ANIMALS
Unexpected Landing: Pilot Discovers Venomous Cobra in Cockpit of Plane
![Unexpected Landing: Pilot Discovers Venomous Cobra in Cockpit of Plane](http://beginandbegin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Unexpected-Landing-Pilot-Discovers-Venomous-Cobra-in-Cockpit-of-Plane01.jpg)
The pilot of the airplane told sighting the snake beneath the aircraft.
Image source: GETTY
In South Africa, a pilot was taken aback when he discovered a perilous “stowaway” during one of his flights, leaving him astonished.
During a recent private plane journey between the South African cities of Bloemfontein and Pretoria, Pilot Rudolph Erasmus shared with the BBC an astonishing incident that occurred at an altitude of approximately 11,000 feet. Sensing a chilling sensation creeping up his shirt, the initial assumption was a mere water spillage from a leaking bottle. However, what the pilot eventually uncovered was considerably more unsettling.
“As I turned to the left and looked down, I saw the cobra […] receding its head backward underneath the seat,” Erasmus told the outlet. “To be truly honest, it’s as if my brain did not register what was going on.”
The snake that accompanied Erasmus in the cockpit turned out to be a deadly Cape cobra, known for its venomous bite, capable of fatally harming an individual within a remarkably short span of 30 minutes, as stated by the University of San Diego.
While speaking to the BBC, Erasmus revealed his intention to avoid causing panic among the four passengers aboard the Beechcraft Baron 58 private plane. Initially, he chose a lighthearted approach, casually mentioning the presence of an “unwanted extra traveler” on board. However, as time progressed, he felt compelled to disclose the gravity of the situation.
“I did inform the passengers: ‘Listen, the snake is inside the aircraft, it’s underneath my seat, so let’s try and get down to the ground as soon as we can,'” he said. “You could hear a needle drop, and I think everyone froze for a moment or two.”
Upon discovering the perilous reptile and notifying his passengers, Erasmus promptly executed an emergency landing in the South African city of Welkom, situated approximately 202 miles from the intended destination of Pretoria.
With everyone on board safely evacuated, Erasmus received high praise from Poppy Khosa, a South African civil aviation commissioner, who commended his swift decision-making and exceptional piloting skills, crediting him with saving all lives on board. This accolade was reported by South Africa’s News 24.
Erasmus added to the BBC that he wanted to credit “my passengers that remained calm as well.”
According to the BBC, prior to Erasmus’ departure, two pilots from the Worcester flying club at the airport had already observed the Cape Cobra on his flight. They witnessed the snake maneuvering beneath Erasmus’ plane and attempted to seize it, but their efforts proved unsuccessful.
Erasmus mentioned that he had diligently searched for the creature before embarking on the flight.
“Unfortunately, it was not there, so we all then safely assumed that it must have crawled out overnight or earlier that morning, which was on Monday,” he told the outlet.
Regarding the snake, it remains elusive. Erasmus informed the BBC that engineers thoroughly inspected the plane following his emergency landing, yet the elusive Cape cobra stowaway has not been discovered.
Source: People
ANIMALS
Amazing Video of Unseen Ocean Creatures in the Ningaloo Canyons
![Amazing Video of Unseen Ocean Creatures in the Ningaloo Canyons](http://beginandbegin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Amazing-Video-of-Unseen-Ocean-Creatures-in-the-Ningaloo-Canyons.jpg)
The Schmidt Ocean Institute recently explored the Ningaloo Canyons on the western coast of Australia using a robotic underwater vehicle called the ROV Sebastian. Check out the amazing video of what they discovered in the deep parts of the Indian Ocean.
More info: Youtube
ANIMALS
These Pics Are Art and the Artists Are Insects
![These Pics Are Art and the Artists Are Insects](http://beginandbegin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/These-Pics-Are-Art-and-the-Artists-Are-Insects.jpg)
Flying insects move so quickly that they are hard to follow, but new technology and some smart ideas have helped Spanish photographer Xavi Bou do just that. After spending 10 years focusing on birds in flight for his Ornithographies project, he turned his attention to insects.
For Entomographies, he uses high-speed video footage taken by Adrian Smith, an insect expert at North Carolina State University, to study and record how insects move. Bou then picks multiple frames and combines them into single images that show the fast movements of one or more insects through space and time.
With Smith’s help, Bou has captured the aerial tricks of wasps, the jumps of leafhoppers, and the fluttering of butterflies in amazing detail. He hopes that by doing this, he can make people more aware of the decline in important insect populations around the world.
1. Zebra longwing
This butterfly, which is common in many areas of the Americas, really fits its name. It can fly very high with just a few flaps of its large wings.
Image source: nationalgeographic
2. Two-lined spittlebug
This insect, which comes from the eastern United States, is often seen as a pest because it likes to eat grass. Its springy back legs can make it jump into the air like a rocket.
Image source: nationalgeographic
3. Yellow-collared scape moth
Unlike most moths, this North American species flies during the day. Its shiny blue-black wings sparkle in the sunlight.
Image source: nationalgeographic
4. Ailanthus webworm moths
These tropical moths have spread farther north in the U.S. Because of their larval host, the invasive tree of heaven, they are now one of the most common backyard moths in the country.
Image source: nationalgeographic
5. Common stonefly
Mostly found in eastern North America, this insect starts its life as an underwater nymph in forested streams or rivers. Then it leaves the water, sheds its skin, and becomes an adult with wings.
Image source: nationalgeographic
6. Green lacewings
Eighty-seven species of this insect have been found in the U.S. and Canada. Since they eat a lot of unwanted plant pests like aphids and mites, they are often used to naturally control these pests.
Image source: nationalgeographic
7. Grapevine beetle
This insect, fittingly named, eats the leaves and fruit of grapevines, both wild and farmed, but it doesn’t do much damage to the plants. As a type of scarab beetle, it often flies in a curved path.
Image source: nationalgeographic
8. Oak treehopper and green treehopper
Treehoppers are known for their uniquely shaped pronotum, the part behind their head, which often looks like plant parts to hide from predators. They can jump well thanks to special muscles.
Image source: nationalgeographic
9. Banded orange
This brightly colored butterfly can be found from Mexico to Brazil. Before mating season, male butterflies look for mineral salts, sometimes even drinking salty fluids from the skin, eyes, and nostrils of other animals.
Image source: nationalgeographic
10. Sapho longwing
Longwings can live for 6 to 7 months, longer than most butterflies. This type, found from Mexico to Ecuador, has shiny blue wings, which is why it’s also called the Sapphire longwing.
Image source: nationalgeographic
ANIMALS
Eagle and Fox in an Epic Midair Battle Over a Rabbit, Were Captured by a Photographer
![Eagle and Fox in an Epic Midair Battle Over a Rabbit, Were Captured by a Photographer](http://beginandbegin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eagle-and-Fox-in-an-Epic-Midair-Battle-Over-a-Rabbit-Were-Captured-by-a-Photographer.jpg)
Wildlife photography often depends on the perfect combination of good timing and the right place.
That’s exactly what happened when Kevin Ebi, an experienced wildlife photographer, captured an incredible battle between a bald eagle and a red fox, both competing for a rabbit meal.
In a detailed blog post, Ebi shares the fascinating series of events that unfolded while he was photographing foxes in San Juan Island National Historical Park, located in Washington state.
Ebi noticed a lively group of eight fox kits as they began their hunting lessons. Suddenly, they spotted a rabbit, and a thrilling chase ensued. Eventually, one of the foxes emerged as the winner, proudly carrying the rabbit across the field.
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Ebi shares what happened at that moment: “As I followed the fox with my camera, a sudden bald eagle cry caught my attention. It was swiftly approaching, clearly aiming for the rabbit. I quickly focused on the fox, anticipating a quick turnover of events.”
To Ebi’s astonishment, instead of a quick surrender, the situation turned into a intense fight in the air.
The eagle used its power to lift the fox and rabbit high up in the sky. Even while airborne, the fox attempted to break free by swinging back and forth.
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Image source: Kevin Ebi
In the end, the eagle moved the rabbit to its other claw, causing the fox to let go. The intense battle came to an end in less than 10 seconds.
Image source: Kevin Ebi
For those worried about the fox’s well-being after the fight, Ebi reassures that it was not injured. The fox swiftly bounced back from the encounter and resumed its playful behavior with the other young foxes, showing no visible wounds from the aerial clash.
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Image source: Kevin Ebi
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