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National Botanical Garden, Mirpur 1216, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, the Indus Valley bullfrog or Indian bullfrog, popular name Asian bullfrog, Asean bullfrog or Asia bullfrog, is a large species of frog found in Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nepal.
The Indian Bullfrog (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus) may not look like much, but its appearance can change dramatically. During most of the season, both genders are a rather dull kaki-olive-green, but once the mating season comes around, things change drastically: males put on their good suits to impress all the ladies!
They turn yellow, except for the vocal sacks, which turn blue. It’s not exactly clear how this works, but it’s believed that the brighter the colour, the more attractive the male is. Another interesting fact about the Indian Bullfrog is that when threatened (or when it really wants), it can jump on the surface just as it would jump on land, despite being a relatively large frog.
The species inhabits wetlands of South and South East Asia, inhabiting holes and bushes near permanent waters. It’s mostly a nocturnal animal, and its diet consists of insects, and occasionaly small mammals and birds. Breeding takes place during the monsoon season, which is why it hasn’t really been studied until recent years. The Indian Bullfrog has been farmed in Thailand since the 1990s for food.
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Day Three ... after lunch we went to the nearby Minneriya National Park.
From Wikipedia -
Minneriya National Park is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was designated as a national park in 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938.
The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King Mahasen in third century AD. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee districts.
The park's fauna includes 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 75 species of butterflies.
The park is an important habitat for the two endemic monkeys of Sri Lanka: purple-faced langur and toque macaque. Large herbivorous mammals such as Sri Lankan sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer frequent the park. Rare and endangered species such as Sri Lankan leopard and Sri Lankan sloth bear inhabit in Minneriya. Minneriya is one of the areas where the gray slender loris is reportedly found in Sri Lanka.
The Minneriya reservoir is an important habitat for large water birds such as lesser adjutant, painted stork, and spot-billed pelican. Minneriya is a dormitory for many resident as well as migrant bird species. Flocks of 2000 little cormorants have been reported. Great white pelican, ruddy turnstone, and grey heron are the other water birds here. Among the endemic birds are Sri Lanka junglefowl, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, brown-capped babbler, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, black-crested bulbul and crimson-fronted barbet. The number of threatened birds recorded from this national park is 11.
Amphibians of Fejervarya pulla and Polypedates cruciger have been recorded from the area. There are eight species of endemic reptiles, and all of them are considered threatened. Painted-lip lizard and Lankascincus fallax are among them. Saltwater crocodile, Indian python, Asian water monitor, and Bengal monitor are among the other reptiles. Four of the fresh water fishes recorded from Minneriya are endemic to Sri Lanka.
Castel del Monte, Andria, Puglia, Italia.
Castel del Monte, Andria, Apulia, Italy.
Romànic, Gòtic, Musulmà
CATALÀ
El Castel del Monte és un edifici del segle XIII construït per Frederic II, a Pulla, a la ciutat d'Andria, prop de Santa Maria del Monte.
El seu origen se situa oficialment el 29 de gener de 1240, quan Frederic II Hohenstaufen va ordenar que es preparessin els materials i tot el necessari per construir un castell prop de l'església de Santa Maria de Monte (ja desapareguda). Aquesta data, però, no és acceptada per tots els estudiosos: segons alguns, de fet, la construcció del castell en aquell moment ja havia arribat a les teulades.
No queda clara l'atribució a un determinat arquitecte: alguns l'atribueixen a Richard Lentini, però molts sostenen que la construcció del disseny és del mateix Frederic II. Sembla que va ser construït sobre les ruïnes d'una fortalesa anterior, primer Llombarda i després Normanda. Probablement a la mort de Frederic II (que va tenir lloc a 1250) l'edifici encara no estava acabat.
Fou rarament utilitzat en celebracions, tot i així, el 1246 va haver-hi el casament de Violant, la filla il·legítima de Richard i Bianca Lancia amb el comte de Caserta Riccardo Caetani.
A partir del segle XVII va patir un llarg període d'abandonament, durant el qual el castell va ser espoliat de mobles i decoracions de marbre parietal (les restes encara són visibles, només per darrere dels capitells) i es va convertir així en una presó i en un refugi per als pastors, bandits i refugiats polítics. El 1876 el castell, en condicions de conservació summament precàries, va ser comprat finalment (per la suma de 25.000 £) per l'Estat italià, que en va preparar la restauració a partir de 1928. El 1936 va ser declarat monument nacional.
El 1996, la UNESCO l'ha inscrit a la llista de Patrimoni per la perfecció de les seves formes i per l'harmoniosa unió dels elements culturals del nord d'Europa i el món islàmic de clàssic, típic exemple d'arquitectura militar medieval.
Occasionally used as a hunting lodge under Manfred of Sicily, the castle become a state prison under the latter's victor, Charles I of Anjou: here Manfred's sons Henry, Azzo and Enzo were kept as prisoner after 1266, as well as other Hohenstaufen supporters[3]
The main wall is 25 m high and the eight bastions each 26 m. The sides of the main octagon are 16.5 m long and those of the octagonal towers each 3.1 m. The castle has a diameter of 56 m. Its main entrance faces east.
ENGLISH
Because of its relatively small size, it was once considered to be no more than a "hunting lodge", but scholars now believe it originally had a curtain wall and did serve as a citadel.[2] Frederick was responsible for the construction of many castles in Apulia, but Castel del Monte's geometric design was unique.The fortress is an octagonal prism with an octagonal tower at each corner. The towers were originally some 5 m higher than now, and they should perhaps include a third floor.[3] Both floors have eight rooms and an eight-sided courtyard occupies the castle's centre.[6] Each of the main rooms has vaulted ceilings. Three of the corner towers contain staircases. The castle has two entrances, an unobtrusive service entrance and an ornate main entrance. Frederick's main entrance featured elements from classical design, and may have been influenced by Frederick's interest in Greco-Roman architecture.
The octagonal plan is unusual in castle design. Historians have debated the purpose of the building and it has been suggested that it was intended as a hunting lodge.[7] Another theory is that the octagon is an intermediate symbol between a square (representing the earth) and a circle (representing the sky). Frederick II may have been inspired to build to this shape by either the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, which he had seen during the Sixth Crusade, or by the Palace Chapel of Aachen Cathedral.
In 1996 Castel del Monte was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, which described it as "a unique masterpiece of medieval military architecture”
WIKIPEDIA
La Sacra di San Michele és una abadia ubicada dalt del cim Pirchiriano, de 936 metres, que tanca la vall de Susa al Piemont, i obre les vistes a la plana de Torí.
A la seva falda, des de la qual es pot contemplar la vertiginosa altura, tant de la muntanya com dels edificis, s'hi troben la petita localitat de Ciusa, conquerida per Carlemany entre els anys 773 i 774, abans d'envair la plana de Torí. Aquest monestir benedictí, que els torinesos anomenen simplement La Sacra, és un dels edificis més famosos i més excepcionals del romànic a Europa. Per a accedir al complex monàstic s'han de pujar 243 graons esgotadors, però una vegada al cim es pot gaudir d'unes vistes sorprenents dels voltants.
La massissa arquitectura del monestir, que sembla una fortificació, deixa una petjada profunda. Les roques es fonen amb els fonaments i amb les escales de les tres capelles que constitueixen el complex, junt amb l'església de Sant Miquel. En el segle VII o en el VIII ja existia en la roca un petit oratori, abans que arribés el duc Hug von Montoissier, l'any 999, i ordenés construir un monestir i un alberg per a pelegrins. El conjunt es consagrà a l'arcàngel sant Miquel, l'àngel que custodia les altures i les profunditats. De la mateixa manera que les altres esglésies i monestirs dedicats a sant Miquel, aquest complex també es troba en un lloc que entranya perill: l'ascens a les esferes celestials és costerut i la caiguda amenaça ser profunda.
La Sacra va viure el seu floriment en els segles XI i XII, ja que es troba en l'encreuament de tres camins de peregrinació medievals: la via Francigena, de Canterbury a Roma, el camí de Sant Jaume i el camí de Sant Miquel, des del mont Saint-Michel a Bretanya, fins al monte Sant'Angelo, a la regió de la Pulla (Itàlia). Encara avui arriben pelegrins d'arreu del món, que aprofiten l'hospitalitat dels monjos i troben en aquest lloc un centre d'espiritualitat molt especial.
En el segle XX es donà a conèixer la Sacra di San Michele arreu del món mercès a la novel·la El nom de la rosa, d'Umberto Eco, el qual s'inspirà en aquest impressionant monestir per escriure la seva obra. Tot i la imposant abadia de la Sacra, el film es va rodar al monestir cistercenc d'Eberbach (Alemanya), molt més accessible. Umberto Eco va quedar tan descontent de la pel·lícula que va renunciar a vendre els drets de cap més novel·la seva.
Des del nivell de l'entrada a l'abadia s'arriba a l'església a través de l'àmplia Escalinata dels Morts, construïda a mitjans del segle XII. Darrere dels primers esglaons, queda a l'esquerra un pilar de més de 18 metres que sosté el paviment de l'església situada a sobre; a la dreta sorgeix un espigó de roca que es perd al mur situat al davant.
Al nínxol central i fins al 1936 es custodiaven alguns esquelets de monjos, d'aquí el nom que rep. Aquest “atri” va ser força utilitzat un temps com a sepultura d'homes il·lustres, abats i persones meritòries del monestir. Algunes de les tombes que albergava, estaven cobertes de marbre, altres emblanquinades i pintades: d'aquestes actualment en queden només cinc.
Un cop arribat al final de l'escalinata es travessa el Portal del Zodíac (1128-30), obra romànica esculpida pel Mestre Nicolau, famós arquitecte i escultor de Piacenza. Es diu així perquè els estípits de la façana orientada cap a l'escalinata, estan esculpits a la part dreta amb els dotze signes zodiacals ia la part esquerra amb les constel·lacions australs i boreals.
Històricament la part més important és la zona central de l'estípit dret segons s'enfila, sobre el qual, a la vora d'una escena de caça a la llebre, hi ha dos versos escrits en llatí i que acaben amb la signatura de l'autor.
Day Three ... after lunch we went to the nearby Minneriya National Park.
From Wikipedia -
Minneriya National Park is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was designated as a national park in 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938.
The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King Mahasen in third century AD. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee districts.
The park's fauna includes 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 75 species of butterflies.
The park is an important habitat for the two endemic monkeys of Sri Lanka: purple-faced langur and toque macaque. Large herbivorous mammals such as Sri Lankan sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer frequent the park. Rare and endangered species such as Sri Lankan leopard and Sri Lankan sloth bear inhabit in Minneriya. Minneriya is one of the areas where the gray slender loris is reportedly found in Sri Lanka.
The Minneriya reservoir is an important habitat for large water birds such as lesser adjutant, painted stork, and spot-billed pelican. Minneriya is a dormitory for many resident as well as migrant bird species. Flocks of 2000 little cormorants have been reported. Great white pelican, ruddy turnstone, and grey heron are the other water birds here. Among the endemic birds are Sri Lanka junglefowl, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, brown-capped babbler, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, black-crested bulbul and crimson-fronted barbet. The number of threatened birds recorded from this national park is 11.
Amphibians of Fejervarya pulla and Polypedates cruciger have been recorded from the area. There are eight species of endemic reptiles, and all of them are considered threatened. Painted-lip lizard and Lankascincus fallax are among them. Saltwater crocodile, Indian python, Asian water monitor, and Bengal monitor are among the other reptiles. Four of the fresh water fishes recorded from Minneriya are endemic to Sri Lanka.
Monni: "What are you guys up to?"
Pilli: "We are waiting for the Great Pumpkin."
Pulla: "This is the most sincere pumpkin patch!"
Monni: "Hmmm.... well, good luck!"
(Toy Sunday: Halloween)
Finnish traditional dessert called KÖYHÄT RITARIT ----> duefiliderba.com/en/koyhat-ritarit-nothing-is-wasted-in-k...
20th Finnish-American Festival, Naselle, Washington.
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The abundance of Finnish surnames in this photo of the class of 1942 attests to the strong Finnish-American presence in this region of southwest Washington.
Class portraits lined the halls of the event venue because class reunions take place during the Finnish-American festival.
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It seems unlikely that researching the use of simple words and phrases like “log truck,” “coffee” and “baking” would evolve into a multi-day festival, but that’s what happened in Naselle, Washington.
The Finnish American Folk Festival celebrates its 40th year and 20th festival this July, having been held every other year since 1982 – and it’s all thanks to Finnish linguist Pertti Virtaranta and graduate student Hanelle Johnsson Korhola.
Curious about common word usage in Finnish communities, the researchers traveled across Canada and the American Midwest, then to Grays Harbor and the Lower Columbia region, where they interviewed Finnish residents.
At the time, Sue Pakenen Holway was already collecting historic photographs and writing down stories from local immigrants.
Korhola encouraged her to continue the work and expand her contacts. Holway, alongside others in Naselle who were intrigued with Finnish heritage, thought an outdoor festival displaying arts, music, crafts and food might be an appealing way to share their findings.
A group of interested organizers in the region soon applied for a grant from Humanities Washington, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts. They then recruited more than 60 volunteers to create a single-day event in 1982 at a local school.
They expected that perhaps a few hundred people might attend the new festival, but were astounded that over 3,000 partook in revelries that lasted until midnight. Thus, Naselle’s Finnish American Folk Festival was born.
This year’s festivities began at 10 a.m. on Friday with films, cultural programming and workshops in the commons of the Naselle School building. Welcome ceremonies and Maypole dancing were held at noon.
Late afternoon on Friday was filled with performances, including from the Soittorasia Finnish-American Trio. The group honored Wilho Saari, a late kantele player. Later, author Karl Marlantes and singer-songwriter Eeppi Ursin each took the stage.
“We are so excited to have Eeppi Ursin with us (on) both Friday and Saturday nights,” Barb Swanson, one of the festival’s organizers, said.
A flurry of events were scheduled for Saturday, starting early with a Pannukakku pancake breakfast and “Paavo Nurmi” run and walk at 8 a.m. Also slated were competitive games such as the wife-carry contest, boot toss and Nokia phone toss. An opening ceremony began at 10 a.m., when contest winners were announced.
“There’s so much to do. There will be special activities for kids, the tori marketplace with so many things to buy and eat,” Swanson said. “There also will be food demonstrations all day making Finnish specialties like pancakes, rye bread, flat bread or cinnamon rolls and exhibits of vintage items and art,” she added.
Grays River Grange sponsored a salmon dinner from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, while more musical performances were held at the Grabenhorst-Hall Fieldhouse. Performances from the Nordic Viking Scandia Dancers and the Katrilli Dancers followed.
“We’ll have seven class reunions going on during festivities,” Swanson said. She noted that the reunions are a festival tradition.
More Saturday evening entertainment was slated later, including violinist Kim Angelis and pianist Jennifer Goodenberger.
On Sunday, a nondenominational worship service was held at Rueben Penttila field. Coffee and pulla were served afterwards.
Who knew that a professor from Helsinki, Finland, and his curious assistant would spawn such a delightful event?
www.discoverourcoast.com/coast-weekend/coastal-life/20-ye...
Day Three ... after lunch we went to the nearby Minneriya National Park.
From Wikipedia -
Minneriya National Park is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was designated as a national park in 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938.
The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King Mahasen in third century AD. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee districts.
The park's fauna includes 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 75 species of butterflies.
The park is an important habitat for the two endemic monkeys of Sri Lanka: purple-faced langur and toque macaque. Large herbivorous mammals such as Sri Lankan sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer frequent the park. Rare and endangered species such as Sri Lankan leopard and Sri Lankan sloth bear inhabit in Minneriya. Minneriya is one of the areas where the gray slender loris is reportedly found in Sri Lanka.
The Minneriya reservoir is an important habitat for large water birds such as lesser adjutant, painted stork, and spot-billed pelican. Minneriya is a dormitory for many resident as well as migrant bird species. Flocks of 2000 little cormorants have been reported. Great white pelican, ruddy turnstone, and grey heron are the other water birds here. Among the endemic birds are Sri Lanka junglefowl, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, brown-capped babbler, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, black-crested bulbul and crimson-fronted barbet. The number of threatened birds recorded from this national park is 11.
Amphibians of Fejervarya pulla and Polypedates cruciger have been recorded from the area. There are eight species of endemic reptiles, and all of them are considered threatened. Painted-lip lizard and Lankascincus fallax are among them. Saltwater crocodile, Indian python, Asian water monitor, and Bengal monitor are among the other reptiles. Four of the fresh water fishes recorded from Minneriya are endemic to Sri Lanka.
Margerine, despite its pale butter-like colour, pales in taste to butter.
Can you tell which is butter and which is margarine? Margarine has a long and contentious history in Canada. From 1886 to 1948 (despite a WWI respite) it was illegal. After 1948 it was legal to buy but had (according to provincial law) to look different than butter. In Ontario, people had to dye it bright yellow/orange with little packets of dye that came with the lard-like white margarine. Finally, in 1995 the colour ban was lifted, and Ontarians could now buy pale yellow margarine that looks like butter. *Above photo, butter on left, margarine on right, tasty homemade Pulla Bread in the background. :)
Day Three ... after lunch we went to the nearby Minneriya National Park.
From Wikipedia -
Minneriya National Park is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was designated as a national park in 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938.
The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King Mahasen in third century AD. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee districts.
The park's fauna includes 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 75 species of butterflies.
The park is an important habitat for the two endemic monkeys of Sri Lanka: purple-faced langur and toque macaque. Large herbivorous mammals such as Sri Lankan sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer frequent the park. Rare and endangered species such as Sri Lankan leopard and Sri Lankan sloth bear inhabit in Minneriya. Minneriya is one of the areas where the gray slender loris is reportedly found in Sri Lanka.
The Minneriya reservoir is an important habitat for large water birds such as lesser adjutant, painted stork, and spot-billed pelican. Minneriya is a dormitory for many resident as well as migrant bird species. Flocks of 2000 little cormorants have been reported. Great white pelican, ruddy turnstone, and grey heron are the other water birds here. Among the endemic birds are Sri Lanka junglefowl, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, brown-capped babbler, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, black-crested bulbul and crimson-fronted barbet. The number of threatened birds recorded from this national park is 11.
Amphibians of Fejervarya pulla and Polypedates cruciger have been recorded from the area. There are eight species of endemic reptiles, and all of them are considered threatened. Painted-lip lizard and Lankascincus fallax are among them. Saltwater crocodile, Indian python, Asian water monitor, and Bengal monitor are among the other reptiles. Four of the fresh water fishes recorded from Minneriya are endemic to Sri Lanka.
This is the view from the lodge/dining hall at Refugio Pullao on Chile's mythical Chiloé Island. In the background are the sheltered waters of Ensenada Pullao, which I believe means Pullao Bay or Inlet.
Closer in is the green seaweed-covered foreshore, the northern winter / southern summer home to thousands of Hudsonian Godwits. A few minutes before the photo was taken they darkened the edge of the water in a long, long line. I think they just flew off to roost somewhere near. The refuge manager informed us the godwits had only recently arrived from the north, a momentous occasion in the area, and a 13,000 kilometre flight.
In the immediate foreground are the accommodations, extraordinary and eco-friendly units that we stayed in only one night before continuing our journey south to Parque Tantauco. As a result, I did not have much time for photography at the refuge, only managing one brief foray out onto the flats. The next two images are from that muddy adventure.
Compared to Canada, people in Chile seem to put a lot more thought into residential architecture. From fancy accommodations such as this one, to ordinary homes, all kinds of interesting things are done with colour, contours and construction materials.
La Sacra di San Michele és una abadia ubicada dalt del cim Pirchiriano, de 936 metres, que tanca la vall de Susa al Piemont, i obre les vistes a la plana de Torí.
A la seva falda, des de la qual es pot contemplar la vertiginosa altura, tant de la muntanya com dels edificis, s'hi troben la petita localitat de Ciusa, conquerida per Carlemany entre els anys 773 i 774, abans d'envair la plana de Torí. Aquest monestir benedictí, que els torinesos anomenen simplement La Sacra, és un dels edificis més famosos i més excepcionals del romànic a Europa. Per a accedir al complex monàstic s'han de pujar 243 graons esgotadors, però una vegada al cim es pot gaudir d'unes vistes sorprenents dels voltants.
La massissa arquitectura del monestir, que sembla una fortificació, deixa una petjada profunda. Les roques es fonen amb els fonaments i amb les escales de les tres capelles que constitueixen el complex, junt amb l'església de Sant Miquel. En el segle VII o en el VIII ja existia en la roca un petit oratori, abans que arribés el duc Hug von Montoissier, l'any 999, i ordenés construir un monestir i un alberg per a pelegrins. El conjunt es consagrà a l'arcàngel sant Miquel, l'àngel que custodia les altures i les profunditats. De la mateixa manera que les altres esglésies i monestirs dedicats a sant Miquel, aquest complex també es troba en un lloc que entranya perill: l'ascens a les esferes celestials és costerut i la caiguda amenaça ser profunda.
La Sacra va viure el seu floriment en els segles XI i XII, ja que es troba en l'encreuament de tres camins de peregrinació medievals: la via Francigena, de Canterbury a Roma, el camí de Sant Jaume i el camí de Sant Miquel, des del mont Saint-Michel a Bretanya, fins al monte Sant'Angelo, a la regió de la Pulla (Itàlia). Encara avui arriben pelegrins d'arreu del món, que aprofiten l'hospitalitat dels monjos i troben en aquest lloc un centre d'espiritualitat molt especial.
En el segle XX es donà a conèixer la Sacra di San Michele arreu del món mercès a la novel·la El nom de la rosa, d'Umberto Eco, el qual s'inspirà en aquest impressionant monestir per escriure la seva obra. Tot i la imposant abadia de la Sacra, el film es va rodar al monestir cistercenc d'Eberbach (Alemanya), molt més accessible. Umberto Eco va quedar tan descontent de la pel·lícula que va renunciar a vendre els drets de cap més novel·la seva.
Des del nivell de l'entrada a l'abadia s'arriba a l'església a través de l'àmplia Escalinata dels Morts, construïda a mitjans del segle XII. Darrere dels primers esglaons, queda a l'esquerra un pilar de més de 18 metres que sosté el paviment de l'església situada a sobre; a la dreta sorgeix un espigó de roca que es perd al mur situat al davant.
Al nínxol central i fins al 1936 es custodiaven alguns esquelets de monjos, d'aquí el nom que rep. Aquest “atri” va ser força utilitzat un temps com a sepultura d'homes il·lustres, abats i persones meritòries del monestir. Algunes de les tombes que albergava, estaven cobertes de marbre, altres emblanquinades i pintades: d'aquestes actualment en queden només cinc.
Un cop arribat al final de l'escalinata es travessa el Portal del Zodíac (1128-30), obra romànica esculpida pel Mestre Nicolau, famós arquitecte i escultor de Piacenza. Es diu així perquè els estípits de la façana orientada cap a l'escalinata, estan esculpits a la part dreta amb els dotze signes zodiacals ia la part esquerra amb les constel·lacions australs i boreals.
Històricament la part més important és la zona central de l'estípit dret segons s'enfila, sobre el qual, a la vora d'una escena de caça a la llebre, hi ha dos versos escrits en llatí i que acaben amb la signatura de l'autor.
Day Three ... after lunch we went to the nearby Minneriya National Park.
From Wikipedia -
Minneriya National Park is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was designated as a national park in 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938.
The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King Mahasen in third century AD. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee districts.
The park's fauna includes 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 75 species of butterflies.
The park is an important habitat for the two endemic monkeys of Sri Lanka: purple-faced langur and toque macaque. Large herbivorous mammals such as Sri Lankan sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer frequent the park. Rare and endangered species such as Sri Lankan leopard and Sri Lankan sloth bear inhabit in Minneriya. Minneriya is one of the areas where the gray slender loris is reportedly found in Sri Lanka.
The Minneriya reservoir is an important habitat for large water birds such as lesser adjutant, painted stork, and spot-billed pelican. Minneriya is a dormitory for many resident as well as migrant bird species. Flocks of 2000 little cormorants have been reported. Great white pelican, ruddy turnstone, and grey heron are the other water birds here. Among the endemic birds are Sri Lanka junglefowl, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, brown-capped babbler, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, black-crested bulbul and crimson-fronted barbet. The number of threatened birds recorded from this national park is 11.
Amphibians of Fejervarya pulla and Polypedates cruciger have been recorded from the area. There are eight species of endemic reptiles, and all of them are considered threatened. Painted-lip lizard and Lankascincus fallax are among them. Saltwater crocodile, Indian python, Asian water monitor, and Bengal monitor are among the other reptiles. Four of the fresh water fishes recorded from Minneriya are endemic to Sri Lanka.
Day Three ... after lunch we went to the nearby Minneriya National Park.
From Wikipedia -
Minneriya National Park is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was designated as a national park in 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938.
The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King Mahasen in third century AD. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee districts.
The park's fauna includes 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 75 species of butterflies.
The park is an important habitat for the two endemic monkeys of Sri Lanka: purple-faced langur and toque macaque. Large herbivorous mammals such as Sri Lankan sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer frequent the park. Rare and endangered species such as Sri Lankan leopard and Sri Lankan sloth bear inhabit in Minneriya. Minneriya is one of the areas where the gray slender loris is reportedly found in Sri Lanka.
The Minneriya reservoir is an important habitat for large water birds such as lesser adjutant, painted stork, and spot-billed pelican. Minneriya is a dormitory for many resident as well as migrant bird species. Flocks of 2000 little cormorants have been reported. Great white pelican, ruddy turnstone, and grey heron are the other water birds here. Among the endemic birds are Sri Lanka junglefowl, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, brown-capped babbler, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, black-crested bulbul and crimson-fronted barbet. The number of threatened birds recorded from this national park is 11.
Amphibians of Fejervarya pulla and Polypedates cruciger have been recorded from the area. There are eight species of endemic reptiles, and all of them are considered threatened. Painted-lip lizard and Lankascincus fallax are among them. Saltwater crocodile, Indian python, Asian water monitor, and Bengal monitor are among the other reptiles. Four of the fresh water fishes recorded from Minneriya are endemic to Sri Lanka.
Cattedrale di Bitonto, Romanico, Sec. XII, Puglia, Italia.
Bitonto Cathedral, Romanesque, 12th Century, Apulia, Italy.
More learning on the new gear at Stockgrove CP 6/2/2019
Great tit
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Great tit
The bird has a black head with a prominent white cheek, a greenish back, a blue wing with a prominent white bar, and a yellowish belly.
Female in Lancashire, UK
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Passeriformes
Family:Paridae
Genus:Parus
Species:P. major
Binomial name
Parus major
Linnaeus, 1758
Map of Eurasia and North Africa with ranges depicted in four colours
Range of current and former subspecies groups
Great tit in Sweden, winter 2016
The great tit (Parus major) is a passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. It is a widespread and common species throughout Europe, the Middle East, Central and Northern Asia, and parts of North Africa where it is generally resident in any sort of woodland; most great tits do not migrate except in extremely harsh winters. Until 2005 this species was lumped with numerous other subspecies. DNA studies have shown these other subspecies to be distinctive from the great tit and these have now been separated as two distinct species, the cinereous tit of southern Asia, and the Japanese tit of East Asia. The great tit remains the most widespread species in the genus Parus.
The great tit is a distinctive bird with a black head and neck, prominent white cheeks, olive upperparts and yellow underparts, with some variation amongst the numerous subspecies. It is predominantly insectivorous in the summer, but will consume a wider range of food items in the winter months, including small hibernating bats.[2] Like all tits it is a cavity nester, usually nesting in a hole in a tree. The female lays around 12 eggs and incubates them alone, although both parents raise the chicks. In most years the pair will raise two broods. The nests may be raided by woodpeckers, squirrels and weasels and infested with fleas, and adults may be hunted by sparrowhawks. The great tit has adapted well to human changes in the environment and is a common and familiar bird in urban parks and gardens. The great tit is also an important study species in ornithology.
Taxonomy
The great tit was described under its current binomial name by Linnaeus in his 18th century work, Systema Naturae.[3] Its scientific name is derived from the Latin parus "tit" and maior "larger".[4] Francis Willughby had used the name in the 17th century.[5]
Bird with similar markings to great tit, but colours washed out and greyer, drinks from a leaking tap
The 11 subspecies of the cinereous tit were once lumped with the great tit but recent genetic and bioacoustic studies now separate that group as a distinct species
The great tit was formerly treated as ranging from Britain to Japan and south to the islands of Indonesia, with 36 described subspecies ascribed to four main species groups. The major group had 13 subspecies across Europe, temperate Asia and north Africa, the minor group's nine subspecies occurred from southeast Russia and Japan into northern southeast Asia and the 11 subspecies in the cinereus group were found from Iran across south Asia to Indonesia. The three bokharensis subspecies were often treated as a separate species, Parus bokharensis, the Turkestan tit. This form was once thought to form a ring species around the Tibetan Plateau, with gene flow throughout the subspecies, but this theory was abandoned when sequences of mitochondrial DNA were examined, finding that the four groups were distinct (monophyletic) and that the hybridisation zones between the groups were the result of secondary contact after a temporary period of isolation.[6][7]
A study published in 2005 confirmed that the major group was distinct from the cinereus and minor groups and that along with P.m. bokharensis it diverged from these two groups around 1.5 million years ago. The divergence between the bokharensis and major groups was estimated to have been about half a million years ago. The study also examined hybrids between representatives of the major and minor groups in the Amur Valley where the two meet. Hybrids were rare, suggesting that there were some reproductive barriers between the two groups. The study recommended that the two eastern groups be split out as new species, the cinereous tit (Parus cinereus), and the Japanese tit (Parus minor), but that the Turkestan tit be lumped in with the great tit.[8] This taxonomy has been followed by some authorities, for example the IOC World Bird List.[9] The Handbook of the Birds of the World volume treating the Parus species went for the more traditional classification, treating the Turkestan tit as a separate species but retaining the Japanese and cinereous tits with the great tit,[10] a move that has not been without criticism.[11]
The nominate subspecies of the great tit is the most widespread, its range stretching from the Iberian Peninsula to the Amur Valley and from Scandinavia to the Middle East. The other subspecies have much more restricted distributions, four being restricted to islands and the remainder of the P. m. major subspecies representing former glacial refuge populations. The dominance of a single, morphologically uniform subspecies over such a large area suggests that the nominate race rapidly recolonised a large area after the last glacial epoch. This hypothesis is supported by genetic studies which suggest a geologically recent genetic bottleneck followed by a rapid population expansion.[10]
The genus Parus once held most of the species of tit in the family Paridae, but morphological and genetic studies led to the splitting of that large genus in 1998. The great tit was retained in Parus, which, along with Cyanistes comprise a lineage of tits known as the "non-hoarders", with reference to the hoarding behaviour of members of the other clade. The genus Parus is still the largest in the family, but may be split again.[10] Other than those species formerly considered to be subspecies, the great tit's closest relatives are the white-naped and green-backed tits of southern Asia. Hybrids with tits outside the genus Parus are very rare, but have been recorded with blue tit, coal tit, and probably marsh tit.[12]
Subspecies
There are currently 15 recognised subspecies of great tit:[10]
Great tit perched on twig. It has a wide black band down its breast and belly.
At Kew Gardens, London. The British subspecies P. m. newtoni has a wider mid-line ventral stripe on the lower belly than the nominate race
P. m. newtoni, described by Pražák in 1894,[13] is found across the British Isles.
P. m. major, described by Linnaeus in 1758, is found throughout much of Europe, Asia Minor, northern and eastern Kazakhstan, southern Siberia and northern Mongolia, as far as the mid-Amur Valley.
P. m. excelsus, described by Buvry in 1857, is found in northwestern Africa.
P. m. corsus, described by Kleinschmidt in 1903, is found in Portugal, southern Spain, and Corsica.
P. m. mallorcae, described by von Jordans in 1913, is found in the Balearic Islands.
P. m. ecki, described by von Jordans in 1970, is found on Sardinia.
P. m. niethammeri, described by von Jordans in 1970, is found on Crete.
P. m. aphrodite, described by Madarász in 1901, is found in southern Italy, southern Greece, Cyprus and the Aegean Islands.
P. m. terrasanctae was described by Hartert in 1910. It is found in Lebanon, Israel, Jordan and Syria.
P. m. karelini, described by Zarudny in 1910, is found in southeastern Azerbaijan and northwestern Iran.
P. m. blandfordi was described by Pražák in 1894.[13] It is found in north central and southwestern Iran.
P. m. bokharensis was described by Lichtenstein in 1823. It is found in southern Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and far north of Iran and Afghanistan. Was, along with following two subspecies, once treated as separate species.
P. m. turkestanicus, was described by Zarudny & Loudon in 1905, and ranges from east Kazakhstan to extreme north west China and west Mongolia.
P. m. ferghanensis, was described by Buturlin in 1912, and is found in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
P. m. kapustini, was described by Portenko in 1954, and is found in north west China (north west Xinjiang) to Mongolia and Siberia.[14]
Great tit HR.jpg
Description
duller-plumaged great tit with weak breast and belly stripe
In females and juveniles the mid-line stripe is narrower and sometimes discontinuous
The great tit is large for a tit at 12.5 to 14.0 cm (4.9–5.5 in) in length, and has a distinctive appearance that makes it easy to recognise. The nominate race P. major major has a bluish-black crown, black neck, throat, bib and head, and white cheeks and ear coverts. The breast is bright lemon-yellow and there is a broad black mid-line stripe running from the bib to vent. There is a dull white spot on the neck turning to greenish yellow on the upper nape. The rest of the nape and back are green tinged with olive. The wing-coverts are green, the rest of the wing is bluish-grey with a white-wing-bar. The tail is bluish grey with white outer tips. The plumage of the female is similar to that of the male except that the colours are overall duller; the bib is less intensely black,[10] as is the line running down the belly, which is also narrower and sometimes broken.[15] Young birds are like the female, except that they have dull olive-brown napes and necks, greyish rumps, and greyer tails, with less defined white tips.[10]
Great tit with strongly yellow sides perched on twig
The plumage of the male is typically bright, although this varies by subspecies
There is some variation in the subspecies. P. m. newtoni is like the nominate race but has a slightly longer bill, the mantle is slightly deeper green, there is less white on the tail tips, and the ventral mid-line stripe is broader on the belly. P. m. corsus also resembles the nominate form but has duller upperparts, less white in the tail and less yellow in the nape. P. m. mallorcae is like the nominate subspecies, but has a larger bill, greyer-blue upperparts and slightly paler underparts. P. m. ecki is like P. m. mallorcae except with bluer upperparts and paler underparts. P. m. excelsus is similar to the nominate race but has much brighter green upperparts, bright yellow underparts and no (or very little) white on the tail. P. m. aphrodite has darker, more olive-grey upperparts, and the underparts are more yellow to pale cream. P. m. niethammeri is similar to P. m. aphrodite but the upperparts are duller and less green, and the underparts are pale yellow. P. m. terrasanctae resembles the previous two subspecies but has slightly paler upperparts. P. m. blandfordi is like the nominate but with a greyer mantle and scapulars and pale yellow underparts, and P. m. karelini is intermediate between the nominate and P. m. blandfordi, and lacks white on the tail. The plumage of P. m. bokharensis is much greyer, pale creamy white to washed out grey underparts, a larger white cheep patch, a grey tail, wings, back and nape. It is also slightly smaller, with a smaller bill but longer tail. The situation is similar for the two related subspecies in the Turkestan tit group. P. m. turkestanicus is like P. m. bokharensis but with a larger bill and darker upperparts. P. m. ferghanensis is like P. m. bokharensis but with a smaller bill, darker grey on the flanks and a more yellow wash on the juvenile birds.[10]
A pair of great tits; the one on the left is female, the second one is male.
The colour of the male bird's breast has been shown to correlate with stronger sperm, and is one way that the male demonstrates his reproductive superiority to females. Higher levels of carotenoid increase the intensity of the yellow of the breast its colour, and also enable the sperm to better withstand the onslaught of free radicals.[16] Carotenoids cannot be synthesized by the bird and have to be obtained from food, so a bright colour in a male demonstrates his ability to obtain good nutrition.[17] The width of the male's ventral stripe, which varies with individual, is selected for by females, with higher quality females apparently selecting males with wider stripes.[15]
Voice
0:00
Great tit : song
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Another song type
Great tit : sonagram
Great tit twittering
The great tit is, like other tits, a vocal bird, and has up to 40 types of calls and songs. The calls are generally the same between the sexes, but the male is much more vocal and the female rarely calls. Soft single notes such as "pit", "spick", or "chit" are used as contact calls. A loud "tink" is used by adult males as an alarm or in territorial disputes. One of the most familiar is a "teacher, teacher", often likened to a squeaky wheelbarrow wheel, which is used in proclaiming ownership of a territory.[10] In former times, English folk considered the "saw-sharpening" call to be a foretelling of rain.[18] There is little geographic variation in calls, but tits from the two south Asian groups recently split from the great tit do not recognise or react to the calls of the temperate great tits.[10]
One explanation for the great tit's wide repertoire is the Beau Geste hypothesis. The eponymous hero of the novel propped dead soldiers against the battlements to give the impression that his fort was better defended than was really the case. Similarly, the multiplicity of calls gives the impression that the tit's territory is more densely occupied than it actually is. Whether the theory is correct or not, those birds with large vocabularies are socially dominant and breed more successfully.[19]
Distribution, movements and habitat
forest clearing with leaf strewn floor, low plants and saplings, and tall trees partly obscuring the sky
Mixed-forests are one of the habitats great tits use in Europe
At nest box in Altenbeken, Germany
The great tit has a wide distribution across much of Eurasia. It is found across all of Europe except for Iceland and northern Scandinavia, including numerous Mediterranean islands. In North Africa it is found in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. It also occurs across the Middle East, and parts of central Asia from northern Iran and Afghanistan to Mongolia, as well as across northern Asia from the Urals as far east as northern China and the Amur Valley.[10]
The great tit occupies a range of habitats. It is most commonly found in open deciduous woodland, mixed forests, forest edges and gardens. In dense forests, including conifer forests it is usually found in forest clearings. In northern Siberia it is found in boreal taiga. In North Africa it prefers oak forests as well as stands of Atlas cedar and even palm groves. In the east of its range in Siberia, Mongolia and China it favours riverine willow and birch forest. Riverine woodlands of willows, poplars are among the habitats of the Turkestan group in central Asia, as well as low scrubland, oases; at higher altitudes it occupies habitats ranging from dense deciduous and coniferous forests to open areas with scattered trees.[10]
The great tit is generally not migratory. Pairs will usually remain near or in their territory year round, even in northern parts of their range. Young birds will disperse from their parents' territory, but usually not far. Populations may become irruptive in poor or harsh winters, meaning that groups of up to a thousand birds may unpredictably move from northern Europe to the Baltic, the Netherlands, Britain and even as far as the southern Balkans.[20]
The great tit was unsuccessfully introduced into the United States; birds were set free near Cincinnati, Ohio between 1872 and 1874 but failed to become established. Suggestions that they were an excellent control measure for codling moths nearly led to their introduction to some new areas particularly in the United States of America, however this plan was not implemented.[21] Birds were later introduced to the Almaty Province in what is now Kazakhstan in 1960–61 and became established, although their present status is unclear.[22]
Behaviour
Diet and feeding
Male great tit on branch with sunflower seed
Like other tits, great tits transport food with their beak, and then transfer it to their feet, where it is held while they eat
Great tits are primarily insectivorous in the summer, feeding on insects and spiders which they capture by foliage gleaning.[23] Invertebrate prey that are taken include cockroaches, grasshoppers and crickets, lacewings, earwigs, bugs (Hemiptera), ants, flies (Diptera), caddis flies, beetles, scorpion flies, harvestmen, bees and wasps, snails and woodlice.[10] During the breeding season, the tits prefer to feed protein-rich caterpillars to their young.[24] A study published in 2007 found that great tits helped to reduce caterpillar damage in apple orchards by as much as 50%.[25] Nestlings also undergo a period in their early development where they are fed a number of spiders, possibly for nutritional reasons.[24] In autumn and winter, when insect prey becomes scarcer, great tits add berries and seeds to their diet. Seeds and fruit usually come from deciduous trees and shrubs, and include the seeds of beech and hazel. Where it is available they will readily take table scraps, peanuts and sunflower seeds from bird tables. In particularly severe winters they may consume 44% of their body weight in sunflower seeds.[10] They often forage on the ground, particularly in years with high beech mast production.[23] Great tits, along with other tits, will join winter mixed-species foraging flocks.[12]
Great tit feeding its young with an insect
Large food items, such as large seeds or prey, are dealt with by "hold-hammering", where the item is held with one or both feet and then struck with the bill until it is ready to eat. Using this method, a great tit can get into a hazelnut in about twenty minutes. When feeding young, adults will hammer off the heads off large insects to make them easier to consume, and remove the gut from caterpillars so that the tannins in the gut will not retard the chick's growth.[10]
Great tits combine dietary versatility with a considerable amount of intelligence and the ability to solve problems with insight learning, that is to solve a problem through insight rather than trial and error.[10] In England, great tits learned to break the foil caps of milk bottles delivered at the doorstep of homes to obtain the cream at the top.[26] This behaviour, first noted in 1921, spread rapidly in the next two decades.[27] In 2009, great tits were reported killing, and eating the brains of roosting pipistrelle bats. This is the first time a songbird has been recorded preying on bats. The tits only do this during winter when the bats are hibernating and other food is scarce.[28] They have also been recorded using tools, using a conifer needle in the bill to extract larvae from a hole in a tree.[10] In 2013, some individual great tits were noted to attack, kill and to some extent eat other small birds at wintertime feeding spots in Finland.
Breeding
Great tits are monogamous breeders and establish breeding territories.[29] These territories are established in late January and defence begins in late winter or early spring.[10] Territories are usually reoccupied in successive years, even if one of the pair dies, so long as the brood is raised successfully. Females are likely to disperse to new territories if their nest is predated the previous year. If the pair divorces for some reason then the birds will disperse, with females travelling further than males to establish new territories.[30] Although the great tit is socially monogamous, extra-pair copulations are frequent. One study in Germany found that 40% of nests contained some offspring fathered by parents other than the breeding male and that 8.5% of all chicks were the result of cuckoldry.[31]
Eggs, Collection Museum Wiesbaden
nest with seven chicks. These are covered with grey down, and have bright yellow gapes
Young chicks in the nest
Great tits are seasonal breeders. The exact timing of breeding varies by a number of factors, most importantly location. Most breeding occurs between January and September; in Europe the breeding season usually begins after March. In Israel there are exceptional records of breeding during the months of October to December. The amount of sunlight and daytime temperatures will also affect breeding timing.[10] One study found a strong correlation between the timing of laying and the peak abundance of caterpillar prey, which is in turn correlated to temperature.[32] On an individual level, younger females tend to start laying later than older females.[33]
Great tit leaving its wooden nest box
Leaving nest box
Great tits are cavity nesters, breeding in a hole that is usually inside a tree, although occasionally in a wall or rock face, and they will readily take to nest boxes. The nest inside the cavity is built by the female, and is made of plant fibres, grasses, moss, hair, wool and feathers. The number in the clutch is often very large, as many as 18, but five to twelve is more common. Clutch size is smaller when birds start laying later, and is also lower when the density of competitors is higher.[34] Second broods tend to have smaller clutches. Insularity also affects clutch size, with great tits on offshore islands laying smaller clutches with larger eggs than mainland birds.[35] The eggs are white with red spots. The female undertakes all incubation duties, and is fed by the male during incubation.[10] The bird is a close sitter, hissing when disturbed. The timing of hatching, which is best synchronised with peak availability of prey, can be manipulated when environmental conditions change after the laying of the first egg by delaying the beginning of incubation, laying more eggs or pausing during incubation.[36] The incubation period is between 12 and 15 days.[10]
Young bird with ruffled adult-like plumage and yellow gape
Fledgeling
The chicks, like those of all tits, are hatched unfeathered and blind. Once feathers begin to erupt, the nestlings are unusual for altricial birds in having plumage coloured with carotenoids similar to their parents (in most species it is dun-coloured to avoid predation). The nape is yellow and attracts the attention of the parents by its ultraviolet reflectance. This may be to make them easier to find in low light, or be a signal of fitness to win the parents' attention. This patch turns white after the first moult at age two months, and diminishes in size as the bird grows.[37]
Chicks are fed by both parents, usually receiving 6 to 7 g (0.21–0.25 oz) of food a day.[10] Both parents provision the chicks with food and aid in nest sanitation by removing faecal packets, with no difference in the feeding effort between the sexes.[38] The nestling period is between 16 and 22 days, with chicks being independent of the parents eight days after fledging. Feeding of the fledgeling may continue after independence, lasting up to 25 days in chicks from the first brood, but as long as 50 days in the second brood.[10] Nestlings from second broods have weaker immune systems and body condition than those from first broods, and hence have a lower juvenile survival rate.[39]
Inbreeding depression occurs when the offspring produced as a result of a mating between close relatives show reduced fitness. The reduced fitness is generally considered to be a consequence of the increased expression of deleterious recessive alleles in these offspring. In natural populations of P. major, inbreeding is avoided by dispersal of individuals from their birthplace, which reduces the chance of mating with a close relative.[40]
Ecology
The Eurasian sparrowhawk is a predator of great tits, with the young from second broods being at higher risk partly because of the hawk's greater need for food for its own developing young.[41][42] The nests of great tits are raided by great spotted woodpeckers, particularly when nesting in certain types of nest boxes.[43] Other nest predators include introduced grey squirrels (in Britain) and least weasels, which are able to take nesting adults as well.[44] A species of biting louse (Mallophaga) described as Rostrinirmus hudeci was isolated and described in 1981 from great tits in central Europe.[45] The hen flea Ceratophyllus gallinae is exceedingly common in the nests of blue and great tits. It was originally a specialist tit flea, but the dry, crowded conditions of chicken runs enabled it to flourish with its new host.[46] This flea is preferentially predated by the clown beetle Gnathoncus punctulatus,[46] The rove beetle Microglotta pulla also feeds on fleas and their larvae. Although these beetles often remain in deserted nests, they can only breed in the elevated temperatures produced by brooding birds, tits being the preferred hosts.[46] Great tits compete with pied flycatchers for nesting boxes, and can kill prospecting flycatcher males. Incidences of fatal competition are more frequent when nesting times overlap, and climate change has led to greater synchrony of nesting between the two species and flycatcher deaths. Having killed the flycatchers, the great tits may consume their brains.[47]
Relationship with humans
adult great tit perched on hand
The great tit's willingness to use bird-feeders and nesting boxes makes it popular with the general public and useful to scientists
The great tit is a popular garden bird due to its acrobatic performances when feeding on nuts or seed. Its willingness to move into nest boxes has made it a valuable study subject in ornithology; it has been particularly useful as a model for the study of the evolution of various life-history traits, particularly clutch size.[48] A study of a literature database search found 1,349 articles relating to Parus major for the period between 1969 and 2002.[6]
The great tit has generally adjusted to human modifications of the environment. It is more common and has better breeding success in areas with undisturbed forest cover, but it has adapted to human modified habitats. It can be very common in urban areas.[10] For example, the breeding population in the city of Sheffield (a city of half a million people) has been estimated at some 17,000 individuals.[49] In adapting to human environments its song has been observed to change in noise-polluted urban environments. In areas with low frequency background noise pollution, the song has a higher frequency than in quieter areas.[50] This tit has expanded its range, moving northwards into Scandinavia and Scotland, and south into Israel and Egypt.[10] The total population is estimated at between 300–1,100 million birds in a range of 32.4 million km2 (12.5 million sq mi). While there have been some localised declines in population in areas with poorer quality habitats, its large range and high numbers mean that the great tit is not considered to be threatened, and it is classed as least concern on the IUCN Red List.[1]
Alpen-Flora für Touristen und Pflanzenfreunde
Stuttgart :Verlag für Naturkunde Sprösser & Nägele,1904.
Cattedrale di Bitonto, Stile Romanico, Sec. XII, Puglia, Italia.
Bitonto Cathedral, Romanesque, 12th Century, Apulia, Italy.
It's obvious that Monni is feeling happy and Munkustrap is angry, but can you figure out how Pilli and Pulla, the two orange cats are feeling?
(Toy Sunday:Feelings)
Day Three ... after lunch we went to the nearby Minneriya National Park.
From Wikipedia -
Minneriya National Park is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was designated as a national park in 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938.
The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King Mahasen in third century AD. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee districts.
The park's fauna includes 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 75 species of butterflies.
The park is an important habitat for the two endemic monkeys of Sri Lanka: purple-faced langur and toque macaque. Large herbivorous mammals such as Sri Lankan sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer frequent the park. Rare and endangered species such as Sri Lankan leopard and Sri Lankan sloth bear inhabit in Minneriya. Minneriya is one of the areas where the gray slender loris is reportedly found in Sri Lanka.
The Minneriya reservoir is an important habitat for large water birds such as lesser adjutant, painted stork, and spot-billed pelican. Minneriya is a dormitory for many resident as well as migrant bird species. Flocks of 2000 little cormorants have been reported. Great white pelican, ruddy turnstone, and grey heron are the other water birds here. Among the endemic birds are Sri Lanka junglefowl, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, brown-capped babbler, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, black-crested bulbul and crimson-fronted barbet. The number of threatened birds recorded from this national park is 11.
Amphibians of Fejervarya pulla and Polypedates cruciger have been recorded from the area. There are eight species of endemic reptiles, and all of them are considered threatened. Painted-lip lizard and Lankascincus fallax are among them. Saltwater crocodile, Indian python, Asian water monitor, and Bengal monitor are among the other reptiles. Four of the fresh water fishes recorded from Minneriya are endemic to Sri Lanka.
The Famine Years
Dungarvan, which was in a noted potato-growing area, suffered greatly during the famine years 1845-50. Following severe rises in food prices, the Dungarvan Relief Committee was established in January 1846, with the aim of distributing Indian-meal at subsidized prices. On 28th September 1846, the scarcity and price of food, and the shortage of work, resulted in the Dungarvan riots where grain stores on Dungarvan Quay were looted.
Pressure on the workhouse steadily increased, which had 650 inmates by 19th December 1846, rising to 739 by January 1st, and 766 by January 16th. Diseases such as typhus fever and dysentery were widespread. Attempt were made to reduce numbers by giving out-relief to the healthier inmates. A number of auxiliary workhouse buildings were set up. Government-sponsored soup-kitchens were set up during the first half of 1847, but the scheme ended in July. A few public-works schemes were also instigated. However, things got worse throughout 1847. What relief measures were proposed were hampered by lack of funds — rate-collectors found it very difficult to collect rates, and in some instances needed police protection.
The misery continued through 1848 and into 1849. At the start of January 1849, the total number of workhouse inmates stood at 2,751 and rose to over 3,000 by the end of that month. At the start of February, the situation was compounded by the first cases of a cholera epidemic that would last for several months.
Famine Graveyards
A stark reminder of the scale of the deaths during the famine years comes in the shape of the famine graveyards in which famine victims were buried in unmarked graves. From the end of 1847, the dead from Dungarvan workhouse went to the Slievegrine graveyard at Pulla. Prior to this, the old graveyard at Kilrush was used.
Day Three ... after lunch we went to the nearby Minneriya National Park.
From Wikipedia -
Minneriya National Park is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was designated as a national park in 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938.
The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King Mahasen in third century AD. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee districts.
The park's fauna includes 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 75 species of butterflies.
The park is an important habitat for the two endemic monkeys of Sri Lanka: purple-faced langur and toque macaque. Large herbivorous mammals such as Sri Lankan sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer frequent the park. Rare and endangered species such as Sri Lankan leopard and Sri Lankan sloth bear inhabit in Minneriya. Minneriya is one of the areas where the gray slender loris is reportedly found in Sri Lanka.
The Minneriya reservoir is an important habitat for large water birds such as lesser adjutant, painted stork, and spot-billed pelican. Minneriya is a dormitory for many resident as well as migrant bird species. Flocks of 2000 little cormorants have been reported. Great white pelican, ruddy turnstone, and grey heron are the other water birds here. Among the endemic birds are Sri Lanka junglefowl, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, brown-capped babbler, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, black-crested bulbul and crimson-fronted barbet. The number of threatened birds recorded from this national park is 11.
Amphibians of Fejervarya pulla and Polypedates cruciger have been recorded from the area. There are eight species of endemic reptiles, and all of them are considered threatened. Painted-lip lizard and Lankascincus fallax are among them. Saltwater crocodile, Indian python, Asian water monitor, and Bengal monitor are among the other reptiles. Four of the fresh water fishes recorded from Minneriya are endemic to Sri Lanka.
Day Three ... after lunch we went to the nearby Minneriya National Park.
From Wikipedia -
Minneriya National Park is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was designated as a national park in 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938.
The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King Mahasen in third century AD. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee districts.
The park's fauna includes 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 75 species of butterflies.
The park is an important habitat for the two endemic monkeys of Sri Lanka: purple-faced langur and toque macaque. Large herbivorous mammals such as Sri Lankan sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer frequent the park. Rare and endangered species such as Sri Lankan leopard and Sri Lankan sloth bear inhabit in Minneriya. Minneriya is one of the areas where the gray slender loris is reportedly found in Sri Lanka.
The Minneriya reservoir is an important habitat for large water birds such as lesser adjutant, painted stork, and spot-billed pelican. Minneriya is a dormitory for many resident as well as migrant bird species. Flocks of 2000 little cormorants have been reported. Great white pelican, ruddy turnstone, and grey heron are the other water birds here. Among the endemic birds are Sri Lanka junglefowl, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, brown-capped babbler, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, black-crested bulbul and crimson-fronted barbet. The number of threatened birds recorded from this national park is 11.
Amphibians of Fejervarya pulla and Polypedates cruciger have been recorded from the area. There are eight species of endemic reptiles, and all of them are considered threatened. Painted-lip lizard and Lankascincus fallax are among them. Saltwater crocodile, Indian python, Asian water monitor, and Bengal monitor are among the other reptiles. Four of the fresh water fishes recorded from Minneriya are endemic to Sri Lanka.
Day Three ... after lunch we went to the nearby Minneriya National Park.
From Wikipedia -
Minneriya National Park is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was designated as a national park in 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938.
The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King Mahasen in third century AD. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee districts.
The park's fauna includes 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 75 species of butterflies.
The park is an important habitat for the two endemic monkeys of Sri Lanka: purple-faced langur and toque macaque. Large herbivorous mammals such as Sri Lankan sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer frequent the park. Rare and endangered species such as Sri Lankan leopard and Sri Lankan sloth bear inhabit in Minneriya. Minneriya is one of the areas where the gray slender loris is reportedly found in Sri Lanka.
The Minneriya reservoir is an important habitat for large water birds such as lesser adjutant, painted stork, and spot-billed pelican. Minneriya is a dormitory for many resident as well as migrant bird species. Flocks of 2000 little cormorants have been reported. Great white pelican, ruddy turnstone, and grey heron are the other water birds here. Among the endemic birds are Sri Lanka junglefowl, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, brown-capped babbler, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, black-crested bulbul and crimson-fronted barbet. The number of threatened birds recorded from this national park is 11.
Amphibians of Fejervarya pulla and Polypedates cruciger have been recorded from the area. There are eight species of endemic reptiles, and all of them are considered threatened. Painted-lip lizard and Lankascincus fallax are among them. Saltwater crocodile, Indian python, Asian water monitor, and Bengal monitor are among the other reptiles. Four of the fresh water fishes recorded from Minneriya are endemic to Sri Lanka.
Day Three ... after lunch we went to the nearby Minneriya National Park.
From Wikipedia -
Minneriya National Park is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was designated as a national park in 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938.
The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King Mahasen in third century AD. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee districts.
The park's fauna includes 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 75 species of butterflies.
The park is an important habitat for the two endemic monkeys of Sri Lanka: purple-faced langur and toque macaque. Large herbivorous mammals such as Sri Lankan sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer frequent the park. Rare and endangered species such as Sri Lankan leopard and Sri Lankan sloth bear inhabit in Minneriya. Minneriya is one of the areas where the gray slender loris is reportedly found in Sri Lanka.
The Minneriya reservoir is an important habitat for large water birds such as lesser adjutant, painted stork, and spot-billed pelican. Minneriya is a dormitory for many resident as well as migrant bird species. Flocks of 2000 little cormorants have been reported. Great white pelican, ruddy turnstone, and grey heron are the other water birds here. Among the endemic birds are Sri Lanka junglefowl, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, brown-capped babbler, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, black-crested bulbul and crimson-fronted barbet. The number of threatened birds recorded from this national park is 11.
Amphibians of Fejervarya pulla and Polypedates cruciger have been recorded from the area. There are eight species of endemic reptiles, and all of them are considered threatened. Painted-lip lizard and Lankascincus fallax are among them. Saltwater crocodile, Indian python, Asian water monitor, and Bengal monitor are among the other reptiles. Four of the fresh water fishes recorded from Minneriya are endemic to Sri Lanka.
Day Three ... after lunch we went to the nearby Minneriya National Park.
From Wikipedia -
Minneriya National Park is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was designated as a national park in 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938.
The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King Mahasen in third century AD. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee districts.
The park's fauna includes 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 75 species of butterflies.
The park is an important habitat for the two endemic monkeys of Sri Lanka: purple-faced langur and toque macaque. Large herbivorous mammals such as Sri Lankan sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer frequent the park. Rare and endangered species such as Sri Lankan leopard and Sri Lankan sloth bear inhabit in Minneriya. Minneriya is one of the areas where the gray slender loris is reportedly found in Sri Lanka.
The Minneriya reservoir is an important habitat for large water birds such as lesser adjutant, painted stork, and spot-billed pelican. Minneriya is a dormitory for many resident as well as migrant bird species. Flocks of 2000 little cormorants have been reported. Great white pelican, ruddy turnstone, and grey heron are the other water birds here. Among the endemic birds are Sri Lanka junglefowl, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, brown-capped babbler, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, black-crested bulbul and crimson-fronted barbet. The number of threatened birds recorded from this national park is 11.
Amphibians of Fejervarya pulla and Polypedates cruciger have been recorded from the area. There are eight species of endemic reptiles, and all of them are considered threatened. Painted-lip lizard and Lankascincus fallax are among them. Saltwater crocodile, Indian python, Asian water monitor, and Bengal monitor are among the other reptiles. Four of the fresh water fishes recorded from Minneriya are endemic to Sri Lanka.
Day Three ... after lunch we went to the nearby Minneriya National Park.
From Wikipedia -
Minneriya National Park is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was designated as a national park in 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938.
The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King Mahasen in third century AD. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee districts.
The park's fauna includes 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 75 species of butterflies.
The park is an important habitat for the two endemic monkeys of Sri Lanka: purple-faced langur and toque macaque. Large herbivorous mammals such as Sri Lankan sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer frequent the park. Rare and endangered species such as Sri Lankan leopard and Sri Lankan sloth bear inhabit in Minneriya. Minneriya is one of the areas where the gray slender loris is reportedly found in Sri Lanka.
The Minneriya reservoir is an important habitat for large water birds such as lesser adjutant, painted stork, and spot-billed pelican. Minneriya is a dormitory for many resident as well as migrant bird species. Flocks of 2000 little cormorants have been reported. Great white pelican, ruddy turnstone, and grey heron are the other water birds here. Among the endemic birds are Sri Lanka junglefowl, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, brown-capped babbler, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, black-crested bulbul and crimson-fronted barbet. The number of threatened birds recorded from this national park is 11.
Amphibians of Fejervarya pulla and Polypedates cruciger have been recorded from the area. There are eight species of endemic reptiles, and all of them are considered threatened. Painted-lip lizard and Lankascincus fallax are among them. Saltwater crocodile, Indian python, Asian water monitor, and Bengal monitor are among the other reptiles. Four of the fresh water fishes recorded from Minneriya are endemic to Sri Lanka.
Day Three ... after lunch we went to the nearby Minneriya National Park.
From Wikipedia -
Minneriya National Park is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was designated as a national park in 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938.
The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King Mahasen in third century AD. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee districts.
The park's fauna includes 24 species of mammals, 160 species of birds, 9 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish, and 75 species of butterflies.
The park is an important habitat for the two endemic monkeys of Sri Lanka: purple-faced langur and toque macaque. Large herbivorous mammals such as Sri Lankan sambar deer and Sri Lankan axis deer frequent the park. Rare and endangered species such as Sri Lankan leopard and Sri Lankan sloth bear inhabit in Minneriya. Minneriya is one of the areas where the gray slender loris is reportedly found in Sri Lanka.
The Minneriya reservoir is an important habitat for large water birds such as lesser adjutant, painted stork, and spot-billed pelican. Minneriya is a dormitory for many resident as well as migrant bird species. Flocks of 2000 little cormorants have been reported. Great white pelican, ruddy turnstone, and grey heron are the other water birds here. Among the endemic birds are Sri Lanka junglefowl, Sri Lanka hanging parrot, brown-capped babbler, Sri Lanka grey hornbill, black-crested bulbul and crimson-fronted barbet. The number of threatened birds recorded from this national park is 11.
Amphibians of Fejervarya pulla and Polypedates cruciger have been recorded from the area. There are eight species of endemic reptiles, and all of them are considered threatened. Painted-lip lizard and Lankascincus fallax are among them. Saltwater crocodile, Indian python, Asian water monitor, and Bengal monitor are among the other reptiles. Four of the fresh water fishes recorded from Minneriya are endemic to Sri Lanka.