"Watch this amazing footage as Steve Leonard gets up close and personal with a giant octopus in the freezing sea waters. Would you be happy to get this close to an Extreme Animal with giant eys and pale blue blood? Find out now as you take a dive into this beautiful aquatic environment."
Visit this link on the Giant Pacific Octopus to learn more about the largest and longest-living species of octopus.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Octopus Gates
Octopus gates are further proof that there is no end to what can be "octofied". Check out this fun collection of octopus gates from around the web and around the world.
This beautiful octopus gate was made by Paul Gilbert, a Devon-based blacksmith. Visit PaulGilbert-Blacksmith.co.uk to see more of his work.
These little pus's are from the Hong Kong railway, where frequent travelers use an "Octopus Card" for quicker easier access.
A fabulous find in Florida!
A close-up of the octopus adorning the gate to The Globe Theatre in London.
Octopuses in Brooklyn?! Fuggedaboutit! Visit FishbeinMetalStudio.com to see more of Fishbein's gorgeous ironwork.
This super stylin' condo in Miami lists the octopus gate as one of its features to potential buyers. Quite the selling point!
Imagine being greeted by this playful octopus every time you pull up to your driveway? Sounds like fun to me!
This octopus gate was spotted by a traveler on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia.
This beautiful octopus gate was made by Paul Gilbert, a Devon-based blacksmith. Visit PaulGilbert-Blacksmith.co.uk to see more of his work.
These little pus's are from the Hong Kong railway, where frequent travelers use an "Octopus Card" for quicker easier access.
A fabulous find in Florida!
A close-up of the octopus adorning the gate to The Globe Theatre in London.
Octopuses in Brooklyn?! Fuggedaboutit! Visit FishbeinMetalStudio.com to see more of Fishbein's gorgeous ironwork.
This super stylin' condo in Miami lists the octopus gate as one of its features to potential buyers. Quite the selling point!
Imagine being greeted by this playful octopus every time you pull up to your driveway? Sounds like fun to me!
This octopus gate was spotted by a traveler on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia.Monday, March 28, 2011
Video: Blanket Octopus
This clip from Disney's "Oceans" shows the true majesty and grace of the Blanket Octopus. Read more about this fascinating species in our previous post, Species: Blanket Octopus.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Saying Goodbye to the Giant Pacific Octopus in Oregon
March 25, 2011
BeachConnection.net
(Oregon Coast) – Three distinctly different ways to have fun are popping up on the Oregon coast this coming week - all quite unlike the other, but certainly very different ways to engage in repose as well. One involves an octopus, another a lot of poetry and prose, and the third is a historical museum coming back to life. (Photo Above: a Pacific octopus - photo courtesy Seaside Aquarium).
If you grew up in Oregon, it's likely one of your more vivid memories was of the octopus near the front entrance of the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. Nope, it hasn’t been the same octopus all these years, but rather they change every nine months.
On Wednesday, March 30, staff at the Hatfield will let their latest giant Pacific octopus go free, back into the wild.
The Hatfield’s Bill Hanshumaker said Giant Pacific octopuses have a short life span of about just a few years.
The giant pacific octopus dies shortly after reproducing – so this is one heck of a last hurrah.
The crowds will gather at Yaquina Bay's South Jetty at 10:30 a.m. to wave goodbye. Newport, Oregon.
(O)(o)(O)(o)(O)>
Visit the link to learn more about Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Center.
BeachConnection.net
(Oregon Coast) – Three distinctly different ways to have fun are popping up on the Oregon coast this coming week - all quite unlike the other, but certainly very different ways to engage in repose as well. One involves an octopus, another a lot of poetry and prose, and the third is a historical museum coming back to life. (Photo Above: a Pacific octopus - photo courtesy Seaside Aquarium).
If you grew up in Oregon, it's likely one of your more vivid memories was of the octopus near the front entrance of the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. Nope, it hasn’t been the same octopus all these years, but rather they change every nine months.
On Wednesday, March 30, staff at the Hatfield will let their latest giant Pacific octopus go free, back into the wild.
The Hatfield’s Bill Hanshumaker said Giant Pacific octopuses have a short life span of about just a few years.
The giant pacific octopus dies shortly after reproducing – so this is one heck of a last hurrah.
The crowds will gather at Yaquina Bay's South Jetty at 10:30 a.m. to wave goodbye. Newport, Oregon.
(O)(o)(O)(o)(O)>
Visit the link to learn more about Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Center.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Squiddly Diddly Octopus Cartoon
A while back an Everything Octopus reader challenged me to find an old black and white octopus cartoon. In my search, I came across some unexpected and fun toons that I thought you might enjoy, including Hanna-Barbera's famous ceph, Squiddly Diddly.
Squiddly Diddly, who looks more octopus than squid, made his TV debut in 1965 on the Atom Ant/Secret Squirrel Show. An octopus after my own heart, Diddly is an aspiring musician who has the extraordinary ability to play multiple instruments at once. Diddly is confined to a life at Bubbleland, which is an amusement park similar to Sea World. In search of stardom, Diddly continually attempts to break out of Bubbleland, however his escapes are always foiled by the park's administrator, Chief Winchley.
Squiddly Diddly also made appearances on several other cartoons including Yogi's Gang, Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law, and Sealab 2021.
Squiddly Diddly, who looks more octopus than squid, made his TV debut in 1965 on the Atom Ant/Secret Squirrel Show. An octopus after my own heart, Diddly is an aspiring musician who has the extraordinary ability to play multiple instruments at once. Diddly is confined to a life at Bubbleland, which is an amusement park similar to Sea World. In search of stardom, Diddly continually attempts to break out of Bubbleland, however his escapes are always foiled by the park's administrator, Chief Winchley.
Squiddly Diddly also made appearances on several other cartoons including Yogi's Gang, Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law, and Sealab 2021.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Video: Octopus Cameo in Jameson Irish Whiskey Commercial
It seems as though our friend the octopus is everywhere these days - and I wouldn't have it any other way! Check out this epic new advertisement for Jameson Irish Whiskey.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Species: Blanket Octopus
Blanket Octopus is the common name used to describe four species of octopus belonging to the Tremoctopus genus. The four species are the Common Blanket Octopus, Gelatinous Blanket Octopus, Palmate Octopus, and Tremoctopus Robsoni. They are called so because of the transparent webbing connecting their dorsal and dorsolateral arms, which resembles a large a large flowing blanket.
These species can be found in the open seas of the Mediterranean as well as the North and South Atlantic Ocean. Sightings are rare, making the Blanket Octopus an elusive and mysterious species.
The "blanket" is a defense mechanism, and a handy one too, as Blanket Octopuses do not have ink to ward off predators. Instead, the Blanket Octopus will unfurl its blanket, making it look significantly larger and intimidating, with the intention of scaring off whatever threatens it.
Interestingly, Blanket Octopus is immune to the poison of the Portuguese man o' war, a jellyfish-like invertebrate known for its deadly venom. Taking advantage of their immunity, Blanket Octopuses will rip off the Man o' war's tentacles and use them to defend themselves from attacks.
Males and females look as though their two different species! Female Blanket Octopuses may grow in excess of two meters in length, whereas males only reach a few centimeters. The males have a detachable arm in which sperm is stored. When it is time to mate, the male detaches its arm and lodges it into the female's mantle. The male dies shortly afterwards while the female goes on to carry over 100,000 eggs that she keeps attached to her until they are ready to hatch.
These species can be found in the open seas of the Mediterranean as well as the North and South Atlantic Ocean. Sightings are rare, making the Blanket Octopus an elusive and mysterious species.
The "blanket" is a defense mechanism, and a handy one too, as Blanket Octopuses do not have ink to ward off predators. Instead, the Blanket Octopus will unfurl its blanket, making it look significantly larger and intimidating, with the intention of scaring off whatever threatens it.
Interestingly, Blanket Octopus is immune to the poison of the Portuguese man o' war, a jellyfish-like invertebrate known for its deadly venom. Taking advantage of their immunity, Blanket Octopuses will rip off the Man o' war's tentacles and use them to defend themselves from attacks.
Males and females look as though their two different species! Female Blanket Octopuses may grow in excess of two meters in length, whereas males only reach a few centimeters. The males have a detachable arm in which sperm is stored. When it is time to mate, the male detaches its arm and lodges it into the female's mantle. The male dies shortly afterwards while the female goes on to carry over 100,000 eggs that she keeps attached to her until they are ready to hatch.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Unique Octopus Flask from ArtFire.com
Perfect for your libation-toting needs! Leather craftswoman, Caitlin McNamara, a.k.a. "Moxie & Oliver", has designed one of the most beautifully unque flasks I've ever seen. It's for sale at ArtFire.com, along with a slew of other handmade octopus goodies.
Product Description
Just in case you happen to be doing some drinking while you're in the octopus' garden, this flask would be perfect! It's the Hugs pattern with lots of little octopus arms in white and silver, with a blue wash.
This is an 6-ounce stainless steel flask with a tooled leather cover. I start with tooling leather, then treat, brand, carve, paint and dye it. After the pattern is done I apply a protective finish to protect it from drinking binges!
*this item will be made to order, so please see shop announcement for present turn-around time*
$55
Product Description
Just in case you happen to be doing some drinking while you're in the octopus' garden, this flask would be perfect! It's the Hugs pattern with lots of little octopus arms in white and silver, with a blue wash.
This is an 6-ounce stainless steel flask with a tooled leather cover. I start with tooling leather, then treat, brand, carve, paint and dye it. After the pattern is done I apply a protective finish to protect it from drinking binges!
*this item will be made to order, so please see shop announcement for present turn-around time*
$55
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Purple Octopus to Get Day in Court
Here is a follow up to an article posted in October about the Octopus Controversy in Walla Walla
March 7, 2011
Terry McConn
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
WALLA WALLA -- A court hearing has been set in the lawsuit filed by a downtown toy store owner who's trying to save his giant, purple octopus mural on constitutional grounds.
The hearing before Superior Court Judge Donald W. Schacht is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. April 19 at the County Courthouse. Both sides are expected to argue their positions in the case. Schacht may or may not rule at the time.
In the court appeal, Inland Octopus owner Bob Catsiff is asking Schacht to overturn a Walla Walla hearing examiner's decision in November affirming fines the city is assessing on Catsiff and requiring him to comply with the sign code if he loses his appeal.
March 7, 2011
Terry McConn
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
WALLA WALLA -- A court hearing has been set in the lawsuit filed by a downtown toy store owner who's trying to save his giant, purple octopus mural on constitutional grounds.
The hearing before Superior Court Judge Donald W. Schacht is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. April 19 at the County Courthouse. Both sides are expected to argue their positions in the case. Schacht may or may not rule at the time.
In the court appeal, Inland Octopus owner Bob Catsiff is asking Schacht to overturn a Walla Walla hearing examiner's decision in November affirming fines the city is assessing on Catsiff and requiring him to comply with the sign code if he loses his appeal.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Octopods Historical Origin in Question
March 5, 2011
Guardian.co.uk
A fossil octopus found in Lebanon has dramatically changed zoologists' thinking on these creatures' historic origin.
An ultraviolet picture of the octopus fossil found in Lebanon, which is more than 95m years old. Photograph: Dirk Fuchs/Free University of Berlin
Keuppia levante is one of several newly discovered fossil octopus species found in Lebanon that challenge previous assumptions about the origin and age of the Octopoda. Along with Keuppia hyperbolaris and Styletoctopus annae, this species is now the earliest unequivocal fossil for the group.
Truly remarkable anatomical details were observable due to the fine-grained Cenomanian limestones in which these species were entombed 180-95 million years ago. Octopods were previously thought to have arisen in mid-Cretaceous times. Thanks to characters observed in these newly discovered species, scientists now think octopods appeared significantly earlier, possibly even in Jurassic times.
Quentin Wheeler is director of the International Institute for Species Exploration, Arizona State University
Guardian.co.uk
A fossil octopus found in Lebanon has dramatically changed zoologists' thinking on these creatures' historic origin.
An ultraviolet picture of the octopus fossil found in Lebanon, which is more than 95m years old. Photograph: Dirk Fuchs/Free University of BerlinKeuppia levante is one of several newly discovered fossil octopus species found in Lebanon that challenge previous assumptions about the origin and age of the Octopoda. Along with Keuppia hyperbolaris and Styletoctopus annae, this species is now the earliest unequivocal fossil for the group.
Truly remarkable anatomical details were observable due to the fine-grained Cenomanian limestones in which these species were entombed 180-95 million years ago. Octopods were previously thought to have arisen in mid-Cretaceous times. Thanks to characters observed in these newly discovered species, scientists now think octopods appeared significantly earlier, possibly even in Jurassic times.
Quentin Wheeler is director of the International Institute for Species Exploration, Arizona State University
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Queen Latifah as Ursala, the Evil Octopus
March 3, 2011
Posted by George Savvas on Disney Parks Blog
Today, we are unveiling some spectacular new images by acclaimed photographer Annie Leibovitz, who continues to lend her vision to the successful Disney Dream Portrait series we began just more than four years ago. Each portrait features well-known celebrities transformed into the role of famous Disney characters.
The three latest Disney Dream Portraits are the first new images in the series since 2009, and for the first time we’ve included a couple of the most wicked Disney villains ever!
I told you yesterday we were getting ready for something wild. I suppose you now know I actually meant “something Wilde!” There were so many great comments posted here on the Disney Parks Blog, Facebook and Twitter yesterday – congratulations to Alyssa and Shari for being among the first to correctly identify our celebrity, and what she is doing!
As the Evil Queen, Olivia Wilde joins Alec Baldwin as the spirit of the magic mirror from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” In the dark depths of her lair, the Queen has summoned the mirror’s spirit through wind and darkness to reveal the identity of a lovelier maid than she. The caption reads, “Where magic speaks, even when you’re not the fairest of them all.”
Penelope Cruz and Jeff Bridges appear as Belle and the transformed prince, recalling the final scene from “Beauty and the Beast.” The celebratory moment is captioned, “Where a moment of beauty lasts forever.”
Finally, coming ashore as Ursula from “The Little Mermaid” is none other than Queen Latifah. The caption reads, “Where memories take hold and never let go.”
You can find these stunning images and more as part of a special insert in the April issues of O – The Oprah Magazine, People En Español, Real Simple, Essence, and InStyle as well as the March 28 issue of People
Posted by George Savvas on Disney Parks Blog
Today, we are unveiling some spectacular new images by acclaimed photographer Annie Leibovitz, who continues to lend her vision to the successful Disney Dream Portrait series we began just more than four years ago. Each portrait features well-known celebrities transformed into the role of famous Disney characters.The three latest Disney Dream Portraits are the first new images in the series since 2009, and for the first time we’ve included a couple of the most wicked Disney villains ever!
I told you yesterday we were getting ready for something wild. I suppose you now know I actually meant “something Wilde!” There were so many great comments posted here on the Disney Parks Blog, Facebook and Twitter yesterday – congratulations to Alyssa and Shari for being among the first to correctly identify our celebrity, and what she is doing!
As the Evil Queen, Olivia Wilde joins Alec Baldwin as the spirit of the magic mirror from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” In the dark depths of her lair, the Queen has summoned the mirror’s spirit through wind and darkness to reveal the identity of a lovelier maid than she. The caption reads, “Where magic speaks, even when you’re not the fairest of them all.”
Penelope Cruz and Jeff Bridges appear as Belle and the transformed prince, recalling the final scene from “Beauty and the Beast.” The celebratory moment is captioned, “Where a moment of beauty lasts forever.”
Finally, coming ashore as Ursula from “The Little Mermaid” is none other than Queen Latifah. The caption reads, “Where memories take hold and never let go.”
You can find these stunning images and more as part of a special insert in the April issues of O – The Oprah Magazine, People En Español, Real Simple, Essence, and InStyle as well as the March 28 issue of People