INHABITS wooded and savannah country often in the vicinity of rivers, feeds largely upon insects, a real joy to see in the South Luangwa National Park Zambia.

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THANK YOU, for your visit and friendship, love looking at your images, and being transported around the world from my armchair, hope you are enjoying the weekend, stay safe and well.......................God bless you ....Tomx

Old Church

The earliest traces of inhabitation in Borne are archeological finds at the "Stroom Esch" and "Zuid Esch" of substantial settlements dating from the late Iron Age and the Roman period. Finds from around 800 CE.,the remains of two farmhouses and the grave of a man buried with his armour, a sword, lance and 16 silver denarii coined by Charlemagne near two farmhouses of the same age suggest inhabitation in the ninth century. The first historical mention of Borne, under the name Borghende dates from 1206 in a document which transfers churches in Steenwijk and Borne and their possessions by Fredericus, the abbot of the monastery in Ruinen to the bishop of Utrecht,

the Old Church of Borne was founded about the year 1000 by the Dominican monks

Castle of Chora

It is about a medieval construction that according to the local tradition was built in 1207 by the Duke of Naxos Marco Sanudo and which is constantly inhabited until nowadays. It is one of the fewest castles of Greece that had a constant presence of dwellers through the ages.

Small waxbill, adult olive green above, gray below, with red eyebrow, red bill, and black tail. In flight, bright red rump apparent. Juvenile with red rump but otherwise olive drab with dark bill. Inhabits grassy areas close to thick cover in eastern and southeastern coastal Australia. Often-heard call is a thin "seeeeep." (eBird)

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Finally, one stopped moving long enough to get a photo! These beautiful finch live in large flocks and all want to land on the feeder at the same moment. This one was just contemplating his next move.

Julatten, Queensland, Australia. October 2022.

Eagle-Eye Tours - Eastern Australia.

The Black-necked swan inhabits southern South America, from Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands northwards to Paraguay, central Chile, and southern Brazil. It lives in a wide variety of freshwater and saline habitats such as shallow coastal regions along the Pacific Ocean, estuaries, inland lakes, lagoons, and marshes. Particularly important are places that are rich with submerged aquatic vegetation.

These swans are highly social birds, and are gregarious outside of the time of the breeding season. They become territorial during the breeding season and divide up into mated pairs, nesting in small colonies or as solitary pairs, but they regroup once the young have hatched, each flock numbering thousands of birds. These flocks may move around, dependent on the climate and resources, but usually stay in the south of South America until migrating north. Black-necked swans are diurnal and most of their time is spent in water. If males need to defend their territory, they display aggressive behavior such as lowering their neck and thrusting the head forward. After fighting with beating its wings, the male returns to the female in triumph, continuously lifting its chin and calling.

The Black-necked swan eats aquatic vegetation almost exclusively, which it gathers from below the surface of the water. Fish eggs and insects may also be eaten, and the swans may also come onto the land and graze upon terrestrial plants.

Pelicans inhabit lakes, rivers, and seacoasts in many parts of the world. With some species reaching a length of 70 inches. Pelicans eat fish, which they catch by using the extensible throat pouch as a net. This brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), captures fish by a spectacular plunge from the air, but other species swim in formation, driving small schools of fish into shallow water where they are scooped up by the birds.

Violet-capped Woodnymphs are hummingbirds that inhabit a wide range of habitats from untouched forests, to scrub, to suburban and city gardens. They gather nectar from both native and non-native flowers and also hunt for insects. During certain parts of the year, Violet-capped Woodnymphs migrate short distances. Males have a bluish violet cap and sparkle with dark green above and gold-green below. Females are dark greenish above and off-white below. During the breeding season, these woodnymphs adorn the outside of their nests with ferns and lichen.

Thanks a lot for your visits, comments, faves, invites, etc. Very much appreciated!

© All my images are protected under international authors copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without my written explicit permission. All rights reserved. Please contact me at thelma.gatuzzo@gmail.com if you intend to buy or use any of my images.

My instagram if you like: @thelmag and @thelma_and_cats

Paws for thought… Portrait of a beautiful Sand Cat. In the wild these cats inhabit sandy and stony deserts far from water sources. With its sandy to light grey fur it is well camouflaged in a desert environment. The Sand Cat usually rests in underground dens during the day and hunts at night.

This captive example was seen at Exmoor Zoo.

The waterbuck (kobus ellipsiprymnus) is a large antelope found widely in sub-Saharan Africa. The waterbuck exhibits great dependence on water. It can not tolerate dehydration in hot weather, and thus inhabits areas close to sources of water.

Kruger National Park is a South African National Park and one of the largest game reserves in Africa. It covers an area of 19,623 km2 in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in northeastern South Africa, and extends 360 km from north to south and 65 km from east to west.

South Africa, Kruger National Park

Please don't use my images without my permission. All images © Aivar Mikko.

Une balade parisienne en compagnie de ★iPh4n70M★

Thanks for you faves, notes or comments (in any language), I appreciate.

10mm 30,0 s à f/11 ISO100

No Flashy Icons, Group Invites and Self Promoting comments - They will be deleted.

The species inhabits the interior and edges of humid to wet montane forest, cloudforest, and elfin forest. It also occurs in more open shrubby landscapes. In elevation it ranges from 2,000 to 3,500 m (6,600 to 11,500 ft)

Small songbird with short, fine bill. Male blackish above, pale with fine, faint barring below, bold white wingbars, thin white eyebrow, and pale orange undertail. Female and immature similar in pattern, with paler upperparts. Inhabits tropical and subtropical rainforest, mangroves, and gardens, foraging in pairs or small flocks in the lower to mid-story. Song is a loud trilling. (eBird)

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Another frequently heard and seen bird in NT and Queensland. This one popped out of the tree to watch as we looked frantically through the book to identify him.

Bicentennial Park, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. October 2022.

The Titicaca floating islands are not just agricultural land, but real villages inhabited by groups of 3 to 10 families depending on their area. They include huts also made of totora, rushes with which the islanders also make basic furniture and beautiful bow boats in the shape of a puma head.

For a Peaceful Bokeh Wednesday! Violet-capped Woodnymphs inhabit a wide range of habitats from untouched forests, to scrub, to suburban and city gardens. They gather nectar from both native and non-native flowers and also hunt for insects. During certain parts of the year, Violet-capped Woodnymphs migrate short distances. Males have a bluish violet cap and sparkle with dark green above and gold-green below. Females are dark greenish above and off-white below. During the breeding season, these woodnymphs adorn the outside of their nests with ferns and lichen.

Thanks a lot for your visits, comments, faves, invites, etc. Very much appreciated!

© All my images are protected under international authors copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without my written explicit permission. All rights reserved. Please contact me at thelma.gatuzzo@gmail.com if you intend to buy or use any of my images.

My instagram if you like: @thelmag and@thelma_and_cats

Violet-capped Woodnymphs inhabit a wide range of habitats from untouched forests, to scrub, to suburban and city gardens. They gather nectar from both native and non-native flowers and also hunt for insects. During certain parts of the year, Violet-capped Woodnymphs migrate short distances. Males have a bluish violet cap and sparkle with dark green above and gold-green below. Females are dark greenish above and off-white below. During the breeding season, these woodnymphs adorn the outside of their nests with ferns and lichen. Birds of the World.

Male - Wild - at Sítio Macuquinho - Salesópolis.

Have a peaceful new week!

Thanks a lot for your visits, comments, faves, invites, etc. Very much appreciated!

© All my images are protected under international authors copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without my written explicit permission. All rights reserved. Please contact me at thelma.gatuzzo@gmail.com if you intend to buy or use any of my images.

Visit my instagram if you like: @thelmag and@thelma_and_cats

Mostar is a city in southwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina on Neretva River. The name comes from word mostari ("bridge guards"). On the left bank is the Old Town (Muslim part) with the famous street "Kujundjiluk". The right bank of the city is inhabited mainly by Croats. The banks of Neretva within the old part city are connected by a stone bridge built by Turks in 1566, called the "Old Bridge".

Kujundjiluk is the most famous street of Old Town Mostar. Its name comes from the masters of blacksmith settled on the left bank of the river (kulundżije)

In November 1993, as a result of hostilities, Croatian missiles destroyed historic buildings and a bridge. The reconstruction of buildings and the bridge was completed in 2004. In July 2005, the Old Bridge and its immediate surroundings (Kujundžiluk - the old bazaar) were added to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.

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Mostar jest miastem w południowo-zachodniej Bośni i Hercegowinie nad rzeką Neretwą. Nazwa pochodzi od słowa mostari („strażnicy mostu”). Na lewym brzegu położone jest Stare Miasto (część muzułmańska) ze słynną ulicą "Kujundżiluk". Prawobrzeżna część miasta jest zamieszkała głównie przez Chorwatów. Brzegi Neretwy w obrębie starej części miasta łączy wybudowany przez Turków w 1566 roku kamienny most, zwany "Stary Most".

Kujundżiluk jest najsłynniejszą uliczką starówki Mostaru. Jej nazwa pochodzi od osiadłych na lewym brzegu rzeki mistrzów kowalstwa (kulundżije)

W listopadzie 1993, w wyniku działań wojennych, Chorwackie pociski zniszczyły zabytkowe budynki oraz most. Odbudowę budynków i mostu zakończono w 2004 roku. W lipcu 2005 Stary Most i jego najbliższe otoczenie (Kujundžiluk - stary bazar) zostały wpisane na listę światowego dziedzictwa kulturowego UNESCO.

Eurasian jay, also known as acorn jay. It also inhabits northwest Africa.

The Red-shouldered Hawk inhabits a broad array of North American forests, but favors mature, mixed deciduous-coniferous woodlands, especially bottomland hardwood, riparian areas, and flooded deciduous swamps. In the West, this species prefers riparian and oak (Quercus spp.) woodlands, but is also found in eucalyptus groves and suburban areas with nearby woodlots.

This hawk generally hunts from a perch, waiting for its prey to reveal itself and then swooping down to snatch it from the ground or water surface. The Red-shoulder's diet is broad, although small mammals (especially chipmunks, mice, and voles), frogs, and snakes comprise the bulk of its diet in most areas. Birds, crayfish, and insects are key food items in certain areas and seasons.

Distinguished by its “red” shoulder patches, black-and-white checkered flight feathers (seen from above), and translucent, crescent-shaped wing panel in the outer primaries (seen from below when the wing is backlit), the Red-shouldered Hawk has been well surveyed at hawk watch locations throughout North America. It is a partial migrant, with only northernmost populations moving south for winter.

Found this juvenile along Joe Overstreet Road in Osceola County. Florida.

Newberry Volcano is a large active shield-shaped stratovolcano located about 20 miles (32 km) south of Bend, Oregon, United States, 35 miles (56 km) east of the major crest of the Cascade Range, within the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Its highest point is Paulina Peak. The largest volcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc, Newberry has an area of 1,200 square miles (3,100 km2) when its lava flows are taken into account. From north to south, the volcano has a length of 75 miles (121 km), with a width of 27 miles (43 km) and a total volume of approximately 120 cubic miles (500 km3). It was named for the geologist and surgeon John Strong Newberry, who explored central Oregon for the Pacific Railroad Surveys in 1855. The surrounding area has been inhabited by Native American populations for more than 10,000 years.

Peaks have always been my magnet, my prime objective. I've been blessed to see and experience many iconic peaks with their beautiful ecosystems around them. The main target of my 2015 trip to the Last Frontier was to see the highest peak on the continent. For 6 days in the park it was shrouded in clouds, which isn't unusual as it creates it's own weather system. Fortunately I was finally rewarded with several days of it standing tall and magnificent, like this. I was awestruck.

"The Koyukon Athabaskans and other local tribes who inhabit the area around the mountain have for centuries referred to the peak as Dinale or Denali. The name is based on a Koyukon word for "high" or "tall." That it is!

Thanks for taking a peek!

Have a wonderful Friday and weekend!

La Ceja, Colombia; 2.300 meters above sea level.

The Great Kiskadee is a large and strikingly colored flycatcher that inhabits much of Central and South America. Great Kiskadees reside in a variety of habitats from forest edges to grasslands to busy residential areas. These birds can often been seen hawking insects from an open perch or dropping to the ground feeding on insects and small reptiles.

Source: Neotropical Birds Online: neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/overview?p_p...

The Crested Carcara is a ground-inhabiting bird of prey that is closely related to Falcons. It’s found primarily in open habitats like grasslands, scrub deserts and seashores.

The Florida population has been isolated from the rest of the Caracara range (most of South and Central America) since the end of the last ice age. In Florida its range extends throughout Okeechobee, Osceola, Highlands, Glades, Polk, Indian River, St. Lucie, Hardee, DeSoto, Bervard, Collier and Martain counties.

Caracaras, like other raptors, are opportunistic and will eat carrion, steal food from other birds, and hunt for small most other small prey items. However, unlike vultures, Caracaras will almost always avoid rotting carrion.

I found this young Adult along Joe Overstreet Road in Osceola County Florida.

through an understanding of others and the world we inhabit. When that happens, the result, like photographs, are really the expressions of the life of the maker.

David Hurn

On Being a Photographer : A Practical Guide by David Hurn, Bill Jay

HBW! HDT! HGGT!

blue dasher dragonfly on water lily, sarah p duke gardens, duke university, durham, north carolina

Sandhill Crane.

Between 34 to 48 inches in length with a wingspan of nearly 7 feet. They are very tall with a long neck and long legs. Largely gray with a red forehead. Juveniles browner with no red on head. Plumage often appears a rusty color because of iron stains from water of ponds or marshes.

They inhabit large freshwater marshes, prairie ponds and marshy tundra. They are also on prairies and grain fields during migration and in winter.

They range from Siberia and Alaska east across arctic Canada to the Hudson Bay and south to western Ontario. There are isolated populations in the Rocky Mountians, northern prairies, and the Great Lakes region along with in Mississippi, Georgia and Florida. They winter in California's Central Valley and across the southern states from Arizona to Florida. They can also be found in Cuba.

Kensington Metropark, Livingston County, Michigan.

Little Owl - Athena noctua (M)

The little owl (Athene noctua) is a bird that inhabits much of the temperate and warmer parts of Europe, Asia east to Korea, and north Africa. It was introduced into Britain at the end of the nineteenth century and into the South Island of New Zealand in the early twentieth century.

This owl is a cavity nester and a clutch of about four eggs is laid in spring. The female does the incubation and the male brings food to the nest, first for the female and later for the newly hatched young. As the chicks grow, both parents hunt and bring them food, and the chicks leave the nest at about seven weeks of age.

The distribution is widespread across Europe, Asia and North Africa. Its range in Eurasia extends from the Iberian Peninsula and Denmark eastwards to China and southwards to the Himalayas. In Africa it is present from Mauritania to Egypt, the Red Sea and Arabia. The bird has been introduced to New Zealand, and to the United Kingdom, where it has spread across much of England and the whole of Wales.

This is a sedentary species which is found in open countryside in a great range of habitats. These include agricultural land with hedgerows and trees, orchards, woodland verges, parks and gardens, as well as steppes and stony semi-deserts. It is also present in treeless areas such as dunes, and in the vicinity of ruins, quarries and rocky outcrops. It sometimes ventures into villages and suburbs. In the United Kingdom it is chiefly a bird of the lowlands, and usually occurs below 500 m (1,600 ft).

In continental Europe and Asia it may be found at much higher elevations; one individual was recorded from 3,600 m (12,000 ft) in Tibet.

The little owl is territorial, the male normally remaining in one territory for life. However the boundaries may expand and contract, being largest in the courtship season in spring. The home range, in which the bird actually hunts for food, varies with the type of habitat and time of year. Little owls with home-ranges that incorporate a high diversity of habitats are much smaller (< 2 ha) than those which breed in monotonous farmland (with home-ranges over 12 ha).

The little owl is partly diurnal and often perches boldly and prominently during the day. If living in an area with a large amount of human activity, little owls may grow used to humans and will remain on their perch, often in full view, while people are around. The little owl has a life expectancy of about sixteen years. However, many birds do not reach maturity; severe winters can take their toll and some birds are killed by road vehicles at night, so the average lifespan may be on the order of three years.

Breeding Bird Survey data suggest that little owl numbers are declining, with the UK population estimated to be down by 24 per cent between 1995 and 2008.

UK breeding:

5,700 pairs

Lapwing inhabits almost all of Europe and the temperate zone of Asia to the Pacific (to the Sea of Japan). It winters in Western Europe, on the islands of the eastern Atlantic, in northern Africa, the Mediterranean, in the Middle and Far East and in India. In Poland, it occurs throughout the country, although unevenly, because it is most numerous in the east. It also appears in the lower parts of the mountains. Western and southern European populations are sedentary, influenced by the mild climate. Flights March-April and June and later months.

(english follow)

MISSION TERRE V2 1

Pôle Nord de la Terre, décembre 3218

« Ce 21 décembre 3218, un premier groupe d’humains dont les ancêtres ont fuit une Terre devenue inhabitable - cette triste période l’histoire connue sous le nom de Grande Migration - se pose sur ces terres désolées et méconnaissables du Pôle Nord de la Terre. Leur mission : chercher des réponses aux interrogations suivantes : l’évolution de la Terre est-elle irréversible? La vie pourra t-elle un jour y prospérer de nouveau? Dans quelles conditions?

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THALASSA - Planète océanique, refuge des humains, 3208

Chants de la Terre lointaine (The Songs of Distant Earth), un poème épique, écrit par une écrivaine du nom de Cassiopée Clarke, jusque-là inconnue, bouleverse l’âme des habitants de la planète. Ce poème réveille en eux la douleur ancestrale de la migration de leurs ancêtres, de la perte de leur planète d’origine, de leur culture, de leur histoire. L’héroïne du poème ressent cette douleur, mais aussi quelque chose de plus intime et étrange à la fois : une impossible connexion avec cette Terre lointaine - ses Chants - qui lui révèleraient que la Terre abrite encore et toujours, les vibrations uniques de la vie. Sous la pression du public, les autorités planétaires décident d’organiser une expédition de reconnaissance vers la Terre. La poétesse Clarke, est invitée à se joindre à l’équipe scientifique du vaisseau spatial Earth One.

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PÔLE NORD DE LA TERRE, trois mois après l’arrivée

Le Commandant de la mission - « Madame Clarke, je suis désolé, mais notre équipe scientifique arrive à la conclusion que le cycle destructeur qui a conduit à la Grande Migration ne s’est pas inversé. Les continents qui ne sont pas inondés, sont devenus désertiques, balayés par des vents violents et brûlants. Nous estimons que 80% de la surface la planète est inhabitable par des humains. À l’exception des Pôles, l’air est irrespirable. La vie subsiste dans les profondeurs des mers nordiques, mais sous une forme très simplifiée. L’exploitation des ressources minières - ce dont nous avons réellement besoin - serait non-économique selon nos experts. Leur recommandation est de mettre fin à cette mission. Avez-vous quelque chose à ajouter, Madame? »

En guise de réponse, Madame Clarke offrit ses larmes. Il valait mieux taire son secret, cette certitude qui était maintenant sienne, que ses Chants lui avaient dit la vérité, que la vie reprendrait ses droits sur cette planète, mais qu’il était absolument vital de tenir les humains à l’écart. Elle essuya ses larmes de joie et les préparatifs du retour vers Thalassa débutèrent.

© Patrice photographiste, Chroniques du Monde de Poësia

1 Ce synopsis de film est inspiré de plusieurs romans du célèbre écrivain de science-fiction, Arthur C. Clarke, en particulier : « Les Chants de la Terre lointaine » et la saga des Odyssées de l’espace (2001, 2010, 2061 et 3001)

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MISSION EARTH V2 1

Earth North Pole, December 3218

"This December 21, 3218, a first group of humans whose ancestors fled the land that had become uninhabitable - this sad period, know in history as the Great Migration - lands on these desolate and unrecognizable lands of the northern hemisphere. Their mission: to seek answers to the following questions: is the evolution of the Earth irreversible? Can life ever prosper again? Under what conditions?

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THALASSA - Oceanic planet, refuge of humans, 3208

The Songs of Distant Earth, an epic poem, written by a writer named Cassiopeia Clarke, until then unknown, moves the souls of the inhabitants of the planet. This poem awakens in them the ancestral pain of the migration of their ancestors, of the loss of their home planet, their culture, their history. The heroine of the poem feels this pain, but also something more intimate and strange at the same time: an impossible connection with this distant Earth - her Songs - which would reveal to her that the Earth still and always shelters the unique vibrations of life. Under public pressure, the planetary authorities decide to organize a scouting expedition to Earth. Poet Clarke is invited to join the scientific team to the spacecraft Earth One.

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NORTH POLE OF THE EARTH, three months after arrival

Mission Commander - "Mrs. Clarke, I'm sorry, but our science team has come to the conclusion that the destructive cycle that led to the Great Migration has not been reversed. The continents which are not flooded have become desert, swept by strong and scorching winds. We estimate that 80% of the planet's surface is uninhabitable by humans. With the exception of the Poles, the air is unbreathable. Life subsists in the depths of the northern seas, but in a very simplified form. The exploitation of mineral resources - what we really need - would be uneconomic according to our experts. Their recommendation is to end this mission. Do you have anything to add, Madame? "

In response, Mrs. Clarke offered her tears. It was better to hide her secret, this certainty that was now hers, that her Songs had told the truth, that life would take back its rights on this planet, but that it was absolutely vital to keep humans away. She wiped away her tears of joy and the preparations for the return to Thalassa began.

© Patrice photographist, Chronicles of the Lands of Poësia

1 This film synopsis is inspired by several novels by the famous science fiction writer, Arthur C. Clarke, in particular: « The Songs of Distant Earth" and the saga of Space Odyssey (2001, 2010, 2061 and 3001)

Der Gartenrotschwanz (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) ist eine Vogelart der Gattung Rotschwänze (Phoenicurus) aus der Familie Fliegenschnäpper (Muscicapidae), früher wurde die Gattung mit anderen schmätzerähnlichen Arten zu den Drosseln (Turdidae) gezählt. Er besiedelt Eurasien ostwärts bis zum Baikalsee sowie Teile Nordafrikas und des Nahen Ostens. Als Höhlen- und Halbhöhlenbrüter bewohnt er vorwiegend lichte Laubwälder, Parkanlagen und Gärten mit altem Baumbestand. Er ist ein Transsaharazieher, der sich schon im Spätsommer auf den Weg in die Winterquartiere macht. Seit Beginn der 1980er Jahre sind die Bestände der Art stark rückläufig, scheinen sich jedoch in den letzten Jahren auf niedrigem Niveau zu stabilisieren. Der Gesamtbestand des Gartenrotschwanzes gilt nicht als gefährdet.[1] Für das Jahr 2011 wurde er zum Vogel des Jahres in Deutschland und Österreich gewählt.[2] In der Schweiz war er 2009 Vogel des Jahres.[3]

The redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) is a species of bird in the genus redstarts (Phoenicurus) from the flycatcher family (Muscicapidae), formerly the genus was counted with other species similar to the thrushes (Turdidae). It inhabits Eurasia eastward to Lake Baikal and parts of North Africa and the Middle East. As cave and semi-cave breeders, it mainly inhabits light deciduous forests, parks and gardens with old trees. It is a trans-Saharan migrant who sets off for winter quarters as early as late summer. Populations of the species have been declining sharply since the early 1980s, but appear to have stabilized at a low level in recent years. The entire stock of redstarts is not considered endangered.[1] For 2011, it was voted bird of the year in Germany and Austria.[2] In Switzerland it was bird of the year in 2009.[3]

~Aristotle

I wasn't around much during the weekend....I guess I've a lot of catching up to do...Hope you all had a great weekend!

Don't let the blues get you down.....Happy Monday!! :)

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. 63999

Thousands of years ago, the area’s native people inhabited Antelope Island; some of their prehistoric artifacts have been found at the ranch. In modern times, the ranch house is the oldest Anglo building still standing on its original foundation in Utah.

Fielding Garr Ranch is located at Garr Springs. Indigenous people and wildlife used this water source long before Fielding Garr built the ranch.

The first permanent structure at this site was a small log cabin built in 1848 by Fielding Garr. Garr had been assigned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) to establish a ranch on the island as a stronghold for managing the church tithing herds. Within two years, Garr had expanded the ranch compound to include the adobe ranch house and other out buildings. The ranch was continually inhabited from that time until 1981.

The LDS Church operated the ranch until the mid-1870s. During this era, ranching operations encompassed the entire island. In 1869, the railroad came to Utah, and with it came the first federal surveys of the land. Because the only improvements on the island were around the ranch itself, the federal government opened the rest of the island to homesteading. By the turn of the century, most of the homesteaders had failed to prove their claims. John Dooly Sr., and enterprising businessman and rancher, purchased the entire island and a price of $1,000,000 (approximately $27,800,000 in 2018), and it became the home of his Island Improvement Company.

The ranching operation continued uninterrupted through several owners. Just after the turn of the 20th century, the focus of the ranch turned to sheep. Under the direction of John Dooly Jr., the sheep operation expanded to more than 10,000 sheep to become one of the largest and most industrialized ranching efforts in the western United States. When sheep ranching became unprofitable in the 1950s due to a failing wool market, the operation turned again to cattle. The island ranch continued to function as part of one of the largest commercial cattle operations in the state until the island became a state park in 1981.

Koalas typically inhabit open Eucalyptus woodland, as the leaves of these trees make up most of their diet. Their eucalypt diet has low nutritional and caloric content and contains toxins that deter most other mammals from feeding on it. Koalas are largely sedentary and sleep up to twenty hours a day; I caught this cool Koala when it was taking a well earned nap.

texture by kerstinfrankart

The cottages originally inhabited by the pilots whose job was to pilot ships into the Menai Straights, these pilots also manned the nearby lifeboat along with nearby locals from Newborough. The name Llanddwyn translates as Dwynwen's church, Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of lovers, the Welsh equivalent of St. Valentine. The remains of St.Dwynwen's church can still be seen on the island

The mountains were first inhabited in the 9th century by a group of hermit monks who lived on the rock towers. Still some caves in the around 300 m. high rocks are inhibited.

Today 6 monasteries remain out of the original 20.

Amrita Island is a small inhabited island near Cataumet, Cape Cod. In other words, an island within an island. I'd never heard about it until recently and was fascinated by the stone bridge leading to the island. Here's a bit of history for those interested:

www.capecod.com/lifestyle/hidden-cape-cod-the-story-of-am...

Hidden Cape Cod for sure.

Little Owl - Athena noctua (M)

The little owl (Athene noctua) is a bird that inhabits much of the temperate and warmer parts of Europe, Asia east to Korea, and north Africa. It was introduced into Britain at the end of the nineteenth century and into the South Island of New Zealand in the early twentieth century.

This owl is a cavity nester and a clutch of about four eggs is laid in spring. The female does the incubation and the male brings food to the nest, first for the female and later for the newly hatched young. As the chicks grow, both parents hunt and bring them food, and the chicks leave the nest at about seven weeks of age.

The distribution is widespread across Europe, Asia and North Africa. Its range in Eurasia extends from the Iberian Peninsula and Denmark eastwards to China and southwards to the Himalayas. In Africa it is present from Mauritania to Egypt, the Red Sea and Arabia. The bird has been introduced to New Zealand, and to the United Kingdom, where it has spread across much of England and the whole of Wales.

This is a sedentary species which is found in open countryside in a great range of habitats. These include agricultural land with hedgerows and trees, orchards, woodland verges, parks and gardens, as well as steppes and stony semi-deserts. It is also present in treeless areas such as dunes, and in the vicinity of ruins, quarries and rocky outcrops. It sometimes ventures into villages and suburbs. In the United Kingdom it is chiefly a bird of the lowlands, and usually occurs below 500 m (1,600 ft).

In continental Europe and Asia it may be found at much higher elevations; one individual was recorded from 3,600 m (12,000 ft) in Tibet.

The little owl is territorial, the male normally remaining in one territory for life. However the boundaries may expand and contract, being largest in the courtship season in spring. The home range, in which the bird actually hunts for food, varies with the type of habitat and time of year. Little owls with home-ranges that incorporate a high diversity of habitats are much smaller (< 2 ha) than those which breed in monotonous farmland (with home-ranges over 12 ha).

The little owl is partly diurnal and often perches boldly and prominently during the day. If living in an area with a large amount of human activity, little owls may grow used to humans and will remain on their perch, often in full view, while people are around. The little owl has a life expectancy of about sixteen years. However, many birds do not reach maturity; severe winters can take their toll and some birds are killed by road vehicles at night, so the average lifespan may be on the order of three years.

Breeding Bird Survey data suggest that little owl numbers are declining, with the UK population estimated to be down by 24 per cent between 1995 and 2008.

UK breeding:

5,700 pairs

Heemstede Castle is not a real medieval castle. It was built in 1645 as a manor in Dutch Classistic style by Hendrick de Pieck. Its medieval predecessor, also called Heemstede Castle, was situated some 500 meters to the west / south west, in what is now the Vuilcopse Polder.

When Heemstede Castle was built everything was focused on comfort and luxury and it became one of the most famous estates in the province of Utrecht. It is characterized by its severe symmetrical exterior. The four corner towers gave the castle a feudal appearance and the castle can be seen as a 17th century variant of a medieval tower house.

After Hendrick de Pieck several other owners followed. Between 1680 and 1695 Heemstede Castle was owned by Diederick van Veldhuysen who embellished the interior and layed out the large baroque gardens. In 1720 the castle again changed hands. Its new owner however destroyed the gardens; most of the trees were cut down and the lead of the fountains was sold.

In 1919 L.J. Heijmeijer, coming from an Amsterdam family of corn merchants, bought the dilapidated castle which had been standing empty for several years. He restored the castle and the gardens and used it as a summer residence. During World War II the castle was inhabited by friars from Zeist and after 1968 the castle stood empty again. In 1972 the castle was sold by the Heijmeijer family and under the new owner restorations were carried out in 1974. On January 10th, 1987 however the castle was destroyed by a large fire.

In 1999 the castle was bought by a building company who rebuilt the castle. This restoration was finished in 2002. The castle is now used as an office for a real estate company and there is a restaurant with 1 Michelin Star in the basement.

There are many birds that inhabit the Atlantic Forest, and the ones I have presented here so far are only a small sample.

In the next photos, some birds that do not have precious colors, and because they have neutral tones (with some variations) are more difficult to identify.

Many young birds are so different from an adult bird and their colors are easily confused with other species. So I did not risk trying to identify them on the web so as not to incur errors.

Even though they are not exuberant I hope you like the photos.

Big hug to all my Flickr friends!

Hiatus - Third

The giant green anemone is a species of intertidal sea anemone of the family Actiniidae.

Generally, it is found along the low to mid intertidal zones of the Pacific Ocean, from Alaska to southern California and sometimes downwards to Panama, where cold water swells can occur. It prefers to inhabit sandy or rocky shorelines, where water remains for most of the day. They can generally be found in tide pools up to 15 m deep. Occasionally it can also be found in deep channels of more exposed rocky shores and concrete pilings in bays and harbors.

These anemones tend to live a solitary life, but can be occasionally seen as groups with no more than 14 individuals per square meter. They can move slowly using their basal disks, but usually stay sessile.

The anemone feeds on sea urchins, small fish, and crabs, but detached mussels seem to be the main food source. There are rare instances where the giant green anemone has consumed seabirds. It is not known whether the birds were alive or dead when engulfed by the anemone. (Wikipedia)

One evening we went to the tidal pools along the coast to look for fish, anemones and sea stars. It was adventure scrambling over the huge rocks, but we were rewarded with this anemone just under the surface of the water. No evidence of it having eaten a bird recently was found :-)

Ucluelet, British Columbia, Canada. May 2022.

Eagle-Eye Tours - Ultimate British Columbia.

La Ceja, Colombia; 2.300 meters above sea level.

Ramphocelus flammigerus

(Flame-rumped Tanager / Toche)

The Flame-rumped Tanager occurs from western Panama south through Colombia to western Ecuador. This is a sociable bird, being typically found in monospecific flocks, which inhabit shrubby semi-open areas.

Source: Neotropical Birds Online; Cornell Lab of Ornithology:

neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species

/overview?p_p...

Masai Mara National Reserve

Kenya

East Africa

A troop of olive baboons passed very close by my group in the Masai Mara. Some were mothers carrying their babies. This male baboon was standing a little separate from the rest eating small white flowers.

The olive baboon (Papio anubis), also called the Anubis baboon, is a member of the family Cercopithecidae (Old World monkeys). The species is the most wide-ranging of all baboons, being found in 25 countries throughout Africa, extending from Mali eastward to Ethiopia and Tanzania. Isolated populations are also present in some mountainous regions of the Sahara.

It inhabits savannahs, steppes, and forests. The common name is derived from its coat color, which is a shade of green-grey at a distance. A variety of communications, vocal and non-vocal, facilitate a complex social structure. - Wikipedia

Violet-capped Woodnymphs inhabit a wide range of habitats from untouched forests, to scrub, to suburban and city gardens. They gather nectar from both native and non-native flowers and also hunt for insects. During certain parts of the year, Violet-capped Woodnymphs migrate short distances. Males have a bluish violet cap and sparkle with dark green above and gold-green below. Females are dark greenish above and off-white below. During the breeding season, these woodnymphs adorn the outside of their nests with ferns and lichen. www.birdsoftheworld.org

Wishing everyone a peaceful Wednesday. HBW!

Thanks a lot for your visits, comments, faves, invites, etc. Very much appreciated!

© All my images are protected under international authors copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without my written explicit permission. All rights reserved. Please contact me at thelma.gatuzzo@gmail.com if you intend to buy or use any of my images.

Visit my instagram if you like: @thelmag and@thelma_and_cats

Satin bowerbirds inhabit most of the east and south-east coast of Australia, living in humid woodlands and forests and their edges. They can be found in nearby open regions as well. During winter, flocks occur in open habitats such as gardens, parks and orchards. Bower sites are usually located in suitable rainforest and woodlands.

Ever vigilant, a female Satin Bowerbird check one more time before she eats from the fruit dish. I took this shot through my kitchen window, so exciting to see these beautiful birds in my garden.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UTzVERM430

This old castle, which was built around 1790, was still inhabited until a few years ago. Now it's empty.

Varanasi, India, located on the banks of the river Ganges is one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities, and one of the holiest in Hinduism.

Pilgrims come to the Ganges to wash away sins in the sacred waters, to cremate their loved ones, or simply to die here, hoping for liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

Most visitors agree Varanasi is magical – but not for the faint-hearted. Intimate rituals of life and death take place in public, and the sights, sounds and smells of the maze-like old town – not to mention almost constant attention from touts – can be intense. Still, the so-called City of Light is one of the most colorful and fascinating places on earth.

Strolling the Ghats or watching sunrise from a boat on the Ganges are a highlight, and confronting the reality and ritual of death can be a powerful experience. (Lonely Planet)

(Canon PowerShot G1 Mark III, 1/50 @ f/4, ISO 100)

Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer est une commune française située à la limite ouest du département du Var, dans la région Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Elle fait partie de la communauté d'agglomération Sud Sainte-Baume. Ses habitants sont appelés les Saint-Cyriens.

Quartier les Lecques lors de la cérémonie de bénédiction des bateaux en mer lors de l'assomption.

Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer is a French commune located at the western limit of the Var department, in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region. It is part of the agglomeration community South Sainte-Baume. Its inhabitants are called the Saint-Cyrians.

Lecques district during the ceremony of blessing boats at sea during the assumption.

Violet-capped Woodnymphs inhabit a wide range of habitats from untouched forests, to scrub, to suburban and city gardens. They gather nectar from both native and non-native flowers and also hunt for insects. During certain parts of the year, Violet-capped Woodnymphs migrate short distances. Males have a bluish violet cap and sparkle with dark green above and gold-green below. Females are dark greenish above and off-white below. During the breeding season, these woodnymphs adorn the outside of their nests with ferns and lichen. www.birdsoftheworld.org

Wishing everyone a great new week and a happy blue Monday!

Thanks a lot for your visits, comments, faves, invites, etc. Very much appreciated!

© All my images are protected under international authors copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without my written explicit permission. All rights reserved. Please contact me at thelma.gatuzzo@gmail.com if you intend to buy or use any of my images.

Visit my instagram if you like: @thelmag and@thelma_and_cats