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Craigflower-Kosapsom Park is a small corner park that is rich with history. Craigflower schoolhouse, constructed in 1854, is the oldest schoolhouse in western Canada and it is valued as the oldest surviving public building in BC.
It is also one of the few surviving structures which predates the 1858 gold rush. Esquimalt First Nations archaeological remains also have been unearthed at this park that indicates over three thousand years of human occupation at this particular location.
"Gatineau Park (French: Parc de la Gatineau) is located in the Outaouais region of Quebec, Canada. Administered by the National Capital Commission as part of the National Capital Region, Gatineau Park is a 361 square kilometres (139 sq mi) wedge of land extending north and west from the city of Gatineau. With a perimeter of 179.2 kilometres (111.3 mi), the park includes parts of the municipalities of Chelsea, Pontiac, La Pêche, and the City of Gatineau. The main entrance to the park is 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) north of downtown Ottawa, Ontario.
The park's area has a long history of human inhabitation and usage predating the arrival of European settlers. Its more recent pre-park history includes various forms of human exploitation such as farming, logging, hunting, and industrial activity. The idea of creating a park in the Gatineau Hills for recreational purposes was proposed as early as 1903. In 1938 money was allotted for the acquisition of Gatineau woodlands (for preservation) and the construction of a parkway."
I came across several young Wheatears on Dartmoor yesterday evening.This one allowed a really close approach as it sat on a granite rock .
I photographed several adults earlier in the season and one nest was predated so really nice to see some youngsters have survived to this stage.
Taken on Dartmoor,Devon
The pale chanting goshawk is an opportunistic raptor and eats a wide variety of prey including small mammals, lizards, birds, large insects and carrion. It has also been recorded predating upon Tent tortoise and Leopard tortoise hatchlings which are swallowed whole while the shell is still soft. There is some evidence of social hunting in breeding groups but solitary hunting is the norm. Pale chanting goshawks commonly associate with foraging Honey badgers and feed on organisms that are flushed by the Honey badger's feeding activity. This association increases the hunting opportunities and prey capture success of the pale chanting goshawk while the honey badger does not suffer any loss of foraging efficiency. (Wikipedia)
1.5 million Wildebeest migrate through Kenya and 8,000 of them are predated or die every single day. They are the main food source of all the predators when they pass through. Incredibly gentle and attactive animals with great grace and beauty.
Suffolk, Monk’s Eleigh – St Peter’s Church
Monk’s Eleigh is a small village about 15 miles from Ipswich in Suffolk. St Peter’s Church was erected around 1350 although there had been a Saxon church on the site for many years. There are a few things in the church that predate the church itself. Namely, the font, which is 13th century. This is made of Barnack stone and one of the six bells dates to 1330.
Over the next 100 years the church was enlarged, clerestory windows and the west tower was added. The tower has a beautiful exterior doorway. The South door also at the time very ornate, however has worn down over the years.
There is also a fine medieval pulpit, reputed to be one of the oldest in the county. There is an alms box with the date 1636.
The chancel and north vestry were added 1845 and in 1867 there was a programme of restoration and re-seating. There are some fine stained glass windows these were installed around 1880-1900 and were designed by Ward and Hughes
Like them or loathe them, they are here to stay. This introduced species from North America divides opinion. It is a fact that they have decimated our native Red Squirrel by out competing them and spreading squirrelpox which is fatal to the Red but not the Grey Squirrel. However they are part of our ecosystem now and, on the flip side, seem to be helping the increase of Goshawk and Pine Marten, which predate them.
I thought this one merited a photograph when it was posing beautifully on a fallen tree.
They are certainly adaptable characters, with their intelligence and their amazing tree climbing skills - they are survivors and have to be admired - don’t they ?
Thank you for having a look at my photos. Comments or faves are very welcome and much appreciated.
También tienen sus depredadores, en la la imagen un macho de Oniychogomphus forcipatus ha caído en la tela de araña y rapidamente será envuelto en ella.
Fotograma completo
En la rambla de Minateda. Agramón (Albacete) España
They also have their predators, in the image a male of Oniychogomphus forcipatus has fallen into the spider web and will quickly be wrapped in it.
Full frame
On the Rambla de Minateda. Agramón (Albacete) Spain
Suffolk, Monk’s Eleigh – St Peter’s Church
Monk’s Eleigh is a small village about 15 miles from Ipswich in Suffolk. St Peter’s Church was erected around 1350 although there had been a Saxon church on the site for many years. There are a few things in the church that predate the church itself. Namely, the font, which is 13th century. This is made of Barnack stone and one of the six bells dates to 1330.
Over the next 100 years the church was enlarged, clerestory windows and the west tower was added. The tower has a beautiful exterior doorway. The South door also at the time very ornate, however has worn down over the years.
There is also a fine medieval pulpit, reputed to be one of the oldest in the county. There is an alms box with the date 1636.
The chancel and north vestry were added 1845 and in 1867 there was a programme of restoration and re-seating. There are some fine stained glass windows these were installed around 1880-1900 and were designed by Ward and Hughes
With most of the eastern US under the latest Polar Vortex, I thought icicles would make an appropriate cliche. This picture actually predates the frigid weather and was taken at a neighbor's house after the blizzard.
Acheta domesticus female predated from Hogna radiata female.
First handheld stack "test" with GX8 and my new lens Olympus 60mm 2.8 MACRO, diffused flash Meike MK320 on camera. (17 shots)
I hope you like it and I thank you for your visits, faves and comments that are always very appreciated!
Night # 2 at MMM in Toronto. Highlights were Pakistani band Junoon ( Salman Ahmed) and Suzzane D'Mello from India. Here is a shot of Salman Ahmed who performed amazingly and is promoting his new book and CD. Lots of Junoonies were present and the crowd was fully enthusiastic !!!!!! It was an awesome evening and night and yes we could have all gone on well into the early morning if the programme permitted...such was the music.
I include a well known song which predates Junoon and they did a great rendition of it. This is one amazing song and goes back many many many years....they also performed this song last night to HUGE enthusiasm...Dama Maskalandar ...its a classic and yes its IMPOSSIBLE to sit still to this song......
unless you fall off :-)
Author Unknown, i suspect this quote predated flat screen tv ;-)
HBW!! RESIST! IMPEACH!!
chrysanthemum, 'Apple Valley', sarah p duke gardens, duke university, durham, north carolina
Briefly, the Large Copper was once found in the UK in the Fens of East Anglia, but numbers diminished with the draining of the Fens for farmland until the last of the species died out in circa 1851. The British sub species was unique and cannot be recovered.
There are two further subspecies in Europe, including one in the Netherlands that has been used to attempt official releases to reintroduce Large Coppers to the UK. All such releases have failed to date, largely it seems because of the limited habitat available. The other European subspecies is L.d. rutilus in central and eastern Europe.
This find at Bumble Hole in the West Midlands is presumably a private release by a butterfly breeder of a sample of the Central and eastern European subspecies, to a site that has a limited habitat and the butterflies are highly unlikely to establish a lasting colony. The release seems to have been of larvae, as there have been empty chrysalis cases found on site, including one predated by a wasp. Further breeding by the adult butterflies has taken place, since eggs have been found on the food plant, water dock and more recently new larvae.
I decided to go and visit on 11 August, to see these beautiful butterflies while they are around.
Thankj you for your faves and conmments
Hallgrímskirkja is a Lutheran (Church of Iceland) parish church in Reykjavík, Iceland. At 74.5 metres (244 ft) tall, it is the largest church in Iceland and among the tallest structures in the country. Known for its distinctively curved spire and side wings, it has been described as having become an important symbol for Iceland's national identity since its completion in 1986. The church is named after the Icelandic poet and cleric Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614–1674), author of the Passion Hymns.
Architecturally, Hallgrímskirkja consists of three parts: The tower with the distinctly curved side wings which house service facilities, a nave in more traditional architecture, and a sanctuary at the other end of the nave, whose cylindrical shape has been described as evoking Viking war helmets.
It took 41 years to build the church: construction started in 1945 and ended in 1986, but the landmark tower was completed long before the whole church was finished. The crypt beneath the choir was consecrated in 1948, the steeple and wings were completed in 1974, and the nave was consecrated in 1986. At the time of construction, the building was criticized as too old-fashioned and as a blend of different architectural styles. The church was originally intended to be less tall, but the leaders of the Church of Iceland wanted a large spire so as to outshine Landakotskirkja (Landakot's Church), which was the cathedral of the Catholic Church in Iceland.
The statue of explorer Leif Erikson (c.970 – c.1020) by Alexander Stirling Calder in front of the church predates its construction. It was a gift from the United States in honor of the 1930 Althing Millennial Festival, commemorating the 1000th anniversary of the convening of Iceland's parliament at Þingvellir in 930 AD.
Chandeliers from the oldest classical building in Ireland- The Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin. It was built in 1680 by royal command and predates its sister, the Royal Hospital Chelsea, by two years.
47/52 Pick one place and don’t move from it for one hour making as many beautiful images as you can from that one point of view.
Santo Domingo de Guzman: Located on Avenue 20 de Noviembre. This is one of the city’s most beautiful and emblematic buildings. The first stone for the church was placed in 1547 by Francisco Marroquin, Bishop of Guatemala. It seems that the current church dates from the 17th century, but elements predating this were undoubtedly used for its construction. The exterior has been modified - apparently the façade was between two structures of which the southernmost is gone and there remain only some traces of it on the church wall. The façade is exquisitely decorated and on it a great Dominican coat-of-arms stands out. The mortared decoration, which covers the entire façade, deserves special attention. The motifs are unusual and make this façade one of the most ornate from Mexican and Central American colonial art. To find these motifs requires a minutely precise observation: There are anagrams, little angels, sirens and personages between lions. The Dominican House of Antigua, no longer standing, may have been its model. The pulpit is of remarkable beauty. Its structure rises upon a pedestal profusely carved in the likeness of a sumptuous golden challis. It is one of Mexico's best. Inside you’ll see motifs of indigenous design. Sure to grab your attention are a pair of two-headed eagles that flank the sculpture of Santo Domingo. Open daily from 08:00 to 19:00.
The Calanais Standing Stones can be found on the west coast of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. The stones are made of Lewisian Gneiss which is one of the oldest rocks in Britain and dates back 3000 million years. The stones are placed in a cross-shaped setting and were erected some 5,000 years ago. They predate England’s famous Stonehenge monument, and were an important place for ritual activity for at least 2,000 years.
I always have to explain this. This isn’t a baited image. I’m in a blind and behind me are approximately 200 doves eating away at feeders. The snowy love to predate on the doves. So this one obviously silent and me nearly asleep snuck up on me and this is all I got.
The gardens were designed by Henry Hoare II and laid out between 1741 and 1780 in a classical 18th-century design set around a large lake, achieved by damming a small stream. The inspiration behind their creation were the painters Claude Lorrain, Poussin, and, in particular, Gaspard Dughet, who painted Utopian-type views of Italian landscapes. An early feature, predating the lake, is the Temple of Flora (1744–46). Lakeside features include the five-arched Palladian Bridge at the eastern extremity of the lake; the Rockwork Bridge over the road to the south of the lake; and to the west the grotto and the Gothic Cottage summerhouse
Information by Wikipedia
Texture's and effect's by William Walton & Topaz
The poor old brown teal never stood a chance: hunted for food and eggs and young predated by rats, as soon as humans arrived, then with the European settlement came the introduction of more rats, plus stoats, ferrets and cats... The South Island mainland population hung on until 2013, since then the brown teal has been confined to the north of the North Island. Fewer than 1000 individuals survive, many in predator-free sanctuaries as part of a re-introduction programme, as here.
Ducks and drakes are indistinguishable in the field. the closely related Auckland Islands teal (A. aucklandica) was once considered conspecific.
From a slide.
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This particular male "Saga" has been a common fixture on the beach of Lake Ontario for the past 3 springs. He fathered 3 chicks in 2022, returned in 2023 and with his partner "Chewie" successfully raised 3 chicks and now in 2024 has partnered with a female "Lola" and successfully incubated 4 eggs. The 4 eggs hatched on June 13 and 14 and the chicks were banded on June 21. Unfortunately 2 of the chicks were predated on June 24 and another one on June 25 leaving only one juvenile for the parents to raise. This is discouraging for an endangered species that has had so much difficulty in trying to repopulate.
This years juvenile "Red Dot" was trying to fledge on July 5 and the last sighting of Lola was late evening July 6 so is assumed she has migrated south.
This is Saga posing for a few shots but I did not realize until editing that a Shoreline Wolf Spider had jumped from the sand and landed on his chest and 1 second later was on his back. It rode around on his back for approximately 5 minutes before jumping off. These spiders are common on beaches where they can easily feed on arthropods that populate a sandy habitat. This species is native to Canada.
A special thankyou to chief park naturalist "Kristen Osborne" for identifying the spider for me.
A special thank you to all who visit, fave and/or comment on this photo. Much appreciated.
Here it is common and often abundant throughout England and Wales, including all the islands, though more sparse in the north and confined to the south and west in Scotland where it seems to have declined over recent decades. Adults occur year-round; occasionally in woodland but mostly in open and dry habitats exposed to the sun, usually grassland and pasture but often agricultural land, parkland and even domestic gardens although in central and northern Europe they often prefer permanently damp pasture and even wetland margins with plenty of tall vegetation. They are active on the warmest days in the spring and early summer when they disperse by flight in bright sunshine but they are generally crepuscular and nocturnal and may be found by torchlight on pathways and among vegetation. Reproduction occurs from April until July and larvae develop through the spring and summer, the first new-generation adults appear in August and these will go on to overwinter and breed the following spring and at least some will survive and go on to overwinter and breed for a second time. Larvae are terrestrial predators, feeding upon eggs and larvae of other small arthropods while adults are omnivorous; for most of their active season they predate other insects as well as worms and slugs and will feed on crushed insects on pathways but they also consume grass seeds etc, especially in the spring when they have been known to damage beet seedlings.
Suffolk, Monk’s Eleigh – St Peter’s Church
Monk’s Eleigh is a small village about 15 miles from Ipswich in Suffolk. St Peter’s Church was erected around 1350 although there had been a Saxon church on the site for many years. There are a few things in the church that predate the church itself. Namely, the font, which is 13th century. This is made of Barnack stone and one of the six bells dates to 1330.
Over the next 100 years the church was enlarged, clerestory windows and the west tower was added. The tower has a beautiful exterior doorway. The South door also at the time very ornate, however has worn down over the years.
There is also a fine medieval pulpit, reputed to be one of the oldest in the county. There is an alms box with the date 1636.
The chancel and north vestry were added 1845 and in 1867 there was a programme of restoration and re-seating. There are some fine stained glass windows these were installed around 1880-1900 and were designed by Ward and Hughes
Galapagos Islands
Hidden amid the vegetation is an insect with awesome lime green and burnt orange hues —The large painted locust is one of two species of painted locust endemic to the Galapagos Islands. They are found on all islands except for Española, where the small painted locust is present. This, as the name suggests is a smaller locust, with a more drab colouration.
They are abundant in the lowlands, particularly after heavy rainfall, and can often be seen surrounding lights on the inhabited islands. They are predated on by lava lizards and the Galapagos hawk.
The large painted locust is not closely related to any mainland species, but it is believed they most likely colonised the Galapagos Islands by flight as they are very strong fliers. They are also very good jumpers, easily able to reach up to 3 metres.
THANK YOU for your visits, comments and favs
It has been nicknamed the 'Stonehenge of the North' but, built around 3000 BC, the stones actually predate Stonehenge by approximately 2,000 years.
'Over the fence' The beautiful male Hen Harrier taking flight from one of its favourite hunting posts in its protected habitat on The Isle of Mull, Argyll and Bute, Scotland.
The Hen Harrier has been severely persecuted for taking game species and has suffered massive declines in numbers as a result. Thankfully, conservation projects are underway to reduce conflict surrounding its controversial prey.
RSPB note…Of the UK's birds of prey, this is the most intensively persecuted. Once predating free-range fowl, earning its present name, its effect on the number of grouse available to shoot is the cause of modern conflict and threatens its survival in some parts of the UK, particularly on the driven grouse moors of England and Scotland. (RSPB Note)
While males are a pale grey colour, females and immatures are brown with a white rump and a long, barred tail which give them the name 'ringtail'. They fly with wings held in a shallow 'V', gliding low in search of food, which mainly consists of meadow pipits and voles. The Orkney population is famous for being polygynous, with males sometimes mating with multiple females on the island.
They are listed as a Schedule 1 species under The Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Many thanks for visiting my Flickr pages ...Your visits, interest, comments and kindness to 'fave' my photos is very much appreciated, Steve.
Hen Harrier information
Category: Birds of prey
Statistics
Length: 48-55cm
Wingspan: 1.1m
Weight: 350-500g
Average lifespan: 7 years
Conservation status
Classified in the UK as Red under the Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the Red List for Birds (2021). Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981.
When to see: January to December
About
The Hen Harrier nests on the ground among the heather of upland moorlands. It winters in the lowlands, particularly around the coast, on heathland and on farmland. It is one of the most endangered breeding birds of prey in the country; it sometimes feeds on small grouse and fowl (hence its name), bringing it into conflict with gamekeepers and farmers.
How to identify
The hen harrier is a slim bird. Males are blue-grey with a white rump, pale underside and black wing tips. Females are brown above and streaky below, with a white rump and a banded tail.
Distribution
Found in Scotland and parts of upland Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. Only a tiny handful of pairs now nest in parts of upland England. Winters in small numbers throughout the UK.
Habitats
Heathland, Moorland, Farmland, Coastal Wetlands, Woodland
Did you know?
Female Hen Harriers are known as 'ringtails' due to their distinctive tail banding. Both females and males attend the young; the males provide food, which is often passed, mid-air to the female in a spectacular display of 'throw and catch'. NWT Notes.
There’s no doubt that many of the folks who visit the city take a ride out to see the Golden Gate Bridge. After all, it might be San Francisco’s most famous landmark. What many fail to see however, is the little pockmarked building that sits at the end of Lime Point on the Marin side of the bridge. The fog station went operational in 1883. A light was added in 1900. All of which predates the building of the Golden Gate Bridge (1937). The station was decommissioned in 1961. As a kid, I remember hearing the old fog bell on those soupy foggy mornings warning the ships to keep away.
San Francisco CA
'Silent hunter' The beautiful male Hen Harrier quartering the heather in its protected habitat on The Isle of Mull, Argyll and Bute, Scotland.
The Hen Harrier has been severely persecuted for taking game species and has suffered massive declines in numbers as a result. Thankfully, conservation projects are underway to reduce conflict surrounding its controversial prey.
Of the UK's birds of prey, this is the most intensively persecuted. Once predating free-range fowl, earning its present name, its effect on the number of grouse available to shoot is the cause of modern conflict and threatens its survival in some parts of the UK, particularly on the driven grouse moors of England and Scotland. (RSPB Note)
While males are a pale grey colour, females and immatures are brown with a white rump and a long, barred tail which give them the name 'ringtail'. They fly with wings held in a shallow 'V', gliding low in search of food, which mainly consists of meadow pipits and voles. The Orkney population is famous for being polygynous, with males sometimes mating with multiple females on the island.
They are listed as a Schedule 1 species under The Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Many thanks for visiting my Flickr pages ...Your visits, interest, comments and kindness to 'fave' my photos is very much appreciated, Steve.
Hen Harrier Notes and information:
Category: Birds of prey
Statistics
Length: 48-55cm
Wingspan: 1.1m
Weight: 350-500g
Average lifespan: 7 years
Conservation status
Classified in the UK as Red under the Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the Red List for Birds (2021). Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981.
When to see: January to December
About
The Hen Harrier nests on the ground among the heather of upland moorlands. It winters in the lowlands, particularly around the coast, on heathland and on farmland. It is one of the most endangered breeding birds of prey in the country; it sometimes feeds on small grouse and fowl (hence its name), bringing it into conflict with gamekeepers and farmers.
How to identify
The hen harrier is a slim bird. Males are blue-grey with a white rump, pale underside and black wing tips. Females are brown above and streaky below, with a white rump and a banded tail.
Distribution
Found in Scotland and parts of upland Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. Only a tiny handful of pairs now nest in parts of upland England. Winters in small numbers throughout the UK.
Habitats
Heathland, Moorland, Farmland, Coastal Wetlands, Woodland
Did you know?
Female Hen Harriers are known as 'ringtails' due to their distinctive tail banding. Both females and males attend the young; the males provide food, which is often passed, mid-air to the female in a spectacular display of 'throw and catch'. NWT Notes.
Good Mother - Thanks to some pointers from a friend I was able to photograph this beautiful family of Burrowing Owls during the golden hour. Unfortunately, just a day prior it seems that the male and 4 chicks were predated, leaving just mom and 2 babies. Mom was very vigilant and let out a warning chirp when a Swainson's Hawk passed overhead. I suspect that the sudden and catastrophic drop in numbers for this family was due to feral/outdoor cats. Resident Burrowing Owls are reducing in number throughout much of California due to factors such as this and habitat loss. I hope to contribute towards the conservation of these owls through my work and photography.
I finally calibrated my extender, so it was nice to get some closeups using the long focal length in beautiful light. I really hope the mother and these two chicks make it.
Species: Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)
Location: Northern California, CA, USA
Equipment: Nikon D850 + Nikkor 500mm f4G ED VR + Nikon 1.4x TC II, Handheld
Settings: 1/500s, ISO: 450, f/5.6 @700mm, +0.3 EV
Praslin, Seychelles
A characterful bird introduced from Asia and now common on several islands of the Seychelles, the Myna is adaptable but aggressive and out-competes the native birds for nest sites and food as well as predating eggs and even chicks of the rare endemic birds.
Terrible moment d'inattention des échasses blanches qui s'étaient éloignées du nid.. un seul oeuf sur les 3 a été apparemment prédaté.
Terrible moment of inattention of the Black winged Stilts that had moved away from the nest.. only one egg out of the 3 was apparently predated.
Suffolk, Monk’s Eleigh – St Peter’s Church
Monk’s Eleigh is a small village about 15 miles from Ipswich in Suffolk. St Peter’s Church was erected around 1350 although there had been a Saxon church on the site for many years. There are a few things in the church that predate the church itself. Namely, the font, which is 13th century. This is made of Barnack stone and one of the six bells dates to 1330.
Over the next 100 years the church was enlarged, clerestory windows and the west tower was added. The tower has a beautiful exterior doorway. The South door also at the time very ornate, however has worn down over the years.
There is also a fine medieval pulpit, reputed to be one of the oldest in the county. There is an alms box with the date 1636.
The chancel and north vestry were added 1845 and in 1867 there was a programme of restoration and re-seating. There are some fine stained glass windows these were installed around 1880-1900 and were designed by Ward and Hughes
Several species of birds, including these Red-winged Blackbirds (and a few Brown-headed Cowbirds) use strength in numbers for survival. The mob they create finds food, provides warning of predators and weeds out their weak when predated..
Definitely a noisy group also. Agelaius phoeniceus
Suffolk, Monk’s Eleigh – St Peter’s Church
Monk’s Eleigh is a small village about 15 miles from Ipswich in Suffolk. St Peter’s Church was erected around 1350 although there had been a Saxon church on the site for many years. There are a few things in the church that predate the church itself. Namely, the font, which is 13th century. This is made of Barnack stone and one of the six bells dates to 1330.
Over the next 100 years the church was enlarged, clerestory windows and the west tower was added. The tower has a beautiful exterior doorway. The South door also at the time very ornate, however has worn down over the years.
There is also a fine medieval pulpit, reputed to be one of the oldest in the county. There is an alms box with the date 1636.
The chancel and north vestry were added 1845 and in 1867 there was a programme of restoration and re-seating. There are some fine stained glass windows these were installed around 1880-1900 and were designed by Ward and Hughes
The statue of explorer Leif Eriksson by Alexander Stirling Calder stands in front of the Hallgrímskirkja church and predates its construction. It was a gift from the United States in honour of the 1930 Althing Millennial Festival, commemorating the 1000th anniversary of Iceland's parliament at Þingvellir in 930 AD
un été de feu....
Il commençait si bien, cet été 2022, dans ma belle région du Bassin d'Arcachon...
Comme chaque année, l'amoureuse des limicoles que je suis, observait régulièrement les nichées d'Avocettes élégantes, et des Échasses blanches ...la saison de reproduction de ces magnifiques oiseaux , et d'un grand nombre d'autres espèces promettait d'être belle ...
Entre le 15 et 18 Juin 2022 , la canicule s'est installée dans le sud-ouest de la France, éprouvante pour les êtres humains...et assassine pour la flore et la faune sauvage:
Sur le Banc d'Arguin, réserve naturelle nationale située à l'entrée du Bassin d'Arcachon, 313 poussins de Goélands sont retrouvés morts de déshydratation ...
Le mois de juillet a été tout aussi caniculaire et difficile pour les oiseaux de la réserve du Teich qui en plus subissaient une forte prédation des Milans noirs qui nourrissaient leurs poussins ;le 29/07/2022, la réserve ornithologique publie un bilan assez triste:
"Chez les Avocettes élégantes, sur 23 nids installés et 26 poussins éclos, aucun jeune n’a été observé à l’envol en raison de la forte pression de prédation exercée par le Milan noir. Les deux colonies installées de Mouettes rieuse ont subi de plein fouet la prédation. Sur 112 nids installés, 65 ont au moins eu un œuf éclos. On estime à 113 le nombre de poussins prédatés. Seulement 3 poussins ont survécus.
Les Échasses blanches semblent mieux s’en tirer avec 51 nids installés, 78 poussins prédatés et 4 poussins observés à l’envol..."
Certaines espèces comme les Cygnes tuberculés, Tadorne de Belon, Colverts, Gallinules poule d'eau s'en sont mieux sortis...heureusement
Un été , étouffant ...la végétation était tellement sèche....les températures tellement élevées...
le 12 juillet deux incendies monstrueux , embrasent Landiras et La Teste de Buch, puis les communes de Saumos et Arès; Malgré le travail acharné des pompiers, canadairs, avion DASH....ils ne seront déclarés éteints que le 28 Septembre, après avoir dévastés 12552 hectares en juillet ,puis 6743 hectares en aout sur Landiras, 3350 hectares sur la commune de Saumos et 120 hectares sur la commune de Arès ...Fort heureusement, aucune victime humaine n'est à déplorer. La flore endémique parfois, et la faune sauvage paient un lourd tribut ...beaucoup d'animaux (Renards,Marcassins, faons, oiseaux, écureuils, Batraciens, reptiles, hérissons, insectes ...) ont péri, carbonisés et/ou asphyxiés...d'autres qui ont réussi à fuir l'enfer des flammes gravement brulés, on trouve encore aujourd'hui des chevreuils , marcassins...qui errent dans ces endroits en marchant sur les moignons osseux de leurs pattes...beaucoup sont euthanasiés lorsqu'ils sont récupérés ...
Comme il est difficile, pour moi, d'oublier cet été ...chaque année, le constat du dérèglement climatique se fait plus pesant, dans ma région comme dans la votre, et ce phénomène s'accélère inexorablement ...Si le feu de La teste est dû à un accident, tous les autres feux , toutes les reprises de feu (jusqu'à 10 certains jours) sont des actes CRIMINELS....Est-ce que l'homme devient fou ?...
2022-05-27_09-33-30_01-
A summer of fire....
It started so well, this summer of 2022, in my beautiful region of the Bassin d'Arcachon (GIRONDE)...
Like every year, the shorebird lover that I am, regularly observed the nests of Pied Avocets and Black-winged Stilts...the breeding season of these magnificent birds, and of a large number of other species, promised 'to be beautiful ...
Between June 15 and 18, 2022, the heat wave settled in the south-west of France, trying for human beings... and murdering for flora and wildlife:
On the Banc d'Arguin, a national nature reserve located at the entrance to the Bassin d'Arcachon, 313 seagull chicks were found dead of dehydration ...
The month of July was just as scorching and difficult for the birds of the Teich reserve, which in addition suffered heavy predation from black kites which fed their chicks; on 07/29/2022, the ornithological reserve published a rather sad report:
"Among the Avocets, out of 23 installed nests and 26 hatched chicks, no fledglings were observed due to the strong predation pressure exerted by the Black Kite. The two installed colonies of Black-headed Gulls suffered from full force of predation. Of 112 nests installed, 65 had at least one egg hatched. The number of predated chicks is estimated at 113. Only 3 chicks survived.
The Black-winged Stilts seem to be doing better with 51 nests installed, 78 predated chicks and 4 chicks observed fledging..."
Some species such as mute swans, common shelduck, mallards, Common Moorhen have fared better...fortunately
A sweltering summer...the vegetation was so dry...the temperatures were so high...
on July 12, two monstrous fires set Landiras and La Teste de Buch ablaze, then the towns of Saumos and Arès; Despite the hard work of firefighters, canadairs, DASH aircraft .... they will only be declared extinct on September 28, after having devastated 12,552 hectares in July, then 6,743 hectares in August in Landiras, 3,350 hectares in the town of Saumos and 120 hectares in the commune of Arès...Fortunately, no human casualties were to be deplored. Sometimes endemic flora and wildlife pay a heavy price......many animals (Foxes, young wild boars, fawns, birds, squirrels, Batrachians, reptiles, hedgehogs, insects...) perished, charred and/or asphyxiated...others who managed to flee the hell of the flames badly burned... we still find today deer, young wild boars... who wander in these places walking on the bone stumps of their legs... many are euthanized when they are recovered.. .
How difficult it is for me to forget this summer ... each year, the observation of climate change becomes more serious, in my region as in yours, and this phenomenon is accelerating inexorably ... If the fire de La teste is due to an accident, all other fires, all resumptions of fire (up to 10 on certain days) are CRIMINAL acts....Is the man going mad?...
Suffolk, Monk’s Eleigh – St Peter’s Church
Monk’s Eleigh is a small village about 15 miles from Ipswich in Suffolk. St Peter’s Church was erected around 1350 although there had been a Saxon church on the site for many years. There are a few things in the church that predate the church itself. Namely, the font, which is 13th century. This is made of Barnack stone and one of the six bells dates to 1330.
Over the next 100 years the church was enlarged, clerestory windows and the west tower was added. The tower has a beautiful exterior doorway. The South door also at the time very ornate, however has worn down over the years.
There is also a fine medieval pulpit, reputed to be one of the oldest in the county. There is an alms box with the date 1636.
The chancel and north vestry were added 1845 and in 1867 there was a programme of restoration and re-seating. There are some fine stained glass windows these were installed around 1880-1900 and were designed by Ward and Hughes
The African Clawed Frog gets its name from the three short claws on each hind foot, which it uses to tear apart its food. They feed underwater and predate on tadpoles of amphibians. These frogs were traditionally used in medical testing, particularly in pregnancy tests.
The word Xenopus means 'strange foot' and laevis means 'smooth'. These frogs are native to eastern and southern Africa and parts of western Africa.
This shot was taken through scratched glass!
We were at famous Volunteer Point, Falkland Islands, where there is a large colony of King Penguins. They were being heavily predated upon by a sea lion who would pick them off as they returned from the sea and had to walk up the beach. These guys were doing their best to see to it that the colony survived.
Walking towards the house at Lanhydrock the first thing you see is the magnificent gatehouse. I think this building, predates the house that was almost completely destroyed in a massive fire in 1881.
I like the symmetry and the sneaky peek of the house through the arch!
Canon EOS 6D - f/18 - 6 sec - 100 mm - ISO 200
- challenge Flickr group: Macro Mondays, theme: Contained
- crystal salt cellar with sterling silver rim
- diameter of this salt cellar is 4 cm
- Not a good start of 2020 ???
- A superstition in Western cultures holds that spilling salt is an evil omen.
The European belief in the ill luck that comes from spilt salt is quite old, going back to ancient Rome. The 1556 Hieroglyphica of Piero Valeriano Bolzani reports that "salt was formerly a symbol of friendship, because of its lasting quality. For it makes substances more compact and preserves them for a long time: hence it was usually presented to guests before other food, to signify the abiding strength of friendship. Wherefore many consider it ominous to spill salt on the table.
This may not be the actual explanation since salt was a valuable commodity in ancient times and, as such, was seen as a symbol of trust and friendship. A German proverb held that "whoever spills salt arouses enmity". According to Charles Nodier, among "savages", the "action of spilling salt ... indicates among them the refusal of protection and hospitality from such strangers as they may have reason to suspect are thieves and murderers."
One widespread explanation of the belief that it is unlucky to spill salt is that Judas Iscariot spilled the salt at the Last Supper and indeed Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper depicts Judas Iscariot having knocked over a salt-cellar.
This is often taken as a questionable explanation because spilling salt was generally considered a bad omen already and indeed the imagery predates da Vinci's usage.
Across the road from Hailes Abbey in Gloucestershire is Hailes Church, a small country chapel that predates its more famous neighbour by a half-century. The small Norman church stands on the edge of a farm field, directly opposite the ruins of the Cistercian abbey. Hailes church was begun around 1135 and is famous for its wonderful collection of medieval wall paintings.
From Killynether Wood across the Castlereagh Hills to Belfast nestling in the valley below Black Mountain. A straight from the phone snap while out for a wander.
Zoom in.
Just left of centre, above the two white houses is my wife's old family home. Once a working farm it had a windmill some two hundred years ago, predating all the modern windmills dotted through out the landscape.
Inside this olive orchard is situated the Museum of Theophilos, the famous Greek painter. The trees are of a great age and predate the construction of the museum (1964). The olive orchard has not been altered in order to preserve the natural environment around the museum.
The power of life.
Midsummer is the period of time centered upon the summer solstice, and more specifically the northern European celebrations that accompany the actual solstice or take place on a day between June 19 and June 25 and the preceding evening. The exact dates vary among different cultures. The celebration predates Christianity, and existed under different names and traditions around the world.