Feeding on purple flower.

This is a "re-mix" from a shot taken in 2010.

Every now and then I see a flock of doves hovering in a distance. This time this flock appears to be larger than usual. When they turn to a certain angle, their white underwings reflect more sunlight - shimmering in the distance like fireworks in a pantomine...

This image is included in a gallery "Fly With Meh, Dragonfly" curated by LadyDragonflyCC - >;<.

I have joined a group called "I Have To Shoot What" and the weekly theme was "close to nature". I think this fits the theme quite well.

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Week 5 IHTSW - Close To Nature

There is a flock of sea gulls feeding like frenzy - well beyond the power of my telephoto lens ...

This is a "re-mix" from 2009.

The magpie-lark here is trying to escape the spell from the moon ...

This image is included in 2 galleries:- 1) "Sunrise-sunset" curated by anandamoy chatterji and 2) "Sonnen Auf und Untergang 7" by Gert Huber.

Monkey Mia is a popular tourist destination located about 900 kilometres (560 mi) north of Perth, Western Australia. The reserve is 25 kilometres (16 mi) northeast of the town of Denham in the Shark Bay Marine Park and World Heritage Site.

This image was taken near the Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. The sun just rose above the horizon but eclipsed by thick clouds.

Very heavy cropping.

They appear to be like 2 buddies sitting on the power cable, chatting, after a hard day's work.

There are 2 more in the shade.

This image is included in 7 galleries:- 1) "Birds of the World" curated by Vicky Vinch (EX22218), 2) "Unsere Gefiederten Freunde_3" by Gert Huber, 3) "Birds" by Ruben S. C., 4) "Stunning Bird Shots" by anandamoy chatterji, 5) "PRIMER PREMIO. - Buzón de oro. Gouldner Briefkasten No. 28" by Luis Siabala Valer, 6) "Birds - Finches" by Radoslav Besenyi and 7) "Diamante mandarino - Zebra finch" by geraf.

The Australian zebra finch (Taeniopygia castanotis) is the most common estrildid finch of Central Australia. It ranges over most of the continent, avoiding only the cool humid south and some areas of the tropical far north. Due to the ease of keeping and breeding the zebra finch in captivity, it has become Australia's most widely studied bird; by 2010, it was the most studied captive model passerine species worldwide, by a considerable margin.

The Australian zebra finch was described in 1837 by John Gould as Amadina castanotis, about two decades after the Sunda zebra finch (T. guttata) was described. For over a century and a half, the Australian and Sunda zebra finches were classified as a single species, Taeniopygia guttata. They were split by the IUCN Red List and BirdLife International in 2016. The International Ornithological Congress followed suit in 2022 based on studies noting differences in plumage, mtDNA divergence, and assortative mating between both species in captivity.

It is likely that the Australian zebra finch evolved first, with the Sunda zebra finch descending from Australian zebra finches blown out to sea during the Pleistocene

This pair of beautiful Zebra Finches was photographed near a Roadhouse between Carnarvon and Monkey Mia, Western Australia. The female is on the left, male on the right.

This was taken during a visit to Lamma Island in Hong Kong in 2012. There were a few eagles circling in the sky but none came close to the sun, though. Love the hazy, wispy clouds which appear to eclipse the sun, and the warm colours on an Autumn evening sky. To me it is a glimpse into a minimalistic painting that Nature is trying to show me.

This was taken at the Island Course of the Latrobe Golf Club. Early in the morning, the water sprinklers were spraying the greens. This dedicated golfer here is in his own world, practicing chipping, eyeing the target. The sun is gradually brightening up the place. The water puddles on the 5th green is reflecting the warm glow of the hazy clouds. Apart from occasional birds glancing by in the sky, there is no distraction whatsoever: it is a golfer's dream setting.

Anglesea is one of the tourist attractions along the Great Ocean Road of Victoria.

The morning started out fine but in minutes rain clouds gathered, followed by chilly Autumn wind and light rain.

The sea surface is unevenly illuminated, presentatiing viewers with myriad subtle shades of grey and blue . . .

This book is included in a book "Guide to INTRODUCED PEST ANIMALS of Australia" by Peter West, published by CSIRO, ISBN 978-1-4863-0567-4.

This adult bird has a bug in its beak to bring home to feed its baby.

This image is included in a gallery "Colour" curated by stephen cole.

This interesting rock formation was taken in the Cavendish Cliffs area, just off the Terre Rouge Lane, not far from the Green Gables. It was a fine autumnal afteroon. The beauty of the striking red soil cliffs against the deep blue colour of the Southwest Basin water was simply too hard to do justice in photography.

Prince Edward Island is an island province of Canada. While it is the smallest province in terms of land area and population, it is the most densely populated. The island has several nicknames: "Garden of the Gulf", "Birthplace of Confederation" and "Cradle of Confederation". Its capital and largest city is Charlottetown. It is one of the three Maritime provinces and one of the four Atlantic provinces.

The geography of Prince Edward Island is mostly pastoral with red soil, white sand, and scattered communities. Known as the "Garden of the Gulf", the island is located in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence north of Nova Scotia and east of New Brunswick, with which it forms the Northumberland Strait.

The coastline of the island consists of a combination of long beaches, dunes, red sandstone cliffs, saltwater marshes and numerous bays and harbours. The beaches, dunes and sandstone cliffs consist of sedimentary rock and other material with a high iron concentration which oxidizes upon exposure to the air.

This image is included in 3 galleries:- 1) "Papillons du monde." curated by Ardennais G R D (Guy), 2 ) "Butterflies and Moths Part II" by Radoslav Besenyi and 3) "Butterflys & Insects" by Carla Self.

Troides helena, the common birdwing, is a butterfly belonging to the family Papilionidae. It is often found in the wildlife trade due to its popularity with butterfly collectors.

In Hong Kong, T. helena is at the northern limit of its range. It is not common in Hong Kong but it is observed that there are stable populations in three sites (the surrounding area of Po Lo Che (Sai Kung District), Shan Liu Road (Tai Po) and Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden in the New Territories). It is also found on Lantau Island and Hong Kong Island. (Wikipedia)

This image is included in a gallery "Stunning Bird Shots" curated by anandamoy.

Followed a flock of chough into a forest, the light was not strong enough for birding, but the yellow wattles shone beautifully.

According to Wikipedia , Acacia flavescens, also known as the red or yellow Wattle, is a tree in the Acacia genus native to eastern Australia.

Adversaeschna brevistyla.

This image is included in 2 galleries:- 1) "Favourite Landscapes" curated by MK Hardy and 2) "Mes coups de coeur N°186. My favourites N°186." by Chantal GIRAUDEAU.

This was taken on 21.8.2017 on a fine day at the football ground of Brigham Young University in Rexburg, Idaho, USA. This was captured moments after totality. Here a rim of the sun is re-appearing in the top right corner. Coronal filaments are mostly seen along the top right hemisphere, too.

For the beginning and partial eclipse, a Baader AstroSolar Safety Foil was used before the lens. This foil is CE-tested and reduces the intensity of sunlight by 99.999% (optical density 5.0). This image was taken without the foil.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon completely covers the Sun's disk, as seen in this 2017 eclipse. Solar prominences (in red) can be seen along the limb as well as extensive coronal filaments.

It is safe to observe the total phase of a solar eclipse directly only when the Sun's photosphere is completely covered by the Moon, and not before or after totality. During this period, the Sun is too dim to be seen through filters. The Sun's faint corona will be visible, and the chromosphere, solar prominences, and possibly even a solar flare may be seen. At the end of totality, the same effects will occur in reverse order, and on the opposite side of the Moon.

This image is included in a gallery "2025 03 15oo Samstag" curated by BAKAWI.

Spotted these clusters of sunflowers in full bloom while strolling along Swanston street. I was surprised concrete pots put on the pavement could produce such high quality flowers.

Swanston Street is a major thoroughfare in the Melbourne central business district, Victoria, Australia. It was laid out in 1837 as part of the original Hoddle Grid. The street vertically bisects Melbourne's city centre and is famous as the world's busiest tram corridor, for its heritage buildings and as a shopping strip.

Mr Wood Duck is on the right.

This image is included in 4 galleries:- 1) "Where I’d Like to Be - II" curated by S. Page Looney, 2) "Playas" by Jose Luis Cernadas Iglesias, 3) "Landscape - Landschaften III" by Burkhard Kohnert and 4) "Geographic Focus 7" by James Q Chang (启疆).

According to Alison Dods of Parks Victoria, Gog is the male and the larger stack, whereas the smaller one is Magog and is female.

A stone throw's distance before reaching the 12 Apostles is a sightseeing stopoff called Gibson Steps. Reaching the beach surface via 86 steps, two huge limestone stacks, referred to as Gog and Magog by locals, are towering into the sky at an arm's length. Surveying these stacks at such a close distance, visitors are easily "dwarfed" if not enthralled.

Gog and Magog are names that appear in the Old Testament and in numerous subsequent works, including the Book of Revelation and the Qur'an, sometimes indicating individuals and sometimes lands and peoples. Sometimes, but not always, they are connected with the "end times", and the passages from the Book of Ezekiel and Book of Revelation in particular have attracted attention for this reason.

Gibson Steps --- originally built by the Aborigines, subsequently maintained by Hugh Gibson of the Glenample Homestead, are a steep and slippery flight of rocky steps, giving access to a wild, kelp-covered beach beneath the 70 metre cliff.

This was taken on a summer's evening with shifting light, angry-looking clouds and howling winds - so strong that my tripod was toppled. Beyond the horizon is Bass Strait. A brand new Saddle Lookout for the famous Shipwreck Coast Precinct is seen perched over the cliff face middle right.

(Not explored)

This image is included in a gallery "Great Photo`s 7" curated by Daren Rose.

The Ceylon Blue Glassy Tiger is a butterfly species known scientifically as Ideopsis similis. It belongs to the Danainae subfamily, the brush-footed butterflies, commonly known as the crows and tigers, within the Nymphalidae family. This butterfly is found in various parts of Asia, including Sri Lanka, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

This image is included in a book "Guide to INTRODUCED PEST ANIMALS of Australia" by Peter West, published by CSIRO, ISBN 978-1-4863-0567-4.

The whole afternoon, he fluffs up himself and flashes his neck colours and makes cuo- roo -cuo - roo - cuo calls, he hasn't had much luck so far. Here he is obviously deflated as he watches another beauty moving further away . . .

Mount Tianmen is a majestic mountain range situated in the south town of Zhangjiajie City, Hunan, China. The peak stands at 1518m high. This was taken on an autumn afternoon, in a light drizzle, with myriad mountain peaks in a distance and white clouds below our feet - this scene looks like a traditional Chinese painting.

天門山位於湖南省張家界永定區，因自然奇觀天門洞而得名，也因天門洞而蜚聲世界, 被譽為「湘西第一神山」、「武陵之魂」和「張家界之魂」。

天門山終年雲霧繚繞，雲海景象變化無窮，兼峰、石、泉、溪、雲、林於一體，集雄、奇、秀、險、幽於一身，被譽為空中原始花園，分碧野瑤台、覓仙奇境、天界佛國、天門洞開四大遊覽區，景色各異。

This image is included in a gallery "PAISAJES INCREÍBLES.PAISAJES DE ALUCINE XVLVXXVXXVXXXXVIIII." curated by Lagarto (miguelitoiglesias21).

The Pinnacles are located at the tip of Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island. About 360 million years ago, molten rock forced its way up from the earth's core. It cooled very slowly beneath the ground, forming the pinkish brown granite which is Cape Woolamai's foundation. The granite was exposed as the mountains above wore down due to weathering and wave action. The granite extends down to an unknown depth below sea level. The Pinnacles we now see are the result of cracks which formed as the rock was cooling and shrinking. They have been further sculptured by rain and wave action.

The texture of the formation is beautifully appreciated in the late morning sun. The blue sea beyond and to the left is Bass Strait. To the right is Woolamai Surf Beach.

Phillip Island, also known as Corriong or Millowl in the Boonwurrung language, is an Australian island about 140 km south-southeast of Melbourne, Victoria. The island is named after Governor Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales, by explorer and seaman George Bass, who sailed in an open whale boat, arriving from Sydney on 5 January 1798.

Phillip Island forms a natural breakwater for the shallow waters of the Western Port. It is 26 km long and 9 km wide, with an area of about 100 km2. It has 97 km of coastline and is part of the Bass Coast Shire.

This image is included in 2 galleries 1) "The Stillness Speaks 1" curated by thanks 173rd Airborne and 2) "Landscape" by Sophia H @.

Lake Daylesford is an artificial lake in the town of Daylesford, Victoria, Australia. It was completed in either 1927 or 1929 after many years of campaigning, beginning in 1893. It was designed by Walter Burley Griffin, the American architect who won the competition to design the city of Canberra. Lake Daylesford was formed when the dam wall was built across Wombat Creek above the Central Springs in 1929. The town wanted an ornamental body of water to beautify the scarred creek landscape.

Primary inflows : Wombat Creek

Primary outflows : Molonglo River

Average depth : 2m (6.6 ft)

Maximum depth : 9m (30 ft)

The lake is about 112 km north-west of Melbourne CBD. From the Dja Dja Wurrung people, who first inhabited the land thousands of years ago, to the Swiss Italian migrants of the gold rush and Melbourne's turn-of-the-century holidaymakers, Daylesford has long been considered a special place of healing.

This image is included in a gallery "Birds" curated by Grisu ἄγγελος_ἄγγελος.

Just before taking off.

About 310 km from Scarborough, Algonquin Provincial Park is located between Georgian Bay and the Ottawa River in Central Ontario, mostly within the Unorganized South Part of Nipissing District. Established in 1893, it is the oldest provincial park in Canada. The park is considered part of the "border" between Northern Ontario and Southern Ontario. The park is in an area of transition between coniferous forest and deciduous forest. This unique mixture of forest types, and the wide variety of environments in the park, allows the park to support an uncommon diversity of plant and animal species.

This was taken on an overcast afternoon. The colours were subdued and harmonious.

This image is included in 3 galleries:- 1) "Arachnids, Butterflies and Insects" curated by Vicky Vinch (EX22218), 2) "EL MARAVILLOSO MUNDO DE LOS ANIMALES LCXXXIII.THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF ANIMALS LCXXXVII." by Lagarto (miguelitoiglesias21) and 3) "Amazing Photos" by Daren Rose.

Heliconius charithonia, the zebra longwing or zebra heliconian, is a species of butterfly belonging to the subfamily Heliconiinae of the family Nymphalidae. The boldly striped black and white wing pattern is aposematic, warning off predators.

This was taken at a visit to Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory. The flower it is resting on is Bleeding Heart Vine. The one on the upper left flapping wings is a Red Postman.

Papilio memnon, the great Mormon, is a large butterfly native to southern Asia that belongs to the swallowtail family. It is widely distributed and has thirteen subspecies. The female is polymorphic and with mimetic forms.

This was taken at Fung Yuen Butterfly Reserve, Tai Po, Hong Kong.

Fung Yuen Valley has been listed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) since 1980 to reflect "its importance as a major breeding site for butterflies". The protected area covers approximately 43 hectares. Within this area, the Fung Yuen Butterfly Reserve was set up on 2 hectares of private land in 2005 by the Tai Po Environmental Association through the funding from the Environment and Conservation Fund.