View allAll Photos Tagged Matured
A cockatoo is any of the 21 parrot species belonging to the family Cacatuidae, the only family in the superfamily Cacatuoidea. Along with the Psittacoidea (true parrots) and the Strigopoidea (large New Zealand parrots), they make up the order Psittaciformes. The family has a mainly Australasian distribution, ranging from the Philippines and the eastern Indonesian islands of Wallacea to New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Australia. Cockatoos are recognisable by the prominent crests and curved bills. Their plumage is generally less colourful than that of other parrots, being mainly white, grey or black and often with coloured features in the crest, cheeks or tail. On average they are larger than other parrots; however, the cockatiel, the smallest cockatoo species, is a small bird. Cockatoos prefer to eat seeds, tubers, corms, fruit, flowers and insects. They often feed in large flocks, particularly when ground-feeding. Cockatoos are monogamous and nest in tree hollows. Some cockatoo species have been adversely affected by habitat loss, particularly from a shortage of suitable nesting hollows after large mature trees are cleared; conversely, some species have adapted well to human changes and are considered agricultural pests. 9128
Loggerhead turtles are the most abundant of all the marine turtle species in U.S. waters. But persistent population declines due to pollution, shrimp trawling, and development in their nesting areas, among other factors, have kept this wide-ranging seagoer on the threatened species list since 1978. They are primarily carnivores, munching jellyfish, conchs, crabs, and even fish, but will eat seaweed and sargassum occasionally. Mature females will often return, sometimes over thousands of miles, to the beach where they hatched to lay their eggs. Worldwide population numbers are unknown, but scientists studying nesting populations are seeing marked decreases despite endangered species protections.
- 2017-02-18 at 11-31-43
Mespilus germanica (Mispel, medlar) in our garden, taken with a Carl Zeiss Jena Biometar 2.8/80 @2.8. I have to wait until the tempertures fall below 0 °C over a longer period of time. Once they are soft I wll start to make lovely jam.
Giant sequoias are the world's largest single trees. Mature sequoias are between 250 and 300 feet tall, the tallest growing to about 325 feet. While their height is impressive, the real wonder of a sierra redwood lies in its bulk. Many of these giants have diameters in excess of 30 feet near the ground, with a corresponding circumference of over 94 feet. They can live 3,000 years.
A photo merge of three portrait images taken in Calaveras Big Trees State Park.
Happy weekend to all! Thanks, as always, for stopping by and for your kind comments, awards and faves -- I appreciate them all.
© Melissa Post 2017
Shenandoah National Park, VA
Portrait of a mature dominant Whitetail Buck in the backwoods on Thanksgiving morning.
Comments not necessary, thanks for viewing.
Leucanthemum vulgare, also known as Oxeye Daisy and Dog Daisy.
(Description for the Butterfly Aricia agestis follows below)
Family: Asteraceae.
Grows up to 1m tall, flower heads to 5cm across.
Flower season: May to September.
A widespread plant native to Europe and Asia. Plant was introduced to Australia, New Zealand and North America. It likes a temperate climate where the average annual rainfall exceeds 750mm (30 inches). Favouring soils that are heavy and moist, often grows in neglected pastures and along roadsides. Being a typical grassland perennial wildflower, it can be found growing in a variety of habitats. Meadows, fields, under scrub and open-canopy forests, edge of woodlands is also an ideal habitat for the Oxeye Daisy.
A mature plant can produce up to 26,000 seeds, it can also multiply itself by its under-ground root system which continuously puts out lateral shoots to spread away from the mature plant. By spreading itself this way, it produces a negative effect to other native plants growing close by.
In over 40 countries it is considered to be an invasive species, it is also detrimental in meadows where livestock are to graze especially cattle.
This plant was top-raked for pollen production per flower head, in a U.K. study of meadow flowers.
Aricia agestis. Common name: Brown Argus Average wingspan 29mm
Flight Season… May to September.
Unlike most other blue species, the Brown Argus has no blue scales on the upper-side.
Found mainly in southern England and in some parts of Wales not found in Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of man.
Habitat… Most commonly found on chalk or limestone, this is where the ground suits the main food plants. Will also be found on heathland and in open woodland. This species stays local and in small colonies, will not travel more then a few hundred metres from where it emerged.
Generally speaking this species has two broods a year in central and southern England, if the weather is favourable then a third generation is possible.
The Brown Argus Caterpillar’s main food is common Rockrose (Helianthemum chamaecistus)
Ants are attracted to the caterpillar’s “sweet juices” it produces, as it grows bigger. Eventually they will take it underground and continue to “farm” the secretion from the caterpillar, until it turns into a chrysalis. This in turn, protects the caterpillar from predators.