View allAll Photos Tagged THROUGHOUT
Red-shouldered Hawk
The Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) is a medium-sized hawk. Its breeding range spans eastern North America and along the coast of California and northern to northeastern-central Mexico. Red-shouldered Hawks are permanent residents throughout most of their range, though northern birds do migrate, mostly to central Mexico. The main conservation threat to the widespread species is deforestation.
For more info: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-shouldered_hawk
What's this, a Budgerigar in its natural colours of green and yellow! The budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) is a small, long-tailed, seed-eating parrot usually nicknamed the budgie, or in American English, the parakeet (because Americans have never see a real Parakeet). Budgerigars are found wild throughout the drier parts of Australia, where it has survived harsh inland conditions for over five million years. Its success can be attributed to a nomadic lifestyle and its ability to breed while on the move. I took this one by surprise and was glad to get the shot.
Throughout the morning it had rained continuously. And in the afternoon, when it stopped raining we came to a clearing from which one we had and amazing view over the entire city of Biel. The air was still damp and dark clouds hung in the sky. Nevertheless we were glad the rain stopped it at least! We stood there and enjoyed the view, our dogs ran around and the kids were playing on the fields.
And suddenly there was this one special moment. This very brief moment lasting only for half a minute. The clouds broke and the sun rays lit up this tree in front of us. I’m not very religious, and I also never pray. But I think it would be not bad if I did it now and then. In younger years I have even read the Old Testaments several times out of curiosity and I must admit that I did not understand it until today.
But the sun’s rays brought the tree to light up and I remembered dare a passage in the Old Testament which can be said to describe the different trees in the Garden of Eden. Out of the ground the Lord God made various trees grow that were delightful to look at and good for food, with the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
I want to thank all very much for your "views", "Comments" and "Favourites" :-) The only thing that matters is that you have joy in this photo. Again, thank you :-)
Photo was taken at Frogmore Christmas Hollow. This is a special venue from Frogmore regions. Come to visit it. Place wont be there for long! Hurry!
BATTLESCARS WL : CLOUDS - BACKWATER 4.0
The nuthatch is a plump bird about the size of a great tit that resembles a small woodpecker. It is blue-grey above and whitish below, with chestnut on its sides and under its tail. It has a black stripe on its head, a long black pointed bill and short legs.
It breeds throughout England and Wales and has recently began to breed in southern Scotland. It is a resident, with birds seldom travelling far from the woods where they hatch. What they eat: Insects, hazel nuts, acorns, beechmast and other nuts and seed (Courtesy RSPB).
Thank to everyone who visits my photo stream and especially for those who favourite or comment, it is much appreciated.
Comps as in composites (family of plant- Asteraceae, formerly Compositae), not compositions. Now that our summer has turned hot and smoky with many plants withering, it is time to look back at flowers from mid-summer. On the left is Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata), which occurs throughout western North America. Note the several insect visitors among its petals. On the right is a Fleabane Daisy (Erigeron spp, one of the 44 species that occur in Colorado).
Close together throughout the new year, my friends.
Let's have fun and friendship here in the stream, admire the captures from all over the world and send out peace with them.
- - -
Eng zusammen durch das neue Jahr, meine Flickr-Freunde.
Laßt uns hier im stream Spaß und Freundschaft haben. Bewundern wir Fotos aus aller Welt und senden mit ihnen Frieden aus.
St. Peter’s Square, Manchester, England; on the hottest day of the year so far……
Fast food delivery guys have now started using a different mode of transport here in Manchester; the ‘e-Scooter’. The 'e-Scooter' is a firm favourite with the Government, along with cycles and walking throughout the City Centres; during this unprecedented period of Coronavirus. New laws are in the making as to whether a helmet has to be worn or even if insurance if required, I’m sure both will become mandatory. Who knows, maybe even an MOT further down the line. From the look of this scooter the cost is around £440; way back in 1959 you could buy a Morris Mini-Minor car for £500; where do they get their prices from……lol. I wonder how many of these will get stolen?
Merlin and Morgan wish you all a very Happy and Safe New Year and I would like to thank you all for your support of my work throughout the past year.
www.flickr.com/photos/168662633@N04/54237434484/in/datepo...
========== A Journey Throughout Europe ==========
Austria (6)✔️
Belgium (6)✔️
Bulgaria (5)✔️
Croatia (4)✔️
Cyprus (5)✔️
Czech Republic (6)✔️
Denmark (4)✔️
Estonia (8)✔️
Finland (4)✔️
France (7)✔️
Germany (8)✔️
Greece (6)✔️
Hungary (8)✔️
Ireland (6)✔️
Italy (6)✔️
Latvia (4)✔️
Lithuania (6)✔️
Luxembourg (5)✔️
Malta (5)✔️
Poland (7)✔️
Portugal (5)✔️
Romania (7)✔️
Slovakia (5)✔️
Slovenia (5)✔️
Spain (4)✔️
Sweden (5)✔️
The Netherlands (5)✔️
A Journey Throughout Europe: HOF
====================================================
The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), also called Asiatic elephant, is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, from India in the west, Nepal in the north, Sumatra in the south, and to Borneo in the east. Three subspecies are recognised—E. m. maximus from Sri Lanka, E. m. indicus from mainland Asia and E. m. sumatranus from the island of Sumatra. The Asian elephant is the largest living land animal in Asia. Since 1986, the Asian elephant has been listed as Endangered. It is primarily threatened by loss of habitat, habitat degradation, fragmentation and poaching. In 2003, the wild population was estimated at between 41,410 and 52,345 individuals. Female captive elephants have lived beyond 60 years when kept in semi-natural surroundings, such as forest camps. In zoos, Asian elephants die at a much younger age; captive populations are declining due to a low birth and high death rate. In general, the Asian elephant is smaller than the African bush elephant and has the highest body point on the head. Tusks serve to dig for water, salt, and rocks, to debark and uproot trees, as levers for maneuvering fallen trees and branches, for work, for display, for marking trees, as weapon for offence and defence, as trunk-rests, and as protection for the trunk. 26628
This one is about 1,5 centimeter.
:-)
The common toad, European toad, Euro toad, is an amphibian found throughout most of Europe (with the exception of Ireland, Iceland, and some Mediterranean islands), in the western part of North Asia, and in a small portion of Northwest Africa. It is one of a group of closely related animals that are descended from a common ancestral line of toads and which form a species complex. The toad is an inconspicuous animal as it usually lies hidden during the day. It becomes active at dusk and spends the night hunting for the invertebrates on which it feeds. It moves with a slow, ungainly walk or short jumps, and has greyish-brown skin covered with wart-like lumps.
Although toads are usually solitary animals, in the breeding season, large numbers of toads converge on certain breeding ponds, where the males compete to mate with the females. Eggs are laid in gelatinous strings in the water and later hatch out into tadpoles. After several months of growth and development, these sprout limbs and undergo metamorphosis into tiny toads. The juveniles emerge from the water and remain largely terrestrial for the rest of their lives.
The common toad seems to be in decline in part of its range, but overall is listed as being of "least concern" in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is threatened by habitat loss, especially by drainage of its breeding sites, and some toads get killed on the roads as they make their annual migrations. It has long been associated in popular culture and literature with witchcraft.
The ringlet is a widely distributed species found throughout much of the Palearctic realm. In Europe it is common in most countries but absent from northern Scandinavia, peninsular Italy (found in northern Italy), Portugal, southern and central Spain (found in Cantabrian Mountains and the eastern Pyrenees), the Mediterranean islands and North Africa. In Greece it is found in northern regions (Macedonia, Thessaly). Beyond Europe it is found across much of temperate Asia including Russia, Siberia, Mongolia, China and Korea.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rainbow Of Nature Level 1 (R) awards = 19
Rainbow Of Nature Level 2 (O) awards = 27
Rainbow Of Nature Level 3 (Y) awards = 21
Rainbow Of Nature Level 4 (G) awards = 19
Rainbow Of Nature Level 5 (B) awards = 23
Rainbow Of Nature Level 6 (P) awards = 21
Rainbow Of Nature Level 7 (P) awards = 16
Total Rainbow Of Nature awards = 146
Total Rainbow Gallery awards = 0
(Nymphalis polychloros)
Once generally distributed throughout England and Wales, the Large Tortoiseshell is now thought to be extinct in the UK, and of the few specimens that are occasionally recorded, most are probably captive-bred releases. It has always been a butterfly whose numbers have fluctuated greatly, but is now more than 60 years since it appeared in large numbers and it seems unlikely the species will ever recover.
A butterfly of woodland edges and hedgerows that abound in elms, willows and poplars, it was already a rarity when Dutch Elm Disease appeared; this could only have worsened its plight. The Large Tortoiseshell is first seen in spring, after hibernating in hollow trees and log piles. A single brood is then produced which is on the wing in July and August. It is a powerful flier that visits a variety of flowers, but it especially likes the sap that oozes from tree wounds.
Throughout this winter a flock of about a hundred Lapwings has remained about a mile from my house in the Pennines. I have also found several other flocks a little further afield. Many Pennine breeding Lapwings move to the coast and lowlands during the winter, but even during the recent snow these Lapwings have remained "toughing it out", appearing to know that the snow will melt soon. But I cannot get near that flock for a photograph because when Lapwings are in a flock they are very skittish. That's because as soon as the most timid member of the flock calls out and flies, it spooks the whole flock. Two days ago I was out walking in the snow (which has all disappeared now) and I saw a single Lapwing flying low over the fields, which alighted in a field with some sheep right next to my footpath. Bizarrely one sheep seemed annoyed by its arrival and chased it off, but I managed a handful of shots before it departed. Being a lone bird it allowed me much closer approach than the local flock.
I'm sure that many of you will realise that the title "Snowy Plover" is the American name for what we call Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus). Lapwing is a plover from a different genus (Vanellus) but I liked the play on words. Lapwings are sometimes known as Green Plovers but you can barely see the green back sheen in this face-on shot. I recall being told that the name comes from the French for rain, but according to the Oxford Dictionary of Bird Names that is wrong. The name has been in use in English since the 14th century and did come via Old French from Late Latin plovarius. The name is simply imitative of the far reaching call (ie plover is a bird that makes a "plo" call). It adds that there have been many attempts to make a connection between plovers and rain, by writers ancient and modern, but all have been in vain.
A small and shy resident goose of the Indian subcontinent, found throughout the year in freshwater lakes and ponds. They are social birds and generally seen in a flock of around 4 to 6. The birds are visibly smaller than the other ducks such as the resident Whistling teals and the Spot Billed Ducks found in our region. I love to shoot them in flight, but they fly fast and are quite wary of humans.
Shot them near a lake full of Jacana's and Coots. These goose stayed for a while and then flew away far from human activity. I sat down on the bank with the sun behind me and several birds like this one came close and flew away. They couldn't see me from afar due to a tree that was blocking the visibility. I had a fantastic time shooting this and the Yellow Bittern which made repeated visits and gave me some amazing shots.
Many thanks for all your views, likes and feedback. Much appreciated.
Anthocharis cardamines, the orange tip, is a butterfly in the family Pieridae, which contains about 1,100 species. A. cardamines is mainly found throughout Europe and temperate Asia
Resident waders found throughout the year around large lakes, shallow rivers and wetland areas and water logged paddy fields. Summer is the nesting time for these waders / reed birds and they contine to nest till the rainy season and through it. This year, we barely had a summer - its raining cats and dogs. The swamphens have started nesting early due to the change in weather, and the birds are in breeding plumage. The colors are more vivid than usual and quite beautiful - like in this picture.
These swamphens are sighted in pretty large numbers (200+) now around reed beds where they usually nest. The birds don't move far away from their nests and prefer to hunt for insects, beetles etc.. around the vicinity. During this period, these birds turn predators and they attack the chicks of Jacanas and snipes and eat them. All these birds share the same habitat and hence become easy prey for these Swamphens and other birds like Black Kites.
Thank you so much in advance for your views, feedback and faves. Much appreciated.
Red squirrel in my hometown park :) They already looking for a food after Winter.
The red squirrel or Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is a species of tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus common throughout Europe and Asia. The red squirrel is an arboreal, primarily herbivorous rodent. In Great Britain, Ireland, and in Italy numbers have decreased drastically in recent years. This decline is associated with the introduction by humans of the eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) from North America. The red squirrel is found in both coniferous forest and temperate broadleaf woodlands. The squirrel makes a drey (nest) out of twigs in a branch-fork. Tree hollows and woodpecker holes are also used. Squirrels are hunted by martens and birds of prey. The red fox, cats and dogs also can prey upon the red squirrel when it is on the ground.
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Wiewióreczka w parku :) Sporo ich tam teraz biega szukając jedzenia.
Wiewiórka pospolita (Sciurus vulgaris) – gatunek gryzonia z rodziny wiewiórkowatych (Sciuridae). Występuje w Europie i Azji na terenach leśnych. Jest pospolita na terenie całej Polski, głównie w parkach oraz lasach liściastych. Zamieszkuje również lasy iglaste. Na Wyspach Brytyjskich oraz w północnych Włoszech wiewiórka pospolita zagrożona jest z powodu ekspansji wiewiórki szarej, inwazyjnego gatunku sprowadzonego z Ameryki Północnej. Pożywienie wiewiórki pospolitej stanowią nasiona (w tym z szyszek, bukwi, żołędzie i orzechy) i pączki drzew, grzyby, owoce, ale także owady, jaja i pisklęta. Jesienią gromadzą zapasy żywności. Wiewiórka pospolita zamieszkuje dziuple, które utyka porostami i mchami, lub gniazda ptaków, dobudowując zadaszenie lub sama buduje gniazda z gałęzi. Na wiewiórki polują kuny i ptaki drapieżne.
Looking from Lincoln Castle towards the Grade I Listed Lincoln Cathedral, in Lincoln, Lincolnshire.
Building commenced in 1088 and continued in several phases throughout the medieval period. It was reputedly the tallest building in the world for 238 years (1311–1549) before the central spire collapsed in 1549 and was not rebuilt.
It is highly regarded by architectural scholars; the eminent Victorian writer John Ruskin declared: "I have always held... that the cathedral of Lincoln is out and out the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles and roughly speaking worth any two other cathedrals we have."
Remigius de Fécamp, the first bishop of Lincoln, moved the Episcopal seat there between 1072 and 1092. Up until then St. Mary's Church in Stow was considered to be the "mother church" of Lincolnshire (although it was not a cathedral, because the seat of the diocese was at Dorchester Abbey in Dorchester-on-Thames, Oxfordshire).
Bishop Remigius built the first Lincoln Cathedral on the present site, finishing it in 1092 and then dying on 9 May of that year, two days before it was consecrated. In 1141, the timber roofing was destroyed in a fire. Bishop Alexander rebuilt and expanded the cathedral, but it was mostly destroyed by an earthquake about forty years later, in 1185. The earthquake was one of the largest felt in the UK. The damage to the cathedral is thought to have been very extensive.
After the earthquake, a new bishop was appointed. He was Hugh de Burgundy of Avalon, France, who became known as St Hugh of Lincoln. He began a massive rebuilding and expansion programme. Rebuilding began with the choir (St. Hugh's Choir) and the eastern transepts between 1192 and 1210. The central nave was then built in the Early English Gothic style.
The cathedral is the 3rd largest in Britain after St Paul's and York Minster, being 484 feet by 271 feet. Until 1549 the spire was reputedly the tallest medieval tower in Europe, though the exact height has been a matter of debate. Accompanying the cathedral's large bell, Great Tom of Lincoln, is a quarter-hour striking clock.
The two large stained glass rose windows, the matching Dean's Eye and Bishop's Eye, were added to the cathedral during the late Middle Ages. The former, the Dean's Eye in the north transept dates from the 1192 rebuild begun by St Hugh, finally being completed in 1235.
After the additions of the Dean's eye and other major Gothic additions it is believed some mistakes in the support of the tower occurred, for in 1237 the main tower collapsed. A new tower was soon started and in 1255 the Cathedral petitioned Henry III to allow them to take down part of the town wall to enlarge and expand the Cathedral, including the rebuilding of the central tower and spire.
In 1290 Eleanor of Castile died and King Edward I of England decided to honour her, his Queen Consort, with an elegant funeral procession. After her body had been embalmed, which in the 13th century involved evisceration, Eleanor's viscera were buried in Lincoln cathedral, and Edward placed a duplicate of the Westminster tomb there.
Information Source:
Looking close... on Friday!
September flora
Mon repos Bundaberg
Australia
A beautiful, tall native Grevillea with large showy pale pink coloured brush-like flowers. Flowers appear throughout the year attracting native wildlife
A Balearic Islands endemic. Formerly found throughout the islands. However, as a result of the introduction of alien species since Roman times Lilford's wall lizard is now restricted to small islands off Mallorca and Menorca and to the Cabrera Archipelago, and is thus classified as an endangered species. On Cabrera I found them to be numerous in low stone walls and very varied in colour and size. There were many melanistic individuals, nearly black, but usually with the same beautiful turquoise underside that you see here. I took many pictures; it was difficult to select the best. Hope you are watching, Lacerta bilineata !
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Balearen-Eidechse
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A resident bird in the subcontinent found throughout the year in grasslands and open countryside with brown grass. The bird prefers red soil / sandy areas and camouflages itself so well that its tough to sight many times. Often we see it taking off suddenly right from underneath our feet - and its a very fast flier.
These are insectivores and the size of a rock pigeon always found in flocks of 5-6 and more - sometimes 30-40 as well. Sightings are always prized by birds and photographers.
On this day, we found more than 5 families including several chicks and couple of nests / eggs in the grasslands. They hid openly in grass near a pile of brown rocks. The birds will just sit down in the brown grass and will blend so well with their naturally camouflaged pattern. Add to that, these birds are very challenging to shoot in flight due to their high speed.
Thanks in advance for your views and feedback. Much appreciated.
Long ago, in the ancient city of Athens, there lived a wise and just ruler named King Cecrops. He was known throughout Greece for his fairness and his love for his people.
One day, the king learned that a powerful enemy army was marching towards Athens with the intent of conquering the city. Fearing for the safety of his people, Cecrops consulted with the gods and asked for their help.
Athena, the goddess of wisdom, heard the king's prayers and decided to aid him. She appeared before him in a vision and instructed him to build a temple in her honor on the Acropolis.
The king followed Athena's instructions and the temple was built in record time. Athena then appeared before Cecrops once more, this time in the flesh, and taught him the art of war and strategy. She trained him in the ways of the battlefield, showing him how to best use his limited resources to defeat the enemy army.
With Athena's guidance, King Cecrops led his army to victory against the invaders. The city of Athens was saved from destruction, and the king was hailed as a hero.
In gratitude, Cecrops declared Athena the patron goddess of Athens, and her temple on the Acropolis became the center of the city's spiritual and intellectual life. For centuries to come, Athena's wisdom and guidance would continue to shape the destiny of Athens and inspire people throughout Greece to seek knowledge, justice, and wisdom.
What I'm Wearing:
Bare Rose: ::: B@R ::: Athena ME
marketplace.secondlife.com/p/BR-Athena-ME/4041509
*elise* - Athena | UNRIGGED
marketplace.secondlife.com/p/elise-Athena-UNRIGGED/18903929
Hilly Haalan: [hh] Brenda Gladiator Sandals
marketplace.secondlife.com/p/hh-Brenda-Gladiator-Sandals/...
NIMU - Erin eyes - Gold
marketplace.secondlife.com/p/NIMU-Erin-eyes-Gold/22578157
DOUX - Tzuyu hairstyle [BLOGGER PACK]
marketplace.secondlife.com/p/DOUX-Tzuyu-hairstyle-BLOGGER...
LeLUTKA EvoX: Irina Head 3.1
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LeLutka/134/104/22
Legacy MeshBody
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife//97/32/26
Photo take at Sunny's Studio
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sunny%20Photo%20Studio/130...
Pose: Crystal Visions
From the 1920's and throughout the prohibition years and later, a certain individual named Salvatore Facciacattiva, aka "Sally Southside," ran the rackets in Chicago's South side. All illegal operations whether it was prostitution, drugs, gambling, loan sharking, or bootlegging were run and controlled by him, and control he did. If you happened to have stepped out of line you only did that once. There were no second chances with Sal. I can't say ask the few who tried because they are no longer reachable to ask.
As a young man Sal was a WWI conscript and spent a few months fighting in Europe but all that ended for him when a German mortar round landed within feet of where he was positioned. The shrapnel tore into him badly and his face was permanently scarred from it. By the time he was able to leave the military hospital the war had concluded. He already was a tough street fighter, and his time spent in the military made him even tougher and meaner!
But, in spite of the life he had chosen Sal was Catholic, and he attended 11 o'clock mass at St Barnabas Church every Sunday. You would see his shiny Cadillac sedan parked in the first spot next to the side door of the church. Everyone knew that that was Sal's parking spot, and no one dared park in it on Sunday mornings. And when inside the church he would sit at the end of the pew right next to that side door in case he had to leave in a hurry for "business reasons!" And, like the parking spot, everyone knew that that was Sal's seat, and no one dared sit in it!
It was alleged that Sal had orchestrated the St Valentine's Day massacre where 7 member associates of Chicago's Northside gang were brutally machine gunned and murdered in 1929. Although the police had brought him in for questioning they had no proof that they could link him directly to the crime, and let's say the police "accommodated" him and released him.
Northside revenge did come, but it was in 1938. and nearly ten years after the massacre had occurred on St Valentine's Day. At 2 AM in the morning, on June 12th, Sal was leaving one of his favorite clubs with a female acquaintance when a black sedan rushed by, shots rang out, and both he and she were gunned down and perished from their wounds.
I hope you weren't hoping for a happy ending!
Sparrowhawk - Accipiter Nisus
Though it is a predator which specialises in catching woodland birds, the Eurasian sparrowhawk can be found in any habitat and often hunts garden birds in towns and cities. Males tend to take smaller birds, including tits, finches, and sparrows; females catch primarily thrushes and starlings, but are capable of killing birds weighing 500 g (18 oz) or more.
The Eurasian sparrowhawk is found throughout the temperate and subtropical parts of the Old World; while birds from the northern parts of the range migrate south for winter, their southern counterparts remain resident or make dispersive movements. Eurasian sparrowhawks breed in suitable woodland of any type, with the nest, measuring up to 60 cm (2.0 ft) across, built using twigs in a tree. Four or five pale blue, brown-spotted eggs are laid; the success of the breeding attempt is dependent on the female maintaining a high weight while the male brings her food. The chicks hatch after 33 days and fledge after 24 to 28 days.
The probability of a juvenile surviving its first year is 34%, with 69% of adults surviving from one year to the next. Mortality in young males is greater than that of young females and the typical lifespan is four years. This species is now one of the most common birds of prey in Europe, although the population crashed after the Second World War. Organochlorine insecticides used to treat seeds before sowing built up in the bird population, and the concentrations in Eurasian sparrowhawks were enough to kill some outright and incapacitate others; affected birds laid eggs with fragile shells which broke during incubation. However, its population recovered after the chemicals were banned, and it is now relatively common, classified as being of Least Concern by BirdLife International.
The Eurasian sparrowhawk's hunting behaviour has brought it into conflict with humans for hundreds of years, particularly racing pigeon owners and people rearing poultry and gamebirds. It has also been blamed for decreases in passerine populations. The increase in population of the Eurasian Sparrowhawk coincides with the decline in House Sparrows in Britain. Studies of racing pigeon deaths found that Eurasian sparrowhawks were responsible for less than 1%. Falconers have utilised the Eurasian sparrowhawk since at least the 16th century; although the species has a reputation for being difficult to train, it is also praised for its courage. The species features in Teutonic mythology and is mentioned in works by writers including William Shakespeare, Alfred, Lord Tennyson and Ted Hughes.
Male Eurasian sparrowhawks regularly kill birds weighing up to 40 g (1.4 oz) and sometimes up to 120 g (4.2 oz); females can tackle prey up to 500 g (18 oz) or more. The weight of food consumed by adult birds daily is estimated to be 40–50 g (1.4–1.8 oz) for males and 50–70 g (1.8–2.5 oz) for females. During one year, a pair of Eurasian sparrowhawks could take 2,200 house sparrows, 600 common blackbirds or 110 wood pigeons. Species that feed in the open, far from cover, or are conspicuous by their behaviour or coloration, are taken more often by Eurasian sparrowhawks. For example, great tits and house sparrows are vulnerable to attack. Eurasian sparrowhawks may account for more than 50% of deaths in certain species, but the extent varies from area to area.
Males tend to take tits, finches, sparrows and buntings; females often take thrushes and starlings. Larger quarry (such as doves and magpies) may not die immediately but succumb during feather plucking and eating. More than 120 bird species have been recorded as prey and individual Eurasian sparrowhawks may specialise in certain prey. The birds taken are usually adults or fledglings, though chicks in the nest and carrion are sometimes eaten. Small mammals, including bats, are sometimes caught but insects are eaten only very rarely.
English Counties (05)
This is another collection of images which have been photographed over a long period of time. These are photographs taken mostly on holidays throughout our great English Counties. In the day we have travelled the length and breadth of Great Britain, with many coastal and country walks and a lot of photography.
This selection has been chosen from the many Cornwall photographs I have taken. Cornwall is a great county to visit with many places of interest and lots of diversity. We enjoyed many a walking holiday here in the day.
Common and widespread throughout most of North America, breeding as far north as Alaska and wintering to Panama. A medium-sized swallow, with gleaming white underparts. Adult males are bright iridescent blue-green above; females and immatures are duller brownish with limited or no iridescence. Always note compact shape, fairly broad wings, and slightly notched tail. Occurs in a variety of open habitats including grassy fields, lakes, and marshes. Often in flocks, sometimes mixed with other species of swallows. Breeds in cavities, including human-made nest boxes. Listen for cheery gurgling calls. Compare especially with Violet-green Swallow; note Tree Swallow does not show extensive white wrapping around the cheek or the sides of the rump.
Richmond Conservation Area, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. May 2021.
Newfoundland
Root cellars are found throughout Newfoundland and are used to keep vegetables and fruits at a stable temperature and humidity to avoid spoiling.
The Arecaceae are a botanical family of perennial plants. Their growth form can be climbers, shrubs, tree-like and stemless plants, all commonly known as palms. Those having a tree-like form are colloquially called palm trees. They are flowering plants, a family in the monocot order Arecales. Currently 181 genera with around 2600 species are known, most of them restricted to tropical and subtropical climates. Most palms are distinguished by their large, compound, evergreen leaves, known as fronds, arranged at the top of an unbranched stem. However, palms exhibit an enormous diversity in physical characteristics and inhabit nearly every type of habitat within their range, from rainforests to deserts.
Palms are among the best known and most extensively cultivated plant families. They have been important to humans throughout much of history. Many common products and foods are derived from palms. In contemporary times, palms are also widely used in landscaping, making them one of the most economically important plants. In many historical cultures, because of their importance as food, palms were symbols for such ideas as victory, peace, and fertility. For inhabitants of cooler climates today, palms symbolize the tropics and vacations. Most palms are native to tropical and subtropical climates. Palms thrive in moist and hot climates but can be found in a variety of different habitats. Their diversity is highest in wet, lowland forests. South America, the Caribbean, and areas of the south Pacific and southern Asia are regions of concentration. Colombia may have the highest number of palm species in one country. 36744
The American lady occurs from southern Canada throughout the U.S. and southward to northern South America.
In the Andean region is located from 1,600 to 3,000 meters. American painted lady flies in open areas and forest edge; it feeds on flowers nectar and bird droppings.
Vanessa virginiensis is most easily distinguishable by its two large eyespots on the ventral side.
Source:
Mariposario Comfenalco Piedras Blancas, Antioquia.
The azalea were particularly florid last year, blooming in profusion throughout the spring, summer and early autumn. Photographed in Great Horwood, Buckinghamshire, England.
Londolozi Game Reserve
Kruger National Park
South Africa
The greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) is a woodland antelope found throughout eastern and southern Africa. Despite occupying such widespread territory, they are sparsely populated in most areas, due to a declining habitat, deforestation and poaching.
Their habitat includes mixed scrub woodlands (the greater kudu is one of the few largest mammals that prefer living in settled areas – in scrub woodland and bush on abandoned fields and degraded pastures, mopane bush and acacia in lowlands, hills and mountains.
Their diet consists of leaves, grass, shoots and occasionally tubers, roots and fruit (they are especially fond of oranges and tangerines).
During the day, greater kudus normally cease to be active and instead seek cover under woodland, especially during hot days. They feed and drink in the early morning and late afternoon, acquiring water from waterholes or roots and bulbs that have a high water content. Although they tend to stay in one area, the greater kudu may search over a large distance for water in times of drought.
Predators of the greater kudu generally consist of lions, hyenas, and hunting dogs. Although leopards and cheetahs also prey on greater kudus, they are unable to bring down a bull, and consequently target the more vulnerable cows and offspring.
Greater kudus have a life span of 7 to 8 years in the wild, and up to 23 years in captivity. They are evaluated as low risk in the IUCN Red List of endangered species. Wikipedia
Yesterday's Nor'easter delivered Currier and Ives images throughout the northeast. The only thing missing here is smoke from the chimney, which was always the sign that my Dad was up and about.
This small kingfisher with a truly hefty bill barely makes it into South Texas; otherwise, it ranges throughout Central and South America.
click for details. c:
click here for maggie's (left) post!
look #2 for my wizarding faire series!
wizarding faire is open and running!
Eurasian blue tits, usually resident and non-migratory birds, are widespread and a common resident breeder throughout temperate and subarctic Europe and the western Palearctic in deciduous or mixed woodlands with a high proportion of oak. They usually nest in tree holes, although they easily adapt to nest boxes where necessary. Their main rival for nests and in the search for food is the larger and more common great tit.
The Eurasian blue tit prefers insects and spiders for its diet. Outside the breeding season, they also eat seeds and other vegetable-based foods. The birds are famed for their skill, as they can cling to the outermost branches and hang upside down when looking for food.
The Mallard, or Wild duck (Anas platyrhynchos[1]), probably the best-known and most recognizable of all ducks, is a dabbling duck which breeds throughout the temperate and sub-tropical Americas, Europe, Asia, New Zealand (where it is currently the most common duck species), and Australia.
The male birds have a bright green head, while the female's is light brown. The Mallard lives in wetlands, eats water plants, and is gregarious. It is also migratory. The Mallard is the ancestor of all domestic ducks, and can interbreed with other species of genus Anas.[2] This interbreeding is causing rarer species of ducks to become genetically diluted.
The Mallard is 56–65 centimetres (22–26 in) long, has a wingspan of 81–98 centimetres (32–39 in), and weighs 0.9–1.2 kilograms (32–42 oz). The breeding male is unmistakable, with a bright green head, black rear end and a yellowish orange (can also contain some red) bill tipped with black (as opposed to the dark brown bill in females), and is also nature's most feared duck. The female Mallard is light brown, like most female dabbling ducks. However, both the female and male Mallards have distinct purple speculum edged with white, prominent in flight or at rest (though temporarily shed during the annual summer moult). In non-breeding (eclipse) plumage the drake becomes drab, looking more like the female, but still distinguishable by its yellow bill and reddish breast.
In captivity, domestic ducks come in wild-type plumages, white, and other colours. Most of these colour variants are also known in domestic Mallards not bred as livestock, but kept as pets, aviary birds, etc., where they are rare but increasing in availability.
A noisy species, the male has a nasal call, the female has a "quack" stereotypically associated with ducks.[3]
The Mallard is a rare example of both Allen's Rule and Bergmann's Rule in birds. Bergmann's Rule, which states that polar forms tend to be larger than related ones from warmer climates, has numerous examples in birds. Allen's Rule says that appendages like ears tend to be smaller in polar forms to minimize heat loss, and larger in tropical and desert equivalents to facilitate heat diffusion, and that the polar taxa are stockier overall. Examples of this rule in birds are rare, as they lack external ears. However, the bill of ducks is very well supplied with blood vessels and is vulnerable to cold.
Resident waders found throughout the year around large lakes, shallow rivers and wetland areas. Summer is the nesting time for these waders / reed birds and they contine to nest till the end of summers to rainy season and through it. This year, our summer is varying between moderate and cool temperatures. The swamphens haven't started nesting yet, but I suspect some of them have started demonstrating the breeding plumage - the colors are more vivid than usual and quite beautiful - like in this picture.
These swamphens are sighted in large numbers now around reed beds where they usually nest. The birds don't move far away from their nests and prefer to hunt for insects, beetles etc.. around the vicinity. During this period, these birds turn predators and they attack the chicks of Jacanas and snipes and eat them. All these birds share the same habitat and hence become easy prey for these Swamphens and other birds like Black Kites.
Thank you so much in advance for your views, feedback and faves.
Hoverflies are common throughout the world. About 6,000 species in 200 genera have been described. Eristalis is a large genus of around 99 species.
I'm unsure about even the genus on these insects so don't hold me to this ID! Corrections welcomed.
18 Oct 2019, Seven Oaks Park, Irmo, SC, USA.
The architecture has been fully adapted to the particular conditions on the island and has catered to the needs of its people throughout the ages.
While the sailors lived in their homes on the cliff, sea captains built mansions on top.
Oia. Santorini Island (Greece)
Throughout the galaxy the probes appeared. Their purpose and origins are unknown.
On the lithium plains of Xerxes 7 the Zindar went mad . . .
Reviver: Dark Days Makeup (exclusive to Men Selected)
Contraption: MS-45 Visor
(available at Fantasy Faire 2023)
L’Emporio&PL: Garion Arm Harness
Shi x Messiah: Scarf, Side-Drape Harem Pants
Volkstone: Kurt Skin, Bryson Hairbase
Belleza: Jake
Lelutka: Jon
People throughout histoty have fallen in love with their weapons, making them extraordinarily beautiful, like these bows and arrow once used to defend the city fort in Jaisalmer. Rajasthan, India.
Plump, chickenlike bird often found near willows; also resides in more open tundra. Plumage changes throughout the year. In winter, both sexes are pure white with black outer tail feathers. As summer progresses, male develops rich rufous head and neck and brownish back; in winter, lacks black eyeline shown by Rock Ptarmigan. Summer female is paler golden-brown with intricate black and white markings. Female nearly identical to Rock Ptarmigan; look for slightly thicker bill. Female distinguished from White-tailed Ptarmigan by warmer plumage in summer and black outer tail feathers. Also note habitat differences of White-tailed. Vocalizations include a comical nasal chuckle and various clucking notes.
We had stopped in Toronto on our way home from Point Pelee to do some birding. Imagine our surprise when we heard that a Willow Ptarmigan had just been found. We rushed down to the far end of the park, and there was this beauty! It's just getting some of its summer feathers.
Tommy Thompson Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. May 2017.
Nijo Castle's legendary Ninomaru Garden and it's koi pond, which is lined with decorative boulders gathered throughout all corners of Japan, were designed in 1626 on the castle grounds for Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa (Edo) shogunate (1603–1867). If you have read James Clavell's novel "Shogun" or watched the Shogun TV series, you're already familiar with Tokugawa Ieyasu because Clavell based the warlord 'Lord Toranaga' on him.)
Lord Tokugawa unified Japan in 1600, following twenty six years of civil war at the end of the 16th century. In 1601 he directed Japan's daimyos (feudal lords) to construct Nijo Castle as his Kyoto residence in a location very close to the Imperial Palace.
The castle grounds, completed in 1603 (amazingly after only two years!), are spectacular, covering 68 acres (27.5 hectares) which include 86,000 sq ft (8,000 sq m) of buildings including two palaces, ponds, rock gardens, and inner- and outer moats. It is now a World Heritage Site.
Upon completion, Tokugawa moved in and hosted a ceremony wherein Japan's Emperor announced to the gathered feudal lords his appointment of Tokugawa as Shogun. Tokugawa's main residence and his new seat of government was in Edo (now called Toyko), so this huge Nijo Castle was akin to his 'country home' used primarily whenever he visited the emperor in the Imperial Capital.
In 1614 the shogun led his samurai army from Nijo Castle on his victorious Siege of Osaka Castle which ended the line of the Toyotomi family, his last political opposition, and established himself as the absolute polical ruler of Japan. His shogunate lasted two hundred sixty four years. In 1857 the 15th Shogun of his line, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, ended shogunate rule and returned political control to the Emperor as Japan opened to the world.
Groundskeeping
Throughout a lifetime
Our garden prose
Has carried heart weight
And it has been amongst the boughs
And arbors and mindful footfall
That new seasons are nourished
And my fingers are rooted in yours
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Happy Valentine's Day to my love. xoxoxo
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©Christine A. Owens 2.14.18
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I really appreciate your comments and faves. I'm not a hoarder of contacts, but enjoy real-life, honest people. You are much more likely to get my comments and faves in return if you fit the latter description. Just sayin. :oD
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If you like b/w photography and/or poetry check out my page at:
expressionsbychristine.blogspot.com/</a