View allAll Photos Tagged Distinctive,
With their distinctive blood red cap, flecked with white tissue, fly agarics can often be seen in autumn in pine plantations. They contain hallucinatory poisons, and death can result quickly if they are eaten!
© Dominic Scott 2021
A small distinctive bird of around 9 cms found in the underbush in the forests of the Himalayan region in India, South East Asia and Eastern Asia. They are a delightful species really small and quite beautiful. This was a lifer and one we were eagerly looking for. I wasn't prepared for its size as I imagined it to be the size of a quail, but it not even half the size of a quail.
We sighted a few on the roadside in the forest areas - we thought they were ground birds (they are!), but within seconds they climbed to the mid-canopy just by jumping around and not flying. They prefer the deep dark bushes where they forage and hunt the insects, larvae and worms in the mossy ground.
Thanks in advance for your views, faves and feedback - much appreciated.
The building in the background is Saffron Square tower is.
Well, it's hard to miss it even if you tried.
The 43-storey tower stands a whopping 134 metres tall and is the borough's second tallest building, behind only 101 George Street, the tallest modular tower in the world.
Saffron Square tower is visible from several miles away and is undoubtedly a distinctive part of Croydon's skyline, mainly due to its purple, shiny appearance.
With a stop signal at CPF185 ahead of them, WAPO is moving along at restricted speed as they pass one of the distinctive former Maine Central granite mileposts, MP182. A pair of SD45 carbodies are bracketing a former CN GP40-2LW with a short train, made up of mostly Eimskip containers on the rear, on this pleasant winter morning. By the time they get to CPF185, Amtrak 692 will have already gone by, and they'll be able to scoot right along behind them into Portland.
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.
Explored 1 Jan 2021 #216
The Welsh mountains which make our landscapes so distinctive were carved out in the Ice Age, some 10,000 years ago. They’re our defence and our lifeline, a challenge and an inspiration. Their peaks, slopes and views attract mountaineers, artists and Olympic sportsmen. And they’re endlessly exciting to explore.
10:09hrs Spotted during dog walk in nature reserve/country park in Cambridgeshire.
Lack of larval foodplants and elms, has caused decline. The White-letter Hairstreak butterflies are usually found around treetops or visiting bramble flowers to feed, in S and C England. Wingspan around 35mm...you can see that compared to the bramble bud, the butterfly is quite small!
I took several photos...this particular butterfly was very active on this bramble...this particular photo was the better one, to show the distinctive white 'W' on the hind underwing.
WP_20170717_10_09_25_Pro
Another shot of the most distinctive structure in the small northern Illinois village of Nora,population 120...
My first shot of this classic old house(?) was all the way back in 2015...
Spotted at our local garden center.
Bulbine frutescens, the wild kopieva or stalked bulbine, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Bulbine, native to southern Africa (South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini)
This variable species grows as a small shrub, with short, low stems that produce roots down towards the ground, and slender, erect, succulent, grey-green leaves.
The flowers appear throughout the summer, on a 30 cm erect inflorescence. The flowers can be orange, yellow or white. Like all Bulbine species, the stamens are distinctively tufted ("bearded").
These distinctive clouds are always cause for concern since they indicate turbulence in the atmosphere and are often associated with cumulonimbus clouds that spawn severe storms. There were tornados spotted across Iowa today, but luckily none near here. However, we did have heavy thunderstorms throughout the day with torrential downpours along with dangerous lightning. By the way, mammatus in Latin means udders or breasts.
A 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.
The closeup of a Poinsettia leave with a distinctive pattern and color, in its colorful surrounding in a beautiful garden in Kodaikanal, India
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The distinctive red and white tower first shone its famous four flashes of light every twenty seconds on 11 January 1906 and has a range of 25 nautical miles which has guided passing vessels through the hazardous waters around Portland Bill as well as acting as a waymark for ships navigating the English Channel.
Distinctive black and white plumage.Inhabits deciduous woodland and shady gardens, mostly in C.and S.E Europe.Many thanks for looking at my pictures.
Its distinctive leaves and opposing branches make the Green Ash tree a delight for any landscape, in any environment. We present the Green Ash exclusively at Shiny Shabby, June 20th through July 15th.
The Green Ash comes with our easy to use menu changer, realistic textures and is 100% original mesh. Beautify your virtual world with Little Branch today!
TP to Shiny Shabby:
Hilltop church with distinctive blue mosaic domes & dramatic views over the Mediterranean Sea.
This maze of cobbled narrow and crooked streets with glimpses of the bay is one of the better features of the town. Other sights include the church of La Mare de Déu del Consol ("Our Lady of Solace"), easily identifiable by its picturesque blue and white domes, tiled with glazed ceramics. There are numerous quaint restaurants near the church, some with a view over the Mediterranean. Note that, if visiting by car, you will need to park several blocks away from the church area as the immediately surrounding area is either off limits to cars and/or the streets are so narrow and steep (or have stairs) that cars cannot pass. Wikipedia
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.
In Explore 16 January 2021 #220
A smart-looking dark thrush with a distinctive pale crescent on the chest; male’s is bright white, female’s is dingier.
Adult blackish overall with frosty pale wing edgings. Immature in autumn–winter has a much duller collar. Bill is duller yellow than Eurasian Blackbird, with a dark top edge and tip.
Rather shy, flying into cover or far away over slopes when disturbed.
Breeds in open highland habitat, including moorland, alpine meadows, rocky mountain sides, and conifer stands.
Parnassia palustris, the marsh grass of Parnassus, northern grass-of-Parnassus, or bog star, is a flowering plant in the staff-vine family Celastraceae. It is not a grass. The name comes from ancient Greece: evidently the cattle on Mount Parnassus appreciated the plant. Flowers are creamy white with five distinctively veined petals. They have 5 fertile stamens alternating with 5 sterile stamens (staminodes) modified to have 9 or more gland tipped bristles which attract pollinators. One of the five stamens matures every day during flowering and bends outward in the process (see the stamen in the 11 o'clock position). Once the anther opens and releases pollen onto a visiting insect it will drop off (see the remaining filament in the 9 o'clock position). So the pictured flower is on the second day of flowering. The stigma (obscured) will only open to receive pollen once all anthers have fallen off. This prevents self pollination.
The Lesko Stone seen from the other side :)
The Lesko Stone is a distinctive rock formation in the forest near the city of Lesko in the Bieszczady Mountains in Poland. It is most likely a result of glacial movements in the area and the whole formation is believed to have been carried to the present site by a glacier. The stone is over 20 m tall and is entirely a work of erosion. Its peculiar shape was further pronounced as the area was a small rock quarry in past centuries. Despite being an environmentally protected site it is often scaled by climbers and outdoor enthusiasts. It can be reached by following a lengthy tourist trail from Lesko or from a road roughly 91 m away. The stone is an important aspect of local culture with a number of legends related to its shape and origin. The most popular of those is related to the 16th century church in Lesko which claims the stone is a remnant of a failed attempt by the devil to destroy Christianity in the area. A variation of this story links the stone to a number of monasteries in the area. Many more legends exist and some of them are told on plaques currently fixed to the stone.
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Kamień Leski widziany z innej strony :)
Kamień Leski (ok. 410–420 m) – charakterystyczna formacja skalna na wzgórzu we wsi Glinne niedaleko miasta Lesko w Bieszczadach. Kamień Leski jest wychodnią gruboziarnistego piaskowca krośnieńskiego, twardego i odpornego na wietrzenie. Główna skała wznosi się około 20 m ponad kulminację wzgórza. Posiada nieco dziwny kształt będący wynikiem zarówno erozji, jak i działalności człowieka. Od północnej strony znajdował się dawniej kamieniołom, po którym pozostała głęboka niecka wyrobiska oraz wysoka skalna ściana. Na szczycie skały znajduje się żelazny krzyż postawiony w 1978. Kamień jest ważnym elementem miejscowej kultury, powstało wiele legend związanych z jego kształtem i pochodzeniem. Najbardziej znana z nich jest związana z szesnastowiecznym kościołem w Lesku, według owej legendy kamień jest wynikiem nieudanej próby zniszczenia chrześcijaństwa w tym obszarze przez diabła. Niektóre z legend znajdują się na tablicach umocowanych na kamieniu.
The Noisy Miner bird is a grey bird, with a black head, orange-yellow beak and feet, a distinctive yellow patch behind the eye, and white tips on the tail feathers. Taken in Sydney, NSW, Australia.
The Giant's Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption. It is located in County Antrim on the north coast of Northern Ireland, about three miles (4.8 km) northeast of the town of Bushmills.
Around 50 to 60 million years ago, during the Paleocene Epoch, Antrim was subject to intense volcanic activity, when highly fluid molten basalt intruded through chalk beds to form an extensive lava plateau. As the lava cooled, contraction occurred.
Horizontal contraction fractured in a similar way to drying mud, with the cracks propagating down as the mass cooled, leaving pillarlike structures, which are also fractured horizontally into "biscuits". In many cases the horizontal fracture has resulted in a bottom face that is convex while the upper face of the lower segment is concave, producing what are called "ball and socket" joints. The size of the columns is primarily determined by the speed at which lava from a volcanic eruption cools.
The extensive fracture network produced the distinctive columns seen today. The basalts were originally part of a great volcanic plateau called the Thulean Plateau which formed during the Paleocene.
According to legend, the columns are the remains of a causeway built by a giant. The story goes that the Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn MacCool), from the Fenian Cycle of Gaelic mythology, was challenged to a fight by the Scottish giant Benandonner. Fionn accepted the challenge and built the causeway across the North Channel so that the two giants could meet. In one version of the story, Fionn defeats Benandonner. In another, Fionn hides from Benandonner when he realises that his foe is much bigger than he is. Fionn's wife, Oonagh, disguises Fionn as a baby and tucks him in a cradle. When Benandonner sees the size of the 'baby', he reckons that its father, Fionn, must be a giant among giants. He flees back to Scotland in fright, destroying the causeway behind him so that Fionn would be unable to chase him down.
Across the sea, there are identical basalt columns (a part of the same ancient lava flow) at Fingal's Cave on the Scottish isle of Staffa, and it is possible that the story was influenced by this.
In overall Irish mythology, Fionn mac Cumhaill is not a giant but a hero with supernatural abilities, contrary to what this particular legend may suggest. In Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry (1888) it is noted that, over time, "the pagan gods of Ireland [...] grew smaller and smaller in the popular imagination, until they turned into the fairies; the pagan heroes grew bigger and bigger, until they turned into the giants". There are no surviving pre-Christian stories about the Giant's Causeway, but it may have originally been associated with the Fomorians (Fomhóraigh); the Irish name Clochán na bhFomhóraigh or Clochán na bhFomhórach means "stepping stones of the Fomhóraigh". The Fomhóraigh are a race of supernatural beings in Irish mythology who were sometimes described as giants and who may have originally been part of a pre-Christian pantheon
The distinctive and playful style of architect Uno Prii’s apartment buildings in Toronto, this one on St. Clair Ave. Built in 1960, the seven storey building features blue glazed brick, decorative concrete block and concrete arches over the windows.
Intha Lake fishermen, renowned for their distinctive technique, navigate the waterways with a remarkable leg-rowing style. Perched at the stern of their slender wooden boats, these skilled fishermen balance on one leg while the other is wrapped around the oar. With a synchronized motion, they propel the boat forward, their arms free to manage the intricacies of the conical nets. This unique technique, evolved over generations, allows them to navigate the lake's shallow waters, where reeds and floating gardens abound. Their dexterity extends to the handling of the conical nets, an artful craft passed down through ancestral knowledge. With precision and grace, they manipulate these nets using a circular motion, skillfully casting them into the water to ensnare the abundant fish that thrive in Inle Lake's rich ecosystem. The harmony between their rowing and net handling embodies a tradition that not only sustains their livelihood but also stands as a testament to their cultural heritage and intimate relationship with the lake.
distinctive perch at Low Barns NR.
Great spotted woodpecker
Thank you to everyone who comments , faves and views my photographs , its much appreciated.
A small babbler, distinctive looking, found in areas with lots of scrubs. This is a common bird that we often sight in a variety of places, around the bushes adjacent to waterbodies and forests / thick wooded areas. This is a small bird, around a man's palm. They are quite agile and keep moving all the time. The picture shows their natural habitat - which is deep underbush and shrubs. They keep hopping from branch to branch usually less than a 1-2 feet from the ground.
I sighted 3 of them on the steps leading a thick wooded area. The day was bright already and they came to edge of the bush where I shot this picture. They quickly disappeared into the dark undergrowth behind them where we couldn't follow them.
Thank you so much in advance for your views, feedback and faves.
"Wrentits form tight monogamous pair bonds, which are normally lifelong. Both sexes defend the territory throughout the year with distinctive songs that have been aptly called "the voice of the chaparral." The male habitually shares in incubation and is normally in vocal contact at all times with the female, and the pair is even known to roost together, forming contiguous "feather-balls," and to mutually preen. The young commonly remain in family flocks for at least 30 days after fledging and, on occasion, use their natal territory for breeding.
With few exceptions, most of our current knowledge on the behavior, life history, breeding ecology, and demography of the Wrentit has come from two studies, both in the San Francisco Bay region of California. Most information on life-history originated from Mary M. Erickson, under the guidance of Professor Joseph Grinnell, in an intensive 4-year study in a chaparral canyon in Berkeley, California (Erickson 1938). Her insightful and highly detailed study (summarized in a 332-page monograph), followed, year-round, the life history of 21 territorial pairs and individuals. "
birdsna.org
The stunning lava fields across Lanzarote with such stunning backdrops, every mountain has its own distinctive colour
With its distinctive high step a Greenshank is seen patrolling the shallows at Al Khor, just north of Doha.
2/19/2022 WWII Trainers, guess they were enjoying a beautiful day here in Dallas. Always recognize their distinctive sound, so I was able to get out and get a shot.
The distinctive blue lines of the Jesus Is Lord Cornerstone Church on Christie Street, a Philippine-based Christian church. Between 1960 and 2013 this building was the Ukrainian Cultural Centre. Originally the building was the home of the Toronto branch of the United Jewish Peoples' Order (1945-1960).
A very distinctive fish-hawk, formerly classified with other hawks but now placed in a separate family of its own. Along coastlines, lakes, and rivers almost worldwide, the Osprey is often seen flying over the water, hovering, and then plunging feet-first to catch fish in its talons. After a successful strike, the bird rises heavily from the water and flies away, carrying the fish head-forward with its feet. Bald Eagles sometimes chase Ospreys and force them to drop their catch. In many regions, landowners put up poles near the water to attract nesting Ospreys.
He has a distinctive call that is heard way more often than he is seen. We heard a number of calls and hung around hoping to see if one would come into the open. We were lucky enough to spot this one busy pruning himself. He stayed in the open for a few minutes before heading back into the reeds and out of sight.
Naples Botanical Gardens
Southwest Florida
USA
Time for another flower image.
Passiflora, known also as the passion flowers or passion vines, is a genus of about 550 species of flowering plants, the type genus of the family Passifloraceae.
They are mostly tendril-bearing vines, with some being shrubs or trees. They can be woody or herbaceous. Passion flowers produce regular and usually showy flowers with a distinctive corona. The flower is pentamerous and ripens into an indehiscent fruit with numerous seeds.
A number of species of Passiflora are cultivated outside their natural range for both their flowers and fruit. Hundreds of hybrids have been named; hybridizing is currently being done extensively for flowers, foliage and fruit.
Tulip Flaming Fire Mix
A distinctive duo-toned!
Fringed, cardinal red tulips and sunny yellow tulip with red flames make quite the statement.
Take care, be safe!
Have a wonderful day, filled with love, M, (*_*)
For more: www.indigo2photography.com
Please do not use any of my images on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved
tulip, fringed, red, yellow, flamed, bloom, feathered, petals, emotion, flower, portrait, single, studio, black-background, colour, design, square, "conceptual art", "Magda indigo"
Distinctive characteristics:
- Round-headed allium or round-headed onion reaches a height of up to 50-150 cm, depending on the variety.
- Its spherical inflorescences are 3-4 cm in diameter and can be pink, purple or red-violet in color.
- The inflorescences consist of many small and delicate flowers and resemble dandelions.
- They look good cut (they can also be dried).
- There are a large number of flowers in the inflorescence. • They attract bees and other insects.
- The flowering period lasts from May to August. • Leaves are palmate, semi-cylindrical, grooved, about 5 cm wide. They will disappear during flowering.
- The growth rate is fast.
- This plant has a dormant period that begins at the end of summer.
- The plant resumes growth in late autumn.
- Pairs well with silver santolina or lilies.
- Flowers last a long time in a vase.
- The bulb is ovoid, 2 cm in diameter.
Many thanks for your visits, faves and comments. Cheers.
Brown Honeyeater
Scientific Name: Lichmera indistincta
Description: The Brown Honeyeater is a medium-small pale grey-brown honeyeater with a distinctive yellow tuft behind its eye. It also has yellow to olive wing patches and tail panels. It is pale grey below, darker olive brown above and has a long curved black bill. Young birds are paler with more yellow colouring and a yellow gape (open bill). It has a fast, undulating flight and is seen either singly, in pairs or small flocks in flowering trees and shrubs.
Similar species: The Brown Honeyeater is similar to the Dusky Honeyeater, Myzomela obscura, in size and shape, but this species is much darker brown and lacks the tuft behind the eye and the yellowish wing patches. It could also be confused with females or young birds of the Scarlet Honeyeater, M. sanguinolenta, or Red-headed Honeyeater, M. erythrocephala, but these are smaller with shorter tails, lack the eye tuft, often have a reddish face and have very different calls.
Distribution: The Brown Honeyeater is widespread in Australia, from south-western Australia across the Top End to Queensland, and through New South Wales on the eastern side of the Great Dividing Range to Swansea in the Hunter Region. It is rarely seen southwards from Lake Macquarie to the Parramatta River, Sydney, but is regularly recorded in suitable habitats such as Homebush Bay and Kurnell in small numbers, and is a vagrant to the Illawarra region. It is found west of the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales to Tamworth and Gunnedah and south-west to Hillston. The Brown Honeyeater is also found in Bali and the Lesser Sundas, Indonesia, Aru Island and in parts of Papua New Guinea.
Habitat: The Brown Honeyeater is found in a wide range of wooded habitats, usually near water. It is often found in mangroves and woodlands or dense forests along waterways. It can also be found in mallee, spinifex woodlands, low dense shrublands, heaths and saltmarshes, as well as in monsoon forests or rainforests in the Top End. It is common in parks, gardens and street trees in urban areas as well as on farms and in remnant vegetation along roadsides.
Seasonal movements: Nomadic or partly nomadic in response to flowering of food plants. Some seasonal movements in parts of its range.
Feeding: The Brown Honeyeater feeds on nectar and insects, foraging at all heights in trees and shrubs. It may be seen in mixed flocks with other honeyeaters. In Western Australia, these include the Singing Honeyeater, White-fronted Honeyeater and the Red Wattlebird, while in the Top End it is often seen with the Dusky Honeyeater. However, it will be displaced at bird feeders by larger birds.
Breeding: During the breeding season, male Brown Honeyeaters defend a nesting territory by singing from tall trees and they stand guard while the female builds the nest and lays the eggs. The small neat cup-nest is made from fine bark, grasses and plant down, bound with spiders web, and is slung by the rim in a shrub, fern or tree at up to 5 m from the ground and is usually very well-hidden by thick foliage. Only the female incubates, but both sexes feed the young. Nest predators include Pied Currawongs, snakes and cats. Brush Cuckoos, Pallid Cuckoos,Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoos and Shining Bronze-Cuckoos will parasitise nests.
Calls: Clear, ringing, musical: 'whit, whit, whitchit'
Minimum Size: 12cm
Maximum Size: 16cm
Average size: 14cm
Average weight: 11g
Breeding season: April to November in north; June to February in south
Clutch Size: 2 to 3 eggs
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
Wilga - attracts a lot of honeyeaters in flower and red-tailed black cockatoos when the fruit comes - Geijera parviflora, commonly known as wilga, is a species of shrub or small tree in the family Rutaceae and is endemic to inland parts of eastern Australia. It has drooping branches, linear to narrow lance-shaped leaves, small white flowers in loose panicles and spherical fruit containing a shiny black seed. (Source: Wikipedia)
© Chris Burns 2025
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All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
The parish church of St James the Apostle amongst distinctive houses in the Northamptonshire village of Grafton Underwood.
The villages name means 'Grove farm/settlement'. The affix refers to Rockingham Forest.
The village was used in Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones novels as her childhood home.
RAF Grafton Underwood was assigned to the United States Army Air Forces Eighth Air Force in 1942 as USAAF Station 106.
(source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grafton_Underwood)
Barrow’s Goldeneye is a distinctive duck, less often seen than the related Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) [see this image of a male of that species www.flickr.com/photos/luminouscompositions/53303948425/in... ]. This male shows the arc-shaped white area on the head (which is circular on a male Common) and a shorter bill. {The shorter bill of the female Barrow’s distinguishes it from a female Common.} Here is a photo showing a Barrow’s Goldeneye pair www.flickr.com/photos/luminouscompositions/51693713148/in... . The individual in this photo was on Beaver Pond in Manning Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada. As the name suggests, it is a small body of water, reached by a short trail; by sitting quietly along the shore for a while, this diving duck eventually swam close.
The starboard winglet of G-XWBB, an Airbus A350-1041 (serial number 340) of British Airways Plc. This photograph was taken at FL400 over the Atlantic Ocean, en route to Toronto Pearson from London Heathrow.
A distinctive greyish warbler, the male has a black cap, and the female a chestnut one. Its delightful fluting song has earned it the name 'northern nightingale'. Although primarily a summer visitor birds from Germany and north-east Europe are increasingly spending the winter in the UK
Read more at ww2.rspb.org.uk
Family
Warblers and allies (Sylviidae)
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
Limodorum abortivum (Orchidaceae) 116 25
Limodorum abortivum was first described by Swartz from Fontainebleu (France) in 1753 and its name refers to the the small size of the leaves and the manner in which they sheath the stem. Abortivum literally means aborted leaves.
This is a curious orchid that still requires study in order to determine its precise biology. Although widely regarded as a wholly saprophytic plant, there are indications that it may (at least in part) be parasitic. Two factors in particular serve to confuse the issue and these are firstly the fact that the stem has been shown to contain measurable levels of chlorophyll and secondly that the plant depends throughout its existence on mycorrhizal fungus. Limodorum abortivum needs little description as it is highly distinctive and impossible to confuse with any other type of orchid.
This is a widespread species with a distribution from Belgium in the north, North Africa in the south and at least as far as Russia in the east. It does not occur in Britain and reaches the height of it's abundance in the southern Mediterranean where it is predominantly found on calcareous soils and usually associated with pine forest. This close proximity to living pine trees is another link with possible parasitism but as already mentioned, the physiology is not yet fully understood.
Source: John and Gerry's Orchids of Britain and Europe
Under the scorching Costa Rican sun, a holiday home basks in the hot and breezy ambiance of a summer day. French door shutters grace the structure, marrying wood with distinctive metal railings. Sweet fragrances of tropical flowers waft through the air, blending with the enticing aroma of freshly prepared coconut and the dewdrops of waterfall humidity.
In the background, the playful calls of toucans serenade the scene. It's the perfect moment to retreat to the sunroom, where the essence of island paradise awaits. A refreshing coco loco, artfully mixed with guaro, promises the epitome of relaxation and enjoyment in the enchanting surroundings of The Costa Rica.
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Dead Unicorn has a new house out at the current Cosmopolitan event! We are super excited to present The Costa Rica - a unique build perfect for those tropical vibes. This is a Cosmo exclusive {Round 21/12} 22nd January to the 2nd of February, - get it while it's hot! 🌺🔥
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Dead Unicorn - The Costa Rica - available exclusively at Cosmopolitan {Round 20/12} starting the 22st of January!
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CONCEPT} 12. Sunday . Red Armchair. Adult. RARE
CONCEPT} 13. Sunday Blue Carpet
CONCEPT} 02. Sunday Stool pale
CONCEPT} 07. Sunday Table
CONCEPT}}15. Sunday . Concrete Pot B
CONCEPT} BAHIA. CONCEPT} BENCH. PG
CONCEPT} BAHIA. CONCEPT} BEIG CHAIR
CONCEPT} ROPE CURTAIN 00
∘ Fundati
(Fundati) Opuntia Cactus With Prickly Pear
(Fundati) Joshua Tree
(Fundati) Basjoo Banana Tree II
(Fundati) Tropical Palm VI
(Fundati) Extra Moss Large
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.:Fanatik Architecture: Palm 11 natural
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Pitaya - Beaded Chandelier
Konoha Wild Natoma Grass
.FNY: Designs Tropical Plants Set
The Home Store - TROPICAL PARADISE WATERFALL M/C V2
TM. Creation [P33 Mesh] Tropical Shrub Plant v2
Morgan Sim Desisgns - Tropical Shoreline Rock Garden B
WoW Mesh Super Plant
Cube Republic Peperomia 1
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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Rainbow Bee-eater
Scientific Name: Merops ornatus
The Rainbow Bee-Eater is a spectacular bird. With its green, blue, chestnut and yellow plumage, its slim build, slender curved bill and distinctive streamers that extend from the end of its tail, it is simply beautiful. Bee-Eaters are a familiar sight in many lightly-timbered parts of mainland Australia, where they often perch on fence-posts or overhead wires, then launch after flying insects, flying swiftly, sometimes with rapid twists and turns, before snapping the insect in its bill, and returning to the perch to eat it. Research featured in the 'State of Australia's Birds 2015' headline and regional reports shows a marked decline for the Rainbow Bee-eater (and some other aerial insectivories) in the East Coast region, where reporting rates for this species have dropped by over 50% in the since 2001.
Description: A striking, colourful bird, the Rainbow Bee-eater is medium sized, with a long slim curved bill and a long tail with distinctive tail-streamers. It has a golden crown and a red eye set in a wide black stripe from the base of the bill to the ears, which is edged with a thin blue line. The throat is orange-yellow, with a broad black band separating it from a green breast. The upperparts are green, with the flight feathers coppery and black tipped. The underwings are bright orange, with a black edge. The lower abdomen is blue. The tail is black, including the long tail streamers, with a blue tinge. Females have shorter, thicker tail streamers than males, but are otherwise similar. Young birds are duller and greener, lacking the black band on the chest and the long tail streamers.
Similar Species: The Rainbow Bee-eater may resemble some kingfishers, however these are plumper, with strong straight beaks, and never catch prey in flight.
Distribution: The Rainbow Bee-eater is found throughout mainland Australia, as well as eastern Indonesia, New Guinea and, rarely, the Solomon Islands. In Australia it is widespread, except in desert areas, and breeds throughout most of its range, although southern birds move north to winter over.
Habitat: The Rainbow Bee-eater is most often found in open forests, woodlands and shrublands, and cleared areas, usually near water. It will be found on farmland with remnant vegetation and in orchards and vineyards. It will use disturbed sites such as quarries, cuttings and mines to build its nesting tunnels.
Feeding: Rainbow Bee-eaters eat insects, mainly catching bees and wasps, as well as dragonflies, beetles, butterflies and moths. They catch flying insects on the wing and carry them back to a perch to beat them against it before swallowing them. Bees and wasps are rubbed against the perch to remove the stings and venom glands.
Breeding: Rainbow Bee-eaters gather in small flocks before returning to summer breeding areas after over-wintering in the north (apart from the resident northern populations). Both males and females select a suitable nesting site in a sandy bank and dig a long tunnel (average length: 89.4 cm) leading to a nesting chamber, which is often lined with grasses. Both parents incubate the eggs and both feed the young, sometimes with the assistance of auxiliaries (helpers).
(Source: www.birdlife.org.au)
© Chris Burns 2018
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