow of water into the mouth, as in teleosts (Wainwright and Day, 2007).
Typically, teleost suction feeders generate a flow of water in front of the mouth that is either high velocity or high volume (Holzman et al., 2008). This dichotomy is exemplified by bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus), with high velocity water flow and greater accuracy, and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), which ingest a larger volume of water and have a greater ram component to their feeding mode (Higham et al., 2006a). Suction generation by belugas was analogous to bluegill suction feeding. Both exhibit a relatively small gape and high subambient pressure values that indicated a high velocity water flow (Higham et al., 2006b; Wainwright and Day, 2007). The capability to restrict gape indicates not only that belugas can generate a higher velocity flow of water into the mouth but that belugas probably direct suction force toward the prey for greater accuracy. Alternatively, ram feeding by Pacific white-sided dolphins was analogous to feeding in largemouth bass. Pacific white-sided dolphins typically captured prey with a greater ram component although some suction was observed. The inability to form a small, restricted aperture, as well as the weak subambient pressure generated, indicate that Pacific white-sided dolphins probably displace a greater volume of water at a slower velocity and are not as accurate. However, direct comparisons of intraoral volume change to teleosts with unidirectional suction flow should be made with caution.
Belugas, Pacific white-sided dolphins and pilot whales employ varying degrees of suction and ram to capture prey that result from kinematic differences among species. Belugas generated suction pressures in excess of 100 kPa and were also able to purse their anterior lips to occlude lateral gape and create a small, circular anterior aperture, a behavior that was not performed as efficiently or consistently in the other species. Both Pacific white-sided dolphins and pilot whales were able to generate a slight degree of suction, which was probably compensatory or used during prey manipulation. The suction generation mechanism of marine mammals appears to result from hyolingual displacement or rapid jaw movement, and may also benefit from lip pursing behaviors. Odontocete feeding behaviors are more diverse than previously thought. However, kinematics are conserved and converge on the high velocity vs high volume paradigm apparent in other suction feeding vertebrates. Other behaviors, such as lateral gape occlusion and utilization of a posteriorly directed 'wave of buccal expansion', are also convergent with more basal vertebrate taxa, and further demonstrate the ubiquity of suction feeding across aquatic vertebrates.
Our gratitude extends toward the trainers and staff of SeaWorld of Texas and SeaWorld of California, including C. Cureau, M. Boucher, C. White, B. Hoffman, D. Anderson and K. Burtis, for their support, assistance, and insight into feeding behaviors. We thank Drs A. Werth, B. Würsig, A. Quigg, T. DeWitt, and an anonymous reviewer for their valuable comments and suggestions. Funding for travel was provided by the Erma Lee and Luke Mooney Graduate Student Travel Grant to E.A.K., as well as the Department of Marine Biology of Texas A&M University.
- © 2009.


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Max Plansky was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was 9 months old. As a young child, he and his father spent time on basketball courts with college players. Max loved it. But when it came time to get an education he lost contact with the basketball court. His educational plan focused on a range of special education activities along with regular curriculum and students in those courses. Max is not able to communicate like others and uses a
wheelchair, but he knew things had changed and showed his disappointment in a variety of ways such as withdrawing, getting sick with stays in the hospital, and temper tantrums.
As Max turned 14 years, his dad, Michael pushed the school to add community transition programs that would help Max. Through a group called "Team Impact", Mike connected Max with the Northeastern basketball team and Max's entire demeanor changed. Max has sports in his blood, and Northeastern coach Bill Coen and the team welcomed him "He's an official team member," Northeastern coach Bill Coen was quoted in the Boston Globe. "We had a national letter-of signing for him, he's been a part of the team, he comes to practice — snow days included — he's in the locker room pre-game, post-game. He wins and loses with us."
Today he continues with a regular role with the Northeastern Huskies and this year, he began a sports blog. With some high tech computer equipment developed by a Northeastern professor and a student, Max is doing things his dad didn't think possible. He no longer is having annual trips to the hospital and he is growing emotionally too. Max will still require supports to address his disability, but he and his family have set high, yet realistic expectations.
Learn more here

subset: commoncrawl


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Matt Montagne Fine Art
About Matt and Judy
Where Matt's art is displayed...
To Reach Us
Pricing and Ordering
Matt's Art Bio
ONGOING NOW-THIS WEEK! Plein Air Fest Sale www.wildlifeartevents.org
Newest Paintings for sale
Paintings for sale: Wildlife
Paintings for sale: Teton, Jackson Hole, Bozeman and Yellowstone area
Paintings for sale: Maui and The Islands
Paintings For Sale: Other subjects
Sculpture for sale: Bronze Sculpture
Prints for sale: Limited Edition Giclee Prints
Awards, Honors and Recognition
2020 Archive of MOS Maui Open Studio, held on Feb 22,23
2018 Art Maui
Art In Progress
Gallery of Sold Paintings
Judy's Photo Gallery - just for fun!
Daily 1 Hr Painting Studies 2008
52 weekly paintings of Jackson Hole Outdoors
Painting Here And There
ONGOING NOW-THIS WEEK! Plein Air Fest Sale www.wildlifeartevents.org
Guest Book
Share Page:
In addition to painting with many artist friends, Matt has taken professional painting and sculpture workshops with Greg McHuron, Kathy Wipfler, Jim Wilcox, T. Allen Lawson, Skip Whitcomb, Rip Caswell, David Wade and Philippe Ferrault. Matt has participated in numerous "Quick Draws" as part of the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival and "Plein Air Festival" at the National Museum of WIldlife Art, Casper Petroleum Club, Wild Horse Festival Art Show, "Guest Artist" at Grand Teton National Park Craig Thomas Visitors Center ...Completion of 366 Daily 1 Hr. Painting Studies for 2008 (2007) Featured Show with Martin Hagen at Ciao Gallery ... "Kuau Bay" juried into Plein Air Painters of Hawaii Show at Maui Hands (2006) - "Peoples' Choice" Award - Jackson Hole Paintout - Completion of "Jackson Hole Ski Area" sculpture. - Plein Air Painters of Hawaii Juried Show at Viewpoints Gallery in Makawao, HI. - "Soul to Soul" figure show at Trio Gallery, Jackson, Wyoming) (2005 - Matt's Bison Sculpture, "Majestic Wanderer" presented in Austria by Mayor Mark Barron of Jackson, Wyoming, to the Mayor and City Council of Lienz, Austria as the official "Sister City" gift (2003 - "Special Recognition Award" in the Great Makawoa Paintout at View Points Gallery in Maui, HI) (2001 - Began painting with the Maui Plein Air Painting Group) (1989-92 - Numerous painting shows at River Rock Gallery, Jackson, Wyoming) (1987 - Began painting with friend and mentor T. Allen Lawson) (1987 - Inspired into painting while viewing the "Top 100" of the first annual national "Arts For The Parks" banquet in Jackson, Wyoming) (1970's - Matt had a small business carving elk antler jewelry in Bozeman, MT) - Graduate of Dartmouth College in Earth Sciences and Environmental Studies and competitive skier in cross country and ski jumping.
© Matt and Judy Montagne.
© Kodexio ™ 2020


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Laughing Cat Productions is the 'big sister' of Laughing Cat Creative, and the origin of our company name.
Beginning as a theatre collective in late 2006, Laughing Cat Productions evolved into a film-focused production company in 2009. We have written and produced original theatre shows, short and feature films, documentary series, and digital shorts, as well as co-producing crowdfunding campaigns, comedic sketches, webseries, and even live events. While our Creative division focuses on producing work for our awesome clients, our Productions division tells original fictional stories through an inquisitive and passionate female-centric lens.
Many new exciting projects from our studio are in the works, so stay tuned! Details about those projects will be shared on our Facebook page as they happen. Selected complete projects will be added to this site's dropdown menu, so feel free to check back often to see what we're up to.
Find Us On:


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Grilled Tuna Steak with Triple Peppercorn Sauce and Crispy Red Onions
April 10, 2014
Dinner, Grilling, Seafood
Serves: 4
Green Peppercorn Cognac Sauce
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 medium Spanish onion, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 medium carrot, peeled and coarsely chopped
½ stalk celery, coarsely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
2 teaspoons sugar
2 cloves garlic coarsely chopped
2 cups cognac
6 cups heavy cream
1 tablespoon green peppercorns in brine, drained
1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, add the onion, carrot and celery, season with salt and pepper and cook until soft, about 10 minutes. Increase the heat to high, add the peppercorns and sugar and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden brown and caramelized, about 10 minutes longer. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
2. Stir in the cognac, making sure to scrape up all of the caramelized bits on the bottom of the pan and cook until completely reduced. Add the cream, bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low and slowly cook, stirring occasionally, until cooked to a sauce consistency about 1 ½ cups, about 40 minutes. Stir in the peppercorns and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and keep warm over very low heat.
Pink Peppercorn Dressing
½ cup clover honey
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish, drained
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon pink peppercorns, finely crushed
Whisk together the honey, mustard, horseradish, salt and pink peppercorns. Let dressing sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
Crispy Red Onions
1 medium red onion, peeled and cut into ¼ inch thick rings
2 cups AP flour, plus ¼ cup
2 cups buttermilk
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1.Heat the oil in your deep fryer to 365 degrees F or heat 1 quart of canola oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until it reaches 365 degrees on a deep fry thermometer. Line a baking sheet with layers of paper towels, set aside.
2. Put the onions in a large bowl, season with a little salt and pepper and toss with ¼ cup of the flour and set aside.
3. Put the remaining 2 cups of flour in a small baking dish and season with salt and pepper. Put the buttermilk in a small baking dish and season with salt and pepper. Remove the onions from the bowl and tap off excess flour, dip the rings in batches, in the buttermilk and then dredge in the seasoned flour. Tap off excess flour and fry the rings, in batches until golden brown and crisp. Remove the fried onions to paper-towel lined baking sheet and sprinkle with salt.
Grilled Tuna
¼ cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped black peppercorns
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
Kosher salt
Canola oil
4 tuna fillets (each 10 ounces)
Parsley sprigs, for garnish
1.Preheat grill or grill pan to high heat. Stir together the parsley, peppercorns, oil and honey in a small bowl. Remove the tuna from the refrigerator 15 minutes before grilling to allow the center to cool slightly .
2. Brush the tuna on both sides with the canola oil and season with salt. Place on the grill and cook until golden brown and charred on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Flip over, brush with the parsley oil and continue grilling for 1 minute for rare, 2 minutes for medium rare.
3. Drizzle some of the green peppercorn sauce on the bottom of the plate, top with tuna fillet, parsley side up, top each fillet with a few of the fried onion rings and drizzle with the pink peppercorn dressing; garnish with parsley sprigs.


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Why Do I Need Boat Insurance All Year Long?
If you are like most people, you are always looking for ways to save money. Maybe you pack your lunch for work or maybe you are an expert at using coupons to reduce your grocery bill. Do you always shop the after-Christmas sales? Maybe you are just willing to cut back on certain expenses.
Saving money is satisfying and useful, which is why it may be tempting to cancel your boat insurance during the winter months. Don't make this costly mistake. You may temporarily save a bit on insurance premiums, but you'll risk huge expenses down the road.
Year-Round Insurance May Be Required
Boats are expensive investments. If you financed your boat instead of paying for everything upfront, your lender may require you to carry insurance all year long. A lender needs to protect their investment in the winter months as well as during the summer.
You Can't Rely On Your Homeowners Policy
Your homeowners policy may cover some of your property, but you can't rely on it if you lose your boat. Many homeowners policies only cover small boats like canoes and wouldn't cover the cost of replacing a larger boat. It is also important to remember that a homeowners policy might not cover your liability if someone is injured on your boat.
Year-Round Insurance Doesn't Have To Be Costly
Remember, you can still get affordable insurance all year long. Most insurance providers adjust premium rates to account for the fact that your boat won't be in use for part of the year. Don't be afraid to talk to your insurer about reducing costs in the off-season—there are options that won't leave you unprotected.
The Risk Of Loss Is Just As High During The Off-Season
Your insurance policy covers more than just damage that happens on the water. It is there to protect you against fires, thefts, and vandalism. Unfortunately those are all year-round problems. A theft may even be more likely to happen when the boatyard is unattended in the winter than during the busy summer months. Don't risk being unprotected.
Saving money is a worthy goal, but don't risk a huge financial loss. Keep your property insured all year long to protect your investment and keep your boat ready for summer fun.


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Indian digital content creators relatively unaffected following YouTube fiasco: Experts
The fallout of YouTube with advertisers has been especially problematic for content creators. However, the effect in India seems to have been muted, feel experts
The fallout of YouTube with advertisers has been especially problematic for content creators. According to reports, many of YouTube's most popular content creators have taken a hit when it comes to revenues.
For example, YouTube star and the highest paid celebrity on YouTube last year, PewDiePie, on Monday posted a video lambasting the new YouTube ad policies and claiming that more than a third of his videos have been demonetised. He is now launching a new weekly show on rival gaming video platform, Twitch.
Just this week, YouTube announced that it would not place ads on channels that have less than 10,000 views, as part of its continuing crusade against the type of content that put in this spot in the first place.
However, Indian content creators still seem to have been more or less insulated from the new measures. The reasons for this could be due to the type of content usually created in India as well as the fact that programmatic advertising is still not as mainstream here as it is in other countries.
According to Hitesh Chawla, Founder and CEO of SilverPush, "We have certainly witnessed the ripple effects of the global developments which have recently come to the forefront. This is especially prominent in the case of the FMCG and F&B segment in India. At the same time, there has been a rise of other OTT apps and video platforms that are fuelling in our market, each of them eyeing a share of the video advertising pie."
When asked whether Indian content creators are getting affected, he said, "Content creators are certainly facing the heat but not in India. The impact is lot higher in global market. There are specific reasons behind this trend. Firstly, the curation of content by creators in India is not limited to YouTube. YouTube monetisation is smaller, as compared to global average standards. Unlike global markets, Indian content creators need a larger percentage of initial investment and resources in order to gain similar kind of traction that ad revenues tend to produce. More importantly, the recent announcement of new ad formats launched by Facebook on mid-roll unit being tested around video inventory is will foster creativity, innovation and compelling content coming out by creators hosted on Facebook."
Subrat Kar, Co-founder at Vidooly, also said that according to their research, the damage has not been as intense in India. "If you look at the names of the big brands that have pulled out their ads from YouTube, you can see that almost half of them do not focus on the Indian market. Brands such as Wal-Mart Stores, Starbucks, AT&T, Verizon focus mainly on the American and the British market for their ads," he said.
He admitted that there has been a slight dip in the revenue of some of the top Indian creators but said that it would be wrong to ascribe this solely to the advertising boycott.
"This dip is in fact seasonal since this is the beginning of a new financial year and the CPM rates do get affected during this time of the year as brands are busy chalking out their media buying plans for the season ahead. I believe that the controversy will probably die out in a few months if not weeks as Google has already started taking measures by revising its ads policies," he explained.
Amit Doshi, Founder of Indus Vox Media, opined that all stakeholders were now going to figure out how placement (of ads) should occur in the future. He noted that the crux of the issue was programmatic or algorithmic advertising and not customised brand stories. Here it should be remembered that branded content forms a much higher proportion of revenues for most India content creators.
"Oversight is always important. I think what is happened is the tools for placing large ad spends at a granular level have outpaced the processes required to monitor what is happening to the various spends. This is a challenge and will require agencies to retool their placement and measurement processes but the tools to do this mostly exist," he said.
Ashwin Suresh, Co-Founder of Pocket Aces, also said that they have not seen any drop in CPM across their network.
"I understand the position advertisers are in, and agree that there needs to be oversight on ad spends. However, that is a hard problem to solve at scale so I expect it to be a while before YouTube is able to address it in an effective manner. YouTube does, however, make it easy for advertisers to bid on premium channels which are genre-specific or have a long history of brand-friendly content; I believe that advertisers should leverage that ability to place their creatives on premium, trustworthy channels until YouTube figures out a longer term solution. Similar to the arguments being made by television channels in the days after these incidents, this also highlights an increasing need for brands to shift their spends towards native advertising campaigns or content sponsorship campaigns where the content quality and brand-fit are assured and engagement is always much higher," he further said.
WhatsApp, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook & Youtube


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Just received the ill-timed new copy of Advertising Age's Creativity. It's titled "The Comedy Issue" with "King of Comedy" Cliff Freeman on the cover.
Editor Stefano Hatfield's introductory notes make reference to "Xtreme" humor and heightened violence that "negates the impact of that violence."
Of course, he wrote those insensitive words long before we witnessed the heartbreaking impact of real extreme violence on live television.
In light of this week's continuing nightmare, it's now a question of when advertisers will return to the air and with what kind of messages.
The Chicago Tribune reports that Sears and BP oil have pulled recently launched campaigns and other advertisers are weighing whether advertising during this tragic time is appropriate.
Considering the fact that ad spending is already depressed and the "first war of the 21st Century" has just begun, the "Comedy Issue" could be a collector's item.


text: Product Description A simple yet graceful shape creates for a timeless style that will look right at home in any living room, whilst soft velvety fabrics give the Oxford an added element of luxury. Will it fit?In order to make sure your sofa fits through the door and into the right room, please remember to measure your space before you order! This is an Extra Choice product. Please see the Extra Choice information within customer services for more details. UK made for highest quality Solid hardwood frame for extra durability High back cushions for added support and comfort 10 year frame guarantee


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Put down the damn phone!
Twenty years ago, relationships were much easier: There weren't the same games, men respected women, and it was just plain easier. With the invention of the internet, social media has become so prevalent that it arguably dictates the way people live. Dating is only official if you put it on Facebook. Mondays and Wednesdays are dedicated to your man or woman crush. This increase of importance on online self and online relationships can cause problems in real-life relationships. Here are some problems we've found that could only exist in this day and age.
Have you ever experienced one of these problems?
Internet Jealousy
She's jealous, bro.
So Much Fun
Because if it didn't happen on FB, did it really happen at all?


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By Sherri Ellington
Community members and organizations that want to take part in the new LamarGives365 fundraising project could see their money doubled. A group of anonymous donors have agreed to match the total donations.
So, far, 68 donors have signed up. The matching grant was offered when there were 47 donors so the next 26 will be matched. There will be a kickoff event Oct. 2 at the Depot Plaza from 5-7 p.m. It will be the last day to sign up.
Give to 365 and donation will be matched
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Year-Round Juicy Fruit Gifts Are Life's Sweetest Pleasures
This fresh fruit club members receive flavorful fruit every month— even during the winter.
Hand-picked at the peak of flavor fresh from orchards and fields around the world, your monthly fruit gifts are sent directly to your doorstep just the way nature intended. With fruit ripened to perfection and bursting with sweet, juicy goodness, this is the fruit club for those who enjoy life's sweetest pleasures.
Whether you enjoy your monthly fruit selections yourself or send as a gift to friends or family, we're confident you'll be 100% satisfied.
- Five pounds of fruit with 2 varieties, delivered monthly
- Fresh, organically grown fruit, picked and shipped same day
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- Free, personalized Fruit Club gift letter
- Free Fruit Expeditions monthly newsletter subscription
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Free shipping every month
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
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China's Chang'e-4 lander and rover are in good shape following a cold spell on the Moon. They were put to sleep as night fell roughly two weeks ago at the Von Kármán crater landing site.
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced on Thursday that the lander woke up at 8:39 pm Wednesday. The rover, Yutu 2 (Jade Rabbit 2), awoke at about 8:00 pm Tuesday.
A lunar day equals 14 days on Earth, and a lunar night is the same length.
Relay satellite connection
CNSA also noted that communication and data transmission between Earth ground control and the farside hardware via the relay satellite Queqiao (Magpie Bridge) are stable.
Both the lander and the rover ended the dormant mode automatically according to the elevation angle of sunlight now available at Von Kármán crater in the South Pole-Aitken Basin. Furthermore, key instruments have started to work.
Presently, the rover is located about 60 feet (18 meters) northwest of the lander.
Farside temps
As reported by China's Xinhua news service: "According to the measurements of Chang'e-4, the temperature of the shallow layer of the lunar soil on the farside of the Moon is lower than the data obtained by the U.S. Apollo mission on the near side of the Moon," said Zhang He, executive director of the Chang'e-4 probe project, from the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST).
"That's probably due to the difference in lunar soil composition between the two sides of the moon. We still need more careful analysis," Zhang added.
Deep plunge
The lander and rover are outfitted with a radioisotope heat source.
The lander was also equipped with an isotope thermoelectric cell and dozens of temperature data collectors to measure the temperatures on the surface of the Moon during the lunar night, the Xinhua story notes.
China's Global Television Network (CGTN) reports the first night's temperature detection data, the temperature on the lunar surface plunged to a minimum of minus 190 degrees Celsius during the night.
Go to this CCTV News Agency video at:
3 Responses to "China's Chang'e-4 Farside Mission: Cold Spell Survivors"
the lander will find colder dirt it's on the dark side of the moon I enjoy reading about this kind of news next they'll be on the moon with people and can control the Earth??? We better get back on the moon quick
Nice work!!! Congratulations
Too bad the camera was low resolution–it would have made for some spectacular finds on the rock formations due to heat and cold fluctuations.
You made several nice points there. I did a search on the issue and found the majority of folks will consent with your blog.


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Details: 1 cup, magnetic bottom suitable for induction cooking
Material: stainless steel
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Free shipping above 69€ in Italy. €.
All packs are tracked and you can always check when your purchase is going to be delivered.
If you change your mind don't worry: you can easily return your product and have a refund.Retuns and refunds


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Via Geekologie:
This is the $20 Mitten Flask. It's a pair of mittens with a 3-ounce (5-ounces too small) flexible flask hidden inside the palm of the left-hand mitten, with a bite-valve at the thumb. That sucks because 1. I'm left-handed and would prefer the flask be in the right mitten, which 2. they could have avoided by making the mittens ambidextrous, but 3. really should have just put a flask in both.


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Woof! Your Captions for Sutter the Corgi
Last week, I shared the story of a California corgi on a road trip to spread the word about spaying and neutering.
California Gov. Jerry Brown's dog, Sutter, traveled with our senior state director Jennifer Fearing from Sacramento to Los Angeles—where they joined the governor and other notable public figures to promote California's new spay/neuter license plate, which will fund programs to reduce pet overpopulation in the state.
Many of you sent in creative captions about what Sutter might have to say, and here are a few of my favorites:
"Golden State, don't overpopulate! Buy Sutter's awesome license plate!" ―B. Sheehan
"Turn left, please. I said turn left. Right now, before it's too late for my treats!" ―Liz Conley
"Road trip! Road trip! I bet I can spot more new spay/neuter license plates than you. Don't forget to buckle me in, though." ―Charlotte Anne Bond
"Recycle love; adopt a shelter dog/cat!" ―Kim Kempton
"Just saying, I did it and so can you. Spay and neuter and you'll be cuter! And…you will save lives." –Lynn Gillespie
"Arf! Let's roll!" ―Joanne Hedge
And here are a few more snapshots from the rest of Sutter and Jennifer's trip:


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Correcting Deck Stain Color
When you apply a semi-transparent stain to your wood deck, the result may appear quite different than the color on the label. After the pigments in the stain blend with the existing color in the wood, you can end up with a color substantially darker, browner or redder than you expected. You can correct the color either by topping the deck with another type of stain, or by bleaching the existing stain away and trying a different colored stain.
Solid Color Stains
The quickest and easiest way to fix your deck's color is by applying a solid color stain. These types of exterior stains provide a completely predictable and uniform color over the entire deck. Solid stains conceal the normal color variations of the wood's grains and veins, while highlighting the wood's natural texture.
Wood Bleach
As an alternative, you can apply one of several varieties of deck strippers or bleaches to your miscolored deck. First, test the stripping product on a small area to check it for effectiveness. Then apply the deck stripper or bleach to the entire deck according to the manufacturer's directions. Rinse the deck thoroughly using a pressure washer or garden hose, and allow the surface to dry completely. Follow up by testing a different semi-transparent stain on a small area of your deck. When you achieve the color you want, apply it to the whole deck.
Photo Credits
- fallbrook/iStock/Getty Images


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ZTE made headlines at the recently concluded Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017 in Barcelona for the 5G-enabled Gigabit concept phone it unveiled which is said to have download speeds of up to 1GBps.
Aside from the innovative device, ZTE also took the wraps off two of its mid-range smartphones dubbed as the ZTE Blade V8 Lite and ZTE Blade V8 Mini. Although both smartphones are mid-rangers, the Blade V8 Lite comes with a lighter price tag while the V8 Mini features a dual camera setup at the back.
ZTE Blade V8 Mini
On the specs angle, the ZTE Blade V8 Mini comes with a 5-inch HD display and is fired up by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 processor clocked at 1GHz backed by 2GB of memory. The graphics are powered by an Adreno 505 GPU. There is an adequate 16GB of internal storage, which can be ramped up to a maximum of 256GB via microSD.
In terms of camera, the Blade V8 Mini packs a dual camera setup at the rear comprised of a 13MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth of field sensor. The rear camera comes with features such as bokeh effect, post-capture focusing, automatic HDR and a 3D shooting mode. Up front, there is a 5MP selfie camera with LED flash for illumination. Furthermore, there is a 2800mAh battery under the hood keeping the lights on. The smartphone also packs a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor and runs Android 7.0 Nougat-based Mifavor 4.2.
According to ZTE's itinerary, the Blade V8 Mini will first launch in European and Asian markets sometime in Spring. The price has not been disclosed yet.
Read: Vivo V5 Lite launched in the Philippines, priced at Php9,990
ZTE Blade V8 Lite
The ZTE Blade V8 Lite comes with a 5-inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. The phone is powered by an octa-core MediaTek 6750 processor as against the Snapdragon SoC on the V8 Mini. Complementing the processor is a 2GB RAM while there is also 16GB of expandable storage onboard the V8 Lite. The phone runs on Android 7.0 Nougat with ZTE's Mifavor 4.2 on top.
As for the camera, the ZTE Blade V8 Lite comes with an 8MP rear camera with autofocus and LED Flash, as well as a 5MP front camera for selfies. ZTE has crammed a 2500mAh battery inside the smartphone which also has a dimensional measurement of 143 x 71 x 8mm. The V8 Lite also comes equipped with lots of connectivity features and there is a fingerprint sensor at the back of the device.
The Blade V8 Lite will hit markets in Italy, Germany, and Spain first. Meanwhile, Asia Pacific and European markets will get it later on. Both the smartphones run on Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box, along with ZTE's Mifavor 4.2.
Source: Anandtech


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Organization Moving Services in Northern VA
The most important element in a move is organization. It is important to allow enough time to pack carefully. Begin by packing things that you are not likely to need from the attic, garage, and other storage areas. Daily necessity items should be packed last.
Organize your packing room by room, and establish a work area in each room. Always be mindful of furniture within each room that will need to be moved by the movers. Keep doorways and hallways clear to allow enough room for the movers to carry your items in and out. Be aware, however, of the room arrangement at your new residence and try to organize your packing according to those arrangements. Label the sides of all boxes with the room they will go into at your new residence.
Make sure that you have the right packing materials and that you planned for packing all the things – computers, glass items, oversize items, antiques, mattresses – that require extra care. Campbell Moving will be glad to assist you with all your packing needs from providing you with the right materials to undertaking your complete packing chores or partial packing of areas you are not comfortable with.


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Apart from making games we also provide services in the QA field with bug tracking and localization/proofreading (pt-br) for games. This may or may not include beta testing, depending on you needs.
We work under very restrictive NDAs to assure that your content is safe and will not be leave our offices and yes, we've been doing this for a few years now :).
(dating back to 2012 to be more precise).
We currently use Bugzilla and JIRA issue/bug tracking systems, a few in-company solutions and spreadsheets, dealing with communication via e-mail and VoIP softwares. If that work-flow sounds like what you where looking for, well my friend, look no more!


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Monitoring health-- tracking calories, activity, water intake and more-- is hard. Having a wearable device to do these tasks for you makes life easier. At least we thought so!
Scientists have recently released information suggesting that wearable fitness trackers are ineffective in yielding weight loss. Why is this? How can this be true? People of all fitness levels have been spotted sporting these gadgets. What has made these devices hit this sudden shortcoming?
To track or not to track, that is the question
Researchers conducted a trial comparing two groups of people attempting to lose weight-- one group relied on fitness trackers to keep track of their physical activity, while the other group tracked it themselves. At the end of the two-year study, individuals in the group that monitored themselves without fitness trackers lost an average of 13 pounds each, while users in the tracker-utilizing group only lost about 7.7 pounds each.
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), all subjects in this study were instructed to eat a low-calorie diet, exercise more, and attend group counseling. After six months, all participants were permitted to utilize telephone counseling sessions instead of in-person sessions, rely on texting alerts, and read health advice materials online. All 470 people involved in the study attended health-counseling events once a week for the first six months and then attended these sessions less frequently towards the last year and a half of the program.
After the first six months, these participants were split into two randomly divided groups. The first group (which we will refer to as Group A) was instructed to track their own food and exercise, and then were responsible for inputting their activity/eating information into an online portal themselves. Meanwhile, Group B was instructed to utilize fitness trackers and their corresponding apps to log their daily food and exercise reports throughout the day.
Trying it out myself
While the study in JAMA concluded that trackers may not help users lose weight any more than they would when following traditional weight loss steps, I needed to see what it was about trackers that made people less likely to lose weight when using them.
Today, I decided to wear my tracker from morning to night, as I usually only wear it during workouts. Would the tracker place any setbacks on me? If it did, would they be substantial enough to restrict weight loss over an extended period of time? Could I find these setbacks within a typical day of going to class, eating, and exercising? Of course, one day is short. But I was very curious to see if I could discover anything to help me figure out why trackers didn't trigger more weight loss amongst the people who use them.
With my tracker, the goal is to get to 10,000 steps before it vibrates to celebrate your accomplishment. I checked my device about ten times an hour- excited when I completed a lot of steps quickly, and upset at myself when I hadn't completed nearly enough steps as I had hoped.
I noticed when I got home I felt less motivated to go to the gym. Coming back from campus with too few steps to make me feel satisfied about myself, I felt discouraged that I hadn't been making as much progress as I'd liked, and in turn, was uninspired for a workout.
Here was the potential problem among fitness trackers (or at least my one-day experience with one): I relied so much on the device to inform me of my steps, heart rate, and burned calories that I wasn't focusing on being active and feeling well. I wasn't focusing on what matters: was I walking for a substantial amount of time? Was my heart pumping? Was I feeling healthy? And most importantly, was I living life like I would any other day, or letting the constant burden of fitness-tracking interrupt my time?
All in all, wearing a tracker was something I had always thought helped me get more active. I find it entirely possible that while these devices can certainly be helpful, they can be harmful, too. It's so easy to let a contraption on your wrist serve as a constant reminder of the healthy steps (literally) you should be taking to lose weight. However, it can also become a ubiquitous burden that obligates us to make healthy choices, leading us to resent them. Perhaps reminding ourselves to be active, eat well, drink water, and track it all ourselves at the end of the day could encourage us to lead a healthy lifestyle without being pressured to do so.
With this study now published in JAMA, popular support for fitness trackers can certainly decrease. As this study is supported by the American Medical Association, people trust the experts behind the extensive research who have discovered the minimal weight loss associated with using fitness trackers in this study. Moreover, we can predict a steady shift in more traditional ways of fitness tracking, as these methods are what helped members of Group A each lose more weight over the two-year period.
Welcome back food journals, calorie-counting applications, and wearable heart-rate monitors-- turns out they were our friends all along!
- Want This Now225
- Maybe194
- This Is The Future189
- Pipedream229


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My sources indicate two rocks were thrown but the police responded forcefully.
According to the "Al-Aqsa Foundation" in a statement Sunday, 07.14.2103 AD, about 200 settlers stormed and desecrated the Al-Aqsa Mosque in several groups, accompanied and heavily guarded by the occupation forces.
This intrusion on the eve of what they call the ninth of Av, the anniversary of destruction of the Temple, which falls on Tuesday, 16.07.2013 AD, but preceded by a day or two campaigns and activities of the publicity associated with the incursions of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. These intrusions in these three days are also expected to focus groups and Jewish organizations tents on the ground cemetery [Independence Park, i.e., the Moslem Mamilla Cemetery] in Jerusalem, calling for speeding up the building of the Temple.
The "Al-Aqsa" with the presence of hundreds of worshipers and students to revive the 'terraces science project' in the Al-Aqsa Mosque resounded and there is an atmosphere of tension and anticipation caution.
Picture credit
Official report from the Islamists.


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A,B,C's of Adoption Airfare
When to Book flights – South America Adoptions – We can hold seats for up to 2 weeks. Other countries we can hold seats for 72 hours. A hold is done as a courtesy and does not require you to purchase. By holding seats you are more likely to get a better rate.
Advance Purchase Waiver – Here at Velocity we can waive the advance purchase on many tickets. This means with only a few days prior departure we can get you a 21 day advance purchase price. This is just one way Velocity Tours & Travel saves you money.
Adopted Childs ticket, when to book – Once your return date is confirmed and have childs passport name. Children under 2 require a lap ticket. Book any time up to 24 hours prior departure. Lap tickets purhcased at the airport may cost upwards of $800. Lap tickets purchased through Velocity average $120 to $170
VISA and PASSPORT Requirements -Certain countries require visas to pass through them. When you return with your adopted child, make sure you know that he or she can travel via another country. Certain countries may require your child to have an additional visa just to connect through their country.


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The builders of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange are asking whether low compensation levels for agents and brokers who sell coverage through the exchange could hold down enrollment.
"Is it possible that substantially lower commissions for producers to sell into the exchange could jeopardize the Exchange's success?" the Maryland exchange builders asked in a request for comments.
The exchange plan management advisor committee, the committee that posted the comment form, also is asking:
- Is there reason to believe that carriers will pay producers substantially less to sell insurance inside compared to outside the exchange?
- Should the Exchange establish a requirement that carriers pay equal compensation for sales of equivalent Exchange and non-Exchange plans?
- Short of a requirement for parity in compensation, what other approaches could the Exchange take to make sure that producers are paid fairly for enrollment into the exchange?
The exchange builders also have have been taking proposals for a call center consultant and a graphic designer.
See also:


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(CBS News) As superstorm Sandy slammed into New York City Monday night, more than 10 feet of water flooded seven buildings of the NYU Langone Medical Center. The facility lost power at the height of the storm. Doctors, nurses and hospital staff sought to evacuate about 300 patients that night. And some of the tiniest evacuees -- 20 newborn babies clinging to life in the neonatal intensive care unit -- were the most at risk.
Inside NYC hospital's near disaster during Sandy
New mom Jo-An Tremblay-Shepherd said, "The power went off completely, and all of the monitors, you're seeing all these monitors here, and there's a lot of buzzing and whatnot and everything just went."
Tremblay-Shepherd's son, Jackson, born prematurely at 27 weeks, was carried in the dark by a nurse who also held his oxygen tank.
"We had to go down nine flights of stairs that were wet and had adult patients lying on the floors in like stretchers," Tremblay-Shepherd recalled. "It was pretty crazy, and all this in complete darkness."
Outside the hospital, Jeremy Donovan had come to check on his son William who was born three weeks ago with congenital heart disease. But no one would let him in. He said, "I tried to explain that I had a 3-week-old, fresh off of heart surgery, but that negotiation was fruitless."
Donovan waited outside in the driving wind and rain for two hours. Finally, a doctor escorted him inside.
He said, "We kind of jogged/ran 15 flights of stairs to his floor and got to the top of the steps and the floor was pitch black. I found my son and I found his nurse and that was kind of an awesome moment, and then we just walked down together."
A harrowing drive down dark, slick streets to hospitals that hadn't lost power followed: Mount Sinai for William, Montefiore for Jackson.
Tremblay-Shepherd said, "For (Jackson's) situation, for his age, he's doing really, really good, considering the long drive in the ambulance it took to get here."
By Tuesday morning, all of the patients at NYU Langone Medical Center were successfully evacuated to nearby hospitals. No one is more grateful for the hospital's response than the parents of those 20 infants. Donovan said, "They didn't choose the hurricane they didn't choose the power outage, but they responded perfectly to it. As a parent, it's very intense to deal with something like this with your kid, but to know he's getting the best possible care has meant the world to my wife and I and we're just really grateful."
For more on this story, watch Dr. Jon LaPook's full "CBS This Morning" report in the video above.


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FIRE ripped through a West Reading church hall, destroying the historic building and thousands of pounds worth of equipment stored inside.
More than 30 firefighters fought the flames for 45 minutes on Friday evening, but had no chance of saving St Mark's Church hall in Cranbury Road.
The hall, which is more than 140 years old, housed £5,000 worth of equipment used by the 72nd Reading Sea Scouts, all of which has been destroyed.
The alarm was raised by a church member who saw the flames at about 4.50pm.
Firefighters from Caversham Road, Dee Road, Whitley Wood, Wokingham Road and Mortimer fire stations were soon on the scene with six pumps and breathing apparatus.
Their first concern was propane and butane cylinders stored by the Sea Scouts.
Assistant divisional fire officer Barry Hayward said: "We had to cool the cylinders to make them safe.
"There could have been quite a big explosion if they had gone up."
Officer Hayward added: "But unlike, for example, acetylene, which remains unstable after it has cooled down, these cylinders just need to be cooled and then they are no longer dangerous."
The building's roof collapsed while firefighters were dousing the flames and Mr Hayward said fire crews realised at once they would be unable to save the building.
Instead they worked to ensure the fire did not spread to a second church hall, St Mark's Church and the adult education centre behind Battle Primary School.
Fire crews remained at the scene until 9.15pm making sure the fire, smothered by the fallen roof, was completely extinguished. Fire investigators will be examining the scene to establish the cause of the fire.
The hall was not used for church meetings but was used for the Sea Scouts' weekly Monday meeting and to store their tents, tables, chairs, camping equipment and laser games.
Hall secretary Barrie Newby said: "They have lost everything. It is all completely destroyed."
The Oxford Road Childminders' Group also has some equipment in the hall but this was thought to be just a few toys.
Father Charles Card-Reynolds of St Mark's Church said the tin building was first used in Farnham in Surrey in 1865 to establish a "tin tabernacle" church - a temporary building to house a congregation before a permanent church has been built.
It was moved to Berkeley Avenue in 1880 where it provided the first home for St Saviour's Church.
He said: "It was then trundled down the Oxford Road in 1889 and was the first building that St Mark's Church met in.
"There are many people in Reading who have fond memories of the building.
"It has little Gothic windows so you can see how it was once used as a church.
"During the Second World War it was used as a school for evacuee children."
None of the threatened nearby buildings were damaged, despite early radio reports that Battle Primary School was on fire.
Headmaster Alex Long said: "The school was never in any danger and the fire broke out after all the children had gone home.
"But I would like to reassure parents that the school has not been damaged in any way and it will be school as usual for the children when they come back after half-term."


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On Tuesday, 25th February the 3rd form visited the National Army Museum in London as part of their World War 1 studies. Although there is a superb exhibition on World War 1, there are also exhibits on the role of the British Army over the past few hundred years culminating in Britain's involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. The boys had the opportunity to see a range of World War 1 weapons as well as propaganda posters and even a recreation of a trench complete with its own rat! Each group also spent a session with one of the Museum expert educators analysing sources about the lives of various people involved in World War One from an officer killed at the age of 20 sat on the edge of a trench to a soldier who was the first Indian to win the Victoria Cross. The boys presented their findings to the rest of the group and even dressed one of their number in the relevant uniform. Overall, it was a fascinating day, supplementing the boys' history learning with real life examples. Thanks go to Mr Fildes for organising the trip.
To read more stories from Caldicott, take a look at our News Archive and keep an eye on our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages.