Environmental Activism
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The Secret of Making Progress is to Get Started
- Mark Twain
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I spotted this Tortoise and his Human Pal taking an ocean-front walk along the cliffs of Palos Verdes California. One thing about California, you will usually find something interesting or unusual, even when you're not looking for it : )
The Tortoise:
Tortoises are "cold-blooded," meaning their body temperature varies with the surrounding environment. They are also herbivores, meaning they eat plants. Tortoises are found in a variety of habitats, including deserts, forests, grasslands, and swamps.
There are over 300 species of tortoises, and they come in a wide range of sizes. The smallest tortoise is the speckled padloper tortoise, which is only about 4 inches long. The largest tortoise is the Galapagos tortoise, which can grow to be over 150 pounds.
Tortoises are long-lived animals. Some species can live for over 100 years. The oldest known tortoise is a Galapagos tortoise named Jonathan, who is over 190 years old.
Here are some interesting facts about tortoises:
Tortoises have been around for over 200 million years.
The largest tortoise ever recorded was a Galapagos tortoise named "Johnathan" who weighed over 500 pounds and was over 190 years old.
Tortoises are very good at conserving water. They can go for long periods of time without drinking.
Tortoises are not very good swimmers.
Tortoises are very social animals and enjoy spending time with other tortoises.
Tortoises can be very affectionate and make great pets.
-Google Bard
(Sony, 200-600 @ 241 mm, 1/3200 @ f/8, ISO 4000, edited to taste)
You cannot protect the environment unless you empower people, you inform them, and you help them understand that these resources are their own, that they must protect them.
Wangari Maathai
Thank you for your kind visit. Have a wonderful and beautiful day! ❤️❤️❤️
Fishing boat with fishermen's equipment on the river bank in the morning at Karnafuli river (Kaptai). When fishermen fish in the fog-covered river in the winter morning, an unearthly environment is created. It's like a heavenly morning.
The name of the traditional river of ancient Chittagong is Karnafuli. This river is an immortal witness of thousands of years of history. Starting from the eastern hills, this river has merged with the Bay of Bengal on the wide western side.
The scenery of the two banks of Karnafuli is amazing. Everyone's eyes will be closed. The only hydropower plant in Bangladesh has been built on Karnafuli.
Chittagong, the holy land of Bar Auliya and the green land of natural beauty, has developed on the banks of Karnafuli. One of the main reasons for this beauty of Chittagong is Karnafuli. The port built on the banks of this river is economically important. Chittagong port is very old. The river is losing its romance. The river is only being attacked because of the profiteering people.
কর্ণফুলী নদীতে (কাপ্তাই) ভোরে নদীর তীরে জেলেদের সরঞ্জাম সহ মাছ ধরার নৌকা। শীতের ভোরে জেলেরা যখন কুয়াশা ঢাকা নদীতে মাছ ধরে তখন অপার্থিব পরিবেশ তৈরি হয়। এ যেন স্বর্গীয় এক সকাল।
প্রাচীন চট্টগ্রামের ঐতিহ্যবাহী নদীর নাম কর্ণফুলী। হাজার হাজার বছরের ইতিহাসের অমর সাক্ষী এই নদী। পূর্ব পাহাড় থেকে শুরু হয়ে বিস্তীর্ণ পশ্চিম পাশে গড়িয়ে গড়িয়ে বঙ্গোপসাগরের সাথে মিলে গেছে এই নদী।
কর্ণফুলীর দুই তীরের প্রাকৃতিক দৃশ্য এক কোথায় অসাধারণ। যে কারও চোখ জুড়াবেই। কর্ণফুলীর ওপরে গড়ে উঠেছে বাংলাদেশের একমাত্র জলবিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্র।
কর্ণফুলীর তীরে গড়ে উঠেছে বার আউলিয়ার পুণ্যভূমি, প্রাকৃতিক সৌন্দর্যের লীলাভূমি চট্টগ্রাম। চট্টগ্রামের এই সৌন্দর্যের অন্যতম প্রধান কারণ হলো কর্ণফুলী। অর্থনৈতিকভাবে গুরুত্বপূর্ণ হলো এ নদীর তীরে গড়ে ওঠা বন্দর। চট্টগ্রাম বন্দর বহু পুরোনো।
নদী তার রোমান্টিকতা হারিয়ে ফেলছে। মুনাফালোভী মানুষের কারণে নদী কেবল আগ্রাসনের শিকার হচ্ছে।
মানবিক ও শৈল্পিক দৃষ্টিতে তার রূপ উপভোগ কিংবা নদীজীবনের স্বাদ গ্রহণের রুচি আজ হারিয়ে যাচ্ছে। কান পাতলে কর্ণফুলী নদী’র গুঞ্জন আজও শোনা যাবে, চোখ মেলে তাকালে পাহাড়-অরণ্য-উপত্যকা ভেদ করে ছুটে চলা স্রোতস্বিনীর সৌন্দর্যও দেখা যাবে।কিন্তু সে কান আর প্রাণ কোথায় আজ? প্রয়োজনের ক্ষুধিত চাহিদার থাবার নিচে সবই মিথ্যা হয়ে যাচ্ছে। হয়তো কর্ণফুলীর গুঞ্জন আদতে তার ক্রন্দন আজ। হয়তো দেশের অন্য নদীর ক্ষেত্রেও এ-ই সত্য।
The masked lapwing (Vanellus miles), also known as the masked plover and often called the spur-winged plover or just plover in its native range, is a large, common and conspicuous bird native to Australia, particularly the northern and eastern parts of the continent, New Zealand and New Guinea. It spends most of its time on the ground searching for food such as insects and worms and has several distinctive calls. There are two subspecies; the southern novaehollandiae has distinctive black markings on the shoulder and side of the chest, and is sometimes recognized as a separate species, the black-shouldered lapwing (Vanellus novaehollandiae). These brown-black, white and yellow plovers are common in Australian fields and open land. The masked lapwing is the largest representative of the family Charadriidae. It measures from 30 to 37 cm in length and has a wingspan of 75–85 cm. The nominate subspecies (V. m. miles) weighs 191–300 g, while the southern race (V. m. novaehollandiae) is larger and weighs 296–412 g. The birds have a wide range of calls which can be heard at any time of the day or night: the warning call, a loud defending call, courtship calls, calls to its young, and others. Since this bird lives on the ground it is always alert and even though it rests it never sleeps properly. Masked lapwings are most common around the edges of wetlands and in other moist, open environments, but are adaptable and can often be found in surprisingly arid areas. They can also be found on beaches and coastlines. 41891
At this year's iLight Singapore festival held at the Marina Bay and surrounding areas, several light and art installations can be found within walking distance from each other.
Often, many have environmental themes that evoke us to think of the impact that our actions have on the environment and Mother Nature.
In this shot here, the projections shown ask us to think about the fragility of glaciers as a result of rising sea levels.
The Graphium genus is one of my favorite ones in swallowtails. When encountering these swordtails, I am always in high spirits.
Graphium angolanus is a widespread species and we are told it's in general a savannah species.
We did see them in such an environment, but none of my photos in that day were acceptable. In the hot savannah area, all the butterflies seemed restless.
To my surprise, we also saw it in Aburi Botanical Gardens, and it's in the afternoon, so we have the chance to take some clear photos of this beauty.
Although being one of the swordtails, it in fact lacks hindwing tails. The red streaks on the underside are so charming.
One larval host plant is Annona senegalensis (African custard apple), which looks similar to the custard apples planted here at first sight.
Ghana subspecies: Graphium angolanus baronis
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Sealed and ready for demolition whilst there are homeless people on the streets.
Digital proof for a film project.
Demolished, Summer 2022.
LR4223 © Joe O'Malley 2022
I knew that moving from Florida, that I would miss the burrowing and barred owls ... but I also knew that Colorado would offer up its own variety of owls. I put a few of them high on my list, but probably none higher than the northern pygmy owl. See, I had never seen one before. Several times I had been looking without success. I figured that it would happen when I least expected it.
On this day, we went out in a desperate search to find one ... or perhaps a saw whet owl. No such luck. We had all but given up. As we were driving about, Amy said she saw something that was "too small" to be anything, but I had my binoculars with me, so I fugured why not stop and check it out. So glad that we did ... because we found this guy perched in the bare tree branches! Finally .... it happened and as figured, when we had all but given up for that day anyway.
I couldn't believe how incredibly beautiful and mesmerizing its eyes were. It was clearly not the least bit concerned with us. It would look around from its perch in its vicinity for prey. When it would turn its head we noticed its dots on the back of its head ... "fake eyes" if you will. Amazing!
So excited and felt very thrilled that it blessed us with its presence. :-)
So this week's blog post features this amazing owl, as well as some other birds from the winter in Colorado. Feel free to check it out if you like by clicking:
Blog: www.tnwaphotography.wordpress.com
© 2018 Debbie Tubridy / TNWA Photography
Many people associate lions with the grasslands of the Masai Mara or Serengeti. While those areas are great for seeing lions, there are also other environments where they can be seen. This image was captured in the Chobe National Park, Botswana during an extended drought in August 24.
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Eastern Screech Owl
The Eastern Screech Owl or Eastern screech-owl (Megascops asio) is a small owl that is relatively common in Eastern North America, from Mexico to Canada. This species is native to most wooded environments of its distribution and, more so than any other owl in its range, has adapted well to manmade development, although it frequently avoids detection due to its strictly nocturnal habits.
For more info: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_screech_owl
The Cornell Lab: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Screech-Owl/id#
The sun sets on an old East London boozer, a metaphor for the inept government /Covid-19 crisis and the fact that many of these old gems will never re-open.
Bloody wheelie bins, and the pub is off the vertical, not me !
LR4009 © Joe O'Malley 2020
Twelve Flowers from the magnificent gardens at Dirleton Castle.
© PHH Sykes 2022
phhsykes@gmail.com
Dirleton Castle is cared for by Historic Environment Scotland
www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/dirleto...
Dirleton, East Lothian, EH39 5ER
01620 850 465
The Sandwich tern is a medium-large tern with grey upperparts, white underparts, a yellow-tipped black bill and a shaggy black crest which becomes less extensive in winter with a white crown. Young birds bear grey and brown scalloped plumage on their backs and wings. It is a vocal bird. It nests in a ground scrape and lays one to three eggs.
Like all Thalasseus terns, the Sandwich tern feeds by plunge diving for fish, usually in marine environments, and the offering of fish by the male to the female is part of the courtship display.
This is a medium-large tern, 37–43 cm (15–17 in) long with an 85–97 cm (33–38 in) wingspan.
The Sandwich tern's thin sharp bill is black with a yellow tip, except in the yellow or orange billed South American race. Its short legs are black. Its upper wings are pale grey and its underparts white, and this tern looks very pale in flight, although the primary flight feathers darken during the summer.
This image was taken at Playa Blanca, on the southern coast of Lanzarote
Recently, my friend James posted an image of a large bison bull. In the narrative that accompanied that image James mentioned that a bison expert had told him that when male bison reaches full maturity, their bonnet becomes so thick that it almost completely buries their horns. I think this guy has reached full maturity. We encountered this impressive bull in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Barred Owl
The Barred Owl (Strix varia), also known as the Northern Barred Owl, Striped Owl or, more informally, Hoot Owl, is a North American large species of owl. A member of the true owl family, Strigidae, they belong to the genus Strix, which is also the origin of the family's name under Linnaean taxonomy. Barred owls are largely native to eastern North America but have expanded their range to the west coast of North America where they are considered invasive. Mature forests are their preferred habitat, but they can also acclimate to various gradients of open woodlands. Their diet consists mainly of small mammals, but this species is an opportunistic predator and is known to prey upon other small vertebrates such as birds, reptiles, and amphibians, as well as a variety of invertebrates.
For more info: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barred_owl
The Cornell Lab: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barred_Owl/id
Captured in a natural environment, no flash setup, no baiting/feeders used...etc..
Hit the letter L on your keyboard and then press F11 to enjoy full HD on your monitor screen.
An Eastern Gray Squirrel pauses mid-climb, hanging upside down with ease.
Moments like this are a reminder of just how effortlessly wildlife adapts to its environment.
Captured on Christmas Day during a winter walk.
Species: Eastern Gray Squirrel
Scientific: Sciurus carolinensis
Location: Cleveland Metroparks
Date: December 25, 2026 (Christmas Day)
My 26 year old Green Wing Macaw. Huey is definitely not a name I would have chosen for her.
We got her when she was about a year old and she was already named. Then we had a DNA test done to find out her sex and it turned out she was female.
But she already knew her name so we just left it at that.
I am not an advocate for having these animals as pets or for people breeding them. In my opinion, they should remain in their natural habitats.
But Phil fell in love with her where she had lived for the first year of her life which was a local Grange Co-op here and he eventually talked me into us buying her and she became a part of our family.
She has it really good here with a very large outdoor aviary where she spends the majority of her time. She is pretty entertained seeing all kinds of wild birds and animals from her favorite vantage point in her aviary. Then I have various perches for her in different places so she can be with me and whomever else is around. But she seems to like her aviary the best.
Anyway, it would not be easy having a large parrot like this without the set up I have here for her and I would never advise anyone to have one of these birds as a pet. She will long outlive me and my oldest daughter will take over for her after I am gone.
She will likely outlive my oldest daughter, too, so my daughter knows that she will need to make arrangements for someone else to take her after my daughter is gone.
They are very smart and very social animals. Huey fortunately has always had a very good life here and has never fallen into some of the neurotic behaviors that some captive birds take on, like feather plucking, screaming or biting. She is always treated respectfully, given affection, fed well and treated like part of the family.
So many birds like this end up in rescue situations because their owners lose interest in them or get old and die or just can't care for them anymore. Or some just decide they no longer want the bird. I feel sad for those birds. They don't ask for that.
Most people don't really realize how long these birds live or how important a social environment is for them.
Anyway, long story. Sorry. you're a good contact if you read all the way to the end here :-)
I just came across this photo I took of her on one of her outdoor perches and decided to share with you.
Gulls or seagulls are seabirds of the family Laridae in the suborder Lari. They are most closely related to the terns (family Sternidae) and only distantly related to auks, skimmers, and more distantly to the waders. Gulls are typically medium to large birds, usually grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They typically have harsh wailing or squawking calls; stout, longish bills; and webbed feet. Most gulls are ground-nesting carnivores which take live food or scavenge opportunistically, particularly the Larus species. Live food often includes crabs and small fish. Gulls have unhinging jaws which allow them to consume large prey. Gulls are typically coastal or inland species, rarely venturing far out to sea, except for the kittiwakes. 22077
I thought this Red-shouldered hawk's (Buteo lineatus) photo would be my shot for the week. This is not cropped, I was way excited. It was in a medium sized tree near the 'meadow' trail at the Springfield Nature Center and tolerated others walking by as I snapped photos. It is watching people on the trail behind me. Most didn’t stop, some didn’t even see it. One passerby said, “Oh, it’s one of the brown ones.” Little did I know the following days early morning would bring a more exciting shot.
£500 Penalty for dumping rubbish, at the time I didn't notice the writing on the window.
Illicit rubbish dumping is out of control across the UK, perhaps our new Prime Minister could get the ball rolling on that one without making his rich friends even richer :-).
LR3469