Pendant les vacances à la campagne notre gîte se trouvait sur les terres d'une ferme, entouré d'un côté d'une parcelle cultivée et de l'autre d'une parcelle en jachère, je me suis promené appareil photo à la main sur les deux parcelles,celle qui est cultivée est presque stérile et la jachère regorgeait de vie, et ce papillon fait partie des nombreuses espèces que j'ai pu photographier....

Comme quoi si on laisse un peu de répit à la nature elle se régénère d'elle même....

During the holidays in the countryside our gîte was on the grounds of a farm, surrounded on one side by a cultivated plot and on the other by a fallow plot, I walked around with my camera in my hand on the two plots, the one that is cultivated is almost sterile and the fallow was teeming with life, and this butterfly is one of the many species that I have been able to photograph ....

Like what if we leave a little respite to nature it regenerates itself ...

A lake on the outskirts of the city was teeming with waders! I had a fantastic time shooting in that place. Many different waders and the light was fantastic with little fog. There were over 1500 birds but many were on the far side.

These migratory barn swallows were in full active mode and flying continuously and occasionally taking breaks on the rocks. I lay myself on the ground to get some shots of the Stints, but then some of them flew close and I managed to grab some flight shots. These are really tough on the hand to shoot in flight!

The birds glide over the lake and suddenly dip their head into the water and then fly away. Through my shots, I learnt that they are actually catching insects - water striders - through that action. Previously I thought it was to take a sip of water, but now I have several shots showing they catch these insects that can walk over water.

Thank you so much in advance for your views, faves and feedback - much appreciated.

A lake on the outskirts of the city was teeming with waders during our last winter! There were over 1500 birds but many were on the far side.

These migratory barn swallows were in full active mode and flying continuously and occasionally taking breaks on the rocks. I lay myself on the ground to get some shots of the Stints, but then some of them flew close and I managed to grab some flight shots. These are really tough on the hand to shoot in flight!

One thing I learned is that the birds glide over the lake and suddenly dip their head into the water and then fly away. Through my shots, I learnt that they are actually catching insects - water striders - through that action. Previously I thought it was to take a sip of water, but now I have several shots showing they catch these insects that can walk over water.

Thank you so much in advance for your views, faves and feedback - much appreciated.

The sun was waning as the lights came on at this impressive Provincial government center.

"The purpose of the buildings is to serve as the seat of B.C.’s provincial government. It is here that important decisions are made regarding the province on matters such as health, education, transportation, and housing.

The Parliament Buildings are located on the banks of the Inner Harbour in British Columbia’s capital city, Victoria. As one of the dominant features of the downtown core, B.C.’s government buildings are one of Victoria’s must-see sights, teeming with history and culture. They reside on 12.5 acres of lush property. The Empress Hotel is nearby.

Staying in the area until sun sets is highly recommended. The Parliament Buildings will eventually light up with approximately 3500 energy efficient lightbulbs, highlighting the striking outline of the structure, and making for a great photo opportunity.

Incredibly, the original idea for the lightbulbs was first brought to life in 1897 when the buildings were first completed. This was a time when electricity was still a novel phenomenon. While fewer than there are today, the lightbulbs were strung in honour of Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee, as they were supposed to look like diamonds shining brightly in the darkness. The idea was brought back in the 1960s, and since then, the buildings have been lit every single evening at dusk." victoriabc.ca

Unbelievable experience walking through meadows teeming with butterflies.

Lots of them were Skippers but it was a nice variey.

Not so warm today so the butterflies weren't dashing about, but it was windy but I loved it.

Wouldnt be fun if there weren't challenges

A migratory bird that is famous for appearing just before the start of the rainy season. In the countryside, people still predict rains by its sightings. In many parts of India, it migrates all the way to Africa and comes back to India just in time for the rains and of course, the breeding season. But in South India, this is a resident bird and can be seen late summers and during rainy seasons.

This is a brood parasite and lays its eggs in other birds nests. It would eat one of the hosts eggs and drop its own in them. The bird prefers Bulbuls, both Red Vented and White throated, tailorbirds etc.. as hosts for its eggs.

The area I visited during the weekend had 3 of them foraging on the small hillock there. The place was teeming with butterflies and no wonder there were so many cuckoo's there. We had a rainy July and dry August. And then we saw many of these Pied Cuckoo's, and the first week of September so far - the rains are crazy!

Thank you so much in advance for your views and feedback.

Home for the second part of our holiday. The sea here was teeming with small fish, attracting noddies, terns, frigatebirds and waders, all of which provided constant entertainment from my sun-bed, whilst the hotel gardens offered the first opportunity to see the endemic sunbird and bulbul.

In the background is Curieuse Island, a national park with a rich indigenous flora, a marine reserve and tortoise sanctuary.

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,300 kilometres over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres. The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world's biggest single structure made by living organisms. This reef structure is composed of and built by billions of tiny organisms, known as coral polyps. It supports a wide diversity of life and was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981. The Great Barrier Reef has long been known to and used by the Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and is an important part of local groups' cultures and spirituality. The reef is a very popular destination for tourists, especially in the Whitsunday Islands and Cairns regions. Tourism is an important economic activity for the region, generating over A$3 billion per year. 22806

The Osprey is a migratory raptor from Central Asia that dot large lakes and the coasts in the country during winters. They are often seen competing with the local birds like the crows, Brahminy Kites and Black Kites for prey like the fish. They are often found near shallow lakes and water bodies with high perches. The birds hunt once-twice and then rest most of the day maddeningly for us. Often it is a long wait to see it in action. Interestingly, some don't go back and we speculate that they maybe too old to make that journey.

This was shot in an estuary we visited last month. The area was teeming with waders - 1000's of them. We were there during high tide and hence it was difficult to shoot many birds. The Osprey was resting on a small wooden log in the middle of the water and flew away as we approached it.

Thanks in advance for your views, faves and feedback. Much appreciated.

Sheets of teeming rain gusting through Honister Pass nearly obscure Yew Crag high above the steep scree slopes on the north side of the mountain pass.

Mamit Lake is a shallow, medium-size lake, located between Merritt and Logan Lake in the Mamit Valley. The lake is part of the Guichon Creek watershed, flowing into the Nicola River, near Merritt, and on into the Thompson River.

Merritt and the Nicola Valley exposes the traveler to the soft, wind-stirred beauty of thriving ranchlands. The valley offers sharp contrasts; from green fields or sagebrush-studded hillsides to rich marshes teeming with birds.

A beautiful small flycatcher that was a target for a long time. About 10-12 cms long, agile and active, it is easily identified by the red color on the breast area that extends down till the belly (There is another flycatcher - the Taiga Flycatcher - that looks exactly the same, but the red color stops at the neck).

This is a migrant from Western and Central Europe to South Asia during winters, the bird stays till March before moving back to its breeding range. Its an active flycatcher - restless with sudden movements and flight. The call too is quite easy to id. It tends to hunt on the edge of canopy and tends to sit in the open briefly.

The bird was sighted on the edge of city lake that is teeming with illegal constructions - apparently half a dozen of these birds along with several other flycatchers are hunting in the clump of trees. We think they are passage migrants to the place and will fly away very soon. I managed to get some good shots of the bird and delighted with the outcome.

Thanks in advance for your views and feedback. Much appreciated.

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbour that twin cities frame.

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Emma Lazarus (1849–1887), The New Colossus

© All rights reserved Anna Kwa. Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit written permission

August 2010

Dawn glows beyond the sheltered banks and teeming water of the Two Hearted River en route to the Lake Superior shore in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Copyright © 2010 Richard Thompson.

The boardwalk to Benar beach, it stretches out onto the sandy shores of the beach.

There are pebbles also, at the end of the walkway.

Benar beach dune system is an impressive

coastal landscape famous for it's wealth of wildlife and specialised plants that vary from season to season.

It is designated as a spot of special scientific interest. The dunes being one of the most adaptable ecosystems in the UK.

You can see many wild flowers, birds, plant life,

with orchids and sharp sea rush.

The waters are teeming with, plaice, flounders,bass and dogfish.

Glendurgan Garden (Cornish: Glynn Dowrgeun, meaning deep valley of otters) is a National Trust garden situated on the Helford River near Mawnan Smith, Cornwall.

The Garden was laid out by the Quakers Alfred and Sarah Fox in the 1820s and 1830s. In 1962 Glendurgan Garden was given to the National Trust by Cuthbert and Philip Fox.

There are three parts to the valley at Glendurgan. Sun-loving specimens enjoy the upper banks, and plants with big leaves and exotic flowers thrive in the subtropical lower valley. In Spring, an abundance of wildflowers fill the sloping sides of the valley.

Wandering down through the garden leads you down to the unspoilt hamlet of Durgan on the Helford River. Walking up from Durgan you can find a boat-seat, a gigantic tulip-tree and ponds teeming with wildlife. There is also a maze that has been foxing people for nearly 200 years.

The reservoir - a very large water body of one of the biggest rivers in India (GodavarI) was full of life. We went there to shoot the very rare Indian Skimmers, but the place was teeming with activity during the low tide. There were close to 80 species of birds - though most were in quite unfriendly photographics places.

The gulls were near the waters edge which had lots of small fish that were jumping out of the water. And there was competition between the gulls, terns, skimmers and cormorants.

The Brown headed gull is an asiatic bird that is found on the coasts and near lakes within 100-150 km inland all the way from Pakistan to China. The birds were slowly moving from one sand bank to another and also hunting in the shallow waters and hunting fish.

Many thanks in advance for your views and feedback. Much appreciated.

Koh Pu is a small island is a beautiful tropical paradise located off the coast of Phuket, Thailand.Koh Pu attracts tourists from around the world who are looking for a peaceful and serene getaway.

One of the highlights of Koh Pu is its stunning natural beauty. The island is adorned with fine white sandy beaches. Surrounded by turquoise waters and teeming with marine life.Tourists can spend time relaxing on the beach, swimming, snorkeling or simply enjoying the beautiful scenery. Quiet environment.

Take a close look and bark can be seen to be teeming with life - formed by wind and weather, insects and birds... lichens and moss, fungi... parasitic and symbiotic relationships...

Taken on an overcast autumn day with occasional beams of sunshine. Children and parents were flying their kites in the park. It is surprising that very stable-looking tree-trunks will be seen to sway gently in the wind when closely observed thorugh a macro lens.

Macro Mondays - theme: Tree Bark

S-M-C MACRO-TAKUMAR 1:4/100

PENTAX K-1

HMM!

A beautiful small flycatcher that I had long wanted to see and shoot. Around 10-12 cms long, agile and restless, it is easily identified by the red color on the breast area that extends down till the belly (There is another flycatcher - the Taiga Flycatcher - that looks exactly the same, but the red color stops at the neck).

This is a migrant from Western and Central Europe to South Asia during winters, the bird stays till March before moving back to its breeding range. Its an active flycatcher - restless with sudden movements and flight. The call too is quite easy to id. It tends to hunt on the edge of canopy and tends to sit in the open briefly.

The bird is now sighted on the edge of city lake that is teeming with illegal constructions - apparently half a dozen of these birds along with several other flycatchers are hunting in the clump of trees. We think they are passage migrants to the place and will fly away very soon. I managed to get some good shots of the bird and delighted with the outcome.

Thanks in advance for your views and feedback. Much appreciated.

This is the place to come and toss a coin and make a wish. The Zodiac Fountain in Kdumim Square is comprised of chalkstone sculptures of the 12 zodiac signs. It was designed and sculpted by Jaffa resident artists Varda Ghivoly and Ilan Gelber in 2011 at a location where a legendary magical wishing well once stood.

Ancient zodiac imagery has been unearthed by archaeologists in Israel over the years. And the Old City of Jaffa is teeming with references to this astrological theme. There’s a bridge that connects Peak Park to Kdumim Square with zodiac-themed plaques, and a stone mosaic of the zodiac signs at the entrance to the bridge. And many of Jaffa’s streets are named for zodiac symbols.

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Thanks to all for 11,000.000+ views and kind comments ... !

Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved

"...your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

A migratory bird that is famous for appearing just before the start of the rainy season. In the countryside, people still predict rains by its sightings. In many parts of India, it migrates all the way to Africa and comes back to India just in time for the rains and of course, the breeding season. But in South India, this is a resident bird and can be seen late summers and during rainy seasons.

This is a brood parasite and lays its eggs in other birds nests. It would eat one of the hosts eggs and drop its own in them. The bird prefers Bulbuls, both Red Vented and White throated, tailorbirds etc.. as hosts for its eggs.

The area I visited during the weekend had 3 of them foraging on the small hillock there. The place was teeming with butterflies and no wonder there were so many cuckoo's there. We could also a common hawk cuckoo nearby, though our attention was focused on the two perched Bonelli's eagles and a Short Toed Snake Eagle that was hovering nearby.

Thank you so much in advance for your views and feedback.

Sitting pretty and ignoring the rain which was teeming down.

Well it definitely feels like Spring outdoors! Well, it did today; not sure this nice weather will be staying for too long. However, the local park is teeming with Spring flowers! It's nice to have some colour back.

There are a million worlds sprinkled across the cosmic ocean, each a jewel waiting to be discovered, some teeming with life, others barren and desolate. Yet, amidst this vast expanse, there are stories yet untold, secrets waiting to be unearthed, and adventures waiting to unfold. From distant galaxies to uncharted territories, the universe beckons, promising both wonder and danger.

Etwas Abseits von Kinderdijk , entlang dem Lek. gelangt man in eine sehr ländliche Gegend und eine ausgedehnte Marschlandschaft mit sehr vielen Poldern. Dort wimmelt es geradezu von solch kleinen , wunderschönen Mühlen. Es muss nicht immer Kinderdijk sein.....:-))

A little way from Kinderdijk, along the Lek, you reach a very rural area and an extensive marsh landscape with numerous polders. It's teeming with small, beautiful mills. It doesn't always have to be Kinderdijk... :-))

"Emaint o lazhañ tud en ur c'hamp-bac'h." ▪️ "Táid ag marú daoine i gcampa géibhinn" - Dr Norman Finkelstein. ▪️‘Fields of rubble’: Israel, destroying Gaza City, kills 78 across enclave Once teeming and crowded with residential buildings, Gaza City is home to one million now facing forcible displacement. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/31/israel-is-reducing-gaza-... ▪️▪️▪️▪️The Wave, St John's Square, Blackpool - "Rising up from the pavement is a shining double S-shaped form resembling a large wave, with a blue semi-transparent female figure diving downwards from it. On the faces of 'The Wave' are cut-out shapes in irregular groups that are illuminated green and red at night. The Wave is surrounded by an irregular circle of nine blue resin boulders that act as seats."

A lake on the outskirts of the city was teeming with waders! I had a fantastic time shooting in that place. Many different waders and the light was fantastic with little fog. There were over 1500 birds but many were on the far side.

These migratory barn swallows were in full active mode and flying continuously and occasionally taking breaks on the rocks. I lay myself on the ground to get some shots of the Stints, but then some of them flew close and I managed to grab some flight shots. These are really tough on the hand to shoot in flight!

There were a couple of them perched on the rocks next to a small shallow pool. The adults seemed to be watching a few of the immature ones which were sort of playing in the wind. Shot this one when the juvenile returned to this rock near the adults.

Thank you so much in advance for your views, faves and feedback - much appreciated.

Taken in our garden. The Lorikeets absolutely love the Bottlebrush trees that are abundant on the Gold Coast at this time of year. Its very common to see the trees teeming with beautiful Loris!

Within the castle walls...

Back in the day, oh say a bunch of centuries ago, when this little ol' fortress was teeming with maidens, knights and gentry of the like, I imagined that this doorway led to the quarters of one Herr Heinz Rübenach. A kindly fellow normally, on occasion though, after a few Benediktiners, he would bump his way along home and upon reaching this point and observing just how many stairs were ahead of him, just kind of slunked off into a cubby by the stairwell, opting for a 'more opportune time' to conquer the ascent.

Taken in the suberb of Shinjuku which is just one area of Tokyo. I guess much of the sprawling city must be like this on an evening. It was around 9.30 pm when I took this and the streets were teeming with people. I had found myself a little space in a traffic island and I think even in Japan I caused a bit of a stir as I shot away with camera and tripod. Catching a gap in the traffic wasn't easy, although I don't mind there inclusion of the boot of the black taxi. What an eye opener the city was.

From The Washington Trails Association:

There’s nothing like a lazy beach stroll — and nothing quite like wandering on the spectacularly scenic Olympic Coast.

This hike begins at the Rialto Beach parking area. Your trail is the beach itself and the two mile walk to Hole-in-the-Wall is filled with attractions. Look south to the forested James and Little James islands, while waves crash over Gunsight Rock and numerous offshore sea stacks. Heading north on the beach, walk over sand, rock and driftwood.

Along the way, watch for all manner of wildlife: spy whales, sea lions and otters offshore, while a variety of seabirds drift overhead, and eagles perch in the forest upslope. After a mile, cross Ellen Creek; there may be a log crossing, or you may have to get your feet wet. Continue northward, with Hole-in-the-Wall soon coming into view.

If the tide is out, scramble through the rocky arch and explore the adjacent tide pools, teeming with small oceanic critters. If the tide is in, use the overland trail above the arch and take in panoramic views southward over this picturesque scene.

Thanks for the comments, faves and visits

This captivating image showcases the serene beauty of a water lily pond, with a stunning purple water lily blossom as its centerpiece. The flower, in full bloom, rises majestically from the water's surface, its vibrant petals a stark contrast against the muted tones of its surroundings.

The lily pads spread across the water, creating a patchwork of green and cream hues. Their broad leaves offer a natural frame for the star of the show - the vivid purple blossom. Ripples in the water's surface catch the light, adding a mystical quality to the scene and hinting at the life teeming beneath.

In the background, reflections of overhanging foliage create a dreamlike atmosphere, blurring the line between reality and reflection. This interplay of colors, textures, and light captures the tranquil yet dynamic nature of aquatic ecosystems.

The photograph beautifully illustrates the cycle of life in a pond, from the emerging bud to the fully opened flower, inviting the viewer to pause and appreciate the quiet grandeur of nature's aquatic canvas.

I have missed a lot of tales from the woods lately.

I used to wander in the woods whenever I had a chance when I was young - going mushrooming, but this was just an excuse. I love the woods in themselves. Woods are unique - they are endlessly different from each other - each endowed with an unique voice, and an unique repertory of tales to tell.

It was a hot Summer day, the air was still and silent. I was still at the beginning of the trail when the latest tale came upon me with brutal evidence. A powerful storm - thunders, lightning, heavy rain. And a raging wind - a host of invisible yet powerful hands, ruthlessly lashing the foliage of the trees. The end of the story is that the Titans - mainly spruces, and some majestic beech trees - gave up and fell down. Such is the glory of this world.

However I look forward to hearing the new stories of the wood, since I know that the woods will mourn only briefly their fallen Titans. There will be interesting news when Spring come again - many new living things teeming in the abrupt spaces left behind by the Titans.

I have obtained this picture by blending an exposure bracketing [-1.3/0/+1.3 EV] by luminosity masks in the Gimp (EXIF data, as usual, refer to the "normal exposure" shot), then I added some final touches with Nik Color Efex Pro 4.

Raw files has been processed with Darktable.

A very common bird across India and very shy too. The starling is often seen in countryside in areas with lot of bushes, edges of farms and near to wet areas. They are social birds and always seen in large flocks sometimes in 100's. The birds were once thought to be migrants to the South from Northern part of the country, but now they are present in large numbers down here too.

The bird is omnivorous and eats fruits, nectar and even insects. We sighted this next to a lake on the embankment in good numbers. The area was teeming with 100's of starlings - 4 types of them, the Chestnut Tailed, Rosy, Pied and Brahminy. All were busy on the dense bushes on the embankment.

Thanks in advance for your views and feedback. Much appreciated.

A beautiful small flycatcher that I had long wanted to see and shoot. Around 10-12 cms long, agile and restless, it is easily identified by the red color on the breast area that extends down till the belly (There is another flycatcher - the Taiga Flycatcher - that looks exactly the same, but the red color stops at the neck).

This is a migrant from Western and Central Europe to South Asia during winters, the bird stays till March before moving back to its breeding range. Its an active flycatcher - restless with sudden movements and flight. The call too is quite easy to id. It tends to hunt on the edge of canopy and tends to sit in the open briefly.

The bird is now regularly sighted on the edge of a city lake that is teeming with illegal constructions - apparently half a dozen of these birds along with several other flycatchers are hunting in the clump of trees.

Thanks in advance for your views and feedback. Much appreciated.

“Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

(Unless they are Muslims as per Donald Trump)

View of the Statue of Liberty from inside the Staten Island

Ferry.

Not quite teeming with wildlife yet due to the earliness of the season but I'll bet it is now...

A capital city high in the Andes, Quito is dramatically situated, squeezed between mountain peaks whose greenery is concealed by the afternoon mist. Modern apartment buildings and modest concrete homes creep partway up the slopes, and busy commercial thoroughfares lined with shops and choked with traffic turn into peaceful neighborhoods on Sundays. Warm and relaxed, traditional Ecuadorian Sierra culture – overflowing market stands, shamanistic healers, fourth-generation hatmakers – mixes with a vibrant and sophisticated culinary and nightlife scene.

The city's crown jewel is its 'Old Town,' a Unesco World Heritage Site packed with colonial monuments and architectural treasures. No sterile, museum mile, its handsomely restored blocks – with 17th-century facades, picturesque plazas and magnificent art-filled churches – pulse with everyday life. Travelers, and many locals too, head to the 'gringolandia' of Mariscal Sucre, a compact area of guesthouses, travel agencies, multicultural eateries and teeming bars.

Waiting for the lights to change? The rain to stop? OR Debenhams to open?......Debenhams is a department store that is presently in administration. This is a chain of stores that has been in existance for 240 years. The administrators have failed to find a buyer for the stores. Many will not reopen after the present lockdown including its flagship branch in Oxford Street, London. This is likely to lead to the loss of 12,000 jobs.

This is likely to be a long wait.....

(Update : This store did reopen for a short period to sell off stock but finally closed its doors on the 16th May 2021)

Thanks for visiting.

Take care out there......

Le héron cocoi vit en Amérique du Sud. Celui-ci est photographié dans les Lianos au Venezuela. Ce domaine marécageux regorge de poissons favorisant une nourriture abondante que le cocoi partage avec d'autres nombreuses espèces d'oiseaux ainsi que des caïmans et crocodiles.

The cocoi heron lives in South America. This one is photographed in the Lianos in Venezuela. This marshy area is teeming with fish, providing abundant food, which the cocoi shares with numerous other bird species, as well as caimans and crocodiles.

In this digitally painted watercolor scene of San Sebastian Street, a bustling and vibrant atmosphere comes to life. The wide avenue depicted is teeming with activity, as a lively crowd navigates through the scene. The architectural charm of the surroundings is evident, with buildings that exude character and history, lining the sides of the street.

The focal point of the painting is the captivating market, which adds a burst of color and energy to the composition. The market stalls are adorned with an array of fresh produce, flowers, and diverse goods, creating a kaleidoscope of hues. The vibrant market scene is complemented by the dynamic interplay of light and shadow, casting a warm and inviting glow on the surroundings.

The artist skillfully captures the essence of San Sebastian Street, portraying not just a physical space but also the palpable sense of community and culture that defines this picturesque location. Through the digital watercolor medium, the scene radiates a timeless charm, inviting the viewer to immerse themselves in the lively spirit of this iconic street and its beautiful market.

20220427_RX_08349_SAN SEBASTIAN

It is not often realised that the confluence of three rivers where Launceston was settled originally by the Letteremairrener people, thousands of years ago, was indeed a flood plain and swamp land. The only reason British settlers chose it as a location for a town in 1807 was that it provided an unlimited supply of drinking water.

The swamps were drained and over the years flood mitigation measures were put in place, but essentially the Tamar River basin is a natural wetlands. Today we recognise the important of such an ecosystem and the Tamar Wetlands is a fine example of restoring a habitat in which wildlife can flourish again.

[Enlarge to see the teeming birdlife.]

Sedgewick Forest was teeming with Fall Migration warblers this past weekend. Oakville Ontario

The rivers in Thailand are always teeming with fish. In this case spreading a net at the bottom of a weir will probably yield great results

This landscape is so unique and precious that it is forbidden to drive off road over it or deviate from the walking paths to avoid damaging the ecosystem. Some of these species are unique to Iceland and the some mosses would take many years to recover from even being walked on.