Mad in America (and the world)
View allAll Photos Tagged Diagnostic
The diagnostic black-white-black patch on the edge of the wings can be seen stretched out in this capture of the Woodlark which I watched preening itself in a clearing within a mixed woodland area of the New Forest.
Thank you all for your views, faves and comments.
CREDITS:
NEW SPONSOR!!! 718 - Yurei Set - Cyber Demon (Fatpack Exclusive)
Get it now at Tokyo Zero : maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/TOKYO%20ZERO/59/142/2501
After the event it will be available at the 718 mainstore: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Baja%20Sands/200/127/24
LICKED - Sticky Catsuit
CHARM By Sibilla - Le Cheval Nuda (sold out limited edition)
Sibilla - California Tips 2 Toenails
Kibitz - Lory's collar - gold
KROVA - Tedril - Animesh Companion Bot
Phy.Ka - 038 - Queen Latex Gloves
Phy.Ka - 039 - Queen Rings 18k
Evil Baby. - Rave Babe Goggles
1990 - Classic LV Set - Coffin - XL
DOUX - Thais Hairstyle
BACKGROUD, PROPS & POSE:
PALETO Backdrop - kTX Studio
Khaos Muse - Kronos Ultra B1ke
Black Cats poses - Floating Screens
A large, lumbering shearwater. Diagnostic yellow bill is often visible from quite a long distance. Look for warm pale brown upper-parts and clean white belly and underwings. Also note little contrast between the brown head and white throat (compare with distinct capped appearance of Great Shearwater). Lazier wingbeats than other large shearwaters, especially in calm conditions; wings look crooked with wrists pushed forward in flight. Forms mixed flocks with other shearwaters, especially when feeding. Fairly common in warm water in the Atlantic Ocean; increasingly frequent in cooler water, ranging further northward in recent years.
Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) juvenile flight_2578
Diagnostic Chestnut-eared Bunting, Emberiza fucata fucata, 12.5 cm. / 4.92 in. UNCOMMON resident. Grassy meadows and river beds. Very distant bird.
Swan Park, Tofutsu Lake, Abashuri, Hokkaido, Japan.
©bryanjsmith.
I spent some time photographing Whinchats in the Peak District today. There was at least one recently fledged juvenile with both parents in attendance. This is the adult male which I liked because he has spread his tail revealing the diagnostic white bases to the outer tail feathers. I find Whinchats increasingly difficult to find as they have suffered a 57% population decline since 1995, and a 48% range contraction.
A Vesper Sparrow, with food in the form of a grasshopper, paused briefly at Red Rock Coulee Natural Area south of the city of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. It was presumably on its way to nearby young to sustain, though I did not see a nest. (The small chestnut patch visible at the top of its wing is a diagnostic feature for this species.)
At home.
Only separated in 1968, Copper Underwing and Svensson's Copper Underwing are a pair of species that can only reliably be identified by genital examination. However, although not diagnostic, pale-tipped palps are said to be one of the subtle differences that distinguish the latter.
I am not about to start dissecting moths to study their genitals and this individual clearly has pale-tipped palps (which were even more obvious when photographed head on), so I am going with Svensson's, although It has to be said that the ID app, Obsidentify disagrees.
Diagnostic Male Purple Grenadier, Granatina ianthinogaster, 14cm / 5.5in. COMMON within range in open woodland, bush and cultivation, as well as semi-arid areas. Nice to see this bird in the wild rather than in a pet shop.
Maasai Mara, Trans Mara, Rift Valley, Kenya.
©bryanjsmith.
Diagnostic Male Stejneger's Scoter, Melanitta stejnegeri, 55 cm. / 21.65 in. UNCOMMON visitor to coastal waters. Population numbers seem to be declining recently. Split from Velvet Scoter.
Betsukai, Notsuke Peninsula - North End, Nemuro, Hokkaido, Japan.
©bryanjsmith.
Diagnostic Fringe-backed Fire-Eye, Papa-taoca-da-bahia, Pyriglena atra, 17 cm / 6.7 in. RARE ENDEMIC in understory of forest edge and tall, second-growth. Really shy bird!
Bahia, Brazil.
©bryanjsmith.
Always nice to find this species. The diagnostic ocelli can both be seen in the inset - this individual had an undeveloped antenna on the LH side.
Eardington NR, Shropshire.
Remains of barley (Hordeum vulgare) grains found at archaeological sites in the Fertile Crescent indicate that about 10,000 years ago the crop was domesticated there from its wild relative Hordeum spontaneum. The domestication history of barley is revisited based on the assumptions that DNA markers effectively measure genetic distances and that wild populations are genetically different and they have not undergone significant change since domestication. The monophyletic nature of barley domestication is demonstrated based on allelic frequencies at 400 AFLP polymorphic loci studied in 317 wild and 57 cultivated lines. The wild populations from Israel-Jordan are molecularly more similar than are any others to the cultivated gene pool. The results provided support for the hypothesis that the Israel-Jordan area is the region in which barley was brought into culture. Moreover, the diagnostic allele I of the homeobox gene BKn-3, rarely but almost exclusively found in Israel H. spontaneum, is pervasive in western landraces and modern cultivated varieties. In landraces from the Himalayas and India, the BKn-3 allele IIIa prevails, indicating that an allelic substitution has taken place during the migration of barley from the Near East to South Asia. Thus, the Himalayas can be considered a region of domesticated barley diversification.
EXPLORED
Previous Section
Next Section
UPDATE: I think I finally discovered the actual species. According to this excellent site, it looks like it's a Cotton Harlequin Bug (Tectocoris diophthalmus).
I've never seen one of these before and apparently it's a Harlequin Beetle. I can't find much information or even the botanical name for it, so I did a search for quotes that referred to harlequins.
Imagine my delight when I found a quote from Battlestar Galactica! Here's the quote in full from Wikiquote:
Hybrid: Two protons expelled at each coupling site creates the mode of force, the embryo becomes a fish though we don't enter until a plate, we're here to experience, evolve the little toe, atrophy, don't ask me how, I'll be dead in a thousand light years, thank you, thank you, genesis turns to its source, reduction occurs step wise though the essence is all one, end of line. FTL system check. Diagnostic functions within parameters repeats the harlequin, the agony exquisite, the colors run the path of ashes...
South Korea's high-speed rail system is one of the most advanced in the world, operating under the Korea Train Express (KTX) brand. Since its launch in 2004, the country has developed several types of high-speed trains. The original KTX-I was based on French TGV technology and marked the beginning of high-speed travel between major cities like Seoul and Busan. In 2010, the KTX-Sancheon, also known as KTX-II, became the first high-speed train fully developed in Korea by Hyundai Rotem. It introduced improved safety, design, and comfort features tailored to Korean needs.
More recently, the KTX-Eum (이음), launched in 2021, was introduced as a next-generation electric multiple unit (EMU) designed specifically for semi-high-speed service on lines such as the Jungang and Donghae Lines. Unlike past KTX trains that rely on locomotive-hauled sets, the KTX-Eum uses distributed traction motors beneath each car, allowing for better acceleration and more efficient energy use. With a maximum operating speed of 260 km/h on dedicated EMU tracks (and up to 150 km/h on general conventional lines), the Eum balances high-speed performance with versatility on routes that were previously served only by slower, conventional trains.
The design of the KTX-Eum reflects a focus on passenger comfort and accessibility. Each car features low-floor entrances for easier boarding, spacious seating arrangements, and Wi-Fi connectivity throughout. Large panoramic windows enhance the travel experience along scenic stretches such as those between Cheongnyangni and Andong on the Jungang Line. Technologically, the Eum is equipped with regenerative braking systems that feed energy back into the grid, LED lighting for reduced power consumption, and advanced onboard diagnostics to minimize maintenance downtime.
One of the hallmark routes for the KTX-Eum is its service connecting Seoul with Gangneung, a line initially upgraded for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics and later optimized for regular KTX-Eum operations. By reducing the former four-hour journey to approximately two and a half hours, it has opened up tourism and business opportunities in Gangwon Province, especially during peak seasons when coastal destinations see increased foot traffic.
In 2024, Korea unveiled the KTX-Cheongryong, or “Blue Dragon,” an advanced EMU-type high-speed train capable of reaching 320 km/h, equipped with cutting-edge technology and a futuristic design. Alongside these, the SRT (Super Rapid Train), operated by SR Corporation since 2016, provides similar service using KTX-Sancheon–type rolling stock but departs from Suseo Station in Seoul, offering a private alternative to Korail-operated KTX.
Together, these developments—especially the introduction of the KTX-Eum—demonstrate Korea’s commitment to expanding high-speed rail beyond its core network, integrating urban centers with regional cities without sacrificing speed, comfort, or efficiency.
Seoul Station, South Korea
The diagnostic feature for separating Brown Argus from female Common Blue, is two spots on top of one another at the top edge of the Brown Argus hindwing, creating a figure of 8 like this: www.flickr.com/photos/timmelling/5990925447/in/photolist But this Brown Argus that I photographed in my friend's Rutland garden, lacks this feature and so superficially resembles a Common Blue like this: www.flickr.com/photos/timmelling/5799969922/in/photolist The spot in question appears to be slightly comma-shaped so maybe the two spots have merged. To add to the confusion the Brown Argus was nectaring on Bird's-foot Trefoil, which is the larval foodplant of Common Blue. An additional identification feature is the marginal orange lunules on the forewing. In Common Blue they usually peter out towards the tip, whereas on Brown Argus they are solidly orange right to the tip, as they are here.
Vadiúj mérővonat kirándul a Kisalföldön
Under the steep hills of Kisalföld with a brand new diagnostic train.
Diagnostic Yellow-collared Lovebird, Agapornis fischeri, Blue mutation. Most likely an escaped cage-bird. Native to Tanzania. Eating lichens on the distant cliff face near the waterfall.
Walter Sisulu National Botanic Gardens, Gauteng Province, South Africa.
©bryanjsmith.
A Do-It-Yourself asbestos sampling kit designed for use by home occupants.
While there are several interesting issues about this test kit, the basic premise of having untrained laypersons disturbing suspect (or moreover, actual) asbestos materials in their own home seems most concerning.
Governmental organizations have conducted thorough research and promulgated detailed laws & regulations with specific requirements for asbestos inspection protocols. Professional asbestos inspectors and surveyors are required to possess a requisite amount of asbestos-related experience, receive specialized training from a properly accredited and licensed training provider, and then also be properly licensed and accredited as asbestos inspectors themselves in their respective districts.
Further, properly trained, licensed and accredited asbestos inspectors are medically monitored for wearing specialized HEPA-filtered respirators and employ detailed sampling techniques that are intended to protect themselves and others in the sampling environment.
Professional asbestos inspectors also possess experience at determining adequate sampling strategies and sample quantities for statistically reliable results. Not to mention, the properly trained asbestos inspector utilizes asbestos-related experience to collect samples representative of the respective materials, comprising all layering and other related subtle material anomalies (e.g.- all layers of multi-layered plaster and surfacing materials, all layers of multi-layer pipe insulations, scooping "bottom" of installed vermiculite attic insulation, including joint-compound with gypsum-drywall, inclusion of mastics and adhesives, and many other material-specific sampling methods).
The idea of the general public haphazardly digging into asbestos materials and likely contaminating themselves and their families in their very own homes seems flawed, at the very least.
Also, is this kit suggesting to homeowners that there is no concern for asbestos in homes built after 1978?
Further, one might think a special health warning, cautionary statement, or conspicuous disclaimer about the danger(s) of asbestos exposure on the package would be essential for the purchaser of the asbestos sampling kit.
Diagnostic Spix's Spinetail, Chicli Spinetail, Joao-teneném, Synallaxis spixi, 17 cm / 6.7 in. COMMON in undergrowth of shrub, cerrado, woodland edge and grassy habitat with shrub.
Bahia, Brazil.
©bryanjsmith.
Diagnostic Bonaparte's Gull, Chroicocephalus philadelphia, 13.5 in / 34.29 cm. RARE at this location, this time of year. COMMON locally on lakes, rivers and ocean.
Lake Cochise, Willcox, Cochise County, Arizona, USA.
©bryanjsmith.
Diagnostic Cape Starling, Lamprotornis nitens, 25 cm / 9.8 in. COMMON resident in savanna, mixed woodland and gardens; often in quite arid habitat.
Zaagkuild Rift Road, Gauteng Province, South Africa.
©bryanjsmith.
Catatonia
is a syndrome of psychological and motorological disturbances. In the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV) it is not recognized as a separate disorder, but is associated with psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia (catatonic type), bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and other mental disorders, as well as drug abuse or overdose (or both). It may also be seen in many medical disorders including infections (such as encephalitis), autoimmune disorders, focal neurologic lesions (including strokes), metabolic disturbances and abrupt or overly rapid benzodiazepine withdrawal.
Patients with catatonia may experience an extreme loss of motor skills or even constant hyperactive motor activity. Catatonic patients will sometimes hold rigid poses for hours and will ignore any external stimuli. Patients with catatonic excitement can die of exhaustion if not treated. Patients may also show stereotyped, repetitive movements. They may show specific types of movement such as waxy flexibility, in which they maintain positions after being placed in them by someone else, or gegenhalten (lit. "counterhold"), in which they resist movement in proportion to the force applied by the examiner. They may repeat meaningless phrases or speak only to repeat what the examiner says.
Bad day. Bad bad day.
My friends went to Chicago today to go see the Lion King and eat at the Cheesecake Factory. Where am I at? Sitting on my butt in my room. Why? Because I'm too effing poor to do crap.
Then Garry calls this morning on his way home from work and tells me that he had been asked to go into work tonight. We were supposed to take tonight and tomorrow night and celebrate our anniversary. Is that going to happen now? No. Did he even bother to call me any time in the last seven hours? No.
Haven't eaten anything yet today because the spot doesn't open until 6. Thankfully that's only a half hour away...then I can finally eat something. Will probably be crap because this school could care less about those of us stuck on campus during the weekend...but it's something.
However, I do like this picture. I have high expectations for how it'll do...which sucks cause, with the way my day is going, this thing will be totally ignored by everyone. *sigh* but I still like it...so that's good at least.
Diagnostic Okinawa Rail, Gallirallus okinawae, 30 cm. / 11.8 in. ENDANGERED endemic. "Discovered" in 1981. Sub-tropical forest in northern Okinawa-jima. The population is thought to be 1,500 birds.
Yanburra National Park, Okinawa, Japan.
©bryanjsmith.
Diagnostic Marsh Sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis, 24.5 cm. / 9.65 in. UNCOMMON passage migrant to freshwater marshes and rice fields.
Ose Coast, Amami-Oshima, Japan.
©bryanjsmith.
record shots
Diagnostic feature review : Brown under tail covert
Bohemian Waxwing BOWA (Bombycilla garrulous)
Duncan BC
DSCN2505
Congrats and Kudos to Liam S. on this a Lifer for him !!!
as we 'covered' some areas together
Fun day to team up on the Christmas Bird Count at Duncan.
I am always learning from this young man.
Lottsa fun.
Mary R. & Rick S were also able to view this (presumably) bird somewhat later in the afternoon.
Quite a thrill to have good views and obvious & clear vocalizations of this impressive species.
DSCN2760
Liam was tuned into this bird and relocated it in a holly farm after his initial discovery in a residential back yard.
We had stopped the vehicle to explore a waxwing flyby .
As we stood out front with our gear ,the friendly homeowners invited us into the back yard .
Shortly thereafter Liam excitedly exclaimed Bohemian Waxwing!
Woot!
:)
-at top of tree as in following post
WWT Slimbridge. Robbie Garnet Hide.
In winter, adult Black-tailed Godwits have a uniform brown-grey breast and upperparts (in contrast to the streaked back of the Bar-tailed Godwit). Juveniles have a pale orange wash to the neck and breast. In flight, the bold black and white wingbar and white rump can be seen readily. When on the ground it can be difficult to separate from the similar Bar-tailed Godwit, but the longer, straighter bill and longer legs of the Black-tailed Godwit are diagnostic. The Black-tailed Godwit is similar in body size and shape but stands taller than Bar-tailed Godwit. (NatureSpot).
My thanks to anyone who clicks or comments on this photo. It is much appreciated.
Diagnostic Chubb's Cisticola, Cisticola chubbi chubbi, 14cm. / 5.5in. Mainly western distribution in East Africa.
Kakamega Forest Nature Reserve, Nandi, Western, Kenya.
©bryanjsmith.
Diagnostic Swallow Tanager, Sai-andorinha, Tersina viridis viridis, 15 cm / 5.9 in. Humid forest borders and woodland.
Santa Eliza Trails, Sao Paulo State, Brazil.
©bryanjsmith.
Diagnostic Olive-backed Pipit, Olive Tree-Pipit, Anthus hodgsoni hodgsoni, 15 cm. / 6.3 in. UNCOMMON for Yunnan, found in open wooded habitats.
River Walk, Yingjiang area, Yunnan Province, China.
©bryanjsmith.
Diagnostic Male Red-headed Bluebill, Seermophaga ruficapilla ruficapilla, 14cm. / 5.5in. Locally COMMON in forest, secondary growth and moist thickets. Not eating berries, those are the bill colors.
Kakamega Forest, Vihiga, Western, Kenya.
©bryanjsmith.
Diagnostic feature review : besides red which is also on Cedar Waxwing - this species also has white and yellow wing features
record shots
Bohemian Waxwing BOWA (Bombycilla garrulous)
Duncan BC
DSCN2505
Congrats and Kudos to Liam S. on this a Lifer for him !!!
as we 'covered' some areas together
Fun day to team up on the Christmas Bird Count at Duncan.
I am always learning from this young man.
Lottsa fun.
Mary R. & Rick S were also able to view this (presumably) bird somewhat later in the afternoon.
Quite a thrill to have good views and obvious & clear vocalizations of this impressive species.
DSCN2791
Liam was tuned into this bird and relocated it in a holly farm after his initial discovery in a residential back yard.
We had stopped the vehicle to explore a waxwing flyby .
As we stood out front with our gear ,the friendly homeowners invited us into the back yard .
Shortly thereafter Liam excitedly exclaimed Bohemian Waxwing!
Woot!
:)
-at top of tree as in following post
Diagnostic Pelagis Cormorant, Urile pelagicus pelagicus, 73 cm. / 28.7 in. WS: 98 cm. / 38.6 in. Locally COMMON resident on rocky coasts. It was very windy, cold and rain was falling sideways, we were sheltering in the leeward side of the lighthouse.
Nosappu Point, Hokkaido, Japan.
©bryanjsmith.
GP had to go for diagnostic imaging today at the Smiths Falls site of the Perth and District Hospital seen here. I brought my camera as it was ironic we would be once again going to the Smtihs Falls hospital entering via the ER doors on February 13th and I wanted to take a photo of the hospital for my 365.
The irony of going there on this day was that it was 23 years ago today that I entered the same doors with GP and our middle daughter to say goodbye to my dad.
My dad lived with us and he was always in and out of the Smiths Falls Hospital - he had COPD. He used to laugh and say they should put him on the payroll - he knew all the nurses and janitorial staff by name, their life stories and they knew him.
Doctors or nurses would always call me saying I should get in as his time was short. Every time, over the years he beat their odds. If he went in on a Friday he would be coming home on the Monday despite medical professionals thinking he was on his last legs so-to-speak.
23 years ago today, it would be no different. They called me and said I should come in right away. We got up and left thinking they are wrong he will be coming home. When we arrived though, it would not be the case.
I think he was waiting for me to get there just so I could say goodbye. I held his hand as I told him it was okay for him to go, that I would be okay without him and he took his last breath.
That was the biggest lie I ever told my dad in all my years because, after 23 years I am still not okay without him. My mom passed in 1986 and I am an only child so basically I am an adult orphan I guess. I still miss him terribly as does Mike and our kids.
I did not post this long blurb for anyone's sympathy rather, for a diary I guess of my day on this 365 journey.
SOC no edits other than resized for the web.
I appreciate each and every visit, comment and fave here on my little corner of Flickr. Have a super day!
Diagnostic Meadow Pipit, Anthus pratensis pratensis, 14 - 15.5cm / 5.5 - 6.1in. Very COMMON in open country, on heaths and moors, coastal meadows, pastures and bogs.
Salina do Sambouco, Alochete County, Setubal, Portugal.
©bryanjsmith.
Diagnostic White-headed Buffalo-Weaver, Dinemellia dinemelli boehmi, 18 cm / 7 in. COMMON in acacia bush country and wooded grassland. Some huge thorns!
Tsavo East National Park, Coast, Kenya.
©bryanjsmith.
Diagnostic Immature Pallid Harrier, Circus macrourus, 45cm / 18in; WS 110cm / 44in. Fairly COMMON Palearctic passage migrant and winter visitor to grasslands.
Maasai Mara, Trans Mara, Rift Valley, Kenya.
©bryanjsmith.