I have tried to capture the nothern lights and the Big Dipper together for awhile now. Rhis is my best attempt to date. I'm not sure how many exposures I took trying to get this photo. The northern lights were out but not extremely strong. After about an hour they briefly got more intense. It was not a really clear night so that gave less stars visible in the sky which fortunately brought out the Big Dipper. The fog lights of my vehicle were turned on for about half the exposure giving a little light to the foreground.

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Many thanks to everyone for the visits, comments, awards and favorites. Much appreciated!

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Went out chasing this storm. It is the first of the season that I have seen. I like the contrast between the dark sky and the field. Hoping for a few more storms this summer as they usually are quite photogenic.

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The barn owl (Tyto alba) is the most widely distributed species of owl in the world and one of the most widespread of all species of birds. It is also known as the common barn owl, to distinguish it from the other species in its family, Tytonidae, which forms one of the two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical owls (Strigidae). The barn owl is found almost everywhere in the world except for the polar and desert regions, Asia north of the Himalayas, most of Indonesia, and some Pacific islands

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A widely distributed duck species, it is often considered uncommon in our region - especially during summers.

The bird is a medium sized duck and has a whistling kind of call. Fulvous describes the color (reddish-yellow). They are often confused with Lesser whistling ducks which are seen throughout the year in our region. However, Fulvous Ducks have white markings on both sides of the tail area, a grey patch around the neck, and the eye lining is grey compared to yellow for the Lesser Whistling ducks. These are thought to be nocturnal ducks and active at nights. I suspect this is a juvenile since the grey neck patch has not developed fully.

Thanks in advance for your views and feedback.

La Ceja, Colombia; Central Andes; 2.300 meters above sea level.

Hepatic Tanager is the most widely distributed Piranga tanager, ranging from the southwest United States south to northern Argentina. Its English name is based on the liver-red color of the adult male from the northern part of the species' range; however, its scientific name, flava, meaning "yellow," derives from the original description, which is based on a female from Paraguay. These names reflect both a characteristic of the genus Piranga, marked sexual dichromatism, and the broad range of coloration, habitat, and behavior encompassed within the Hepatic Tanager as currently recognized.

Even though the Hepatic Tanager is currently considered one species, much evidence, including a recent study of molecular genetics, indicates that up to 3 species could be recognized, corresponding to the 3 groups of subspecies combined long ago. These groups and their respective species names are the Hepatic Tanager (P. hepatica) of montane pine-oak forests from the southwestern United States to Nicaragua, the Tooth-billed Tanager (P. lutea) of forest edges in foothills and mountains from Costa Rica to northern and western South America, and the Red Tanager (P. flava) of open woodlands of eastern and southeastern South America.

neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/Species-Account/nb/species/...

Jardín, Antioquia, Colombia

The spectacularly bizarre Andean Cock-of-the-rock is perhaps the most popularly recognized bird of the cloud forests of the Andes Mountains.

Distributed from Venezuela to Bolivia in the Andes, this species is readily identified by its fan-shaped crest and brilliant orange plumage. Males spend much of their time displaying at leks, where they jump up and down on particular branches and utter low, guttural croaks. The name is derived from their preference for rocks and ledges as substrates for their mud cup nests.

neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/Species-Account/nb/species/...

The barn owl is the most widely distributed species of owl in the world and one of the most widespread of all species of birds. It is also known as the common barn owl, to distinguish it from the other species in its family, Tytonidae, which forms one of the two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical owls. The barn owl is found almost everywhere in the world except for the polar and desert regions, Asia north of the Himalayas, most of Indonesia, and some Pacific islands.

Juvenile Barn Owls

The barn owl (Tyto alba) is the most widely distributed species of owl in the world and one of the most widespread of all species of birds. It is also known as the common barn owl, to distinguish it from the other species in its family, Tytonidae, which forms one of the two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical owls (Strigidae). The barn owl is found almost everywhere in the world except for the polar and desert regions, Asia north of the Himalayas, most of Indonesia, and some Pacific islands

Shot with my 1958 Takumar 200mm F/3.5. Mounted on my A6300

The osprey or more specifically the western osprey — also called sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk — is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey with a cosmopolitan range. It is a large raptor, reaching more than 60 cm in length and 180 cm across the wings. It is brown on the upperparts and predominantly greyish on the head and underparts.

The osprey is the second most widely distributed raptor species, after the peregrine falcon, and is one of only six land-birds with a cosmopolitan distribution. It is found in temperate and tropical regions of all continents, except Antarctica. In North America it breeds from Alaska and Newfoundland south to the Gulf Coast and Florida, wintering further south from the southern United States through to Argentina. It is found in summer throughout Europe north into Ireland, Scandinavia, Finland and Great Britain though not Iceland, and winters in North Africa. In Australia it is mainly sedentary and found patchily around the coastline, though it is a non-breeding visitor to eastern Victoria and Tasmania.

Higher classification: Pandion

Scientific name: Pandion haliaetus

Class: Bird

Order: Falconiformes

Phylum: Chordate

Biological rank: Species

Subspecies: Pandion haliaetus cristatus · Pandion haliaetus carolinensis · Pandion haliaetus haliaetus · Pandion

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Uhu (Bubo bubo) - Eurasian eagle-owl

The most widely distributed of its genus, the Amethyst Woodstar is found in a great variety of habitats throughout its circum-Amazonian distribution. The male is mainly bronzy green above with a prominently forked tail, white sides to the rump, and a striking amethyst-colored throat, bordered by a white breast band. The female has a green-spotted white throat, orange-rufous sides to the underparts, and a narrow white line behind the eye. The Amethyst Woodstar has been recorded taking the nectar of a large number of plant species, and at least occasionally the species hawks insects in flight. This woodstar is probably largely sedentary, but local movements potentially occur, though have yet to be proven. The species is usually not uncommon, but is rather rare and has perhaps declined in northeast Argentina, and is very poorly known in Colombia. Züchner, T. and G. M. Kirwan (2020). Amethyst Woodstar (Calliphlox amethystina), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. doi.org/10.2173/bow.amewoo1.01

Have a peaceful Bokeh Wednesday! HBW!

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

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Wikipedia: The black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus) is a widely distributed very long-legged wader in the avocet and stilt family (Recurvirostridae).

Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park is a marine national park in Kui Buri District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Thailand. It covers 98.08 km2 (37.87 sq mi; 61,300 rai), of which 20.88 km2 (8.06 sq mi; 13,050 rai) are marine areas. The park was established in 1966, and was the first coastal national park of Thailand. The park includes Thailand's largest freshwater marsh.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-winged_stilt

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khao_Sam_Roi_Yot_National_Park

It is a genus of more than 1,000 species of flowering plants, widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere and the tropics. Impatiens make up the family Balsaminaceae. Common names in North America include impatiens, jewelweed, touch-me-not, snapweed and patience. Most Impatiens species are annual or perennial herbs with succulent stems. Only a few woody species exist. Plant size varies dependent of the species from five centimetres to 2.5 meters. North American impatiens have been used as herbal remedies for the treatment of bee stings, insect bites, and stinging nettle rashes. 21438

The European Kingfisher or Common Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis, is widely distributed in Europe, Africa, and Asia. It is resident except in northern areas where the rivers freeze. It will then move to milder regions. In most of its European range it is the only kingfisher.

The general colour of the upper parts of the adult bird is bright metallic blue, cobalt on the back, and showing greenish reflections on the head and wings. The ear coverts and under parts are warm chestnut, the chin and sides of neck white.

The bill is blackish and reddish orange at the base; the legs are bright red with a dark blue stripe. In the young the bill is black. Length averages 19 cm (7.5 inches) and wings average 7.5 cm (2.95 inches).

The flight of the Kingfisher is rapid, the short rounded wings whirring until they appear a mere blur. It usually flies near the water, but during courtship the male chases the female through and over the trees with loud shrill whistles.

From February onwards the male has a trilling song, a modulated repetition of many whistles. He also signals with a whistle to the female when he is feeding her, this being his share of the nesting duties. This whistle is produced even when his bill is loaded with food, yet is clear and distinct. The female will reply and emerge from the nesting hole, and may fly to meet him, take the fish from him in the air, and return to the nest.

The bird has regular perches or stands from which it fishes. These may be a few inches or many feet above the water. It sits upright, its tail pointed downwards. It drops suddenly with a splash and usually returns at once with a struggling captive.

Large fish are beaten on a bough or rail; small fish and insects are promptly swallowed. A fish is usually lifted and carried by its middle, but its position is changed, sometimes by tossing it into the air, before it is swallowed head downwards.

A sunrise shot from earlier in the year taken at my favourite location on the south coast. The best time to catch the sunrise here is between November and the end of February I believe.

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Glasses from above

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Absolutely no permission is granted in any form, fashion or way, digital or otherwise, to use copy, edit, reproduce, publish, duplicate, or distribute my images or any part of them on blogs, personal or professional websites or any other media without my direct written permission.

If you wish to use any of my images for any reason or purpose please contact me for written permission.

La Ceja, Colombia.

Heliconius clysonymus clysonymus Latreille, [1817]

Heliconius clysonymus is distributed from Honduras to Peru. In Colombia it is found in the 3 Andean mountain ranges between 1.200 and 2.300 meters. They are seen in deforested areas and small patches of forest, where they feed on nectar and pollen. The Heliconius are among the longest-living butterflies.

www.comfenalcoantioquia.com/Turismo/ClubesyParques/Parque...

A cherry blossom is a flower of many trees of genus Prunus. The most well-known species is the Japanese cherry, Prunus serrulata, which is commonly called sakura. They are widely distributed, especially in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere including Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Mainland China, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Myanmar, Thailand and West Siberia. Along with the chrysanthemum, the cherry blossom is considered the national flower of Japan. Japan has a wide variety of cherry blossoms (sakura); well over 200 cultivars can be found there. All varieties of cherry blossom trees produce small, unpalatable fruit or edible cherries. Edible cherries generally come from cultivars of the related species Prunus avium and Prunus cerasus. 39103

This species is distributed across much of Europe, but is absent from Portugal, most of Spain, most of the Mediterranean islands, and Scandinavia. Beyond Europe it occurs in northern Africa, Turkey, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

There are 6 other very similar Melanargia species that occur in Europe with which the butterfly can easily be confused. In the French Pyrenees the butterfly is known to regularly hybridise with the Iberian Marbled White Melanargia lachesis, producing infertile offspring.

A million thanks to all of you for your kind support, you inspire me a lot through your wonderful, brillant, marvelous pictures

The Cloudless Sulphur butterfly (Phoebis sennae) is a common, widely distributed species in the United States.

Wings are uniform yellow in color, with some brown and white spots on females. You can distinguish Cloudless Sulphurs from the Clouded Sulphur (Colius philodice), by their lack of black edging on the topsides of their wings.

The Cloudless is also larger than the Clouded Sulphur.

Butterflies, like birds and other animals, need food, water, and shelter, the basic necessities of life. In addition, butterflies like direct sunlight, and heat. A good butterfly garden should provide both sunny places and shady places where butterflies can cool off while they eat. They also need shelter from wind, and inclement weather.

La Ceja, Colombia; Central Andes; 2.300 meters above sea level.

♂️ Piranga flava, now Piranga lutea

(Tooth-billed Tanager / Cardenal Montañero)

Hepatic Tanager is the most widely distributed Piranga tanager, ranging from the southwest United States south to northern Argentina. Its English name is based on the liver-red color of the adult male from the northern part of the species' range; however, its scientific name, flava, meaning "yellow," derives from the original description, which is based on a female from Paraguay. These names reflect both a characteristic of the genus Piranga, marked sexual dichromatism, and the broad range of coloration, habitat, and behavior encompassed within the Hepatic Tanager as currently recognized.

Even though the Hepatic Tanager is currently considered one species, much evidence, including a recent study of molecular genetics, indicates that up to 3 species could be recognized, corresponding to the 3 groups of subspecies combined long ago. These groups and their respective species names are the Hepatic Tanager (P. hepatica) of montane pine-oak forests from the southwestern United States to Nicaragua, the Tooth-billed Tanager (P. lutea) of forest edges in foothills and mountains from Costa Rica to northern and western South America, and the Red Tanager (P. flava) of open woodlands of eastern and southeastern South America.

neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/Species-Account/nb/species/...

A widely distributed duck species globally, but considered uncommon in our region - especially during summers. But these days we are seeing them throughout the year and I suspect may have even spotted sub-adults.

The bird is a medium sized duck and has a whistling kind of call. Fulvous describes the color (reddish-yellow). They are often confused with Lesser whistling ducks which are seen throughout the year in our region. However, Fulvous Ducks have white markings on both sides of the tail area, a grey patch around the neck, and the eye lining is grey compared to yellow for the Lesser Whistling ducks. Just like other ducks, these are nocturnal and spend the days sleeping in the wet fields hidden from view. When farmers or stray dogs disturb them, they tend to fly out in large flocks to safety.

Thank you so much in advance for your views, feedback and faves.

Are perfect for a good refreshing!

Versicolored Emerald - it is a small species of Amazilia hummingbird. It is discontinuously distributed in open habitats of eastern South America, from Colombia east to the Guianas and south to northeastern Argentina and southern Brazil. This is a medium-sized hummingbird with green upperparts and white underparts; the mostly pink mandible helps to distinguish it from the very similar White-chested Emerald (Amazilia chionopectus). There are six subspecies of Versicolored Emerald, which vary in features such as the color of the crown (glittering green or turquoise) and throat (white, or variably green or turquoise). One poorly-known subspecies, rondoniae of southwestern Brazil (and northern Bolivia?), sometimes is recognized as a separate species, but geographic variation within Versicolored Emerald merits further study. Across its broad range, the Versicolored Emerald behaves as a typical Amazilia: it occurs at the edges of forest, in open shrubby areas, and in savannas with scattered trees or shrubs. Versicolored Emeralds feed at a wide variety of flowers; they may defend small patches of flowers, but also visit flowering trees, which attract many hummingbirds of a variety of species. Weller, A.A., G. M. Kirwan, and P. F. D. Boesman (2021). Versicolored Emerald (Chrysuronia versicolor), version 1.1. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. doi.org/10.2173/bow.vereme1.01.1

For a peaceful Friday! Happy Earth Day!

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

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

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Mantises are an order (Mantodea) of insects that contains over 2,400 species in about 430 genera in 15 families. The largest family is the Mantidae ("mantids"). Mantises are distributed worldwide in temperate and tropical habitats. They have triangular heads with bulging eyes supported on flexible necks. Their elongated bodies may or may not have wings, but all Mantodea have forelegs that are greatly enlarged and adapted for catching and gripping prey; their upright posture, while remaining stationary with forearms folded, has led to the common name praying mantis.

The closest relatives of mantises are the termites and cockroaches (Blattodea), which are all within the superorder Dictyoptera. Mantises are sometimes confused with stick insects (Phasmatodea), other elongated insects such as grasshoppers (Orthoptera), or other insects with raptorial forelegs such as mantisflies (Mantispidae). Mantises are mostly ambush predators, but a few ground-dwelling species are found actively pursuing their prey. They normally live for about a year. In cooler climates, the adults lay eggs in autumn, then die. The eggs are protected by their hard capsules and hatch in the spring. Females sometimes practice sexual cannibalism, eating their mates after copulation.

Mantises were considered to have supernatural powers by early civilizations, including Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt, and Assyria. A cultural trope popular in cartoons imagines the female mantis as a femme fatale. Mantises are among the insects most commonly kept as pets.

Los Angeles. California.

Phoenicopterus ruber

(American flamingo / Flamenco del Caribe)

The American Flamingo is the only flamingo distributed through the Caribbean Sea, the northern coasts of South America, and on the Galapagos. It was formerly considered conspecific with the Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) of the Old World.

Like other flamingos, it feeds in saline and brackish lagoons by straining water through the lamellae on its unique bill and swallowing the invertebrate organisms trapped inside. The American tends to feed somewhat deeper than other flamingos, with the head and often much of the neck submerged.

neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/overview?p_p...

Photo taken at the AVIARIO NACIONAL DE COLOMBIA, Barú, Cartagena, Colombia.

Colombia is the number one country in the world to have the largest varieties of birds, having about 1,876 species and almost 70 kinds that belong specially to Colombia. AVIARIO NACIONAL DE COLOMBIA has done an amazing job to show that. You see some of birds free and others in beautiful habitats. Peacocks, Toucans, Pink Flamingos, Crane Corona, Guacamayas, Pelicanos, Ducks, all types of little colorful birds Colombia is most famous for it, every imaginable birds are here.

This place is so well design, and so well taking care of, that you think some times you are in paradise!

www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g1507145-d982271...

The WT Dove is the most widely distributed dove in the Americas, and the least distributed in the US as it occurs only in the very south of Texas, specifically the Rio Grand Valley. It occurs plentifully throughout most of Mexico, as well as Central and South America.

I found this bird at the National Butterfly Center, a couple miles from the border. The BC is a fine place to visit. Many Green Jays hang out here as well as Long-Billed Thrashers and other Rio Grand Valley Birds. And, yes lots of butterflies, but that's a whole other world to study.

Female Kingfisher stunning it’s prey before eating.

The European Kingfisher or Common Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis, is widely distributed in Europe, Africa, and Asia. It is resident except in northern areas where the rivers freeze. It will then move to milder regions. In most of its European range it is the only kingfisher.

The general colour of the upper parts of the adult bird is bright metallic blue, cobalt on the back, and showing greenish reflections on the head and wings. The ear coverts and under parts are warm chestnut, the chin and sides of neck white.

The bill is blackish and reddish orange at the base; the legs are bright red with a dark blue stripe. In the young the bill is black. Length averages 19 cm (7.5 inches) and wings average 7.5 cm (2.95 inches).

The flight of the Kingfisher is rapid, the short rounded wings whirring until they appear a mere blur. It usually flies near the water, but during courtship the male chases the female through and over the trees with loud shrill whistles.

From February onwards the male has a trilling song, a modulated repetition of many whistles. He also signals with a whistle to the female when he is feeding her, this being his share of the nesting duties. This whistle is produced even when his bill is loaded with food, yet is clear and distinct. The female will reply and emerge from the nesting hole, and may fly to meet him, take the fish from him in the air, and return to the nest.

The bird has regular perches or stands from which it fishes. These may be a few inches or many feet above the water. It sits upright, its tail pointed downwards. It drops suddenly with a splash and usually returns at once with a struggling captive.

Large fish are beaten on a bough or rail; small fish and insects are promptly swallowed. A fish is usually lifted and carried by its middle, but its position is changed, sometimes by tossing it into the air, before it is swallowed head downwards.

Art- texture applied to photo images of Great White Egrets

Thanks to everyone that views and comments on my images - very much appreciated.

The great egret, also known as the common egret, large egret, or great white egret or great white heron is a large, widely distributed egret. The four subspecies are found in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and southern Europe. Recently it is also spreading to more northern areas of Europe. Wikipedia

Conservation status: Least Concern Encyclopedia of Life

Wingspan: 4.3 – 5.6 ft. (Adult)

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I quite liked the lines of clouds leading your eye out to sea.

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" A Hover Fly and Nectar..."

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Copyright ©

All Of My Photographic Images Are Subject To Copyright ! Each Of My Photographs Remain My Intellectual Property ! All Rights Are Reserved And As Such, Do Not Use, Modify, Copy, Edit, Distribute Or Publish Any Of My Photographs ! If You Wish To Use Any Of My Photographs For Any Reproductive Purposes, Or Other Uses, My Written Permission Is Specifically Required, Contact Me Via Flickr Mail !

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Absolutely no permission is granted in any form, fashion or way, digital or otherwise, to use copy, edit, reproduce, publish, duplicate, or distribute my images or any part of them on blogs, personal or professional websites or any other media without my direct written permission.

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Many thanks for the visits, faves and comments. Cheers

Buff-banded Rail

Scientific Name: Gallirallus philippensis

Description: The Buff-banded Rail is a medium-sized stout rail with short legs. It has a distinctive grey eyebrow and an orange-brown band on its streaked breast. The lores, cheek and hindneck are rich chestnut. The chin and throat are grey, the upperparts streaked brown and the underparts barred black and white. The eye is red. Young birds are much paler to white underneath, with indistinct bars and only a faint orange-brown tint on the breast. Downy chicks are fluffy black. This rail walks slowly, with tail raised and flicking constantly.

Similar species: The orange-brown breast band distinguishes the Buff-banded Rail from the similar but smaller Lewin's Rail,Dryolimnas pectoralis, which has a rich chestnut crown and nape and a proportionally longer pink bill.

Distribution: The Buff-banded Rail is widespread in mainland Australia, particularly along the eastern coast and islands, and on Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands. It is also found in south-east Asia, New Guinea and New Zealand.

Habitat: The Buff-banded Rail is seen singly or in pairs in dense reeds and vegetation bordering many types of wetlands or crops. It makes widespread use of artificial wetlands like sewage ponds and drainage channels.

Seasonal movements: The Buff-banded Rail is resident and possibly locally nomadic, though little is known of these movements.

Feeding: The Buff-banded Rail feeds on crustaceans, molluscs, insects, seeds, fruit, frogs, carrion and refuse. It mostly feeds early in the morning and the evening.

Breeding: Breeding is poorly known, but the Buff-breasted Rail nests in long grass, tussocks, rushes or crops. It makes an unlined cup-shaped nest of grasses or reeds. Both parents incubate and the young will leave the nest within 24 hours. Both parents remain with the young, which usually feed themselves, though the female may feed them as well. Two broods may be raised in some seasons.

Calls: Loud creaky squeak when breeding but usually silent.

Minimum Size: 28cm

Maximum Size: 33cm

Average size: 31cm

Average weight: 130g

Breeding season: September to February

Clutch Size: 5 to 8 eggs

Incubation: 19 days

Nestling Period: 1 days

(source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)

© Chris Burns 2023

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apologies for not much commenting ect lately as some of you may know my mum was seriously Ill In Hospital for a while and I nearly lost her she was disharged from hospital a few weeks ago and I have been busy looking after her at my home and preparing her for her return to her own home she is now back at home and doing well but still needs alot of care as as I am the only person she has got to help its down to me the past 8 weeks or so have been a total nightmare and I have been running on auto pilot and finally everything has caught up with me feel totally exhausted and run down at one point I was spending 11 hours per day at the hospital Just so glad my mum is still here and I thank god every day for that and for getting me through the toughest 2 months of my life xx

An early morning view of Burgh Island with the rising sun directly behind my left shoulder. Get here early or be prepared to pay some serious money for car parking.

© This photograph is copyrighted. Under no circumstances can it be reproduced, distributed, modified, copied, posted to websites or printed or published in media or other medium or used for commercial or other uses without the prior written consent and permission of the photographer

Copyright © Heavenxxx89 2012 -2014 You may not, except with my express written permission, copy, reproduce, download,

distribute or exploit In any way Thank you

view my photostream here portfotolio.net/heavenxxx23

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0r here picssr.com/photos/heavenxxx23/?ref=use</

The European Kingfisher or Common Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis, is widely distributed in Europe, Africa, and Asia. It is resident except in northern areas where the rivers freeze. It will then move to milder regions. In most of its European range it is the only kingfisher.

The general colour of the upper parts of the adult bird is bright metallic blue, cobalt on the back, and showing greenish reflections on the head and wings. The ear coverts and under parts are warm chestnut, the chin and sides of neck white.

The bill is blackish and reddish orange at the base; the legs are bright red with a dark blue stripe. In the young the bill is black. Length averages 19 cm (7.5 inches) and wings average 7.5 cm (2.95 inches).

The flight of the Kingfisher is rapid, the short rounded wings whirring until they appear a mere blur. It usually flies near the water, but during courtship the male chases the female through and over the trees with loud shrill whistles.

From February onwards the male has a trilling song, a modulated repetition of many whistles. He also signals with a whistle to the female when he is feeding her, this being his share of the nesting duties. This whistle is produced even when his bill is loaded with food, yet is clear and distinct. The female will reply and emerge from the nesting hole, and may fly to meet him, take the fish from him in the air, and return to the nest.

The bird has regular perches or stands from which it fishes. These may be a few inches or many feet above the water. It sits upright, its tail pointed downwards. It drops suddenly with a splash and usually returns at once with a struggling captive.

Large fish are beaten on a bough or rail; small fish and insects are promptly swallowed. A fish is usually lifted and carried by its middle, but its position is changed, sometimes by tossing it into the air, before it is swallowed head downwards.

We managed to see a bit of sunshine on our last Norfolk trip and did a short walk from Morston Quay to Blakeney Quay.

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A great place to start a coast walk to Lynmouth if you like a challenge. The building on the left is a hotel, very expensive i'm guessing as it's in a great location.

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Endless sardines, evenly distributed.

A southbound CSX freight train meets a northbound freight train on the Neabsco Creek Trestle Bridge. This train has a Distributed Power Unit which is the locomotive is in the middle of a train to help with hills or other logistical problems. #CSX #train #TrestleBridge #LeesylvaniaStatePark #CSX3467 #DPU #DistributedPowerUnit

GAMBIA. WEST COAST DIVISION.

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The pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) is a species of water kingfisher widely distributed across Africa and Asia.

I am guessing this is another holiday let seen at Eype beach but I am wondering how much longer it will survive with the speed of the eroding cliffs. I guess they will have to move it back from the cliffs at some point fairly soon.

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Distributed in Africa from Lake Victoria southwards. Inhabits both savanna and woodland and is mainly carnivorous snatching its small-animal prey from the ground. This is the world's largest hornbill, measuring nearly 1.3 m long and weighing up to 6 kg. The 'boxing-glove' throat is red in the male and red and blue in the female.

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A beautiful but isolated place to live with great views over RIngstead Bay and across to Portland. We walked on from here to Osmington Mills and eventually Weymouth.

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Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Botswana

Southern Africa

The Northern Black Korhaan (Afrotis afraoides) is a striking member of the bustard family, Otididae. Exhibiting sexual dimorphism, the male is adorned with black and white barring on the back and wings, while the head, neck, and underparts are cloaked in black. The female sports a pattern of black and buff bars and checks on the head, neck, breast, and upper parts, with a black belly.

The Northern Black Korhaan favors open grasslands with vegetation up to a meter tall, grassy dune, semi-arid scrublands, and the expansive veldt. This species is widely distributed across Southern Africa.

Primarily ground-dwelling, the Northern Black Korhaan may take to the skies with a burst of flight when disturbed, the male vocalizing a loud "kraark, kraark" call. These birds forage by walking and chasing after their prey, which includes a variety of insects and seeds.

The male Northern Black Korhaan is known for its raucous "kraark, kraark" call during its courtship display. The diet consists of insects such as termites, ants, grasshoppers, and beetles, as well as spiders, ticks, and seeds. These birds actively forage on the ground, walking and chasing after their prey.

The Northern Black Korhaan is classified as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It is a common species with a stable population and no significant threats identified at present. – Internet