Eagle Chicks on Santa Cruz
The eagle chicks that hatched a couple of weeks ago on Santa Cruz Island are no longer under constant surveillance by their purported parents #26 (I’m guessing the mother) and #10.
The little critters are starting to look like birds now. Last week they were all beak and fuzz.
I think the parents are probably absent because they have to hunt constantly to feed the kids. Check them out life at EAGLES.
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Capt. Rob Walton of S/V R Escape sent us a link to the Latitude 38 “Lectronic” edition. I used to read “Latitude” cover-to-cover when I was boat shopping the Bay Area. It’s got the best classified ads in the sailing business in California, and it’s got the best sailing stories of any of the magazines, particularly the glossies, which seem to be in cahoots with the manufacturers who buy advertising.
So, my first suggestion is click on the link above and subscribe.
Next, take a look at the video. I’ll be a spoiler: all ends fairly well, but it starts out like a horror movie. Unsuspecting actors sailing on azure waters head into San Blas, one of Baja’s premier anchorages. It is a lovely day, but things conspire to make it more exciting than they bargained for.
As you watch this, take a look at the size and particularly the shape of the waves. Ask yourself what makes these look different from the rollers that come into Channel Islands Harbor? It’s a subtle difference, and if you don’t pick it up in the beginning, you’ll figure it out in the end.
If you’d like to read the crew’s narrative, click Examiner. They learned some interesting lessons. But I think they got at least one wrong.
Add your comments below, your own experiences, your lessons learned.
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Melanoma - you should'a bathed in sunscreen. This one's a killer
The point of this article is, in fact, to scare the hell out of you. Why am I picking on YOU? Because you, like me, spend and inordinate amount of time in the sun. And, when it gets hot, we strip down to the minimum clothing that fashion allows. And we have to ignore the warnings to avoid being outdoors from 1000-1400.
Most of the blog’s readers are decades younger than I am and have not enjoyed the thrill of having minor precancerous this ‘n thats removed with liquid nitrogen. Maybe you won’t have to if you read on.
Melanoma is not as common as other types of skin cancer, but it’s the most serious and potentially deadly. Possible signs of melanoma include a change in the appearance of a mole or pigmented area. Consult a doctor if a mole changes in size, shape, or color, has irregular edges, is more than one color, is asymmetrical, or itches, oozes, or bleeds. Melanoma can affect the skin only, or it may spread to organs and bones. It can be cured if it’s found and treated early.
Back when dermatologists and pediatricians were telling our parents that a little sun brought a healthy color and a base tan protected us, my mother sent my luminescent white body into the light. And, lo, it burned. It blistered. It peeled.
Our parents became experts at treating sunburn. The treatment (I don’t know how or if this worked): a splash of vinegar. Most of the summer I smelled like Italian dressing.
Fortunately, you can do a lot to stave off the sun’s ravages. It’s called sunscreen. But which one?
That’s what I asked my dermatologist Jacob E. Lau* – and he gave me this sheet, and permission to publish it here.
“What’s In a Sunscreen?
When discussing sun exposure, we are really talking about UVA and UVB. UVB is also found in tanning booths. UVB is relatively easy to block. It generally does not penetrate glass, clouds, and clothing. Most sunscreens on the market do an excellent job with UVB protection. The SPF number reflects the UVB protection. An SPF 15 blocks 94% of UVB, while an SPF 30 blocks 97%, and SPF 45 blocks 98% in laboratory conditions.
The average sunscreen user applies only one-fourth of the amount of sunscreen used to determine the SPF. Also, sunscreen should be applied 15-20 minutes prior to the actual sun exposure to allow time to “soak” into the skin. The SPF says nothing about UVA protection and duration of UVB protection.
There are only four sunscreen ingredients with adequate UVA protection:
The problem with chemical (or organic) ingredients such as avobenzone is degradation. Avobenzone loses 60% of its potency after only one hour. Other chemicals degrade in 30-120 minutes. Therefore, even more chemicals are added to stabilize these compounds. There are now formulations that stabilize avobenzone for up six hours. Ecamsule (Mexoryl SX) is stable for five hours. Even with these newer formulations, the major drawback of chemical sunscreens is a higher rate of rashes and skin reactions.
Physical (or inorganic) ingredients such as zinc and titanium degrade minimally, giving a more durable protection. Furthermore, there are almost no problems with skin rashes or sensitivity with physical sunscreens. Of all sunscreens, those with micronized zinc are superior. Micronized zinc offers the best protection against UVB and UVA, does not degrade, is cosmetically elegant, and goes on clear (as opposed to traditional non-micronized zinc).
What about waterproof (AKA very water resistant) or water resistant sunscreens? As far as I’m concerned, there is no such thing. In laboratory conditions, waterproof means the sunscreen maintains its SPF after 80 minutes in an indoor freshwater pool. Water-resistant maintains its SPF after 40 minutes.
In real settings, seldom would an individual stay motionless in freshwater. Salt water, waves, and the simple act of swimming will almost certainly lead to a rapid decrease in protection.
Let’s also not forget that SPF does not relate to UVA protection. For those who spend a lot of time in the water, they should choose a waterproof or very water resistant sunscreen. All sunscreens should be reapplied after the skin has been exposed to water or after excessive sweating.
Antioxidants have also been used for sun protection. In all cases, they are far inferior to sunscreens, but can be used as useful additives to sunscreen by providing anti-aging effects and slightly additional UVA/UVB protection. Some of these useful antioxidants include vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (tocopherol), and green tea extract.
Of course, nothing is 100% preventative. You must do the best you can by avoiding the sun during peak hours and wearing protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and sunscreens.
Here are a few recommendations for sunscreens (this list is by no means comprehensive). Remember that the SPF is far less important than the actual ingredients. However, for a given brand and product line with multiple SPF ratings (such as Neutrogena) you might as well pick one with a higher SPF value.
Over the counter (listed in order of my personal preference):
Sold here at the Dermatology Medical Group:
Vitamin C antioxidant sunscreen – micronized zinc with added antioxidants vitamin C, vitamin E, and green
tea extract ($24)”
If you’re wondering what your level of risk is on any given day, click UV Predictions.
–Dr. Lau practices in the Dermatology Group of Oxnard and Camarillo
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