This living hand, now warm and capable

Of earnest grasping, would, if it were cold

And in the icy silence of the tomb,

So haunt thy days and chill thy dreaming nights

That thou would wish thine own heart dry of blood

So in my veins red life might stream again,

And thou be conscience-calm’d–see here it is–

I hold it towards you.

-John Keats

The Lesser Tenrec has strong, grasping toes with tiny hooked claws, enabling them to to keep a grip on all but the smoothest of surfaces. They can even hang by one foot or even a toe while climbing.

... grasping at a new week :-)

Happy Blue Monday!

Chinese bellflower / Ballonblume (Platycodon grandiflorus)

in our garden - Frankfurt-Nordend

This downy woodpecker was waiting to fly up to the suet feeder during a snow squall one winter. It was grasping a lilac branch outside one of my windows. This was taken in Northeastern PA.

Created for TMI's October's Contest - Nature in B&W

www.flickr.com/groups/impressionists/discuss/721577161301...

Thanks everyone for your views, comments, awards, invites and faves.

...but the one most responsive to change.

-Charles Darwin

Lizards are part of a group of animals known as reptiles. Many lizards today resemble the ancient reptiles of the dinosaur era. Their ancestors appeared on Earth over 200 million years ago.

The Largest Lizard, the Komodo Dragon is up to 10 feet (3 meters) long and up to 176 pounds (80 kilograms) in weight. The smallest Lizard, the Dwarf Gecko is .6 inches (1.6 centimeters) Long and weighs approximately.004 ounce (120 milligrams).

Lizards can be found in every continent except Antarctica, and they live in all habitats except extremely cold areas and deep oceans. Most lizards live on the ground, but others can be found making their home in a tree, in a burrow, or in the water. Tree dwellers have special toes: long with sharp claws or short and wide. They often have a prehensile tail for grasping thin branches. Those that live in a burrow tend to have smaller legs, or none at all, to help them move underground more easily. Marine iguanas spend much of their lives underwater, although they come to shore to rest on rocks or a sandy beach. Desert dwellers, like the ground gecko, usually sleep during the day underneath the warm sand and then come out when the sun has gone down.

The scales on lizards vary, depending on their habitat. Some lizard species have bony plates, called osteoderms, under their scales for added protection against rough terrain.

Lizards are popular prey for many types of predators, from birds of prey to snakes and carnivorous mammals. Their camouflage and ability to stay still for hours helps keep them safe. Several types of lizards are able to escape from an enemy’s grasp by breaking off part of their own tail. The tail has a weak spot just for this purpose. If a predator grabs the lizard by its tail, the tail easily comes off. It can grow back over time, although the tail won’t look quite the same.

(Nikon D500, 500mm/5.6, 1/1000 @ f/5.6, ISO 800)

No matter what you choose, you lose.....

My very opinionated Madge the Lesser Tenrec who does things her way ... Sigh......

One of the first species of the three Red Damselflies to emerge in the spring. Can be found widespread in the UK from wetland habitats, bogs, pools etc but will avoid fast-flowing water. The male is seen here grasping the female behind her head with his claspers which is called the tandem position in which to help the male prevent other males attempting to mate with the female.

Too much talking around

How'd this happen?

Elephant in the room but we're still dancing

Gave everything to you but you're not grasping

So let's keep dancing

Always dancing

Too much talking around

How'd this happen?

Elephant in the room but we're still dancing

Gave everything to you but you're not grasping

So let's keep dancing, so let's keep dancing

So let's keep dancing

This is all we know

This is how it goes

This is all we know to do

That's all we know to do

🎧 l i s t e n

Find them at Sunvana

Amsterdam - Arie Biemondstraat

Copyright - All images are copyright © protected. All Rights Reserved. Copying, altering, displaying or redistribution of any of these images without written permission from the artist is strictly prohibited.

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.

Buddha

*******************

MY FRIENDS ALL (the one staying, the one confused, the one who want to leave or left :(..........)!

I WISH YOU ALL A SERENE WEEKEND.............

I HOPE WE ALL CAN ENJOY OUR PRIVATE LIFE............leaving flickr problems aside............beeing confident...........smiling.........loving............

Jaq grasping his "baa-baa"

Oud-Milligen - Garderen - De Veluwe

Copyright - All images are copyright © protected. All Rights Reserved. Copying, altering, displaying or redistribution of any of these images without written permission from the artist is strictly prohibited.

Ticks are small, parasitic arachnids that can carry and transmit various diseases to humans and animals. Some common diseases associated with ticks include:

1. Lyme Disease: It is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted primarily by the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) in North America. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint aches, and a characteristic skin rash.

2. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF): It is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii and is transmitted by the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) and the Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni). Symptoms include high fever, headache, rash, and muscle aches.

3. Babesiosis: It is caused by microscopic parasites of the Babesia family and is transmitted primarily by the black-legged tick. Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and anemia.

4. Ehrlichiosis: It is caused by bacteria of the Ehrlichia family and is transmitted by the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum) and the black-legged tick. Symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches.

To avoid tick-borne diseases, consider the following preventive measures:

1. Wear protective clothing: When venturing into tick-prone areas like forests or grassy areas, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Tuck pants into socks and opt for light-colored clothing to spot ticks easily.

2. Use tick repellents: Apply an EPA-approved insect repellent containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) or picaridin on exposed skin. Permethrin-based repellents can be used on clothing, shoes, and camping gear to repel ticks.

3. Perform regular tick checks: After spending time outdoors, thoroughly check your body for ticks. Pay close attention to areas such as the scalp, behind the ears, underarms, groin, and the back of the knees. Promptly remove any attached ticks using tweezers, grasping them as close to the skin's surface as possible.

4. Create a tick-safe environment: Keep lawns and outdoor recreational areas well-maintained. Clear leaf litter, tall grasses, and brush around your home to minimize tick habitats. Consider using tick control products or seek professional pest control services if necessary.

5. Check pets and gear: Pets can carry ticks indoors, so ensure regular tick checks and appropriate tick prevention measures for your pets. Examine camping gear, backpacks, and other outdoor equipment for ticks before bringing them indoors.

Remember, early detection and proper removal of ticks can reduce the risk of contracting tick-borne diseases. If you develop symptoms after a tick bite, seek medical attention promptly and inform your healthcare provider about the exposure to ticks.

Macaw

From the San Diego Zoo

What makes a macaw? Macaws are king-sized members of the parrot family and have typical parrot features. Their large, strong, curved beaks are adapted for crushing nuts and seeds. Their strong, agile toes are used like hands to grasp things. Loud, screeching and squawking voices help make their presence known in dense rainforests. They are also famous for their bright colors, which seem bold and conspicuous to us but actually blend in well with the green leaves, red and yellow fruits, and bluish shadows of the forest homes.

Macaws are adapted for flying through the trees in the forest, with a streamlined body and tail shape and wings that don’t flap deeply. When they come in for a landing, they drop their tail and feet downward and use their wings like brakes to slow down before grasping a perch with their feet. Most macaws nest in holes of trees or in earthen banks and cliff sides.

Macaws are intelligent and curious birds that like to explore and keep busy. They are very aware of their surroundings, which is necessary to keep watch for predators. As social birds, they spend a lot of time interacting with their mates and their family groups. Macaws have been known to use items as tools, and they like to play with interesting objects they find. They examine the objects from different angles, moving them with their feet, testing them with their tongue, and tossing them around. Macaws are also big chewers, something they need to do to keep their beaks in good shape. They can do impressive damage to even very hard wood with their beaks. Most macaws like to take baths, and they play in the water as they splash around.

From the photographer - I prefer to photograph the Macaw from a distance for the pleasing background effects but mostly because it keeps them at ease. This was photographed at 700mm.

Deep in the cedar forest lives this other little tree grasping at the light.

Remember who you are and where you come from; otherwise, you don't know where you are going.

Travelling through land of music found Ren the divine letting her out of the forest where she got lost from

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You say if you could fly

You'd never want to come back down

That you'd only have eyes

For that, for that, blue, blue sky

Must be expressed in words that I can't find

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ヅ♫♫ヅ ♫♫

Blue Bird Naruto

♫♫ヅ

p*p

Lightbox (recommended)

Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.

~Aesop

*

JOAN BAEZ ~ Bachianas Brasileiras No 5 Aria ~

*

textures by: cathairstudios (many thanks)

A Tufted Titmouse demonstrating his technique for opening sunflower seeds, grasping with two feet and holding against a branch so he can peck it.

Location: BBBB SL Studio

Model: Maria Dolce

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Grandmother’s Hands

-MWV-

My grandmother's hands, are well farrowed

- we've borrowed a lifetime of her loving care

My grandmother's hands are now clasping

- grasping our laughter from her youthful forays

My grandmother's hands are busy

- I'm dizzy watching her shelling peas

Her hands on my cheek would caress me

- bless me forgive me whenever I've wronged

My grandmother's lips are now humming

- smile coming reliving her memories once more

My grandmother's eyes closing

- now dozing at rest in her favourite chair

My grandmother's hands I would hold them

- enfold them tenderly into my own

My Grandmother's hands, well I miss them

- I'd kiss them and bathe them in my loving tears

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Preacher reflects on the value of contentment. It is better to have less and be content (with quietness) than to have more and constantly be grasping for further success.

i. Solomon weaved some fascinating themes together.

· Hard work and success are good and not to be envied.

· Laziness is wrong and destructive.

· Yet even the one with full hands must learn contentment.

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.

- Buddha -

Seen here in their courtship dance where they will face each other and will later start to lift up the wings than bow gracefully. The male here is gently grasping the female by the neck just before they started to mate with the female for a short while being totally fully submerged for a few seconds while doing so. The Mute swan actually gets its name from the fact that its is less vocal than other swan species and is one of the heaviest flying birds. A male swan is known as a Cob while the female is known as a Pen and has a lifespan of around 12 years in the wild and can reach 30 years if in an protected environment. One of three species of wild swans to be found in the UK and is the national bird of Denmark. The Mute Swan is unique in making a vibrant throbbing sound with the wings when in flight. A large group of swans can be called , school, ballet and regatta. No swan has ever broken any ones arm, this is a actually a complete myth.

“Wisdom tells me I am nothing, love tells me I am everything.

Between the two, my life flows.”

― Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMMZh5_IFxY

YAKURO – VOICES OF INFINITY

Sometimes I am good; sometimes I'm not

there is more than one side to us all

more than one version of the truth

more than one way in which we all can fall

I cannot divide my from self

me myself and I; we are all here

hidden beneath the mask I wear

the silvered battle scars still shine

my face a blank canvas does not show how much I care

does not show anything in fact

no lines; no frown and even more strange and rare

sometimes I smile

my face lights up like the sun

my blue eyes sparkle with diamonds expertly cut;

my golden hair upswept in untidy bun

I am a spirit of the sea

a mermaid gasping for air on land

grasping for the knowledge that I found

that I evolved from the most loving hand

a little dragon escapes from me

traces the pattern of my clothes

mimics the most vivid true colours of me

scattering rainbows on those below

I carry the heaviest and deepest sorrow

it weighs me down; rolls with me far into tomorrow

catches my breath and stills my words

the silence falls down like the night; the birds

sing only before the dawn and then

they too fall silent and let the rain

beat down on me and invariably I feel the pain

rise upwards in my beating chest

it will not leave me; I cannot rest

voices of infinity reach me

hold me spellbound in bitter sweet embrace

back to back I face myself

through a glass darkly; interwoven; interlaced

they leave their mark without a trace

carry me to a mournful place

beneath the forest canopy

lay me down between the lumber

steeped in dreams; deep in slumber

there I lie and there I'm found

my bones; my blood seeped into family tree roots underground

no-one to weep except the angels

no-one to mourn the loss of me

I am long gone to where no amount of sorrow

can reach me now; I am what we all inevitably will become

I am where there is nothing left and no tomorrow.

- AP - Copyright © remains with and is the intellectual property of the author

Copyright © protected image please do not reproduce without permission

I came across this fellow in the back yard in Maine last summer, lying in wait for prey amidst the goldenrod flowers. Rather than spinning a web, he ambushes his prey, grasping it with his long front arms. The red stripes on the abdomen are characteristic.

I was organizing my desktop yesterday and I found this image that I had put aside...

Green frogs will attempt to eat any mouth sized animal they can capture, using a "wait and see" technique for what comes within reach. Amphibians as a whole are in danger, due to pesticide use, loss of habitat due to farming, housing and our incessant idea that wetlands are wasteland.

PLEASE: Do not post any comment graphics, they will be deleted. See info in my bio.

Wombats are herbivores and nocturnal. They emerge from their burrows to eat mostly grasses, roots, herbs and bark. Their incisor teeth resemble those of rodents and grow constantly as they are adapted for gnawing on tough vegetation. Wombats have a very slow metabolism which is an adaptation to help their survival in arid conditions. It takes around 8 to 14 days for them to complete digestion.

The main predators of wombats are Tasmanian devils and dingoes. Wombats initially avoid being caught by having a very tough rear hide, with most of the rump made of cartilage. This prevents teeth or claws from easily grasping the wombat. Their very short tail also makes it difficult for a predator to catch them.

Wombats try to drive off attackers with two-legged kicks, like a donkey or horse. If chased, wombats dive into a nearby tunnel and use their hardened rump to block the attacker. In some cases, wombats allow the attacker to force their head over the wombat’s back, and then use their powerful legs to crush the skull of the attacker against the tunnel roof.

Grasping a large shad in its powerful talon, this Bald Eagle proved it was a good day for fishing in Lake Erie

While going through some old photos, I found this Red-breasted Merganser, a female, working hard for her breakfast off Coronado Island in 2016. I was working just as hard to find some coffee. It was a battle of the morning hunts, and luckily, we both won.

The Red-breasted Merganser, a distinct diving duck, is easily identified by its "sawbill"—a thin, serrated bill designed for grasping slippery fish. Breeding in boreal wetlands, males sport a shaggy green head, red bill and eye, and rusty chest, while females have a similarly, but subdued tousled appearance. These ducks winter along coastal waters and large inland lakes in the U.S. and Mexico. Notably, they breed further north and winter further south than other American mergansers, and don't attain breeding plumage until two years old. To meet their daily energy needs, they must consume 15-20 fish, requiring 250-300 dives or 4-5 hours of foraging. The oldest recorded individual, a female, lived at least 9 years, 6 months.

(Nikon D750, Sigma 150-600 @ 600mm, 1/400 @ f/6.3, ISO 1600, edited to taste)

The Osprey: Probably More Than You Ever Dreamed of Knowing... and Maybe a Little More :-)

The Osprey is a fascinating raptor with unique adaptations for its fish-eating diet. It is unique among North American birds of prey because its diet consists almost exclusively of live fish.

The soles of an Osprey's feet have barbed pads (called spicules) that help them grip slippery fish. They also have a reversible outer toe, meaning they can rotate one of their front toes backward, giving them two toes forward and two back for a vise-like grip.

Aerodynamic Prey Carry: After a successful catch, the Osprey always manipulates the fish in its talons to be carried head-first, aligning it with its body to reduce wind resistance during flight.

The Osprey is a spectacular hunter, typically using a feet-first dive:

Spotting the Prey: The bird often soars or hovers high above the water, between 50 to 200 feet, using its keen eyesight to locate fish swimming near the surface. Once a fish is spotted, the Osprey performs a dramatic, controlled plunge, often reaching speeds of up to 80 mph. It hits the water feet first with its talons extended.

Unlike most other fish-eating raptors that only snatch fish from the surface, the Osprey can completely submerge its body, sometimes plunging up to three feet underwater, to secure its prey.

It has a semi-transparent third eyelid (nictitating membrane) that closes just before impact, acting like a pair of goggles to protect its eyes underwater. And, its nostrils can be closed to prevent water from rushing in during the dive.

After grasping the fish, the Osprey powerfully lifts itself out of the water. They are highly successful anglers, often catching fish on at least 1 in every 4 dives, with some adults reaching success rates as high as 70-90%.

Ospreys usually weigh between 2.5 to 4 pounds (1.1–1.8 kg). Females are generally slightly larger than males. Their impressive wingspan ranges from about 5 to 6.5 feet (1.5 to 2 meters).

Life Expectancy: Ospreys typically live for 15 to 20 years in the wild, with the oldest known wild individual reaching just over 25 years of age. They are also known for their long-distance migrations, with some individuals traveling over 160,000 miles in their lifetime.

(Nikon Z8, Nikkor 600/6.3, 1/2000 @ f/6.3, ISO 250, edited to taste)

Gloomy dawn swallow,

radiant dawn butterfly:

How long can an instant last?

a moment of night in the day.

I, who knew how to ignore so many things,

now I know we'll never see each other

well, you left, grasping the oars,

in your boat covered in roses.

Now I know the truth of the earth,

that blooms even if no one tills it,

and the door of light that opens

if a shadow door closes.

Now I know that the night does not lie

when its dew ceases to fall:

It was a rose bush on the bank of a river,

and maybe the current dragged it...

And you left, crazy firefly

gloomy dawn swallow,

with the warm taste of your mouth

from your mouth that was never mine!

by Jose Angel Buesa

::Bella's Lullaby:: www.flickr.com/groups/14818647@N22/, Forks (125, 128, 30) - Moderado

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forks/125/129/30

Stumbling through the covered Frederica Oaks, two Oak trees lay before my path. Gazing upward, I witness a vision. Two ancient spirits clashing. Twisting and swinging with their gnarled claws. Grasping with their withering limbs. Drowning each other in blankets of moss. Snaking through the darkness. For whatever reason, I do not know. "Move along...", the voice said. And so I did.

A species of monkey found throughout the country. These are probably the largest monkey species in India, but unlike their more aggressive and nuisance cousins - the Rhesus Macaque, these are quiet and not troublesome.

The forest area we visited had little birding activity y'day due to heavy rains, but we sighted a large family of Langurs foraging on the trees dotting the hillside slope overlooking the temple - this the place where the forest starts and extends 200-300 kms south. The Infant (that is what baby monkeys are called!) was playful and learning the art of grasping from what I can see. Its grip slipped a few times, and fell down to the bush below safely.

It was also curious about the little carpenter bee on the lower right side of the image, but didn't harm those bees.

Thanks in advance for your views and feedback. Much appreciated.

"Moving between the legs of tables and of chairs, rising or falling, grasping at kisses and toys, advancing boldly, sudden to take alarm, retreating to the corner of arm and knee, eager to be reassured, taking pleasure in the fragrant brilliance of the Christmas tree"

(T S Eliot)

Unlike Mr Lockwood and Mr Linton, Bonnie hates the camera. Even less, she hates 'props' too.

Happy Caturday everyone :-))

ZIBSKA

Uliana @ Vanity

Set Includes headpiece, orbit and shoulders left & right with 16 colours via HUD.

Eyemakeup in 12 colours, lips in 18 colours in 2 fits, blush in 15 colours [Free for Vanity Event Update group members - group is free to join]

DRUNKEN BROKKR

Draugr Necklace @ Underdog Event Mainstore

Cord necklace with metalic claw grasping a gemstone. Texture Hud with beautiful selection of gems and colours.

Legacy Body, Lelutka Nova Head, Skin by ItGirls, Hair by Lock and Tuft.

Blog for links to mainstores and events

rachelswallows.blogspot.com/2020/07/paint-me-story.html

Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.

Happy Hump Day, flickrinos!

Alice carrousel @ Boudoir

Architectural detail Thessaloniki,Greece.

''Beware that you do not lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.'' - Aesop.

Fuji X-E2.

Delicate limb control

This encounter lasted several seconds with the older of the two Cooper’s hawks (the one with red eyes) grasping the younger (yellow-orange eyes) hawk’s right foot with its talons. They swung around in the air but never used their beaks in the conflict.

🌐visit Big Sky Over Florence🌐

___________________________________________

We've seen God in his splendors

Heard the text that nature renders

We have pierced through the veneer

And reached the naked soul of man

We have suffered, starved, and triumphed

Groveled down, yet grasping glory

We've grown bigger in the bigness of it all

Of it all

🎵"The Voyage of the James Caird"Graeme James🎵

When he caught up with this female the male Brown Hare planted his front legs firmly along her back but she soon escaped his grasp and ran speedily away!

As are all pubs, cafes and restaurants and many more.

Taken on one of my rare ventures outside and grasping the opportunity to try out the mirrorless.

Sadly, I just found out that the company that owns The Queens has in fact, recently filed for bankruptcy.

Another victim to the virus.