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The red squirrel or Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is a species of tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus common throughout Eurasia. The red squirrel is an arboreal, omnivorous rodent.
In Great Britain, Italy and Ireland, 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 and habitat loss. Due to this, without conservation the species could be extirpated from Britain by 2030.
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 :-)
Juvenile Blackbirds have warm, speckled plumage that looks very different to both female and male adults. They replace all their body feathers in post-juvenile moult, but you can pick out young male Blackbirds throughout the following year, as they retain their brown wing feathers.
2 year old, 400 pound male grizzly, Max is the name!
There are about 55,000 wild grizzly bears located throughout North America, 30,000 of which are found in Alaska. Only around 1,500 grizzlies remain in the lower 48 United States. Of these, around 1,000 are found in the Northern Continental Divide in northwestern Montana. About 600 more live in Wyoming, in the Yellowstone-Teton area. There are an estimated 70–100 grizzly bears living in northern and eastern Idaho. Its original range included much of the Great Plains and the southwestern states, but it has been extirpated in most of those areas. Combining Canada and the United States, grizzly bears inhabit approximately half the area of their historical range.
Although the once-abundant California grizzly bear appears prominently on the state flag of California and was the symbol of the Bear Flag Republic before California's admission to the Union in 1850, the subspecies or population is currently extinct. The last known grizzlies in California were killed in the Sierra foothills east of Fresno in the early 1920s.
The killing of the last grizzly bear in Arizona in 1936 at Escudilla Mountain is included in Aldo Leopold's Sand County Almanac.
In September 2007, a hunter produced evidence of one bear in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness ecosystem, by killing a male grizzly bear there. In the North Cascades ecosystem of northern Washington, grizzly bear populations are estimated to be fewer than 20 bears. One sighting of a grizzly bear in 2010 has been recorded. There has been no confirmed sighting of a grizzly in Colorado since 1979.
Other provinces and the United States may use a combination of methods for population estimates. Therefore, it is difficult to say precisely what methods were used to produce total population estimates for Canada and North America, as they were likely developed from a variety of studies. The grizzly bear currently has legal protection in Mexico, European countries, some areas of Canada, and in all of the United States. However, it is expected that repopulating its former range will be a slow process, due to various reasons, including the bear's slow reproductive habits and the effects of reintroducing such a large animal to areas prized for agriculture and livestock. Competition with other predators and predation on cubs are other possible limiting factors for grizzly bear recovery, though grizzly bears also benefit from scavenged carcasses from predators as an easy food source when other food sources decline
Hibernation
Grizzly bears hibernate for 5 to 7 months each year (except where the climate is warm, as the California grizzly did not hibernate). During this time, female grizzly bears give birth to their offspring, who then consume milk from their mother and gain strength for the remainder of the hibernation period. To prepare for hibernation, grizzlies must prepare a den, and consume an immense amount of food as they do not eat during hibernation. Grizzly bears do not defecate or urinate throughout the entire hibernation period. The male grizzly bear's hibernation ends in early to mid-March, while females emerge in April or early May.
In preparation for winter, bears can gain approximately 180 kg (400 lb), during a period of hyperphagia, before going into hibernation. The bear often waits for a substantial snowstorm before it enters its den: such behavior lessens the chances predators will find the den. The dens are typically at elevations above 1,800 m (5,900 ft) on north-facing slopes. There is some debate amongst professionals as to whether grizzly bears technically hibernate: much of this debate revolves around body temperature and the ability of the bears to move around during hibernation on occasion. Grizzly bears can "partially" recycle their body wastes during this period. Although inland or Rocky Mountain grizzlies spend nearly half of their life in dens, coastal grizzlies with better access to food sources spend less time in dens. In some areas where food is very plentiful year round, grizzly bears skip hibernation altogether
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.
I will be around throughout the day when I can...Happy Holidays Thank you
Details if you ...View On Black
========== 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
====================================================
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.
Throughout history and in many cultures, the body has not only been a support of ornamentation, it has also been transformed with the realization of tattoos, perforations and deformations. Certain parts of the body, such as lips, earlobes and skulls, are modified by processes that can last a lifetime in some men. Earrings, which distinguish individuals of power in the Andes, are among the most significant ornaments.
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.
I am told these flowers are called "privy roses" because they were often planted near outhouses to combat odor. They are common throughout the Bear Lake Valley and have taken over at this great old house.
Thanks, Jim, for getting permission to explore this property.
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.
As a result of archaeological research we know that in the time of the Roman emperor Augustus, in the first century AD., Carmona went through a prolonged period of peace and economic prosperity. This led to the construction of large and important public buildings, among them the Gate of Cordoba, which was not only a defensive gate but also had a certain propaganda value, symbolizing the advance of the Roman empire.
In the Gate of Cordoba we can appreciate the traces left by the different cultures that have established themselves in our town throughout its long history.
During the time of the Catholic Monarchs, the Gate lost its original purely defensive function and, with it, its austere military appearance, as it took on the role of the supervision of products coming into Carmona from outside the town walls, in practice effectively acting as a customs post and, as a result, acquiring elements of civil architecture.
In the 16th century it underwent Renaissance alterations and, at the beginning of the 17th century, beautiful ornamental motifs, such as coats of arms and marble statues, now unfortunately lost, were added, all of which dignified the Gate.
Its Baroque appearance dates to the time of Charles II, with the reforms which took place in 1688.
At the end of the 18th century, the last reforms were carried out by the famous Neoclassical architect from Carmona, José Echamorro, and part of the monument was rebuilt and the complex consolidated
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.
A colorful bird that is common throughout the country and is the state bird for many South Indian States. These are found all the way to the Middle East and are easily identified by their unique colors. The are about 30-35 cms tall and often sighted perched on power lines, fence posts and sometimes on grass bales in the countryside.
The birds hunt insects like beetles, grasshoppers and dragonflies. Sometimes they are seen on the ground in the grass picking up insects. They are not social birds and sightings are of solitary birds or at best two of them. During our last weekend trip to a grassland, sighted one of them foraging in the grassland. It flew to various trees sometimes coming to the ground and catching insects.
Thank you very much in advance for your views, faves and feedback.
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!
Grace Lakes Trail, Stevens Pass, Washington
In this world of snowy solitude, the most striking aspect of my time out on the trail was the absence of sound. After departing the trailhead shared with a busy ski area, I encountered only a few other snowshoers and backcountry skiers throughout the day. With the deep, soft snow covering the landscape, it was as through a blanket of silence had been laid over it all, with only a few muffled noises made by my snowshoes.
Along the way I took many opportunities to stop and simply absorb the sound of nothing...and everything. In those moments of utter silence, surrounded only by snow, trees, and mountains, it was as though everything else in the world had ceased to exist.
Throughout the day, the Monviso chain was covered by clouds, while for a moment the Visolotto was discovered, giving me the opportunity to photograph it
Per tutta la giornata, la catena del Monviso è stata coperta dalle nuvole, mentre per un attimo il Visolotto si è scoperto, dandomi modo di fotografarlo.
The 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. However, the population in Scotland is stabilising due to conservation efforts, awareness and the increasing population of the pine marten, a European predator that selectively controls grey squirrels.
The red squirrel has a typical head-and-body length of 19 to 23 cm (7+1⁄2 to 9 in), a tail length of 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 in), and a mass of 250 to 340 g (9 to 12 oz). Males and females are the same size. The red squirrel is somewhat smaller than the eastern grey squirrel which has a head-and-body length of 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in) and weighs between 400 and 800 g (14 oz and 1 lb 12 oz).
The long tail helps the squirrel to balance and steer when jumping from tree to tree and running along branches and may keep the animal warm during sleep.
The red squirrel, like most tree squirrels, has sharp curved claws to help it to climb and descend broad tree trunks, thin branches, and even house walls. Its strong hind legs let it leap gaps between trees. The red squirrel also can swim.
The coat of the red squirrel varies in colour with time of year and location. There are several coat colour morphs ranging from black to red. Red coats are most common in Great Britain; in other parts of Europe and Asia different coat colours coexist within populations, much like hair colour in some human populations.
The underside of the squirrel is always white-cream in colour. The red squirrel sheds its coat twice a year, switching from a thinner summer coat to a thicker, darker winter coat with noticeably larger ear-tufts (a prominent distinguishing feature of this species) between August and November. A lighter, redder overall coat colour, along with the ear-tufts (in adults) and smaller size, distinguish the Eurasian red squirrel from the American eastern grey squirrel.
The red colour is for camouflage when seen against the bark of pine trees.
Red squirrels occupy boreal, coniferous woods in northern Europe and Siberia, preferring Scots pine, Norway spruce and Siberian pine. In western and southern Europe they are found in broad-leaved woods where the mixture of tree and shrub species provides a better year-round source of food. In most of the British Isles and in Italy, broad-leaved woodlands are now less suitable due to the better competitive feeding strategy of introduced grey squirrels.
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.
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 !
210912 529
Balearen-Eidechse
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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.
Throughout my six mile hike at Conboy Lake NWR, there were often 10 or more of these small dragonflies on the path in front of me. This one came up on a perch with a distant background and enticed me to do a photoshoot of it. This was take at 1/50s handheld at 800 ISO f/16 and at 700mm on a Canon 100-500 with a 1.4 x TC on an R5.
The Moon [at 100% illumination] will be visible throughout the night sky rising at sunset in the east and setting with the sunrise the next morning in the west. During a Full Moon the moon is 100% illuminated as seen from Earth and is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. The point at which a Full Moon occurs can be measured down to a fraction of a second. The time it takes between full moons is known as a Synodic month and is 29.530587981 days long. Moongiant
Guia, Algarve, Portugal
A common species of cuckoo found throughout the year in the country. This one is not very colorful, but has an incredibly loud call that is easy to recognize.
We found it in the countryside perched quietly like this. It moved to many perches, but didn't show much action till the day was quite bright.
Thanks in advance for your views, feedback and faves.
click for details. c:
click here for maggie's (left) post!
look #2 for my wizarding faire series!
wizarding faire is open and running!
While barns used to dominate farm sites throughout the countryside, they had a whole supporting cast of other buildings. Sometimes they were small while other times there were quite large buildings that sheltered hogs, sheep or cattle. Hard to tell what this intriguing building was but I suspect at least at one time it held chickens. On our farm, you could put chickens almost anywhere and they would be happy.
The Brandenburg Gate is an 18th-century neoclassical monument in Berlin, built on the orders of Prussian king Frederick William II after the temporary restoration of order during the Batavian Revolution.One of the best-known landmarks of Germany, it was built on the site of a former city gate that marked the start of the road from Berlin to the town of Brandenburg an der Havel, which used to be the capital of the Margraviate of Brandenburg.
Throughout its existence, the Brandenburg Gate was often a site for major historical events and is today considered not only as a symbol of the tumultuous histories of Germany and Europe, but also of European unity and peace.
The 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. However, the population in Scotland is stabilising due to conservation efforts, awareness and the increasing population of the pine marten, a European predator that selectively controls grey squirrels.
The red squirrel has a typical head-and-body length of 19 to 23 cm (7+1⁄2 to 9 in), a tail length of 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 in), and a mass of 250 to 340 g (9 to 12 oz). Males and females are the same size. The red squirrel is somewhat smaller than the eastern grey squirrel which has a head-and-body length of 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in) and weighs between 400 and 800 g (14 oz and 1 lb 12 oz).
The long tail helps the squirrel to balance and steer when jumping from tree to tree and running along branches and may keep the animal warm during sleep.
The red squirrel, like most tree squirrels, has sharp curved claws to help it to climb and descend broad tree trunks, thin branches, and even house walls. Its strong hind legs let it leap gaps between trees. The red squirrel also can swim.
The coat of the red squirrel varies in colour with time of year and location. There are several coat colour morphs ranging from black to red. Red coats are most common in Great Britain; in other parts of Europe and Asia different coat colours coexist within populations, much like hair colour in some human populations.
The underside of the squirrel is always white-cream in colour. The red squirrel sheds its coat twice a year, switching from a thinner summer coat to a thicker, darker winter coat with noticeably larger ear-tufts (a prominent distinguishing feature of this species) between August and November. A lighter, redder overall coat colour, along with the ear-tufts (in adults) and smaller size, distinguish the Eurasian red squirrel from the American eastern grey squirrel.
The red colour is for camouflage when seen against the bark of pine trees.
Red squirrels occupy boreal, coniferous woods in northern Europe and Siberia, preferring Scots pine, Norway spruce and Siberian pine. In western and southern Europe they are found in broad-leaved woods where the mixture of tree and shrub species provides a better year-round source of food. In most of the British Isles and in Italy, broad-leaved woodlands are now less suitable due to the better competitive feeding strategy of introduced grey squirrels.
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.
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
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
Wharf to Wharf walk: A 27 kilometer coastal walk from Tathra to Merimbula, NSW. The vegetation throughout the walk varies, with these wooded sections reoccurring throughout the length of the path.
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
The Glittering-bellied Emerald is entirely shiny green throughout, although the throat and mid-belly are blue. As is typical the bill is orange-red with a dark tip. Males have an iridescent blue tail that is noticeably forked. Females are entirely different, showing green upperparts and off white to pale grayish underparts. Most distinctive is that the face is dark (sooty grey) and is outlined above by a white supercilium which curls down towards the neck sides, in the field it gives the impression of looking masked. As in the male, the bill is orange at the base and dark at the tip, although the orange is duller and more restricted. The tail of the female is broadly tipped white on the outer two rectrices, unlike that of the males; this is a typical pattern in many hummingbirds that the tail shape and pattern is often radically different between males and females. Females have a notched, rather than forked tail, but as in the males it shows a blue iridescence.
Thanks a lot for your visits, comments, faves, invites, etc. Very much appreciated!
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Once common throughout Santiago and present in most gardens, the endemic and conspicuous Jewel Lizard has been disappearing as a result of multiple, human-related factors.
Resident birds of the subcontinent and found throughout the year, but not so common here. This was shot last winter near a dry lake on the outskirts of the city. That lake hosted 1000's of birds including a few species of ducks, godwits, swallows, stints, sandpipers and a variety of other waders. The place had amazing activity and was an excellent place for bird photography.
During one of those days, around 7-8 Spoonbills landed there and were foraging in the shallow lake scooping up the various aquatic creatures like worms, crustaceans, insects etc.. These spoonbills - I suspect - are locally migratory since their sightings are not that regular or predictable. And it is one of those large birds that many of us enjoying sighting and watching.
Thank you so much in advance for your views, feedback and faves.
Huge gray heron, no other similar species in range. Note large yellow-orange bill, short black plumes on head, and black and chestnut pattern on shoulder. Immatures are more brownish than adults, and have a dark crown. Fairly common and widespread throughout North America; wintering range extends to northern South America. Occurs in almost any wetland habitat, from small ponds to marshes to saltwater bays. Usually seen singly but can gather in numbers where food is plentiful. White form, sometimes considered a separate species (“Great White Heron”), is found in southern Florida and the Caribbean. It is most similar to Great Egret but has a larger bill. (eBird)
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It's tiring, standing around in cold water and waiting for a fish to swim by, so this heron decided to take a nap. He was standing on a branch, head tucked in, for a while before we noticed him. The flurry of cameras and clicks from nearby photographers roused him briefly for a quick look before he resumed his nap. He knew we couldn't get to him across the fast-moving water.
Britannia Conservation Area, Ottawa, Ontario. August 2023.
A common resident kingfisher found throughout the country and apparently the most commonly found kingfisher in the world. Shot this picture on the banks of a nearly dry lake and there wasn't much bird activity. There were two of these, male and female which were actively hunting in the water - they made maybe around 5-6 dives each, and one of them had a bit of luck catching a fish.
The birds were at the beginning of nesting season and the birds had clearly coupled - they were together much of the time. The female was clearly dominating and setting the tone, while the male was hunting. I don't think the nest is ready yet - the birds tend to set up a nest on the mud walls of the banks. And that area had plenty of them.
Thank you very much in advance for your views, feedback and faves.
Striking and familiar backyard bird throughout most of eastern North America; also occurs in the southwestern U.S. and fairly extensively in Mexico. Crest, large red bill, and long tail render this species distinctive even with a poor view. Male is entirely red with a black face. Female is brownish overall with redder wings and tail. Usually seen in pairs or small groups near dense cover, especially thickets near forest edges. Frequently visits bird feeders. Listen for high-pitched metallic chips and series of loud, sweet whistles.
Our garden, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. January 2010.
Throughout our travels in Iceland we saw many small churches. The majority of them were red and white and they were often in family farmsteads or in isolated rural settings. This was one of them.
First week of Norfolk Southern operating their share of the former Conrail system, and things are in total chaos. A Harrisburg to Buffalo NY train is tied down and crewless (like many other trains throughout the system) at Shintown, PA (west of Renovo) on the Buffalo main. The SDP45 (now an SD40-2) is a former Conrail & EL veteran. June 1999.
First, let me say how much I've enjoyed your company throughout 2024, to date; and wish those enjoying this nearing festive season a very good one, and to all a happy 2025!
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Turning to the shot, it's the 6th one posted of the Sarawak, Borneo, Cave Series.
The focus of this shot is on Stalactites in difference to the previous shot on the "Jellyfish-like Stalagmite".
Indeed, the shot, also taken in the Deer Cave, literally captures a "Gallery of Stalactites" that we nearly walked into. This was despite the lighting well-placed along the boardwalks and in the cave terrain, making the Gallery of Stalactites" very picturesque, as one can see.
To recall, stalactites, as well as stalagmites, are both icicle-shaped mineral deposits that form in caves Stalactites grow downwards from the ceilings while Stalagmites grow upwards from the floor. When they grow large enough to touch and grow together, they form a column that reaches from the floor to the ceiling.
Samsung S23 Ultra 5G Camera
Mourning Dove.
A 12 inch long bird with a soft, sandy buff color. They have a long pointed tail bordered with white and withblack spots on the wings.
It inhabits open fields, parks, and lawns with many trees and shrubs.
They range throughout the United States and Canada and winters in the northern United States.
Kensington Metropark, Livingston County, Michigan.