Distinctly Canadian
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Just a few miles east of Grand Canyon Village, visitors can stand at Yaki Point and see a distinctly different view of the Grand Canyon from other viewing areas. It is located on a separate promontory and provides views of different features of the Canyon.
Écureuil roux (Sciurus vulgaris), Neuchâtel, Suisse.
Les écureuils vivent Plutôt solitaires sur des territoires distinctifs. Il arrive tout de même parfois qu'un couple partage le même espace vital. Quand ils vivent séparément, le territoire du mâle est plus grand que celui de la femelle. L'étendue de ces domaines dépend de ses ressources en nourriture. Plus les graines sont nombreuses, moins le domaine est grand. Ainsi, les écureuils habitant les forêts de feuillus prospecteront une étendue beaucoup plus grande que ceux vivant dans les forêts de conifères ou une forêt mixte feuillus-conifères. Plus les mâles sont vigoureux, plus ils sont capables de défendre un grand territoire et à entretenir des relations avec plusieurs femelles aux alentours de leurs domaines. Sur chaque territoire, on peut remarquer un ou plusieurs nids, soit entièrement construits par l’écureuil lui-même, soit fondé à partir d'un nid abandonné des corneilles, une cavité des pics épeiches, ou un trou d'arbre. Ce nid se trouve le plus souvent dans les branches hautes des arbres et peut mesurer jusqu'à 50 cm de diamètre. L'extérieur est construit avec des petites branches et de feuilles, tandis que l'intérieur est tapissé de mousse et de brins d'herbe. L'accès d'entrée se trouve sur le côté du nid et est la plupart du temps fermé. Les nids où mettent bas les femelles et où se replient les écureuils pour affronter l'hiver ne sont pas très différents des nids utilisés le reste de l'année, si ce n’est qu’ils sont mieux entretenus et plus confortables.
The lambs raised in the salt marsh meadows of France, especially around Mont Saint-Michel, graze in pastures that are covered in halophyte grasses with a high salinity and iodine content, causing their meat to have a distinct taste that is considered a delicacy. In restaurants you find them on the menu as “agneau de pré-salé” (salt meadow lamb).
The Marlborough Sounds is made up of four distinctly different Sounds - Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru, Pelorus, and Mahau, at the top of New Zealand's South Island. The winding waterways of the Marlborough Sounds make for brilliant boating, fishing, diving and wildlife viewing including dolphin watching.
The Marlborough Sounds offer a spectacular environment for adventures. The 73 kilometre Queen Charlotte Track are a hiking and mountain-biking paradise. Surrounding the Queen Charlotte Track you’ll find 1500 kilometres of breathtaking Marlborough Sounds’ coastine – one fifth of New Zealand’s total coastline – a magical place for exploring by sea kayak.
Stunning coastal views and native bush make the Queen Charlotte Track a uniquely Marlborough walking and biking experience.
We took the boat to mistletoe bay, walked to Onahau lookout and then back to Anakiwa
The common whitethroat (Sylvia communis) is a common and widespread typical warbler which breeds throughout Europe and across much of temperate western Asia. This small passerine bird is strongly migratory, and winters in tropical Africa, Arabia, and Pakistan.
This is one of several Sylvia species that has distinct male and female plumages. Both sexes are mainly brown above and buff below, with chestnut fringes to the secondary remiges. The adult male has a grey head and a white throat. The female lacks the grey head, and the throat is duller.
This species may appear to be closely related to the lesser whitethroat, the species having evolved only during the end of the last ice age similar to the willow warbler and chiffchaffs. However, researchers found the presence of a white throat is an unreliable morphological marker for relationships in Sylvia, and the greater and lesser whitethroats are not closely related.
This is a bird of open country and cultivation, with bushes for nesting. The nest is built in low shrub or brambles, and 3–7 eggs are laid. Like most warblers, it is insectivorous, but will also eat berries and other soft fruit.
Population:
UK breeding:
1,100,000 territories
Roe Deer, Female | Capreolus Capreolus | 06-2022 | Ticino | Switzerland
My best photos are here: www.lacerta-bilineata.com/ticino-best-photos-of-southern-...
More TICINO/TESSIN Wildlife Photos (all taken in my garden in Monteggio/Ti, Switzerland): it.lacerta-bilineata.com/ramarro-occidentale-lacerta-bili... (the website exists in ESPAÑOL, FRANÇAIS, ITALIANO, ENGLISH, DEUTSCH)
My latest ANIMAL VIDEO (warning, it's a bit shocking): www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T2-Xszz7FI
In case you're interested, you can find the COLOR VERSION of the photo above here: www.lacerta-bilineata.com/other-fauna?pgid=krc12ip9-c98c9...
ABOUT THE PHOTO:
Those among you who regularly go to the trouble of reading the (far too lengthy 😉) explanations that come with my photos will be aware that my Flickr gallery and my website ( www.lacerta-bilineata.com/other-fauna ) only show what I can capture in my garden or within a radius of a couple of meters around it.
I find operating within such a limited space (we're talking about approximately 40 square meters) poses an interesting challenge, and it makes this photographic journey of mine more personal, because through my daily "safaris" in my garden I actually feel more connected to all the many lifeforms that share this little oasis around my vacation home with me.
But it also gives my gallery here a distinct profile, a "theme" if you will; you as the viewer get to visit my garden with me and discover it through photography just as I do. This is important to me, because I feel it is the only "original" aspect I can offer to the viewers on Flickr that might help to make my photos interesting.
There is an obvious downside though, and it's one I had to make peace with when I decided on that approach: I knew that I would probably never capture anything other than insects, birds and reptiles, because bigger wildlife normally dare not venture close enough to my garden after daybreak for me to be able to photograph it. At least that's what I thought until one day this past June 😊.
On that day I got up before sunrise to water the garden as had become my habit during the exceptionally hot spring/summer this year; I was still half asleep and mechanically going through my garden chores, when I suddenly became aware of a pair of big, dark eyes that looked at me, obviously startled.
It was a beautiful female roe deer that apparently had been stealthily grazing in the former vineyard (now occasionally used as a horse pasture) just a few meters outside my garden, until the noise I made caught her by surprise. She looked at me alarmed for a few seconds - then she quickly took off and disappeared in the nearby woods.
Imagine my surprise and joy: It was highly unusual for this shy animal to come this close to the village after daybreak, and in almost 40 years I had only once or twice seen any wildlife coming to this vineyard during the day.
I knew from experience that roe deer are creatures of habit, so the next morning I got up at 5am, and this time I had my camera ready. I entered the garden trying to make as little noise as possible and slowly approached the edge of the old vineyard, using the bushes in my garden as cover.
And there she was: peacefully grazing just a few meters away from me. I started photographing her through the leaves of a young ash tree, but unfortunately she heard the sound of my zoom lens. She looked right at me (as you can see above), but she didn't have my scent and couldn't really make me out through the leaves.
Although she wasn't alarmed enough to flee in a hurry, lady roe deer still didn't take any chances and slowly trotted away towards the forest, every once in a while stopping briefly to nibble on some grass, then she was gone.
In the weeks that followed I would spot my doe-eyed new neighbor every now and then in the early morning hours before sunrise, and I even managed to photograph her again a couple of times, but so far this is the photo I like best. I'm aware that monochrome is rarely the way to go with wildlife, and most people prefer color, so I'm curious what you guys' verdict is.
As always, many greetings to all of you and have a happy weekend ahead, and please let me know what you think in the comments below (which I love to read, even though - as I'm sure you're all aware by now - it always takes me ages to reply, for which I'm genuinely sorry!!! 🙏 😊 👍❤)
Embleton Bay with some of the famous black boulders looking distinctly grey in their dry state.
These ankle breakers are usually photographed when wet and black, often with Dunstanburgh Castle as a backdrop.
100x 2022- Northumberland 54/100
Painted buntings occur in two geographically distinct breeding populations: a western population that ranges from northwest Florida to Texas, including Oklahoma and parts of Mexico; and an eastern population limited to coastal areas from North Carolina to northern Florida, and inland along large rivers. Two subspecies are recognized based on geographic distribution, migration patterns and timing of molt (shedding of feathers). Painted buntings in Franklin, Gulf, Bay and Wakulla counties of the Florida Panhandle may be an expansion of the western subspecies or an overlap of occurrence. Genetic studies are needed to determine the range of the two subspecies, or if they are so dissimilar that two separate species should be designated. Florida is the only state with a breeding and wintering population.
Painted Buntings are eagerly awaited winter visitors. The males’ brilliant colors contrast strongly with the more demure green females, but both are pretty secretive, so not that easy to spot in foliage. While the females exclusively feed the young in the nest, males take over feeding once a second brood is started. Northeast Florida’s coastal areas are home to the state’s largest breeding population, where singing males can be found between April and August.
I found this male in Polk County, Florida.
The colorful painted bunting occurs in two geographically distinct breeding populations: eastern and western. The eastern population is limited to coastal areas from North Carolina to northern Florida, and inland along large rivers.
The male painted bunting (Passerina ciris) is one of the most brightly colored songbirds in North America. The French name for the species, nonpareil (without equal), refers to its distinctive purple, blue, red, yellow and green plumage. Males attain adult plumage when two years old. Females are a yellowish green and resemble subadult males. The male’s song is a variable high-pitched warble.
Painted buntings occur in two geographically distinct breeding populations: a western population that ranges from northwest Florida to Texas, including Oklahoma and parts of Mexico; and an eastern population limited to coastal areas from North Carolina to northern Florida, and inland along large rivers. Two subspecies are recognized based on geographic distribution, migration patterns and timing of molt (shedding of feathers). Painted buntings in Franklin, Gulf, Bay and Wakulla counties of the Florida Panhandle may be an expansion of the western subspecies or an overlap of occurrence. Genetic studies are needed to determine the range of the two subspecies, or if they are so dissimilar that two separate species should be designated. The breeding range of the eastern subspecies in Florida extends along the northeast coast from the state line south to Cape Canaveral and inland along the St. Johns River. Eastern painted buntings winter in south Florida, Cuba, Jamaica and the Bahamas. Florida is the only state with a breeding and wintering population.
This male is one of Six (male and female) that have been visiting my yard for the past Several years.
Northeastward view from the Happoone ridge.
There are plenty of volcanoes that are part of the Fuji Volcanic Belt that continues southward to Mt. Fuji, Izu Peninsula, Izu Islands, and the Marianas.
Volcanos that form the skyline include Yakeyama (焼山 2,400 m) that is still active, Myoukou-san (妙高山 2,453 m) with a distinct lava dome, and Iizuna-yama (飯縄山 1,917 m) that is believed to be the abode of Tengu spectre whose Tokyo residence is Mt. Takao-san. Iwasuge-yama (岩菅山 2,295 m) and Yokote-yama (横手山 2,307m) are volcanoes that constitute parts of the Shiga-kougen (志賀高原) Ski Gelände, which is the major rival of Happoone. Shirane-san (白根山) is another active volcano that is currently off-limit for visitors.
A group of non-volcanic peaks near the centre are the Togakushi Mountains (戸隠連山 2,160 m) that is a sacred place for Shugendou ascetics.
* Caibarién, Villa Clara, Cuba *
• Founded in 1832, Caibarién, a small town located in North Central Cuba, with distinctive 19th century architecture, has become rundown and scruffy in parts, but such a charming & interesting place to visit. Caibarién is a fishing town and the main port for the province of Villa Clara, in Cuba.
• Fundada en 1832, Caibarién, una pequeña ciudad situado en el norte central Cuba, con una arquitectura distintiva del siglo 19, se ha convertido en viejo y desaliñado en partes, sino un lugar tan encantador e interesante para visitar. Caibarién es un pueblo de pescadores y el puerto principal de la provincia de Villa Clara, en Cuba.
• Fondée en 1832, Caibarién, une petite ville située dans le Centre-Nord de Cuba, avec une architecture distinctive du 19e siècle, est devenue en partie, vétuste et délabrée, mais un endroit si charmant et intéressant à visiter. C'est une ville de pêche et le port principal de la province de Villa Clara, à Cuba.
Bison
Though the terms are often used interchangeably, buffalo and bison are distinct animals. Old World “true” buffalo (Cape buffalo and water buffalo) are native to Africa and Asia. Bison are found in North America and Europe. Both bison and buffalo are in the bovidae family, but the two are not closely related.
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.
La barge hudsonienne est un grand limicole, possédant un long bec légèrement recourbé vers le haut et orné d’une extrémité foncée, avec la base rougeâtre. Il a aussi de longues pattes noirâtres.
L’adulte en été est d’une couleur rousse intense, s’étendant de la poitrine au ventre. La poitrine et les flancs sont densément rayés, alors que l’abdomen est plus finement barré. Les côtés du cou et de la tête sont gris pâle avec des rayures foncées denses, contrastant avec la poitrine rousse. La queue est noire avec une large bande blanche à la base.
L’adulte en hiver a les parties supérieures, la tête, le cou et la poitrine unis gris ardoise, et un sourcil court et clair. Les ailes portent des rayures foncées et une bande blanche plus étroite que chez la barge à queue noire, très distincte en vol.
Oiseau de la taille d'un Moineau domestique mais beaucoup plus élancé. Les deux sexes sont bien distincts. Le mâle : plumage noir grisâtre sur le dos et les ailes (tache alaire blanche), plus noir sur le ventre et la face ; croupion et bords de la queue roux, centre de la queue brun. La femelle : tête et corps gris anthracite, uniforme ; queue et croupion de la même couleur que le mâle. Bec fin et noir ; pattes et doigts noirs. Il est impossible de ne pas reconnaître le mâle au moment de la reproduction: il porte une face noire, avec la gorge et la poitrine tirant vers le gris ardoise au niveau du ventre, un dos gris, des ailes foncées avec des taches blanches; sans oublier la queue rousse et rouge qui donne son nom à l'espèce. La femelle possède également cette queue rousse; le reste de son plumage est brun, mais plus foncé que celui du rouge-queue à front blanc. En hiver, le mâle ressemble davantage à la femelle. Le chant du mâle aux consonances métalliques retentit souvent lorsqu'il est très haut perché, sur le faîte d'un toit ou sur une tour ou du haut d'un rocher. Son chant est un gazouillis rapide, suivi d'un son évoquant le bruit d'un grésillement.
Images prises en milieu naturel et depuis la portière de la voiture équipée du filet de camouflage .
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Bird the size of a House Sparrow but much more slender. The two sexes are quite distinct. Male: greyish black plumage on back and wings (white wing patch), blacker on belly and face; rump and tail edges reddish, tail center brown. Female: head and body charcoal gray, uniform; tail and rump the same color as the male. Thin, black beak; black legs and feet. It is impossible not to recognize the male at the time of reproduction: he wears a black face, with the throat and the breast drawing towards the gray slate at the level of the belly, a gray back, dark wings with white spots; without forgetting the red and red tail which gives its name to the species. The female also has this red tail; the rest of its plumage is brown, but darker than that of the White-fronted Redstart. In winter, the male looks more like the female. The metallic-sounding male's song is often heard when he is perched very high, on the ridge of a roof or on a tower or from the top of a rock. Its song is a quick chirp, followed by a sound like the sound of a sizzle.
Images taken in a natural environment and from the car door fitted with the camouflage net.
Samburu National Reserve
Kenya
East Africa
The vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), or simply vervet, is an Old World monkey of the family Cercopithecidae native to Africa. The term "vervet" is also used to refer to all the members of the genus Chlorocebus.
The five distinct subspecies can be found mostly throughout Southern Africa, as well as some of the eastern countries. These mostly herbivorous monkeys have black faces and grey body hair color, ranging in length from about 50 centimetres (20 in) for males to about 40 centimetres (16 in) for females.
In addition to very interesting behavioral research on natural populations, vervet monkeys serve as a nonhuman primate model for understanding genetic and social behaviors of humans. They have been noted for having human-like characteristics, such as hypertension and anxiety. Vervets live in social groups ranging from 10 to 70 individuals, with males changing groups at the time of sexual maturity.
The most significant studies done on vervet monkeys involve their communication and alarm calls, specifically in regard to kin and group recognition and particular predator sightings.
Oiseau de la taille d'un Moineau domestique mais beaucoup plus élancé. Les deux sexes sont bien distincts. Le mâle : plumage noir grisâtre sur le dos et les ailes (tache alaire blanche), plus noir sur le ventre et la face ; croupion et bords de la queue roux, centre de la queue brun. La femelle : tête et corps gris anthracite, uniforme ; queue et croupion de la même couleur que le mâle. Bec fin et noir ; pattes et doigts noirs. Il est impossible de ne pas reconnaître le mâle au moment de la reproduction: il porte une face noire, avec la gorge et la poitrine tirant vers le gris ardoise au niveau du ventre, un dos gris, des ailes foncées avec des taches blanches; sans oublier la queue rousse et rouge qui donne son nom à l'espèce. La femelle possède également cette queue rousse; le reste de son plumage est brun, mais plus foncé que celui du rouge-queue à front blanc. En hiver, le mâle ressemble davantage à la femelle. Le chant du mâle aux consonances métalliques retentit souvent lorsqu'il est très haut perché, sur le faîte d'un toit ou sur une tour ou du haut d'un rocher. Son chant est un gazouillis rapide, suivi d'un son évoquant le bruit d'un grésillement.
Images prises en milieu naturel et depuis la portière de la voiture équipée du filet de camouflage .
PS : Un grand merci à toutes celles et ceux qui choisissent de regarder , de commenter et d'aimer mes photos . C'est très apprécié , comme vous l'avez constaté , je ne répond plus directement suite à votre commentaire juste pour dire en fait " merci et bonne journée " , mais en retour je passe laisser une petite trace chez vous sur une ou plusieurs de vos éditions . Merci de votre compréhension
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Bird the size of a House Sparrow but much more slender. The two sexes are quite distinct. Male: greyish black plumage on back and wings (white wing patch), blacker on belly and face; rump and tail edges reddish, tail center brown. Female: head and body charcoal gray, uniform; tail and rump the same color as the male. Thin, black beak; black legs and feet. It is impossible not to recognize the male at the time of reproduction: he wears a black face, with the throat and the breast drawing towards the gray slate at the level of the belly, a gray back, dark wings with white spots; without forgetting the red and red tail which gives its name to the species. The female also has this red tail; the rest of its plumage is brown, but darker than that of the White-fronted Redstart. In winter, the male looks more like the female. The metal-sounding male's song is often heard when he is perched very high, on the ridge of a roof or on a tower or at the top of a rock. Its song is a quick chirp, followed by a sound like the sound of a sizzle.
Images taken in a natural environment and from the car door fitted with the camouflage net.
PS: A big thank you to everyone who chooses to watch, comment and love my photos. It is very appreciated, as you noticed, I do not answer any more directly following your comment just to say in fact "thank you and good day", but in return I pass to leave a small mark with you on one or more of your editions. thank you for your understanding
Best viewed large.
This bird is distinct from the more common Oregon Junco but I am no expert and am not sure if this is a Cassier Junco or Slate-colored Junco so assistance with id will be appreciated. I have many of the Oregon Dark-eyed Juncos in my yard, where I took this photo, in Yakima County, Washington. Cassiar Junco is sometimes consider a hybrid Oregon x Slate-colored Junco and more often considered a subspecies.
This document has several good photo and description of Cassiar Junco: nwbackyardbirder.blogspot.com/2011/04/not-slate-colored-j...
IMG_5131
Thank you everyone for the views, invites, comments, awards and faves.
"Little Island at Pier 55 (stylized as Little Island @Pier55) is an artificial island park in the Hudson River west of Manhattan in New York City, adjoining Hudson River Park. Designed by Heatherwick Studio, it is near the intersection of West Street and 13th Street in the Meatpacking District and Chelsea neighborhoods of Manhattan. It is located slightly west of the Manhattan shoreline atop Hudson River Pier 55, connected to Hudson River Park in Manhattan by footbridges at 13th and 14th Streets.
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Little Island, a new, free public park pier within the larger Hudson River Park, opened to the public on May 21, 2021, providing New Yorkers and visitors from around the world with a unique green space unlike any other in New York City. Planned in partnership with the Hudson River Park Trust, Little Island was funded primarily through Barry Diller and the Diller-Von Furstenberg Family Foundation through an extraordinary philanthropic gift to the Hudson River Park.
Components of the pier, nestled among more than 350 species of flowers, trees and shrubs, include a 687-seat amphitheater and an intimate stage and lawn space, along with dazzling views of other portions of Hudson River Park, New York City and the Hudson River.
Little Island was designed by Thomas Heatherwick of Heatherwick Studio, with landscape design by Signe Nielsen of MNLA.
Little Island’s distinct exterior is supported by concrete piles. On top of the piles, 132 concrete “tulips” make up the structure of the park. Each tulip’s shape is unique and has a different weight load capacity to hold the soil, lawns, overlooks and trees. The original Pier 54 piles remain to provide habitat for aquatic life."
--- hudsonriverpark.org
Note: I finally visited here yesterday. It's something to explore when visiting NYC. Here you can see the WTC (World Trade Center) and Witney Museum in distance. BOY! even it's only in mid-80'sF yesterday, but, the humidly was unbearable. Was planning to visit "Witney Museum" nearby, it was closed (on Tuesdays). Here is close to the "High Line" and "Hudson Yards", so that you can also visit.
The best time to visit here is at dusk, you'd see the sunset in wide open view. My daughter & I were there around 3pm, when it was too sunny and humid.
It’s that cuckoo again, back on tour for a glorious 7th year showing in a field near me.
What a stunning bird he is. Entertaining the crowd to sell out audiences.
Once again Trout Lake delivers a unique image, this time during winter. As the lake slowly freezes over, various shapes form leaving a distinct seasonal appearance.
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Bergfink-Panorama - Brambling-panorama :) Fringilla montifringilla
My Hungary tour album is here:
www.flickr.com/gp/jenslpz/06PRz63n8B
My bird album is here:
www.flickr.com/gp/jenslpz/1240SmAXK4
My nature album is here:
www.flickr.com/gp/jenslpz/27PwYUERX2
My Canon EOS R / R5 / R6 album is here:
www.flickr.com/gp/jenslpz/bgkttsBw35
The whole story is here - die ganze Geschichte gibt es hier:
www.dforum.net/showthread.php?668658-Eine-Woche-in-Puszta...
Bergfink oder Nordfink (Fringilla montifringilla)
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bergfink
Der Bergfink oder Nordfink (Fringilla montifringilla) ist eine Singvogelart aus der Unterfamilie der Edelfinken (Fringillinae) innerhalb der Familie der Finken (Fringillidae). Unter den Finken zeigt er das ausgeprägteste Zugverhalten.
Aussehen
Der Bergfink ist mit 15 cm Körperlänge ein etwa sperlingsgroßer Fink. Im Winterhalbjahr zeigt der männliche Bergfink einen bräunlichgrau gefiederten Kopf, Nacken und Vorderrücken. Im Sommerhalbjahr sind diese dagegen schwarz. Brust und Schulterfleck sind orangefarben gefiedert. Am unteren Schwanz sowie am Bauch und an der Hinterbrust befindet sich weißes Gefieder.
Das Weibchen ist deutlich schlichter gefärbt. Es hat einen bräunlichen Kopf, bei dem sich dunkle Streifen auf dem Oberkopf befinden. Braun gefleckt ist auch der Rücken, und die Brust ist deutlich matter orange gefärbt als die des Männchens.
Verbreitung
Der Bergfink grenzt an das Verbreitungsgebiet des Buchfinken an und ist vor allem in den skandinavischen Birkenwäldern beheimatet. Er ist von Norwegen bis nach Kamtschatka verbreitet. In Europa findet man diesen Vogel bis an die südliche Grenze von Norwegen, Mittelschweden, Südfinnland sowie im nördlichen und mittleren Russland. Nur in Ausnahmefällen brüten Bergfinken auch in Mitteleuropa.
In seinem Verbreitungsgebiet ist der Bergfink neben dem Fitis der häufigste Brutvogel. Während der Zugzeit verlässt er sein Brutgebiet vollständig. Er ist dann in Mitteleuropa in den verschiedensten Lebensräumen anzutreffen. Man findet ihn vor allem in Wäldern mit Buchenbeständen. Er ist in dieser Zeit gelegentlich auch an Futterplätzen zu beobachten, wo er mit Vorliebe Sonnenblumenkerne verzehrt.
Brambling
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brambling
The brambling (Fringilla montifringilla) is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It has also been called the cock o' the north and the mountain finch.
Description
The brambling is similar in size and shape to a common chaffinch. Breeding-plumaged male bramblings are very distinctive, with a black head, dark upperparts, orange breast and white belly. Females and younger birds are less distinct, and more similar in appearance to some chaffinches. In all plumages, however, bramblings differs from chaffinches in a number of features:
- brambling has a white rump whereas that of chaffinch is grey-green;
- the breast is orange, contrasting with a white belly on brambling, whereas on chaffinch the underparts of more uniformly coloured (pink or buff);
- brambling's scapular feathers are orange, whereas chaffinch's are grey or grey-brown;
- the flanks are dark-spotted on brambling, plain on chaffinch;
- bramblings lack the white outer tail feathers of chaffinch.
An additional difference for all plumages except breeding-plumaged males is the bill colour - yellow in brambling, dull pinkish in chaffinch (breeding-plumaged male bramblings have black bills, chaffinches in the corresponding plumage have grey bills)
Registered on the list of the exceptional Inheritance of Wallonia, the castle of Jehay is a remarkable example of castle of pleasure. The current complex consists of three volumes distinct, girdled water levels and connected by bridges spanning the ditches. Rebuilt mainly at the medium of XVIe C., it still preserves some traces of older constructions. At West, for example, the main building rests on the foundations of a medieval strong house and, in the cellars, of the vaults and columns of XIIIe S. are still visible. The castle presents a particular aspect: the apparatus of the external frontages and the two turns draws a checkerwork made up of blocks of limestone and sandstone hardcores. The interior frontages giving on the court were deeply altered with XIXe C., a gallery and a terrace with balustrade of neo-gothic inspiration was inserted there. At North draws up the parish church Saint-Lambert flanked of a square tower later and surrounded of a small cemetery. Property of the family van den Steen since 1680, you will be able to admire there a rich person collection of uvres of art, of which sculptures of the count Guy van den Steen.
A lot of the history of the castle was lost during the von Rundstedt offensive, because the archieves that were situated in Bastogne got then destroyed.
A certain Jehan, what corrupted via Jehaing or Jahin to Jehay, lived there roud 1130,
In 1492 a certain Jehanne de Sart married Arnould de Mérode. During more than 2 centuries the castle was in posession of the family of count de Mérode,and great restaurations were done. Round 1550 the castle got his actual form (the older foundations and cellars were preserved). In 1680 Ferdinand-Maximiliaan de Mérode sold the castle to François de Gand-Vilain van den Steen. In 1978 count Guy van den Steen (1905-1999) sold this castle to the county of Luik . Since the death of the count 20 december 1999, the province is complete owner. With the sale the count(himself a well known archeologe and sculpteur) wanted to protect his important collection of works of art and archeological discoveries.
The "checkerboardpattern" of the towers and fassades with white blocs is exceptional in our region , but can be found in the region of Saïda in Libanon. The grey innerwalls are made of limestone,what often is used in gothic. The general style of the castle is is Renaissance.
The castle is used as museum for about 22.000 archeologic discoveries.The interieur (with a piano from 1780 and a mass art objects) is worth the visit. The castle was situated near the old ancient roman way to Tongeren, what expains the Romanderuins
These beetles have a distinct preference for a particular type of wood, in this case the decaying wood of oaks.
In the UK it is locally common across Wales and South East England and sporadic and generally scarce elsewhere north to Southern Scotland but it seems to have increased in range and abundance over recent decades and so should be expected from any suitable habitat.
Central Serengeti National Park
Tanzania
East Africa
The vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), or simply vervet, is an Old World monkey of the family Cercopithecidae native to Africa. The term "vervet" is also used to refer to all the members of the genus Chlorocebus.
The five distinct subspecies can be found mostly throughout Southern Africa, as well as some of the eastern countries. These mostly herbivorous monkeys have black faces and grey body hair color, ranging in length from about 50 centimetres (20 in) for males to about 40 centimetres (16 in) for females.
In addition to very interesting behavioral research on natural populations, vervet monkeys serve as a nonhuman primate model for understanding genetic and social behaviors of humans. They have been noted for having human-like characteristics, such as hypertension and anxiety. Vervets live in social groups ranging from 10 to 70 individuals, with males changing groups at the time of sexual maturity.
The most significant studies done on vervet monkeys involve their communication and alarm calls, specifically in regard to kin and group recognition and particular predator sightings. – Wikpedia
Nakorn Nayok is known for its distinct landscape dense, virgin forests, streams, waters, high-altitude plains and Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam, which are safe haven for wildlife including gibbons, deer and bird species such as giant hornbills and silver pheasants.
Find out more about Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam, Nakorn Nayok (เขื่อนขุนด่านปราการชล นครนายก), visit:
La ville s'est constituée au Moyen Âge à partir de la ville close située dans l'estuaire du Moros.
The town has two distinct areas: the modern town on the mainland and the medieval Ville Close, a walled town on a long island in the center of the harbour. Historically, the old town was a center of shipbuilding. The Ville Close is now devoted to tourism with many restaurants and shops aimed at tourists. However restraint has been shown in resisting the worst excesses of souvenir shops. Also in the Ville Close is the fishing museum. The Ville Close is connected to the town by a bridge and at the other end a ferry to the village of Lanriec on the other side of the harbor.
Cuiaba River
The Pantanal
Brazil
South America
Giant river otter eating a pirahna from the Cuiaba River in Brazil.
The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. It is the longest member of the Mustelidae, or weasel family, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7 m (5.6 ft). Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. The groups are centered on a dominant breeding pair and are extremely cohesive and cooperative. Although generally peaceful, the species is territorial, and aggression has been observed between groups. The giant otter is diurnal, being active exclusively during daylight hours. It is the noisiest otter species, and distinct vocalizations have been documented that indicate alarm, aggressiveness, and reassurance.
The giant otter ranges across north-central South America; it lives mostly in and along the Amazon River and in the Pantanal.
Not often I can get close to these in the wild. Was fantastic to visit this one on a post where I have seen one before a few years ago.
un critère de distinction entre des jardins et des bois est le lieu de rencontre
cette photo est prise à coté de ma maison en baie de Somme
la précédente est prise en altitude dans une foret de conifères alpins
This tri-colored heron struck a particularly 'sad' expression. Maybe it's really a blue heron on a blue day.
From the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:
The tricolored heron is a midsized member of the genus Egretta. This species can reach a length between 24-26 inches (61-66 centimeters) with a wingspan of approximately 36 inches (91 centimeters). The tricolored heron is named for its distinct coloration. It has a dark slate-blue colored head and upper body, a purple chest, and white underparts. This species also has a long, slender neck and bill, and is the only dark heron with light underparts.
I'm approaching the 30th folder of the 100 backlog - this from 2021.
Please, no invitations to award/forced comment groups or to those with large/animated comment codes.
Ebony head and snowy throat, combined with the hazy mixture of bright orange and black on the back, give this bird a distinctly “tortoiseshell” appearance. Appears larger-headed and slightly shorter-tailed than other sibias. Inhabits foothill and montane forests, where it travels in pairs and flocks through the canopy. Unlike other sibias, frequently clambers around on tree trunks and branches like a nuthatch. Listen for its lovely warbled song and buzzy chattering calls. (eBird)
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We found this pretty sibia several times in the northern mountains, but usually deep in the tree canopy. This one came out in search of mealworms as we sat quietly having a picnic lunch.
Here's a link to our Thailand bird trip list: ebird.org/tripreport/328567
Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park - Doi Lang East, Chiang Mai, Thailand. February 2025.
Rockjumper Birding Tours.
Gangly heron with significant variation in plumage. Distinct dark morph is slate-gray with a white throat, while the palest morph is white with a yellow bill and lores. Pale gray intermediate morphs can also be found. Little Egret can look similar, but it has a darker bill than the white morph of the Western Reef-Heron. Primarily a coastal inhabitant, foraging on shorelines and in estuaries, but can also be found at some inland water bodies. (eBird)
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I originally posted this as a Medium Egret but was later informed that it was the white morph of reef-heron. It was actively fishing, reminding me of the Reddish Egret of North America, with its dancing and shading the water with its wings.
Ras al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. March 2024.
White dots are small raindrops.
Amazilia tzacatl
(Rufous-tailed Hummingbird / Amazilia de cola rufa)
La Ceja, Colombia; Central Andes, 2300 meters above sea level.
The Rufous-tailed Hummingbird is a medium-sized hummingbird. It has a distinctly rufous-colored tail, from which its named is derived, and a bright pink bill. Like other hummingbirds, it feeds on nectar and small insects. It can be highly territorial over feeding areas.
The Rufous-tailed Hummingbird is perhaps the most common species of hummingbird at forest edge and in gardens and cultivated areas from southern Mexico south to northwestern South America.
neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/Species-Account/nb/species/...
The Highland is a Scottish breed of rustic cattle. It originated in the Scottish Highlands and the Outer Hebrides islands of Scotland and has long horns and a long shaggy coat. It is a hardy breed, bred to withstand the intemperate conditions in the region.
Highland cattle descend from the Hamitic Longhorn, which were brought to Britain by Neolithic farmers in the second millennium BC, as the cattle migrated northwards through Africa and Europe. Highland cattle were historically of great importance to the economy, with the cattle being raised for meat primarily and sold in England.
The 1885 herd book describes two distinct types of Highland cattle. One was the West Highland, or Kyloe, originating and living mostly in the Outer Hebrides, which had harsher conditions. These cattle tended to be smaller, to have black coats and, due to their more rugged environment, to have long hair. These cattle were named due to the practice of relocating them. The kyles are narrow straits of water, and the cattle were driven across them to get to market.
The other type was the mainland; these tended to be larger because their pastures provided richer nutrients. They came in a range of colours, most frequently dun or red. These types have now been crossbred so that there is no distinct difference.
Since the early 20th century, breeding stock has been exported to many parts of the world, especially Australia and North America.
It is estimated that there are now around 15,000 Highland cattle in the United Kingdom.
The dog (Canis familiaris when considered a distinct species or Canis lupus familiaris when considered a subspecies of the wolf) is a domesticated carnivore of the family Canidae. It is part of the wolf-like canids, and is the most widely abundant terrestrial carnivore. The dog and the extant gray wolf are sister taxa as modern wolves are not closely related to the wolves that were first domesticated, which implies that the direct ancestor of the dog is extinct. The dog was the first species to be domesticated, and has been selectively bred over millennia for various behaviors, sensory capabilities, and physical attributes. Their long association with humans has led dogs to be uniquely attuned to human behavior and they are able to thrive on a starch-rich diet that would be inadequate for other canids. Dogs vary widely in shape, size and colors. They perform many roles for humans, such as hunting, herding, pulling loads, protection, assisting police and military, companionship and, more recently, aiding disabled people and therapeutic roles. This influence on human society has given them the sobriquet of man's best friend.
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is one of two separate dog breeds known as Welsh Corgis that originated in Wales; the other is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. It is one of the oldest breeds of the British Isles. Cardigan Welsh Corgis are known to be an extremely loyal dog breed. They are also versatile and can live in a variety of settings. The Cardigan is a long, low dog with upright ears and a fox brush tail. 36532
Distinct black-and-white, pigeon-sized wader, with wide rounded wings and floppy beats in flight. Wispy crest extending upwards from back of head and green/purple irridescence seen at close range. Pinkish legs.
Dogs have distinct personalities and Fibonnaci is one such animal. His alert eyes follow all the action of the other dogs, especially the big companions.
He tends to dress in a snappy yellow raincoat when the precipitation is lightly falling....and more likely than not he would prefer to curl up by a window to dream of sunny days.
In writing this paragraph, I realize I have just described my reaction to wet weather. Perhaps that's why I like his company.
These mining bees have been only recently described (Schmidt & Westrich 1993) as a distinct species. Until then, they were confused with another species of Colletes the morphologically very similar, but ecologically distinctive, Colletes halophilus.
The females of Colletes hederae are on average 13 millimetres (0.51 in) long, while the males are about 10 mm (0.39 in) long, significantly larger than the common colletes. The thorax of the adults is covered by dense orange-brown hair, while each abdominal segment has an apical orangey hair-band.
This species is very similar to the closely related heather colletes (Colletes succinctus) and even more to the sea aster mining bee (Colletes halophilus).
The adults emerge late in the year (the males from late August and the females a little later in early September) and remain on the wing until early November. The principal pollen forage plant is ivy (Hedera helix), (hence the specific epithet hederae), but both sexes will also nectar at ivy flowers too. When ivy is scarce, other species of plants are also visited. The females supply the larval brood cells almost exclusively with nectar and pollen of ivy flowers. When ivy flowering is delayed, females may also collect pollen at various members of the Daisy family (Asteraceae).
These are solitary bees and do not live in colonies and do not overwinter as adults. They nest in clay-sandy soils, especially in loess hills and soft-rock cliffs. Like many other solitary bees, they can often be found nesting in dense aggregations, sometimes numbering many tens of thousands of nests. In parts of the west European range of the species, Colletes hederae are frequently parasitized by the larvae of the meloid beetle Stenoria analis, which feed on the supply of nectar and pollen prepared by females bees in their nests.
La Ceja, Colombia; Central Andes, 2300 meters above sea level.
Amazilia tzacatl
(Rufous-tailed Hummingbird / Amazilia de cola rufa)
The Rufous-tailed Hummingbird is a medium-sized hummingbird. It has a distinctly rufous-colored tail, from which its named is derived, and a bright pink bill. Like other hummingbirds, it feeds on nectar and small insects. It can be highly territorial over feeding areas.
The Rufous-tailed Hummingbird is perhaps the most common species of hummingbird at forest edge and in gardens and cultivated areas from southern Mexico south to northwestern South America.
neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/Species-Account/nb/species/...
...and distinct. What remains of a pine in a misty glade in the forest... Perhaps the end of a dream I once had...
Best on Black
I had the distinct honor of being asked by the very beautiful and incredibly talented Magissa if I would photograph her. Imagine my shock and delight!! I was so nervous, but she's just a beautiful woman inside and out..
Magissa thank you for this kind honor and although its not PS, I hope you like it .. it was done with Love♥
Please view this talented artist's stream at www.flickr.com/photos/51510227@N03/
Elli Kokkinou - den ginete www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNqE4q0BvKI
Elly Kokkinou - Gia mia fora www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZu6p3ZwdTI&feature=related
Magnolia stellata, sometimes called the star magnolia, is a slow-growing shrub or small tree native to Japan. It bears large, showy white or pink flowers in early spring, before its leaves open. This species is closely related to the Kobushi magnolia (Magnolia kobus), and is treated by many botanists as a variety or even a cultivar of that.[citation needed] However, Magnolia stellata was accepted as a distinct species in the 1998 monograph by Hunt.
Magnolia stellata blooms at a young age, with the slightly fragrant 7–10 cm (3–4 in) wide flowers covering the bare plant in late winter or early spring before the leaves appear. There is natural variation within the flower color, from white to rich pink; the pink also changes from year to year. The flowers are star-shaped, with at least 12 thin, delicate petal-like tepals, some cultivars having more than 30.
La Ceja, Colombia; Central Andes, 2300 meters above sea level.
Amazilia tzacatl
(Rufous-tailed Hummingbird / Amazilia de cola rufa)
The Rufous-tailed Hummingbird is a medium-sized hummingbird. It has a distinctly rufous-colored tail, from which its named is derived, and a bright pink bill. Like other hummingbirds, it feeds on nectar and small insects. It can be highly territorial over feeding areas.
The Rufous-tailed Hummingbird is perhaps the most common species of hummingbird at forest edge and in gardens and cultivated areas from southern Mexico south to northwestern South America.
neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/Species-Account/nb/species/...
Samburu National Reserve
Kenya
East Africa
The vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), or simply vervet, is an Old World monkey of the family Cercopithecidae native to Africa. The term "vervet" is also used to refer to all the members of the genus Chlorocebus. The five distinct subspecies can be found mostly throughout Southern Africa, as well as some of the eastern countries.
These mostly herbivorous monkeys have black faces and grey body hair color, ranging in length from about 50 centimetres (20 in) for males to about 40 centimetres (16 in) for females.
In addition to very interesting behavioral research on natural populations, vervet monkeys serve as a nonhuman primate model for understanding genetic and social behaviors of humans. They have been noted for having human-like characteristics, such as hypertension and anxiety. The most significant studies done on vervet monkeys involve their communication and alarm calls, specifically in regard to kin and group recognition and particular predator sightings.
Vervets live in social groups ranging from 10 to 70 individuals, with males changing groups at the time of sexual maturity. – Wikipedia