Environmental Activism
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Thistle is the common name of a group of flowering plants characterised by leaves with sharp prickles on the margins, mostly in the family Asteraceae. Prickles can also occur all over the plant – on the stem and on the flat parts of the leaves. These prickles are an adaptation that protects the plant from being eaten by herbivores. Typically, an involucre with a clasping shape similar to a cup or urn subtends each of a thistle's flowerheads. The comparative amount of spininess varies dramatically by species. For example, Cirsium heterophyllum has minimal spininess while Cirsium spinosissimum is the opposite. Typically, species adapted to dry environments have greater spininess. The term thistle is sometimes taken to mean precisely those plants in the tribe Cardueae (synonym: Cynareae), especially the genera Carduus, Cirsium, and Onopordum. However, plants outside this tribe are sometimes called thistles, and when this is done, "thistles" would form a polyphyletic group. A thistle is the floral emblem of Scotland and Lorraine, as well as the emblem of the Encyclopædia Britannica. Biennial thistles are particularly noteworthy for their high wildlife value, producing such things as copious floral resources for pollinators, nourishing seeds for birds like the goldfinch, foliage for butterfly larvae, and down for the lining of birds' nests. 12710
A colorful medium sized raptor found pretty much across the country - though in varying frequency. In Goa and Karnataka, I sighted 1000's literally. The sky was full of them everywhere within 4-5 kms of a water body - and there were water bodies everywhere.
This is a male based on the colorful plumage and it was sitting atop this coconut tree and preening itself. This was shot in some mudflats and there were 1000's of waders. The bird would dive and scare the birds making the large flock of waders move up and around several times. I suppose it was tiring them out before making a capture.
Interestingly, on the tree behind the bird were two rare White Bellied Sea Eagles - think there was a nest there. That large eagle was a lifer for me, but couldn't manage anything more than a record shot.
Thank you so much in advance for your views, feedback and faves.
We need to encourage more bees in to our gardens! All it takes is to plant more bee loving flowers in our garden, like Cerinthe, which i am told by the bees is a favourite of theirs :)
#beesmakeitgreen
www.buglife.org.uk/campaigns-and-our-work/campaigns/beesm...
It is a member of the bird family Columbidae (doves and pigeons). In common usage, this bird is often simply referred to as the 'pigeon'. The domestic pigeon descended from this species. Escaped domestic pigeons have raised the populations of feral pigeons around the world. Wild rock doves are pale grey with two black bars on each wing, whereas domestic and feral pigeons vary in colour and pattern. Few differences are seen between males and females. The species is generally monogamous, with two squabs (young) per brood. Both parents care for the young for a time. Habitats include various open and semi-open environments. Cliffs and rock ledges are used for roosting and breeding in the wild. Originally found wild in Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, pigeons have become established in cities around the world. The species is abundant, with an estimated population of 17 to 28 million feral and wild birds in Europe alone. 15770
Vulcano Etna, eruzione presso la bocca attiva sulla sella sul Cratere di Sudest. 27 Febbraio 2017.
Volcano Etna, Southeast Crater.
February 27th, 2017.
My friend had been right to reproach me, from the minute i set foot on this magnificent forest, I knew this was my kind of environment.
The Muir Woods National Monument is an old-growth coastal redwood forest. Due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the forest is regularly shrouded in a coastal marine layer fog, contributing to a wet environment that encourages vigorous plant growth. The fog is also vital for the growth of the redwoods as they use moisture from the fog during drought seasons, and in particular the dry summer months.
Mistreated Modernism.
A gorgeous mid-century building being let down by those that just don't care.
LR3873 © Joe O'Malley 2020
A species of Scimitar Babblers that are found in the Himalayan region and maybe a small part of Thailand / Myanmar. They are named after the color of their cheek. These birds spend time in the leaf litter looking for food which comprises of insects, larvae, seeds and berries. There are multiple species of Scimitar Babblers in the region we visited, but we could only sight this particular one.
Scimitar Babblers are a very shy and beautiful species with a scimitar like beak. There are maybe 9-10 species of these Scimitar babblers in the country and the sightings are always prized by photographers and birders.
Thank you very much in advance for your views, feedback and faves.
This is a spectacular looking bird in its breeding plumage and one of my favorites for flight photography. The birds are resident to the country and are in their prime breeding plumage right now. They turn white with gold colored mane on the back of their necks - the transformation is really remarkable.
During the monsoon season the birds are usually very active. We can hear their calls near the lakes very easily. I shot this near one lake which has a low embankment road, there were 2 pairs trying to pair up. I am not sure whether its the male chasing the female or vice versa (both look alike), but this one followed after another one all over the banks.
A few others I sighted on another part of the lake had paired, they were sticking to each other. The nest building is on a lotus leaf where they lay the eggs. After that, the female leaves the male to find another partner, while the male takes over full parental duties.
Thanks in advance for your views, likes and faves. Much appreciated.
Today I am uploading a series of works I created today in Solidarity With the Worldwide Call For Environmental Responsibility!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for your kind visit. Have a wonderful and beautiful day! ❤️❤️❤️
A Small passerine bird found across small ranges in the country and across much of South East Asia. The bird is around 15 cms long, and found in lush forests where it hunts in the middle canopy. This is an elusive bird and since its prefers hunting in canopy, is a tough shot in my view.
The bird is a quick agile flyer and I had seen it a few times before from long distance just enough to get a record shot. But this time, under dense canopy and hiding behind bushes, we got a chance to observe it in action. The Flycatcher Shrike tends to join other species (mixed flock groups) in hunting insects. It darts off, catches, consumes and darts off in quick succession. The area we found it had a variety of bird species - around 7-8 interesting ones, and this is the only bird we got a shot of. We did sight around 4-5 of them, though they hunted alone. The others in the area included Grey-Headed Canary Flycatchers, Large Woodshrikes, Fulvettas, Yellow Tits, Common Woodshrikes, Paradise Flycatchers, Nuthatches and Malabar Trogons.
Many thanks in advance for your views, feedback and faves.
This pair of Goldcrests have been in the garden for the last few days - chasing each other around the place and, I’m hoping, looking for a place to nest. The make has a dash of orange on his crest while the female’s crest is pure yellow. These are the smallest breeding birds in Ireland. So lucky!
Valle de la Luna is a part of the Reserva Nacional los Flamencos and was declared a Nature Sanctuary in 1982 for its natural environment and strange lunar landscape, from which its name is derived.
The Atacama desert is also considered one of the driest places on earth, as some areas have not received a single drop of rain in hundreds of years, but last week. A prototype for a Mars rover was tested there by scientists because of the valley's dry and forbidding terrains.
Welcome to to the beach, a haven for dog walkers and coffee drinkers. A special congratulations on picking up your dog mess, only to lob it into the dunes and leave it in a bag for the next hundred years. Shame on you........
Ibises are a group of long-legged wading birds in the family Threskiornithidae, that inhabit wetlands, forests and plains. Ibises usually feed as a group, probing mud for food items, usually crustaceans. It is widespread across much of Australia. It has a predominantly white plumage with a bare, black head, long down curved bill and black legs. They are monogamous and highly territorial while nesting and feeding. Most nest in trees, often with spoonbills or herons. Due to its increasing presence in the urban environment and its habit of rummaging in garbage, the species has acquired a variety of colloquial names such as tip turkey; and bin chicken, and in recent years has become an icon of popular culture, being regarded with passion, wit, and, in equal measure, affection and disgust. 55209
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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I'm still in moose mode for another day or two.
The color of this cow is the prettiest I've seen on any moose. We found her nearly ten years ago in Denali National Park, Alaska.
Northern Barred Owl
The Barred Owl (Strix varia), or Northern Barred Owl, is a true owl native to eastern North America. Adults are large, and are brown to grey with barring on the chest. Barred owls have expanded their range to the west coast of the United States, where they are considered invasive. Mature forests are their preferred habitat, but they are also found in open woodland areas. Their diet consists mainly of small mammals, but they are also known to prey upon other small animals such as reptiles and amphibians.
For more info: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barred_owl
From the Cornell Lab: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barred_Owl/overview
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#
"As long as there is wanting in you, especially for someone or something to make you happy, paradoxically, this is a sure way to make yourself feel lacking and therefore miserable."
-Mooji (White Fire)
This is another shot of the egret I chased all over the place. I do think he enjoyed the "game" of playing tag with a human. And I was a sucker to go along with it. But little does he know, I got a pretty cool shot out of the deal. I just love this one of him perched and looking quite comfy in his natural environment.
Hope your week is going well. I am off work the rest of the week and plan to enjoy a nice long weekend in my natural environment......lol. Cheers :-)