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This is the Cock Pheasant with its brilliantly colourful plumage.
The Common or Ring Pheasant: Phasianus colchicus
It’s thought that the Romans brought the pheasant to Britain and the Roman villa at Woodchester (c.AD 325) in Gloucestershire shows a recognisable ringneck pheasant. However, the earliest documentary evidence dates back to about 1177, suggesting that the first birds were introduced during the early part of the reign of Edward the Confessor (1042-1066).
The pheasants short and rounded wings allow rapid acceleration and reach speeds of 60mph but are not suited to sustained flights, so pheasants are non-migratory.
Cock pheasants have nothing to do with either incubation or rearing the chicks. Wild hen pheasants lay a clutch of between eight to 14 eggs, though clutches of up to 17 are not exceptional. The incubation period is around 23-24 days, with the chicks all hatching at once (synchronous hatching).
A Black Bear stays alert to other bears that may come into the area as it feeds on a Spawned out Salmon that it caught. The bears take advantage of the spawning Salmon that travel up the rivers. The Salmon deliver the fat and proteins they need to gain weight and sustain themselves over the cold winter months.
"PHOTO INFORMATION"
Taken on Nov 03/13 at 2:32 pm in Ucuelet ( West Vancouver Island,) B.C., Canada.
Taken at 1/100's at f/5.0, - 1 2/3 EV, at 250mm, man white val, iso 2500. No cropping.
Camera, Canon 7D
Lens, Canon EF 100-400mm L IS USM lens.
Tripod, Manfrotto, including 498RC2 bullhead.
The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is an atypical member of the cat family (Felidae): that is, unique in its speed, while lacking climbing abilities. Therefore it is placed in its own genus, Acinonyx. The word "cheetah" is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning "variegated body."
It is the fastest land animal, reaching speeds of 70-75 mph in short bursts covering distances up to 460m, and has the ability to accelerate from 0 to 68 mph in three seconds, faster than most supercars.
Sadly, cheetah cubs have a high mortality rate due to genetic factors and predation by carnivores in competition with the cheetah, such as the lion and hyena. Recent inbreeding causes cheetahs to share very similar genetic profiles. This has led to poor sperm, birth defects, cramped teeth, curled tails, and bent limbs. Some biologists now believe that they are too inbred to flourish as a species.
Cheetahs are listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Red List of threatened species. Some 7,000 cheetahs remain in the wild in Africa and (a few) Asia.
There have been successful breeding programmes, including the use of in vitro fertilisation, in zoos around the world. This individual was seen in the National Zoo in Washington DC.
This sheepdog was certainly sensitive and alert. He gave no heed to the clicking of my camera, something had got his attention and he was not to be deterred from whatever had caught his interest. His ears were shot upright and he stared, unmoving. I stopped taking shots and turned to see whatever was absorbing his mind but saw nothing.
I wonder if the farmer would have missed his dog if I had high-jacked him and brought him home? I would feel a lot safer having him around.
DDC-Characteristics
The Border Collie is an amazing intelligent animal. They are always alert and very aware. Another characteristic is their affection, it's amazing how sweet and loveable Shizandra is toward me. She is very protective too. If she feels there's a threat she will stand in front of me.
Dec 4th is International Cheetah Day, Here's one from my Tanzanian Safari in Feb. Namiri Plains, Serengeti
Namiri Plains is located an hour and a half's drive due east from the game-rich core of the Serengeti – Seronera. The camp opened in July 2014 in an area that for more than 20 years had been closed to the public. Previously this region had exclusively been used for cheetah conservation and the number of big cats found here – especially lion prides and cheetahs – is astonishing.
Alertness is a state of being awake, aware, attentive, and ready to respond to external stimuli. It's a psychological and physiological condition characterized by high sensory awareness and the ability to quickly perceive and act in response to one's environment. Essentially, it's the ability to be vigilant and react promptly to potential dangers or emergencies.
Another visit to Worcestershire to photograph Kingfishers.
After the previous session with little activity, this was to be possibly the best day with 2 Kingfishers visiting and diving 50+ times in 8 hours.
This Kingfisher was in Alert posture and a bird of prey flew high above.
Kingfishers are small unmistakable bright blue and orange birds of slow moving or still water. They fly rapidly, low over water, and hunt fish from riverside perches, occasionally hovering above the water's surface.