Distinctive Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly at rest.

Once considered rare, it varies locally and is found in damp meadows over about two weeks (one brood) during late Spring.

The distinctive rock formation Hestmannen is found on Storseløy between Lurøy and Rødøy Municipalities in Nordland County rising 571 metres above sea level. From certain angles, the formation resembles the shadow of a knight mounted on his horse.

This landmark plays the classic role of the unruly child in a Nordland tale of trolls that became the mountains of the Nordland coast. As the tale is told, the knight Hestmannen was chasing Lekamøya at dawn and shot an arrow that pierced the Brønnøy King's hat. Sunrise arrived at that very instant, petrifying them all. Hestmannen became the rock formation that we now see, while the King's hat turned into Torghatten, the granite mountain with a distinctive gap though the middle of its mountainside.

DISTINCTIVE and noisy wader, easily recognized, generally solitary, feeds on molluscs and other invertebrates. A breeding pair seen on the Isalnd of Skomer.

==========================================

THANK YOU for your visit and friendship, am enjoying your amazing images so much, well done.

Keep safe and well, God bless you ..............Tomx

============================================

AM NOT ABLE TO GET TO ANYBODY IMAGES, AND I

AM RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS FROM HUNDREDS OF FLICKR USERS THAT ARE NOT FOR ME.

PLEASE BARE WITH ME, FLICKR HELP NOT RESPONDING !!!

===============================================

, DISTINCTIVE wader with a spiky crest, guess which way the wind is blowing?. So good to see them performing a noisy display flight over its territory last Wednesday, ready for breeding. OBSERVATION tips There can be few sights and sounds more evocative of the countryside than a lapwing doing this flight display.

================================================

THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND, please leave a comment and I will look forward to doing the same on your latest posting. Enjoy the weekend, stay safe..............God bless.

...................................Tomx

WELL MARKED and distinctive warbler, the Sedge Warbler has a lively and beautiful song that is a useful aid to identification. This one was deep into the reeds but found a small gap to focus through, love seeing them.

=====================

THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND, leave a comment, and I will eagerly return the visit to your latest posting.

Enjoy the Lords day, God bless..............................Tomx

============================

"COUNT your blessings, name them one by one, you be surprised what the good Lord has done !"

DISTINCTIVE dabbling duck, the males in particular of which are colorful and attractive,.Seen on Rottingdean village pond, East Sussex. A real joy to see.

====================

THANK YOU for your visit and friendship, please leave a comment, and I will get back to do the same to your latest posting. Keep well and safe, God bless you ..............Tomx

====================

Please PRAY that the peace talks will succeed in Ukraine.

==================================================

A distinctive call, to protect her only surviving youngster, the others have been predated, so good to see her on constant alert at the Restharrow scrape Sandwich bay Kent.

========================

THANK YOU for being a friend and leaving a comment, will look forward to seeing your often amazing images. Stay safe and well my dear friends, God bless you...............................Tomx

DISTINCTIVE 'silvered' black head, coming out of thick undergrowth to drink. This bird has a remarkable and very characteristic call, and is so often heard but not seen. Love seeing them.

========================

THANK YOU for your friendship and comments.

=========================

COULD THERE BE MORE TO EASTER THAN EGGS, CHICKS, AND BUNNIES ??

Let your heart be glad, shout with joy and celebrate this great day.

EASTER is here, and so is new life, hope , and forgiveness of sins.

Christ gave his life willingly and unconditionally, all you have to do is believe and ask him into your life.

================= Tomx====================

DISTINCTIVE and noisy wader, the Oystercatcher is easily recognized by its striking black and white plumage and by its loud alarm call. It uses its powerful bill to feed on mollusks and other invertebrates. The image was taken at the Elmley Nature Reserve, Sheppey.

======================

THANK YOU, for your visit friendship, and comments will look forward to commenting on your latest Posting.

Keep a smile on your face, and love in your hearts for everyone. God bless..............................Tomx

A DISTINCTIVE wader that is easily recognized by its dumpy rounded body, waited a long time for it to move momentarily into an open space at the Restharrow scrape at Sandwich Bay Kent. But worth the wait, hope you agree.

====================================================

THANK YOU for your visit and friendship, trust you are all well, God bless you..................Tomx

STRIKING AND DISTINCTIVE, the Egyptian Goose has become slowly established in the region, following its introduction, think this is a Juvenile as to the absence of the dark eye patch. This is the first time I have taken an image of one, as I still think of them as a none native bird.

==============================================

THANK YOU for your visit and kind comments, you are like my extended family, wish I could get to meet you all.

Trust you are keeping well and warm, may God bless you richly................................Tomx

LARGEST SEABIRD in the region. Very distinctive, easily recognized in flight by its cigar-shaped body and long narrow wings it was a real l delight to see so many at Bemton cliffs.

====================

THANK YOU, for your visit friendship and comments, love seeing your images and being transported around the world from the comfort of y armchair. Keep safe and well...........

God bless you,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Tomx

FAMILIAR black, grey and white bird. The Pied Wagtail has a bounding flight and distinctive habit of pumping its tail up and down. They love locations such as playing fields and supermarket car parks, where this one was captured, but I was willing it to go into a little grass area to get a better image.

========================

THANK YOU for being a friend, please leave a comment and I will look forward to returning the visit.

We have the road map out of lockdown, just hope the nature reserves and hides will soon open.

Stay safe and well, God bless..........................Tomx.

===============================================

JESUS LOVES YOU and died for you, let him into your life today as your savior!

A DISTINCTIVE WADER, one of my favorites to photograph, attractive, trusting, a distinctive call, and there can be few sights and sounds more evocative of the countryside than a lapwing performing a noisy display flight over its territory in the spring. Seen at Elmley Marshes,NR Sheppey Kent. Taken from my archives !

==========================================

THANK YOU for your continued support and kind comments , which is appreciated and find very encouraging, Do hope you are all keeping well, stay safe, God bless.......................Tomx

==========================================

Weave JESUS into your life today !

GAMBIA FEB 2019

===============

DISTINCTIVE green and yellow medium-sized bird with CURIOUSLY SILVERED BLACK HEAD ! Found in stream-side thickets and heavy undergrowth, a skulking bird, remains out of sight at low level, for long periods. Must confess to having so many part bird images, and in poor light, and spending so much time, to get this image, I must need my head examined. Hope you enjoy it...................Please ZOOM in for more detail.

========================

THANK YOU, for your support and being a friend, love reading your comments, find them very encouraging, please do not fave and run.......... Stay well and safe.........God Bless...

.........................................Tomx.

A distinctive dragonfly with dark spots on the wings. Can be found over much Britain and Ireland and be seen on the wing from late spring and summer. This species of dragonfly can wander widely and will often turn up as a migrant on the south coast. Preferred habitat is standing or slow moving waters especially acidic heathland pools.

NOISY but distinctive wader, in good numbers and breeding on Skomer Island, easily recognized by its black and white plumage, and long red bill. Outside breeding season, it is generally solitary, often heard before being seen, with its loud alarm call.

=======================

THANK YOU FOR YOUR VISIT, AND COMMENTS, it is appreciated, please stay safe, God bless................Tomx.

==========================

"GODs BEAUTY is SIMPLY AMAZING !!"

DISTINCTIVE wader trying to round up its youngsters in the long grasses, giving out its well-known call, "pee wit" They will engage in defending against much larger birds successfully.

Seen at Elmley marshes a working farm where they put nature first on the Isle of Sheppey.

===================================================

THANKS FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP, leaving a comment is always appreciated and find encouraging.

Enjoy the new week, keep a smile on your face and love in your heart for everyone, God bless you...................Tomx

DISTINCTIVE wader with a spiky crest, a bird of open habbitats. And during the breeding season it is found on undistured grazed grassland, moors . Seen a Elmley Marshes, Sheppey Kent.

=================================================

THANK YOU for your visit, and kind comments, please do not fave and run. Will return the visit as soon as possible.

Enjoy the weekend, but stay safe, and may God bless you richly !...............................................Tomx.

A DISTINCTIVE wader that is easily reconised by its black and white plumage. The Avocet feeds by sweeping its diagnostic, upcurved bill from side to side through water. It forms flocks outside the breeding season, the sexes are similar, as seen in Elmley Nature Reserve, on Speppey Kent, a working farm where they put nature first.

=====================

THANK YOU for your friendship and comments, love looking at your images and being transported around the world from the comfort of my home.

Jesus loves you, so keep a smile on your face and love in your heart for everyone, God bless you.....................Tomx

DISTINCTIVE water bird, the largest in he region, when swimming the neck is held in a elegant curve. FAMILY gruops with parents are often seen. They mate for life.

TRY TO POST all British birds seen, but have not put up a SWAN for years, shame on me. Seen at Stodmarsh nature reserve Kent.

============================================

THANK YOU, for your visit and kind comments, will return the visit as soon as possible. Enjoy the Lords day, stay safe and well , God bless.......................Tomx.

Very distinctive, the female is entirely chocolate-brown, while the male is black with white flanks and a long tuft at the back of the head.

Kings Mill Reservoir

A colourful and distinctive long-tailed bird with a loud call. This parakeet's natural range is in Asia and Africa and now established in Britain with the suburban western fringes of London being the stronghold. There are several theories of how these birds got to be here in the UK and one being that the music legend Jimi Hendrix while living in London released some, more likely he just released great rock music instead of Ring-Necked Parakeets. The most probable explanation is that these were kept as pets and escaped out in to the wild where they gradually became naturalised in the wild and helped by our warmer winters. This birds can also be known as the Rose-Ringed Parakeet and its is the male that has the thin black and pink collar and a black throat, while the female is mainly all green.

Small buoyant tern. Breeding adult has distinctive dark smoky gray body and contrasting white cheeks (can look like broad white "whiskers" in flight) underneath a black cap. Nonbreeding plumage pale silvery gray overall with a faded shadow of the cap; juvenile has dark-checkered back. Note rather stout bill (albeit thinner than Gull-billed Tern) and square tail; compare to Common, Roseate, and Arctic Terns. Feeds by picking from surface, not splash-diving like typical terns. Common around wetlands, lakes, and rivers. (eBird)

--------------------

No wonder I can never identify these terns - I had always assumed that the "whiskers" were black lines, rather than white stripes! Now that I have finally seen one in breeding plumage I can understand the name. Previously seen in Bulgaria and India, so a wide-ranging species.

Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia. October 2022.

Eagle-Eyes Tours - Tropical Australia.

Breeding males are distinctive with dark reddish-brown cap and sides, along with buffy nape. Two bold white wingbars. Females and fall birds are duller; most show at least some chestnut coloring on sides. Dullest birds are similar to Blackpoll and Pine Warblers; look for streaks on back, well-defined wingbars, and cleaner greenish-yellow head and neck. Prefers conifers during migration, but can be found in any woodland. Breeds in the boreal forest. In most of U.S. , only seen during migration. Winters in Central and South America. Listen carefully for extremely high-pitched, squeaky-wheel song, similar to a fast Black-and-white Warbler. (eBird)

-------------------

We came across a couple of this lovely fall warblers hopping about in the trees over the trail. We don't see them often, so a fair amount of discussion and guide checking was needed to confirm its identity. Once I got the photos home, the close-up revealed the buffy wash on the flanks which is a dead give-away :-)

Andrew Haydon Park, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. August 2022.

Male is very distinctively marked with a metallic green head, and rich chestnut flanks, but the female is a plain gray duck with a rounded crown. Female distinguished from Gray Teal by slightly darker neck/throat. White wing panels are distinctive in flight compared to purple/green of Pacific Black Duck. (eBird)

--------------

We had almost given up hope of finding this duck, when lo and behold, there it was! Beautiful teal with rich colours in perfect light. What more could we have hoped for?

Peter Murrell Reserves, Tasmania, Australia. October 2022.

Eagle-Eye Tours - Tasmania.

Little Tern - Sterna Albifrons

This delightful chattering seabird is the UK's smallest tern. It is short-tailed and has a fast flight. Its bill is a distinctive yellow with a black tip. It is noisy at its breeding colony where courtship starts with an aerial display involving the male calling and carrying a fish to attract a mate, which chases him up high before he descends, gliding with wings in a 'V'.

Its vulnerable nesting sites and its decline in Europe make it an Amber List species. It is also listed as a Schedule 1 species in The Wildlife and Countryside Act.

This bird breeds on the coasts and inland waterways of temperate and tropical Europe and Asia. It is strongly migratory, wintering in the subtropical and tropical oceans as far south as South Africa and Australia.

There are three subspecies, the nominate albifrons occurring in Europe to North Africa and western Asia; guineae of western and central Africa; and sinensis of East Asia and the north and east coasts of Australia.[4]

The little tern breeds in colonies on gravel or shingle coasts and islands. It lays two to four eggs on the ground. Like all white terns, it is defensive of its nest and young and will attack intruders.

Like most other white terns, the little tern feeds by plunge-diving for fish, usually from saline environments. The offering of fish by the male to the female is part of the courtship display.

At the beginning of the 19th century the little tern was a common bird of European shores, rivers and wetlands, but in the 20th century populations of coastal areas decreased because of habitat loss, pollution and human disturbance.

The loss of inland populations has been even more severe, since due to dams, river regulation and sediment extraction it has lost most of its former habitats. The Little Tern population has declined or become extinct in many European countries, and former breeding places on large rivers like the Danube, Elbe and Rhine ceased. Nowadays, only few river systems in Europe possess suitable habitats; the Loire/Allier in France, the Vistula/Odra in Poland, the Po/Ticino in Italy, the Daugava in Latvia, the Nemunas in Lithuania, the Sava in Croatia and the Drava in Hungary and Croatia. The status of the little tern on the rivers Tagus and lower Danube is uncertain.

DISTINCTIVE wader with four five-day-old chicks, they feed for themselves from birth, the last one is about to get under its mother to get out of the rather cold wind, blowing across the open marshes at Elmley. The problem they have is protecting the young as they make off in all directions, making an easy meal for gulls, but the lapwing parents swoop at any approaching bird and are very brave.

===============================================

THANK YOU for your visit, friendship, and any comments, please do not fave and run. Stay safe and well, God bless you.......................... Tomx.

This is one of our favorite, colorful songbirds. This time of year the Western Meadowlarks colors are a deep yellow with a stunning black necklace ! This fellow was singing away as we slowed down, got in position, and took this image. Western Meadowlarks look distinctively different from other members of the blackbird family. They have streaked brown upperparts and solid yellow underparts with a distinct black collar.

White Woodpeckers - it is a distinctive inhabitant of lightly wooded savannas and grasslands and forest edge of central South American. It occurs from extreme southeastern Peru east to northeastern Brazil and south to Argentina. The White Woodpecker has a white head and white underparts, set off with yellow patches on the hindneck and belly; there is a black stripe that extends from the rear of the eye to the mantle; and has black wings and tail. The White Woodpecker typically forages in groups of 5 to 8 individuals, sometimes in mixed species flocks with members of the woodpecker genus Colaptes. An arboreal species, the White Woodpecker feeds predominantly on fruits and seeds, but will also feed on insects. White Woodpeckers occasionally open bee nests to get at the honey and insects within. Picture taken at Pantanal - MT.

Wishing everyone a Peaceful Friday and weekend!

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.

My instagram if you like: @thelmag and@thelma_and_cats

Wryneck - Jynx Torquilla

Ogmore

The wrynecks (genus Jynx) are a small but distinctive group of small Old World woodpeckers. Jynx is from the Ancient Greek iunx, the Eurasian wryneck.

Like the true woodpeckers, wrynecks have large heads, long tongues which they use to extract their insect prey and zygodactyl feet, with two toes pointing forward, and two backwards. However, they lack the stiff tail feathers that the true woodpeckers use when climbing trees, so they are more likely than their relatives to perch on a branch rather than an upright trunk.

Their bills are shorter and less dagger-like than in the true woodpeckers, but their chief prey are ants and other insects, which they find in decaying wood or almost bare soil. They re-use woodpecker holes for nesting, rather than making their own holes. The eggs are white, as with many hole nesters.

The two species have cryptic plumage, with intricate patterning of greys and browns. The adult moults rapidly between July and September, although some moult continues in its winter quarters. The voice is a nasal woodpecker-like call.

These birds get their English name from their ability to turn their heads almost 180 degrees. When disturbed at the nest, they use this snake-like head twisting and hissing as a threat display.

Population:

UK passage:

Approx: 280 birds

Bryce is distinctive due to geological structures called hoodoos, formed by frost weathering and stream erosion of the river and lake bed sedimentary rocks. The red, orange, and white colors of the rocks provide spectacular views for park. Arrived at Bryce Canyon in the afternoon, raining, walked around when raining stopped. The light was nice for taking photos, a little bit sunset on top of this beautiful canyon.

Enjoy the last week of 2020, hope we will have better 2021!

………………

You can also find me at

**500px**

The Buntgarnwerke's distinctive building was constructed between 1887 and 1895 according to plans by the architects Ottomar Jummel and Pfeiffer & Händel. It was built due to the increasing importance of trade in Leipzig. The very first impression of the listed building complex conveys the splendour and prestige of the former industrial palace.

The clinker façade, in particular, is highly recognisable, with its striking red brick architecture and decorative light natural stone structures. The two-storey glass and iron bridge, which connects the buildings on either side of the White Elster, is just as distinctive. Today, the Buntgarnwerke on the banks of the White Elster houses numerous lofts and furnished apartments.

Distinctive honeyeater with clear, large, white cheek patches. Underparts white with black streaking. Back, wings, and head black with yellow panels on tail and wings. Distinguished from similar New Holland Honeyeater by presence of one large white patch on side of face rather than two smaller ones. Endemic to eastern and southwestern Australia; usually found in habitats where heath is present. (eBird)

----------------

These wonderful honeyeaters move with all the predictability of a mosquito. Mostly head-first in the bottlebrush flowers, this one came up for air exactly twice before returning to a vague shape moving through the flowers. The one and only time we saw this particular honeyeater species.

Julatten, Queensland, Australia. October 2022.

Eagle-Eye Tours - Eastern Australia.

With its distinctive plumage and evocative cry, the African fish-eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer) is probably the most familiar bird of prey in Africa. Perched majestically on a high branch, the contrast between the white upper-body and tail (not obvious in this shot), the chestnut belly and the black wings is unmistakable.

Aside from fish, this efficient raptor will also take the young of water birds such as the lesser flamingo, and very occasionally will go for monkeys, crocodile hatchlings, frogs and insects.

I took dozens of shots of Fish Eagles in Kanana Nature Reserve before I was satisfied with this one, and a few others. My recycle bin is filled with rejected Fish Eagle shots.

This Bat-eared Fox has distinctive large (15cms in size) bat wing shaped ears making this species very sensitive to noise. They are often found in the wild on recently burnt areas of grass which exposes their food. The teeth of this fox are much smaller than other dogs due to their diet and they can open and close their mouths at least 5 times a second due to a special digastric muscle in the jaw!

Medium-sized flycatcher with distinctive salmon-orange wash on the belly. Otherwise grayish-brown with a contrasting black tail. Also watch for frequent tail-wagging. Widespread and fairly common in western North America. Breeds as far north as Alaska, and winters to southern Mexico. Always in open habitats, usually on a conspicuous low perch. (eBird)

-------------

There was a lot of excitement in the winter of 2021 when a Say's Phoebe showed up in Ottawa, way outside of its range, and spent several weeks around the city dump. Birders from far and wide showed up to see it. This one is in its normal range, but it's no less a joy to see it.

Chopaka, British Columbia, Canada. June 2022.

Eagle-Eye Tours - Ultimate British Columbia.

This beautiful and distinctive male Evening Grosbeak was keeping close watch over a female in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada

Very large and distinctive black-and-white pelican. Enormous bill with characteristic throat pouch. Usually found near water, both marine and inland waterways. Becomes tame around boat-ramps and fishing spots. Perches on lamp-posts. (eBird)

------------------

A bird I was really hoping to see. I had seen photos on Flickr, and now here they were, resting on the mudflats at Cairns. A curious Silver-backed Gull wandered by to see what was happening, but he was totally ignored by the snoozers and the preeners :-)

Cairns Esplanade, Queensland, Australia. October 2022.

Eagle-Eye Tours - Eastern Australia.

Streaked brown above and yellow below with distinctive black "V" on breast. In flight, short wings and spiky tail with white outer feathers are apparent. Breeds in fields and grasslands throughout eastern North America. Also occurs throughout eastern and southern Mexico and Central America, into northern South America, and in Cuba. Winters in dense grassy habitats, often in small loose groups. Extremely similar to Western Meadowlark and best distinguished by voice: listen for high-pitched, clear whistles and short buzzy calls. In winter, plumage looks slightly darker and more contrasty than Western Meadowlark, with a more contrasting head pattern. Eastern is somewhat more tied to more pristine grassland habitats, but with some overlap. (eBird)

-------------

A cheerful song on an overcast day is just what is needed in early spring. He was singing up a storm, even as snow still partially covered the field.

Holland's Marsh, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. April 2023.

Such a distinctive call, I love the jewel like details of this little bird!

Tanzania

Serengeti National Park

East Africa

A large, unusual and distinctive weaver with scaly plumage, rufous tail and wing panels, a white-edged shoulder, and pale eyes. Found in moderately moist savanna and woodland at middle elevations, often in small flocks.

Nests in colonies. Similar in shape and size to Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver, but separated by many details, such as the lack of a red bill. The vocalizations are harsh nasal “skeeya” and “krrrra” notes, sometimes strung together into a series. -

Wikipedia

A BULKY and distinctive seabird with essentisally black and white plumage. The Razorbill is easily recognised at close range by its distinctive bill shape. It swims well, dives frequently and flies low over the water on whirring wing-beats, the sexes are similar. We was lucky to see two youngsters on the mooring steps on Skomer Island.

=================================================

THANK YOU for your visit and kind comments, am having a job keeping up at the moment, but will get round to see your latest posting and comment on it.

ENJOY your weekend, stay well and safe, God bless.............Tomx

=============================================

"GODs BEAUTY is SIMPLY AMAZING !" get out and enjoy !!!

New Holland honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae)

Wryneck - Jynx Torquilla

Ogmore

The wrynecks (genus Jynx) are a small but distinctive group of small Old World woodpeckers. Jynx is from the Ancient Greek iunx, the Eurasian wryneck.

Like the true woodpeckers, wrynecks have large heads, long tongues which they use to extract their insect prey and zygodactyl feet, with two toes pointing forward, and two backwards. However, they lack the stiff tail feathers that the true woodpeckers use when climbing trees, so they are more likely than their relatives to perch on a branch rather than an upright trunk.

Their bills are shorter and less dagger-like than in the true woodpeckers, but their chief prey are ants and other insects, which they find in decaying wood or almost bare soil. They re-use woodpecker holes for nesting, rather than making their own holes. The eggs are white, as with many hole nesters.

The two species have cryptic plumage, with intricate patterning of greys and browns. The adult moults rapidly between July and September, although some moult continues in its winter quarters. The voice is a nasal woodpecker-like call.

These birds get their English name from their ability to turn their heads almost 180 degrees. When disturbed at the nest, they use this snake-like head twisting and hissing as a threat display.

Population:

UK passage:

Approx: 280 birds

A spectacular and distinctive flycatcher, the bright red Vermilion Flycatcher inhabits riparian areas and scrub in the southwestern United States and southward. It perches conspicuously, making periodic flights to nab insect prey.

The male Vermilion Flycatcher often seeks to initiate copulation by delivering a butterfly or other showy insect to the female.

The oldest recorded Vermillion Flycatcher was a male, and at least 4 years, 6 months old when he was shot in Mexico in 1972, the same country where he had been banded.

(Nikon 300mm + TC 1.7, 1/500 @ f8, ISO 200)

Thank You, Dianne and Julia, for Identifying this Bird !!

Mottled brown dabbling duck with distinctive striped head pattern. Note purple/green metallic panel on wing and slightly domed head. Common throughout range, often found on or beside ponds, wetlands, and rivers. Hybridizes with Mallard. Similar to female Mallard but note Pacific Black Duck’s darker coloration and distinctive striped cream head with gray bill, darker legs and feet. Also look for green speculum with black border in flight. (eBird)

--------------

Mom out with her well-behaved duckings. I love how they've lined up neatly two by two.

Lake Wallace, Wallerawanga, New South Wales, Australia. October 2022.

Eagle-Eye Tours - Eastern Australia.

The distinctive profile of a flock of lapwing are seen basking in a golden pond at St Aidans.

Crested Caracara

This distinctive-looking bird is often mistaken for a type of vulture because of its bare face and habit of eating carrion, but it’s actually a tropical falcon. Besides cleaning up roadkill, the Caracara also feeds on invertebrates and small mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and amphibians. It’s also known to harass vultures causing them to disgorge their food, in order to steal it. Crested Caracaras can walk easily and run fast; males engage in aerial battles during breeding season. Threatened mainly due to habitat loss, the Caracara prefers open rangeland, like cattle pasture and is often seen perching on fence posts.

I found this adult in a cow pasture off Joe Overstreet Road, in Osceola County, Florida.

Distinctive but often rather skulking little bird of fresh and brackish marshes and lakes with dense rushes and other reedy vegetation. Forages in rushes and along the shoreline at muddy edges; often seen making short flights low across openings in rushes, when its broad rusty wingstripe helps with identification. Also note the broad whitish eyebrow and boldly striped upperparts. Often detected by incessant “song”—a steady hard ticking sound like two pebbles being knocked together.

Refugio de Vida Silvestre Los Pantanos de Villa, Lima, Peru. October 2018.