Standing alone at the water’s edge or on a branch just above the water, the green heron waits patiently for its prey before driving its head into the water and catching its target in its pincer-like bill . Feeding primarily on fish, the green heron is one of very few tool-using bird species and uses a variety of baits and lures, including insects, earthworms, twigs or feathers, to entice fish to where it can grab them. This versatile, intelligent predator has a rather large bill for its size and, as such, can feed on a variety of other large prey, including frogs, reptiles, small mammals and crustaceans. It feeds by day and night in shallow waters, often as little as five centimetres deep, and tends to walk between hunting sites in a slow, methodical, deliberate fashion with the body crouched.

An extremely adaptable wetland bird, the green heron occupies almost any shallow fresh, brackish or saltwater habitat within its range. It is typically found in swampy thickets, preferring to forage around dense vegetation, but may feed in the open when food is available.

I found this one along Peavine Road in Osceola County, Florida.

After many frustrating attempts, I finally got a photograph of one of these Barn Swallows in flight.

The bird’s wingspan is 29 to 32 centimeters. The average wingbeat rate is 5 to 9 beats per second. Barn swallows are endothermic which enables them to be adaptable to different climates during migration. They use vocalizations and body language to communicate with each other.

They have a mutually beneficial relationship with ospreys. Ospreys offer protection while barn swallows alert them to predators.

This photograph was taken in the south of Portugal.

-Hirundo rustica

Rhodanthe chlorocephala is a native Australian daisy belonging to the family Asteraceae. It is widely grown due to its attractive flowers and foliage, and because it’s hardy, adaptable and provides a good, fast ground cover. The flowers are long-lived and dry well. Rhodanthe chlorocephala subspecies rosea is the most widely grown subspecies and is commonly known as “Pink and White Everlasting”, “Rosy Sunray”, “Pink Paper-daisy” and “Rosy Everlasting”. It grows naturally in the south of Western Australia extending into South Australia. Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea is an erect annual herb 20-60cm high with clumps of glabrous (hairless) grey-green stems and leaves 1-6cm in length. It has a large single flowering head at the tip of each stem. Flower heads grow to 6cm diameter, gradually decreasing as the flowering season progresses. The color of the bracts varies from deep pink (almost red) through pale pink to pure white, with a yellow or black centre. 5863

One of the loudest and most colorful birds of eastern back yards and woodlots, the Blue Jay is unmistakable. Intelligent and adaptable, it may feed on almost anything, and it is quick to take advantage of bird feeders. Besides their raucous jay! jay! calls, Blue Jays make a variety of musical sounds, and they can do a remarkable imitation of the scream of a Red-shouldered Hawk. Not always conspicuous, they slip furtively through the trees when tending their own nest or going to rob the nest of another bird.

Blue Jays are known to take and eat eggs and nestlings of other birds, but we don’t know how common this is. In an extensive study of Blue Jay feeding habits, only 1% of jays had evidence of eggs or birds in their stomachs. Most of their diet was composed of insects and nuts.

The pigment in Blue Jay feathers is melanin, which is brown. The blue color is caused by scattering light through modified cells on the surface of the feather barbs.

Seven US states claim the Northern Cardinal as their state bird, but the Blue Jay is not recognized as a state bird in any US state. However, they are the mascot of a Major League Baseball Team, the Toronto Blue Jays.

Took this shot in my backyard. Polk County, Florida.

The mandarin duck (Aix galericulata) is native in East Asia, especially in Japan and China. Their number in the native habitat is decreasing. However, they show remarkable adaptability to new environments, and now live in some Western cities, such as London. It also became "hot duck" in New York City.

A male mandarin duck is a beautiful bird, as is shown in many pictures. A slightly difficult color to be observed is green at the front head and lower portion of the crest; the color becomes evident only when reflecting direct sunlight.

I visited Eastern Aichi in Japan to observe mandarin ducks hopefully at a close distance. Fortunately the ducks flew in when the light conditions were perfect. Green color was observed even at the bottom of the lifted "sail",

Rhodanthe chlorocephala is a native Australian daisy belonging to the family Asteraceae. It is widely grown due to its attractive flowers and foliage, and because it’s hardy, adaptable and provides a good, fast ground cover. The flowers are long-lived and dry well. Rhodanthe chlorocephala subspecies rosea is the most widely grown subspecies and is commonly known as “Pink and White Everlasting”, “Rosy Sunray”, “Pink Paper-daisy” and “Rosy Everlasting”. It grows naturally in the south of Western Australia extending into South Australia. Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea is an erect annual herb 20-60cm high with clumps of glabrous (hairless) grey-green stems and leaves 1-6cm in length. It has a large single flowering head at the tip of each stem. Flower heads grow to 6cm diameter, gradually decreasing as the flowering season progresses. The color of the bracts varies from deep pink (almost red) through pale pink to pure white, with a yellow or black centre. 5843

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Manchmal muss man eben Schwein haben. :)

Tomball, Texas USA

One of the loudest and most colorful birds of eastern back yards and woodlots, the Blue Jay is unmistakable. Intelligent and adaptable, it may feed on almost anything, and it is quick to take advantage of bird feeders. Besides their raucous jay! jay! calls, Blue Jays make a variety of musical sounds, and they can do a remarkable imitation of the scream of a Red-shouldered Hawk. Not always conspicuous, they slip furtively through the trees when tending their own nest or going to rob the nest of another bird.

Rhodanthe chlorocephala is a native Australian daisy belonging to the family Asteraceae. It is widely grown due to its attractive flowers and foliage, and because it’s hardy, adaptable and provides a good, fast ground cover. The flowers are long-lived and dry well. Rhodanthe chlorocephala subspecies rosea is the most widely grown subspecies and is commonly known as “Pink and White Everlasting”, “Rosy Sunray”, “Pink Paper-daisy” and “Rosy Everlasting”. It grows naturally in the south of Western Australia extending into South Australia. Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea is an erect annual herb 20-60cm high with clumps of glabrous (hairless) grey-green stems and leaves 1-6cm in length. It has a large single flowering head at the tip of each stem. Flower heads grow to 6cm diameter, gradually decreasing as the flowering season progresses. The color of the bracts varies from deep pink (almost red) through pale pink to pure white, with a yellow or black centre. 7353

Rhodanthe chlorocephala is a native Australian daisy belonging to the family Asteraceae. It is widely grown due to its attractive flowers and foliage, and because it’s hardy, adaptable and provides a good, fast ground cover. The flowers are long-lived and dry well. Rhodanthe chlorocephala subspecies rosea is the most widely grown subspecies and is commonly known as “Pink and White Everlasting”, “Rosy Sunray”, “Pink Paper-daisy” and “Rosy Everlasting”. It grows naturally in the south of Western Australia extending into South Australia. Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea is an erect annual herb 20-60cm high with clumps of glabrous (hairless) grey-green stems and leaves 1-6cm in length. It has a large single flowering head at the tip of each stem. Flower heads grow to 6cm diameter, gradually decreasing as the flowering season progresses. The color of the bracts varies from deep pink (almost red) through pale pink to pure white, with a yellow or black centre.

Achillea tomentosa, commonly known as woolly yarrow, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is sometimes kept as a garden plant, and occasionally naturalizes outside its original range of dry lowland habitats of southern Europe and (possibly) western Asia. 26258

Rhodanthe chlorocephala is a native Australian daisy belonging to the family Asteraceae. It is widely grown due to its attractive flowers and foliage, and because it’s hardy, adaptable and provides a good, fast ground cover. The flowers are long-lived and dry well. Rhodanthe chlorocephala subspecies rosea is the most widely grown subspecies and is commonly known as “Pink and White Everlasting”, “Rosy Sunray”, “Pink Paper-daisy” and “Rosy Everlasting”. It grows naturally in the south of Western Australia extending into South Australia. Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea is an erect annual herb 20-60cm high with clumps of glabrous (hairless) grey-green stems and leaves 1-6cm in length. It has a large single flowering head at the tip of each stem. Flower heads grow to 6cm diameter, gradually decreasing as the flowering season progresses. The color of the bracts varies from deep pink (almost red) through pale pink to pure white, with a yellow or black centre. 5847

Great Blue Heron

From Audubon : Widespread and familiar (though often called "crane"), the largest heron in North America. Often seen standing silently along inland rivers or lakeshores, or flying high overhead, with slow wingbeats, its head hunched back onto its shoulders. Highly adaptable, it thrives around all kinds of waters from subtropical mangrove swamps to desert rivers to the coastline of southern Alaska. With its variable diet it is able to spend the winter farther north than most herons, even in areas where most waters freeze. A form in southern Florida (called "Great White Heron") is slightly larger and entirely white.

Cordyline stricta, known as Narrow-leaved Palm Lily is an evergreen Australian plant.

Cordyline stricta is widely planted in gardens and commercial landscapes for the ornamental value of both its foliage and flower heads and berries. Its tall, narrow growth makes it useful as a screen plant. Cordyline stricta is adaptable to a wide range of climate and planting situations, from full sun to shade, and is moderately drought tolerant once established. It does not tolerate frost well.

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but rather the one most adaptable to change.

Clarence Darrow

Mala Mala Game Reserve

Near Kruger National Park

South Africa

The black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) is a canid native to two areas of Africa, separated by roughly 900 km.

One region includes the southernmost tip of the continent, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. The other area is along the eastern coastline, including Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti and Ethiopia.

It is listed by the IUCN as least concern, due to its widespread range and adaptability, although it is still persecuted as a livestock predator and rabies vector.

Compared to other members of the genus Canis, the black-backed jackal is a very ancient species, and has changed little since the Pleistocene, being the most basal canine alongside the closely related side-striped jackal.

It is a fox-like canid with a reddish coat and a black saddle that extends from the shoulders to the base of the tail. It is a monogamous animal, whose young may remain with the family to help raise new generations of pups. The black-backed jackal is not a fussy eater, and will feed on small to medium sized animals, as well as plant matter and human refuse. – Wikipedia

Dunbar - Scotland

HMS Glasgow is the first City-class Type 26 Frigate, a fast, adaptable, future-proofed ship built in her namesake city. She will enter service in the mid-2020s.

Tomball, Texas USA

One of the loudest and most colorful birds of eastern back yards and woodlots, the Blue Jay is unmistakable. This one is showing his third eyelid or nictitating membrane. Intelligent and adaptable, it may feed on almost anything, and it is quick to take advantage of bird feeders. Besides their raucous jay! jay! calls, Blue Jays make a variety of musical sounds, and they can do a remarkable imitation of the scream of a Red-shouldered Hawk. Not always conspicuous, they slip furtively through the trees when tending their own nest or going to rob the nest of another bird.

Nelore (Bos indicus), is a breed of cattle originating in India. It has a white coat and black fur, which gives it an extraordinary tolerance to heat. The first specimens arrived in Brazil at the end of the 18th century, and quickly became predominant in the Brazilian herd (85% of the total herd). It spread throughout South America and, mainly, in Brazil due to its high fertility in pasture, and its ability to survive. The Nelore is the base breed for crossbreeding beef cattle in Brazil.

The breed has as its main characteristics adaptability to the tropics, being very rustic and resistant to diseases and parasites. In addition, the breed delivers good quality meat and market acceptance.

With these characteristics the "Nelore" is raised and fattened in the pasture without receiving any food supplement except mineral salt in the trough.

Fazenda "Bela Vista", Dourado, São Paulo, Brazil.

Rhodanthe chlorocephala is a native Australian daisy belonging to the family Asteraceae. It is widely grown due to its attractive flowers and foliage, and because it’s hardy, adaptable and provides a good, fast ground cover. The flowers are long-lived and dry well. Rhodanthe chlorocephala subspecies rosea is the most widely grown subspecies and is commonly known as “Pink and White Everlasting”, “Rosy Sunray”, “Pink Paper-daisy” and “Rosy Everlasting”. It grows naturally in the south of Western Australia extending into South Australia. Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea is an erect annual herb 20-60cm high with clumps of glabrous (hairless) grey-green stems and leaves 1-6cm in length. It has a large single flowering head at the tip of each stem. Flower heads grow to 6cm diameter, gradually decreasing as the flowering season progresses. The color of the bracts varies from deep pink (almost red) through pale pink to pure white, with a yellow or black centre. 18954

The distinctive red-brown fur and long bushy tail of the fox are a familiar sight almost everywhere in the British Isles. Foxes are intelligent, adaptable mammals, opportunistic, with unfussy palates, and they make use of a wide range of habitats, including those of towns and cities. They are social animals, living in family groups of a breeding pair, together with cubs in the spring, and sometimes other subordinate juveniles and adults. The latter are usually young born the previous year and help with the rearing of cubs, feeding, grooming and playing with them. Each group occupies a territory, which is marked with urine and scats. Dens (called ‘earths’) may be dug in banks or make use of (disused or occupied) badger setts or old rabbit burrows. In urban areas, favoured sites for dens are under buildings or sheds, and in overgrown gardens and cemeteries.

Foxes hunt and scavenge with keen senses of smell and hearing, and probably use the latter to locate earthworms, which can make up a large part of their diet.

Thanks for viewing my photos and for any favourites and comments, it’s much appreciated.

Naples Botanical Gardens

Southwest Florida

USA

The mottled duck (Anas fulvigula) or mottled mallard is a medium-sized dabbling duck. It is intermediate in appearance between the female mallard and the American black duck. It is closely related to those species, and is sometimes considered a subspecies of the former, but this is inappropriate (see systematics).

There are two distinct populations of mottled ducks. One population, A. fulvigula maculosa (mottled duck), lives on the Gulf of Mexico coast between Alabama and Tamaulipas (Mexico); outside the breeding season individual birds may venture as far south as to Veracruz. The other, A. fulvigula fulvigula (Florida duck), is resident in central and south Florida and occasionally strays north to Georgia. The same disjunct distribution pattern was also historically found in the local sandhill cranes.

Along the Gulf of Mexico coast, the mottled duck is one of the most frequently banded waterfowl. This is due in part to the fact that it is mostly non-migratory. Approximately one out of every twenty mottled ducks are banded, making it an extremely prized and sought after bird among hunters. – Wikipedia

Kleb Woods Nature Preserve near Tomball, Texas

Primarily a bird of the southeast, where its rolling calls are familiar sounds in swamps and riverside woods. Omnivorous and adaptable, this woodpecker has also adjusted to life in suburbs and city parks, and in recent years it has been expanding its range to the north. Despite the name, the red on the belly is not often visible in the field.

This handsome Cooper’s Hawk is an occasional visitor at my birdfeeder.

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More than you ever wanted to know about Cooper’s Hawks:

The Cooper's Hawk is a sleek, medium-sized raptor found throughout much of North and Central America. Known for its agility and stealth, it's a true "bird hawk," specialized in hunting other birds, often at dizzying speeds through dense vegetation.

Appearance: Adults have a striking blue-gray back and head (often with a darker cap), rufous (rusty) barring on their white underparts, and a long, banded tail with a white tip. Juveniles are brown above and have brown streaks on their pale underparts. Their eyes, typically yellow in young birds, gradually turn orange and then a deep red as they age. Females are noticeably larger than males.

They exhibit the classic "accipiter" flight style: a few rapid, stiff wingbeats followed by a short glide. When pursuing prey, their flight becomes incredibly fast and agile, allowing them to navigate expertly through trees.

Cooper's Hawks are generally silent, but they produce a harsh, rapid "kek-kek-kek-kek" call, especially when disturbed or defending a nest.

Cooper's Hawks are adaptable and can be found in a variety of forested habitats, including deciduous, mixed, and evergreen forests.

In recent decades, they've become increasingly common in suburban and urban environments, especially where mature trees provide cover and there's an abundance of prey like pigeons and doves.

Their breeding range extends from southern Canada throughout the continental United States and into Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.

Northern populations typically migrate south for the winter, reaching as far as Central America, while those in warmer southern states may be year-round residents.

Their diet consists primarily of small to medium-sized birds, including common backyard species like American Robins, Blue Jays, European Starlings, and Mourning Doves. They are formidable hunters, often ambushing prey from a concealed perch or pursuing them in swift, darting flights through the trees.

Their presence at bird feeders, while sometimes unsettling for homeowners, is a natural behavior as they seek out concentrated prey.

Cooper's Hawks typically build large stick nests high up in deciduous or coniferous trees, often in a crotch or on a horizontal branch.

The male usually does most of the nest building. Females lay 3 to 6 pale bluish to greenish-white eggs. The female does the majority of the incubation, with the male providing food for her. Both parents care for the young after hatching. The young fledge (leave the nest) after about 4-5 weeks but remain dependent on their parents for food for several more weeks.

(Sony a9II, 200-600/6.3, @ 600 mm, 1/1000 @ f/8.0, ISO 4000, edited to taste)

Rhodanthe chlorocephala is a native Australian daisy belonging to the family Asteraceae. It is widely grown due to its attractive flowers and foliage, and because it’s hardy, adaptable and provides a good, fast ground cover. The flowers are long-lived and dry well. Rhodanthe chlorocephala subspecies rosea is the most widely grown subspecies and is commonly known as “Pink and White Everlasting”, “Rosy Sunray”, “Pink Paper-daisy” and “Rosy Everlasting”. It grows naturally in the south of Western Australia extending into South Australia. Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea is an erect annual herb 20-60cm high with clumps of glabrous (hairless) grey-green stems and leaves 1-6cm in length. It has a large single flowering head at the tip of each stem. Flower heads grow to 6cm diameter, gradually decreasing as the flowering season progresses. The color of the bracts varies from deep pink (almost red) through pale pink to pure white, with a yellow or black centre. 26307

Bombus impatiens, the common eastern bumble bee, is the most commonly encountered bumblebee across much of eastern North America. They can be found in the Eastern temperate forest region of the eastern United States, southern Canada, and the eastern Great Plains. Because of their great adaptability, they can live in country, suburbs, and even urban cities. Flower is Allium 'Mont Blanc'. Allium are bulbous herbaceous perennials with a strong onion or garlic scent. The Mont Blanc allium produces flowers of up to 4 inches in diameter on a 3 foot stalk, Kitchen Garden, Tryon Palace, North Carolina

The mallard is one of the most widespread and most familiar species of duck in the world, and they are the ancestors of most domestic duck breeds.

Highly adaptable, these ducks are familiar to most, but they are always worth watching and always have something to teach both novice and expert birders. Taken with iPhone 11 pro.

Female mallards are far less colorful than mallard drakes. Their plumage is mottled brown, bright orange bill with black or gray, their wings show the blue speculum bordered with white lines, like the drakes, their legs and feet are bright orange.

This bland coloration serves female mallards well providing good camouflage for tending the nest and caring for hatchlings.

The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), also known as the tiger owl or the hoot owl, is a large owl native to the Americas. It is an extremely adaptable bird with a vast range and is the most widely distributed true owl in the Americas. Its primary diet appears to be rabbits and hares, rats and mice and voles, although it freely hunts any animal it can overtake, primarily other rodents and small mammals, but also larger mid-sized mammals, various birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

shot through my sun-room window....

One of the loudest and most colorful birds of eastern back yards and woodlots, the Blue Jay is unmistakable. Intelligent and adaptable, it may feed on almost anything, and it is quick to take advantage of bird feeders. Besides their raucous jay! jay! calls, Blue Jays make a variety of musical sounds, and they can do a remarkable imitation of the scream of a Red-shouldered Hawk. Not always conspicuous, they slip furtively through the trees when tending their own nest or going to rob the nest of another bird.

The masked lapwing (Vanellus miles), also known as the masked plover and often called the spur-winged plover or just plover in its native range, is a large, common and conspicuous bird native to Australia, particularly the northern and eastern parts of the continent, New Zealand and New Guinea. It spends most of its time on the ground searching for food such as insects and worms and has several distinctive calls. There are two subspecies; the southern novaehollandiae has distinctive black markings on the shoulder and side of the chest, and is sometimes recognized as a separate species, the black-shouldered lapwing (Vanellus novaehollandiae). These brown-black, white and yellow plovers are common in Australian fields and open land. The masked lapwing is the largest representative of the family Charadriidae. It measures from 30 to 37 cm in length and has a wingspan of 75–85 cm. The nominate subspecies (V. m. miles) weighs 191–300 g, while the southern race (V. m. novaehollandiae) is larger and weighs 296–412 g. The birds have a wide range of calls which can be heard at any time of the day or night: the warning call, a loud defending call, courtship calls, calls to its young, and others. Since this bird lives on the ground it is always alert and even though it rests it never sleeps properly. Masked lapwings are most common around the edges of wetlands and in other moist, open environments, but are adaptable and can often be found in surprisingly arid areas. They can also be found on beaches and coastlines. 22106

The Seychelles skink is a very adaptable species, able to utilise the many habitats available on the Seychelles ...

The Seychelles skink is endemic to the Seychelles where it is found on islands of Mahé (and nearby islets), Silhouette, Praslin, North, Aride, Cousin, Cousine, Curieuse, La Digue, Grande Soeur, Petite Soeur, Félicité, Frégate and some other islands. Skinks are similar in appearance to other lizards but lack necks and have long tails that are easily shed.

nor the most intelligent.

It is those that are most adaptable to change

(Charles Darwin)

(Babbage Square)

Tomball Texas

One of the most widespread and abundant songbirds in the world today, the House Sparrow has a simple success formula: it associates with humans. Native to Eurasia and northern Africa, it has succeeded in urban and farming areas all over the world -- including North America, where it was first released at New York in 1851. Tough, adaptable, aggressive, it survives on city sidewalks where few birds can make a living; in rural areas, it may evict native birds from their nests.

Teichfrösche scheinen wegen ihrer Anpassungsfähigkeit und ihrer relativ stationären Lebensweise weniger bedroht zu sein als die meisten übrigen Amphibienarten. Selbst in manchen Fischteichen (die allerdings zumindest mit Röhricht bewachsene Ufer haben sollten) können sie besser überleben als die anderen Lurche (mit Ausnahme der Erdkröte).

Pond frogs appear to be less threatened than most other amphibian species due to their adaptability and relatively stationary lifestyle. Even in some fish ponds (which should have at least banks covered with reed beds), they can survive better than the other amphibians (with the exception of the common toad).

Blue Tits are common and widespread throughout the British Isles, but are absent from both Orkney and Shetland. The Blue Tit’s favoured habitat is broad-leaved woodland, but is sufficiently adaptable to be abundant in a variety of other habitats, including gardens. Some 98% of British gardens report Blue Tits in winter. More than 2.5 million have been ringed in Britain and Ireland.

HMS Glasgow is the first City-class Type 26 Frigate, a fast, adaptable, future-proofed ship built in her namesake city. She will enter service in the mid-2020s.

In almost every part of the world, the Dragonfly symbolizes change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization. The change that is often referred to has its source in mental and emotional maturity and understanding the deeper meaning of life.

Visitors

youtu.be/RUZhASfDf-4. play their tune

The dapper White-crowned Sparrow is easily recognized by its boldly striped head, colorful pink or yellow bill, and unmarked gray breast. Like its close relative the White-throated Sparrow, this handsome bird is a widespread winter visitor in many parts of the United States, reaching well into Mexico as well.

Because of its wide distribution, geographic variation, and adaptability, the White-crowned Sparrow has been a popular study subject among North American scientists. Luis Baptista, an expert in bioacoustics, even referred to this species as "the white rat of ornithology."

www.flickr.com/photos/184806716@N02/51944265559/in/pool-i...

Hibiscus Flower: A Symbol of Beauty and Diversity

The hibiscus flower, with its vibrant colors and striking appearance, has captivated cultures and societies around the world for centuries. This beautiful flower belongs to the mallow family (Malvaceae) and is native to tropical and subtropical regions, making it a common sight in various countries and climates.

Characterized by its large, trumpet-shaped petals and prominent stamens, the hibiscus flower comes in a wide array of colors, including red, pink, yellow, orange, and white. Each hue carries its own symbolism and significance, often representing emotions, celebrations, or cultural customs.

Apart from its aesthetic allure, hibiscus holds diverse cultural importance. It is often regarded as a symbol of beauty, purity, and delicacy in many cultures. In some countries, the hibiscus is associated with love, passion, and the fleeting nature of life. In Hawaii, for instance, the hibiscus is the state flower and is widely used in traditional ceremonies, arts, and crafts.

Moreover, the hibiscus flower is valued for more than just its appearance and cultural symbolism. It has a long history of medicinal use in traditional systems of medicine. Its extracts are believed to possess various health benefits, such as aiding digestion, boosting the immune system, and supporting cardiovascular health. Additionally, hibiscus tea, made from dried hibiscus flowers, is a popular beverage known for its tart and refreshing flavor, often enjoyed both for its taste and potential health properties.

In certain regions, hibiscus is also utilized as a natural dye, imparting vibrant colors to fabrics and crafts. Its versatility extends to the world of gardening and landscaping, where it is a favored choice due to its adaptability and ease of cultivation.

As we appreciate the hibiscus flower's allure and significance, we are reminded of the richness and diversity found in nature, which continues to inspire and enchant us in many different ways. Its timeless beauty and cultural significance make it a cherished and celebrated flower across the globe.

Seen at Dorset Wildlife Trust Higher Hyde Heath Reserve.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The silver-studded blue (Plebejus argus) is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It has bright blue wings rimmed in black with white edges and silver spots on its hindwings, lending it the name of the silver-studded blue. P. argus can be found across Europe and east across the Palearctic, but it is most often studied in the United Kingdom where the species has experienced a severe decline in population due to habitat loss and fragmentation.

P. argus engages in mutualism with ants that contribute to the butterflies' reproductive fitness by providing protection from predation and parasitism from the point of egg laying to their emergence as adults. P. argus adults emerge at the end of June and beginning of July and engage in flight until the beginning of August.

The butterfly is adaptable to different habitats and is found in heathland, mossland, and limestone grassland. Tending towards a sedentary lifestyle and typically flying less than 20 metres (66 ft) a day, P. argus maintains a small radius home range. Their habitats lend themselves well to both foraging and egg laying as the host plants are ubiquitous in all three environments they occupy.

When you see hummingbirds ... they are seen as healers and bringers of love, good luck, and joy. They are a sign of love and will bring love to the person who spots them. The hummingbird generally symbolizes joy and playfulness, as well as adaptability.

They're everywhere! They're everywhere! Well, just about everywhere. You'll find the eastern gray squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis, in deepest woods; you'll find them in the city. You might even find one nesting in your attic.

They're present throughout Florida, one of three squirrel species statewide. Their native range extends as far north as New Brunswick, Canada, west to Manitoba and south to Texas. Chances are, if you spot a squirrel in the United States east of the Mississippi, it's this guy. Through human intervention, they've invaded Britain and continental Europe, South Africa and Australia. Eastern gray squirrels also have introduced in places out west, including California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia. They're a particular problem on Vancouver Island, where they pose a threat to the native squirrel population.

Eastern gray squirrels are serious hoarders, hiding away food in hundreds of caches for future snacking. They count on memory to find the general location of their stash and a strong sense of smell to find the particulars. In turn, squirrels are preyed upon by hawks, owls, raccoons, snakes, feral cats and dogs.

Their adaptability has allowed them to prosper in areas well outside their native range. Eastern gray squirrels were first introduced to Britain in 1876 and have become common in many places within the isles. Similar story in Italy.

In places, the gray squirrel's prosperity has come at the expense of native squirrels. In Europe, the gray squirrel is blamed for the local extinction of the red squirrel through competition and as a disease carrier. It's been nominated for inclusion on the list of the world's 100 worst invaders.

I found this invader in my backyard. Took the photo cause I liked the background.

Cardinals are among the most popular backyard birds in the United States. They are so adaptable that they readily nest in ornamental shrubs and feed right at your kitchen window bird feeder.

The cardinal is one of five crested songbirds in Minnesota; others are the blue jay, tufted titmouse, cedar waxwing and Bohemian waxwing.

Thanks to everyone that views and comments on my images - very much appreciated.

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. On all my images, Use without permission is illegal. m

Naples Botanical Garden

Southwest Florida

USA

The American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is a large passerine bird species of the family Corvidae. It is a common bird found throughout much of North America. American crows are the New World counterpart to the carrion crow and the hooded crow.

Although the American crow and the hooded crow are very similar in size, structure and behavior, their calls and visual appearance are different. The American crow, nevertheless, occupies the same ecological niche that the hooded crow and carrion crow do in Eurasia.

From beak to tail, an American crow measures 40–50 cm (16–20 in), almost half of which is tail. Mass varies from about 300 to 600 g (11 to 21 oz). Males tend to be larger than females. The most usual call is CaaW!-CaaW!-CaaW!. Plumage is all black, with iridescent feathers. It looks much like other all-black corvids. They are very intelligent, and adaptable to human environments.

American crows are common, widespread, and susceptible to the West Nile virus, making them useful as a bioindicator to track the virus's spread. Direct transmission of the virus from crows to humans is impossible. They are considered an agricultural pest, and are subject to hunting and management.

Common names: September bush; Augustusbossie, Blouertjie, Langelede (Afrikaans).

Botanical name: Polygalia myrtifolia.

Family: Polygalaceae.

Taken in the Mountainside neighbourhood of Gordon's Bay, Western Cape, South Africa.

Up in the wilds of the highlands they are very adaptable folk. An old telegraph pole, three pots and a length of rope is all you need to make a bridge over a river. Admittedly it is an 'interesting' experience crossing the bridge as the river was deep and cold, and you have to hold the rope tight to avoid finding out just how cold the river is! Well - I had to give it go didn't I!

In the background you can see the jagged bulk of Liathach, and rising immediately above the bridge on the right is Beinn Eighe. This is a properly wild and beautiful area.

The Small Ground-Finch is one of the most common and highly adaptable, as well as widespread of the Darwin’s Finches of the Galapagos Islands. In towns and villages they are found foraging on dusty margins of streets and act very much as would a House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) in other parts of the world. Yet in higher and moister areas they may be seen perched on a Galapagos Tortoise, waiting for bugs or seeds to be uncovered by the movements of the large reptile. This is the smallest and smallest billed of the ground-finches and thus it eats the smallest seeds available.

Please, no invitations to award/forced comment groups or to those with large/animated comment codes.

Found in forest edge, farmland, and plains, this adaptable and elegant small shrike is a common sight across much of its range. Gray crown and back contrast sharply with white throat, black mask and wings, and bright orange sides. Noticeably smaller than Long-tailed Shrike, with which it shares its range; unlike that species, lacks orange on the back. Regularly perches on exposed perches such as telephone lines, posts, and snags. Song musical and variable, a series of buzzy, whistled, and warbled notes; incorporates mimicry of other species. Calls include repeated harsh chattering notes, as well as high barking and piping notes. (eBird)

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So nice to see a bird out in the open, especially while birding the forest trails. This little shrike sat patiently while I took lots of photos.

Here's a link to our Thailand bird trip list: ebird.org/tripreport/328567

Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand. February 2025.

Rockjumper Birding Tours.