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.

The Blue Mosque's historical and architectural significance, as well as its cultural and religious importance, make it a central attraction in Istanbul. The inclusion of the mosque in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list underscores its value in preserving and showcasing the rich history of Istanbul.

The mosque's distinctive features, such as the central dome, semi-domes, courtyard, and minarets, reflect the classical Ottoman architectural style. The interior adorned with Iznik tiles and floral motifs in shades of blue adds a unique and visually stunning aspect to the mosque, earning it the popular name "Blue Mosque."

The strategic location of the Blue Mosque, situated across from the Hagia Sophia and near the former Hippodrome, creates a historical and cultural ensemble, making this area a focal point for tourists and visitors interested in exploring the rich heritage of Istanbul.

The inclusion of Ahmed I's tomb, a madrasa, and other structures within the mosque's külliye further contributes to its significance as a religious complex, showcasing the multifaceted aspects of Ottoman architecture and cultural practices.

Overall, the Blue Mosque stands as a testament to the grandeur and artistry of the Ottoman Empire, inviting both worshippers and tourists to appreciate its architectural magnificence and historical importance.

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 metal statue of a soldier from the First World War stands on the Green by the seafront in Seaham. The 9ft 5ins tall sculpture was created by local artist Ray Lonsdale. It is entitled '1101' (after the Armistice which went into effect at 11am on November 11, 1918), but affectionately known as 'Tommy' by the local community.

The beautiful and highly distinctive Pin-tailed Manakin is endemic to the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil, where it is not rare but the species is nonetheless highly prized by birdwatchers, especially as its unusually quiet vocalisations can render it unobtrusive, making encounters much less frequent than with other manakins that occur in the same region. The male Pin-tailed Manakin is one of the most unmistakable and prettiest of manakins, and even the female is difficult to confuse given that it shares the male’s ‘unusual’ head shape and ‘pin-tail’ central rectrices. The species prefers humid forest, woodlots and mature second growth, perhaps most frequently in valleys. Its systematic relationships have only recently been elucidated, although its uniqueness has long been recognised by taxonomists. However, some facets of the Pin-tailed Manakin’s life history, especially its breeding biology and diet, are still relatively poorly known. birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/pitman1/cur/introduction

This beautiful male was photographed at Tapiraí - São Paulo. Wishing everyone a Peaceful Thursday and for those who celebrate a Peaceful Thanksgiving!

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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A small active bird around 9-11 cms long sporting a distinctive look - a black mask and a black throat. They are delightful creatures and I love watching them. These are very common in the Himalayan region and we sighted them pretty much everywhere during our trip. On this day, sighted a flock of them on roadside bushes and trees actively foraging. The road has a valley on one side sloping down gradually with thick vegetation - that place was magical - so many species of birds!

The birds are found in the Himalayan belt and much of the South East Asia. They are quite agile, noisy and prefer to forage in flocks around fruiting small berry trees. The birds are usually found near broadleaf trees and forage primarily on insects, seeds and fruit. I think they are found within a wide range of altitute in that region - remember seeing them at the base on the Himalayas and then even on the Hatu Peak which is around 3500 metres above sea level.

Thanks in advance for your views, faves and feedback - much appreciated.

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.

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.

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 orange breast of both sexes contributed to the European robin's original name of "redbreast", orange as a colour name being unknown in English until the 16th century, by which time the fruit of the same name had been introduced.

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.

The incredible concentration of cast-iron buildings in SOHO New York are one of the distinctive features of this Manhattan neighborhood. The fact is district is referred to as the SOHO Cast-iron Historic district and is the home to the largest collection of full and partial cast-iron building on the entire planet. Cast-iron had been a key component of bridges but here in the part of the country in this city, cast-iron was not only used structurally for the buildings but as part of the facade as well. This New York developed innovation was used extensively as cast-iron edifices was less expensive to build than stone or brick and were much faster to build and fabricate as the components were made in molds rather than hand carved. They have held up amazingly well as most of the approximate 250 cast-iron buildings in New York were built between 1850’s to late 1800 so are well beyond the 100 year mark. This image show a rather typical cast-iron design, repetitive elegant columns up and down the entire façade. - [ ] #developportdev @gothamtomato @developphotonewsletter @omsystem.cameras #excellent_america @apple #iphone13pro @bheventspace @bhphoto @adorama @tamracphoto @tiffencompany #usaprimeshot #tamractales @kehcamera @nycurbanism @nycprimeshot @nybucketlist

A distinctive red finchlike bird found in woodlands, forest edges, shrubby areas, urban parks, and gardens. Males are mostly dark red with a cinnamon back, and a black crown with a bright red center. Females lack the crest and are mostly dark brown with a cinnamon breast and rump. Both sexes have white eyerings. The song is a series of two alternating whistles.

Ipal Ecolodge, Peru. October 2018.

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.

Distinctive in beauty and magnificence...the Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly !

Pushing on that trigger is like pulling magic into my very soul...Darrell.

Have a fun and creative day Dear Flickr friends !

"Do a little dance, make a little love, Get down tonight, Get down tonight." (KC and the Sunshine Band )

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, with its bold black-and-white plumage and bright yellow-orange face and legs, 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.

A member of the falcon family, the caracara is a strong flier but spends a lot of time on the ground, scratching or digging for insects, or hunting around shallow ponds or marshes for turtles, snakes, frogs or fish. Caracaras occasionally eat larger animals such as rabbits and cattle egrets and a pair will sometimes work together to subdue these larger prey. Caracaras may also be spotted on fence posts or utility poles along highways where they scan roadways for roadkilled raccoons, opossums or armadillos.

A common subject of folklore and legends throughout Central and South America, the Crested Caracara is sometimes referred to as the "Mexican eagle."

I found this one along Canoe Creek Road in Osceola County, Florida.

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 Rock is an oceanfront city in British Columbia, Canada, and a member municipality of Metro Vancouver.

The modern history of White Rock is directly tied to the railway linking British Columbia to Washington state, which runs along the shore of Semiahmoo Bay to the border. The rail is currently owned by BNSF Railway and runs alongside the promenade at the beach. This was originally the Great Northern line, and it opened up White Rock and Crescent Beach to tourists from Vancouver and New Westminster in the early 1900s. The border crossing closest to White Rock (at Douglas, B.C., and Blaine, Washington) was officially opened in 1908, and the Peace Arch at the border crossing was constructed in the 1920s.

In 1913, the present railway station was opened, and the Fox and Hunter Shingle mill began operation.

White Rock has a moderate climate, with average daily high temperatures of 23 degrees Celsius in summer and 6 degrees Celsius in winter.

White Rock is named for a distinctive large white boulder on its beach near the promenade, a glacial erratic that migrated south during the last glaciation. The 486-ton granite boulder was kept white by shellfish-eating seabirds whose guano covered the rock, so much so that 19th-century sailors used it as a beacon. However, it is now kept white through monthly applications of white paint by the city parks department, and has been a popular graffiti target for over thirty years.

Legend.

The large, white rock is mentioned in the legends of the local Coast Salish peoples. One legend says that the white rock marks the landing spot of a stone that was hurled across the Strait of Georgia by a young chief It was said that he and his bride would move from Vancouver Island to wherever the rock landed to make a home together.

Information complied from Wikipedia

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A large bird around 38-40 cms long sporting a distinctive eye patch and endemic to India and Sri Lanka. The tail itself is maybe around 15-20 cms long. This is the most common of the three Malkoha species found in India. These birds belong to the large cuckoo family, but they are non-parasitic, i.e. they don't demonstrate brood parasitism. It doesn't lay its eggs in other birds nests.

The bird is easily recognizable by the pale bluish eye ring from which it derives its name. We sighted this bird foraging in the trees next to a country road while driving slowly. Luckily it didn't fly away and gave this nice shot.

The birds feed on insects, caterpillars and other small vertebrates. They have a easy to remember loud hollow call. I think the nesting season is just complete - 2 weeks ago, we sighted 3 juveniles in one tree right next to the road - all of them darted off into the tree as soon as we stopped our vehicle.

Thanks in advance for your views and / or feedback. Much appreciated.

The crossbill’s distinctive feature is its thick, powerful beak that crosses at the tips. Males have a bright red head, while females are a yellowish-green with hints of grey. Males have bright red plumage, whereas females are a yellowish-green. Common crossbills are heavy-set birds, weighing roughly twice as much as a robin.

Not to be confused with: the Scottish crossbill and parrot crossbill. These species are very difficult to tell apart by sight alone, but the Scottish crossbill is only found in northern Scotland. It is the UK’s only endemic bird species, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world. The parrot crossbill is very rare in the UK, with only a handful of breeding pairs in Scotland and occasional visitors from Europe.

Common Crossbill male (Loxia curvirostra)_w_5059

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 East Asia as per ebird.

This is the male and 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.

We were quite excited to see the bird since it is quite rare in our state and there are only a handful of sightings. Luckily, we also got great shots and spent a good time with the bird.

Many thanks in advance for your likes and feedback. 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.

Source: guidetoiceland.is/travel-iceland/drive/hvitserkur

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.

The adult is a large, distinctive, chestnut-and-white eagle that sits prominently on perches near rivers, lakes, and other waterbodies. The scruffy immature is dark brown and mottled with white on head. In flight the white windows in the wings and pale, dark-tipped tail make the juvenile distinctive. It catches fish with a graceful, shallow plunge to the water’s surface, but it will also eat birds, reptiles, and carrion. It tosses its head backwards while making a loud penetrating “wheeee-ah-kleeuw-kleeuw-kluuu” call; it is one of the most distinctive bird sounds of Africa.

Cooling off in the Nile river at mid-day..

Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda. February 2017.

This vibrant photograph showcases the distinctive red and white arches of Blackfriars Bridge, one of London’s historic crossings over the River Thames. Taken from the river itself, the image provides a dynamic view underneath the bridge, revealing the elegant ironwork and structural detail. In the background, other bridges span the Thames, contributing to the layered architectural narrative of the city. The contrast of the dramatic sky with patches of sunlight and the bustling activity on the river captures the energy and charm of central London.

It is a bird in the honeyeater family, and endemic to Australia. It is grey, with a black head, orange-yellow beak and feet, a distinctive yellow patch behind the eye and white tips on the tail feathers. It's a vocal species with a large range of songs, calls, scoldings and alarms, and almost constant vocalisations. They are gregarious and territorial; they forage, bathe, roost, breed and defend territory communally.

The noisy miner is a large honeyeater, 24–28 centimetres (9.4–11.0 in) in length, with a wingspan of 36–45 centimetres (14–18 in), and weighing 70–80 grams (2.5–2.8 oz). Male, female and juvenile birds all have similar plumage: grey on the back, tail and breast, and otherwise white underneath, with white scalloping on the nape and hind-neck, and on the breast; off-white forehead and lores; a black band over the crown, bright orange-yellow bill, and a distinctive patch of yellow skin behind the eye; a prominent white tip to the tail; a narrow olive-yellow panel in the folded wing; and orange-yellow legs and feet. A juvenile can be distinguished by softer plumage, a brownish tinge to the black on its head and the grey on its back, and a duller, greyish-yellow skin-patch behind the eye.

The noisy miner is a gregarious species, and the birds are rarely seen singly or in twos; they forage, move and roost in colonies that can consist of several hundred birds

The noisy miner does not use a stereotyped courtship display; displays can involve 'driving', where the male jumps or flies at the female from 1–2 metres (3.3–6.6 ft) away, and if she moves away he pursues her aggressively.

The noisy miner primarily eats nectar, fruit, and insects, and occasionally it feeds on small reptiles or amphibians.

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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.

The distinctive wing pattern and shape of Emesis make them instantly recognisable as a genus. Emesis mandana, in common with several other Emesis species, is quite variable in colour, ranging from dull reddish to bright orange-yellow. This butterfly is common and widespread throughout much of central and South America.

This species apparently occurs in primary and secondary forest habitats at altitudes between sea level and at least 2000m, but is most frequently encountered below 800m.

(La Ceja, Colombia; 2.300 meters above sea level)

www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Amazon%20-%20Emesis%20manda...

This collaboration blends two distinctive styles: Pixel Pancho's steampunk and Vhils' erosional sculpting. Under-Dogs.net supports an open-air art gallery, with murals decorating many buildings all over town. This one, at Avenida Infante Dom Henrique 30F, has three, as you will see in the next two posts.

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A DISTINCTIVE WADER, dumpy, rounded body, rather short legs, and its incredibly long straight bill, to probe vertically down-wards in soft mud, in a manner of a sewing machine. A shy retiring bird!

Seen at Stodmarsh N R, in Kent, in the distinguished company of Steve Ashton and Little John. and what a joy to see some sun!!!

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THANK YOU for your visit, any comments are very appreciated, and find encouraging, will return the visit very shortly, if already not done so. ..............Hope you are all well, Bless you all.........................Tomx.

It is a bird in the honeyeater family, and endemic to Australia. It is grey, with a black head, orange-yellow beak and feet, a distinctive yellow patch behind the eye and white tips on the tail feathers. It's a vocal species with a large range of songs, calls, scoldings and alarms, and almost constant vocalisations. They are gregarious and territorial; they forage, bathe, roost, breed and defend territory communally.

The noisy miner is a large honeyeater, 24–28 centimetres (9.4–11.0 in) in length, with a wingspan of 36–45 centimetres (14–18 in), and weighing 70–80 grams (2.5–2.8 oz). Male, female and juvenile birds all have similar plumage: grey on the back, tail and breast, and otherwise white underneath, with white scalloping on the nape and hind-neck, and on the breast; off-white forehead and lores; a black band over the crown, bright orange-yellow bill, and a distinctive patch of yellow skin behind the eye; a prominent white tip to the tail; a narrow olive-yellow panel in the folded wing; and orange-yellow legs and feet. A juvenile can be distinguished by softer plumage, a brownish tinge to the black on its head and the grey on its back, and a duller, greyish-yellow skin-patch behind the eye.

The noisy miner is a gregarious species, and the birds are rarely seen singly or in twos; they forage, move and roost in colonies that can consist of several hundred birds

The noisy miner does not use a stereotyped courtship display; displays can involve 'driving', where the male jumps or flies at the female from 1–2 metres (3.3–6.6 ft) away, and if she moves away he pursues her aggressively.

The noisy miner primarily eats nectar, fruit, and insects, and occasionally it feeds on small reptiles or amphibians.

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The distinctive eye-spots (which vary in size, shape and number) gave this butterfly its name, 'ringlet' being used in the past to describe any small circle. Its wings are also bordered with a fine white fringe.

At almost 34 metres in height, Ireland's tallest round tower totally dominates the monastic complex at Kilmacduagh. This rather unique monument has a number of very distinctive features. There are a total of 11 angle-headed windows present in the tower, some of which have been restored. Probably the most obvious feature of the tower is the very noticeable lean, over 1/2 metre, towards the south-west. The conical cap, which collapsed in 1859 and restored in 1878, overhangs the drum slightly.

The walls of the tower are believed to be almost 2 metres thick at the base. Because of the thickness of the walls and the height of the tower we were not surprised to learn that the monument has a diameter of over 5.5 metres. Amazingly the foundations are only 60 centimetres deep. Another rather striking feature is the height of the doorway. It stands at over 17 metres above ground level. This raises the unanswered question about access to the tower -obviously they did not use a 17 metre high wooden ladder and it would have been quite a feat to scale the tower using a rope ladder. Sadly the weather changed for the worst during our visit, but hopefully we will drop by Kilmacduagh again in the near future.

PFW_2602-2-2

The Westland Wyvern had distinctive contra-rotating propellers – two propellers arranged one behind the other spinning in opposite directions. This stopped the aircraft turning to one side during take-off, particularly important from short narrow flights decks on carriers.

The Wyvern was the only turboprop aircraft to have been flown in combat by the Royal Navy, seeing action during the Suez Crisis of 1956. The Wyvern was unusual in that it was designed in 1946 to be powered by a piston engine driven propeller but had advanced to a turbine engine (turboprop) by the time it was operational in 1953.

This Wyvern TF1, VR137, is a piston engine prototype and the only surviving Wyvern. Seen at the Fleet Air Arm Museum at RNAS Yeovilton.

The distinctive concrete units of Montreal's Habitat 67, an experimental modular housing complex designed by renown architect Moshe Safdie. Conceived as his master's thesis in architecture at McGill University, Safdie was awarded the project to be built as a pavilion for Expo 67, despite his relative inexperience. In the spirit of a new openness that characterized this period, the exhibition was entitled “Man and his World” after Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s philosophical memoire. Housing was one of the main themes of Expo 67 Habitat 67 comprises over 350 prefabricated concrete boxes arranged in various combinations which was envisioned as the future for urban living.

Distinctive warbler with bold black-and-white stripes over entire body. Adult males have black throat and cheek; females and immatures have white throat and paler cheek. Creeps along branches like a nuthatch, searching for insects. Breeds in mature deciduous or mixed forests; winters in a wider variety of wooded habitats as far south as northern South America. Listen for high pitched “squeaky-wheel” song. Breeding male Blackpoll Warbler is potentially confusing, but note different behavior and face pattern. (eBird)

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Surprised to find this lovely warbler chasing bugs close to a weedy pond. She was hopping actively along the branch in pursuit of her prey. Sadly, I did not see her catch anything.

Britannia Conservation Area, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. August 2023.

Buckpool and Fens Pool Local Nature Reserve

What3Words

///thin.spill.bravo

The Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) is a common, distinctive waterbird known for its all-black plumage and a conspicuous white bill and frontal shield, which gives rise to the phrase "as bald as a coot". A member of the rail family (Rallidae), it is found across Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of North Africa.

Appearance:

Adults are entirely sooty-black with a bright white bill and a "shield" or blaze on their forehead. They have striking red eyes. Their feet are a distinguishing feature, with large, lobed toes that help them swim effectively and walk on land, unlike the webbed feet of ducks.

Feet:

Unlike ducks, which have webbed feet, coots have large, grey, lobed toes. These lobes help them swim efficiently and also allow them to walk and run well on land or soft, muddy ground.

Size:

They are around 36-38 cm in length with a wingspan of 70-80 cm.

Habitat:

Coots are widespread and commonly found on shallow, still or slow-moving freshwater bodies such as lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and canals, often in urban park settings.

Distinctive, small social crow with contrasting, silvery-grey neck shawl and staring whitish eyes; juvenile has duller shawl and eyes. Walks confidently, and can be easy to see where not persecuted; associates readily with crows and Rooks. Flocks can number in the hundreds or thousands in the non-breeding season. Inhabits open and semi-open habitats, from towns and wooded parkland to farmland and sea cliffs; often around stone buildings and chimneys. Nests in cavities. Listen for its distinctive high-pitched “tchaw, tchaw” calls.

Striking and distinctive gooselike duck. Plumage bright ruddy overall with contrasting pale creamy head and neck; male has narrow black neck ring. Big white forewing patches striking in flight. Breeds in southeastern Europe and Central Asia, winters in South Asia. Often found around saline lakes; also reservoirs and agricultural fields. Escapees from waterfowl collections occasionally seen free-flying outside of native range. (eBird)

Hundreds of water birds were taking advantage of an ephemeral lake just outside of Merzouga, on the edge of the Erg Chebbi. According to our guide, this was the first time he had seen this lake in five years.

Lake Merzouga, Morocco. March 2019.

The great tit is a distinctive bird with a black head and neck, prominent white cheeks, olive upperparts and yellow underparts, with some variation amongst the numerous subspecies. It is predominantly insectivorous in the summer, but will consume a wider range of food items in the winter months, including small hibernating bats.[2] Like all tits it is a cavity nester, usually nesting in a hole in a tree. The female lays around 12 eggs and incubates them alone, although both parents raise the chicks. In most years the pair will raise two broods. The nests may be raided by woodpeckers, squirrels and weasels and infested with fleas, and adults may be hunted by sparrowhawks. The great tit has adapted well to human changes in the environment and is a common and familiar bird in urban parks and gardens. The great tit is also an important study species in ornithology.

DISTINCTIVE LARGE WADER! with its long downcurved bill, a large flock of these have been at Sandwich Bay, Kent, for sometime, they graze the muddy surrounding fields, and return to the scrape for a drink, wash and prune. (58cm in length) Don't normally show flight captures, because its does not make such a interesting image, but had to show this beauty.

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THANK YOU, for your visit, your comment is very appreciated and find encouraging, and will soon return the visit, please stay safe my friends.....................Tomx.

Although in the same subfamily, this Stink Bug is completely different in colour and markings from the distinctively patterned one uploaded yesterday.

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

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This was one of the closest pure-bred Pacific Black Ducks that we saw throughout NZ. The majority appeared to be hybrids with mallards. Similar to the situation here in Ontario, the Mallards are breeding with their respective Black Duck cousins and the pure-breds are slowly disappearing.

Fiordland National Park, Southland, New Zealand. March 2024.

Roadrunner Birding Tours.

Perhaps the most distinctive and enigmatic of the prehistoric monuments on Dartmoor are the stone rows. There are over seventy stone rows on Dartmoor today although there were probably once considerably more. There are two double stone rows near Merrivale on the west side of Dartmoor, and the famous quarry can be seen in the distance on the right. The monuments were probably built over a long period, between about 2500 BC and 1000 BC and it is now thought they are even older than Stonehenge.

On the left is is Long Ash Leat. A leat is a man-made watercourse or stream designed to move water naturally, following the contours of the ground, to wherever it is required, whether that is a farm, a quarry, a mine or other industry. The early leats which date back to medieval times were in effect a power supply for the tin-mining industry. It is thought that the dozens of leats on Dartmoor add up to several hundred miles.

Source: www.dartmoorwalks.org.uk/resource/rows.php

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.

Autumn is here.

Buckpool and Fens Pool Local Nature Reserve

What3Words

///thin.spill.bravo

The Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) is a common, distinctive waterbird known for its all-black plumage and a conspicuous white bill and frontal shield, which gives rise to the phrase "as bald as a coot". A member of the rail family (Rallidae), it is found across Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of North Africa.

Appearance: Adults are entirely sooty-black with a bright white bill and a "shield" or blaze on their forehead. They have striking red eyes. Their feet are a distinguishing feature, with large, lobed toes that help them swim effectively and walk on land, unlike the webbed feet of ducks.

Feet: Unlike ducks, which have webbed feet, coots have large, grey, lobed toes. These lobes help them swim efficiently and also allow them to walk and run well on land or soft, muddy ground.

Size: They are around 36-38 cm in length with a wingspan of 70-80 cm.

Habitat: Coots are widespread and commonly found on shallow, still or slow-moving freshwater bodies such as lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and canals, often in urban park settings.

DISTINCTIVE AND NOISY WADER, seen at the top of the cliffs on Skokholm, off South West Wales, being protective as he must have had a young one in the area. They use that powerful bill to feed on mollusks and other invertebrates.

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THANK YOU for your continued support and any comments, it is always appreciated and never taken for granted. Keep safe and well dear friends, God bless you

Tomx

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 distinctive wing pattern and shape of Emesis make them instantly recognisable as a genus. Emesis mandana, in common with several other Emesis species, is quite variable in colour, ranging from dull reddish to bright orange-yellow. This butterfly is common and widespread throughout much of central and South America.

This species apparently occurs in primary and secondary forest habitats at altitudes between sea level and at least 2000m, but is most frequently encountered below 800m.

(La Ceja, Colombia; 2.300 meters above sea level)

www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Amazon%20-%20Emesis%20manda...

Distinctive entrance on south face of Canyon Country Store, now used by Pace, classic Italian restaurant in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles.