View allAll Photos Tagged TEMPERATE
The recently reopened Temperate House, built in 1860-63, it has undergone extensive refurbishment (2013-18 costing £41 million).
Grade I-listed and designed by one Decimus Burton, it is the largest Victorian palm house in the world.
LR2991
Last minute works on the Temperate House at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The largest surviving Victorian glass structure in the world, it's been closed for major refurbishment since 2013 and reopens on 5 May 2018.
While not quite as iconic as the smaller but more elegant Palm House (both were designed by the same architect, Decimus Burton) it's a beautiful and impressive building in its own right.
Parque Nacional Bernardo O'Higgins, Patagonia, Chile.
While everybody else on the tour was craning over each-other to get a sight of a mist-covered Serrano glacier, my gaze was drawn down to the multitude of beautiful plants and lichens lining the path along the forest edge.
In the rain, all I could use was my very basic (but waterproof) Fuji XP-90 point-and-shoot.
Any speces identification would be much appreciated.
The Temperate Palm House in Edinburgh was
completed in 1858. It is the tallest traditional Palm House in Britain, with a height of 21.95 metres. Designed by Robert Matheson and largely built of sandstone and a roof of curvilinear iron rafters. The principal gardener at the time was a man called James McNab, who believed that solid masonry prevented rapid cooling and provided shade for the successful cultivation of plants; he also argued that too much sunlight was not good for growing palms, hence the front of the glasshouse was made to face west.
Sea-buckthorn native to the cold-temperate regions of Europe and Asia. Its fruits are known to be rich in vitamins, but also in sugars and oils, this is why they are processed and used in the food industry, but also in drugs or cosmetic prroducts. Sea-buckthorn can live on eroded, nutrient-poor even salty soils, which is why it is used for land reclamation or to counter erosion.
Hiking through the temperate rainforest in East Sooke Park, southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. This is on the beautiful Pike Road Trail heading for Iron Mine Bay.
Trichodesma scottii in the Temperate House in Kew
a great looking plant from Yemen, it is in the Boraginaceae family.
Star Trek Original Theme
The biomass of the temperate rainforests of western North America reach the highest levels of any ecosystem on earth. Here the hanging tree lichens make tree identification difficult, but looking at the branches and needles at hi-res while processing, I saw mostly Western Hemlock and perhaps some Grand Fir. Truthfully, I didn't know how to make visual sense of this dense tangle. At the very least, however, this view gives a sense of what it's like to stand beneath the canopy, with tall trees rising on all sides, creating a wall of green that is almost impenetrable.
Photographed near Telegraph Cove, British Columbia (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission © 2018 James R. Page - all rights reserved.
The Quinault Rain Forest is a temperate rain forest, which is part of the Olympic National Park and the Olympic National Forest in the U.S. state of Washington in Grays Harbor County and Jefferson County. The rain forest is located in the valley formed by the Quinault River and Lake Quinault. The valley is called the "Valley of the Rain Forest Giants" because of the number of record size tree species located there. The largest specimens of Western Red Cedar, Sitka Spruce, Western Hemlock, Alaskan Cedar and Mountain Hemlock are found in the forest as well as five of the ten largest Douglas-firs. The forest receives an average of 12 feet of rain per year. It is believed to be the area with the greatest number of record size giant tree species in the smallest area in the world. It does have the largest trees in the world outside of the state of California and New Zealand.[
One of the big Glass Houses at Kew Gardens in London, as well turned the corner and saw this vista in front of us, with those colours and that superb sky, well I had to take this now didn't I ? Taken with a wide angle lans and a Polorizer filter!
SN/NC: Cosmos Bipinnatus, Asteraceae Family
Commonly called the garden cosmos or Mexican aster, is a medium-sized flowering herbaceous plant native to the Americas. The species and its varieties and cultivars are popular as an ornamental plant in temperate climate gardens. Cosmos bipinnatus is considered a half-hardy annual, although plants may reappear via self-sowing for several years. The plant height varies from 2–4 ft (0.61–1.22 m). The cultivated varieties appear in shades of pink and purple as well as white. Its foliage is finely cut into threadlike segments. When flowering, the plant can become top heavy. This problem is alleviated when grown in groups, as the bipinnate leaves interlock, and the colony supports itself. The branched stem is usually densely to occasionally occupied by fine, split-up, rough trichomes, some specimens are completely hairless. The petiole itself is inconspicuous, winged, 10 (rarely to 15) mm long, sometimes the leaves are almost sessile. The partial leaves are linear-filiform to narrow linear with a width of 0.5 to 1 (rarely to 1.7) mm; the tips are pointed, hardened, but not particularly sharp. It is a lovely planta and even a more lovely flower. A flower of simple and great beauty.
Comúnmente llamado cosmos de jardín o aster mexicano, es una planta herbácea de floración mediana originaria de las Américas. La especie y sus variedades y cultivares son populares como planta ornamental en jardines de clima templado. Cosmos bipinnatus se considera una planta anual semirresistente, aunque las plantas pueden reaparecer mediante la auto-siembra durante varios años. La altura de la planta varía de 2 a 4 pies (0,61 a 1,22 m). Las variedades cultivadas aparecen en tonos de rosa y morado, así como en blanco. Su follaje está finamente cortado en segmentos filiformes. Cuando florece, la planta puede volverse pesada. Este problema se alivia cuando se cultiva en grupos, ya que las hojas bipinnadas se entrelazan y la colonia se sustenta a sí misma. El tallo ramificado suele estar densamente ocupado ocasionalmente por tricomas finos, divididos y ásperos, algunos especímenes son completamente lampiños. Es una planta hermosa y una flor aún más hermosa. Una flor de sencilla y gran belleza. Y muy prolífico.
Nomes Populares: Cosmos, Beijo-de-moça, Cosméa, Cosmo, Cosmos-de-jardim, Picão-rosa. Ou ainda jardim cosmos ou áster mexicano. É uma planta herbácea de floração de tamanho médio nativa das Américas. A espécie e suas variedades e cultivares são populares como planta ornamental em jardins de clima temperado. Cosmos bipinnatus é considerado um anual meio-resistente, embora as plantas possam reaparecer por auto-semeadura por vários anos. A altura da planta varia de 2 a 4 pés (0,61 a 1,22 m). As variedades cultivadas aparecem em tons de rosa e roxo, além de branco. Sua folhagem é finamente cortada em segmentos semelhantes a fios. Ao florescer, a planta pode ficar pesada. Esse problema é amenizado quando cultivado em grupos, pois as folhas bipinadas se entrelaçam e a colônia se sustenta. O caule ramificado é geralmente densamente a ocasionalmente ocupado por tricomas finos, divididos e ásperos, alguns espécimes são completamente sem pêlos. É uma planta linda e uma flor ainda mais linda. Uma flor de beleza simples e grande. E muito prolífico.
Allgemein Garten kosmos oder Mexikanische Aster genannt, ist eine mittelgroße blühende krautige Pflanze, die in Amerika beheimatet ist. Die Art und ihre Sorten und Sorten sind als Zierpflanze in Gärten gemäßigter Klimazonen beliebt. Cosmos bipinnatus gilt als halbhart einjährig, obwohl Pflanzen durch Selbstaussaat für mehrere Jahre wieder erscheinen können. Die Pflanzenhöhe variiert zwischen 0,61 und 1,22 m. Die kultivierten Sorten erscheinen in Rosa- und Lilatönen sowie in Weiß. Sein Laub ist fein in fadenförmige Segmente geschnitten. Während der Blüte kann die Pflanze kopflastig werden. Dieses Problem wird gemildert, wenn sie in Gruppen gezüchtet werden, da die doppelt gefiederten Blätter ineinandergreifen und die Kolonie sich selbst trägt. Der verzweigte Stängel ist meist dicht bis vereinzelt mit feinen, aufgespaltenen, rauen Trichomen besetzt, einige Exemplare sind völlig unbehaart. Der Blattstiel selbst ist unscheinbar, geflügelt, 10 (selten bis 15) mm lang, manchmal sind die Blätter fast sitzend. Die Teilblätter sind linealisch-fadenförmig bis schmal linealisch mit einer Breite von 0,5 bis 1 (selten bis 1,7) mm; die Spitzen sind spitz, gehärtet, aber nicht besonders scharf. Es ist eine schöne Pflanze und sogar eine schönere Blume. Eine Blume von einfacher und großer Schönheit.
Gewoonlijk de tuinkosmos of Mexicaanse aster genoemd, is een middelgrote bloeiende kruidachtige plant afkomstig uit Amerika. De soort en zijn variëteiten en cultivars zijn populair als sierplant in tuinen met een gematigd klimaat. Cosmos bipinnatus wordt beschouwd als een halfwinterharde eenjarige, hoewel planten gedurende meerdere jaren kunnen verschijnen door zelf te zaaien. De planthoogte varieert 2-4 ft (0,61-1,22 m). De gekweekte variëteiten verschijnen in de kleuren roze en paars en ook in wit. Het blad is fijn gesneden in draadachtige segmenten. Tijdens de bloei kan de plant topzwaar worden. Dit probleem wordt verlicht wanneer het in groepen wordt gekweekt, omdat de tweevoudig geveerde bladeren in elkaar grijpen en de kolonie zichzelf ondersteunt. De vertakte stengel is meestal dicht tot af en toe bezet door fijne, opgesplitste, ruwe trichomen, sommige exemplaren zijn volledig haarloos. De bladsteel zelf is onopvallend, gevleugeld, 10 (zelden tot 15) mm lang, soms zijn de bladeren bijna zittend. De gedeeltelijke bladeren zijn lineair-draadvormig tot smal lineair met een breedte van 0,5 tot 1 (zelden tot 1,7) mm; de punten zijn puntig, gehard, maar niet bijzonder scherp. Het is een mooie planta en nog een mooiere bloem. Een bloem van eenvoudige en grote schoonheid.
Comunemente chiamato cosmo del giardino o aster messicano, è una pianta erbacea a fioritura di medie dimensioni originaria delle Americhe. La specie e le sue varietà e cultivar sono popolari come pianta ornamentale nei giardini a clima temperato. Il Cosmos bipinnatus è considerato un annuale semi-resistente, sebbene le piante possano riapparire tramite autosemina per diversi anni. L'altezza della pianta varia da 2 a 4 piedi (0,61-1,22 m). Le varietà coltivate appaiono nei toni del rosa e del viola oltre al bianco. Il suo fogliame è finemente tagliato in segmenti filiformi. Durante la fioritura, la pianta può diventare molto pesante. Questo problema viene alleviato quando viene coltivato in gruppi, poiché le foglie bipennate si incastrano e la colonia si sostiene. Il fusto ramificato è solitamente occupato da densamente a occasionalmente da tricomi fini, divisi e ruvidi, alcuni esemplari sono completamente glabri. Il picciolo stesso è poco appariscente, alato, lungo 10 (raramente fino a 15) mm, a volte le foglie sono quasi sessili. Le foglie parziali sono da lineari filiformi a lineari stretti con una larghezza da 0,5 a 1 (raramente a 1,7) mm; le punte sono appuntite, temprate, ma non particolarmente affilate. È una pianta adorabile e persino un fiore più adorabile. Un fiore di semplice e grande bellezza.
Communément appelé le cosmos du jardin ou l'aster mexicain, est une plante herbacée à fleurs de taille moyenne originaire des Amériques. L'espèce et ses variétés et cultivars sont populaires comme plante ornementale dans les jardins de climat tempéré. Cosmos bipinnatus est considéré comme une annuelle semi-rustique, bien que les plantes puissent réapparaître par auto-ensemencement pendant plusieurs années. La hauteur de la plante varie de 2 à 4 pieds (0,61 à 1,22 m). Les variétés cultivées apparaissent dans des tons de rose et de violet ainsi que de blanc. Son feuillage est finement découpé en segments filiformes. Lors de la floraison, la plante peut devenir lourde au sommet. Ce problème est atténué lorsqu'il est cultivé en groupes, car les feuilles bipennées s'emboîtent et la colonie se soutient elle-même. La tige ramifiée est généralement densément à occasionnellement occupée par de fins trichomes rugueux, fendus, certains spécimens sont complètement glabres. Le pétiole lui-même est discret, ailé, de 10 (rarement à 15) mm de long, parfois les feuilles sont presque sessiles. Les feuilles partielles sont linéaires-filiformes à linéaires étroites avec une largeur de 0,5 à 1 (rarement 1,7) mm ; les pointes sont pointues, durcies, mais pas particulièrement tranchantes. C'est une belle planta et même une plus belle fleur. Une fleur d'une beauté simple et grande.
يُطلق عليه عادة كوزموس الحديقة أو النجمة المكسيكية ، وهو نبات عشبي مزهر متوسط الحجم موطنه الأمريكتان. الأنواع وأصنافها وأصنافها شائعة كنباتات الزينة في حدائق المناخ المعتدل. يعتبر Cosmos bipinnatus سنويًا نصف هاردي ، على الرغم من أن النباتات قد تظهر مرة أخرى عن طريق البذر الذاتي لعدة سنوات. يتراوح ارتفاع النبات من 2-4 قدم (0.61-1.22 م). تظهر الأصناف المزروعة بظلال من اللون الوردي والأرجواني وكذلك الأبيض. يتم تقطيع أوراقها بدقة إلى شرائح تشبه الخيوط. عند الإزهار ، يمكن أن يصبح النبات ثقيلًا. يتم تخفيف هذه المشكلة عند نموها في مجموعات ، حيث يترك ثنائي الطور متشابكًا ، وتدعم المستعمرة نفسها. عادةً ما يتم احتلال الجذع المتفرعة بكثافة في بعض الأحيان بواسطة trichomes دقيقة ، ومنقسمة ، وخشنة ، وبعض العينات خالية تمامًا من الشعر. السويقة نفسها غير واضحة ، مجنحة ، طولها 10 (نادرًا إلى 15) ملم ، وأحيانًا تكون الأوراق لاطئة تقريبًا. الأوراق الجزئية خطية - خيطية إلى خطية ضيقة بعرض 0.5 إلى 1 (نادرًا إلى 1.7) مم ؛ الأطراف مدببة ومتصلبة ولكنها ليست حادة بشكل خاص. إنها زهرة جميلة بل إنها زهرة أكثر جمالًا. زهرة ذات جمال بسيط ورائع.
一般的にガーデン コスモスまたはメキシカン アスターと呼ばれる、アメリカ大陸原産の中型の開花草本植物です。種とその変種および栽培品種は、温暖な気候の庭園の観葉植物として人気があります。 Cosmos bipinnatus は半耐寒性の一年生植物と考えられていますが、植物は自家播種によって数年間再出現する可能性があります。植物の高さは 2 ～ 4 フィート (0.61 ～ 1.22 m) です。栽培されている品種は、白だけでなくピンクや紫の色合いで表示されます。その葉は細かく糸のようなセグメントにカットされています。開花すると、植物はトップヘビーになることがあります。この問題は、二回羽状の葉がかみ合い、コロニーがそれ自体をサポートするため、グループで成長すると軽減されます。枝分かれした茎は、通常は密集しており、時折細く分割された粗いトリコームで占められており、一部の標本は完全に無毛です。葉柄自体は目立たず、翼があり、長さは10（まれに15）mmで、葉はほとんど無柄です。部分葉は幅0.5～1mm（まれに1.7mm）の線状～細線状～細線状。先端は尖っており、硬化していますが、特に鋭くはありません。それは愛らしいプランタであり、さらに愛らしい花です。シンプルで素晴らしい美しさの花。
Temperate Rainforest, Olympic National Park, Washington
Fine Art Prints: www.rwongphoto.com/photo/emerald-forest/
Cornwall Commercials 'DaFoden' recovery with Zacklift equipment FN58MRO heads past some of the many Palm trees of Penzance on its way to Camborne with First Kernow Volvo B7TL double-deck bus 32625 SF54TMU.
This DAF CF 6x2 started off life as a brick & block drawbar outfit before being converted in-house at Brighton Cross.
The European peacock (Inachis io), more commonly known simply as the peacock, is a colourful butterfly, found found throughout Europe and the temperate regions of Asia and Japan. It is absent in northern Scandinavia and parts of southern Europe It has been found in lowlands, hills, and mountains at elevations of up to 2,500 metres. The butterfly can be found in woods, fields, meadows, pastures, parks, and gardens.
The peacock has a wingspan of 50 to 55 mm. The base-colour of the wings is a rusty red, and at each wingtip it bears a distinctive, black, blue and yellow eye-spot. The underside is a cryptically coloured dark-brown or black. The recorded foodplants of the caterpillars of the European peacock are nettle and hop. The adult butterflies drink nectar from a wide variety of flowering plants, including buddleia, willows, dandelions, wild marjoram, danewort, hemp agrimony, and clover; they also utilize tree sap and rotten fruit.
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De bont gekleurde dagpauwoog (Inachis io) is een van de bekendste vlinders in Nederland. De soort komt algemeen voor in de gematigde zones van Europa en Azië (tot in Japan). Het grote verspreidingsgebied is onder meer te verklaren doordat de belangrijkste waardplant, de brandnetel, zoveel voorkomt.
In België en Nederland is de dagpauwoog overal algemeen.
De vlinder heeft geen echte voorkeur voor een bepaald leefgebied, als het maar zonnig is en er bloemen zijn om nectar uit te zuigen. De vlinder kan zich goed ontwikkelen in slecht onderhouden tuinen, slootkanten, industrieterreinen, braakliggende terreinen, bosranden, vuilstortplaatsen, bosranden, parken, wegbermen, spoordijken en vele andere door de mens geschapen biotopen.
De dagpauwoog is een vrij grote vlinder die een vleugelspanwijdte van 50 tot 55 millimeter bereikt. De dagpauwoog is hier niet te verwarren met andere vlinders vanwege de grootte, de oranjerode vleugels en de karakteristieke oogvlek op de bovenzijde van iedere vleugel. De onderzijde is juist goed gecamoufleerd door donkerbruine kleuren en donkere strepen.
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All rights reserved. Copyright © Martien Uiterweerd (Foto Martien). All my images are protected under international authors copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without my written explicit permission.
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Parque Nacional Bernardo O'Higgins, Patagonia, Chile.
While everybody else on the tour was craning over each-other to get a sight of a mist-covered Serrano glacier, my gaze was drawn down to the multitude of beautiful plants and lichens lining the path along the forest edge.
In the rain, all I could use was my very basic (but waterproof) Fuji XP-90 point-and-shoot.
Any thoughts on speces identification would be much appreciated.
Happened upon a large rock covered in thick dense green moss while hiking during Summer in a temperate forest in Juneau, Alaska.
Aerial view of the mist hanging in the Tongass temperate rainforest, Misty Fjords National Monument, Alaska.
Fulfilling a life-long dream. One of my goals has always been to travel to Alaska, rent a floatplane, fly into a remote area, and land on a lake. I've done this twice now. This photo was take just before we touched down on one of those lakes.
Get lost in nature. Please give yourself a treat, and get lost in this image --click on the image to view it LARGER and on black. See the Misty Fjord series in the Comments below.
Das von 1859 bis 1863[1] erbaute Temperate House ♁⊙ (deutsch: Haus der gemäßigten Klimazonen) ist mit 4880 m²[2] etwa doppelt so groß wie das Palm House und damit das größte der Gewächshäuser in Kew. Dort wachsen Pflanzen aus Südafrika, Australien, Amerika, Neuseeland, Asien und der Lord Howe Insel, und unter anderem mit einer 16 m hohen, aus einem Samen gezogenen Honigpalme (Jubaea chilensis) die höchste, in einem Gewächshaus wachsende Palme der Welt[3]. Als seltenste Art des Temperate House gilt der in Afrika beheimatete Brotpalmfarn Encephalartos woodii[4]. Nachdem das Gebäude über einen Zeitraum von fünf Jahren wegen Renovierungsarbeiten geschlossen war wurde es Anfang Mai 2018 wiedereröffnet.[5]
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Botanic_Gardens_(Kew)
The Temperate House, re-opened in May 2018 after being closed for restoration, is a greenhouse that has twice the floor area of the Palm House and is the world's largest surviving Victorian glass structure. It contains plants and trees from all the temperate regions of the world. It was commissioned in 1859 and designed by architect Decimus Burton and ironfounder Richard Turner. Covering 4880 square metres, it rises to a height of 19 metres. Intended to accommodate Kew's expanding collection of hardy and temperate plants, it took 40 years to construct, during which time costs soared. The building was closed for restoration 1980–82. The building was restored during 2014–15 by Donald Insall Associates, based on their conservation management plan.[42]
There is a viewing gallery in the central section from which visitors were able to look down on that part of the collection.
Puerto Toro - Parque Nacional Bernardo O'Higgins, Patagonia, Chile.
While everybody else on the tour was craning over each-other to get a sight of a mist-covered glacier, I was looking down at a multitude of beautiful plants and lichens.
In the rain, all I could use was my very basic (but waterproof) Fuji XP-90 point-and-shoot.
Any speces identification would be much appreciated.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattle_Egret
The Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a cosmopolitan species of heron (family Ardeidae) found in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate zones. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Bubulcus, although some authorities regard its two subspecies as full species, the Western Cattle Egret and the Eastern Cattle Egret. Despite the similarities in plumage to the egrets of the genus Egretta, it is more closely related to the herons of Ardea. Originally native to parts of Asia, Africa and Europe, it has undergone a rapid expansion in its distribution and successfully colonised much of the rest of the world.
It is a white bird adorned with buff plumes in the breeding season. It nests in colonies, usually near bodies of water and often with other wading birds. The nest is a platform of sticks in trees or shrubs. Cattle Egrets exploit drier and open habitats more than other heron species. Their feeding habitats include seasonally inundated grasslands, pastures, farmlands, wetlands and rice paddies. They often accompany cattle or other large mammals, catching insect and small vertebrate prey disturbed by these animals. Some populations of the Cattle Egret are migratory and others show post-breeding dispersal.
The adult Cattle Egret has few predators, but birds or mammals may raid its nests, and chicks may be lost to starvation, calcium deficiency or disturbance from other large birds. This species maintains a special relationship with cattle, which extends to other large grazing mammals. The cattle egret removes ticks and flies from cattle and consumes them. This benefits both species, but it has been implicated in the spread of tick-borne animal diseases.
The Cattle Egret was first described in 1758 by Linnaeus in his Systema naturae as Ardea ibis,[2] but was moved to its current genus by Charles Lucien Bonaparte in 1855.[3] Its genus name Bubulcus is Latin for herdsman, referring, like the English name, to this species' association with cattle.[4] Ibis is a Latin and Greek word which originally referred to another white wading bird, the Sacred Ibis.[5]
The Cattle Egret has two geographical races which are sometimes classified as full species, the Western Cattle Egret, B. ibis, and Eastern Cattle Egret, B. coromandus. The two forms were split by McAllan and Bruce,[6] but were regarded as conspecific by almost all other recent authors until the publication of the influential Birds of South Asia.[7] The eastern subspecies B. (i.) coromandus, described by Pieter Boddaert in 1783, breeds in Asia and Australasia, and the western nominate form occupies the rest of the species range, including the Americas.[8] Some authorities recognise a third Seychelles subspecies, B. i. seychellarum, which was first described by Finn Salomonsen in 1934.[9]
Despite superficial similarities in appearance, the Cattle Egret is more closely related to the genus Ardea, which comprises the great or typical herons and the Great Egret (A. alba), than to the majority of species termed egrets in the genus Egretta.[10] Rare cases of hybridization with Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea, Little Egret Egretta garzetta and Snowy Egret Egretta thula have been recorded.
Description
The Cattle Egret is a stocky heron with a 88–96 cm (35–38 in) wingspan; it is 46–56 centimetres (18–22 in) long and weighs 270–512 grams (9.5–18.1 oz).[12] It has a relatively short thick neck, sturdy bill, and a hunched posture. The non-breeding adult has mainly white plumage, a yellow bill and greyish-yellow legs. During the breeding season, adults of the nominate western subspecies develop orange-buff plumes on the back, breast and crown, and the bill, legs and irises become bright red for a brief period prior to pairing.[13] The sexes are similar, but the male is marginally larger and has slightly longer breeding plumes than the female; juvenile birds lack coloured plumes and have a black bill.[12][14]
B. i. coromandus differs from the nominate subspecies in breeding plumage, when the buff colour on its head extends to the cheeks and throat, and the plumes are more golden in colour. This subspecies' bill and tarsus are longer on average than in B. i. ibis.[15] B. i. seychellarum is smaller and shorter-winged than the other forms. It has white cheeks and throat, like B. i. ibis, but the nuptial plumes are golden, as with B. i. coromandus.[9]
The positioning of the egret's eyes allows for binocular vision during feeding,[16] and physiological studies suggest that the species may be capable of crepuscular or nocturnal activity.[17] Adapted to foraging on land, they have lost the ability possessed by their wetland relatives to accurately correct for light refraction by water.[18]
This species gives a quiet, throaty "rick-rack" call at the breeding colony, but is otherwise largely silent.
Distribution and habitat
The Cattle Egret has undergone one of the most rapid and wide reaching natural expansions of any bird species.[19] It was originally native to parts of Southern Spain and Portugal, tropical and subtropical Africa and humid tropical and subtropical Asia. In the end of the 19th century it began expanding its range into southern Africa, first breeding in the Cape Province in 1908.[20] Cattle Egrets were first sighted in the Americas on the boundary of Guiana and Suriname in 1877, having apparently flown across the Atlantic Ocean.[8][12] It was not until the 1930s that the species is thought to have become established in that area.[21]
The species first arrived in North America in 1941 (these early sightings were originally dismissed as escapees), bred in Florida in 1953, and spread rapidly, breeding for the first time in Canada in 1962.[20] It is now commonly seen as far west as California. It was first recorded breeding in Cuba in 1957, in Costa Rica in 1958, and in Mexico in 1963, although it was probably established before that.[21] In Europe the species had historically declined in Spain and Portugal, but in the latter part of the 20th century it expanded back through the Iberian Peninsula, and then began to colonise other parts of Europe; southern France in 1958, northern France in 1981 and Italy in 1985.[20] Breeding in the United Kingdom was recorded for the first time in 2008 only a year after an influx seen in the previous year.[22][23] In 2008 cattle egrets were also reported as having moved into Ireland for the first time.[24]
In Australia the colonisation began in the 1940s, with the species establishing itself in the north and east of the continent.[25] It began to regularly visit New Zealand in the 1960s. Since 1948 the Cattle Egret has been permanently resident in Israel. Prior to 1948 it was only a winter visitor. [26]
The massive and rapid expansion of the Cattle Egret's range is due to its relationship with humans and their domesticated animals. Originally adapted to a commensal relationship with large browsing animals, it was easily able to switch to domesticated cattle and horses. As the keeping of livestock spread throughout the world, the Cattle Egret was able to occupy otherwise empty niches.[27] Many populations of Cattle Egrets are highly migratory and dispersive,[19] and this has helped the species' range expansion. The species has been seen as a vagrant in various sub-Antarctic islands, including South Georgia, Marion Island, the South Sandwich Islands and the South Orkney Islands.[28] A small flock of eight birds was also seen in Fiji in 2008.[29]
In addition to the natural expansion of its range, Cattle Egrets have been introduced into a few areas. The species was introduced to Hawaii in 1959, and to the Chagos Archipelago in 1955. Successful releases were also made in the Seychelles and Rodrigues, but attempts to introduce the species to Mauritius failed. Numerous birds were also released by Whipsnade Zoo in England, but the species was never established.[30]
Although the Cattle Egret sometimes feeds in shallow water, unlike most herons it is typically found in fields and dry grassy habitats, reflecting its greater dietary reliance on terrestrial insects rather than aquatic prey.
Migration and movements
Some populations of Cattle Egrets are migratory, others are dispersive, and distinguishing between the two can be difficult for this species.[19] In many areas populations can be both sedentary and migratory. In the northern hemisphere migration is from cooler climes to warmer areas, but Cattle Egrets nesting in Australia migrate to cooler Tasmania and New Zealand in the winter and return in the spring.[25] Migration in western Africa is in response to rainfall, and in South America migrating birds travel south of their breeding range in the non breeding season.[19] Populations in southern India appear to show local migrations in response to the monsoons. They move north from Kerala after September.[32][33] During winter, many birds have been seen flying at night with flocks of Indian Pond Herons (Ardeola grayii) on the southeastern coast of India[34] and a winter influx has also been noted in Sri Lanka.[7]
Young birds are known to disperse up to 5,000 km (3,100 mi) from their breeding area. Flocks may fly vast distances and have been seen over seas and oceans including in the middle of the Atlantic.
Status
This species has a large range, with an estimated global extent of occurrence of 10 million square kilometres (3.8 million square miles). Its global population estimated to be 3.8–6.7 million individuals. For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern.[1] On the other hand the expansion and establishment of the species over large ranges has led it to be classed as an invasive species (although little, if any impact has been noted yet).[
Behaviour
Breeding
The Cattle Egret nests in colonies, which are often, but not always, found around bodies of water.[19] The colonies are usually found in woodlands near lakes or rivers, in swamps, or on small inland or coastal islands, and are sometimes shared with other wetland birds, such as herons, egrets, ibises and cormorants. The breeding season varies within South Asia.[7] Nesting in northern India begins with the onset of monsoons in May.[37] The breeding season in Australia is November to early January, with one brood laid per season.[38] The North American breeding season lasts from April to October.[19] In the Seychelles, the breeding season of the subspecies B.i. seychellarum is April to October.[39]
The male displays in a tree in the colony, using a range of ritualised behaviours such as shaking a twig and sky-pointing (raising bill vertically upwards),[40] and the pair forms over three or four days. A new mate is chosen in each season and when re-nesting following nest failure.[41] The nest is a small untidy platform of sticks in a tree or shrub constructed by both parents. Sticks are collected by the male and arranged by the female, and stick-stealing is rife.[14] The clutch size can be anywhere from one to five eggs, although three or four is most common. The pale bluish-white eggs are oval-shaped and measure 45 mm × 53 mm. (1.8–2.1 in)[38] Incubation lasts around 23 days, with both sexes sharing incubation duties.[19] The chicks are partly covered with down at hatching, but are not capable of fending for themselves; they become capable of regulating their temperature at 9–12 days and are fully feathered in 13–21 days.[42] They begin to leave the nest and climb around at 2 weeks, fledge at 30 days and become independent at around the 45th day.[41]
The Cattle Egret engages in low levels of brood parasitism, and there are a few instances of Cattle Egret eggs being laid in the nests of Snowy Egrets and Little Blue Herons, although these eggs seldom hatch.[19] There is also evidence of low levels of intraspecific brood parasitism, with females laying eggs in the nests of other Cattle Egrets. As much as 30% extra-pair copulations have been noted.[43][44]
The dominant factor in nesting mortality is starvation. Sibling rivalry can be intense, and in South Africa third and fourth chicks inevitably starve.[41] In the dryer habitats with fewer amphibians the diet may lack sufficient vertebrate content and may cause bone abnormalities in growing chicks due to calcium deficiency.[45] In Barbados, nests were sometimes raided by vervet monkeys,[8] and a study in Florida reported the Fish Crow and black rat as other possible nest raiders. The same study attributed some nestling mortality to Brown Pelicans nesting in the vicinity, which accidentally, but frequently, dislodged nests or caused nestlings to fall.[46] In Australia, Torresian Crows, Wedge-tailed Eagles and White-bellied Sea Eagles take eggs or young, and tick infestation and viral infections may also be causes of mortality.
Feeding
The Cattle Egret feeds on a wide range of prey, particularly insects, especially grasshoppers, crickets, flies (adults and maggots [47]), and moths, as well as spiders, frogs, and earthworms.[48][49] In a rare instance they have been observed foraging along the branches of a Banyan tree for ripe figs.[50] The species is usually found with cattle and other large grazing and browsing animals, and catches small creatures disturbed by the mammals. Studies have shown that Cattle Egret foraging success is much higher when foraging near a large animal than when feeding singly.[51] When foraging with cattle, it has been shown to be 3.6 times more successful in capturing prey than when foraging alone. Its performance is similar when it follows farm machinery, but it is forced to move more.[52]
A Cattle Egret will weakly defend the area around a grazing animal against others of the same species, but if the area is swamped by egrets it will give up and continue foraging elsewhere. Where numerous large animals are present, Cattle Egrets selectively forage around species that move at around 5–15 steps per minute, avoiding faster and slower moving herds; in Africa, Cattle Egrets selectively forage behind Plains Zebras, Waterbuck, Blue Wildebeest and Cape Buffalo.[53] Dominant birds feed nearest to the host, and obtain more food.[14]
The Cattle Egret may also show versatility in its diet. On islands with seabird colonies, it will prey on the eggs and chicks of terns and other seabirds.[30] During migration it has also been reported to eat exhausted migrating landbirds.[54] Birds of the Seychelles race also indulge in some kleptoparasitism, chasing the chicks of Sooty Terns and forcing them to disgorge food.[
Relationship with humans
A conspicuous species, the Cattle Egret has attracted many common names. These mostly relate to its habit of following cattle and other large animals, and it is known variously as cow crane, cow bird or cow heron, or even elephant bird, rhinoceros egret.[19] Its Arabic name, abu qerdan, means "father of ticks", a name derived from the huge number of parasites such as avian ticks found in its breeding colonies.[19][56]
The Cattle Egret is a popular bird with cattle ranchers for its perceived role as a biocontrol of cattle parasites such as ticks and flies.[19] A study in Australia found that Cattle Egrets reduced the number of flies that bothered cattle by pecking them directly off the skin.[57] It was the benefit to stock that prompted ranchers and the Hawaiian Board of Agriculture and Forestry to release the species in Hawaii.[30][58]
Not all interactions between humans and Cattle Egrets are beneficial. The Cattle Egret can be a safety hazard to aircraft due to its habit of feeding in large groups in the grassy verges of airports,[59] and it has been implicated in the spread of animal infections such as heartwater, infectious bursal disease[60] and possibly Newcastle disease
Fern canopy in the Tarra-Bulga National Park in Victoria's Gippsland region.
Tarra-Bulga National Park is highly significant to Gunaikurnai Traditional Owners due to its remarkable Aboriginal cultural heritage. It is known for its giant Mountain Ash trees, beautiful fern gullies and ancient myrtle beeches, in addiiton to being one of the best examples of original cool temperate rainforests in Australia. Twenty hectares of land were reserved and given the name Bulga, meaning mountain in 1903. Six years later, 140 hectares were reserved in the Tarra Valley, with this park being named after Charlie Tarra, an Aboriginal man who guided the explorer Strzelecki and his party through Gippsland in 1840. Following recommendations by the Land Conservation Council, the two separate National Parks were joined, and an enlarged and re-named Tarra-Bulga National Park, declared in June 1986, now covers 2,014 hectares.
Parque Nacional Bernardo O'Higgins, Patagonia, Chile.
While everybody else on the tour was craning over each-other to get a sight of a mist-covered Serrano glacier, my gaze was drawn down to the multitude of beautiful plants and lichens lining the path along the forest edge.
In the rain, all I could use was my very basic (but waterproof) Fuji XP-90 point-and-shoot.
Any speces identification would be much appreciated.
The temperate rainforests of Borrowdale in the English Lake District. Green even in the dead of winter!
Dendrochronology is the science of dating and study of annual rings in trees. A tree in temperate and colder climates typically will grow one new ring every year, therefore the age of the tree can theoretically be determined by counting the number of rings present. The problem lies in the fact that some years, particularly in years of drought, a tree will not grow an annual ring. In other years where the growing season is interrupted a tree may grow a second false ring. The trees rings are commonly measured by taking a series of core samples. A borer is used to extract a pencil-size diameter or smaller core from a living tree or from a log. For downed and dead trees a disk section or "tree cookie" may also be taken, these are polished, the rings identified, and the number of rings and the distance between each are recorded. By comparing rings from multiple trees, through cross-dating, a dendrochronologists can determine if rings are missing or if false rings are present. Through this process the tree ring record can be used to investigate past climatic conditions. Tropical trees often lack annual rings and ages for these trees can be measured using radiocarbon dating of wood samples from the trees.
If you want to live your life through to the end, you have to live dangerously.
Jeanne Moreau