Latest news with #Orth
CBS News
2 days ago
- Science
- CBS News
How long will the cicadas be around? Map shows Brood XIV sightings on Cape Cod.
The cicadas are out in full force in one particular part of Massachusetts. The periodical insects known as Brood XIV are emerging on Cape Cod after 17 years underground. Jennifer Forman Orth, the environmental biologist for the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, is tracking and mapping cicada sightings. "The emergence is mostly concentrated on the Upper Cape, so the towns of Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, Sandwich, and the western part of Barnstable," Orth told WBZ-TV. "There was also a sighting up in Cohasset - people thought maybe the cicada hitchhiked on someone's vehicle, but there are records there from the last Brood XIV emergence in the early 2000s." A map of cicada sightings iNaturalist The cicada noise Orth just returned from a trip to Cape Cod to see the cicadas for herself. She reports that there were "thousands upon thousands" in the Frances Crane Wildlife Management Area in East Falmouth. "We saw many of them emerging as fresh adults in Sandwich. And in Falmouth, where they had emerged a bit earlier in June, the adults were gathered in high numbers in many areas," Orth said. Male cicadas are known for being very noisy when they emerge, using special organs to make sounds as loud as a lawnmower. "Their calling was audible throughout Sandwich and Falmouth, it sounds artificial, almost like an alarm of some kind is going off in the distance," Orth said. A cicada spotted on Cape Cod. Jennifer Forman Orth When will the cicadas go away? Those living near the noisy insects want to know one thing: When will the cicadas go away? Cicada expert John Cooley, a professor at the University of Connecticut, said cicadas started coming out in late May and early June. They only have a few weeks to "get adult things done," he explained, like mate and lay eggs before they die. Cooley said that once cicadas are out in force, they'll be around for about three to four weeks, depending on the weather. That means most should be gone by early July. Report cicada sightings The public is encouraged to submit reports and pictures via the iNaturalist website. Carrie Seltzer, the head of engagement at iNaturlist, says "community science" can help monitor the cicada emergence in real-time across the region. "Since this phenomenon only happens once every 17 years, each observation on iNaturalist is an important record for science to understand where they are found now, since it may change in 17 years," she said. "Anyone can take a photo of a cicada and post it to iNaturalist to contribute to science." A group of cicadas in Falmouth. Jennifer Forman Orth Orth said everyone has a smartphone now - something that wasn't the case during the last Cape Cod emergence in 2008 - and it's a perfect opportunity to collect data on the unique creatures. "Technology affords us the chance to help scientists better understand periodical cicadas," she said. "The observations people make could help scientists understand things like how land use changes impact these insects, how cicada emergence impacts birds and other wildlife, and how their life cycle impacts tree growth."
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Man refuses to pay $500 veterinarian fee, strangles his dog
A man is facing charges after he refused to pay $500 to euthanize his elderly dog and strangled the dog instead. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Richard North, 59, of East Price Hill, was indicted Monday on a felony animal cruelty charge for strangling his dog, according to Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich. According to the statement from Pillich, North brought his elderly dog, Tinkerbell, to the Animal Hospital of Delhi Hills on May 23. The veterinarian told North that the dog needed to be euthanized and quoted Orth a price of $500. TRENDING STORIES: Officers looking for man, woman last seen at Troy Aquatic Park Bodies of 3 sisters found after visit with their father; Court records reveal likely cause of death 61-year-old woman dead after motorcycle crash in Preble Co., OSHP says The animal hospital staff left the room to prepare the medication, and Orth strangled Tinkerbell, according to the statement. Orth was heard on audio from the room saying, 'Go be with God. I won't let you suffer. $500 is highway robbery.' The dog had suffered injuries to its neck and throat and had to be euthanized. 'There's no excuse for what happened here. Our office is committed to holding those accountable who harm animals,' Pillich said. Orth faces up to a year in prison. Hamilton County jail records indicate that Orth is being held under a $500 bond for the charge of prohibitions concerning companion animals. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
11 Best Things to Do in the Bahamas, According to Travel Pro Angie Orth
The Bahamas, as a surprise to many, isn't just one island. It's an archipelago comprised of over 700 islands (although only 30 are inhabited) and nearly 2,400 cays spread over miles of pristine turquoise and deep cobalt waters. Although they're most famous for their white (and sometimes pink) sandy beaches and the island's capital hub of Nassau, the Bahamas offers an incredibly diverse variety of things to do and see. 'There's so much more to The Bahamas than what you would find as a cruise ship passenger in Nassau for the day. You truly haven't experienced the real, authentic, wild Bahamas until you've been to Abaco, Eleuthera, Exuma, or any one of the others,' Angie Orth told us. Orth is an award-winning travel writer, blogger and novelist, author of the acclaimed novel Flirting with Disaster, who spent over 5 years as an integral member of the public relations firm representing the Bahamas. From the iconic pink sand beach to secluded coves, caves and underwater grottos, here are the 11 best things to do in the Bahamas—no matter who you're traveling with. Related: Just three miles long and barely half a mile wide, Harbour Island is probably Instagram's favorite beach. Known for its signature blush-toned beaches, guests flock to this stretch of sand to snap photos of the cotton-candy hue against the turquoise and mint-colored waters. The color comes from microscopic coral insects called foraminifera and seashells, but don't let the science spoil the magic. Rent a golf cart and explore the pastel colonial homes of Dunmore Town as well, careful not to miss the pink sand at sunset. Another Instagram-famous spot, the infamous wild pigs of Major Cay in the Exumas, is another can't-miss opportunity. Loafing and living on the uninhabited island of Big Major Cay, this colony of wild pigs has made a life of swimming in turquoise water and greeting curious visitors. According to Orth, this is a family favorite, and kids and adults alike love frolicking with the sea swine. It's best done via a half-day boat tour from Staniel Cay or Nassau, and can be booked through Bahamas Air Tours. It's also offered as a popular excursion on most cruise ships that visit the island. Made famous by the 1965 James Bond film Thunderball, this hidden cave near Staniel Cay is a natural aquarium teeming with tropical fish. At low tide, you can snorkel through underwater tunnels that lead to a sunlit cathedral filled with sea life and rainbow-hued coral. According to Orth, it's a must for both film buffs and oceanic adventurers. You haven't tasted the Bahamas until you've tried conch salad made fresh before your eyes. 'I love conch in any format—cracked conch, scorch conch, conch chowder, conch fritters—but conch salad is my absolute favorite. It's made of raw diced conch, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, lime, and/or orange juice. It's similar to ceviche, just with shellfish instead of fish. I make it a point to eat it every day when I can,' Orth said. Big Mike's Fresh Conch Salad in Alice Town is a local and tourist favorite, as is Fatty's Fresh Conch in Marsh Harbour. 'The Bahamas are famous for the jewel-toned color of the water, but the clarity is second to none, making it just incredible for scuba diving,' Orth said. 'You're almost always guaranteed a great day in the water, with visibility up to 200 feet, and access to the third largest barrier reef in the world.' In addition to coral reefs, you can also explore the many dramatic underwater walls (some plunging 7,000 feet), wrecks (like the remains of Pablo Escobar's Plane in the Exumas) and mysterious blue holes. 'Diving gives you an incredible opportunity to get up close to the incredible wildlife too, like sting rays, dolphins, reef sharks, and an amazing variety of colorful fish,' said Orth. Related: Despite being home to the famous bigs of Exumas and the pink sand beaches of Harbour Island, the Out Islands are still a relatively untouched gem in the Bahamas archipelago. 'Being the only person on the entire beach is an easy thing to do on most of the Out Islands, also known as the Family Islands, because there are minimal crowds. You get so spoiled having a beach all to yourself when yours are the only footprints in the sand,' Orth said. For some of the country's most exotic and unspoiled beaches, head to Eleuthera. This island boasts multiple secluded beaches and nature preserves—including its own pink sandy shores at Surfers Beach and Lighthouse Beach. In addition to beaches, you can also enjoy birdwatching the over 100 species of birds that call these islands home, including flamingos and the rare Bahamian parrot. If plants and reptiles are more your thing, take a stroll along the Bimini Nature Trail on Bimini Island to spot multiple varieties of orchids and iguanas. Protecting one of the world's largest underwater cave systems, Lucayan National Park is a treasure trove of biodiversity. Encompassing 40 acres, this park system is the largest of the island's three main national parks. Above ground, you'll find winding boardwalks through thick, lush mangrove forests, secluded (and picturesque) Gold Rock Beach, Ben's Cave and Burial Mound, where the skeletons of 6 indigenous people were discovered in 1986. Although swimming is not permitted, you can dive into the caves with a special permit. One thing the Bahamas are known for is island hopping. And there's no more glamorous way to do that than via a chartered boat. Whether you rent a private yacht or join a small-group sailing cruise, the Exumas boast uninhabited cays, secluded private islands, tucked-away resorts, sandbars and crystalline, mint-hued shallows. Anchor off Compass Cay to swim with nurse sharks or drop by Highbourne Cay Resort for a barefoot lunch on the beach. 'The Exuma Cays are remote enough that they're where many celebrities hide out on their private islands, but easy enough to get to with a puddle jumper flight from Nassau,' Orth says. Step back in time and sip some of the Caribbean's finest rum at John Watling's Distillery, set on the historic Buena Vista Estate in downtown Nassau. Easily reached by foot or car, this 17th-century estate was impeccably restored to its former glory and now offers guided tours through the rum-making process—from barrel aging to bottling. You'll also find artifacts from the island's colonial past, which you can revel in before tasting all of their signature rums, including the award-winning Buena Vista. Also, home here is Red Turtle Vodka, which is dubbed the 'Vodka of the Bahamas.' Sip this spirit and the famed rum in mixed cocktails at the on-site Red Turtle Tavern. If you're lucky enough to visit during Christmas or New Year's, you'll catch Junkanoo, the Bahamas' largest and most famous cultural event. The streets come alive with parades and partygoers, all decked out in cowbells, feathers and kaleidoscopic costumes, pulsing to the beat of live brass bands. 'Junkanoo is the major celebration of the year, and it's raucous with goatskin drums, cowbells, whistles and brass instruments, plus colorful costumes the performers spend months making out of cardboard, crepe paper, feathers and sequins,' Orth said. 'If you're spending the holidays in Nassau, you can't miss it!' If you can't make it during the holidays, the Junkanoo Expo Museum in Nassau offers a taste of the revelry year-round. A world unto itself, Atlantis Paradise Island is the perfect juxtaposition of luxury and adventure. Sprawled across 141 acres, the resort is home to five separate hotels and a dizzying array of experiences: a massive water park, one of the largest open-air marine habitats in the Caribbean, a high-stakes casino, designer boutiques and an impressive lineup of restaurants helmed by world-renowned celebrity chefs. You can snorkel and feed sting rays, meander through atmospheric aquariums, sip cocktails poolside or unwind on powder-soft beaches, all in the same day. Whether you're there for a few hours with a day pass or checking into a plush oceanfront suite, Atlantis delivers on its reputation as one of the best resorts in the Caribbean (Kate Middleton and Prince William even stayed there during their recent visit).
