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Umky Patrol: Protecting us from polar bears, protecting walrus from themselves.

This video just showed up on YouTube.  This is from the from the World Wildlife Fund and explains their “Umky Patrols” which is a partnership with the Chukchi in Northern Russia. Primarily to keep polar bears from continuing to intrude on villages and become scavengers, the patrols are also protecting the large walrus haul-outs occurring (apparently) on the Russian “side” as well. Their protection of the walrus is centered on controlling panicked stampedes among the large haul outs, which result in crushed calf walruses. The walrus portion of this video starts at 1:29, although there are some disturbing images of dead walrus – so this one’s probably not for the younger kids.

The Umky Patrol highlighted here is in Russia – but we’ve got the same issues going on in Alaska. In fact the Chuchki apparently recently visited their counterparts in Alaska to share expertise and hopefully extend the protective efforts to “our” fragile Arctic animals as well.

Chukotka, by the way – is directly across the Bering Strait from Alaska and is the closest Russian territory to the US. That part of Russia that Sarah Palin can “see” from her back porch – it’d be Chukotka. That would make these Pacific Walruses.

For more on WWF’s work in the Arctic, and on the Umky Patrol, visit: http://www.panda.org/arctic

Not quite EVERYTHING is coming up walrus….

Here’s a quickie list of walrus-related memes, phenomena etc that I am aware of but will NOT be posting about. Just thought I’d share…

  1. “The Walrus Sings at Midnight”
  2. The Ambien Walrus
  3. “And there was an alligator and a walrus, and three men died with an axe! A hatchet to the face!”
  4. Oasis’ (or anyone else’s) cover of  “I am The Walrus”
  5. Wilford Brimley, Craig Stadler, et al…

Yeah, OK – this doesn’t count as a real post – just my first of the month “Meta”.

How San Francisco will eventually be destroyed

If you guessed ” by a giant laser walrus” – you’re right!

A laser beam-enabled giant walrus is depicted on this mural in a large arched window at 232 Fillmore near Laussat just up from Waller in the Lower Haight.

Uhaul Walrus Graphic

One of the things I’ve enjoyed over the years are the high-quality postcard-style vector illustrations decorating the sides of U-haul moving trucks. There are several for each state and of course, the series includes a walrus!

This illustration is one of several for the state of Maine. The text refers to the presence of Walrus in Maine during and after the last ice age. I have more information about these Altantic Walrus coming in a future post. It’s a change from our usual focus on the more common Pacific Walrus.

As for U-Haul, the illustration series is highlighted on a excellent series of webpages at U-Haul’s site. The explain the illustrations, have PDF coloring versions of each illustration and lots of information about the subject matter of each of the graphics.

Here’s a link to the walrus-specific page:
Here’s the Coloring Book PDF link (downloadable PDF file):
http://www.uhaul.com/SuperGraphics/File/34/ColoringBook

You can’t book a flight, or a Uhaul to Maine if you want to see walrus these days, seems like we’ve all missed them by a few years… I really enjoy this series and give much credit to the effort that U-haul has put towards the support of this marketing campaign.

Fun Walrus Illustration by Alexei Vella

I really like this walrus illustration by Canadian illustrator Alexei Vella. This would make a great shirt or small framed print. Just thought I’d share it with all of you!

Alexei Vella specializes in creating images that are both striking and complex, sensual yet undeniably intellectually involving. In order to achieve this unique look, Vella employs a complex colour palette, an eclectic application of graphics and texture, and a sophisticated use of antiquated surfaces.

Visit Alexei’s website to see more colorful illustration work.
http://www.alexeivella.com

Walrus Escape! This would have been fun to see!

I just discovered this video, of a walrus “escaping” from it’s area in Sea World San Diego to roll around and cause a commotion. THAT would have been fun to see. Enjoy!

Upper Playground: One of my Fave Walrus Logos

Here’a another in my on-going and totally informal round up of design/apparel companies with cool Walrus logos. I’ve loved Upper Playground’s walrus logo for a long time. UP is an urban apparel/designed goods retailer based out of San Francisco, with an excellent online store. They have a store in Portland, which is where I am, over in Old Town – I think I’ll cruise over there and buy one of these shirts.

If you want one, here’s the direct link to the men’s T with this walrus logo, but if you like urban/street apparel with a great, edgy design sensibility – check em out. There’s more to life than Hot Topic, kids.

Since 1999 Upper Playground has been committed to representing progressive urban lifestyles. With headquarters in the San Francisco Bay Area, Upper Playground has established itself as a leader in the contemporary art movement.

Check out UPs blog(s), if you’re into contemporary and/or street art and culture.

Origami Walrus: Why not?

OK, you know how people say you can find ANYTHING on the internet? I keep coming up with wacky web searches to find material for the blog and today we have the next installment – how to fold an origami walrus!

Origami Walrus by DonyaQuick on DeviantArt

http://donyaquick.deviantart.com/art/Origami-Walrus-Instructions-128087160
Thanks to Donya Quick on DeviantArt.