Conor Goulding is an underwater photographer who captures images of Mote Marine Laboratory's scientific research, related ocean environments and wildlife, along with the resident animals of Mote Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida. Though he makes photography look easy, it requires careful observation and knowledge of the subject, a good grasp of technology and technique, and a storyteller's mindset to get meaningful shots of science in action. In this episode, Conor tells Joe and Hayley about some of his favorite photo shoots and he offers tips for those getting into nature photography.
Check out Conor's work by visiting motemarinelab.photoshelter.com and clicking the "galleries" link to see Mote's public photo archive.
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February 13, 2018
Hayley Rutger
Celebrate African Americans' contributions to marine science during a live, online video program presented by Mote Marine Laboratory’s SeaTrek.TV and featuring Mote Aquarium Biologist Amanda Hodo.
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February 7, 2018
Shelby Isaacson
On Feb. 8, 2018, surrounded by some of southwest Florida’s most influential residents, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s President & CEO, Dr. Michael P. Crosby, made the announcement many in the area had been waiting to hear: Mote will build a spectacular new Aquarium on mainland Sarasota County.
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The beaches we visit during the day become turtle turf at night. Thousands of loggerhead sea turtles and smaller numbers of other species lay nests with 100-ish eggs apiece during southwest Florida’s yearly nesting season, May 1-Oct. 31. Melissa Bernhard, Senior Biologist with Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program — a friend to reptiles everywhere — leads local sea turtle conservation efforts with hundreds of trained volunteers who love searching for turtle crawls (tracks) at the crack of dawn. In this episode, Melissa tells Hayley and Joe what she’s learned and done through Mote’s state-permitted efforts, including night-time turtle tagging!
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February 2, 2018
Shelby Isaacson
On February 17 and 24, Mote’s education staff will be hosting professional development workshops as a part of a series for southwest Florida middle and high school teachers. This month’s sessions will highlight Florida coastal reptiles and human impacts and citizen science.
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February 1, 2018
Shelby Isaacson
On Feb. 1, Mote Marine Laboratory released eight Kemp’s ridley sea turtles from Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital. These turtles, plus a ninth Kemp’s and one green sea turtle still at Mote, came to Florida on Dec. 8 as part of a team effort to rehabilitate 46 cold-stunned turtles initially brought to the New England Aquarium (NEAQ) in Quincy, Massachusetts.
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February 1, 2018
Shelby Isaacson
Thursday, Feb. 1, Mote Aquarium's resident manatees, Hugh and Buffett, predicted the winner of the Super Bowl for the 11th year in a row.
So, who will win the big game? Well, it depends on who you ask. Buffett, who has the better record, chose the Philadelphia Eagles, while Hugh chose the New England Patriots.
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January 31, 2018
Hayley Rutger
Bowhead whales are famous for their lifespans, estimated to approach 200 years, but even the best age estimates aren’t precise for all animals in a population. Now, researchers have announced the most precise, population-wide age estimation method to date — a critical tool for better understanding and managing these protected whales.
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January 30, 2018
Shelby Isaacson
The Sarasota Bay Fisheries Forum — a group for anglers, scientists and others seeking to proactively address fisheries management and science topics in the Sarasota Bay area — is gearing up for its February meeting.
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