View allAll Photos Tagged Distinctive,
A distinctive, long-legged bird with a conspicuous golden-yellow tuft on the crown, a bold white patch on the cheeks, a black forehead and red wattles. Usually found in pairs. This one was a little far away from its partner when we saw it - It flew as soon as we stopped our vehicle giving us an opportunity to capture this beautiful bird in flight.
The Marbled White is a distinctive and attractive black and white butterfly, unlikely to be mistaken for any other species. In July it flies in areas of unimproved grassland and can occur in large numbers on southern downland. It shows a marked preference for purple flowers such as Wild Marjoram, Field Scabious, thistles, and knapweeds. Adults may be found roosting halfway down tall grass stems.
the distinctive Watern Tor sits remotely on Watern Down in the North East of Dartmoor.
The distinctive horizontal jointing is due to stress relief. When the massive weight of the overlying rock was removed over time by erosion, the release of pressure created an uplift in the granite, allowing horizontal lines of weakness to form. These have subsequently been exploited by weathering
Pictured are the very distinctive arches of the 'Mezquita–Catedral de Córdoba'
It was originally was a Catholic Christian church built by the Visigoths (~600), although later demolished and converted to an Islamic mosque in the Middle Ages (784); after the Reconquista, it was made a Catholic Christian church once again (1236 - present).
Plumbeous Ibis
Distinctive gray ibis with a white forehead and bushy crest. Favors marshes, rice fields, and ponds, but also occurs in grassland, pastures, and savanna. Eats insects, snails, and fish. Mostly seen singly or in pairs. Very vocal, especially at dawn, giving a fast series of cackling notes: "kah-kah-kah-kah-kah-kah-kah."
August 19, 2024
Taken on a photo tour guided by Juan Carlos Vindas of Neotropic Photo Tours.
#pantanal #august2024 #Brazil #matogrosso #plumbeousibis #CanonR5 #canonrf600
The distinctive path through a field of golden wheat would appear to lead towards the centre of our galaxy.
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The distinctive chalky-looking pale leaf underside
The Himalayan Giant is an exception to the rule that Brambles are difficult to identify. Its habit is the most distinctive thing about it. New growth arches high, without the support of shrubs or trees. It creates dense shade and can take over substantial areas. The chalky-looking pale underside to the leaves confirms the identification; there are a few other Brambles with pale undersides to their leaves, but none that approach its vigour.
It is by far the commonest Bramble local to me and in many urban and suburban areas, but records do not reflect how widespread it is because it has usually been recorded as a due to the expertise needed to identify most species.
It self seeds readily and has escaped from cultivation. It crops heavily and the fruit are typically quite large.
The church of St.Augustine at Brookland, Romney Marsh, is both distinctive and idiosyncratic featuring - as it does - a separate wooden belfry of a size and type not found anywhere else in Britain, nave arcades leaning at a bizarre angle away from each other and a 12th century font made of solid lead and decorated with the signs of the Zodiac.
www.flickr.com/photos/barryslemmings/sets/72157594387684536/ to see the full set.
Looking first at the bell tower, its core is thought to be late 12th century and was originally open to the elements but was clad with shingles in the 15th century and doubled to its present height of 60 feet. One suggestion is that instablity in the ground may have made building a conventional church tower impractical and certainly the nave arcades demonstrate there is a stability problem on this site. The strange tower was the subject of an 80 page poem in 1786.
An examination in 1900 suggested the tower may have been an open campanile with only the ringers' stage enclosed at first.
Once again the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust guide and the church guide differ on dates - the trust suggest the site was first occupied around 1200, the church guide suggests circa 1250 but it concedes that a Norman church may have pre-existed as some worked stone is found in the south aisle.
The nave arcades are unsymmetrical - six bays on the north side and seven bays on the south side - and these lean outwards due to poor quality subsoil. Part of the south arcade is 'out' one foot in a height of 14 feet which one church architect has noted is beyond the theoretical point of collapse. Truly this is Romney Marsh's 'Leaning Tower of Pisa'. Movement has continued this century and half an inch has been registed in 80 years.
A medieval wall painting [not photographed by me] of the Martyrdom of St Thomas Becket was found as recently as 1964.
The 12th century lead font, one of only 30 to survive in Britain, is 12th century and may be Norman or Flemish in origin. It is ornamented in two tiers of arcading with the Signs of the Zodiac and the Labours of the Months.
On display near the door is a surviving 'hud' - a wooden sentry box-like structure which was reserved for the minister to stand inside at the grave and deliver the funeral service in the pouring rain in the days before umberellas were invented. Designed to protect his wig this is thought to be 18th century in origin.
Special mention should also be made of 'The Battle of Brookland' fought on the night of February 11, 1821, between Coast Blockade [Revenue] officers and a party of smugglers. In a running battle from Camber beach where the contraband had been landed, a gang called 'The Blues' lost four dead and 16 wounded while two midshipmen from the Coast Blockade were wounded and their leader Mr McKenzie was killed. The Old Bailey trial of captured smugglers saw one man executed and another acquited.
Brookland village surgeon, Ralph Hougham, was often called out to treat wounded from both sides in these encounters but he would be led blindfolded on horseback to the smugglers to prevent him giving them away or being asked to appear in court and give evidence on oath.
Special mention should also be made of the grave in the nave floor of Capatin George Snoad aged 12 years, of the 19th Lancers, who died in 1829 in unrecorded circumstances. In those days army commissions were still purchased but I was unaware that a 12-year-old could make captain. There is a 'finger grease' mark on his tombstone where clearly everyone else has wiped the '1' to check it really is 12 and not 22!
Lilienstein is a highly distinctive mountain in Saxon Switzerland, in Saxony, southeastern Germany, and was once the site of a Bohemian castle. It is one of the few table mountains on the east of the river Elbe and constitutes the symbol of the Saxon Switzerland National Park.
The name is not related to the flower lily (German: Lilie) but is probably derived from St. Gilgen or St. Ilgen (earlier names of the mountain were "Ylgenstein" und "Illgenstein"). These names refer to Saint Giles.
The Lilienstein is located 15 km east of Pirna and 5 km west of Bad Schandau. It overlooks the river Elbe, which forms a 180° loop around the mountain. The Königstein Fortress is located opposite on the left bank of the river.
From Wikipedia
Distinctive large shorebird with a long, thin upturned bill and lean neck. Bold black-and-white wings prominent year-round. Adults in summer have buffy-orange wash on head. Frequents wetlands where it swings its head back-and-forth in shallow water to catch small invertebrates.
Photobombed by two Black-necked Stilts and a Long-billed Dowitcher.
Riparian Preserve at Gilbert Water Ranch, Arizona, USA. July 2018.
Named after the distinctive white band at the base of bill. Medium size, grayish-brown goose, with irregular black barring on underparts; orange feet and legs. Bill distinctive orange in Greenland form with whitish tip. Most young birds acquire white front and bill during first Winter; acquire black belly markings by second Fall. Color and size vary in adults: small, pale arctic tundra birds have heavy barring; taiga breeding birds are larger, darker with less barrings. Greenland form has heaviest barrings. Casual and increasing Winter visitor on East coast from Quebec to Georgia, although the goose is very uncommon east of the Mississippi River.
This lone goose was among hundreds of Canadian Geese near an icy campus lake, Mt. Holyoke College. Was a very cold, overcast day here today. The sun just peeked out for a few minutes and I caught this shot. The bird is rare for this month and in this region of US.
Nikon VR 500 mm f/4e lens, f/5.6, 1/3200s, ISO 640.
Thanks to all of you who 'fave' and comment on the photograph.
The church of St.Augustine at Brookland, Romney Marsh, is both distinctive and idiosyncratic featuring - as it does - a separate wooden belfry of a size and type not found anywhere else in Britain, nave arcades leaning at a bizarre angle away from each other and a 12th century font made of solid lead and decorated with the signs of the Zodiac.
www.flickr.com/photos/barryslemmings/sets/72157594387684536/ to see the full set.
Looking first at the bell tower, its core is thought to be late 12th century and was originally open to the elements but was clad with shingles in the 15th century and doubled to its present height of 60 feet. One suggestion is that instablity in the ground may have made building a conventional church tower impractical and certainly the nave arcades demonstrate there is a stability problem on this site. The strange tower was the subject of an 80 page poem in 1786.
An examination in 1900 suggested the tower may have been an open campanile with only the ringers' stage enclosed at first.
Once again the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust guide and the church guide differ on dates - the trust suggest the site was first occupied around 1200, the church guide suggests circa 1250 but it concedes that a Norman church may have pre-existed as some worked stone is found in the south aisle.
The nave arcades are unsymmetrical - six bays on the north side and seven bays on the south side - and these lean outwards due to poor quality subsoil. Part of the south arcade is 'out' one foot in a height of 14 feet which one church architect has noted is beyond the theoretical point of collapse. Truly this is Romney Marsh's 'Leaning Tower of Pisa'. Movement has continued this century and half an inch has been registed in 80 years.
A medieval wall painting [not photographed by me] of the Martyrdom of St Thomas Becket was found as recently as 1964.
The 12th century lead font, one of only 30 to survive in Britain, is 12th century and may be Norman or Flemish in origin. It is ornamented in two tiers of arcading with the Signs of the Zodiac and the Labours of the Months.
On display near the door is a surviving 'hud' - a wooden sentry box-like structure which was reserved for the minister to stand inside at the grave and deliver the funeral service in the pouring rain in the days before umberellas were invented. Designed to protect his wig this is thought to be 18th century in origin.
Special mention should also be made of 'The Battle of Brookland' fought on the night of February 11, 1821, between Coast Blockade [Revenue] officers and a party of smugglers. In a running battle from Camber beach where the contraband had been landed, a gang called 'The Blues' lost four dead and 16 wounded while two midshipmen from the Coast Blockade were wounded and their leader Mr McKenzie was killed. The Old Bailey trial of captured smugglers saw one man executed and another acquited.
Brookland village surgeon, Ralph Hougham, was often called out to treat wounded from both sides in these encounters but he would be led blindfolded on horseback to the smugglers to prevent him giving them away or being asked to appear in court and give evidence on oath.
Special mention should also be made of the grave in the nave floor of Capatin George Snoad aged 12 years, of the 19th Lancers, who died in 1829 in unrecorded circumstances. In those days army commissions were still purchased but I was unaware that a 12-year-old could make captain. There is a 'finger grease' mark on his tombstone where clearly everyone else has wiped the '1' to check it really is 12 and not 22!
The ginkgo tree and its leaves symbolize hope, peace, longevity, and resilience. Most of us would like more of those things.
The distinctive trunk is an elongation of the nose and upper lip combined; the nostrils are at its tip, which has a one finger-like process. The trunk contains as many as 60,000 muscles, which consist of longitudinal and radiating sets. The longitudinals are mostly superficial and subdivided into anterior, lateral, and posterior. The deeper muscles are best seen as numerous distinct fasciculi in a cross-section of the trunk. The trunk is a multipurpose prehensile organ and highly sensitive, innervated by the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve and by the facial nerve. The acute sense of smell uses both the trunk and Jacobson's organ. Elephants use their trunks for breathing, watering, feeding, touching, dusting, sound production and communication, washing, pinching, grasping, defense and offense.
The distinctive sound of a Napier Deltic engine could be heard as 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier receives some attention at Loughborough, Great Central Railway, 12th March 2022.
Locomotive History
Royal Highland Fusilier was originally D9019 and entered service on the 29th December 1961, based at Haymarket MPD. Renumbered 55019 in November 1973, the locomotive was one of only five members of the class to undergo and extensive general overhaul, this being carried out during an eight month visit to Doncaster Works between January and September 1976. 55019 was withdrawn on December 31st 1981, after hauling the 16.30 Aberdeen-York between Edinburgh and York, this was the final BR Deltic hauled service train. It was therefore appropriate that the locomotive should be one of those saved from being broken up and also that it should become the first Deltic to operate a train in preservation, an event which took place at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway eight months after withdrawal, on August 22nd 1982. Royal Highland Fusilier is currently (March 2022) owned by the Deltic Preservation Society, is nominally based at Barrow Hill but is not main line certified.
Eurasian Jay-Garrulus glandarius-1933
These jays are distinctive, but because there can be great differences between populations in widespread areas, birders need to be familiar with the key markings to be sure they can identify Eurasian jays properly.
Bill: relatively short but thick, black, slightly rounded, framed with rictal bristles
Size: 14 inches long with 21-23-inch wingspan, heavy build, long tail, crown feathers can be raised into a short crest
Colors: black, white, blue, tan, pink-brown, gray, rust
Markings: Genders are similar but there is much geographic variation in plumage color and head markings. Typically, the upperparts range from pinkish-brown to darker tan or rust, with the back showing more pronounced gray or gray-brown. The wings are black with a broad white patch and white edging on the primary feathers, and light blue with fine black barring on the upper wings. The underparts are paler, and the throat is white or pale buff bordered with a thick black malar stripe. The rump and undertail coverts are white. The crown and face vary most between populations, and could be brown with black streaking on the crown or white with a solid black crown. The forehead may be pale or dark. The tail is solid black and very gently rounded when spread. The legs and feet are pale, and the eyes have a light iris that ranges from yellow to light blue.
Juveniles are similar to adults but with generally darker plumage and less defined head markings.
These songbirds are omnivorous and will sample a wide variety of foods, including nuts, fruit, insects, eggs, bird hatchlings, amphibians, and even small mammals. Because Eurasian jays adapt to whatever foods may be most abundant and easiest to find, their diets vary by season and in different regions where foods are different.
While foraging, Eurasian jays glean insects from foliage or scour the ground for nuts, caching them for winter storage. Those hidden nuts help reforest many areas.
For more information please visit www.thespruce.com/eurasian-jay-profile-386000
China, Beijing, Zoo, & Giant Panda Research Centre,
…who thinks a panda life is boring,
for a panda it is just a little relaxing after & before eating…..
The panda, with its distinctive coat considered a national treasure in China. The bear also has a special significance in the logo since the founding in 1961 of the WWF. The actual wild panda population is approximately less than 2000.
Pandas live mainly in moderate temperate broadleaf & high in the mixed forests mountains of southwest China, mainly in Sichuan, but also in neighbouring Shaanxi & Gansu.
Their diet is almost entirely based on bamboo, eating around 12 to almost 45 kg of it every day, depending on the part of the bamboo they are eating occasionally other grasses, wild tubers, or even meat in the form of birds, rodents, or carrion, but bamboo accounts for 99% of their diets. Pandas eat fast, they eat a lot, since bamboo is not very nutritious they spend about 12 h a day “munching” it & digest only about a fifth of what they eat.
A new-born panda is about 1/900th the size of its mother, 20/ 25 cm, females can grow up to about 100 kg, while males can grow up to about 150 kg as adults. Pandas can climb as high as 40 m & are also very good swimmers,….sometimes male pandas relax by doing handstands against trees.
Forest loss also reduces pandas’ access to the bamboo they need to survive. The Chinese government has established more than 50 panda reserves, but only around 67% of the total wild panda population lives in reserves, with 54% of the total habitat area being protected.
First founded & build in 1906 during the late Qing dynasty. The Beijing Zoo is a zoological park in Xizhimen, Xicheng District, is the oldest zoo in China & oldest public park in northern China. The zoo is also an important centre of zoological research that studies & breeds of rare animals mainly from China, but also from various continents.
The area of the 89 hectares large zoo is including 5.6 hectares of lakes & ponds, it has one of the largest animal collections in the country. The zoo & its aquarium have over 450 species of land animals & over 500 species of marine animals; it is home to over 15,000 animals.
The Beijing zoo's grounds resemble classical Chinese gardens, with flower beds amidst natural scenery, including dense groves of trees, stretches of meadows, small streams & rivers, lotus pools, hills dotted with pavilions & historical buildings. The Beijing Zoo is well known for its collection of rare animals endemic to China including the giant pandas, which are zoo's most popular animals,
👉 One World one Dream,
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The distinctive Culross Palace, started in 1597 by Sir George Bruce, who had numerous trading interests in the area (much trade sailed long the various ports up and down the Firth of Forth and east coast of Scotland, as well as criss-crossing the North Sea to the Low Countries).
The red pantile roofs which look very continental are common up and down this stretch of coast, a legacy of that cross-sea trade, with the tiles often used as ballast on return legs from the Low Countries. Never a royal palace, although it has had royal guests, it is now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland
A distinctive dead tree on the lower slopes of Knocknacloghoge that I have seen photographed before by contacts.
This position overlooks one of the sets from the TV series 'Vikings' which is filmed in the lower part of the valley with the main village from Vikings situated a couple of kilometres away on the private shores of Lough Tay. Interestingly when I watched some of the series I recognised scenes that are obviously Wicklow -Luggala, Glendalough to name two - but they have been subject to some heavy CGI to enhance their dramatic impact.
Distinctive clouds seen driving in East Greenbush, New York, USA. Later that night, the local news had a report about these eye-catching clouds.
Mammatocumulus is a cellular pattern of pouches hanging underneath the base of a cloud, typically cumulonimbus rainclouds, although they may be attached to other classes of parent clouds. According to the WMO International Cloud Atlas, mamma is a cloud supplementary feature rather than a genus, species or variety of cloud. They are formed by cold air sinking down to form the pockets contrary to the puffs of clouds rising through the convection of warm air. These formations were first described in 1894 by William Clement Ley.
Mammatus are most often associated with anvil clouds and also severe thunderstorms. Due to the intensely sheared environment in which mammatus form, aviators are strongly cautioned to avoid cumulonimbus with mammatus as they indicate convectively induced turbulence.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammatus_cloud#:~:text=Mammatus%20
iPhone 8 Plus. 1/1150 sec, f/1.8, ISO 20. Thanks for viewing.
A distinctive medium-sized yellow bird with a black head and breast, black flight feathers, and a red bill. In flight, the black band towards the tail tip is visible. Juvenile is duller overall with a white streaked throat and a darker bill. Often feeds on fruiting trees with a preference for figs in wooded gardens, groves, and open forests. The song is rich, fluty, and mellow. Calls include raspy, nasal notes that can sound like a croak.
...but still distinctive.
It’s a jungle out there, flying around the butterfly exhibit, and with wings as big as these, it’s not surprising that they sometimes get damaged, I guess.
I’m uncertain what kind of butterfly this is. Though its coloring and underside wing markings are similar to those of the common morpho, they are different from the photos of morphos that I have seen. Further, this butterfly has blue markings on its body, while photos of morphos generally show reddish body markings. Any ID help is welcome.
This shot was taken at a recent butterfly exhibit at Dow Gardens, in Midland, Michigan, and is submitted for the Textural Tuesday group.
HTT!
Thanks to smfmi for an ID! I'm pretty sure it's an owl butterfly. I checked several images and the markings are very similar.
Distinctive streaky-brown shrike (18cm) a long active tail. with a waxy yellow bill, favours woodland, something with a good lookout post, this wall perch was a bit unusual, when in a tree they are quite easy to walk past, without seeing them, as they remain still and fairly well camouflaged.
Thanking you for your visit, the weather has been a bit typical bank holiday rain, well Kent UK was, hope your blessed with better,enjoy yourselves, any comments are very appreciated, God bless....Tomx.
This distinctive facade of the MAKE Architects Monument Building forms a striking, dare I say incongruous, background for the Monument to the Great Fire of London.
More shots of MAKE Architects buildings : www.flickr.com/photos/darrellg/albums/72157624492049624
From MAKE Architects website : "We’ve further enhanced this setting with our building’s distinctive south facade, which acts as an impressive backdrop to the landmark. Designed through complex parametric computer modelling, this frontage comprises a full-height curtain of vertical twisted metal ribbons that not only play on the gilded ‘flames’ crowning the Monument, but also offer solar shading and interesting vistas into the new building.
Once complete, this building will redefine Monument Yard and reflect the dynamism of this part of the City. Its facade will be a striking feature – one that complements and enhances the historic sculpture beside it."
Source : www.makearchitects.com/projects/monument-building/
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Large, distinctive bunting. Males have a boldly black-striped gray head and breast, chestnut underparts, and streaked upperparts. Females and juveniles similar to males, just more subdued. Breeds on rocky slopes just above the treeline, preferring bushy areas with scattered trees. Feeds on seeds and invertebrates. Unobtrusive, although not particularly shy. Clear, high-pitched song draws attention to its presence.
Al Haouz, Morocco. March 2019.
Smokie has a very distinctive color to his very fluffy coat - the tips of the hair are silvery in color. (The usual 'smoke' is a cat with black hair that has white roots.) He is very big for his 4.5 month old age, loves to play, and to cuddle as well. He and his brother B.J. are each looking for a new home, separately or together (they do like each other quite a bit). They found a new home together 29 November 2019, “Black Friday.”
Kookaburras are terrestrial tree kingfishers of the genus Dacelo native to Australia and New Guinea, which grow to between 28–42 cm in length. The name is a loanword from Wiradjuri guuguubarra, onomatopoeic of its call. The loud distinctive call of the laughing kookaburra is widely used as a stock sound effect in situations that involve an Australian bush setting or tropical jungle, especially in older movies. They are found in habitats ranging from humid forest to arid savanna, as well as in suburban areas with tall trees or near running water. Even though they belong to the larger group known as 'kingfishers', kookaburras are not closely associated with water. Kookaburras are almost exclusively carnivorous, eating mice, snakes, insects, small reptiles, and the young of other birds; unlike many other kingfishers, they rarely eat fish, although they have been known to take goldfish from garden ponds. In zoos they are usually fed food for birds of prey. 47816
Spotted from the bedroom window this morning,I quickly grabbed the camera, changed the lens and gently opened the window. He was still there and struck a pose, near the ornamental hare. A beautiful bird with distinctive plumage.
It was getting late in the day by the time I got this 30 second exposure of the Confederation Bridge last summer. Even so, that distinctively red PEI earth kept it's vivid color without any help from me until the darkness was complete.
Distinctive, large white wading bird with a spatula for a bill. Adult has short crest, yellowish breast patch. First year has paler bill, with fine black wingtips visible in flight. Sleeping birds have horizontal posture and bulging neck, vs. more vertical stance of egrets. Found in wetlands with shallow water (including tidal flats), where feeds by sweeping its bill side-to-side for crustaceans and small fish. (eBird)
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Our first good look at a Eurasian Spoonbill. Previously we'd seen them only from a distance.
Souss-Massa National Park, Morocco. March 2019.
Barcelona Birding Point.
Phoenicopterus roseus
It was good to get a chance to photograph these distinctive birds in flight at fairly close range....
A DISTINCTIVE WADER, that is easily recognised by its black and white plumage, feeds by sweeping its diagnostic, upcurved bill from side to side through water. This was one of two seen, a bit distant, was willing it to get a bit closer, a beautiful wader, a favourite for many people. 45 Cm in length.
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SORRY for my lack of comments, please forgive, am doing alterations to our cottage, good to see you visit, any comment are very appreciated, will try hard to catch up,.....
Stay safe........ Tomx.
Florida has the largest bald eagle population in the lower 48 states.
Easily identified by their white heads, distinctive size and soaring flight, bald eagles are often seen flying above Florida’s lakes, estuaries and wetlands. Adults have a white head and tail, chocolate colored plumage, and yellow bill and feet. The characteristic white head and tail develops when the bird becomes sexually mature at about 5 years of age. The plumage of the immature is a dark brown overlaid with messy white streaking until the fifth (rarely fourth, very rarely third) year, when it reaches sexual maturity.
Prime nesting habitat consists of tall trees near water. The exception to this general rule occurs in the Florida Keys where bald eagles nest in mangroves and even occasionally on the ground.
Bald eagles feed mainly on fish snatched from the water’s surface with talons, but also take wading birds, small mammals, and carrion. You may occasionally seen them feeding on a road kill with a group of vultures.
Most bald eagles migrate, but some stay in their territories year around. Males and females form life-long bonds. Pairs return to the same breeding territory year after year – usually in late September or early October in Florida - and will reuse the same nest if the site is still there.
Bald eagles were once common in Florida, more than a thousand nesting pairs are thought to have lived along the states coasts and inland waterways. But in the 1960’s the species was almost completely eliminated from the lower 48 states - a combination of habitat loss and pesticide use reduced the total US population to only about 500 pairs. When the use of DDT was banned in 1972, numbers began a steady increase. In 40 years the bald eagle has gone from 400 breeding pairs in the contiguous US (excluding Alaska), to more than 5,000 breeding pairs today.
During Florida’s 2004 bald eagle survey, biologists identified 1,139 active breeding territories. Florida’s nesting eagles currently produce about 1,500 chicks a year, and the state’s breeding eagle population constitutes more than 80 percent of the entire bald eagle population within the southeastern United States.
The four hurricanes that struck Florida in the summer of 2004 damaged or destroyed at least half of the state’s bald eagle nests. Bald eagles typically use the same nest for decades, adding sticks and nest material every year. If the nest blows down, the pair may rebuild, or they may skip a nesting season.
I was driving along Canoe Creek Road in Osceola County, when I noticed a group of BLACK VULTURES feeding on something along the side of the roadway. Any time I see vulture in Florida I check to see if there is a Caracara among them which is often the case. As I looked I did not see anything and drove on by. Then something struck me as not being just right so I turned around and went back to where they were feeding and found this young (juvenile) Bald Eagle with them. He blended right in, and was helping himself to some early morning road kill.
A distinctive, chunky hummingbird with a very long bill with a very patchy range in mature humid forest in the lowlands and foothills from extreme eastern Panama to northwest Ecuador.
This bird had been present at the excellent Reserva Mashpi-Amagusa near Mindo (Pichincha/Ecuador) for a couple of weeks at least and had been very popular with many local (and visiting!) birders. Not a species we had seen previously (or expected to see) so a real bonus. Presumably a female as there are no sign of tooth-like serrations on bill.
The distinctive Crested Caracara “combines the raptorial instincts of the eagle with the base carrion-feeding habits of the vulture” . Called ignoble, miserable, and aggressive, yet also dashing, stately, and noble, this medium-sized raptor, is easily recognizable as it perches conspicuously on a high point in the landscape. In flight it can be distinguished by its regular, powerful wing-beats as it cruises low across the ground or just above the treetops. Known locally in some areas as the “Mexican buzzard”, the Crested Caracara is an opportunist and is commonly seen walking about open fields, pastures, and road edges, feeding on a variety of invertebrate and vertebrate prey, as well as on carrion, often in the company of other avian scavengers. The name “caracara” is said to be of Guarani Indian origin, traro-traro, derived from the unusual rattling vocalization that the bird utters when agitated.
While the Crested Caracara ranges from northern Mexico to Tierra del Fuego, in the United States it occurs only along the southern border, primarily in Texas and Arizona and occasionally in coastal areas of other Gulf states, and in Florida, where there is an isolated population in the south-central peninsula. This species was first described in the United States in 1831 by John James Audubon, who collected a specimen near St. Augustine, Florida .
I found this Juvenile perched in an Oak Tree at Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area in Osceola County, Florida.
The distinctive tower on the right horizon of the Middlesex County Asylum at Napsbury Park helps to locate this view of an up Sheffield - St. Pancras express behind a split box Peak.
Photo by the late John Spencer Gilks.
The distinctive windward West Algarve coast with its dramatic rock formations.
Please see more; ƇΛŔѴ♡ƐĪŔ♡, ΛĿƓΛŔѴƐ, Ṗ♡ŔƬƱƓΛĿ, ƐƱŔ♡ṖƐ.
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SN/NC: Pelecanus Occidentalis, Pelecanidae Family
Pelecanus is a genus of seabirds commonly called pelicans, and belonging to the Pelecanidae family.
Pelicans are famous for their huge beaks, but they have another distinctive feature: unlike other waterfowl, they have all four webbed toes, just like cormorants and gannets. They eat fish, and most live in the sea. The pelican is the only animal that swallows salt water and turns it into fresh water in its throat for consumption.
Pelecanus é um gênero de aves marinhas comumente chamado de pelicanos, e pertencente à família Pelecanidae.
Os pelicanos são famosos por seus bicos enormes, mas eles têm outra característica distintiva: ao contrário de outras aves aquáticas, eles têm os quatro dedos palmados, assim como os corvos-marinhos e os gansos-patola. Eles comem peixe e a maioria vive no mar. O pelicano é o único animal que engole água salgada e a transforma em água doce na garganta para consumo
Pelecanus es un género de aves marinas llamadas vulgarmente pelícanos, y pertenecientes a la familia Pelecanidae.
Los pelícanos son famosos por sus enormes picos, pero poseen otro rasgo distintivo: a diferencia de otras aves acuáticas, tienen los cuatro dedos palmeados, al igual que los cormoranes y alcatraces . Se alimentan de peces, y la mayoría vive en el mar. El pelícano es el único animal que traga agua salada y en su garganta la convierte en agua dulce para su consumo.
Pelecanus è un genere di uccelli marini comunemente chiamati pellicani e appartenenti alla famiglia Pelecanidae.
I pellicani sono famosi per i loro enormi becchi, ma hanno un'altra caratteristica distintiva: a differenza di altri uccelli acquatici, hanno tutte e quattro le dita palmate, proprio come i cormorani e le sule. Mangiano pesce e la maggior parte vive nel mare. Il pellicano è l'unico animale che inghiotte l'acqua salata e la trasforma in acqua dolce nella sua gola per il consumo.
Pelecanus is een geslacht van zeevogels dat gewoonlijk pelikanen wordt genoemd en behoort tot de familie Pelecanidae.
Pelikanen staan bekend om hun enorme snavels, maar ze hebben nog een ander onderscheidend kenmerk: in tegenstelling tot andere watervogels hebben ze alle vier tenen met zwemvliezen, net als aalscholvers en jan-van-gent. Ze eten vis, en de meeste leven in de zee. De pelikaan is het enige dier dat zout water inslikt en het in zijn keel verandert in zoet water voor consumptie.
Pelecanus est un genre d'oiseaux de mer communément appelés pélicans et appartenant à la famille des Pelecanidae.
Les pélicans sont célèbres pour leur énorme bec, mais ils ont une autre particularité : contrairement aux autres oiseaux aquatiques, ils ont les quatre doigts palmés, tout comme les cormorans et les fous de Bassan. Ils mangent du poisson et la plupart vivent dans la mer. Le pélican est le seul animal qui avale de l'eau salée et la transforme en eau douce dans sa gorge pour la consommation.
Pelecanus ist eine Gattung von Seevögeln, die gemeinhin als Pelikane bezeichnet werden und zur Familie der Pelecanidae gehören.
Pelikane sind berühmt für ihre riesigen Schnäbel, aber sie haben eine weitere Besonderheit: Im Gegensatz zu anderen Wasservögeln haben sie alle vier Zehen mit Schwimmhäuten, genau wie Kormorane und Basstölpel. Sie essen Fisch und die meisten leben im Meer. Der Pelikan ist das einzige Tier, das Salzwasser schluckt und es in seinem Rachen in Süßwasser für den Verzehr umwandelt.
البجع هو جنس من الطيور البحرية يسمى البجع ، وينتمي إلى عائلة البجع.
تشتهر طيور البجع بمناقيرها الضخمة ، لكن لديها ميزة مميزة أخرى: على عكس الطيور المائية الأخرى ، لديها جميع أصابع القدم الأربعة ، تمامًا مثل طيور الغاق والأطيش. يأكلون الأسماك ، ويعيش معظمهم في البحر. البجع هو الحيوان الوحيد الذي يبتلع الماء المالح ويحوله إلى ماء عذب في حلقه للاستهلاك.
ペリカンは、一般にペリカンと呼ばれる海鳥の属で、ペリカン科に属します。
ペリカンは巨大なくちばしで有名ですが、別の特徴があります。他の水鳥とは異なり、鵜やカツオドリと同じように、4 つの水かきのあるつま先があります。彼らは魚を食べ、ほとんどが海に住んでいます。ペリカンは、塩水を飲み込み、喉の中で新鮮な水に変えて消費する唯一の動物です。
A distinctive gargoyle, seen on a walk around Leith Hill, in Dorking, Surrey, on a cold winter's day.
Taken with a Nikon D40, fitted with a Nikkor AFS DX 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G II lens, and processed in Picasa, GIMP, and Photoscape.
Head pattern distinctive in having black "horns," (very clear on this one ) yellowish face and throat with broad black stripe under eye, black bib. Female duller overall than male, horns less prominent. Horned larks prefer dirt fields, gravel ridges, shores. These birds visit corn and tobacco fields in Hadley during winter time, especially when it snows. As with other larks, these birds prefer to walk on ground rather than hop.
Late evening shot.
Nikkor 500mm f/4E lens, x 1.4, f/8, 1/2000s, ISO 400.
Thanks to all of you who fave and comment on the photograph!
The Athens Olympic Velodrome is a velodrome stadium that is located in Marousi, Athens, Greece, at the Athens Olympic Sports Complex. The stadium, which seats 5,250 - though only 3,300 seats were made publicly available for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games - has distinctive twin roofs, covering the stands on each side.
The Needles is a row of three distinctive stacks of chalk that rise out of the sea off the western extremity of the Isle of Wight, UK, close to Alum Bay. The Needles Lighthouse stands at the outer, western end of the formation. Built in 1859, it has been automated since 1994.
The formation takes its name from a fourth needle-shaped pillar called Lot's Wife that collapsed in a storm in 1764. The remaining rocks are not at all needle-like, but the name has stuck.
The Needles Pleasure Park situated at the top of the cliff is a small amusement park with a selection of shops and rides. The most famous attraction at the pleasure park is the Chairlift, which operates between the park and Alum Bay.
The Needles are inextricably linked with Alum Bay, and are a major tourist draw. Scenic boat trips operating from Alum Bay that offer close-up views of the Needles are very popular. The rocks and lighthouse have become icons of the Isle of Wight, and are featured on many of the souvenirs sold throughout the island.
However, the main tourist attractions of the headland itself are the two gun batteries, the experimental rocket testing station, and the four Coastguard cottages owned by the National Trust and let as holiday homes. The site is on tour bus routes and hiking trails.
Military use
The Needles were a site of a long-standing artillery battery, from the 1860s to 1954, which was eventually decommissioned.
A nearby site on High Down was employed in the testing of rockets for the British ICBM programme. The headland at High Down was used for Black Knight and Black Arrow rocket engine tests from 1956–71. During the peak of activity in the early 1960s some 240 people worked at the complex, while the rockets were built in nearby East Cowes. These rockets were later used to launch the Prospero X-3 satellite. The site is now owned by the National Trust, and is open to the public. Concrete installations remain, but the buildings that were less durable have either been demolished or were torn down by the elements.
In 1982, HRH Prince Charles officially opened the restored Needles Old Battery facility. Underground rocket testing rooms are currently being restored for exhibition. The first phase of restoration was completed in 2004.
For further information please visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Needles and www.theneedles.co.uk/
The Isle of Wight /ˈaɪl əv ˈwaɪt/, is a county and the largest and second most populous island of England. It is located in the English Channel, about 4 mi (6 km) off the coast of Hampshire and is separated from mainland Great Britain by the Solent. The island has several resorts which have been holiday destinations since Victorian times.
The history of the Isle of Wight includes a brief period of time as an independent kingdom in the 15th century. Until 1995, like Jersey and Guernsey, the island had a Governor.
Home to the poets Swinburne and Tennyson and to Queen Victoria, who built her much-loved summer residence and final home Osborne House at East Cowes, the island has a maritime and industrial tradition including boat building, sail making, the manufacture of flying boats, the world's first hovercraft, and the testing and development of Britain's space rockets. The Isle hosts annual festivals including the Bestival and the Isle of Wight Festival, which, in 1970, was the largest rock music event ever held. The island has well-conserved wildlife and some of the richest cliffs and quarries for dinosaur fossils in Europe.
The Isle of Wight was part of the County of Southampton until 1890, when it became an independent administrative county. Until 1974 it continued to share its Lord Lieutenant with Hampshire, when it was reconstituted as a non-metropolitan ceremonial county which gave it its own Lord Lieutenant and was recognised as a postal county.
The quickest public transport link to the mainland is to and from Southsea (Portsmouth) by hovercraft, while five ferry services shuttle across the Solent.
For more information please visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Wight and www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/
The distinctive 'Soutkop' (Salt Head), long familiar as the backdrop to many historic railway photographs, now frames a new scene — the Sandstone Estate's narrow-gauge system, with its recently completed line to Sekonyela.
Here, Class NGG16 No. 113 climbs the gradient out of Sekonyela, heading onwards towards 'Blue Gum Halt.'
Sandstone Estates
20th April 2025
A distinctively-patterned black and white wader with a long up-curved beak. It is the emblem of the RSPB and symbolises the bird protection movement in the UK more than any other species. Its return in the 1940s and subsequent increase in numbers represents one of the most successful conservation and protection projects.
Where to see them
Coastal lagoons on the east coast in summer and the Exe estuary in winter.
When to see them
Along the east coast of England in summer and in the South-West in winter.
What they eat
Aquatic insects and their larvae, crustaceans and worms.
The bold, distinctive patterns cut into the heather on Nether Moor had grabbed my attention as soon as I spotted them and I was resolved to incorporate them in a picture. I spent a long and frustrating time trying to pair them up with Hope Brink and Win Hill in the distance, but every effort I attempted just didn’t work.
I decided a third element in the frame is what I needed, changing my mindset to look for what I would if I was using a wide-angle. The hunt for an interesting foreground ensued, a section of dry stone walling held promise, but proved to be more of a barrier in the frame, jarring the visual flow. I all but gave up when I spotted a beautiful tuft of heather with it’s own little forest of sprouts poking through a covering of snow.
Although I was only looking for three elements in this photo (it’s the magic number right?) I ended up with four distinct bands of texture (the one I can count to as a drummer) which to me give a compact snap shot showing the patterns and shape to be found on the moors, from the smaller details to the features grander in scale.
A distinctive finch, which has suffered a huge drop in numbers due to disease, but now slowly numbers are returning, especially in this area, as they are so beautiful, captured this one from a different angle to the normal side shot, was not sure whether it was good enough to post, so hope you like it!
Thank you for your visit, any comments are very appreciated and find encouraging, take care my friends God bless...Tomx