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.

, 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

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

A DISTINCTIVE and noisy wader, the Oystercatcher is easily recognized by its striking black and white plumage, and by its loud alarm call. Seen at Restharrow scrap Sandwich Bay, Kent.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

THANK YOU for being a friend, please leave a comment, it is always appreciated and find encouraging, will return the visit as soon as I can.

Keep safe and well dear friends................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

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

DISTINCTIVE finch and a familiar garden resident. IN THE PAST, flocks would have been widespread on arable farms, but the disappearance of winter stubble fields and the prevalent use of herbicides means that the species occurrence in the countryside at large is increasingly localised.

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

THANKING YOU for your friendship, please leave a comment, and I will look forward to visiting your stream to see your latest posting..

Enjoy your new week, stay safe, God bless.................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 !

A DISTINCTIVE WADER that just thinks it is well hidden, so just had to show what I think has made a beautiful image showing its spiky crest. while surrounded by wildflowers. Seen at the Restharrow Scrape, Sandwich Bay, Kent UK.

Zoom in for more detail.

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

THANK YOU for your visit and friendship, love reading your comments, and will enjoy doing the same on your latest posting. Enjoy the weekend, stay safe and well.

God Bless.......................Tomx

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

"Ask Jesus into your life, you will never regret it !!! "

© Sigmund Løland. All Rights Reserved.

In the 1800s Bergen was Europe’s biggest wooden city, a distinctive city environment with closely spaced wooden buildings, busy streets, markets and alleys. At old Bergen open air Museum you can experience some of this atmosphere and it has today 55 wooden houses, most of which originally stood in the centre of Bergen.

WELL MARKED and distinctive warbler, seen in our garden, this may be a chance encounter, or sometimes some individuals become faithful visitors to the garden, fingers crossed he stays. Taken in very poor light.

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

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP, LOVE READING YOUR COMMENTS, they are always appreciated, and I will look forward to commenting on your latest posting.

Stay safe and well my friends..................God bless you...........

.........................................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.

Common and widespread powder blue-gray bird of open and semi-open areas with larger trees and hedges, towns, villages, and gardens in tropical and subtropical regions. Mainly feeds at mid-upper levels in trees, eating fruit, and perches readily on phone wires. Rather plain but distinctive appearance, with beady dark eye and fairly stout bill.

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

This tropical seabird is distinctive among terns with its jet-black back, black cap, and neat white forehead. Immature birds are entirely dark blackish with white spots on wings and a white undertail. Most similar to Bridled Tern, but darker black back, dark undersides of flight feathers, and narrower white edges on tail. Sooty Tern is found in warm tropical waters worldwide. It breeds in colonies on sandy islands, but otherwise usually stays far offshore, and is rarely seen near land except when blown off course by a hurricane. (eBird)

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

One day during our trip, we went snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. Our location was also a breeding a colony for many species of seabirds, including these Sooty Terns. We estimated at least 1000 birds here, with many chicks (the spotted birds). You can also see Brown Noddies in this image (the larger, all-brown birds at the back).

Michaelmas Cay, Queensland, Australia. October 2022.

Eagle-Eye Tours - Eastern Australia.

The distinctive Bearded Bellflower is a common perennial found in meadows, open woods and stony places up to 3000 metres in the Alps.

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.

The Spot-flanked Gallinule is a tiny, distinctive gallinule, with four disjunct populations in South America: it occurs around the pantanal, ibera, and entre rios wetlands northeast Argentina and nearby Bolivia, Paraguay, and Brazil; extreme eastern Brazil, central Chile, and central Colombia. This species frequents lagoons and marshes. Its small size and cryptic coloration make it especially difficult to see when it is hiding in the reeds, though it will venture into open water regularly. The Spot-flanked Gallinule has a slate-colored head, neck, and underparts, with white spots on the flanks, and a warm brownish-red back and wings. Photographed at Mostardas, RS.

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

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

Kudu, also known as the Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), is a magnificent antelope species found in various parts of sub-Saharan Africa. It is a large and majestic animal, renowned for its unique and striking appearance.

Physical Characteristics:

The Kudu is one of the largest antelope species, with males, known as bulls, weighing up to 600 kg (1,300 lbs) and standing around 1.5 to 1.7 meters (5 to 5.5 feet) tall at the shoulder. Females, known as cows, are smaller and lighter.

Both males and females have long, spiral-shaped horns. The horns can grow up to 1.8 meters (6 feet) in length in males, while in females, they are shorter and slimmer.

Appearance:

Kudus have a beautiful coat with distinctive white stripes along their sides. These stripes are believed to act as a form of camouflage in their woodland habitats, helping them blend in among dappled sunlight and shadow.

The coat coloration varies, but they are generally reddish-brown with a tinge of blue-grey in some areas. The undersides are usually pale.

Habitat and Behavior:

Kudus are found in a range of habitats, including woodlands, savannas, and dense bush areas. They are adaptable animals but prefer regions with enough vegetation for cover.

These antelopes are mainly browsers, feeding on leaves, fruits, and shoots. They have the ability to reach high branches to access food that other herbivores might not reach.

Kudus are predominantly nocturnal, which means they are most active during the night, helping them avoid predators and the heat of the day.

Males are typically solitary or found in small bachelor groups, while females form small herds, often accompanied by one dominant male.

Conservation Status:

The Kudu population is generally considered stable, but some local populations face threats due to habitat loss and hunting for their meat, hides, and horns.

Conservation efforts focus on preserving their natural habitats, implementing anti-poaching measures, and promoting responsible tourism to protect this iconic African species.

Kudus are not only remarkable creatures for their physical beauty but also for their role in maintaining the ecological balance of their habitats. As such, efforts to safeguard their existence are crucial for the overall health of Africa's biodiversity.

La Ceja, Colombia; 2.300 meters above sea level.

Black-capped Tanagers are vividly-colored tropical birds that occur in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru. They often occur in pairs foraging in bushes and trees for insects and fruit.

It is one of the few species in the genus that shows obvious sexual dichromatism, with males primarily gray-blue in color with a distinctive black cap, and females yellow-green without a black cap.

neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/identificati...

Oyster Island, with its distinctive lighthouse and five cottages, lies a short distance across the channel from Rosses Point. The Island derives its name from the profusion of oyster beds, which existed along its shores until the turn of the century. Oyster is separated from Coney Island by Shrunamile; the channel of a thousand currents, a most appropriate name because of its multitude of eddies with their peculiar whispering sound, which changes with the ebb and flow of the tide.

At the turn of the century, there were five families living on the Island, with the heads of these households listed as Lighthouse Keepers, but as the years rolled by the population dwindled.

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.

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.

DISTINCTIVE FINCH, and a familiar garden resident, in many parts of the region, but will often dominate bird-feeders, keeping away smaller species. It is also very prone to disease, and there is a line off thought that this maybe down to poor hygiene with the feeders, so a lesson for me, and everybody, that feeders need sterilizing and washing often. They are still a joy to watch, and a privilege to have visit the garden, love sun flower hearts!

++++++++++++++++++++++++

THANK YOU FOR YOUR VISIT, AND KIND COMMENTS, they are very appreciated, Weekend is coming on strong, enjoy, stay safe, God bless you............. ..................Tomx

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

GODs BEAUTY is SIMPLY AMAZING !

The Whooping Crane is a beautiful looking bird with distinctive markings. This portrait shows off the lovely head and beak. Overall when I post other images you will see the black tipped wings and its rather tall stature!

(found on backroads near Baraboo, Wisconsin)

Typically yellow overall, but some immatures can be almost completely gray. Most males have reddish-brown streaks below; females are plainer and duller yellow. Always looks uniform and plain-faced, with rather stout bill for a warbler. Favors brushy habitats near water, often foraging in shrubs fairly low to the ground. Common and widespread throughout North America; winters in Central and northern South America. “Mangrove” Yellow Warbler, currently considered a subspecies, is found in mangroves and nearby brush from Mexico to Ecuador. Males have a distinctive reddish-brown head. (eBird)

Our first Yellow Warbler of the year, singing his heart out on a beautiful sunny day. Now they are everywhere, squabbling over the best nesting places.

Britannia Conservation Area, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. May 2022.

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

La Ceja, Colombia; 2.300 meters above sea level.

Tangara xanthocephala

(Saffron-crowned Tanager / Tángara coronada)

Saffron-crowned Tanager is a brightly colored tanager with a distinctive yellow head. This species occurs through the Andes from Colombia and Venezuela south to Bolivia, and occupies humid montane forests and secondary woodlands.

Due to human destruction of habitat, it is hypothesized that the population numbers are decreasing. Like most Tangara tanagers, the Saffron-crowned is sexually monomorphic.

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

Volendam is a popular tourist attraction in the Netherlands and one of the most popular daytrips from Amsterdam. It is a traditional Dutch village with colorful, old wooden houses, bridges and canals. It was well known for its distinctive Dutch traditional costume, which is often featured on tourist postcards and posters.

Buy this photo on Getty Images : Getty Images

Submitted: 19/01/2021

Accepted: 20/01/2021

Published:

- DPG Media NV (Belgium) 31-Jan-2023

- PRISMA MEDIA (France) 05-Dec-2024

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**

Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper is a striking and distinctive species. It was described to science in 1849 as Nasica bridgesii and was originally placed in the same genus as Long-billed Woodcreeper (Nasica longirostris). Because Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper differs in morphology from Long-billed Woodcreeper, in 1852 the genus Drymornis was erected for Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper and Greater Scythebill (Drymotoxeres pucheranii). However, due to its distinctiveness, in 1925 Drymornis became a monospecific genus.

This woodcreeper is found over a relatively large area of south-central South America, from southeastern Bolivia and extreme southern Brazil to central Argentina. It inhabits the Chaco woodlands, scrub, and espinal forests. Unlike other woodcreepers, it feeds on the ground where it forages for arthropods, although it also climbs trees like other woodcreepers. Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper is a mostly brown bird with a white supercilium and malar stripe, and with heavily streaked underparts; these streaks are broad and white with black edges. The bill is long and slightly curved. It also emits long and loud shrieking vocalizations that are quite distinctive. This species' scientific name commemorates Thomas Charles Bridges, an English botanist, zoologist, and collector who traveled widely in South America in the mid-1800s. doi.org/10.2173/bow.scbwoo4.02

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

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.

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

Limburg Cathedral (Limburger Dom, also known as Georgsdom ("George's Cathedral") after its dedication to Saint George, is located above the old town of Limburg in Hesse, Germany. It is the cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Limburg. Its high location on a rock above the river Lahn provides its visibility from far away. It is the result of an Early Gothic modernization of an originally Early Romanesque building and therefore shows a Romanesque-Gothic transitional style.

The medieval patron saints of the church were Saint George and Saint Nicholas.

The cathedral is a three-aisled basilica, which combines late Romanesque and early Gothic elements. It has a narthex at the western end and a semi-circular choir with an ambulatory. The outside measures 54.5 m long, with a width of 35.4 m. The building has a complicated structure; seven spires rise from it. The number seven is a symbolic reference to the number of the sacraments. The tallest of these towers are on the western side and rise to a height of 37 m. They form the distinctive "twin-tower façade [de]" of the west front. Such twin-tower façades are common in the Rheinland, for example at Xanten, Andernach [de] and Koblenz. The pointed crossing spire stands above all the other spires with a height of 66 m at the centre of the building. This height is the result of a lightning strike in 1774, before which the tower was 6.5 metres higher. The corner towers on the southern transept were erected in 1863.

The west front is divided into five levels. The most eye-catching stylistic element is a huge round window, surrounded by eight small rosettes, which forms a clear centre of the west front. The rosette symbolises the four Evangelists. Despite the symmetry of the twin towers, there is rich variation in forms and building elements, e.g. round and pointed arches, pilaster strips, small pillars, archivolts, windows and blind arches. The upper level of the north tower includes Gothic elements (e.g. window tracery).

During restorations between 1872 and 1873, the polychrome exterior painting of the cathedral was removed (the colours were, previously, white, red, yellow-brown, black and a little green) and the stone was left bare. Between 1968 and 1972, the polychrome exterior was restored, using remains of the colour from the period before 1872 in order to reconstruct the old patterns.

The Limburg cathedral was shown on the back of the 1000-DM-Banknote of the third series. The notes with the Limburg motif were issued from the end of July 1964 and replaced from 1992 by the 1000-DM-Banknote of the fourth (and last) series.

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.

Wryneck - Jynx Torquilla

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

Thanks to all who take the time to Comment/Fav, it's Always appreciated.

The redwing is most commonly encountered as a winter bird and is the UK's smallest true thrush. Its creamy strip above the eye and orange-red flank patches make it distinctive.

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

Bryce Canyon National Park, a sprawling reserve in southern Utah, 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 visitors. Got up early for sunrise, very cold on top of the mountain, wrapped with a blanket borrowed from the hotel, the light was not as soft as sunset, a bit strong. That’s the light paintings ...

The Oriental magpie-robin is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but now considered an Old World flycatcher. They are distinctive black and white birds with a long tail that is held upright as they forage on the ground or perch conspicuously.

Distinctive medium-sized rainforest honeyeater. Underparts are olive with white streaking. Upperparts brown with small white spots on back of neck and larger white spots on back. Black cap on top of head, gray throat. Bare patch of dull pinkish skin around the eye is surrounded by orangish feathers, with a few yellowish feathers behind that. Has a very small range in northern Queensland, where it is found in rainforests and adjacent habitats. Feeds on fruit and insects. (eBird)

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

This honeyeater really preferred the deepest, darkest parts of the rainforest that we were exploring. It also liked to visit the banana feeder near our lodge, though not to stay long enough for photos.

Julatten, Queensland, Australia. October 2022.

Eagle-Eye Tours - Eastern Australia.

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.

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