View allAll Photos Tagged 15cm
There are several species of Owl butterflies belonging to the genus Caligo. With wingspans up to 15cm, they are some of the largest species of butterflies to be seen in the forests of the tropical Americas. Species are known for the cryptic markings and large conspicuous eye spots on the underside of their closed wings, which resemble the eyes of an owl. The species name Caligo (which translates to “darkness”) refers to these butterflies preference for activity during the hours of dawn and dusk as they fly through the forest in search of ripe fruit to feed on. It is only then that the flash of blue or purple colours on the upper side of the wings becomes visible, seen here on this Teucer Giant-Owl Butterfly photographed on the island of Trinidad.
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Image Caption: An Owl Butterfly (Caligo teucer) resting on a leaf with its wings open, exposing a brilliant shade of blue on the upperside of its wings. Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
15cm diameter hand stitched, cotton on cotton. I`m not sure if I like this one as the colours are a bit riotous.
www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a...
Key information
Noisy and gregarious, these cheerful exploiters of man's rubbish and wastefulness have managed to colonise most of the world. The ultimate avian opportunist perhaps. Monitoring suggests a severe decline in the UK house sparrow population, recently estimated as dropping by 71 per cent between 1977 and 2008 with substantial declines in both rural and urban populations. While the decline in England continues, Breeding Bird Survey data indicate recent population increases in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
What they eat:
Seeds and scraps.
Measurements:
Length:14-15cm
Wingspan:21-25.5cm
Weight:24-38g
Population:
UK breeding:5,300,000 pairs
Where and when to see them
House sparrows can be found from the centre of cities to the farmland of the countryside, they feed and breed near to people. It is a species vanishing from the centre of many cities, but is not uncommon in most towns and villages. It is absent from parts of the Scottish Highlands and is thinly distributed in most upland areas.
Breeding
House sparrows usually nest in loose colonies and since they don't defend a proper territory, nests can be as little as 20-30 cm apart.
How house sparrows nest
Nests are often placed in holes and crevices within buildings and they will readily use nestboxes. Free-standing nests are also frequently built, in creepers against walls and in thick hedges or conifers.
Pairs often remain faithful to their nest site and to each other for life, although a lost mate of either sex is normally replaced within days. A hole is filled with dry grass or straw with a nesting chamber lined with feathers, hairs, string and paper. Feathers may be plucked from a live pigeon!
The main nesting season is from April to August, although nesting has been recorded in all months. Most birds lay two or three clutches, but in a good year fourth attempts are not uncommon.
About house sparrow chicks
The female lays two to five eggs at daily intervals and often starts to incubate part way through egg-laying. Both sexes incubate, and the chicks hatch after 11-14 days. The parents share nesting duties equally. Chicks are brooded for 6-8 days, but can control their own body temperature only when 10 or 11 days old.
The youngsters are fed on a variety of invertebrates, including aphids, caterpillars, beetles and grasshoppers. Seeds and vegetable matter are also given, particularly during periods when invertebrates are scarce (e.g. cold weather) and become more important after the chicks leave the nest.
The young fledge 14-16 days after hatching. They are unable to feed themselves for about a week after leaving the nest and are cared for by their parents for around a fortnight. Post-fledging care is frequently left to the male as the hen prepares for the next brood. She can begin laying her next clutch of eggs within days of the previous brood leaving the nest.
Newly independent young often gather in large flocks, anywhere there is an abundance of seed, invertebrates and other suitable foods. These may be areas of wasteland or around garden feeding sites. Later, rural flocks may move on to grainfields to feed on the ripening grain, often joined by adult birds, once they have finished nesting. Flocks tend to break up through the autumn and birds return to their nesting colony sites.
Population trends
The house sparrow is common through most of its world range, and can tolerate a wide variety of climates.
The recent decline of house sparrows
UK house sparrow populations have fluctuated greatly over the centuries, with a gradual decline during the last 100 years.
Causes for the rapid recent declines, particularly in urban and suburban environments, remain largely undetermined, although research is underway that aims to establish the cause(s), and develop conservation solutions.
Declines in rural house sparrow populations are thought to be linked to changes in agricultural practices, particularly the loss of winter stubbles and improved hygiene measures around grain stores.
House sparrow numbers were not monitored adequately before the mid-1970s. Since then, numbers in rural England have nearly halved while numbers in towns and cities have declined by 60 per cent. Because of these large population declines, the house sparrow is now red-listed as a species of high conservation concern.
Relations with humans and other animals
People have a love-hate relationship with the house sparrow. However, control attempts have failed to limit the sparrows numbers and range.
Their relationship with humans
People have a love-hate relationship with the house sparrow. For many they are the most familiar of wild animals, bringing life to city centres and other man-made places, bereft of wildlife.
The house sparrows partiality to grain crops and the damage and destruction this caused resulted in attempts to control their numbers. From the mid-18th century most parishes had sparrow clubs with the sole objective to destroy as many sparrows as possible. Bounties were paid for sparrows until the late 19th century, when it was accepted that the control measures did not work. Similar failures were recorded in a number of other European countries.
Ironically, as people in Europe were paid to kill sparrows as pests, others deliberately introduced them to places as far apart as Australia and New York. Initially they were welcomed, although later appreciation turned to serious concern for the impact on crops. By then sparrows had become well established and control attempts have failed to limit the sparrows numbers and range.
How sparrows behave with other animals
Sparrows are aggressive tend to dominate feeders in gardens and prevent other birds from getting to the food. They harass other birds and steal their food and take over their nests, particularly house martins. The eviction and interference often results in a reduction in breeding success and can cause desertion of even large martin colonies.
Sparrows frequently tear to pieces the nests of martins and swallows and eject any eggs or chicks therein. The owners are unable to stop them.
Sparrows are very resilient and for their size have remarkably few serious predators. Main predators are domestic cats, owls (especially tawny) and sparrowhawks, but none are capable of affecting the size of the sparrow population, with the possible exception of localised effects by cats.
She was trying to be funny by giving us another snow blast of 15cm. The bird in the tree is probably very confused.
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Chocolate Cosmos
Formerly called Bidens atrosanguinea and comparatively unknown, this tender Mexican perennial is now a fashionable late summer highlight in warm borders, as much for its scent of vanilla and hot chocolate as for the dusky brownish-red blooms. As with most cosmos varieties, the blooms resemble small single dahlias, and its culture is similar too, as it has a tuber which, in mild gardens, can be planted at least 15cm (6in) deep and left in the ground with winter protection, or is more usually lifted in autumn for drying and storage.
Plant description
The large (up to 15cm across) flowers of this evergreen shrub are variable, and they range in colour from mid-pink to carmine-red. Even their shape can vary from open-centred semi-doubles to frilly-centred anemone forms, but most will display at least some (if not all) of their golden stamens. Because no two flowers are exactly the same, it almost looks as though there is more than one shrub growing in its place - and as it eventually forms a good-sized specimen, it's a wonderful addition to the garden in late winter.
Camellia japonica blooms from late December through March (depending on the variety), making them the quintessential winter-blooming addition to the garden. No garden with well-draining soil and a bit of shade should be without these remarkable flowering shrubs.
Another early Spring wildflower, Dutchman's Breeches are a perennial, native species of Michigan's deciduous forests. The flowers of this small plant (about 4-6", 10-15cm tall), have two large "spurs" that some people say resemble "upside-down pants, " hence its name.
Looks best in largest size.
Seen at Clinton River Park, Sterling Heights, Michigan.
Calumet CC401W + ernotar 15cm F:4,5 PF 9x12, FP4+, périmé de 2005 + kodak HC110 1+31, 11min à 20°C, filtre jaune + filtre rouge "home made" expo pifométrique extrapolée ...
Cliché certes sans beaucoup d'intérêt mais dont le but est principalement l'idée de partager différents tests ....
Essais des nouveaux jouets :
****Un lot important de FP4+ 9x12 très bon marché périmés de 2005, pas de soucis particulier, pas de grain, pas de voile, contraste et définition : les bons produits bien utilisés perdurent ... Les amateurs de fomapan peuvent toujours se l'accrocher dans le dos !!! MDR !!
**** un "Ernotar" 15cm F:4,5, lui aussi très réputé et plutôt sympa ...
Sans prétention, juste pour ne pas parler de ce qu'on ne connaît pas, et TOC !!
Bon plans sur paris :
A bientôt sur flickr pour partager, apprendre, transmettre ;o))
Company: Banpresto
Set: ????
Year: 2010
Size: 15cm
Made in: Japan
Extra: This plush will be released sometime in 2010.
Have any info we left out? Let us know at pokeplushproject(at)yahoo(dot)com!
Le pinson des arbres mesure approximativement la taille du moineau domestique : 15cm.
Le pinson des arbres est présent toute l’année en France et dans une grande partie de l’Europe.
quite big - probably a bit over 15cm in tip to tip diameter.
These were pulled up with a conger bait (half a mackerel). I was surprised to see them come up like this.
I assume these are Common starfish - Asterias rubens
The guys fishing werent terribly interested in them. I popped them back into the water after getting a photo!
Teelin Pier
The Cranberries - Stars
Nombre común: Pez cardenal / Reyezuelo
Nombre científico: Apogon imberbis
Lugar: Marina del Este (Granada)
Tamaño: 10-15cm
Descripción: El reyezuelo se reproduce en verano. Tras el apareamiento, el macho toma la puesta en su boca (unos 20.000 huevos), protegiéndolos así de los predadores hasta su eclosión.
Durante la incubación, que viene a durar unos 8 días, el macho deja de tomar alimento y mantiene la puesta adecuadamente oxigenada masticándola periódicamente con cuidado.
Nota: Llevaba mucho tiempo intentando conseguir ésta foto y por fin la he conseguido! :-)
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The cardinal fish reproduces in summer. After the matching, the male takes the putting in his mouth (approximately 20.000 eggs), protecting them this way from the predators.
During the incubation, which comes to last approximately 8 days, the male stops taking food and keeps the putting adequately become oxygenated chewing it from time to time carefully.
Please don't use this images on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved
You can buy a printed copy of this image here:
Sylvia communis. Vagrant. Mógilsá. 13-15cm. 15g. WS 20cm.
is a common and widespread typical warbler which breeds throughout Europe and across much of temperate western Asia. This small passerine bird is strongly migratory, and winters in tropical Africa, Arabia, and Pakistan.
2 rectangles 10cm x 20cm
1 rectangle 10cm x 15cm
1 square 20cm x 20cm
So easy and so beautiful. As my dear spanish friends would say, “muy resultón”! :)
Diagram: Tanteidan magazine nr. 111
This is 1 week old hatchling with length less than 15cm...
Family : VIPERIDAE
Species : Cryptelytrops purpureomaculatus
Maximum Size : 100 cm
A species of mangroves and coastal forests, the Shore Pit Viper has a reputation for being unpredictable and should be approached with caution. Giving no warning signs, this snake will strike readily at any threat, and its powerful haemotoxic venom can cause serious illness or even kill. By day it can be found resting on low branches one or two metres from the ground.
Its colour can vary from a uniform dark grey or purplish-brown to a weakly-patterned brown, with a white stripe along each flank, or even greenish-yellow with dark mottling. The scales are strongly keeled (i.e. ridged).
The species ranges from India and Burma, through Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia to Singapore and Sumatra.
[Credit to: www.ecologyasia.com/verts/snakes/shore_pit_viper.htm]
Key Identification Features
Bank voles are very small rodents which are often mistaken for mice. They have small compact bodies generally about 15cm from head to tip including a 5cm long tail and can weigh from 15 to 40 grams, they have small eyes and ears and a blunt nose. Their tails are shorter than mice and are covered in fur with their blunt noses also being the main physical difference between the two. The fur is a chestnut red or brown on the upper body with their undersides being a bluff to grey colour. Juveniles will have a more grey to brown fur colouration. The fore feet have four toes while the slightly larger five toed hind feet leave small tracks up to 2cm in length which are quite similar to the footprints of mice. Bank voles are not a particularly vocal species but will emit a limited range of squeaks when communicating using high frequency ultrasound which humans cannot hear. The bank vole has a well developed sense of smell which is important for receiving information on individuals who have used territorial scent markings in an area.
Habitat
Bank voles prefer habitats which offer plenty of dense undergrowth like those found in deciduous woodlands, hedgerows, copses and overgrown ditches, they will only inhabit coniferous forests that have not fully matured and contain a thick shrub layer. They avoid open areas lacking in ground cover but may travel across such areas using established pathways if necessary. Bank voles live in shallow underground burrows which they line with dried grass, feathers and wool, in areas with thick cover they construct ground level nests of grass and moss. Hedgerows are vital to bank voles in Ireland providing important dispersal corridors between their nests and feeding grounds. In good quality deciduous woodland habitats that can provide all of the bank vole’s requirements their home range may be as small as 50m2 with males generally occupying larger territories than the females. An individual’s territory will be marked out by regular urine spraying along the boundary.
Food and Feeding Habits
Bank voles are omnivorous mammals eating a wide range of foods such as berries, bulbs, seeds, fruits and fungi, while they will also hunt for insects, snails, larvae and earthworms. They are also sometimes known to be cannibalistic. In winter when foraging is restricted the voles will strip the bark from young coniferous trees and eat the soft edible tissue underneath. They are active during both the day and night but become more nocturnal in summer, they need to break up their activities with frequent periods of rest. Bank voles are good climbers and can reach food sources several feet above ground level. In winter the bank vole will create a store of seeds near its underground burrow to see it through the colder months.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Breeding can occur all year if there is enough food available but it usually starts in April and ends in September. Ultrasound communication is used during mating between males and females. Once pregnant the gestation period lasts between sixteen and eighteen days, newborn bank voles are born blind and furless weighing around 2 grams and are called pups. Weaning lasts for two weeks in underground nests with the female being able to become pregnant again before weaning of the first litter is complete. Litter sizes vary but usually consist of three to five pups with breeding females likely to have up to five litters in a year. Parental care is given to the pups by the female vole only. Young bank voles will disperse soon after weaning to establish their own territories with pups born early in the season reaching sexual maturity before the summer’s end allowing them to breed themselves in the same season of their birth. The maximum lifespan in Ireland of a bank vole is 18 months with few newborn voles reaching full maturity.
Current Distribution
Voles are believed to have descended from an ancient wood mouse ancestor that originated in Asia and Eastern Europe. Bank voles now range across Europe except in the extreme north and south of the continent and are widely distributed throughout Britain. They are not indigenous to Ireland and may have been accidentally introduced to the south west of the country in the 1920’s. They were first discovered in county Kerry in 1964 and since then have steadily spread to habitats throughout Munster and Leinster at a rate of one to four kilometres each year, in good quality habitats they can number up to thirty individuals per hectare. By 1990 the bank vole had crossed the Shannon river and can now be found in county Galway and other areas of Connaught. Their expansion will most likely continue due to increased afforestation in the Irish countryside which when mature are the preferred habitat type of the bank vole.
Conservation Issues
Like mice, shrews and other small mammals the bank vole is an important prey species for a large number of predatory birds and animals in Ireland such as the fox, stoat, kestrel and hen harrier. They have been found to consist of up to 35% of the total diet of the barn owl in some areas. The bank vole is a good form of natural pest control as they eat large numbers of insects and their larvae throughout the year. Their reproduction rate may be high but natural losses offset this meaning they rarely reach pest proportions, when they do they can cause damage in gardens and young forestry populations when control measures may be necessary. Due to their small size they are extremely sensitive to any adverse changes in their environment for example an increased use of pesticides or herbicides in some habitats may directly kill bank voles or reduce the supply of insects on which they are totally dependent. The increase in the numbers of domestic and feral cats in Ireland could be having an adverse effect on the bank vole population especially in more rural locations. Currently the bank vole is not protected under any international, European or Irish legislation.
Puffins feed on small fish, around 5 to 15cm long, mainly sandlance (sandeel), sprat, capelin, herring, hake, and cod. The area around Skomer was Wales' only Marine Nature Reserve for 24 years before becoming a Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) in 2014. This has contributed to their steadily increasing population, though the 2024 census shows a slight decline.
This photo has been uploaded for the enjoyment of the image, not to aid in identification. Picking wild mushrooms to eat without expert knowledge will probably result in you dying.
The most easily identifiable mushroom of them all, Amanita muscaria at Coed Gwent (Wentwood) near Newport.
location: North America, Europe
edibility: Deadly
fungus colour: Red or redish or pink
normal size: 5-15cm
cap type: Convex to shield shaped
stem type: Ring on stem, Volva on stem
spore colour: White, cream or yellowish
habitat: Grows in woods, Grows on the ground
Amanita muscaria (L. ex Fr.) Hooker Fly Agaric, Amanite tue-mouches, Fausse Oronge Roter Fliegenpilz Cap 8–20cm across, globose or hemispherical at first then flattening, bright scarlet covered with distinctive white pyramidal warts which may be washed off by rain leaving the cap almost smooth and the colour fades. Stem 80–180×10–20mm, white, often covered in shaggy volval remnants as is the bulbous base, the white membranous ring attached to the stem apex sometimes becoming flushed yellow from the pigment washed off the cap. Flesh white, tinged red or yellow below the cap cuticle, Taste pleasant, smell faint. Gills free, white. Spore print white. Spores broadly ovate, nonamyloid, 9.5–10.5×7–8µ. Habitat usually with birch trees, Season late summer to late autumn. Common. Deadly poisonous. It contains many different toxins see below. Distribution, America and Europe.
This is one of the easiest species to recognize and describe, and consequently its properties have been well documented for centuries. The common name Fly Agaric comes from the practice of breaking the cap into platefuls of milk, used since medieval times to stupefy flies. It is a strong hallucinogen and intoxicant and was used as such by the Lapps. In such cases the cap is dried and swallowed without chewing. The symptoms begin twenty minutes to two hours after ingestion. The central nervous system is affected and the muscles of the intoxicated person start to pull and twitch convulsively, followed by dizzines and a death-like sleep. During this stage the mushrooms are often vomited but nevertheless the drunkenness and stupor continue. While in this state of stupor, the person experiences vivid visions and on waking is usually filled with elation and is physically very active. This is due to the nerves being highly stimulated, the slightest effort of will producing exaggerated physical effects, e.g. the intoxicated person will make a gigantic leap to clear the smallest obstacle. The Lapps may have picked up the habit of eating the Fly Agaric through observing the effects of the fungus on reindeer, which are similarly affected. Indeed, they like it so much that all one has to do to round up a wandering herd is to scatter pieces of Fly Agaric on the ground. Another observation the Lapps made from the reindeer was that the intoxicating compounds in the fungus can be recycled by consuming the urine of an intoxicated person. The effects of consuming this species are exceedingly unpredictable; some people remain unaffected while others have similar, or different, symptoms to those above, and at least one death is attributed to A. muscaria. This unpredictability is due to the fungus containing different amounts of the toxins ibotenic acid and muscimol according to season, method of cooking and ingestion, as well as the subject’s state of mind. Ibotenic acid is mostly concentrated in the coloured skin of the cap. This very unstable compound rapidly degrades on drying to form muscimol which is five to ten times more potent. Traditionally, where A. muscaria is used as an inebriant, it is the dried cap which is taken.
info by Roger Phillips: