Natural Ecosystems / Habitats / Biomes
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The Yellowstone River curls around Bumpus Butte and Calcite Springs on it's way north into Montana.
For me it is typical of the beautiful landscapes one finds in the wonderfully varied ecosystem that is Yellowstone.
Enjoy your Sunday!
Peaks have always been my magnet, my prime objective. I've been blessed to see and experience many iconic peaks with their beautiful ecosystems around them. The main target of my 2015 trip to the Last Frontier was to see the highest peak on the continent. For 6 days in the park it was shrouded in clouds, which isn't unusual as it creates it's own weather system. Fortunately I was finally rewarded with several days of it standing tall and magnificent, like this. I was awestruck.
"The Koyukon Athabaskans and other local tribes who inhabit the area around the mountain have for centuries referred to the peak as Dinale or Denali. The name is based on a Koyukon word for "high" or "tall." That it is!
Thanks for taking a peek!
Have a wonderful Friday and weekend!
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.
Native Cockroach (Balta family, poss B. epilamproides)
Our native Cockroaches are not like regular indoor Cockroaches. They are a valuable part of the ecosystem, and do not venture into homes.This is the first I have seen and photographed. I was amazed by its 'lacy' wings.
Happy Wing Wednesday!
this male Lion had been in a fight with another male earlier that day. This huge male won and was seen with a female for a number of days ( see posted image in first comment box ).
The male that lost the fight over the mating rights was seen following the couple at a distance all the time. I have also posted an image of that one.
On my last day also the third male of the coalition was trailing the mating couple. On the image I have posted of that third lion a fresh injury is visible so more fighting had taken place.
Lemek Conservancy in the Greater Masai Mara ecosystem , Kenya
Many thanks for your views, favorites and supportive comments.
All rights reserved. Fons Buts©2024
My photos may not be used on websites, blogs or in any other media without my written and explicit permission.
Paracas National Reserve - Perù 20221118
The Paracas National Reserve is a Peruvian protected area that protects desert and marine ecosystems for their conservation and sustainable use. Within the reserve there are also archaeological remains of the Paracas culture.
The reserve is located in the region of Ica, 250 km south of Lima and a few kilometres from the city of Pisco. It covers an area of 335,000 hectares, 65% of which correspond to marine ecosystems. The maximum altitude of the reserve is 786 metres.[3]
The reserve includes coastal geographical elements such as: the Paracas Peninsula, Independencia Bay, San Gallán Island and Paracas Bay.
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.
[Explore 15/11/2015]
This is a classic view of Maya Bay, made famous by the movie 'The Beach' starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Controversy arose during the making of the film due to 20th Century Fox's bulldozing and landscaping of the natural beach setting of Ko Phi Phi Leh to make it more "paradise-like". The production altered some sand dunes and cleared some coconut trees and grass to widen the beach. Fox set aside a fund to reconstruct and return the beach to its natural state; however, lawsuits were filed by environmentalists who believed the damage to the ecosystem was permanent and restoration attempts had failed. The lawsuits dragged on for years and in 2006 Thailand's Supreme Court upheld a ruling that the filming had harmed the environment and ordered that damage assessments be made. Defendants in the case included 20th Century Fox and some Thai government officials.
The insanely picturesque bay is now protected as a National Park.
By the way, the Flickr map is not quite right in terms of naming!
This male had been in a fight with the male in the image
" Lions, a mating pair " shown in the first comment box and posted 2 weeks ago. This one was lost the fight and had some injuries, mainly on his back.
During the 3 days that I was in the area he kept on following the mating couple
Lemek Conservancy in the Greater Masai Mara ecosystem , Kenya
Many thanks for your views, favorites and supportive comments.
All rights reserved. Fons Buts©2024
My photos may not be used on websites, blogs or in any other media without my written and explicit permission
The National Geographic Society considers the coastal area of southern Peru to be part of the Atacama Desert and includes the deserts south of the Ica Region in Peru. However, other sources consider that the part of the desert in Peru is a different ecosystem, and should properly be named as Pampas de la Joya desert.
A wonderful desert and landscape for a Peaceful Travel Tuesday!
Thanks a lot for your visits, comments, faves, invites, etc. Very much appreciated!
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These are the Cuchara Mountains, a small isolated range of the Rockies in south central Colorado, very close to the New Mexico border. Winter hangs on for a large part of the year here. This photo taken at almost 10,000 feet elevation shows that it's almost June and none of the aspens in the shot have a single Spring bud on them. There was a cold wind blowing, almost "like off the glacier", it snowed for a short time, mostly uber dry "corn snow", and temperatures dropped well into the 20's that night.
Hard to see, but in the distance is one of the "Spanish Sisters", peeking over the horizon.
Truly one of my favorite alpine ecosystems on the Planet.
Genesis 19:17 “And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.”
This guy showed up in our field behind the house. He was feasting on a dead lamb. We don't know where the lamb came from. This is the first time we have seen him around here and he was just incredible.
From Wikipedia:
The crested caracara (Caracara plancus), also known as the Mexican eagle, is a bird of prey (raptor) in the falcon family, Falconidae. It was formerly placed in the genus Polyborus before being given in its own genus, Caracara. It is native to and found in the southern and southeastern United States, Mexico (where it is present in every state) and the majority of mainland Latin America, as well as some Caribbean islands. The crested caracara is quite adaptable and hardy, for a species found predominantly in the neotropics; it can be found in a range of environments and ecosystems, including semi-arid and desert climates, maritime or coastal areas, subtropical and tropical forests, temperate regions, plains, swamps, and even in urban areas. Documented, albeit rare, sightings have occurred as far north as Minnesota and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Prince Edward Island. The southern extent of the crested caracara's distribution can reach as far as Tierra del Fuego and Magallanes Region, Chile.
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.
Voilà ce que l'on voit à marée basse dans la baie du Mont St Michel.
Espèce ingénieur de son écosystème, l'hermelle donne naissance à une bioconstruction dont les individus coloniaux érigent des tubes formant le massif ou récif d'hermelles. Les tubes de sable ont une section circulaire de 5 à 10 mm de diamètre, cimentés par une glande du ver, sont droits et forment un ensemble à l’allure buissonnante.
This is what you see at low tide in the bay of Mont St Michel.
An engineer of its ecosystem, the hermella gives rise to a bioconstruction whose colonial individuals erect tubes forming the hermella mass or reef. The sand tubes have a circular cross-section of 5 to 10 mm in diameter, cemented by a gland of the worm, are straight and form a bushy-looking whole.
Hoenderdaell … Anna Paulowna … Nederland
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De brilkaaiman (Caiman crocodilus) is duidelijk herkenbaar aan de opvallende beenrichel tussen de ogen die lijkt op een bril.
Het is een kleine tot middelgrote krokodilachtige die van nature voorkomt in Midden- en Zuid-Amerika.
Ze spelen een belangrijke rol in het ecosysteem door het reguleren van vissen- en knaagdierpopulaties.
“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.
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.
• Albatros de ceja negra
• Black-browed albatross
• Albatroz-de-sobrancelha
Scientific classification:
Superdomain: Neomura
Domain: Eukaryota
(unranked): Opisthokonta
Kingdom: Animalia
Subkingdom: Eumetazoa
(unranked): Bilateria
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Clade: Tetrapoda
Clade: Amniota
Clade: Diapsida
Clade: Archosauria
Class: Aves
Subclass: Neornithes
Infraclass: Neognathae
Clade: Neoaves
Order: Procellariiformes
Family: Diomedeidae
Genus: Thalassarche
Species: T. melanophris
Juvenile
Pelagic waters off the coast of Punta del Este, Maldonado, Uruguay (35.1073°S, 54.9380°W)
This unnamed ephemeral waterfall and spring system is located off trail in a narrow wooded ravine and is known to only a handful of people. The seasonal display of ice here is a combination of the clear surface water flow and the orange iron-stained mineral springs that seep through the sandstone bedrock. The microclimate at the site supports a variety of uncommon plants.
Continuing my coastal ecosystem series with this preening Brown Pelican.
Brown Pelicans live in estuaries and coastal marine habitats along both the east and west coasts. This one was found perched and preening atop a weathered wharf pole near a fish cleaning station in Lamar, Texas.
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.
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Framed by the weathered wood of an observation deck, this image offers a panoramic view of a sprawling wetland, alive with the tranquil beauty of nature's canvas. The deck, a deliberate pause along the meandering boardwalk, provides a stationary vantage point for visitors to soak in the serene landscape. It overlooks a mosaic of water and reeds, a habitat teeming with life yet quiet in its afternoon repose. The sky above, dotted with carefree clouds, reflects in the still waters below, completing a picture of serene symmetry. This spot is more than a mere platform; it is an invitation to stand still, watch, and connect with the subtle rhythms of an ecosystem in its natural state.
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
This was such a long zoom, it would have been nice to be able to come in a little closer to these Eagles.
They were so far off in the distance that with the naked eye, it was hard to say if they were even Bald Headed Eagles or not.
This couple sat face to face, perched in this rural area, on what appeared to be a bird house or possible even a feeder of sorts.
Frozen marsh lake in the foreground. Golden Ears Mountains in the background
Pitt Polder Ecological Reserve was established to preserve a fragment of the rapidly disappearing Fraser Valley boglands.
Ecological reserves protect special natural ecosystems, and support research and education. They are not intended for outdoor recreation. However, this ecological reserve is open to the public for non-destructive activities like hiking, nature observation and photography.
Consumptive activities like hunting, fishing, camping, or foraging are prohibited. Motorized vehicles are not allowed.
Reference: BC PARKS
The Pitt River in British Columbia, Canada is a large tributary of the Fraser River, entering it a few miles upstream from New Westminster and about 25 km ESE of Downtown Vancouver. The river, which begins in the Garibaldi Ranges of the Coast Mountains, is in two sections above and below Pitt Lake and flows on a generally southernly course. Pitt Lake and the lower Pitt River are tidal in nature as the Fraser's mouth is only a few miles downstream from their confluence.
The Pitt River drains into the northern end of Pitt Lake. The western shore of Pitt Lake are protected within Pinecone Burke Provincial Park, while most of the eastern shore are protected within Golden Ears Provincial Park. The southern end of Pitt Lake features an extensive marshland called Pitt Polder. While most of this marshland has since been drained for agricultural use, the northernmost portion is strictly protected in order to provide critical habitat for migratory birds.
Wikipedia
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Giant Porcupinefish usually aren't very approachable with divers, but this individual was an exception. It mingled with all the divers in our group and allowed ample time for photographs.
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.