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Bicentennial Park is a 40-hectare of parkland located 16 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of City of Parramatta. Bicentennial Park is situated on the shores Homebush Bay and is a part of the Sydney Olympic Park in New South Wales, Australia. The Park is a natural heritage site featuring an important wetland ecosystem and parklands. It offers visitors recreation, nature-based tours, environmental education and outdoor event experiences. The park has picnic areas, playgrounds, pathways and cycle ways, access to the wetlands, salt marsh and bird hides. It also features Lake Belvedere, Peace Monument, Treillage Tower, Sundial, 'Cyrus the Great' statue, the Silent Hearts Memorial Garden and water features. Powells Creek runs through the eastern side of the park. The Homebush Bay wetland is occupied by animals that thrive in the salt water wetlands. Bicentennial Park was created by the state and federal governments during the 1980s, to celebrate Australia's Bicentenary in 1988. The project involved recycling 47.4 hectares of former rubbish dump into a regional recreation area and the conservation of 53 hectares of a wetland ecosystem on the Parramatta River. The park was officially opened on 1 January 1988. 52482
Orange on Red Colour - 7-Spot Orange Ladybug / Coccinella on a Bright Red Leaf!
At 1:00 PM today, I spotted a vibrant 7-spot orange ladybug resting on the freshly opened, bright red leaves of my beloved Pieris japonica. Excited by this unexpected encounter, I quickly grabbed my camera to capture the moment.
I managed to take only two shots before the little creature decided to surprise me—it suddenly disappeared behind a leaf and then, in the blink of an eye, took off into the air!
When shooting with a tripod, such surprises are always possible. Although the composition and sharpness weren't exactly as I had hoped, I still wanted to share this fleeting moment with you—imperfections and all!
I must admit, I slightly missed applying the "rule of thirds," a classic composition technique in photography. However, I really liked the golden bokeh effect in the background created by the sunlight. I hope you enjoy the shot as much as I did.
Wishing you all a wonderful evening!
The 7-Spotted Ladybug (Coccinella septempunctata) in Britain
Distribution:
The 7-spotted ladybug is one of the most common and widespread ladybird species in the UK. It can be found across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, inhabiting a variety of environments including gardens, parks, woodlands, farmland, and grasslands.
Ecological Role:
This species is a crucial natural predator in biological pest control. It primarily feeds on aphids and other small insect pests, helping to reduce the need for chemical pesticides and maintaining the balance of ecosystems.
Seasonal Activity:
Spring – Summer: Becomes active from late March as temperatures rise, entering its peak breeding season during the summer months.
Autumn – Winter: As temperatures drop, individuals seek shelter under tree bark, stones, and leaf litter to hibernate (diapause) through the colder months.
Climate Change & Competition:
In recent years, the spread of invasive species such as the Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) has posed a threat to native populations. While the 7-spotted ladybug remains abundant, competition for food and habitat has led to a decline in certain areas.
Cultural Significance:
In British folklore, ladybugs are often considered symbols of good luck. Gardeners also value them as "nature’s pest controllers", playing a vital role in organic and sustainable gardening.
I've captured some unforgettable moments with my camera, and I hope you feel the same joy viewing these images as I did while shooting them.
Thank you so much for visiting my gallery, whether you leave a comment, add it to your favorites, or simply take a moment to look around. Your support means a lot to me, and I wish you good luck and beautiful light in all your endeavors.
© All rights belong to R.Ertuğ. Please refrain from using these images without my express written permission. If you are interested in purchasing or using them, feel free to contact me via Flickr mail.
Your comments and criticism are very valuable.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and explore :)
The 7-Spotted Ladybug (Coccinella septempunctata) in Britain
Distribution:
The 7-spotted ladybug is one of the most common and widespread ladybird species in the UK. It can be found across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, inhabiting a variety of environments including gardens, parks, woodlands, farmland, and grasslands.
Ecological Role:
This species is a crucial natural predator in biological pest control. It primarily feeds on aphids and other small insect pests, helping to reduce the need for chemical pesticides and maintaining the balance of ecosystems.
Seasonal Activity:
Spring – Summer: Becomes active from late March as temperatures rise, entering its peak breeding season during the summer months.
Autumn – Winter: As temperatures drop, individuals seek shelter under tree bark, stones, and leaf litter to hibernate (diapause) through the colder months.
Climate Change & Competition:
In recent years, the spread of invasive species such as the Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) has posed a threat to native populations. While the 7-spotted ladybug remains abundant, competition for food and habitat has led to a decline in certain areas.
Cultural Significance:
In British folklore, ladybugs are often considered symbols of good luck. Gardeners also value them as "nature’s pest controllers", playing a vital role in organic and sustainable gardening.
I've captured some unforgettable moments with my camera, and I hope you feel the same joy viewing these images as I did while shooting them.
Thank you so much for visiting my gallery, whether you leave a comment, add it to your favorites, or simply take a moment to look around. Your support means a lot to me, and I wish you good luck and beautiful light in all your endeavors.
© All rights belong to R.Ertuğ. Please refrain from using these images without my express written permission. If you are interested in purchasing or using them, feel free to contact me via Flickr mail.
Your comments and criticism are very valuable.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and explore :)
In some Mediterranean ecosystems, flowering can occur in autumn.
Thank you for your visits, comments and faves.
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on the forest floor there are many fallen leafs that one were serving their purpose in the natural ecosystem. even fallen, they are providing nutrients to the soil.
Waimea Valley Botanic Gardens, O'ahu, Hawai'i
"Approximately 750 recognized species of land snails once occurred throughout the Hawaiian Islands and 60 - 90% of this diversity has been lost. Historically their shells were used to make lei. Snails are in traditional Hawaiian poetry. Some terrestrial snails increase the nutrient cycling of forest litter and others benefit their host plants by feeding on fungus and algae on the leaves.
Snails support a functioning forest ecosystem."
Joshua trees, an indicator species of the Mojave Desert ecosystem, seem to thrive in areas which receive occasional snow. This snowstorm blocked the view of the surrounding hills.
Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW)
This was a long pathway to adventure, but we had to turn back due to a large, afternoon thunderstorm developing.
We were pretty far out on the trail and just made it back to our car!
Hikers are also warned that there is the possibility of dangerous wildlife encounters.
myfwc.com/recreation/cooperative/crew/
ABC's and 123's E is for Ecosystem.
Integrated management of ecosystems like mountains has the potential to improve the overall management of natural capital while contributing to improving human well-being and the achievement of the adopted Sustainable Development Goals. A radical shift in thinking about ecosystem management is needed to provide a more holistic and integrated view of the links between ecosystem service delivery and human needs.
The steep sides of the Khutzeymateen Inlet have a number of avalanche slopes and waterfalls that slash through the north temperate rain forest down to the estuary. A large population of grizzly bears hibernate on the slopes over the winter and migrate down to the sedge grass meadows at the shoreline to feed in the spring. Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary,
BC.
23/12/2019 www.allenfotowild.com
Wetlands are distinct ecosystems saturated with water (freshwater, brackish, or saltwater), either permanently or seasonally. They support aquatic plants.
If you like my work, please feel free to check out my website at Imagine Your World and galleries on Fine Art America and Redbubble. Thank you for visiting me on Flickr!
Mono Lake is a saline soda lake in Mono County, California, formed at least 760,000 years ago as a terminal lake in an endorheic basin. The lack of an outlet causes high levels of salts to accumulate in the lake and make its water alkaline.
The desert lake has an unusually-productive ecosystem based on brine shrimp, which thrive in its waters, and provides critical habitat for two million annual migratory birds that feed on the shrimp and alkali flies.
Mono Lake occupies part of the Mono Basin, an endorheic basin that has no outlet to the ocean. Dissolved salts in the runoff thus remain in the lake and raise the water's pH levels and salt concentration.
The basin was formed by geological forces over the last five million years: basin and range crustal stretching and associated volcanism and faulting at the base of the Sierra Nevada. Five million years ago, the Sierra Nevada was an eroded set of rolling hills and Mono Basin and Owens Valley did not yet exist.
From 4.5 to 2.6 million years ago, large volumes of basalt were extruded around what is now Cowtrack Mountain (east and south of Mono Basin); eventually covering 300 square miles (780 km2) and reaching a maximum thickness of 600 feet (180 m). Later volcanism in the area occurred 3.8 million to 250,000 years ago. This activity was northwest of Mono Basin and included the formation of Aurora Crater, Beauty Peak, Cedar Hill (later an island in the highest stands of Mono Lake), and Mount Hicks.
Mono Lake is believed to have formed at least 760,000 years ago, dating back to the Long Valley eruption. Sediments located below the ash layer hint that Mono Lake could be a remnant of a larger and older lake that once covered a large part of Nevada and Utah, which would put it among the oldest lakes in North America. At its height during the most recent ice age, the lake would have been about 900 feet (270 m) deep. Prominent old shore lines, called strandlines by geologists, can be seen west of the Lake.
Currently, Mono Lake is in a geologically active area at the north end of the Mono–Inyo Craters volcanic chain and is close to Long Valley Caldera. Volcanic activity continues in the Mono Lake vicinity: the most recent eruption occurred 350 years ago, resulting in the formation of Paoha Island. Panum Crater (on the south shore of the lake) is an example of a combined rhyolite dome and cinder cone.
Many columns of limestone rise above the surface of Mono Lake. These limestone towers consist primarily of calcium carbonate minerals such as calcite (CaCO3). This type of limestone rock is referred to as tufa, which is a term used for limestone that forms in low to moderate temperatures.