Stings from lionfish can be serious, and should not be taken lightly. Any broken spines should be removed, if possible, and the affected area soaked in non-scalding hot water (100-110 degrees F. or 38-43 degrees C.) for 15-20 minutes. Lionfish venom contains proteins that are denatured by heat, thus, preventing them from spreading in the bloodstream. If hot water is not available, aspirin, or aspirin with codeine can be taken. (Do not use hot water and aspirin together.) Because possible adverse reactions or secondary infections can occur from lionfish stings, a medical professional should be seen as soon as possible.

Highly acclaimed plein-air painter David Gallup and The Essential Image Source Foundation have united in a “collaboration of conservation” to produce an unprecedented, multi-media museum exhibition. One of our nation’s most treasured natural resources—the Channel Islands—are their artistic muse.

More than 50 of Gallup’s Channel Islands paintings are featured, complemented by high definition video plasmas of similarly stunning imagery. A high definition large-screen documentary, complete with an original musical score, about Gallup’s artistic quest to the islands and an accompanying catalog and book further culminate in one of the most immersive, emotionally moving journeys museum patrons and visitors will ever experience.

The origins of the California vaquero date back to the 1770’s. Yet, those roots continue today in the dedicated pursuit by this unique style’s working cowboys. The culture grew from a time when the cowboy lived his life mainly from the back of a horse while caring for thousands of cattle and the rugged terrain necessitated lightning quick responses from both the man and the horse, meaning the difference of life and death. Every maneuver was designed to do a job and the well trained horses responded to the most imperceptible cues. The horses were trained from the hackamore through two rein and finally into the spade bit producing a perfectly balanced “straight up in the bridle” partner.

The extreme realities associated with the land and the livestock, however, were also refined into a graceful art. Roping with the greatest of beauty and skill, the vaquero coupled this expertise with a riding style that complimented the natural movements of the horse and his gear was a mirror of his pride and talents. As a result, the vaquero, past and present, has captured the attention of preeminent western artists over the last several hundreds of years.

Native to the tropical Indo-Pacific region, red lionfish are often kept in both public and private aquariums. Since 2000, however, the red lionfish has been observed in coral and rocky reefs along the southeast coast of the U.S., from Florida to North Carolina and including the Bahamas, Bermuda and Cuba. There is concern among fishery scientists that the red lionfish, having no natural enemies, may adversely impact natural fish populations. In addition, this fish has venomous spines that pose a danger to divers and anglers.

Agricultural runoff. Global warming. Phosphate mine and lake overflow. Refuse from cruise ships. Over-fishing. Inadequate septic systems. Toxins. Industrial waste …

From urbanization to fertilization: everyone has their own theory of what causes Florida’s red tide – called a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) by the scientists who are investigating it.

But what really is causing the increasingly frequent HABs along Florida’s Gulf Coast? Are there ways to predict or even prevent red tide? And what are researchers, citizens, and businesses doing to circumvent this crisis in the seas?

The Essential Image Source Foundation (EISF) explores this natural yet noxious phenomenon with Solutions to Avoid Red Tide (START) in a High Definition (HD) documentary.

The “Preservation & Progress: The Ava Gardner Museum High Definition Partnership” project will propel one of North Carolina most unique museums into becoming a significant and “cutting-edge” east coast educational, cultural and historical resource for visitors, tourists, educators, authors, film makers, historians, and others. The Essential Image Source Foundation and the Ava Gardner Museum have joined together to preserve the museum’s vast collections, utilizing high definition and electronic asset management technology, and to produce additional high definition cultural and educational interactive products, as well as producing new high definition videos for its theater. Numerous regional community partners, such as the Johnston County Visitors Bureau, have also joined in their support, recognizing the cultural, tourism, educational and economic benefits to the surrounding regional communities.

 

Imagine a predator on the loose. A bold creature; a voracious eater. With a mantle of venomous spines, prey to no-one else. Imagine a lion on the loose: a Lion of the Deep.

LIONS OF THE DEEP

‘Lionfish’. ‘Scorpion Volitans’. ‘Firefish’.

Even its name reveals the fiery character of the Indo-Pacific red lionfish, scientifically know as Pterois volitans/miles. With bold maroon and white zebra stripes, and a plume of feathery spines, the lionfish is a stunning specimen. Elegant. Graceful. Deadly to its prey.

Dr. Nancy Foster was a pioneer and visionary in science-based conservation of aquatic life.