My smallest Tenrec Azizi balancing on a large sunflower. Lesser Tenrecs are, in adulthood usually a lot bigger than a hamster though Azizi is pretty much the size of a hamster.

Photographed indoors at home, in low key. As sunflower stamen are very sticky, he is standing on a mat.

Caracals are native to Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and arid areas of Pakistan and northwestern India. In Africa, there was a problem with many people keeping them as pets although in adulthood, they do not behave like domesticated felines and often find themselves in South African rescues as a result.

Whilst classified as endangered in the Asia, they are hunted as a problem animal in southern Africa. Caracals are categorized as Least Concern (LC) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

Griffin photographed at Big Cat Sanctuary, Kent, UK

Beautiful Roseate Spoonbill in the dawn light of the 10,000 Islands. She is just losing her head feathers indicating adulthood is close.

And now for something completely different as they say.

A bit of an oldie and a similar image was posted a while ago in a triptych but not as a single image. For the group, "Looking close... on Friday!" Theme: "Crown"

Stu was number three in the rooster pecking order from our potluck pack of pandemic chickens we picked up in 2020. He never crowed and was the outlier of the group. Well, that all changed when number 1 and then 2 got eaten by a fox! After that the "free range" days ended, more fence was added and Stu assumed a leadership role. He really turned into a tough little nut and most definitely was the ruler of the roost. He would crow whenever someone was near or something strange was going on but then he also turned into an obnoxious bad ass attack chicken.

In 2021 he fathered some chicks and one turned out to be another rooster. As the son reached adulthood, Stu got demoted and now his son is the ruler of the roost. Stu still hangs in there but is kept in his place. I know he's just waiting until his son gets eaten!!

It will take about three years for this juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-Heron to reach full adulthood.

An adult Roseate Spoonbill with its bright breeding plumage next to a light pink juvenile. Spoonbills reach adulthood in about three years.

Who knew that the brown eye of the immature osprey turns to yellow with adulthood. This bird gave us luck in that it flew low enough over us to allow a photograph of its eye! It is an adult

Photo taken at the Rich Grissom Memorial Wetlands at Viera, Florida.

Photos of several other birds in flight taken at about the same time are shown in comments 1,2, & 3.

in Kafue NP, Zambia

IUCN RED LIST STATUS: VULNERABLE

a massive African eagle that lives in open and semi-open areas in sub-Sahara Africa.

The diet consists of birds ( francolins, guineafowl, bustards, waterfowl...), mammals (hares, hyraxes, mongooses, monkeys, small antelopes.....) and large lizards and snakes.

The length is up to 90cm (35 inch), the wingspan up to 2,6m (8,5 ft) and the weight up to 6,2kg (13 lbs)

polemaetus bellicosus

vechtarend

aigle martial

Kampfadler

Many thanks for your views, favorites and supportive comments.

All rights reserved. ButsFons©2017

Please do not use my photos on websites, blogs or in any other media without my explicit permission.

A Giant Anteater may eat up to 30,000 ants in a day and is one of only two types of mammals without any teeth even in adulthood. An anteater’s tongue can reach two feet in length, and is covered in a sticky saliva, allowing it to trap ants. It can extend and withdraw it up to 150 times per minute.

During early morning searches on a trip to Brazil’s Pantanal tropical wetlands I failed to see one of these amazing creatures, so I went to see this example at Chester Zoo where they have been bred.

My good friend bought his wife a see-saw for her birthday as they're yet to submit to adulthood! It's one of those ones that goes up and down and around so there is a lot of fun to be had for all ages.

It was in a state of disrepair when he got it but he mended it perfectly. Lovely heavy chains lead to the seats at either end.

Marching in step together by Mama's side as they explore their brand new world :)

They are wise to stick close to her since statistics show that only three to five of these little ones will survive to adulthood due to the many predators that prey on them, as well as disease and weather related causes of death :(

Little Grebe - Tachybaptus Ruficollis

The little grebe is a small water bird with a pointed bill. The adult is unmistakable in summer, predominantly dark above with its rich, rufous colour neck, cheeks and flanks, and bright yellow gape. The rufous is replaced by a dirty brownish grey in non-breeding and juvenile birds.

Juvenile birds have a yellow bill with a small black tip, and black and white streaks on the cheeks and sides of the neck as seen below. This yellow bill darkens as the juveniles age, eventually turning black in adulthood.

In winter, its size, buff plumage, with a darker back and cap, and “powder puff” rear end enable easy identification of this species. The little grebe's breeding call, given singly or in duet, is a trilled repeated weet-weet-weet or wee-wee-wee which sounds like a horse whinnying.

This bird breeds in small colonies in heavily vegetated areas of freshwater lakes across Europe, much of Asia down to New Guinea, and most of Africa. Most birds move to more open or coastal waters in winter, but it is only migratory in those parts of its range where the waters freeze. Outside of breeding season, it moves into more open water, occasionally even appearing on the coast in small bays.

UK breeding:

5,300 pairs

UK wintering:

16,000 individuals

Scientific name: Mimosa Bimucronata

Popular Name: Maricá

Features: tree or shrub arborescent that can reach up to 15 m high and 40 cm in diameter in adulthood. The flowers are white (or bege) gathered in inflorescences and the fruits in red-brick coloring.

Places of occurrence: Naturally occurs in the states of Bahia, Alagoas, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul.

The species of native trees such as Maricá are very indicated for actions of reforestation, environmental preservation, urban afforestation, landscapes or domestic plantations. Reforestation, for example, corresponds to the implantation of forests in areas that have already been degraded, whether for time, by man or nature.

Breakfast

A species with triangular ears, a long snout and large eyes. Displays a characteristic black “mask” around the eyes. Juveniles have blue eyes that change color with growth to light brown in adulthood. There is no sexual dimorphism.

Mainly terrestrial species in which females are dominant over males and the latter constantly move between groups. The female fights for territory and access to natural resources. She spends most of her time in the sun and grooming her coat.

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The Bewick’s Wren

If you come across a noisy, hyperactive little bird with bold white eyebrows, flicking its long tail as it hops from branch to branch, you may have spotted a Bewick’s Wren.

These master vocalists belt out a string of short whistles, warbles, burrs, and trills to attract mates and defend their territory, or scold visitors with raspy calls. Bewick’s Wrens are still fairly common in much of western North America, but they have virtually disappeared from the East.

The severe declines of Bewick's Wren in the eastern United States coincided with range expansion in the House Wren. It is suspected that the House Wren, which frequently removes eggs from nests in cavities, was directly responsible for the decline. The increased availability of nest boxes may have helped the spread of the House Wren, and therefore the decline of the Bewick's Wren.

Courting Bewick’s Wrens normally form monogamous pairs. While they’re setting up house and even after the female has begun incubating eggs, the male and female often forage together. This may help the male prevent his partner from mating with another bird.

A young male Bewick’s Wren learns to sing from neighboring adult males while he is coming of age in his parents’ territory. The songs he develops differ from his father’s, with a note changed here, a syllable there. The melodious signature he acquires between the ages of about 30 and 60 days will be his for life.

A Bewick’s Wren’s life starts off perilously. House Wrens may eject eggs from its nest; both eggs and nestlings can become lunch for rat snakes and milk snakes, and domestic cats go after nestlings. Adulthood isn’t safe either: mature birds can fall prey to roadrunners, rattlesnakes, or hawks.

The oldest recorded Bewick's Wren was at least 8 years old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in California in 1986. It was banded in the same state in 1978.

(The Cornell Lab of Ornithology)

(200-600, 1000 @ f/6.3, ISO 2500, edited to taste)

Le martin-pêcheur est un solitaire qui, à l'âge adulte, défend un territoire, le plus souvent une portion de cours d'eau longue de un kilomètre environ.

Sans être un oiseau aquatique au sens strict, puisqu'il ne nage pas, le martin-pêcheur se baigne fréquemment ou plonge brusquement dans l'eau pour y chercher sa nourriture. Dans tous les cas, son séjour dans l'eau est si bref que ses plumes courtes et denses, parfaitement imperméabilisées, ne retiennent pas la moindre particule liquide.

Survolant sa portion de rivière au ras de l'eau ou faisant le guet sur un perchoir à proximité, le martin-pêcheur défend son territoire contre toute intrusion d'autres membres de son espèce.

Si un importun se présente, ce sont alors des poursuites rapides au-dessus de l'eau, à grand renfort de cris aigus aux sonorités métalliques... Les affrontements sont rares mais intenses : il arrive que les adversaires, se tenant par le bec, tombent à l'eau sans lâcher prise.

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The kingfisher is a loner who, in adulthood, defends a territory, most often a portion of water course about one kilometer long.

Without being an aquatic bird in the strict sense, since it does not swim, the kingfisher bathes frequently or plunges suddenly into the water to seek food. In any case, its stay in the water is so brief that its short and dense feathers, perfectly waterproof, do not retain any liquid particles.

Flying over its stretch of river at the water's edge or keeping watch on a perch nearby, the kingfisher defends its territory against any intrusion of other members of its kind.

If a nuisance arises, then they are fast chases over the water, with the help of high-pitched cries of metallic sounds ... The clashes are rare but intense: it happens that the opponents, standing by the beak , fall into the water without letting go.

En général, le martin-pêcheur est un solitaire qui, à l'âge adulte, défend un territoire, le plus souvent une portion de cours d'eau longue de un kilomètre environ.

Sans être un oiseau aquatique au sens strict, puisqu'il ne nage pas, le martin-pêcheur se baigne fréquemment ou plonge brusquement dans l'eau pour y chercher sa nourriture. Dans tous les cas, son séjour dans l'eau est si bref que ses plumes courtes et denses, parfaitement imperméabilisées, ne retiennent pas la moindre particule liquide.

Survolant sa portion de rivière au ras de l'eau ou faisant le guet sur un perchoir à proximité, le martin-pêcheur défend son territoire contre toute intrusion d'autres membres de son espèce.

Si un importun se présente, ce sont alors des poursuites rapides au-dessus de l'eau, à grand renfort de cris aigus aux sonorités métalliques... Les affrontements sont rares mais intenses : il arrive que les adversaires, se tenant par le bec, tombent à l'eau sans lâcher prise.

************************************************************************

In general, the kingfisher is a loner who, in adulthood, defends a territory, most often a portion of water course about one kilometer long.

Without being an aquatic bird in the strict sense, since it does not swim, the kingfisher bathes frequently or plunges suddenly into the water to seek food. In any case, its stay in the water is so brief that its short and dense feathers, perfectly waterproofed, do not retain any liquid particles.

Flying over its stretch of river at the water's edge or watching over a perch nearby, the kingfisher defends its territory against any intrusion of other members of its kind.

If a nuisance arises, then they are quick chases over the water, with the help of high-pitched screams of metallic sounds ... The clashes are rare but intense: it happens that the opponents, standing by the beak , fall into the water without letting go.

Juvenile Tricolored Heron

The juveniles eventually lose much of the rust coloring, with only a bit of the hue peeping through the slate blue feathers as they age. The eyes of the juveniles are a yellowish-white, turning brown with pink inner margins into adulthood. Males and females of the species look alike.

On considère que l'âge adulte est atteint à 3 ans, sachant que la mouette rieuse peut vivre plus de 30 ans. Cet oiseau est fort bruyant et pousse des cris rauques et courts, très répétitifs.

We consider that adulthood is reached at 3 years, knowing that the Laughing gull can live more than 30 years. This bird is very noisy and utters short, hoarse cries, very repetitive.

Hello my amazing Flickr friends !

Today is a green day at Color my world Daily and I’m officially giving up on all Christmas celebrations for 2021. Yesterday, we had some new restrictions which weren’t as bad as everyone assumed. Of course, there is, once again, the reduction of the number of people allowed inside. We started with 20 people last week, to downsize to 10 and as for now only 6 people are allowed to gather. Just about at same time as the new restrictions were announced ( and I was super happy, since my family + my parents equal 6 people and the restrictions sre only in effet after the 26th!!) the univers hit me in my face with a new unplanned event… We got an email from the school, apparently my son was in close contact with someone who has Covid19 so he has to isolate since he wasn’t fully vaccinated (the vaccination of 5 to 11 years old just started here…). So just like this, our dream of family Christmas was crushed. What is even more ironic, at the same time a quote showed on my Facebook wall : « adulthood is like looking both ways before you cross the street and then getting hit by an airplane ». That is why I know that this is the universe messing with my life… But the reason why is the universe so mad at me is yet to be discover….#2022goals.

So basically my picture illustrate how my Christmas will look like. Drinking with a book … well we all know by now, that there will be only drinking and no reading at all… I just put a book in this picture to look more intellectual and classy, but who am I kidding ?

Have a beautiful day my friends ! Mucho, mucho amor for you all !!

Shortly (next week), I will take few days off from Flickr my friends ! I want to spend some time with my family, so I will not have time to take pictures. But don’t you worry, I will be back in 2022 for sure !

Thank you so much for all your lovely comments / favs/ general support / happy thoughts!! Stay safe and well!!

These 3 littles sure did not let mama get too far away, which is a good thing.

Hopefully I get to go again next year and will see these guys, all 3, healthy and on their way to adulthood.

7 weeks old arctic fox cubs playing and preparing for adulthood.

Thanks to everyone who takes the time to view, comment, and fave my photo.

and, Good morning ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و

Today is coming of age day in Japan :))

Japan has been marking Coming of Age day, celebrating the transition into adulthood of those who turned 20 last year.

New adult women wear Furisode Kimono on the Coming of age ceremony :D

Congratulations on becoming a new adult.

Keep smiling forever (๑′ᴗ‵๑)💖

【memo】

@Japonica

*AGATA* Tamae kimono / B

@Mainstore

bonbon - mina hair [pack A]

.:CHEVEUX:.Corsage of TSUBAKI

Caboodle - Fur Stole - White

shiki-Hamaya2019

+++Today's Location+++

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SHIKI%20VILLAGE/165/255/24

near adulthood in Kafue National Park, Zambia

IUCN RED LIST STATUS: VULNERABLE

a massive African eagle that rules the skies above open and semi-open areas in sub-Sahara Africa.

The diet consists of birds ( francolins, guineafowl, bustards, waterfowl...), mammals (hares, hyraxes, mongooses, monkeys, small antelopes.....) and large lizards and snakes.

The length is up to 90cm (35 inch), the wingspan up to 2,6m (8,5 ft) and the weight up to 6,2kg (13 lbs)

polemaetus bellicosus

vechtarend

aigle martial

Kampfadler

Many thanks for your views, favorites and supportive comments.

All rights reserved. ButsFons©2019

Please do not use my photos on websites, blogs or in any other media without my explicit permission.

A set of three macro images of the Brassica or Crucifer Shieldbug showing the different coloured spots that they come in depending on age and adulthood.

Florida’s Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) is a songbird found throughout rural areas of Florida. Its breeding range covers most of eastern North America and parts of South America. Experts say it is difficult to distinguish between the Eastern and Western species as it can be determined only by voice and location. Seventeen subspecies of the Eastern Meadowlark are documented.

Actually, the meadowlark is not a lark at all. It is a member of the blackbird family (Icteridae) which also includes cowbirds and orioles. Meadowlarks are easily identified by the bright yellow throat and belly. However, the most distinguishing mark in adults is the black “V” on its chest. It can often be seen on a fence post belting out its clear, melodious songs and whistles.

Adult birds weigh just over five ounces, are seven to ten inches tall with a wingspan of 14 to 16 inches. Both sexes are similar in size, although females are normally smaller with a shorter wingspan.

This bird prefers grassy fields, pastures, cultivated fields, golf courses and other open habitats. It is a good friend to the farmer/rancher and a bug-eating machine. Insects comprise more than 75 percent of its diet, with grains and seeds making up the balance. It is especially fond of grasshoppers and crickets, as well as insect larvae and grubs. It feeds on the ground, picking insects from the surface or probing the soil to reveal its prey. Meadowlarks also eat the seeds of many weeds.

Males have two, sometimes three, mates at a time. Females build nests on the ground using soft woven grasses and hide them in the taller grass of an open field. The nest usually has an arched “roof” with a side entrance. A clutch of two to six grayish-white eggs speckled with brown and lavender may be laid any time from late March through July. Eggs are incubated by the female for 13 to 15 days. The young fledge at 12 days. The parents continue to tend them for about two weeks until they are able to fly. Juveniles are similar to adults, but the black “V” becomes prominent in adulthood. The meadowlark has been known to live ten years in captivity.

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

The young baby terns seem to have amazing self confidence . This little one brought a smile to my face as he was walking the beach with such an air of importance. I love them and pray they will survive all the trials they will have to go through to reach adulthood !!

Wishing you a lovely and blessed Sunday !

Baby African Bush Elephants, scientifically known as Loxodonta africana, are incredibly adorable and endearing creatures. They are born weighing around 200-250 pounds (90-115 kilograms) and stand about 2.5 to 3 feet (76-91 centimeters) tall at the shoulders.

These young elephants are highly social animals and rely on close bonds with their family members for protection and learning. They are under the constant care and guidance of their mothers and other experienced female elephants within the herd. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers, learning essential survival skills, such as finding water, identifying edible plants, and understanding social behaviors within the herd.

Play is an essential aspect of their early development. They engage in playful activities, such as mock charging, splashing in water, and chasing birds or other small animals. Through play, they hone their motor skills and social interactions, preparing them for adulthood.

Baby African Bush Elephants are heartwarming creatures to observe in the wild, and their presence contributes to the rich tapestry of life in the African savannah.

And so far I am doing great!

Ritratto di Antinoo, marmo greco, Impero romano, Secondo secolo

Gallerie degli Uffizi, Firenze www.uffizi.it/

Portrait of Antinous, Greek Marble, Roman Empire (130-140 circa) -Uffizi, Florence www.uffizi.it/en

Questo ritratto giunse in Galleria nel 1676. I lineamenti del volto sono quelli di Antinoo, amante dell'imperatore Adriano (117-138), noto per la sua prematura e alquanto misteriosa morte nelle acque del Nilo nel 130. L'eleganza delle forme e l'impostazione del busto ricordano da vicino il cosiddetto "Apollo del Tevere", a cui l'artista si ispirò nel tentativo di rendere al meglio l'idea di una fisicità sospesa fra la giovinezza e l'età adulta.

This portrait entered the Gallery in 1676. Its facial features are those of Antinous, lover of the Emperor Hadrian (117-138), known for his premature and somewhat mysterious death in the waters of the Nile in 130. The elegance of form and design of the bust are closely reminiscent of the so called "Tiber Apollo", from which the artist drew his inspiration in a attempt to do full justice to the idea of a physique suspended between youth and adulthood.

August 2021 - Edited and uploaded 2022/10/18

A juvenile Little Blue Heron molting into adulthood.

From Heron Conservation:

The juvenile Little Blue Heron is entirely white until into the second year. The bill is pale green blue at the base with the tip black. Iris is yellow to white. Lores are pale cobalt. Tips of the white flight feathers are dusky. Legs and feet green yellow to light grey.

Molt is complicated and probably individually variable but well described elsewhere. As white feathers are replaced by dark, the white plumage is followed by a “piebald” or “calico” intermediate stage.

That is the Atlantic Ocean as the backdrop - this heron was walking on some rocks hunting for something to eat.

Alligator hatchlings, like most young in the wild, have to beat the odds to make it to adulthood. I read that about 1% make it. Momma gator will respond immediately to a young one's distress call and is very protective. But she can't protect them against the myriad of other animals that would take one as a snack. While I was watching the area around this nest, all I could see was one hatchling. However, when one called, mom soon arrived and over the course of time the other little hatchlings gathered. I counted as best I could and got to 17. I hope they beat the odds. (Alligator mississippiensis)

Flickr has fixed the stats problem, the fish weren't biting, I acquired a new best friend, and now I'm back. Isn't my new best friend a pretty bird, he's a juvenile King Parrot (Alisterus scapularis), when he reaches adulthood his beak will be red.

He turned up in my yard one morning and was very illusive, but in no time he was very much at home. He poses for photos and pays me no attention when I'm in the yard. He likes to sit on the umbrella over the food table where he can keep an eye on everything and everyone.

This is one of the local Florida, non-migratory families. I was surprized to see a young family in late March. Usually I've seen them nesting during March and the babies came a moth later in April. What's more, is that they only have that one chick and they are staying well away from the trails. In the past I have always seen 2 chicks, which usually make it to at least young adulthood...at least the ones I have observed.

SANDWICH BRED, One of only a very few that have been successfully raised at the scrape Sandwich bay ,Kent, as most full fowl to foxes ect, so its good to see! The crest will get longer in adulthood and the male will get a orange vent.

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THANK YOU for your visit and comments, they are always very appreciated, will return the visit very soon, if not already done so........Stay safe and God bless you......... . Tomx

The image quality is not great as it was taken behind glass but still pleased to grab this shot of a sparrowhawk which holds a special place in our hearts. Born in 2019 she used our garden as a training ground to hone her skills as a first winter juvenile in 2020. She has continued to frequent our garden since then although it was the first time in a while that she had decided to perch. There are more pictures of Brunny's journey to adulthood in the album Four Candles and a Sparrowhawk.

At first I was a bit surprised to see an insect on Dandelion's seed puff. Nothing there in the way of proteins, either pollens or nectar. Then I remembered that Crane Flies during adulthood don't eat. In fact, their mouth parts make it impossible for them to eat anything. Their adulthood, of course, is very short. The larvae, though, can be quite voracious and they're often a pest that destroys the roots of field crops. I'm not sure of the species of our insect, perhaps Flavescens or maybe Appendiculata...

© MD ROKIBUL HASAN

Please seek permission before use.

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The little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis), also known as dabchick, is a member of the grebe family of water birds.

The little grebe is a small water bird with a pointed bill. The adult is unmistakable in summer, predominantly dark above with its rich, rufous colour neck, cheeks and flanks, and bright yellow gape. The rufous is replaced by a dirty brownish grey in non-breeding and juvenile birds.

Juvenile birds have a yellow bill with a small black tip, and black and white streaks on the cheeks and sides of the neck as seen below. This yellow bill darkens as the juveniles age, eventually turning black in adulthood.

In winter, its size, buff plumage, with a darker back and cap, and “powder puff” rear end enable easy identification of this species. The little grebe's breeding call, given singly or in duet, is a trilled repeated weet-weet-weet or wee-wee-wee which sounds like a horse whinnying.

This bird breeds in small colonies in heavily vegetated areas of freshwater lakes across Europe, much of Asia down to New Guinea, and most of Africa. Most birds move to more open or coastal waters in winter, but it is only migratory in those parts of its range where the waters freeze. Outside of breeding season, it moves into more open water, occasionally even appearing on the coast in small bays.

The little grebe is an excellent swimmer and diver and pursues its fish and aquatic invertebrate prey underwater. It uses the vegetation skillfully as a hiding place.

Like all grebes, it nests at the water's edge, since its legs are set very far back and it cannot walk well. Usually four to seven eggs are laid. When the adult bird leaves the nest it usually takes care to cover the eggs with weeds. This makes it less likely to be detected by predators. The young leave the nest and can swim soon after hatching, and chicks are often carried on the backs of the swimming adults. In Bangladesh, the species breeds during the rainy season.

Bird# 123

yes ☑︎ or no ☐ ? Better be yes, LOL!

this is Slevin. He is a Friesian/Gypsy cross and this is a picture I took of him in 2016 that I came across in my archives and decided to post. He's all grown up now and handsome as can be. I love that I get to follow the progress of a fair number of these horses I photograph. It's a treat to watch them develop and grow into adulthood

This mantis comes from Africa and Madagascar and grows to about 2 inches long. This mantis can live longer then most species and can spend 9 months or more reaching adulthood.

A year ago this female Butcher Bird (I called her Miss Smarty Feathers) was a fledgling in stiff competition with her father and brothers to get any food put out for her family. I favoured her, made sure she had more than her share and she learned to come inside to be further indulged.

A year on and she has three new siblings to compete with, and still she is a smart bird. She sits on a garden chair at my back door where she sings a repertoire of songs to call me. These days she's transiting to adulthood, her feathers are changing colour and soon she will be black and white.

Olga celebrated her anniversary at the end of August this year. I met her exactly at this event, where I was invited as a photographer.

The «Zarya» restaurant in Moscow.

In adulthood - a special beauty! She is a very energetic cheerful woman.

Of course, this is not my business, but I would not risk my health and the health of guests (and there were 20 of them). Covid is very cruel. I really hope everyone is safe and sound :)

Many people love such crowded holidays, I prefer a narrow circle of the closest people ... ideally on a trip :)

Closterotomus norvegicus (also known as the potato capsid) is a species of bugs belonging to the family Miridae, subfamily Mirinae. It can be found feeding on nettle, clover, and cannabis, as well as Compositae, potatoes, carrots and chrysanthemums. They prefer to feed on the flowers, buds and unripe fruit.

The species is green coloured as a nymph, but when they get to adulthood the colour changes to reddish brown. It does however, vary by territory; for example, specimens from northern Britain are brownish black. The prothorax has two spots, while its scutellum has dark marks.

The Camargue horse is an ancient breed of horse indigenous to the Camargue area in southern France. Its origins remain relatively unknown, although it is generally considered one of the oldest breeds of horses in the world. For centuries, possibly thousands of years, these small horses have lived wild in the harsh environment of the Camargue marshes and wetlands of the Rhône delta, which covers part of the départements of Gard and Bouches-du-Rhône. There they developed the stamina, hardiness and agility for which they are known today. Traditionally, they live in semi-feral conditions in the marshy land of the region. The Camargue horse is the traditional mount of the gardians, the Camargue "cowboys" who herd the black Camargue bulls used for "courses camarguaises" in southern France. Camargue horses galloping through water is a popular and romantic image of the region.

Camargue horses are always gray. This means that they have black skin underlying a white hair coat as adult horses. They are born with a hair coat that is black or dark brown in colour, but as they grow to adulthood, their hair coat becomes ever more intermingled with white hairs until it is completely white.

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Sorry, to me is very difficult to visit people that always only leave a fav without commenting...

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Do not use any of my images on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit written permission.

All rights reserved - Copyright © fotomie2009 - Nora Caracci

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For years I have been fascinated by little piping plover chicks. This image was taken in Northern Ontario on one of our trips back to Canada. Almost from the beginning the lessons in survival begin flor these little chicks and it is a rocky road to make it to adulthood. One of their first lessons is how to begin to search for food. How I love them and always pray for their survival.

Wishing you a beautiful and blessed Sunday !!!

This is a juvenile male that should be maturing into adulthood by next spring.

This is a piece by Mary Sibande regarding the Tshivenda Initiation Ceremony of young women transitioning into adulthood. Sophie, the alterego of the artist, is the protagonist. Sibande is an artist that creates political pieces often based on Apartheid. This art was from my trip to The Museum of Art and Design in NYC. I never considered myself to be very interested in fashion but political fashion IS art and I love art so I really enjoyed this exhibit (also features three pieces by Nick Cave). For more on Sophie and Sibande:

www.stirworld.com/see-features-south-african-artist-mary-...

On a personal note, yesterday Day 2 with Covid was agony for me but I am feeling a bit better today (I am also on Paxlovid). I think what we all have to remember is that you are essentially playing Russian Roulette when you contract this because there are so many variants and each one impacts individuals in vastly different ways. So, let's not be ableist in our generalizations of this virus.

I hope you all remain healthy.

**All photos are copyrighted**

A couple of ducklings out of a nest of ten (of which today eight are still around) exploring the neighbourhood. Even in a relatively protected environment like a city park, the mortality rate is still quite high among these ducks. Very few actually make it to adulthood. Crows, magpies and the occasional heron take their share, but also other adult ducks can be dangerous.

© 2021 Marc Haegeman. All Rights Reserved

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Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who Love You no matter what.

A little reflection of family. My biological family lives hundreds of miles away and I don’t see or hear much from them. On the outside things always appeared to be family one could dream of. But when you are the black sheep of the family, you are often made to feel like you don’t belong or aren’t good enough. You find yourself struggling through childhood and adulthood fighting to make those people proud, but repeatedly unable to only to be reminded of all the ways you have messed up your life.

Logging onto Second Life is everyone’s escape. What their escape from will vary from one person to the next. Whether is just a mental escape from normal day-to-day life or an escape from a world where your body is unable to function in society’s called normalcy to a way to reach out to make new friends new connections. Second Life has been my escape in different ways over the years.

One of my greatest treasures of SL is the one person who has become my very best friend and my baby sister, Avery. I laugh a great deal because realistically she is old enough to be my daughter. But regardless, this blondie is my sister. We meet by chance through a guy I was seeing, she was his sister. Chance happenings caused her to come live on our land. It was during this time our bond grew, and grew, and grew. Before long we were glued at the hip. So much so that when the relationship didn’t work out, she disowned him as a brother and adopted me as her sister.

Though I’m in an amazing relationship now with two people who I consider my best friend and who I do absolutely anything for, my relationship with my sister will last and forever be stronger. It has been 3 years since she came into my life. And up until just a few months ago, that temporary living arrangement turned into a permanent one and one I will always cherish. We have seen each other through some major highs and major lows and everything in between. We know each other at times better than we know ourselves. No matter what we do, how bad we may mess up in this thing called life I know I can count on her to be there.

☽Avery☾

Hair: .Olive. the Sagittarius Hair

Top/Skirt: MOoH! Gianna Outfit (March Group Gift)

☽Mel☾

Hair: Mina Hair - Carian

Top/Skirt: Asteria "Bobbi" Bodysuit - Black & Asteria "Bobbi" Skirt

Glasses: Earth Stones Eyeglasses - The Classic - Darks

Photo Taken at Sunny's Studio