Exposing Speciesism
View allAll Photos Tagged SPECIES
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I spotted this Tortoise and his Human Pal taking an ocean-front walk along the cliffs of Palos Verdes California. One thing about California, you will usually find something interesting or unusual, even when you're not looking for it : )
The Tortoise:
Tortoises are "cold-blooded," meaning their body temperature varies with the surrounding environment. They are also herbivores, meaning they eat plants. Tortoises are found in a variety of habitats, including deserts, forests, grasslands, and swamps.
There are over 300 species of tortoises, and they come in a wide range of sizes. The smallest tortoise is the speckled padloper tortoise, which is only about 4 inches long. The largest tortoise is the Galapagos tortoise, which can grow to be over 150 pounds.
Tortoises are long-lived animals. Some species can live for over 100 years. The oldest known tortoise is a Galapagos tortoise named Jonathan, who is over 190 years old.
Here are some interesting facts about tortoises:
Tortoises have been around for over 200 million years.
The largest tortoise ever recorded was a Galapagos tortoise named "Johnathan" who weighed over 500 pounds and was over 190 years old.
Tortoises are very good at conserving water. They can go for long periods of time without drinking.
Tortoises are not very good swimmers.
Tortoises are very social animals and enjoy spending time with other tortoises.
Tortoises can be very affectionate and make great pets.
-Google Bard
(Sony, 200-600 @ 241 mm, 1/3200 @ f/8, ISO 4000, edited to taste)
the only Wren species ( troglodytidae ) in Europe, Asia and Africa.
troglodytes troglodytes
winterkoning of winterkoninkje
troglodyte mignon
Zaunkönig
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All rights reserved. ButsFons©2020
My photos may not be used on websites, blogs or in any other media without my written and explicit permission.
Named from the similarity of their prominent proboscis that looks like the beak of a snipe. Adults can often be seen sitting on vegetation or on tree trunks waiting to catch and pounce on passing prey. Some species of snipe flies are hematophagous as adults and some are predatory of insects. Larvae develop as predators in the soil and wood detritus. Found in wet meadows, marshes and woodland margins. Can sometimes be know as the Down-Looker Fly as they have the habit of perching head-downward on tree trunks.
Lavender Cotton blooms taken at the Melbourne Botanical Gardens. This species is Santolina Virens. They are quite small, the one in focus measures about 1.5 cm in diameter.
The knees get a good work out because they are less than a foot above the ground.
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Peaceful Bokeh Wednesday
Great White Egret - Ardea Alba
The great egret is generally a very successful species with a large and expanding range, occurring worldwide in temperate and tropical habitats. It is ubiquitous across the Sun Belt of the United States and in the Neotropics. In North America, large numbers of great egrets were killed around the end of the 19th century so that their plumes could be used to decorate hats. Numbers have since recovered as a result of conservation measures. Its range has expanded as far north as southern Canada. However, in some parts of the southern United States, its numbers have declined due to habitat loss, particularly wetland degradation through drainage, grazing, clearing, burning, increased salinity, groundwater extraction and invasion by exotic plants. Nevertheless, the species adapts well to human habitation and can be readily seen near wetlands and bodies of water in urban and suburban areas.
The great egret is partially migratory, with northern hemisphere birds moving south from areas with colder winters. It is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.
In 1953, the great egret in flight was chosen as the symbol of the National Audubon Society, which was formed in part to prevent the killing of birds for their feathers.
On 22 May 2012, a pair of great egrets was announced to be nesting in the UK for the first time at the Shapwick Heath nature reserve in Somerset. The species is a rare visitor to the UK and Ben Aviss of the BBC stated that the news could mean the UK's first great egret colony is established. The following week, Kevin Anderson of Natural England confirmed a great egret chick had hatched, making it a new breeding bird record for the UK. In 2017, seven nests in Somerset fledged 17 young, and a second breeding site was announced at Holkham National Nature Reserve in Norfolk where a pair fledged three young.
In 2018, a pair of great egrets nested in Finland for the first time, raising four young in a grey heron colony in Porvoo.
this warbler species is also known as Eurasian Blackcap
zwartkop
sylvia atricapilla`
fauvette à tête noire
Mönchsgrasmücke
Nikon Z7 with Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF and TC14E III
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My photos may not be used on websites, blogs or in any other media without my written and explicit permission.
La Ceja, Colombia; Central Andes; 2.300 meters above sea level.
Pheucticus ludovicianus
(Rose-breasted Grosbeak / Degollado)
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is relatively common throughout much of eastern and central North America and lives in primary and secondary deciduous and mixed forest and thickets, as well as alongside humans in parks and gardens. It overwinters in Central and South America.
neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/overview?p_p...
A crested serpent eagle in Kaeng Krachan National Park.
Wikipedia: The crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela) is a medium-sized bird of prey that is found in forested habitats across tropical Asia. Within its widespread range across the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia and East Asia, there are considerable variations and some authorities prefer to treat several of its subspecies as completely separate species.
The crested serpent eagle is a reptile eater which hunts over forests, often close to wet grassland, for snakes and lizards. It has also been observed to prey on birds, amphibians, mammals, fishes, termites and large earthworms.
Conservation status: Least Concern
Scientific classification:
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Mollusca
Class:Gastropoda
Subclass:Heterobranchia
Order:Stylommatophora
Family:Helicidae
Subfamily:Helicinae
Tribe:Allognathini
Genus:Hemicycla
Specimens found in tree near a ravine.
Updated 20250712:
Species: H. guamartemes
Barranco de Azuaje, Firgas, Gran Canaria, Islas Canarias
There are 4 or 5 species of orange-colored globemallow flowers that can be found in Colorado. Based on the location, the overall appearance, and the shape of the leaves, I deduce that this is Small-leaf Globemallow (Sphaeralcea parvifolia).
There was a mass of grasses, vines and other plants on a slope at Colorado's Red Rock Park, but these spikes of bright orange flowers stood above the tangled greenery--a most delightful sight.
The giant green anemone is a species of intertidal sea anemone of the family Actiniidae.
Generally, it is found along the low to mid intertidal zones of the Pacific Ocean, from Alaska to southern California and sometimes downwards to Panama, where cold water swells can occur. It prefers to inhabit sandy or rocky shorelines, where water remains for most of the day. They can generally be found in tide pools up to 15 m deep. Occasionally it can also be found in deep channels of more exposed rocky shores and concrete pilings in bays and harbors.
These anemones tend to live a solitary life, but can be occasionally seen as groups with no more than 14 individuals per square meter. They can move slowly using their basal disks, but usually stay sessile.
The anemone feeds on sea urchins, small fish, and crabs, but detached mussels seem to be the main food source. There are rare instances where the giant green anemone has consumed seabirds. It is not known whether the birds were alive or dead when engulfed by the anemone. (Wikipedia)
One evening we went to the tidal pools along the coast to look for fish, anemones and sea stars. It was adventure scrambling over the huge rocks, but we were rewarded with this anemone just under the surface of the water. No evidence of it having eaten a bird recently was found :-)
Ucluelet, British Columbia, Canada. May 2022.
Eagle-Eye Tours - Ultimate British Columbia.
Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea (M)
The species is always associated with running water when breeding, although they may use man-made structures near streams for the nest. Outside the breeding season, they may also be seen around lakes, coasts and other watery habitats. Like other wagtails, they frequently wag their tail and fly low with undulations and they have a sharp call that is often given in flight.
This slim wagtail has a narrow white supercilium and a broken eye ring. The upperparts are grey and the yellow vent contrasting with whitish underparts makes it distinctive. The breeding male has a black throat that is edged by whitish moustachial stripes. They forage singly or in pairs on meadows or on shallow water marshes. They also use rocks in water and will often perch on trees. They have a clear sharp call note and the song consists of trills.
The breeding season is April to July and the nest is placed near fast running streams or rivers on an embankment between stones and roots. The male in display, makes short flights up into the air and descends slowly with fluttering flight accompanied by a rapid series of chipping high notes. In Europe the nests are often made in holes in manmade structures. The clutch consists of 3–6 speckled eggs and multiple broods may be raised with declining numbers in the clutch in subsequent broods. The usual clutch size is five in Ireland and the breeding success is about 80% with predation of eggs or chicks being the main cause of breeding failure. The Canary Islands population typically have smaller clutches and the breeding season is not as short and well marked as in populations at higher latitudes. The incubation period is about two weeks with chicks fledging within a fortnight. They live for a maximum of 8 years in the wild.
In some parts of the its range the white-throated dipper nests in the same habitats as the grey wagtail and there are some records of interspecific feeding of dipper chicks by adult wagtails.
Population:
UK breeding:
38,000 pairs
Species: Podiceps auritus.
Summer plumage.
North-east Scotland, UK.
Arguably the most attractive of the UK's breeding grebes, with its golden ear tufts and trilling calls. It looks similar to the black-necked grebe in winter but has whiter cheeks which almost meet at the back of the neck. Due to its small breeding population it is a Red List species. Info: RSPB.
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"Die Lorbeerrosen (Kalmia) bilden eine Pflanzengattung in der Familie der Heidekrautgewächse (Ericaceae). Sie sind hauptsächlich in Nordamerika verbreitet."(Wächst nicht in meinem Garten)
"Kalmia is a genus of about 8 species of evergreen shrubs from 0.2–5 m tall, in the family Ericaceae. They are native to North America (mainly in the eastern half of the continent) and Cuba"(Wikipedia).Don't grow in my garden.
Species: Fringilla montifringilla.
Similar in size and shape to the chaffinch, the male brambling has a black head in summer, and an orange breast with white belly. In flight it shows a long white rump. Gregarious in winter, it may form flocks of many thousands and often joins with chaffinches. Numbers can vary between winters depending on food supplies. It is a Schedule 1 species. Info:RSPB.
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Species: Alauda arvensis.
The skylark is a small brown bird, somewhat larger than a sparrow but smaller than a starling. It is streaky brown with a small crest, which can be raised when the bird is excited or alarmed, and a white-sided tail. The wings also have a white rear edge, visible in flight. It is renowned for its display flight, vertically up in the air. Its recent and dramatic population declines make it a Red List species. Info: RSPB.
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This rather tame, active, crested little bird is common all year in eastern forests, where its whistled peter-peter-peter song may be heard even during mid-winter thaws. It is related to the chickadees, and like them it readily comes to bird feeders, often carrying away sunflower seeds one at a time. Feeders may be helping it to expand its range: in recent decades, Tufted Titmice have been steadily pushing north.
Diet consist mostly insects and seeds. Insects make up close to two-thirds of annual diet, with caterpillars the most important prey in summer; also eats wasps, bees, sawfly larvae, beetles, true bugs, scale insects, and many others, including many insect eggs and pupae. Also eats some spiders, snails. Seeds, nuts, berries, and small fruits are important in diet especially in winter.
Tufted Titmice and chickadees are ‘nuclear' species, often joined in winter flocks by a variety of ‘satellite' species. As a ‘nuclear' species, titmice influence the paths that flocks follow, are aggressive mobbers of potential predators, and often take the lead during mobbing events. The calls that titmice utter when mobbing provide information about the presence of predators for hetero specifics as well as con-specifics
In central Florida titmice are year round residents and do not migrate. They are common at most bird feeders throughout the year.
Their range is from two to five acres during breeding season which is from March to June.
I found this one in my backyard. Lake Wales, Florida.
Species: Mergus merganser.
A chance encounter with a female Goosander on the river with her 10 chicks.
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The long-billed curlew is the largest sandpiper of regular occurrence in North America. It is 50–65 cm (20–26 in) long, 62–90 cm (24–35 in) across the wing and weighs 490–950 g (1.08–2.09 lb).
Its disproportionally long bill curves downward and measures 11.3–21.9 cm (4.4–8.6 in), and rivals the bill of the larger-bodied Far Eastern curlew as the longest bill of any shorebird.[4] Individuals have a long neck and a small head. The neck and underparts are a light cinnamon in color, while the crown is streaked with brown. This species exhibits reversed sexual dimorphism, as in many sandpipers, the female being larger and having a much longer bill than the male's.
Oxnard. California.
Species: Mustela erminea.
Stoat (wild) with Squirrel prey.
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Naples Botanical Gardens
Southwest Florida
USA
Nelumbo nucifera, also known as sacred lotus, Laxmi lotus, Indian lotus, or simply lotus, is one of two extant species of aquatic plant in the family Nelumbonaceae. It is sometimes colloquially called a water lily, though this more often refers to members of the family Nymphaeaceae.
Lotus plants are adapted to grow in the flood plains of slow-moving rivers and delta areas. Stands of lotus drop hundreds of thousands of seeds every year to the bottom of the pond. During flood conditions, sediments containing these seeds are broken open, and the dormant seeds rehydrate and begin a new lotus colony.
It has a very wide native distribution. It has a very long history (c. 3,000 years) of being cultivated for its edible seeds, and it is commonly cultivated in water gardens. It is the national flower of India and Vietnam. - Wikipedia
This species winters not too far south of my area, and is seen here occasionally during milder winter weather. But generally I spot them in spring and fall, along their migratory routes. They are farther north, now, heading toward their Arctic and sub-Arctic breeding grounds. A month ago, however, I was seeing them on almost every outing... and once in a while I would get one in range.
Photographed near Orkney, Saskatchewan (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2023 James R. Page - all rights reserved.
Species: Coenagrion puella.
The Azure damselfly is a pale blue, small damselfly that is commonly found around most waterbodies from May to September. Info: The Wildlife Trusts.
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• Black bumblebee
• Mangangá negro / abejorro del páramo
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Hymenoptera
Family:Apidae
Genus:Bombus
Possibly Bombus pauloensis Friese, 1913 (= B. atratus)
Taxonomic revision: bit.ly/2lE4Asq
Santa Regina, Colonia, Uruguay
Species: Regulus regulus.
A king among birds, the goldcrest displays a beautiful golden crown. Our smallest bird, it can be spotted in conifer woodlands and parks across the UK. Info: Wildlife Trust,
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Sedum…l ist eine Pflanzengattung aus der Familie der Dickblattgewächse (Crassulaceae)
Mit etwa 420 Arten ist sie die umfangreichste Gattung dieser Familie.
Deutsche Trivialnamen sind Mauerpfeffer und Fetthennen.
Sedum ... l is a genus of flowering plants of the family (Crassulaceae)
With about 420 species, it is the largest genus of this family.
Species: Carduelis cardduelis.
The goldfinch is a highly coloured finch with a bright red face and yellow wing patch. Sociable, often breeding in loose colonies, they have a delightful liquid twittering song and call. Their long fine beaks allow them to extract otherwise inaccessible seeds from thistles and teasels. Increasingly they are visiting bird tables and feeders. In winter many UK goldfinches migrate as far south as Spain. Info: RSPB.
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Female.
Species: Oenanthe oenanthe.
These migratory birds are seasoned travellers, embarking on an epic journey from Africa to the UK each spring. They favour upland habitats and nest in cavities between rocks. Info: Woodland Trust.
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La Ceja, Colombia; 2.300 meters above sea level.
Cissopis leverianus (Magpie tanager / Tángara urraca)
I think this photo holds the record for the highest elevation above sea level where this bird has been seen. It is usually found in warm places at low altitude.
The magpie tanager (Cissopis leveriana) is a South American species of tanager. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Cissopis. As suggested by its common name, this blue-black and white species is superficially reminiscent of a European magpie. With a total length of 25–30 cm (10–12 in), a large percentage of which is tail, it is the longest species of tanager. It weighs 69-76 g.
It is widespread in humid tropical and subtropical woodland, plantations, second growth, and parks in South America east of the Andes. It is largely restricted to lowlands, but occurs up to an altitude of 2,000 m (6,600 ft) on the east Andean slopes.
Cairo (Egypt), shop is characteristic Arab species, with a multitude of stacked goods, which only they know how to find.
Species: Regulus regulus.
The Goldcrest is the smallest bird in the UK, just 9cm in length, and weighs approximately 5.5g, which is the equivalent of a twenty pence coin. If not for the fiery orange stripe along its head, the Goldcrest would be a somewhat mute-looking bird, with nothing more than a dull greyish-green plumage with which to advertise its appearance.
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Female.
Species: Oenanthe oenanthe.
A Robin-sized chat, the wheatear is a summer visitor to the UK, arriving here in early March and leaving in September for its African wintering grounds. It frequents open, rocky country, pasture, moorland and heath. Mainly a ground-dwelling bird, it can be seen running or hopping along. It breeds mainly in western and northern UK. Info: The Wildlife Trusts.
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Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus (M)
(Double click)
The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In Britain, where no other kestrel species occurs, it is generally just called "the kestrel".
This species occurs over a large range. It is widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as occasionally reaching the east coast of North America.
Kestrels can hover in still air, even indoors in barns. Because they face towards any slight wind when hovering, the common kestrel is called a "windhover" in some areas.
Unusual for falcons, plumage often differs between male and female, although as is usual with monogamous raptors the female is slightly larger than the male. This allows a pair to fill different feeding niches over their home range. Kestrels are bold and have adapted well to human encroachment, nesting in buildings and hunting by major roads. Kestrels do not build their own nests, but use nests built by other species.
Their plumage is mainly light chestnut brown with blackish spots on the upperside and buff with narrow blackish streaks on the underside; the remiges are also blackish. Unlike most raptors, they display sexual colour dimorphism with the male having fewer black spots and streaks, as well as a blue-grey cap and tail. The tail is brown with black bars in females, and has a black tip with a narrow white rim in both sexes. All common kestrels have a prominent black malar stripe like their closest relatives.
The cere, feet, and a narrow ring around the eye are bright yellow; the toenails, bill and iris are dark. Juveniles look like adult females, but the underside streaks are wider; the yellow of their bare parts is paler. Hatchlings are covered in white down feathers, changing to a buff-grey second down coat before they grow their first true plumage.
Data from Britain shows nesting pairs bringing up about 2–3 chicks on average, though this includes a considerable rate of total brood failures; actually, few pairs that do manage to fledge offspring raise less than 3 or 4. Compared to their siblings, first-hatched chicks have greater survival and recruitment probability, thought to be due to the first-hatched chicks obtaining a higher body condition when in the nest. Population cycles of prey, particularly voles, have a considerable influence on breeding success. Most common kestrels die before they reach 2 years of age; mortality up until the first birthday may be as high as 70%. At least females generally breed at one year of age; possibly, some males take a year longer to maturity as they do in related species. The biological lifespan to death from senescence can be 16 years or more, however; one was recorded to have lived almost 24 years.
Population:
UK breeding:
46,000 pairs
Species: Turdus iliacus.
The redwing is a winter visitor, enjoying the feast of seasonal berries the UK's hedgerows, gardens and parks have to offer. Info:The Wildlife Trust.
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Species: Carduelis carduelis.
The striking red crown, golden back, and bright yellow wings of the goldfinch make it one of our prettiest garden birds. It happily visits birdtables and feeders across the UK. Info: The Wildlife Trusts
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Male.
Species: Lagopus lagopus.
The Red Grouse is an umistakeable bird - plump and round, with a gingery-red body as its name suggests. Found on upland heathlands, it is under threat from the nationwide, dramatic loss of these habitats.
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Male,
Species: Carduelis chloris.
Its twittering, wheezing song and flash of yellow and green as it flies, make this finch a truly colourful character. Nesting in a garden conifer, or feasting on black sunflower seeds, the greenfinch is a regular garden visitor, able to take advantage of food in rural and urban gardens. Although quite sociable, they may squabble among themselves or with other birds at the bird table. Info: RSPB.
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Species: Pyronia tithonus.
As its English names suggest, the Gatekeeper (also known as the Hedge Brown) is often encountered where clumps of flowers grow in gateways and along hedgerows and field edges. It is often seen together with the Meadow Brown and Ringlet, from which it is easily distinguished when basking or nectaring with open wings. Info: Butterfly Conservation.
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This is a hybrid iris, developed from species native to Portugal, Spain, and North Africa.
Photo taken while on my visit to the Tower Hill Botanical Gardens, Boylston, Ma. June 8, 2023.
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An orangey brown species with striped eyes and thorax.
Habitat - Usually found in damp habitats where snails may be present.
When to see it - Summer and autumn.
These are known as snail-killing flies because their larvae parasitise snails and the like.
UK Status - Fairly frequent and widespread in Britain.
Species: Alauda arvensis.
As it performs its conspicuous flight above open fields and downs, giving voice loudly and constantly, it is a difficult bird to ignore. It is very much identified with the countryside rather than with towns, it breeds more widely than any other bird in Britain, so it is seen in all parts of the country that suit it - farmland, grassland, meadows, sand-dunes and commons. Info: Reader's Digest.
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(Tangara cyanocephala)
Sitio da Folha Seca
Ubatuba
Brasil
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All my photos are now organized into sets by the country where they were taken, by taxonomic order, by family, by species (often with just one photo for the rarer ones), and by the date they were taken.
So, you may find:
- All the photos for this trip Brasil // Atlantic Forest (2019) (271)
- All the photos for this order PASSERIFORMES (3553)
- All the photos for this family Thraupidae (Traupídeos) (266)
- All the photos for this species Tangara cyanocephala (9)
- All the photos taken this day 2019/08/14 (21)
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