Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca) male

Mr. Muddie out for a stroll along our street this morning.

Of course I had the macro lens but I took the shot anyway - a hefty crop before posting!

A Newark to Coshocton Turn job has just begun their return trip and is crossing the Muskingum River outside of Coshocton. The hefty construction of the steel bridge hails from when this was a double track route of the Pennsylvania Railroad west out of Pittsburgh.

The way I understand it, the 2175 was originally a GP38AC built for the L&N and subsequently rebuilt by the OC at Morgan Run shops and rebranded as a GP38-3.

Barred Owls prefer mature forests that have both an abundance of prey and trees with cavities. Barred Owls hunt from a perch, where they sit and wait, scanning and listening for prey, and then silently swoop down when they pinpoint their meal. These hefty owls can become incredibly territorial once they establish a nest—and especially when they begin rearing chicks. Barred Owls are known to chase away intruders by aggressively hooting or attacking and striking with their talons. Thank you for stopping by. Have a great day 😊

Named for the yellow "blush" marks on its face, the Yellow-spotted River Turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) calls the Amazon River and its tributaries home. It is a hefty creature, growing up to 18 inches in length, yet it is still agile in the water, flying through it like an underwater frisbee. Interestingly, these turtles are in a class of "side-necks," meaning that when they retract their heads for protection, they don't pull them straight in like the turtles native to North America. Instead, they fold them to the side and tuck them under their shells next to a leg!

These two, female on bottom, live in the Buffalo Zoo.

Naples Botanical Garden

Southest Florida

USA

Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) are large ducks with hefty bodies, rounded heads, and wide, flat bills. Like many “dabbling ducks” the body is long and the tail rides high out of the water, giving a blunt shape. In flight their wings are broad set back toward the rear.

Mallards are “dabbling ducks”—they feed in the water by tipping forward and grazing on underwater plants. They almost never dive. They can be very tame ducks especially in city ponds, and often group together with other Mallards and other species of dabbling ducks.

Mallards can live in almost any wetland habitat, natural or artificial. Look for them on lakes, ponds, marshes, rivers, and coastal habitats, as well as city and suburban parks and residential backyards. - Internet

Harris Brown-ALL rights reserved. This image may not be used for ANY purpose without written permission.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Cambridge, MD.. USA

Our most common duck here in the east. Mallards are large ducks with hefty bodies, rounded heads, and wide, flat bills. Like many “dabbling ducks” the body is long and the tail rides high out of the water, giving a blunt shape. In flight their wings are broad and set back toward the rear.

Thanks to all who take the time to view, comment on and favor my images. It is very much appreciated.

Nikon Z9 camera with Nikon Z600mm f 6.3 PF lens,

1/13200 F6.3 ISO 280

All the prophets testify about Him, that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”

Acts 10:43

This was taken shortly before I'd noticed that the cloud was ever so slowly cooming up to meet me. Indeed, Meall nan Eun's dome would be consumed within minutes of this photo being taken.

If I hadn't been fortunate enough already, this pleasing scene, whereby the cotton wool-like cloud seems to mollycoddle some pretty hefty peaks, presented itself as I pondered over whether to call it a day & creep my way down into a very gloomy glen.

Iowa Northern's Cedar Rapids to Waterloo train moseys through La Porte with a hefty train. IANR 3804 was built in May of 1971 as a Louisville & Nashville GP38AC.

A hefty 208 with the standard LNG set rolls past the Northern most searchlight signal on the FEC system. While not in immediate danger one had to wonder and figure that these searchlights wont last forever and how much time do they really have left? I originally came up here for 103 hoping for a EMD leader but he ended up hours late with another LNG set followed by 425 and I didn't shoot him as I was set up for the local in the siding waiting to depart back north to Bowden.

This is a hefty dahlia blossom, and was growing in an EarthBox in my backyard. It has a short stem, though, which is held by a Plamp, attached to my tripod. I set the camera to 35 frames for this focus stack.

Belcher’s Gull is a large gull with a hefty bill. This species is associated with the cold Humboldt Current off the western coast of South America. Even though its population is estimated to be less than 10,000 individuals, it is thought to be increasing thanks to a reduction in human persecution, and so its Conservation Status on the IUCN Red List is Least Concern. Sir Edward Belcher (1799-1877) was a British sailor and explorer (born in Nova Scotia, Canada) who among other exploits did survey work along the Pacific coast of South America. The bird in this image was seen on Isla Pucusana, south of LIma, Peru.

Can take an L pressing however it's a hefty crop.

This is my other cat, Lucy. As you can see, she is a little hefty. While my black cat Izzy hates the camera, Lucy loves it. She is sweet and very affectionate.

A hodgepodge of Patriot Rail geeps bring a hefty 37 car Tate - Marietta southbound through Holly Springs,GA.

CLC GP38AC #3805

GNRR GP38-2 #2000

CEFX GP39-2 #421

CLC GP38-2 #3810

GNRR GP38-2 #9706

with prey. This image was taken from a distance and is admittedly a hefty crop. The kestrel was not bumped from its perch.

Please, no invitations to award/forced comment groups or to those with large/animated comment codes.

Medium-sized plover with a long hefty bill. Breeding adults have a dark mask and orangish chest, neck, and forehead; females duller than males. Non-breeding birds and immatures are sandy brown above and white below, with a white throat and “eyebrows.” Often confused with Lesser Sand-Plover, and best distinguished when both present; look for larger size, heavier and longer bill, paler legs, and larger-headed appearance. Additionally, unlike some Lesser Sand-Plovers, Greater never has a black boundary around the throat. Breeds in high-elevation areas, where it favors arid, open habitats, sometimes near water. Winters on coastal mudflats and estuaries. (eBird)

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A nice closeup look at this lifer foraging on the mud flats along with the Terek Sandpiper posted earlier. We had seen a few earlier in the trip but at a distance so great to get a much better look this time.

Here's a link to our Thailand bird trip list: ebird.org/tripreport/328567

Laem Pakarang IBAm Phangnga, Thailand. February 2025.,

Rockjumper Birding Tours.

Rather hefty traveler encountered @ Antelope Island State Park..northern Utah.

CMQ Job 1 passes by milepost 19 in Elliotsville with a decent lashup for today's hefty 80 car train. CMQ 9022 leads two barns 9020/9011, SD40-2 3057, and CMQ GP38-3 3812. It was thanks to my friend Thomas to let me know they would run today as this job normally does not run Sundays.

The snow is back...and this Goldfinch is sitting it out. Very high iso 6400...so had to do some hefty noise reduction!

Shot using Fuji X-T1 and XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6

You know instinctively that some moments are going to stay with you. When it’s the very first morning in a new country it’s probably going to help to keep the time you spent in the sunrise hour in your mind, standing on top of a big lump on the landscape, watching sheets of rain chasing north along the water and over the islands in a softly lit wash of the new day. I’d been dragged here at a far earlier hour than I’m used to, leaving the house at five to drive to the foot of the lofty Havstensklippan. A twenty-five minute uphill stomp with head torches on, dodging treacherous tree roots and wondering why I was wearing jeans instead of walking trousers as we shuffled over a hefty rock on our derrieres. The freshly laundered jeans were supposed to remain untainted so that on the long journey home by air and rail, I might have half a chance of looking and smelling reasonably acceptable. Not much chance of that now, with a spattering of mud on the backside of them.

Onwards, upwards and up to the top where the trees gave way to a glorious easterly panorama. There was no denying that this was a well chosen spot for a sunrise shoot. Across the water, perhaps three of four miles away, the handsome Uddevalla Bridge that we’d crossed to get here stood before a faint orange glow, a hint of what might come as long as clouds didn’t conspire on the horizon. Forty-five minutes before sunrise and time for a slug of life affirming coffee. Thanks to Steve’s son AJ, there was some coffee in the house. It seems he’s the only member of the family who drinks it. I made a note to get some later for the adventures in Norway, and began to plan a composition. Heather in bloom right in front of me and a southerly view straight along the sound. Somewhere down there was Steve’s home. The short drive here had taken us along an anticlockwise semicircle and the map shows me that we were no more than five or six miles from base - by boat that is. My host had found his own patch of heather and began setting up his tripod. “Am I in your shot?” he asked. “No you’re fine, but would you mind just moving your bag to the right a bit please?” Such is the way when you’re not alone. I rattled off a couple of test shots, and then noticed a bigger patch of heather to my right. With a group of three pines in the frame, it had potential. I changed position and continued to wait.

And then things started happening. The sun came up and sent its beams across the water. A squall blew northwards and a rainbow illuminated the heather to the west. I abandoned my compositions and chased all over the headland, catching the golden light as the sun rose beside the bridge, and then barging in on Steve’s one man party to capture the rainbow. Then jumping back to my original position to photograph the rainstorm coming straight towards us, painting everything with gold as it whipped across the water below us. We hid beneath a huge golf umbrella as the shower passed over our heads. The rocks before us were quickly filled with small puddles of reflected light. Worth getting soaked for everytime. At least the jeans had a wash of sorts.

On the way down we approached that big rock from the right hand side this time, clambering around its flank. And what was this? Blueberries? Like in the supermarkets at home, but just growing here? Well, bilberries actually, although I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference in a taste test. Breakfast was served and I helped myself to the landscape one last time this morning. From here we returned home via the supermarket. Steve had been given an order for croissants and various accompaniments. We were back home by half past eight, where breakfast of a different kind was placed on the table in front of me. And more coffee. Sherlock the spaniel rested his head on my thigh, only to leave a big trail of slobber on the sorry jeans as a welcome present when it was time to go walkies. It was heartwarming to be accepted by the family menagerie like this, but in just over a week from now, the journey back to Cornwall was going to be a delight for whomever had the misfortune to be sitting next to me.

34 too hot for you?

Stuff your face in here ...I think it was -15 on the day 🤔 asd to that a hefty slice of wind chill...

A gregarious species of open habitats, especially weedy and agricultural areas; occurs in flocks of tens to hundreds. Typically one of the most common weaver species where it occurs, but care should be taken to separate it from rarer species, especially when in nonbreeding plumage. Note the red eyes, hefty bill, and relatively large size. Where introduced in the Caribbean, the bill shape and eye color separate breeding male weavers from oriole species. Village Weavers in other plumages are distinguished from the Northern Red Bishop by their larger size, larger bill, and eye color. Constructs compact hanging woven nests, often in large colonies in or near towns. Like most weavers, has a remarkable song made up of a jumble of squeaky notes followed by a drawn out sizzling buzz. Calls include a sharp “dzip” and “chut” or “chit” given singly or in series. Flocks create a loud burbling chatter.

Entebbe Botanical Gardens, Uganda. January 2017.

It was jail break day at our house. Sick of sitting around at home, we decided to take Kenzie the pup and go for a walk in the woods. We hit our usual spot along the Bear River. I dawdled behind with my recently repaired knee, while Marg and Kenzie plunged ahead. Dawdling was a good thing as I got to take a few snaps at the local scenery. Here, the Bear trickles through what are normally hefty cascades--not much rain yet so the volume of water was low. Oh well, it's still pretty me thinks.

Nevada County CA

Bulky, grayish-brown dove with conspicuous white patch on wings. When perched, the white patch looks like a line along the bottom edge of the wing, but it is more obvious in flight, contrasting with the dark outer wings. Also look for bold white tips on tail feathers. Heftier and shorter-tailed than Mourning Dove. Also compare with Eurasian Collared-Dove; White-winged is darker and more contrasty on the wings and tail. Found in deserts, fields, cities and suburbs, and open wooded habitats from the southern U.S. to Panama (including the Caribbean). Usually common, sometimes traveling in large flocks, especially in winter. Visits backyard feeders.

A rare visitor to Ontario, and even rarer to our part of Ontario, this bird was discovered when my husband noticed a photo of it on the Fletcher Wildlife Gardens Facebook page. The photographer thought it just an ordinary Mourning Dove. Imagine her surprise when hordes of birders showed up to see and photograph it :)

Fletcher Wildlife Gardens, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. July 2021.

Robust warbler found near the ground in thick vegetation. Yellow below with blue-gray head and olive back. Adult males show black chest patch. Females are paler gray on the head; immatures are more olive-toned with a yellowish throat. Breeds in brushy, weedy clearings within mixed or coniferous forest. Often favors raspberry thickets. Tends to stay hidden in low vegetation, so can be difficult to see. Listen for its rolling song, “churry churry churry chew.” Most similar to MacGillivray’s Warbler, but little range overlap, and Mourning has somewhat shorter tail and lacks bold white eye-arcs. Also frequently confused with Common Yellowthroat, especially in fall, but Mourning is larger, with heftier pinkish bill, and brighter yellow underparts. (eBird)

You almost never see a Mourning Warbler high in a tree, so seeing this male out in the open, singing his heart out to potential mates, was very exciting. Previously, I had had only a quick glimpse of a face deep in the shrubs.

Singhampton, Ontario, Canada. June 2021.

I just thought it fun that Winter wore sneakers with his Santa outfit on Xmas. Cuz you know they had to make it easier to climb in and out of chimneys compared to boots.

and yeah Santa is not quite so hefty this year. Mrs. Santa put him on a little diet because last year he got stuck in a chimney or two. It's all those cookies people keep leaving out for him! Luckily this year, no mishaps. He didn't get stuck even once and beat the sunrise coming home.

Florida Gulf & Atlantic's Pensacola turn skirts Pensacola Bay with a trio of EMD's leading. They had a hefty train for Goulding Yard this day.

On our way to Vatnajokull NP, we encountered this so called monument. Twisted girders are all that remained of an Icelandic bridge that was wiped out by a combination of volcanic heat and glacial floods. Once the longest span in Iceland, the 880-metre-long (2,890 ft) Skeiðará Bridge comprised a portion of the Icelandic ring road running across the Skeiðarár Sandur, a wide plain of black volcanic sand marbled with creeks of run-off from the Skeiðarárjökull glacier. In 1996, the volcano Vatnajökull, which sat beneath Skeiðarárjökull, erupted, melting portions of glacier and creating massive floods. At the peak of this glacier run, 45,000 m³/s of water were coming down. While the girder bridge was built to withstand a hefty amount of flood waters, there was no preparing for the house-sized icebergs that the floods washed down the plain. (www.atlasobscura.com/places/skeidara-bridge-monument and Wikipedia)

The 2020 Ferrari 812 Superfast is an example of what happens when an automaker commits to crafting a vehicle that offers the best performance money can buy. With almost 800 horses under the hood, this coupe provides brutish power, facilitating a zero-to-60-mph sprint that clocks in at less than three seconds. Fuel economy is poor, and the 812 Superfast's $330,000-plus price makes it accessible only to the very privileged few. Still, if you have deep pockets and a thirst for spectacular handling, this skilled Ferrari won't disappoint.

Ferrari's 812 Superfast gets its muscle from a 6.5-liter V-12 powerplant, and this engine delivers a bracing 788 horsepower and 529 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels. The 812 Superfast holds a place among the quickest of the quick. In our track tests, it sprinted from zero to 60 mph in a scant 2.8 seconds. That's a dazzling performance, but it trails that of the McLaren 720S. That car made the run in just 2.7 seconds. Handling is nimble, especially when you consider this Ferrari's relatively hefty curb weight. The engine note is mellifluous, and the car's brakes are potent enough to bring this beast to a quick and decisive standstill.

Thanks to Car And Driver for the above.

It you are found out of your area and not wearing a mask there is a hefty fine.

Precious commodity!! Cherries have a very short fruiting season. In Australia they are usually at their peak around Christmas time and they carry a hefty price tag…unfortunately :)

Sawfishes, also known as carpenter sharks, are a family of rays characterized by a long, narrow, flattened rostrum, or nose extension, lined with sharp transverse teeth, arranged in a way that resembles a saw. They are among the largest fish with some species reaching lengths of about 7–7.6 m. They are found worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions in coastal marine and brackish estuarine waters, as well as freshwater rivers and lakes. Sawfishes are relatively slow breeders and the females give birth to live young. They feed on fish and invertebrates that are detected and captured with the use of their saw. They are generally harmless to humans, but can inflict serious injuries when captured and defending themselves with the saw. Sawfish have been known and hunted for thousands of years, and play an important mythological and spiritual role in many societies around world. Once common, sawfish have experienced a drastic decline in recent decades, and the only remaining strongholds are in Northern Australia and Florida, United States. The five species are rated as Endangered or Critically Endangered by the IUCN. They are hunted for their fins (shark fin soup), use of parts as traditional medicine, their teeth and saw. They also face habitat loss. Sawfish have been listed by CITES since 2007, restricting international trade in them and their parts. They are protected in Australia, the United States and several other countries, meaning that sawfish caught by accident have to be released and violations can be punished with hefty fines. 24660

the Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)

The pelican had pouched a large carp. Its upheld beak was shaking and the carp's head was threatening to burst through the pouch as the pelican swam round and round a small circle. I first thought that the pelican was choking and was in trouble. Some time later it violently straightened its neck and swallowed the fish into its throat. The pelican's neck was still swollen with the carp inside when it swam away. I later came to realise that the pelican had held the carp in its pouch to suffocate it until it was motionless before swallowing it.

I took this yesterday, but needed a day to decide if I liked it or not.

Nikon Z6, Nikkor 24-70mm f/4 S,

Exposure X6, Silver Efex Pro 2

I did a rail/family trip south this past week and have a few to share. The family flew and I drove which gave me plenty of time to roam. Unfortunately the trip, which was slated to run until the end of this week was cut short today for a complete lack of cooperation from the weather in every corner of the country from here to FLA. In spite of that, I did come away with a few nice ones that I can cross off the "to do" list. Here, on NS's Second District a hefty 173-02 claws its' way up the grade to Kings Mountain, Kentucky. Perfect sunny skies blessed my first full day out (last Sunday) and luckily NS had trains to run when the light was right where I needed it.

Day three dawned, and with it, a fresh perspective on the Patagonian wilderness. Sunrise at 8:10 am mirrored the epic sunset from the previous day flic.kr/p/2pUoFWx , only this time, the view was from the very spot I'd call home for the next few minutes.

A hearty breakfast fueled my adventurous spirit, and a hefty lunchbox was secured for the 23-kilometer (14-mile) odyssey ahead. Now, calculating this trek's duration was an exercise in futility. Every bend in the trail beckoned for a photo op, a moment of quiet contemplation, or a friendly chat with fellow explorers. Besides, who could resist the temptation to refill my water bottle from crystal-clear streams gushing down the mountains?

My route snaked its way from Refugio Francés, perched at a comfortable 180 meters (590 feet) above sea level, to the Paine Grande Refuge, a lower-lying haven at a mere 40 meters (130 feet). But don't be fooled by the descending numbers - the "W" for a reason! This middle section of the W Circuit took me on a delightful detour through the fabled Francés Valley.

flic.kr/p/2pPBLJu

Ah, but what exactly is the Francés Valley? (This is where the suspense builds!) Imagine an amphitheater sculpted by nature, boasting unparalleled panoramas. To the west, jagged peaks like Cuernos, Espada, Hoja, and Máscara pierce the sky. Gaze eastward, and you'll be mesmerized by the Francés Glacier clinging to the slopes of mighty Cerro Paine Grande. As if that wasn't enough, a vibrant Nothofagus forest carpets the valley floor, bursting with colorful blooms, especially during autumn.

The day unfolded like an explorer's dream. First, I ditched my hefty backpacks (those 60-liter behemoths!) at the Italian Ranger Station, opting for streamlined mountaineering packs for the climbs ahead. (Don't worry, I'd reunite with my trusty backpack later.)

The trail then led me past the breathtaking Francés Glacier lookout, perched at a cool 500 meters (1,640 feet) above sea level. After soaking in the views (and snapping a million pictures, of course!), I tackled the British Lookout - a moderate hike that rewarded me with panoramic vistas from a dizzying 1,000 meters (3,280 feet).

Retracing my steps, I retrieved my backpacks and indulged in a well-deserved lunch with a view, swapping stories with newfound trail buddies about the jaw-dropping sights we'd encountered.

The final leg involved circling the mighty Cerro Paine Grande, the park's crown jewel at a staggering 2,884 meters (9,462 feet). This 7.7-kilometer (4.8-mile) stretch, though classified as "easy," presented its own challenges - think mud, streams, and enchanting forests. Finally, with weary legs and a heart full of wonder, I reached the Paine Grande Refuge.

As I settled into my new digs for the night, a thought struck me: could anything possibly top this day's adventures? After all, I'd already witnessed the awe-inspiring Torres del Paine (day 1), marveled at the majestic Cuernos del Paine (my personal favorite, puma encounter included!) (day 2), and now, the breathtaking Francés Valley (day 3). But the allure of the unknown, the promise of what awaited me in the next three days, kept a mischievous grin plastered on my face.

Was it the breathtaking scenery, the camaraderie with fellow adventurers, or maybe the lure of a post-trek pisco sour, Elias? (This is an inside joke you'll understand later ;)) The truth is, Torres del Paine wasn't just a hike; it was an experience that seeped into my soul, leaving me yearning for more.

P.S. Did I mention Torres del Paine National Park is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve? Or that it snagged the title of the 8th Wonder of the World in 2013? Stay tuned for more breathtaking reveals!

grootflamink/greater flamingo/phoenicopterus roseus

We once visited Nakuru Park in Kenya and paid the hefty $80pp in order to see the huge flocks of flamingos, but only a few were there. (Of course at the gate they did not tell us).

Here in the sewage pans in CapeTown (Strandfontein) you can see huge flocks for free, a fantastic birding place.

They are such gracious flyers!.

DB Cargo 'Sheds' 66143 and 66015 pass along Cardiff Central Station's platform 4 double-heading the 7.04pm Westerleigh Murco - Robeston discharged petroleum tanks (6B47) late last Monday evening.

The two locos are hardly needed for the 800 tonne return working, but the fully-loaded morning outbound train weighs in at a hefty 2,800 tonnes, hence the extra horsepower heading back to base.

It was tricky positioning myself for this one - the WTT routing indicated platform 3 (which was occupied by the passenger train at left), so I figured the other options were the Down Through Line, or platforms 4 / 6. Keeping a very close eye on the signal diagram gave me a few extra seconds to prepare for what was arguably the best option, at least regards lighting, and that was a platform 4 passage.

I opted for a fixed manual exposure to ensure the lead-loco headlights didn't corrupt the reading: 1/250s @ F6.3 and 16,000 ISO, but even then the station lights varied in brightness between frames. Thankfully the position I really wanted to work came out ok. I won't deny I grabbed a bar of chocolate from the vending machine afterwards…..(but only the single though😂)

Commenting off for this one, thanks.

9.08pm, 13th October 2025

We were told to be imaginative for this weeks theme. This happens to be very unimaginative. But, I was far more worried about getting close up to a flame with the Panasonic, that imagination went out the window!

It's also not as close (how strange) as I'd usually go, but it has had a hefty crop.

Better viewed large and thank you for your favourites. :O)

Running a little late, New England Central's southbound 324 crawls into Brattleboro with a hefty 89/0 train, behind SD40-2M 3476. The searchlight on the left is an old Boston & Maine one, reflecting on the lines prior B&M ownership, before Amtrak had the line forcibly removed from their ownership, and sold it to the Central Vermont. 324 terminates in Brattleboro, and becomes 611 for the trip to Palmer, MA and back - in a couple hours, once their switching is finished up they will head south as 611.

Summer 2020 Painting Project. Working with a slightly new method of painting this Summer I learned important things about the technique and how paintings done this way dry. This one dried on my balcony in the fierce heat of July with a fairly hefty wind blowing across it too. This caused the paint to crack or split in unforeseen ways. Completely unintentional, I was nevertheless left with something unique and quite visceral. Another of the many surprises coming out of this technique.

The title refers to a crucial moment in the Indian epic poem, "The Mahabharata", when Bhima finally makes good on his vow to destroy the evil and cruel Dushasana.

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© 2020, Richard S Warner. All Rights Reserved.

Reserva Cientifica Ebano Verde

Cordillera Central

República Dominicana

Meet the Hispaniolan Trogon (called Papagayo in the Dominican Republic 🇩🇴and Caleçon Rouge in Haiti🇭🇹), one of only two trogon species found within the Caribbean (the other being the sister species, the Cuban Trogon). These birds are hefty and distinct, with a glossy green back, gray breast and throat, red belly, and yellow bill. They have a long dark blue tail marked with white below. The sexes look alike except males have fine black and white markings on the wings while females do not.

Although large, these birds can be difficult to find in denser forests. Fortunately their booming vocalizations can often be heard echoing throughout the hills. As the name implies, this chonker of a bird is endemic to the island of Hispaniola. While they are the national bird of Haiti, due to increasing habitat loss, they are more commonly found in the Cordillera Central and Sierra de Bahoruco mountain ranges of the Dominican Republic. They live in pine and broadleaf forest habitats, and have even been recorded as high as 3,000 m in elevation!

Hispaniolan Trogons are secondary cavity nesters, meaning they’ll take over old cavities from birds such as the Hispaniolan Woodpecker, and enlarge them to make their own nest. Currently the biggest threat these birds face is loss of habitat from deforestation, resulting in their current IUCN listing as Near-Threatened. Some scientists and local conservationists have successfully created nest-boxes for these birds in the scientific reserve, Ebano Verde. The diet of Hispaniolan Trogons is not very well known. They have been recorded eating insects, small anoles, and fruits, especially those of the Parrot Tree (Brunellia comocladifolia). Interestingly, in many other Latin American countries, the Spanish word for trogon is simply trogon, and Papagayo, the name of the Hispaniolan Trogon, is often used for macaws. Be sure to be on the lookout for this striking bird in the mountains of Hispaniola!

Trogón de La Española / Papagayo / Caleçon Rouge

Conoce al Trogon de La Española (llamado Papagayo en la República Dominicana y Caleçon Rouge en Haití), uno de solo dos especies de trogon encontrado entre el caribe (el otro es la especie hermana, el Trogon de Cuba). Estos pájaros son fuertes y distintos, con una espalda verde brillante, garganta y pecho gris, vientre rojo y pico amarillo. Tienen una larga cola azul oscuro marcado de blanco en la parte de abajo. Ambos sexos lucen similares excepto que el macho tiene unas marcas finas de colores blanco y negro en las alas y la hembra no.

A pesar de ser grandes, estas aves también puede ser difícil a ver en los bosques más densos. Afortunadamente, su vocalización en auge se puede escuchar haciendo eco en las colinas o cerros. Como implica el nombre, este pájaro chonky es endémico de la isla de Española. Mientras son el ave nacional de Haití, debido al aumento de la pérdida de hábitat, son más comúnmente encontrados en las montañas de la Cordillera Central y la Sierra de Bahoruco de la República Dominicana. Viven en bosques de pino y laderas de montaña, y se han registrado hasta 3,000m de elevación!.

El Trogon de la Española usan nidos de cavidad secundaria, esto significa que ellos usan cavidades viejas de otras aves, como por ejemplo, del Pájaro Carpintero de la Española, y los agrandan para hacer su propio nido. Actualmente, la mayor amenaza que enfrentan estas aves es la pérdida de hábitat por la deforestación, esto ha dado como resultado su estado actual IUCN como casi-amenazado. Algunos científicos y conservacionistas locales han creado nidos en cajas para estas aves en la reserva científica, Ebano Verde. La dieta del Papagayo no es muy conocida. Se han registrado comiendo insectos, lagartos pequeños (anolis) y frutas, especialmente esas de la Cotorra de árbol (Brunellia comocladifolia). Interesantemente, en otras países de Latinoamérica, la palabra española para trogon es simplemente trogon, y Papagayo, el nombre del Trogon de Española, es de uso frecuente para los guacamayos. ¡Asegúrese de estar atento a este impresionante pájaro en las montañas de La Española!

www.iucnredlist.org/es/species/22682751/131515698

This small kingfisher with a truly hefty bill barely makes it into South Texas; otherwise, it ranges throughout Central and South America.

Large tanager with a hefty bill. Adult males are completely red; immature males are dull yellow-olive with blotchy patches of red. Females are variable in color, ranging from pale dull yellow to brighter orange. Can be confused with female Scarlet Tanager; Summer has a longer, paler bill and less contrast between wing and body color. Also compare with dustier-looking, stouter-billed Hepatic Tanager. Breeds in mature forests, favoring mixed deciduous and pine in the southeastern U.S. and riparian corridors in the western U.S. and northern Mexico. Extensive winter range from Mexico to Bolivia, where it can be found in any wooded area. Often gives a short, descending rattle “pit-a-tuck.”

4 deuces and a hefty train for Huron, start up hill into De Smet.

I had just hopped off this train a few hours prior at Arlington, a few miles just down the line. In typical fashion, the relief crew was at the depot when we showed up to tie up for the day.

I'll hold my peace on the way management runs this place...

………One for Sliders Sunday - this perfectly good shot has been subjected to some pretty hefty slides in Silver Efex Pro2 and Lightroom. Have an EXTREMELY happy Sliders Sunday & ‘stay safe’. Alan:-)……

For the interested I’m growing my Shutterstock catalogue regularly here, now sold 57 images :- www.shutterstock.com/g/Alan+Foster?rid=223484589&utm_...

©Alan Foster.

©Alan Foster. All rights reserved. Do not use without permission.……

Sierra Valley is a large mountain valley located in the Northern Sierra Nevada Range. This is beef country with cattle ranching being the cornerstone of the local economy. Sierraville is the largest town in the valley sporting a hefty population of 200.

There's a nice a little eating establishment in Sierraville that serves a variety of meats that are smoked on the premises. I warned Marg about asking for a veggie burger. The locals tend to be a little edgy about their livelihood.

Happy Slider's Sunday everyone.

Sierra County CA

Hartwell Railroad's road freight is seen running south on the outskirts of Bowman, GA as the trio of mixed-heritage GP38 variants lug a hefty cut of loaded grain hoppers to the CSX interchange in Elberton. The 5130 is right at home, splitting the whistle posts on this formerly-owned Southern RR trackage.