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.

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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.

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. 26261

Dans mon jardin - In my garden

Le Faucon crécerelle (Falco tinnunculus) est une espèce de petits rapaces de la famille des Falconidae, présent dans la totalité de l'Europe, en Afrique, en Arabie et en Asie jusqu'au Japon, du semi-désert jusqu'aux régions subarctiques. Il est également appelé Crécerelle commune ou Crécerelle tout court dans son aire de répartition. Très adaptable, il fréquente les milieux ouverts et peu boisés, des bords de mer jusqu'aux montagnes, mais aussi les milieux urbains et suburbains

The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel or Old World kestrel, is a species of predatory bird belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. In the United Kingdom, where no other kestrel species commonly occurs, it is generally just called "kestrel".

This species occurs over a large native range. It is widespread in Europe, Asia and Africa, as well as occasionally reaching the east coast of North America. It has colonized a few oceanic islands, but vagrant individuals are generally rare; in the whole of Micronesia for example, the species was only recorded twice each on Guam and Saipan in the Marianas

_5D42129 MOD 1A

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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. 41910

I found this wonderful Great horned owl family in a commercial building in my city. It is rare to see three fledglings, usually they have only one or two.

The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), also known as the tiger owl (originally derived from early naturalists' description as the "winged tiger" or "tiger of the air") 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 is rabbits and hares, rats and mice, and voles, although it freely hunts any animal it can overtake, including rodents and other small mammals, larger mid-sized mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.

In ornithological study, the great horned owl is often compared to the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo), a closely related species, which occupies the same ecological niche in Eurasia despite its notably larger size. The great horned owl is also compared to the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), with which it often shares similar habitat, prey, and nesting habits by day; thus the red-tailed hawk is something of a diurnal ecological equivalent. The great horned owl is one of the earliest nesting birds in North America, often laying eggs weeks or even months before other raptorial birds.

Los Angeles. California.

a friend gave me this plant last year, I repotted it into a larger pot and now it's blooming!!

It is also one of the host plants for the Black Swallowtail... I still have at least 60+ Black Swallowtail chrysalis from last year that need to eclose!!!

Golden Alexanders is covered with brilliant golden, three to four inch-wide umbels that bloom for several weeks in late spring. Only one to two feet tall, this is an excellent low-growing perennial for heavy clay soils in semi-shade to full sun. Moist, well-drained soil is best, but this very adaptable plant will tolerated both wet conditions and dry conditions, as long as there is plenty of moisture early in the growing season.

Very low-maintenance, Zizia aurea blooms along with Blue False Indigo, Canada anemone and Columbine, and combines well with Fox Sedge in the sun.

Zizia aurea is a host plant for the Black Swallowtail and the Ozark Swallowtail – which lay eggs on ubelliferous plants in the Apiaceae family, including parsley, parsnip and dill.

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. 26310

the remarkable and adaptable coyote........they've got some bad press lately in the states in urban areas where they have no fear of humans with their threatening behavior towards people and their pets...in rural areas where they are hunted they avoid humans altogether....

"Allfarbloris" are very adaptable birds. They occur in Australia in a number of very diverse habitats. These range from rainforest to dry eucalyptus forests, mallee to mangroves.

"Allfarbloris" sind sehr anpassungsfähige Vögel. Sie kommen in Australien in einer Reihe sehr unterschiedlicher Lebensräume vor. Dies reicht von Regenwäldern über trockene Eukalyptuswälder, Mallee bis hin zu Mangroven.

This White-crowned Sparrow perches in Sagebrush, one of the many habitats this adaptable species utilizes. This individual was seen in the World Heritage Site of Dinosaur Provincial Park in southern Alberta, Canada.

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Brightly-colored tree-dwelling pigeon. Adult male has a powder-pink neck, orange breast patch, gray-blue head, and yellow belly. Adult female is much plainer, tea-green above and brighter yellow-green below. Both sexes have striking black-and-yellow wing feathers and yellow spotting on the undertail coverts. Adaptable, and can be found in mangroves, open coastal forests, parks, gardens, and plantation edges. Primarily a lowland species, but can on occasion be found in foothills. Social, often gathering in flocks; occasionally mixes with other green-pigeons. Unlike many other pigeons, not very vocal; occasionally gives strange, alien-sounding coos. (eBird)

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Seen constantly during our Singapore trip, the males stood out with their brightly coloured throats. They were also shyer than the females and stayed at a distance. This one shows off his lovely colours against the blue sky.

Pulau Ubin, Singapore. March 2024.

Birding Singapore.

I found this wonderful Great horned owl family in a commercial building in my city. It is rare to see three fledglings, usually they have only one or two.

The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), also known as the tiger owl (originally derived from early naturalists' description as the "winged tiger" or "tiger of the air") 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.[5] Its primary diet is rabbits and hares, rats and mice, and voles, although it freely hunts any animal it can overtake, including rodents and other small mammals, larger mid-sized mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.

In ornithological study, the great horned owl is often compared to the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo), a closely related species, which occupies the same ecological niche in Eurasia despite its notably larger size. The great horned owl is also compared to the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), with which it often shares similar habitat, prey, and nesting habits by day; thus the red-tailed hawk is something of a diurnal ecological equivalent.[6] The great horned owl is one of the earliest nesting birds in North America, often laying eggs weeks or even months before other raptorial birds.

Los Angeles. California.

In a world where male ducks sport gleaming patches of green, red, or blue, the Gadwall’s understated elegance can make this common duck easy to overlook. Males are intricately patterned with gray, brown, and black; females resemble female Mallards, although with a thinner, darker bill. We don’t tend to think of ducks as pirates, but Gadwall often snatch food from diving ducks as they surface. This widespread, adaptable duck has dramatically increased in numbers in North America since the 1980s.

Coots are tough, adaptable waterbirds. Although they are related to the secretive rails, they swim in the open like ducks and walk about on shore, making themselves at home on golf courses and city park ponds. Usually in flocks, they are aggressive and noisy, making a wide variety of calls by day or night. They have strong legs and big feet with lobed toes, and coots fighting over territorial boundaries will rear up and attack each other with their feet. [credit Audubon] Not sure what the mottled bird behind is, although I think it may be a male Gadwall??

Plinia cauliflora, the Brazilian grapetree, jaboticaba or jabuticaba, is a tree in the family Myrtaceae, native to Minas Gerais, Goiás and São Paulo states in Brazil. Related species in the genus Myrciaria, often referred to by the same common names, are native to Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Peru and Bolivia. The tree is known for its purplish-black, white-pulped fruits which grow directly on the trunk; they can be eaten raw or be used to make jellies, jams, juice or wine.

The tree is a slow-growing evergreen that can reach a height of 15 meters if not pruned. The leaves are salmon-pink when young, turning green as they mature.

The tree prefers moist, rich, lightly acidic soil. It is widely adaptable, however, and grows satisfactorily even on alkaline beach-sand type soils, so long as they are tended and irrigated. Its flowers are white and grow directly from its trunk in a cauliflorous habit. In an uncultivated state, the tree may flower and fruit only once or twice a year. When continuously irrigated it flowers frequently, and fresh fruit can be available year-round in tropical regions.

The name jabuticaba, derived from the Tupi word jaboti/jabuti (tortoise) + caba (place), meaning the place where you find tortoises. The Guarani name is yvapurũ: yva means fruit and the onomatopoeic word purũ describes the crunching sound the fruit produces when bitten. The jabuticaba tree, which appears as a charge on the coat of arms of Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brazil, has become a widely used species in the art of bonsai, particularly in Taiwan and parts of the Caribbean.

In a few days:

The fruit is a thick-skinned berry and typically measures 3–4 cm in diameter. The fruit resembles that of a slip-skin grape. It has a thick, purple, astringent skin that encases a sweet, white or rosy pink gelatinous flesh. Embedded within the flesh are one to four large seeds, which vary in shape depending on the species.

Common in Brazilian markets, jabuticabas are largely eaten fresh; their popularity has been likened to that of grapes in the United States. Fresh fruit may begin to ferment 3 to 4 days after harvest, so they are often used to make jams, tarts, strong wines, and liqueurs. Due to the short shelf-life, fresh jabuticaba fruit is rare in markets outside areas of cultivation.

The Sandpaper verbena (Verbena Rígida in portuguese), gets this name by the rough textured leaves that feel like sandpaper when touched. It is a low spreading perennial with flattened stems.

Ruffled, colored flowers appear in the spring and remain through the summer months. Flower color ranges from lavender to purple.

The Sandpaper verbena is native to South America, but shows wide adaptability when planted in sunny and warm locations. It grows well on banks, along walks and among rocks in southwestern and Mediterranean style gardens, and can be clipped in the winter to maintain its size.

From the archives

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 is banded, making it an extremely prized and sought after bird among hunters.

The climbing varieties are valued for their ability to scramble up walls, fences, and other structures, and also to grow through other plants, such as shrubs and trees. Some can be trained along the ground to provide cover. Because of their adaptability and masses of spectacular flowers, clematis are among the most popular of all garden plants.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clematis

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Sunset at Mangersta Sea Stacks, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Today's photo is a previously unseen image dating back to March 2018. While running a week-long workshop in Harris & Lewis, I took my lovely clients to the truly beautiful Mangersta sea stacks on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis for sunset and we were not to be disappointed.

These stacks make a wonderful subject to photograph at sunset but my advice would be to arrive a good hour or so before the sun sets as it disappears behind the cliffs. The usual angle to shoot these stacks is actually from on top of the cliff edge you see in the distance but when there's the promise of a decent sunset, you have to be adaptable.

At one time, a handful of years or so ago, you use to be able to walk down to the water's edge and capture the impressive stacks but sadly, that is not an option since a landslide occurred but the view from up high is rewarding enough.

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In the early 1850s, one Nicholas Pike, director of the Brooklyn Institute in New York, decided to import this bird from England. The first few attempts to establish the bird weren't successful but eventually the house sparrow took hold when the birds were released into Greenwood Cemetery, Central Park and a few other places. The rationale apparently was the control of some bug called a canker worm. The sparrow supposedly would pig out on the critters and reduce the canker worm population. Soon, cities and towns throughout the country were importing house sparrows to "aid people against encroachment of insects."

But others soon noticed that house sparrows don't have much of an appetite for bugs. On top of that, they were driving out native songbirds.The infatuation with the house sparrow turned to hatred, so much so that some states began paying bounties for dead sparrows. However it was too late; house sparrows had spread throughout the continent.

They're now found as far north as Canada's Northwest Territories and as far south as Cape Horn, the remote tip of South America. That extreme range indicates how adaptable house sparrows are. They can be found anywhere there are people, in big cities and small towns, in suburbs and around farms. The only place they're not found: deep, deep woods. In more extreme locales, they require human presence to survive.

I found this male in my backyard in Polk County, Florida.

Newsflash: we’re no longer in the 20th century - which means two things. First, shoulder pads are a thing of the past … and second, there are a lot more contemporary bodysuit options to choose from.

This Nala Designs Zooey two-piece bodysuit is one such exemplary example. Its comfortable looking and flattering appearance, along with its adaptability lends itself to everything from brunches to a night out partying with your friends.

This Zooey outfit certainly makes quite a fashion statement. It complements your frame by accentuating your best assets - like letting your décolletage announce your arrival, with its seductive and elegant looking strapped appointments. Its striped glitter accents add just the right touch of glamour.

Fits: Maitreya Lara (+ Petite), Belleza GenX (+Curvy), Erika, Reborn, and Legacy mesh bodies.

This Nala Designs Zooey Outfit is available at Swank’s "Wild Spring Event" for March 2023.

TAXI to SWANK EVENT: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Swank%20Events/177/124/25

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. 7349

Species: Vulpes vulpes.

A born survivor with a bushy tail. Ever adaptable, the fox is equally at home in our woods or city streets. It sits top of the woodland food chain with a diet that takes in everything from birds and beetles to rabbits and rats. Info: Woodland Trust.

Many thanks to people who view or comment on my photos.

Birds Hill Provincial Park

Manitoba, Canada

Thanks to all who have visited, commented or faved my photos. Much Appreciated (-:

adaptable to a wide range whitetails thrive....

A born survivor with a bushy tail. Ever adaptable, the fox is equally at home in our woods or city streets. It sits top of the woodland food chain with a diet that takes in everything from birds and beetles to rabbits and rats.

Xerochrysum bracteatum, commonly known as the golden everlasting or strawflower, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to Australia. Described by Étienne Pierre Ventenat in 1803, it was known as Helichrysum bracteatum for many years before being transferred to a new genus Xerochrysum in 1990. It grows as a woody or herbaceous perennial or annual shrub up to a metre tall with green or grey leafy foliage. Golden yellow or white flower heads are produced from spring to autumn; their distinctive feature is the papery bracts that resemble petals. The species is widespread, growing in a variety of habitats across the country, from rainforest margins to deserts and subalpine areas. The golden everlasting serves as food for various larvae of lepidopterans (butterflies and moths), and adult butterflies, hoverflies, native bees, small beetles, and grasshoppers visit the flower heads. The golden everlasting has proven very adaptable to cultivation. It was propagated and developed in Germany in the 1850s, and annual cultivars in a host of colour forms from white to bronze to purple flowers became available. Many of these are still sold in mixed seed packs. In Australia, many cultivars are perennial shrubs, which have become popular garden plants. Sturdier, long-stemmed forms are used commercially in the cut flower industry. 26337

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. 5249

Borneo

Glossy swiftlets can be found not just in Borneo but all over this part of Asia, from India in the west as far as the Solomon Islands. It is an adaptable little bird, nesting in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur as happily as in a cave in Borneo.

This moment captures the elusive beauty of a coyote in the wild, gazing with a calm yet intense focus. Coyotes are known for their adaptability and keen survival instincts, and getting a close-up like this showcases their intelligence and resilience in their natural habitat. I hope this image invites appreciation for these often misunderstood creatures.

Art.

The great horned owl, 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. Wikipedia

Mass: 3.2 lbs Encyclopedia of Life

In a world where male ducks sport gleaming patches of green, red, or blue, the Gadwall’s understated elegance can make this common duck easy to overlook. Males are intricately patterned with gray, brown, and black; females resemble female Mallards, although with a thinner, darker bill. We don’t tend to think of ducks as pirates, but Gadwall often snatch food from diving ducks as they surface. This widespread, adaptable duck has dramatically increased in numbers in North America since the 1980s.

The crowned lapwing, or crowned plover, is a bird of the lapwing subfamily that occurs contiguously from the Red Sea coast of Somalia to southern and southwestern Africa. It is an adaptable and numerous species, with bold and noisy habits. -Wikipedia

The Noojee Trestle Bridge is the tallest surviving wooden trestle bridge in Victoria.

The bridge is a legacy of the old railway that ran from Noojee to Warragul. It was originally constructed in 1919, but in 1939 was completely burnt down and rebuilt in the same year. The historical bridge spans 102 meters and is 21 meters high.

A lovely afternoon wandering in the drizzle trying to find a composition to show off this beautiful, old structure.

The Sherpa came in handy holding an umbrella up while I snapped off a few shots. Some sort of adaptable umbrella could be quite useful in these situations when a Sherpa isnt available!

Art Triptych

zoom in to appreciate

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.

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Vibrantly bright green parakeet, frequently found in woodland, parks, and gardens, where it feeds mainly in trees. Nests in cavities, including holes in buildings. Easily overlooked if quiet, as the bright green plumage blends easily with foliage. Note the very long slender tail and bright red bill; male has narrow black-and-pink neck ring. Closely resembles the larger Alexandrine Parakeet, which has a wine-red patch on each shoulder. Like other parakeets, raucous and social, often appearing in noisy groups giving sharp screeching calls. Native to Africa and South Asia, introduced locally around the world, from Europe and the Caribbean to Japan and Hawaii. (eBird)

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Amazing how adaptable these birds are. They have easily moved from their native mountains and forests to countries around the world. I would guess that the pet trade has had a lot to do with these introductions. Still, they are beautiful birds that are fun to find and watch as they live their lives in noisy groups.

Lorong Halus Wetland, Singapore. March 2024.

Birding Singapore.

For a cute Peaceful Bokeh Wednesday! Wild - at Sítio Macuquinho.

A bright yellow songbird of South America, there has been some disagreement as to whether the Saffron Finch belongs in the family Emberizidae with the sparrows or Thraupidae with the Tanagers. The Saffron Finch can be found in open and semi-open areas in lowlands outside the Amazon Basin. There are three, separate populations one in northern Colombia and Venezuela; another in Ecuador and Peru and the third in north-east Brazil to central Argentina. Mainly a seed eater, the Saffron Finch generally searches for seeds and small arthropods on or near the ground. Commonly kept as caged-birds, the Saffron Finch is very adaptable to human-modified habitats and subsequently is quite common throughout its range.

Thanks a lot for your visits, comments, faves, invites, etc. Very much appreciated!

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This Peregrine subspecies inhabits the Iberian Peninsula, southern Europe and the Mediterranean.

Males Weigh 530 g, and Female Weight an amazing 970 g.

why are females bigger?

The most convincing argument, has to do with a female’s ability to defend her nest against predators like crows, and indeed other raptors. The female usually spends more time incubating eggs and rearing chicks than her male partner, and if she’s bigger she might be able protect her young (and herself) more effectively. The male, on the other hand, might share some nest duties—but for the most part he’s out hunting food for his mate and to-be offspring. Smaller prey items are easier to come by than larger creatures, so his compactness allows him to bring home more food.

Peregrine Falcons are becoming increasingly common in parts of range, especially in cities, where they can nest on tall buildings and feed on pigeons. Adaptable, and can be seen in a wide range of habitats; often encountered in areas with steep cliffs, as well as

with this female, around coastal mudflats and open areas with shorebirds.

Photo taken on the Guadalquivir River, Cadiz, southern Andalucia, Spain.

The Red Squirrel used to be a common sight in the UK. However it has now disappeared from large areas of Britain and its place has been taken by the grey squirrel. The larger grey squirrel was introduced to this country in the mid-19th century. Research has shown that grey squirrels put on a lot more body fat than red squirrels which gives them a better chance of surviving. The larger, more robust grey wins in the competition for food and space and it is now widespread in England and Wales. It is more adaptable than the red squirrel and lives happily in hedgerow trees, parks and gardens as well as large woods and forests. Grey squirrels also carry the squirrelpox virus, to which they are immune, but which is deadly to red squirrels.

We are asked to report any sightings of Red Squirrels in Scotland in an effort to protect them.

I really appreciate any Views, Faves and Comments and I will try to visit your sites in due course. Thank you so much.

Some say that Nature adapts to cohabitation with our human species. We instead, should realize that We are the ones who have to react, adapt and accept. Nature has the real power and providence over the earth, sky and earth. And water always wins.

~Tom Cousteau Handy from "Deep Thoughts About Sandbars"

A great musical example of reacting to changes in tempo, tone and atmosphere.

Free form and beautiful flute imaginations from Nicole Mitchell~ "Adaptability"

song~ youtu.be/0IbLGeQC5CY

One photo. All images and art by me, Tom. Textures are naturally occurring.

Please don't drive and look at Flickr...

In the heather at Higher Hyde Heath nature 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.

At the lakes I visit, I always see fallen tree branches sticking out of the water. They're the perfect place for turtles and ducks to bask, which is why they stay there for years.

-Red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) are popular pet turtles known for their distinctive red markings and adaptability. Native to the southeastern United States and northern Mexico, red-eared sliders thrive in warm, calm waters such as ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers.

Red-eared sliders are considered one of the world's most invasive turtle species due to their popularity in the pet trade. They can outcompete native species for resources, leading to ecological imbalances in areas where they are introduced. Responsible ownership is crucial to prevent their release into the wild, which can have detrimental effects on local ecosystems. -

On/Off - Thank you very much for your visit and taking the time to comment! Much appreciated!

Puma is a genus in the family Felidae whose only extant species is the cougar also known as the puma, mountain lion, and panther, among other names. Pumas are large, secretive cats. They are also commonly known as cougars and mountain lions, and are able to reach larger sizes than some other "big" cat individuals. Despite their large size, they are more closely related to smaller feline species than to lions or leopards. The two subspecies of pumas have similar characteristics but tend to vary in color and size. Pumas are the most adaptable felines in the Americas and are found in a variety of different habitats, unlike other cat species. Here a mother and one of her "big cubs" (there were two), peacefully enjoying their habitat in Torres del Paine, Chile.

Wishing everyone a Peaceful Travel Tuesday!

Thanks a lot for your visits, comments, faves, invites, etc. Very much appreciated!

© All my images are protected under international authors copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated by any means without my written explicit permission, including the use on websites and similar medias. All rights reserved. Please contact me at thelma.gatuzzo@gmail.com if you intend to buy or use any of my images.

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Member of Nature’s Spirit

Good Stewards of Nature

A born survivor with a bushy tail. Ever adaptable, the fox is equally at home in our woods or city streets. It sits top of the woodland food chain with a diet that takes in everything from birds and beetles to rabbits and rats

The Scottish Blackface or Blackface is the main breed of domestic sheep in the UK. Resistant and with good adaptability, this breed is often found in places with poor vegetation such as the Highlands.

Le Scottish Blackface ou Blackface est la principale race de mouton domestique au Royaume-Uni. Résistant et avec de bonnes capacités d'adaptation, on trouve souvent cette race dans des endroits pauvres en végétation tels que les Highlands

NIKON D750

In the Goethehof, a municiapal residential complex with 677 apartments in Kaisermühlen, a neighbourhood of Donaustadt, the 22nd district of Vienna. It was built in the years 1929–1930.

Goethehof is a so-called Gemeindebau, which is the German word for "municipality building" (pl. Gemeindebauten).

"Gemeindebauten have become an important part of the architecture and culture of Vienna since the 1920s. Up to 1918, the housing conditions of Vienna's growing working class were appalling by modern standards. When the Social Democratic Party of Austria gained control of the municipal administration during Austria's First Republic (1918-1934) (so called "Red Vienna"), it began the project of improving living conditions for workers. A large number of Gemeindebauten, usually large residential estates, were built during that time. Including those buildings that were finished after the events of February 1934, 64,000 apartments where completed, which created housing space for about 220,000 people. Apartments were assigned on the basis of a point system favoring families and less affluent citizens.

The classic interwar Gemeindebauten typically have a main entrance with a large gate, through which one enters into a yard. Inside, there are trees and some greenery, where children can play without having to go out on the street. Apartments are accessed from the inside.

This fortress-like structure made the buildings adaptable to military use. Several Gemeindebauten in Vienna [...] were sites of fighting during the Austrian Civil War of February 1934, when they were defended as Social Democratic Party strongholds." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemeindebau

The last also applies to the Goethehof. On 14 February 1934, it was fired upon by the military with machine guns, howitzers and cannons, and even an air raid was flown against it.

austria-forum.org/af/AustriaWiki/Goethehof en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Vienna

Pixaim River

The Pantanal

Brazil

South America

The capped heron (Pilherodius pileatus) is a species of heron in the family Ardeidae. It is in the monotypic genus Pilherodius. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are rivers, swamps, and freshwater lakes.

An attractive heron, if slightly odd in appearance, the Capped Heron is a resident of South American forested swamps, river courses and small pools. Although it seems adaptable to any habitat with water and has a wide distribution, it usually occurs only at low densities. Often seen flying along rivers or feeding in pools, the Capped Heron can be conspicuous, and easily is identified. In flight, it is best distinguished from other white herons by its small size and rapid, choppy flight style. The bird is the sole member of the genus Pilherodius.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Poorly known; thinly but widely distributed and evidently scarce, rare to uncommon in E Panama; uncommon in Brazil.

Eats small fish, generally less than 5 cm-long, aquatic insects (including their larvae), frogs and tadpoles. Passive feeder, diurnal. – Wikipedia