Natural World of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
View allAll Photos Tagged ECOSYSTEM
A rainforest is an area of tall, mostly evergreen trees and a high amount of rainfall. Rainforests are Earth’s oldest living ecosystems, with some surviving in their present form for at least 70 million years. They are incredibly diverse and complex, home to more than half of the world’s plant and animal species—even though they cover just 6% of Earth’s surface. This makes rainforests astoundingly dense with flora and fauna. Rainforests’ rich biodiversity is incredibly important to our well-being and the well-being of our planet.
Genovesa Island, its sandy coral beach with a great viewpoint of the bay, is one of the Galapagos’ jewels. It is also known as the “Bird Island“ offering the opportunity to enjoy the most representative birds of Galapagos as: Puffball–chicks, white both yellow–crowned and lava herons, Red footed boobies contrasting with the Nazca booby and also the Swallow–tailed gulls, the only nocturnal gulls in the world that will be nesting at the cliff’s edge.
Music:
"Repeat" by CHRIS COMBETTE, in 'Les Enfants de Gorée' (2010)
open.spotify.com/track/5ErThqPZNKTeyITR3fYNL9?si=hRygwwzP...
A rainforest is an area of tall, mostly evergreen trees and a high amount of rainfall. Rainforests are Earth’s oldest living ecosystems, with some surviving in their present form for at least 70 million years. They are incredibly diverse and complex, home to more than half of the world’s plant and animal species—even though they cover just 6% of Earth’s surface. This makes rainforests astoundingly dense with flora and fauna. Rainforests’ rich biodiversity is incredibly important to our well-being and the well-being of our planet.
flying from the canopy of a fig tree in Enonkishu Conservancy in the Greater Masai Mara ecosystem, Kenya
Turaco's ( Musophagidae ) are one of the bird families endemic to Africa. These medium-sized birds live in sub-Sahara Africa.
The only large species is the Great Blue Turaco.
Turaco's are difficult to see and to photograph as they spend a lot of time in tree cover while foraging.
Often their presence in areas with riparian or riverine forest is revealed by the raucous calls but then the challenge of locating them remains, especially when you want to take flight shots
Tauraco Schalowi
Schalow's toerako
Touraco de Schalow
Schalowturako
Turaco de Schalow
Turaco di Schalow
Turaco-de-schalow
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Fons Buts©2025
My photos may not be used on websites, blogs or in any other media without my written and explicit permission.
……… No problem - good to see some trees being left for nature to ‘tidy up’ as part of the ecosystem allowing the myriad fauna & flora to thrive - well done N/T. Taken at Attingham Park (N/Trust) a few days ago. Alan:-)…….
For the interested I’m growing my Shutterstock catalogue regularly here, now sold 96 images :- www.shutterstock.com/g/Alan+Foster?rid=223484589&utm_...
©Alan Foster.
©Alan Foster. All rights reserved. Do not use without permission.……
The ecosystems around Mud Lake and near the Ottawa River are supportive of the breeding behaviours of a number of species, and a visit now will likely lead to someone finding several fledglings. The Eastern Phoebe is a frequent nester, and cycles of fledglings pop up through the summer.
I was near the edge of the water looking for frogs, who were loud but hard to see. I sat on the ground and started scanning, and in my peripheral vision I saw this young bird land after catching a dragonfly.
Fledgling Phoebes are a bit of a mess, with feathers going everywhere, but they soon begin to look and act like adults. Aside from the seemingly juvenile behaviour, given its willingness to use a perch a metre off the ground and about two metres away from me, the bird hunted successfully like an adult for about ten minutes, always returning to the same perch. This allowed me to do some minor re-positioning to identify the optimal background under the circumstances (ie not wanting to move too much or to do anything to startle the bird).
I had my tripod set up for the frogs, and the bird suddenly turned its head the other direction, and before I could move the camera to follow and recompose I secured this image. Normally I would have framed the image with space in the direction the bird was looking, but this was a happy accident, as I liked the bokeh and it works better behind the bird.
After another dragonfly was captured, it took up a perch higher up in a leafy tree by the water. And I never found the frogs, but I wasn’t disappointed.
Dragonflies are important in wetland ecosystems, vulnerable to wetland drainage, excess nutrients, pesticides and shoreline "cleaning." They eat a broad range of insects from mosquitoes to beetles to other dragonflies. Over 60 dragonflies are found in Central Florida. Some species do not venture far from the water where they breed, while others, such as the Wandering Glider, migrate long distances.
The four-spotted pennant dragonfly is found throughout the southern tier of the United States as far west as Arizona. It's also been spotted in New Jersey. In Florida, its found in most peninsular counties, including all of South Florida, and in a few panhandle counties as far west as Leon and Wakulla. Like other dragonflies, it likes to be around lakes and ponds, since that's where it spends the first part of its life, and that's where it reproduces. The scientific name of the four-spotted pennant is brachymesia gravida. Mature individuals have a dark, slender body, a large black spot between the nodus and stigma of each wing and white stigmas (the only dragonfly with white stigmas). Juveniles are mostly orange-brown with white spots on the side of the face.
This Four-spotted Pennant is from my archives! (Hope I am right about the ID Mary)
A wetland is a land area that is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, such that it takes on the characteristics of a distinct ecosystem. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other land forms or water bodies is the characteristic vegetation of aquatic plants, adapted to the unique hydric soil. Wetlands play a number of roles in the environment, principally water purification, flood control, carbon sink and shoreline stability. Wetlands are also considered the most biologically diverse of all ecosystems, serving as home to a wide range of plant and animal life. Source Wikipedia.
Some wildflowers seen by the path in the arboretum in Rogów. They looked very decorative there :)
The Rogów Arboretum, established in 1925, is the Station of Protection and Shaping of Forest Ecosystems. It covers an area of 54 ha and is of an exceptional character as compared with other centers of the type in Poland or Europe, because it has been built from the very beginning as a research – didactic object and, moreover, it was located in the forest and has been tightly connected with the forest experimental study from the moment of its origin. The Arboretum consists of three basic parts: the dendrological collections (about 22 ha), the forest experimental plots (about 18 ha) and the alpine garden (1.5 ha).
The dendrological collections that is tree and shrub individuals planted either separately or in groups or small area forms, are mainly concentrated in the central and southern part of the Arboretum, covering a total of 2350 species and varieties. The Arboretum’s specialty is its collection of maples and shrubs from China. This segment is managed naturally, having the look of more a forest park than a typical botanical garden. The trees give the shelter and the proper microclimate for the introduced trees and shrubs.
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Polne kwiaty przy ścieżce w arboretum w Rogowie. Wyglądały uroczo i stanowiły dodatkową ozdobę tego pięknego ogrodu :)
Arboretum w Rogowie – należy do grupy najcenniejszych, najbogatszych w gatunki i odmiany drzew i krzewów tego typu ogrodów w Europie. Położony jest w dawnym siedlisku leśnym i ma charakter parku leśnego. Od początku istnienia (1925 r.) podlega pod Wydział Leśny SGGW. Na jego obszarze znajdują się jedne z najbogatszych i najciekawszych kolekcji drzew i krzewów Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej. Najchętniej odwiedzanym miejscem w ogrodzie jest alpinarium. Oprócz wyniesionych na 2 m ponad poziom gruntu skalniaków, założono tu ciąg strumyków, kilka oczek wodnych i 5-arowy staw z wyspą. W rogowskim alpinarium można obejrzeć ponad 400 gatunków i odmian roślin, pochodzących z gór całego świata. W większości są to byliny, ale nie tylko. Rosną tu także krzewy i drzewa terenów górzystych, np. majestatyczne świerki serbskie, kształtne limby czy srebrzyste jodły kalifornijskie.
Artist: www.lulagoce.com
Lula Goce is a prominent Spanish Contemporary urban artist bringing powerfully evocative photorealistic scenes. She merges people with nature adding a fresh inspiration to her creations.
She is very much connected to her environment: “Feelings, sensations, people, the surroundings, a ray of sun or some morning mist, laughter and tears. Love”.
Next up in my mountain ecosystem set is this Rocky Mountain Goat posing among the boulders during a windy morning on Mt. Blue Sky, Colorado.
“Urban Ecosystem Restoration” mural painted by Millo for Street Art For Mankind
From the Street Art For Mankind instagram post:
It features the artist’s signature clumsy character in a surreal setting, attempting to reclaim his space in an urban jungle that has forgotten our primary needs. It poetically and powerfully underscores the importance of green spaces in urban environments. The character demonstrates the strength of these spaces, their transformative impact on our reality, and how they enhance our well-being. It’s a clear invitation to reconnect with nature in our cities.
A bridge, and many species of birds, trees, grasses and aquatic plants in, around, and over Creekfield Lake in Brazos Bend State Park, Needville, TX.
For the Remote theme of Flickr Friday.
Wetlands are a distinct ecosystem that benefit people through ecosystem services that include water purification, groundwater replenishment, stabilization of shorelines and storm protection, water storage and flood control, processing of carbon (carbon fixation, decomposition and sequestration), other nutrients and pollutants, and support of plants and animals. Put bluntly, no wetlands, no sustainable life for humans.
Source Wikipedia.
World Wetlands Day, February 2, 2022.
The Mycothera Gigantea Ecosystem is a remarkable and unique biosphere located on the alien planet Mycoterra (Planetis Mycoterra). This planet, situated in the Andromeda Galaxy, hosts an environment dominated by colossal fungal structures that form the primary vegetative landscape.
Ecosystem Overview:
The Mycothera Gigantea, named for its immense size, is the predominant species within this ecosystem. These fungal organisms can reach heights of up to 50 meters and diameters of 20 meters, creating a canopy that rivals the largest trees on Earth. The ecosystem is characterized by a dense mist that envelops the landscape, providing the necessary moisture for these fungi to thrive.
Planetary Conditions:
Mycoterra's atmosphere is rich in nitrogen and carbon dioxide, with trace amounts of oxygen, creating an environment ideal for fungal growth. The planet's gravity is slightly lower than Earth's, contributing to the towering height of the Mycothera Gigantea. Temperatures on Mycoterra average around 15°C (59°F), with high humidity levels maintained by frequent mist and light rain.
Fungal Structure:
The Mycothera Gigantea possesses a robust and intricate network of hyphae, which form a massive underground mycelium. This mycelial network connects individual fungi, facilitating nutrient exchange and communication across vast distances. The cap of the fungus, or the sporocarp, is supported by a thick stipe that can store water and nutrients, ensuring the organism's survival during drier periods.
AI creation
Picturesque framing of great egrets hunting in a rich intertidal ecosystem, algae-covered rocks and tide pools.
These birds are characterized by their entirely white plumage, long legs, long necks, and pointed beaks
They are typically found in shallow waters, including coastlines, marshes, and lagoons, where they wade to hunt for fish and other small aquatic animals.
Great egrets are known for their elegant and graceful landings, often described as smooth and deliberate, with their long legs and wings outstretched as they approach their landing spot
The calm, clear water of the sea stretches out to a distant horizon under a partly cloudy sky. Shot from Nabq National Park during low tide.
Another coastal ecosystem resident is this Black Oystercatcher.
From the Cornell Lab:
"Among the mussel- and barnacle-covered rocks of the Pacific Coast lives this stout shorebird with a gleaming reddish bill, yellow eyes, and pink legs. Black Oystercatchers spend their entire lives in view of the Pacific Ocean or adjacent bays, in rocky marine habitats that provide both nesting and foraging areas."
This one was foraging on the jetty in Crescent City, California.
Brittle stars, an alternate common name is the 'serpent stars', are a species-rich class of echinoderms with outstanding regenerative abilities. Living under rocks or in crevices with only the tips of the arms exposed, they are known to be seafloor ecosystem engineers. They reshape the seafloor sediment surface and influence the distribution of other seafloor species. They also provide nutrition to fish, sea stars and crab predators.
Their presence in a sediment sample is one indicator of a healthy benthic community. They embody nature's fragility and resilience.
Shot from the Three Pools shoreline during low tide.
Habakkuk 1:9 “All of them come for violence. Their hordes face the desert. He gathers prisoners like sand.”
Another denizen of coastal ecosystems, a Northern Sea Otter found in the harbor of Homer, Alaska. This one is part of the southcentral (Alaska) population of sea otters, which occupies the coastal waters from west of Glacier Bay to the eastern edge of Cook Inlet.
Northern sea otters are generally larger than their Southern Sea Otter cousins, with males reaching up to 100 pounds, while females are up to 70 pounds. Southern sea otters, also known as California sea otters, are smaller, with males reaching up to 90 pounds and females weighing 35 to 60 pounds.
The Pine Rocklands of the Florida Keys is an unusual ecosystem, with a rock layer not far beneath the surface. In the United States, the last 2% of the original forest is found only in the National Key Deer Refuge, primarily on Big Pine Key. They are also found on some isolated locations in the Caribbean.
Slash Pine trees (Pinus ellottii), with sturdy taproots, can remain standing long after the death of a tree. So there is an eerie mix of live and dead trees in the pine rocklands. When they finally fall, decomposition is rapid, with little soil buildup. There are "holes" with ponds of fresh water that support a variety of plants and small animals. In the picture, Saw Palmetto is the primary plant in the understory, but about 250 species of plants are found in the Pine Rocklands.
Les œuvres photographiques d’André Boto, notamment ses créations conceptuelles et manipulées, offrent une perspective saisissante sur notre environnement et les défis auxquels notre planète est confrontée. À travers des compositions visuelles marquées par une créativité unique, il met en lumière les tensions entre la nature et l’impact des activités humaines.
Ces photographies interpellent sur les conséquences désastreuses de la surexploitation des ressources naturelles, du changement climatique et de l’urbanisation galopante. Elles nous rappellent que la survie de notre petite planète dépend de notre capacité à rétablir un équilibre entre développement et préservation.
En observant ces images, le spectateur est invité à réfléchir sur son rôle dans la protection d’un écosystème fragile, souvent mis en péril par des choix humains irréfléchis ...
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André Boto's photographic works, particularly his conceptual and manipulated creations, offer a powerful perspective on our environment and the challenges facing our planet. His uniquely creative visual compositions highlight the tensions between nature and the impact of human activity.
These photographs draw attention to the disastrous consequences of over-exploitation of natural resources, climate change and rampant urbanisation. They remind us that the survival of our small planet depends on our ability to restore a balance between development and conservation.
By looking at these images, viewers are invited to reflect on their role in protecting a fragile ecosystem that is often endangered by thoughtless human choices ...
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Wild Beauty on the Lake Superior Shore Sandstone cliffs, beaches, waterfalls, sand dunes, inland lakes, deep forest, and wild shoreline beckon you to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The power of Lake Superior shapes the park's coastal features and affects every ecosystem, creating a unique landscape to explore.
217d 10 - TAC_3133 - lr-ps
The crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela), also known as the Indian serpent eagle, is the largest of the serpent eagles, with a wingspan of up to 6 feet. These majestic birds are found in the forests and woodlands of India and Southeast Asia.
Crested serpent eagles are apex predators, meaning they are at the top of the food chain. Their diet consists mainly of snakes, but they will also eat other small animals, such as lizards, birds, and rodents. Crested serpent eagles play an important role in the ecosystem by helping to control populations of snakes and other small animals.
Crested serpent eagles build their nests in tall trees and lay two eggs at a time. The eggs hatch after about 40 days of incubation. The crested serpent eagle is not currently considered to be threatened or endangered, but its populations are declining due to habitat loss and persecution.
In addition to their ecological importance, crested serpent eagles are also popular birds for birdwatchers and photographers. These birds are simply stunning, with their piercing yellow eyes, distinctive brown and white crest, and powerful wingspan.
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