Smithsonian's Ocean EcoCenter is Online!

I indulge shamelessly in only one print publication: Smithsonian. It’s my favorite magazine and I look forward to every issue. You have to give me a little green leeway on this for not going paperless because I live 30 minutes from the closest English library and they don’t have Smithsonian anyway! It’s my eco-vice.

Anyhoo, Smithsonian, publishers of my favorite mag, have a fantastic feature on The Oceans at their website EcoCenter. There are lots of great articles on all things ocean and marine related. And interactive features like Beautiful Strangers, which offers a glimpse of some of the strangest, most lovely and most elusive sea creatures. Like the Pink Amazonian River Dolphin, Narwhals and many others.

Currently, there is a wonderful article on The Amazing Albatrosses, one of many marine birds which mate for life and spend their time alternately between scanning the oceans for food and sharing chick rearing duties.

But the Albatross can go for years without touching land and their journeys are amazing.

In addition to the article at Smithsonian, I also recommend Eye of the Albatross by Carl Safina - one of the best books about these incredible birds which follows Amelia the Albatross and the struggle for survival of this endangered species. Safina is one of my favorite authors whose others ocean reads include Song for the Blue Ocean and Voyage of the Turtle.

The Smithsonian EcoCenter Oceans also has info on fishing, aquaculture, shipping, nutrient pollution and climate change. It is a great resource if you’re interested in learning more about the oceans past, present and future.

Smithsonian EcoCenter: The Oceans