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Common Tern - Sterna Hirundo
Adult and Juvenile.
It is strongly migratory, wintering in coastal tropical and subtropical regions. Breeding adults have light grey upperparts, white to very light grey underparts, a black cap, orange-red legs, and a narrow pointed bill. Depending on the subspecies, the bill may be mostly red with a black tip or all black. There are a number of similar species, including the partly sympatric Arctic tern, which can be separated on plumage details, leg and bill colour, or vocalisations.
Breeding in a wider range of habitats than any of its relatives, the common tern nests on any flat, poorly vegetated surface close to water, including beaches and islands, and it readily adapts to artificial substrates such as floating rafts. The nest may be a bare scrape in sand or gravel, but it is often lined or edged with whatever debris is available. Up to three eggs may be laid, their dull colours and blotchy patterns providing camouflage on the open beach.
Population:
UK breeding:
12,000 pairs
Common Tern - Sterna Hirundo
It is strongly migratory, wintering in coastal tropical and subtropical regions. Breeding adults have light grey upperparts, white to very light grey underparts, a black cap, orange-red legs, and a narrow pointed bill. Depending on the subspecies, the bill may be mostly red with a black tip or all black. There are a number of similar species, including the partly sympatric Arctic tern, which can be separated on plumage details, leg and bill colour, or vocalisations.
Breeding in a wider range of habitats than any of its relatives, the common tern nests on any flat, poorly vegetated surface close to water, including beaches and islands, and it readily adapts to artificial substrates such as floating rafts. The nest may be a bare scrape in sand or gravel, but it is often lined or edged with whatever debris is available. Up to three eggs may be laid, their dull colours and blotchy patterns providing camouflage on the open beach.
Population:
UK breeding:
12,000 pairs
Common Tern - Sterna Hirundo
It is strongly migratory, wintering in coastal tropical and subtropical regions. Breeding adults have light grey upperparts, white to very light grey underparts, a black cap, orange-red legs, and a narrow pointed bill. Depending on the subspecies, the bill may be mostly red with a black tip or all black. There are a number of similar species, including the partly sympatric Arctic tern, which can be separated on plumage details, leg and bill colour, or vocalisations.
Breeding in a wider range of habitats than any of its relatives, the common tern nests on any flat, poorly vegetated surface close to water, including beaches and islands, and it readily adapts to artificial substrates such as floating rafts. The nest may be a bare scrape in sand or gravel, but it is often lined or edged with whatever debris is available. Up to three eggs may be laid, their dull colours and blotchy patterns providing camouflage on the open beach.
Population:
UK breeding:
12,000 pairs
Common Tern - Sterna Hirundo
It is strongly migratory, wintering in coastal tropical and subtropical regions. Breeding adults have light grey upperparts, white to very light grey underparts, a black cap, orange-red legs, and a narrow pointed bill. Depending on the subspecies, the bill may be mostly red with a black tip or all black. There are a number of similar species, including the partly sympatric Arctic tern, which can be separated on plumage details, leg and bill colour, or vocalisations.
Breeding in a wider range of habitats than any of its relatives, the common tern nests on any flat, poorly vegetated surface close to water, including beaches and islands, and it readily adapts to artificial substrates such as floating rafts. The nest may be a bare scrape in sand or gravel, but it is often lined or edged with whatever debris is available. Up to three eggs may be laid, their dull colours and blotchy patterns providing camouflage on the open beach.
Population:
UK breeding:
12,000 pairs
Dactylorhiza maculata subsp. fuchsii (Orchidaceae) 174 23
Dactylorhiza fuchsii is a widespread and abundant orchid with a distribution throughout temperate Europe, as far east as Siberia and is a member of the large Dactylorhiza maculata group of the genus Dactylorhiza. Dactylorhiza fuchsii and Dactylorhiza maculata share a close morphological resemblance but their differing habitat choice is a key differentiation, with the latter species exclusively a plant of acidic or neutral substrates and Dactylorhiza fuchsii an orchid of alkaline soils. There are also morphological features that serve to distinguish them, among them, the more slender, pointed leaves and less centralized, more discreet lip markings of Dactylorhiza maculata. These characteristics seem to be less apparent in the central and eastern parts of their range and this greater convergence leads some botanists not to recognize any species separation.
Dactylorhiza fuchsii although exclusively tied to non acidic soils, is nonetheless tolerant of a wide range of conditions from the driest chalk grassland to marshes and from full sun to shade. Its flowers are typically pale with bold markings and it's not uncommon to find completely white examples.
Source: Orchids of Britain and Europe.
Kristiansand is strategically located on the Skagerrak, and until the opening of the Kiel Canal between the North Sea and the Baltic was very important militarily and geopolitically. This meant that for centuries it served as a military stronghold, first as Harald Fairhair's royal residence, then as a Danish-Norwegian fortress, and later as a garrison town. Kristiansand is a gateway to and from the continent, with ferry service to Denmark and a terminus of the railway line along the southern edge of South Norway.
Geologically, this part of Agder is part of the Swedo-Norwegian Base Mountain Shield, the southwestern section of the Baltic Shield, and consists of two main geological formations of Proterozoic rocks that were formed in the Gothic and later Swedo-Norwegian orogenies, with significant metamorphism during the latter.[13] There is a substrate of 1,600–1,450 million-year-old slate, quartzite, marble and amphibolite with some hornblende gneiss, and overlaid on this acidic surface structures of both granite and granodiorite (in general 1,250–1,000 million years old, in some places 1,550–1,480 million years old). The Bamblefelt geological area starts to the east of the municipality and extends to Grenland.
The last Swedo-Norwegian formations are evident in large formations of granite. There are also incidences of gabbro and diorite, less commonly eclogite. The Caledonian orogeny did not affect this area. Faults run southwest-northeast.[14] In ancient times there was a volcano off Flekkeroy, which left deposits of volcanic rock just north of central Kristiansand, on the site of the estate of Eg, now occupied by the Hospital of Southern Norway.
Near the city, there are deep woods. In Baneheia and at the former coastal artillery fortress on Odderøya, there are lighted ski trails and walking paths specially prepared for wheelchair users.
Two major rivers, the Otra and the Tovdalselva, flow into the Skagerrak at Kristiansand. wikipedia
Dactylorhiza maculata subsp. fuchsii (Orchidaceae) 195 23
Dactylorhiza fuchsii is a widespread and abundant orchid with a distribution throughout temperate Europe, as far east as Siberia and is a member of the large Dactylorhiza maculata group of the genus Dactylorhiza. Dactylorhiza fuchsii and Dactylorhiza maculata share a close morphological resemblance but their differing habitat choice is a key differentiation, with the latter species exclusively a plant of acidic or neutral substrates and Dactylorhiza fuchsii an orchid of alkaline soils. There are also morphological features that serve to distinguish them, among them, the more slender, pointed leaves and less centralized, more discreet lip markings of Dactylorhiza maculata. These characteristics seem to be less apparent in the central and eastern parts of their range and this greater convergence leads some botanists not to recognize any species separation.
Dactylorhiza fuchsii although exclusively tied to non acidic soils, is nonetheless tolerant of a wide range of conditions from the driest chalk grassland to marshes and from full sun to shade. Its flowers are typically pale with bold markings and it's not uncommon to find completely white examples.
Source: Orchids of Britain and Europe.
Cypripedium parviflorum (yellow lady's slipper orchid) is native to North America and grows on calcareous (limestone) substrates such as alvars.
Ontario Canada, June 2019
Camera: Olympus EM5 MkII
Lens: 1930s Taylor Hobson Cooke Kinic 1 inch f1.5 C-mount cine lens (uncoated version)
P6123249
Please, no invitations to award groups or to those with large/animated comment codes.
Small bicolored sandpiper which often bobs its tail in a distinctively wagtail-like manner. Plain brown with white underparts; distinguished from bulkier and rounder-headed Green Sandpiper by a prominent white spur at the shoulder. Found in a variety of wetland habitats; breeds on stony ground along rivers and lakeshores, with migrants occurring on muddy and rocky substrates from concrete canal banks to channels in tidal mudflats. Mainly found as singles or in small groups, not in flocks or mixed with other species. (eBird)
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Always nice to run into familiar birds on our travels. This sandpiper was busy along the shoreline as we were looking for "new" plovers.
Marina Bay East, Singapore. March 2024.
Birding Singapore.
Life cycle: Flight period and behavior April-October in several generations; sometimes also observed during the winter months. The moths fly both during the day and at night; they are attracted to light and less so to smear. During the day and at dusk they regularly visit flowers, where they sometimes sit on a leaf or near a flower, vigorously vibrating their wings. For this reason they are often confused with the hummingbird hawk-moth. Life cycle Caterpillar: May-November. The development speed of the caterpillar is strongly dependent on the temperature. Pupation takes place in a shiny, silver-coloured cocoon against a leaf of the host plant. In mild winters the species sometimes overwinters in the Netherlands as a fully grown caterpillar or as a pupa.
Widow Skimmer is one of the group of dragonflies known as king skimmers.
This species can be found commonly across the United States (except in the higher Rocky Mountains areas) and in southern Ontario and Quebec. They are found commonly in muddy substrates, or still bodies of waters such as ponds, lakes, streams, and creeks.
They are predators that prey on other insects such as mosquitoes. They catch their prey using their legs and use their fangs to bring prey into their mouth. (Wikipedia)
Calabogie, Ontario, Canada. July 2009.
Bulgaria
It is exclusively found in running waters and seems to be limited to habitats with a stony substrate. Most often it is found in brooks and smaller rivers although it also occurs in small numbers in larger rivers.
The legs are placed in an outstretched position and the abdomen and legs are flattened, both are probably adaptations to living in a strong current. In addition to this they are the only European species with sausage shaped lamellae and gills on the sides of their abdomen, both adaptations for the intake of oxygen.
The Dutch coast has no natural rocks, just sandy beaches as far as the eye can reach. Nevertheless, one can find some artificial rocks as here at the entrance of Scheveningen harbor. These rocks are overgrown with animals and plants typical for such substrates. Seeing these rocks and kind of life gives me always the feeling of being back in primeval times when all live was restricted to the sea. This feeling I wanted to accentuate with this small depth of field image. It is a close-up view with a low PoV
Happy Monochrome Bokeh THursday! HMBT!
Not an easy subject because of the texture of the seaslug.
Melibe engeli feed on shrimps, crabs and other small crustacea which they catch by waving the inflated oral hood over the substrate like a metal detector. When the sensory papillae touch a crustacean the hood rapidly closes, trapping the prey inside where it is gradually moved back to the 'mouth'.
Mabini, South Luzon, Philippines
JardÃn, Antioquia, Colombia
The spectacularly bizarre Andean Cock-of-the-rock is perhaps the most popularly recognized bird of the cloud forests of the Andes Mountains.
Distributed from Venezuela to Bolivia in the Andes, this species is readily identified by its fan-shaped crest and brilliant orange plumage. Males spend much of their time displaying at leks, where they jump up and down on particular branches and utter low, guttural croaks. The name is derived from their preference for rocks and ledges as substrates for their mud cup nests.
neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/Species-Account/nb/species/...
La Concha, San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, España.
La playa de la Concha es una playa situada en la bahÃa de la Concha de la ciudad de San Sebastián (España).
Ubicada al oeste de la desembocadura del rÃo Urumea, separada del mismo por el monte Urgull y el centro de la ciudad y alojada en la bahÃa de la Concha, tiene una longitud media de 1 350 m, una anchura media de 40 m y una superficie media de 54 000 m².
Es una playa de sustrato arenoso y poca profundidad, en la que el recorrido de las mareas a menudo limita la superficie útil para el uso. Puede considerarse una playa de entorno urbano y uso masivo. Además, desde 2007, es uno de los 12 Tesoros de España.
La Concha beach is a beach located in the bay of La Concha in the city of San Sebastián (Spain).
Located west of the mouth of the Urumea River, separated from it by Mount Urgull and the center of the city and housed in the Bay of Concha, has an average length of 1 350 m, an average width of 40 m and an average area 54,000 m².
It is a beach of sandy substrate and shallow depth, in which the route of the tides often limits the area useful for use. It can be considered a beach of urban environment and massive use. In addition, since 2007, it is one of the 12 Treasures of Spain.
An adult newt is resting two feet under the water’s surface on substrate consisting of decomposing leaves and algae. It’s an alien world that exists so close to our own.
Below the newt and slightly to the left is a large aquatic snail; part of a species with green and white shells. Above him is a small worm. If the amphibian was hungry both would be in danger. However, newts are primarily nocturnal feeders.
He is currently relaxed and enjoying the mid-day sun penetrating the water.
During August, most newts remain buried in substrate beneath the water during the day and emerge only at night in search of food. While they enjoy sunlight, the summer heat exceeds their thresholds, the mating season is over, and predators are all awake.
But newts, like all creatures, are individuals and this brown spotted newt decided to take a chance and enjoy a leisurely swim in the temperate water.
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The widow skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) is one of the group of dragonflies known as king skimmers. The nymphs live in the water, molting and growing until they are ready to emerge from the water and then molting a final time to reveal their wings.
This species can be found commonly across the United States (except in the higher Rocky Mountains areas) and in southern Ontario and Quebec. They are usually found in muddy substrates, or still bodies of waters such as ponds, lakes, streams, and creeks. Widow Skimmers are predators that prey on other insects such as mosquitoes. They catch their prey using their legs and use their fangs to bring prey into their mouth. (Wikipedia)
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Dragonflies were abundant on our visit to Morris Island. This Widow Skimmer was one of the larger dragons to hover along the causeway.
Morris Island Conservation Area, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. July 2024.
Eastern Ontario Birding
The soft mudstones and shales of the Mancos formation (marine deposits from 90 million years ago) reveal the art of erosion at its best, particularly here in the Upper Blue Hills. Each small drainage is etched into the landscape, forming veined networks bound together at the lowest point, divided by the shallow ridges of slightly more resistant substrate. The near absence of any vegetation results from the shrinking and swelling of the soil, its chemical makeup, and the aridity of the environment. Following heavy winter rains however brief intense displays of flowers will occur indicating a healthy and long-lived seed bank exists in these inhospitable soils.
A bald eagle on a textured snag tree. At first, I actually missed the fact that the eagle was there. The bird was well camouflaged based on the time of the morning and how well it blended in. Make no mistake, however, the eagle does not have to blend in. This is an apex predator and it defines the rules of engagement.
I photographed this eagle in Pasco County, Florida.
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If you'd like to see more of my eagle images, go to schockenphotography.com. I have many images of eagles and other raptors as well as owls, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, songbirds and mammals and I have a full section on birds in flight which is my specialty.