View allAll Photos Tagged Distinctive,
Distinctive pair and . . they both are designed to use their razor-sharp wheels to cut slices through pizzas! But these two specific bikes will not be used for that and instead will be enjoyed TOGETHER as a pair of lovely and unique objects.
Theme: "TWO-GETHER""
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A species protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, the Norfolk Hawker is one of two brown hawker dragonflies found in Britain. Males and females look similar and have a yellow triangular mark near the top of the abdomen.
This large, distinctive, brown-winged hawker dragonfly is found in lowland Britain in late Summer. It breeds in virtually any slow moving or still water like ponds, lakes, gravel pits, marshes and reedbeds. The dragonfly can often be found some distance away from water in open grassland or along sheltered hedgerows. It has a distinctive flight with long glides and bursts of rapid wingbeats.
Forster's Tern looking for fish above Lake Lowell near Nampa, Idaho
"Flashing slender, silvery wings and an elegantly forked tail, Forster's Terns cruise above the shallow waters of marshes and coastlines looking for fish. These medium-sized white terns are often confused with the similar Common Tern, but Forster’s Terns have a longer tail and, in nonbreeding plumage, a distinctive black eye patch."
The north woods of Holland, Massachusetts.
I periodically heard the distinctive call of these owls in the woods near our home. Until this week though, I had not seen one. And until yesterday, I had not photographed one. Finally!
The Railway Museum (Dutch: Spoorwegmuseum) in Utrecht is the Dutch national railway museum. It was established in 1927 and since 1954 has been housed in the "Maliebaan station", a former railway station.
The museum was established in 1927 and was initially located in one of the main buildings of the Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch National Railroad) in Utrecht. At that time, the collection consisted mostly of pictures, documents, and small objects. In the 1930s the first steps were taken to conserve old historically significant rail equipment. A portion of this collection was lost during World War II.
The collection was briefly located in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, but in the 1950s the museum was moved back to Utrecht. The Maliebaan station, which was closed in 1939, was found to be a suitable site. The building was remodeled, and in 1954 the museum reopened there. In this location there was far more room to exhibit the entire collection to the public, including historical rail equipment. Until 2003, a long line of historic steam locomotives on track one of the station was one of the most distinctive aspects of the exhibit.
Chunky seabird, the shape of a football. Black above and white below with pearly face and thick multicolored bill. Orange legs and feet. Nonbreeding and young birds show darker face and duller bill. In breeding season, rarely seen far from breeding colonies on rocky islands and cliffs in the North Atlantic. Winters on open ocean, almost never seen from land. Distinctive if seen well; the only puffin in its range. (eBird)
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Digging into the archives a bit, I found this wonderful puffin that I had not posted. It was ten years ago that we visited Newfoundland and one of our stops was Elliston for the Puffin Festival. The festival was okay but the puffins were amazing. They were walking around our feet looking from grass for their nest burrows. Amazing to be within ten feet of these beautiful birds.
Ellison, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, July 2013.
My first sighting ever of a Spotted Towhee was yesterday on the MacKay Creek Trail, North Vancouver, BC, Canada. Very exciting.
The Spotted Towhee (Order: Passeriformes. Family: Emberizidae ) is a distinctive bird that is often heard before it is seen, scraping about in the brush. The deep chestnut flanks and sides combined with the male's solid black head, red eye, and black upperparts are distinctive. The belly is white, and the white spots on the wings give this bird its name. The white at the corners of the long tail is visible in flight. [...]. BirdWeb
La Ceja, Colombia; 2.300 meters above sea level.
The Saltators were up until recently considered part of the Cardinal-Grosbeak family (Cardinalidae) but DNA data shows that they are in fact large billed tanagers.
Streaked Saltators are greenish above, with a noticeable white supercilium that ends right behind the eye. They are not particularly large billed for a saltator, but the bill is still sizable and black in color. Below they are off-white with their distinctive streaks, absent from the throat but dense on the breast, belly and flanks.
Streaked Saltator is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guadeloupe, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.
neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/overview?p_p...
Distinctive large shorebird with long legs, enormous yellow eye, heavily streaked underparts. During the day stands or sits under small trees/shrubs, often in small groups. When disturbed will lie down and flatten neck to the ground. At night becomes active and wanders around calling its wonderful eerie wailing cry. In cities like Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane it is relatively common in parks, open grounds, camping grounds. More common across northern Australia. (eBird)
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We came across this mom and her two chicks in her "nest" on the ground on the grounds of our hotel. You have to look closely for the second chick - I didn't see it until I was editing the photo.
Jabiru, Northern Territory, Australia. October 2022.
Eagle-Eye Tours - Tropical Australia.
Sporathraupis cyanocephala
(Blue-capped tanager / Azulejo montañero)
A rather distinctive tanager that is principally Andean in distribution, the Blue-capped Tanager should be easily identified over most of its range. The upperparts are largely bright olive-green, with a bright blue head, contrasting with a black mask (in some subspecies), and grayish-blue underparts, set off by yellow tibial feathering and undertail-coverts. It is generally fairly common in modified wooded habitats, usually in small groups and regularly with mixed-species flocks.
It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.
Photo taken at Reserva Natural Río Blanco. Here travelers can walk by ecological trails. It has an area of 4,932 hectares of cloud forest and is between 2,150 meters and 3,700 meters above sea level.
neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/Species-Account/nb/species/...
The distinctive red-brown fur and long bushy tail of the fox are a familiar sight almost everywhere in the British Isles. Foxes are intelligent, adaptable mammals, opportunistic, with unfussy palates, and they make use of a wide range of habitats, including those of towns and cities. They are social animals, living in family groups of a breeding pair, together with cubs in the spring, and sometimes other subordinate juveniles and adults. The latter are usually young born the previous year and help with the rearing of cubs, feeding, grooming and playing with them. Each group occupies a territory, which is marked with urine and scats. Dens (called ‘earths’) may be dug in banks or make use of (disused or occupied) badger setts or old rabbit burrows. In urban areas, favoured sites for dens are under buildings or sheds, and in overgrown gardens and cemeteries.
Foxes hunt and scavenge with keen senses of smell and hearing, and probably use the latter to locate earthworms, which can make up a large part of their diet.
Thanks for viewing my photos and for any favourites and comments, it’s much appreciated.
The ashy prinia or ashy wren-warbler (Prinia socialis) is a small warbler in the family Cisticolidae. This prinia is a resident breeder in the Indian subcontinent, ranging across most of India, Nepal, Bangladesh, eastern Pakistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and western Myanmar. It is a common bird in urban gardens and farmland in many parts of India and its small size, distinctive colours and upright tail make it easy to identify. The northern populations have a rufous rump and back and have a distinct breeding and non-breeding plumage while other populations lack such variation
The distinctive red-brown fur and long bushy tail of the fox are a familiar sight almost everywhere in the British Isles. Foxes are intelligent, adaptable mammals, opportunistic, with unfussy palates, and they make use of a wide range of habitats, including those of towns and cities. They are social animals, living in family groups of a breeding pair, together with cubs in the spring, and sometimes other subordinate juveniles and adults. The latter are usually young born the previous year and help with the rearing of cubs, feeding, grooming and playing with them. Each group occupies a territory, which is marked with urine and scats. Dens (called ‘earths’) may be dug in banks or make use of (disused or occupied) badger setts or old rabbit burrows. In urban areas, favoured sites for dens are under buildings or sheds, and in overgrown gardens and cemeteries.
Foxes hunt and scavenge with keen senses of smell and hearing, and probably use the latter to locate earthworms, which can make up a large part of their diet.
Thanks for viewing my photos and for any favourites and comments, it’s much appreciated.
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.
Picromerus bidens is a large (12 to 13.5 mm long) and distinctive predatory shieldbug. It shows a thick rostrum directed away from head. Body colour is quite variable, generally light to dark brown or bluish, with red-brown antennae and legs and two unmistakable thorn-like brown projections on the sides of the pronotum (hence the species name bidens, meaning "with two teeth"). Front femurs are armed with a ventral spine distally. The early instar nymphs are commonly reddish, while the final instar nymphs are greyish black, with banded antennae and legs.
Both adults and nymphs of the spiny shieldbugs are predatory, feeding on the larvae of other insects, especially on leaf bugs, beetles, aphids and caterpillars. The choice of the prey depend on the season and availability of food. However both adults and nymphs also suck sap from plants. The female lays eggs on tree trunks and leaves. In the spring the larvae hatch, growing to the adult bugs after five moultings. Nymphs become adults by July or August and adults can be found until November. This species usually overwinters as eggs and less frequently as nymphs.
Distinctive large, dark wheatear with a strong bill. Males are largely all black except for a white tail, rump, and vent. The tail has a black center and terminal band. Females are similar, but browner. Normally encountered foraging on the ground in rocky areas with steep slopes. Shy and typically flies uphill when flushed.
Merzouga, Morocco. March 2019.
A distinctive fantail, all dark except for a white throat and a short white eyebrow. The tail, often fanned, is a shade darker with white tips to all tail feathers except the central pair. Juvenile is like adult, but with reduced white on face and brownish edges to the dark body feathers. Gives very harsh contact calls. Song is a musical phrase of 6-7 notes that ascends first and then descends. Found in a wide range of wooded habitats, from dense forest to forest edge and gardens, from lowlands up into the mountains.
Neora Valley National Park, West Bengal, India. March 2016.
The Northern Harrier is distinctive from a long distance away: a slim, long-tailed hawk gliding low over a marsh or grassland, holding its wings in a V-shape and sporting a white patch at the base of its tail. Up close it has an owlish face that helps it hear mice and voles beneath the vegetation. Each gray-and-white male may mate with several females, which are larger and brown. These unusual raptors have a broad distribution across North America.
This night photograph was taken from the 88th storey of Shanghai JinMao Tower on 30th December in anticipation of the New Year.
It was a relatively clear evening which enabled various landmarks to be seen clearly. The distinctive Oriental Pearl Tower, the tallest structure seen in this photograph, and one of the towers on the right are illuminated specially for ushering in the New Year.
A large cuckoo, distinctive in all plumages, but usually secretive, keeping to the interior of dense trees in many habitats, even inner cities and fields. Adult males glossy black with dull lime-green bill; females and immatures blackish brown with white dots on the wings and strong streaking on head and throat. Adults have ruby-red eyes. Females lay eggs in the nests of other large birds, including crows, shrikes, and starlings. Song is a loud, persistent “ko-EL!” similar to a peacock’s call. (eBird)
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A bird that is far more frequently heard than seen. Given its size, it is remarkably capable of disappearing into a tree. This one, though, came out into the sun just as we were heading off for the day's birding adventures.
Changi Villiage, Singapore. March 2024.
Birding Singapore.
Distinctive early spring Trout Lily wildflower on the forest floor.
Common for the season. Gone after a week.
The distinctive red-brown fur and long bushy tail of the fox are a familiar sight almost everywhere in the British Isles. Foxes are intelligent, adaptable mammals, opportunistic, with unfussy palates, and they make use of a wide range of habitats, including those of towns and cities. They are social animals, living in family groups of a breeding pair, together with cubs in the spring, and sometimes other subordinate juveniles and adults. The latter are usually young born the previous year and help with the rearing of cubs, feeding, grooming and playing with them. Each group occupies a territory, which is marked with urine and scats. Dens (called ‘earths’) may be dug in banks or make use of (disused or occupied) badger setts or old rabbit burrows. In urban areas, favoured sites for dens are under buildings or sheds, and in overgrown gardens and cemeteries.
Foxes hunt and scavenge with keen senses of smell and hearing, and probably use the latter to locate earthworms, which can make up a large part of their diet.
Thanks for viewing my photos and for any favourites and comments, it’s much appreciated.
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.
May be confused with egrets when sleeping, but note stockier, more thickset overall appearance.
Small falcon with distinctive male plumage; gray head, rusty back, gray tail with broad black tip. Female is brownish above, barred on back, wings, and tail. Note rather pointed wingtips (unlike rounded wings of sparrowhawks and Shikra), and distinct dark spotting on breast. Fairly common in open and lightly wooded country, farmland, heathland; often seen over rough grassland beside roads and at airports. Perches on wires and posts, and typically hunts by hovering, at times fairly high overhead. Very similar to Lesser Kestrel. (Courtesy e.bird)
Thanks for viewing my photos and for any favourites and comments, it’s much appreciated 👍
Lacrimose Mountain Tanager
A distinctive mountain-tanager with tawny-orange underparts and isolated yellowish patches on cheek and below eye. Otherwise mostly blackish above with blue highlights on wings and tail. Occurs in the Andes from Venezuela to Peru, where it is fairly common in the upper subtropical and temperate zones. Pairs or small groups often follow mixed-species flocks in forested areas and edges.
This individual was photographed at about 11,500 ft in elevation while on a photo tour led by Neotropic Photo Tours. March 15, 2022
Atlantic Royal Flycatcher - male - Vulnerable - Royal Flycatcher is very widespread, with a distribution that extends from southern Mexico south to the Atlantic Forest region of southeastern Brazil. Throughout this broad area, Royal Flycatcher inhabits the lower levels of humid evergreen or deciduous forests, although it also ranges into mature second growth, and edges. Royal Flycatcher exhibits notable geographic variation across this range, and so some authors recognize as many as four species of royal flycatcher: a northern species that occurs from Mexico to northern Colombia and northern Venezuela; a Pacific species (occidentalis) that is restricted to southwestern Ecuador and adjacent Peru; an Amazonian species, which is widespread in northern and central South America east of the Andes; and an Atlantic species (swainsoni), that occurs only in southeastern Brazil. Two of these populations, occidentalis and swainsoni, are potentially at risk of extinction. All of these taxa are flycatchers with a long bill and tail; the plumage is mostly brown, with a rufous or ochraceous tail. The most notable feature of Royal Flycatcher is the long ornate crest, which is red to orange (paler in females), with black and blue spotting. This crest usually is recumbent, giving the flycatcher a distinctive "hammerhead" appearance. When fully erect, however, the crest also is flared laterally; although it is rare to see the crest erected in a free flying Royal Flycatcher, these birds are well known for fanning the crest when held in the hand, while rhythmicaly swaying the head from side to side. The nest of Royal Flycatcher is a very long, sack like structure suspended from a slender branch or vine, and frequently is placed over a stream (or a small clearing) in the forest. Birds of The World.
The Atlantic Royal Flycatcher raises its fan very rarely. It took me more than 3 hours observing this individual to get this photo. I can say it was my Christmas gift.
Wishing a very Merry Christmas full of love, peace and joy!
Thanks a lot for your visits, comments, faves, invites, etc. Very much appreciated!
© All my images are protected under international authors copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without my written explicit permission. All rights reserved. Please contact me at thelma.gatuzzo@gmail.com if you intend to buy or use any of my images.
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The Tre Cime di Lavaredo, also called the Drei Zinnen, are three distinctive battlement-like peaks, in the Sexten Dolomites of northeastern Italy. They are probably one of the best-known mountain groups in the Alps. The three peaks, from east to west, are:
Cima Piccola / Kleine Zinne ("little peak")
Cima Grande / Große Zinne ("big peak")
Cima Ovest / Westliche Zinne ("western peak").
Tre Cime as seen from the foot of Torre di Toblin mountain
The peaks are composed of well-layered dolomites of the Dolomia Principale formation, Carnian to Rhaetian in age, as are many other groups in the Dolomites.
Until 1919 the peaks formed part of the border between Italy and Austria-Hungary. Now they lie on the border between the Italian provinces of South Tyrol and Belluno and still are a part of the linguistic boundary between German-speaking and Italian-speaking majorities. The Cima Grande has an elevation of 2,999 metres. It stands between the Cima Piccola, at 2,857 metres, and the Cima Ovest, at 2,973 metres.
The Three Peaks rise on the southern edge of the extensive pinnacle plateau with the Langen Alm, an alpine plateau at around 2200 m to 2400 m, which here forms the end of the Rienz Valley (Valle della Rienza). There are three small mountain lakes, the Zinnenseen. This area north of the mountains to the peaks to the municipality of part Toblach in South Tyrol and the Natural Park Three Peaks (up to 2010 Sesto Dolomites Nature Park), the since 2009 is part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
The ridge of the battlements, which runs in a west-east direction, forms the border with the municipality of Auronzo di Cadore in the province of Belluno, which also represents the German-Italian language border. To the northeast, this ridge continues to the 2454 m high Paternsattel (Forcella Lavaredo), where it turns north to the mountains Passportenkopf and Paternkofel. In the west it sits across the Forcella Col di Mezzo transition to the Zinnenkuppe and on to the 2252 m high Katzenleiterkop.
To the southwest of the Drei Zinnen, the Forcella Col di Mezzo is followed by the Plano di Longeres plateau above the Valle di Rinbianco, a side valley of the Rienz Valley. Immediately south of the western pinnacle, the Forcella di Longeres saddle separates the Plano di Longeres from the Vallone di Lavaredo, a side valley of the Piave valley. To the south lies the Cadini group.
Cortina d'Ampezzo, 17 kilometers southwest, is the largest city in the area. Other larger towns are Toblach 13 kilometers northwest and Innichen 12 kilometers north.
The distinctive red-brown fur and long bushy tail of the fox are a familiar sight almost everywhere in the British Isles. Foxes are intelligent, adaptable mammals, opportunistic, with unfussy palates, and they make use of a wide range of habitats, including those of towns and cities. They are social animals, living in family groups of a breeding pair, together with cubs in the spring, and sometimes other subordinate juveniles and adults. The latter are usually young born the previous year and help with the rearing of cubs, feeding, grooming and playing with them. Each group occupies a territory, which is marked with urine and scats. Dens (called ‘earths’) may be dug in banks or make use of (disused or occupied) badger setts or old rabbit burrows. In urban areas, favoured sites for dens are under buildings or sheds, and in overgrown gardens and cemeteries.
Foxes hunt and scavenge with keen senses of smell and hearing, and probably use the latter to locate earthworms, which can make up a large part of their diet.
Thanks for viewing my photos and for any favourites and comments, it’s much appreciated.
Vatnsnesvegur, Iceland
Hvítserkur, otherwise known as the Troll of Northwest Iceland, is a 15 m (49 ft) tall basalt rock stack protruding from Húnaflói Bay. The rock is a nesting ground for seagulls, shag and fulmar, making it appear constantly in motion, further enforcing the idea that Hvítserkur is, in some way, very much alive.
It should come as no surprise that Hvítserkur is often referred to as a troll—most distinctive Icelandic rocks are. Folklore says that Hvítserkur was originally a troll from the peninsula, determined to rip the bells down from Þingeyraklaustur convent; trolls, unlike elves, are said to be terrified of Christianity.
The beast was so enraged and persistent that it did not notice the rising sun, and was instantly petrified for eternity in its rays.
Ospreys are very large, distinctively shaped hawks. Despite their size, their bodies are slender, with long, narrow wings and long legs. Ospreys fly with a marked kink in their wings, making an M-shape when seen from below.
Ospreys are brown above and white below, and overall they are whiter than most raptors. From below, the wings are mostly white with a prominent dark patch at the wrists. The head is white with a broad brown stripe through the eye. Juveniles have white spots on the back and buff shading on the breast.
Ospreys search for fish by flying on steady wing-beats and bowed wings or circling high in the sky over relatively shallow water. They often hover briefly before diving, feet first, to grab a fish.
The distinctive red-brown fur and long bushy tail of the fox are a familiar sight almost everywhere in the British Isles. Foxes are intelligent, adaptable mammals, opportunistic, with unfussy palates, and they make use of a wide range of habitats, including those of towns and cities. They are social animals, living in family groups of a breeding pair, together with cubs in the spring, and sometimes other subordinate juveniles and adults. The latter are usually young born the previous year and help with the rearing of cubs, feeding, grooming and playing with them. Each group occupies a territory, which is marked with urine and scats. Dens (called ‘earths’) may be dug in banks or make use of (disused or occupied) badger setts or old rabbit burrows. In urban areas, favoured sites for dens are under buildings or sheds, and in overgrown gardens and cemeteries.
Foxes hunt and scavenge with keen senses of smell and hearing, and probably use the latter to locate earthworms, which can make up a large part of their diet.
Thanks for viewing my photos and for any favourites and comments, it’s much appreciated.
The Allegory of Fame is a painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Gerard de Lairesse (1641-1711). Gerard de Lairesse was a renowned painter and art theorist in the 17th century, known for his contributions to Dutch Classicism.
The Allegory of Fame, also known as "Fama", is one of his notable works and depicts the allegorical figure of Fame. In Greek mythology, Fame, also known as Pheme, was the personification of fame and renown. In Roman mythology, she was called Fama.
The painting typically shows a female figure with outstretched wings, symbolizing the widespread reach of her influence and reputation. She is often portrayed with a trumpet or a horn, which she uses to announce the achievements and accomplishments of individuals to the world.
Fame was a popular subject in Renaissance and Baroque art, and artists often depicted her in various poses and contexts to convey different aspects of her influence and power.
In Gerard de Lairesse's version of the Allegory of Fame, he likely imbued the composition with his distinctive style, characterized by a grand and classical aesthetic. His paintings were influenced by classical antiquity, and he was particularly inspired by the works of Italian Renaissance artists, such as Raphael and Michelangelo.
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)
Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory, Ontario, Canada. May 2014.
This distinctive shot used a stainless steel vessel to give the distinctive luster. Single off camera speed-light used. The rest was just luck and persistence.
A distinctive looking bunting around 15-16 cms long and found in rocky habitats in parts of Northern, Western and Central India. The bird is rare pretty in much of South India though. They are also found in a large range across China and South Asia as per ebird.
The bird is impossible to miss since the colors are quite unique and distinctive. It prefers rocky terrain and is usually found on the slopes foraging on the ground looking for grain. The female too has a crest though it is much smaller, and the overall body color is a dull olive color.
There was a sunflower farm with millets in between and we found a pair - male and female foraging in them. Sometimes, they preferred the millet, but other times, the birds landed on the ground between the rows of sunflower plants and foraged on the ground. I wanted a shot of the bird with sunflower behind, but that wasn't meant to be.
Many thanks in advance for your likes and feedback. Much appreciated.
C-FLRJ, a British Aerospace Avro 146-RJ85, on approach to runway 05 at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario. It was arriving as SMM8541 (Summit Air Ltd.) from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Also known as "Sugar In The Raw", is made from natural, non-GMO sugar cane. Its natural molasses produces a distinctive taste and gives a golden color to the granules..
photo size: 1.18"w by 0.75"h and 3.01 cm w by 1.79 cm h
Theme: "Granules"
Thank you for taking the time to view my photo. Your faves and comments are greatly appreciated!
The distinctive cab of Copper Basin 502 is plainly apparent as it brings the Unit Train west through Kearny. This engine was originally built for Kennecott Copper and had a custom raised cab for operating in Kennecott's mine in Utah. Its cab height was chopped after it was sold, but it retains a different shape from the standard EMD cab.
Taken in my back garden.
About blackbird-sized and striking black-and-white. It has a very distinctive bouncing flight and spends most of its time clinging to tree trunks and branches, often trying to hide on the side away from the observer. Its presence is often announced by its loud call or by its distinctive spring 'drumming' display. The male has a distinctive red patch on the back of the head and young birds have a red crown.
A striking gray, yellow, and green bushshrike with a dark eye, an orange chest, and a distinctive yellow forehead and short eyebrow. The juvenile lacks an eyebrow. Singles and pairs occasionally join mixed-species flocks in thornveld and broadleaf woodland, riparian forest, and thickets. The species creeps slowly through the mid-canopy of trees, hunting insects and small vertebrates, and is often first detected by its loud ringing “what-to-tooo-dooo” song and scolding “skeeeeet” calls and clicks. The larger Gray-headed Bushshrike differs from Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike by having a more robust bill, a pale-yellow eye, and no eyebrows. (eBird)
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Another find in the archive. Heading out from Accra towards Lake Volta, we stopped along the river to see what could be seen. Well, this beautiful bushshrike was high up in a tree. The first of just two of these birds seen on the trip.
Akwamu Road, Ghana. February 2019.
Ashanti African Tours.
The distinctive fruits are called samaras, 'maple keys', 'helicopters', 'whirlybirds' or 'polynoses'. These seeds occur in distinctive pairs each containing one seed enclosed in a 'nutlet' attached to a flattened wing of fibrous, papery tissue. I find delight in watching the seeds of maple trees fly through the sky. What thrilled me as a child still has the ability to bring a smile to my face.
White Woodpeckers - this species 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.
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 by any means without my written explicit permission, including the use on websites and similar medias. 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, @thelma_and_cats and @teg_photo_arts
Member of Nature’s Spirit
Good Stewards of Nature
Spectacular and distinctive raptor of tropical lowlands, often seen perched on prominent bare snags, from which it hunts for snakes. Occurs in forest and also in open country with scattered trees. Note the creamy head and underparts with a broad black "bandit mask." Does not soar, and flies with hurried, stiff wingbeats, when rusty patches show on the wings. Named for its far-carrying laughing calls. (eBird)
Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, Belize. January 2011.