View allAll Photos Tagged act,

This very MOOtiful double act were busy posing just outside my brother's property near Orange in New South Wales.

 

Cattle—colloquially cows—are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos taurus.

 

Cattle are commonly raised as livestock for meat (beef or veal, see beef cattle), for milk (see dairy cattle), and for hides, which are used to make leather. They are used as riding animals and draft animals (oxen or bullocks, which pull carts, plows and other implements). Another product of cattle is dung, which can be used to create manure or fuel. In some regions, such as parts of India, cattle have significant religious meaning. Cattle, mostly small breeds such as the Miniature Zebu, are also kept as pets.

 

Around 10,500 years ago, cattle were domesticated from as few as 80 progenitors in central Anatolia, the Levant and Western Iran. According to an estimate from 2011, there are 1.4 billion cattle in the world. In 2009, cattle became one of the first livestock animals to have a fully mapped genome.

 

For further information please visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattle

 

Balancing stones - HSoS

Blackbird, play hide and seek?

HSoS to all participants!

A very cropped image of a Widow skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) dragonfly balancing on a dry stem of a lotus flower.

 

Thanks for your visit and comments, much appreciated!🙋‍♀️

A snowy egret balancing on a pillar during a windy evening at the inlet ✔️✔️

This is from Olympiapark in Munich, Germany

 

View Large On Black

 

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Kingfishers - Norfolk

 

Many thanks to all those who fave or comment always very much appreciated

The Indian pangolin, thick-tailed pangolin, or scaly anteater (Manis crassicaudata) is a pangolin found on the Indian subcontinent. It is not common anywhere in its range. Like other pangolins, it has large, overlapping scales on its body which act as armour. It can also curl itself into a ball as self-defence against predators such as the tiger. The colour of its scales varies depending on the colour of the earth in its surroundings.

 

It is an insectivore, feeding on ants and termites, digging them out of mounds and logs using its long claws, which are as long as its fore limbs. It is nocturnal and rests in deep burrows during the day.

 

The Indian pangolin is threatened by hunting for its meat and for various body parts used in traditional medicine.

 

The Indian pangolin is a solitary, shy, slow-moving, nocturnal mammal. It is about 84–122 centimetres (33–48 in) long from head to tail, the tail usually being 33–47 cm long, and weighs 10–16 kg. Females are generally smaller than the males and have one pair of mammae. The pangolin possesses a cone-shaped head with small, dark eyes, and a long muzzle with a nose pad similar in color, or darker than, its pinkish-brown skin. It has powerful limbs, tipped with sharp, clawed digits. It is an almost exclusive insectivore and principally subsists on ants and termites, which it catches with a specially adapted long, sticky tongue.The pangolin has no teeth, but has strong stomach muscles to aid in digestion. The most noticeable characteristic of the pangolin is its massive, scaled armour, which covers its upper face and its whole body with the exception of the belly and the inside of the legs. These protective scales are rigid and made of keratin. It has 160–200 scales in total, about 40–46% of which are located on the tail. Scales can be 6.5–7 cm long, 8.5 cm wide, and weigh 7–10 grams. The skin and scales make up about one-fourth to one-third of the total body mass of this species.

 

The Indian pangolin has been recorded from various forest types, including Sri Lankan rainforest and plains to middle hill levels. The animal can be found in grasslands and secondary forests, and is well adapted to desert regions as it is believed to have a tolerance to dry areas, but prefers more barren, hilly regions. This pangolin species may also sometimes reach high elevations, and has been sighted in Sri Lanka at 1100 meters and in the Nilgiri mountains in India at 2300 meters. It prefers soft and semi-sandy soil conditions suitable for digging burrows.

 

Pangolin burrows fall into one of two categories: feeding and living burrows. Feeding burrows are smaller than living burrows (though their sizes vary depending on the abundance of prey) and are created more frequently during the spring, when there is a greater availability of prey. Living burrows are wider, deeper, and more circular, and are occupied for a longer time than feeding burrows, as they are mainly used to sleep and rest during the day. After a few months, the pangolin abandons the burrow and digs a new one close to a food source. However, it is not uncommon for the pangolin to shift back to an old burrow.

 

Unlike its African counterpart, the Indian pangolin does not climb trees, but it does value the presence of trees, herbs, and shrubs in its habitat because it is easier to dig burrows around them. Features that promote an abundance of ants and termites (grasses, bare grounds, bases of trees, shrubs, roots, leaf litter, fallen logs and elephant feces) are often present in pangolin habitats.

 

Few details are known about the breeding behaviour of the Indian pangolin. During the animal's mating period, females and males may share the same burrow and show some diurnal activities. Males have testes in a fold of the skin located in their groin areas. The female's embryo develops in one of the uterine horns. The gestation period lasts 65–70 days; the placenta is diffuse and not deciduate. Usually, a single young is born, but twins have been reported in this species. The young weigh 235–400 g at birth and measure roughly 30 cm. The newborn animals have open eyes, and soft scales with protruding hairs between them. The mother pangolin carries her young on her tail. When the mother and young are disturbed, the young pangolin is held against its mother's belly and protected by the mother's tail.

 

For roughly 2 seconds Danni was perched atop her dog Boo.

Dad was just off to the left and kept her from toppling over.

Northern Map Turtle interesting fact: this turtle gets its name from the markings on its shell, which resemble contour lines on a map. I took this on Little Clear Lake on a backcountry camping trip this week. It's a very tiny young turtle, and it looked so happy to be soaking up the sun. The northern map turtle is currently listed as Special Concern under the Ontario Endangered Species Act. :(

Does it count as back to back leaders if they were 45 minutes apart?

 

Coal loads for the South Shore rumble through Willow Creek junction on their way to Miller siding for interchange. The leader for this train was conveniently also a MAC rebuild, that somehow, my friends and I had no idea about until it was past Bremen.

Copyright: Robert Kok. All rights reserved!

 

Please do not use my photos on websites, blogs or in any other media without my explicit permission.

 

Thanks for visiting, commenting and faving my photos. Its very much appreciated!

Inside the Australian War Memorial courtyard looking across the Pool of Reflection to the Hall of Remembrance

 

Canberra, ACT, Australia

National Botanical Gardens, Canberra.

Gradually, with ever decreasing visibility, or by a sudden black-out? Or, by an intentional and stage-managed theatrical act (think of David Bowie's last video showing him disappearing into a cabinet)? How will we be going and disappearing from Flickr? What will happen to the visual wake we are leaving behind? Fuji X-Pro1 plus Fujinon XF 1.4/35.

The Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Wilfrid, commonly known as Ripon Cathedral, and until 1836 known as Ripon Minster, is a cathedral in Ripon, North Yorkshire, England. Founded as a monastery by monks of the Irish tradition in the 660s, it was refounded as a Benedictine monastery by St Wilfrid in 672. The church became collegiate in the tenth century, and acted as a mother church within the large Diocese of York for the remainder of the Middle Ages. The present church is the fourth, and was built between the 13th and 16th centuries. In 1836 the church became the cathedral for the Diocese of Ripon. In 2014 the Diocese was incorporated into the new Diocese of Leeds, and the church became one of three co-equal cathedrals of the Bishop of Leeds.

 

The cathedral is notable architecturally for its gothic west front in the Early English style, considered one of the best of its type, as well as the Geometric east window. The seventh-century crypt of Wilfrid's church is a significant example of early Christian architecture in England. The cathedral has Grade I listed building status.

 

Wikipedia

I thought I'd uploaded all of the Gannet shots from Bempton cliffs but then I found this one. To be honest, I was in two minds whether to post it or not. The Gannet courtship ritual can be quite affectionate but the act of mating can be brutal, as here.

© Leanne Boulton, All Rights Reserved

 

An impromptu street portrait taken in Glasgow, Scotland. A pair of entertaining Glaswegian characters, Alan and Eric where engaged in a very animated complaint about having to smoke outside next to the diesel bus fumes. Like a classic 'straight and funny' double act a memorable encounter and conversation ensued. Go large by pressing 'L'.

This Great Blue Heron landed in the top of a cedar tree but the branches were too flimsy to support its weight. So he struggled to maintain his balance. It was rather entertaining to watch for about 30 seconds until it flew off to find a more stable perch.

We observed this fun behavior at The Nature Conservancy's Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve in central Kansas.

Sliders Sunday

 

Remember Sister Act, this is Sinister Act.👻Happy Halloween!👻

Balancing act ... !!*

 

*created with Photoshop

 

** I'm on Holidays myself 😎

at Spoon Rock Bay, NSW, Australia

 

Olympus EM5II / Olympus 12-40mm f2.8

 

Sincere thanks for your views, faves and comments.

Eglwys Petroc Sant/ St Petroc's Church - Bosvena/ Bodmin

 

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Wrth deimlo dros bobl Israel o dan daflegrau Irán, cofiwch beth mae Israel yn ei wneud,.

 

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As you feel for the people of Israel under Iran's missiles, remember what Israel is doing.

 

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"Palestinian women in the Gaza Strip have been “denied the conditions needed to live and to give life safely” by Israel amid its genocidal war on the enclave, according to Amnesty International, a global rights group.

 

Amnesty warned on Tuesday that women and girls in Gaza have been pushed “to the brink” as the Israeli war has spurred a series of hardships, from mass displacement to the destruction of the local healthcare system.

 

Pregnant women, as well as those who need treatment for cancer and other illnesses, have been particularly hard-hit by the lack of adequate health services in the territory, Amnesty said in a statement.

 

“This systematic erosion of their rights to health, safety, dignity and a future is not an unfortunate by-product of war; it is a deliberate act of war targeting women and girls,” the group said.

 

“It is also the foreseeable consequence of Israel’s calculated policies and practices of multiple mass displacement, deliberate restrictions on basic and essential items, as well as humanitarian relief, and two years of relentless bombardment that have devastated Gaza’s health system and decimated entire families.”

 

More than 72,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023.

 

Israeli attacks have continued despite a US-brokered “ceasefire” that came into effect in October of last year, killing more than 600 people, according to the latest figures from the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza."

 

www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/10/women-in-gaza-denied-con...

 

10 Mawrth/ March 2026

  

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"Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. ..The Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags are thought to bring benefit to all.(.)

The prayers of a flag become a permanent part of the universe as the images fade from exposure to the elements. Just as life moves on and is replaced by new life, Tibetans renew their hopes for the world by continually mounting new flags alongside the old. This act symbolizes a welcoming of life's changes and an acknowledgment that all beings are part of a greater ongoing cycle."

(Wikipedia)

... for the Carnation. It's Act I for the button because it's the first time I've photographed it. :)

 

The button is French and dates from the 1900s. It's hand painted and has areas of both champlevé and guilloché enamel.

  

Amur Tiger Tschuna taken at Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Smile on Saturday theme: Red & Round!

 

Thanks to everyone who took the time to view, comment, and fave my photo. It’s really appreciated. 😊

Heavy head winds and a captured vole produced this balancing act shot.

Auswahlfoto:

 

Für“Smile on Saturday“ am 10.04.2021.

 

Thema:“ Balancing Act“.

 

Thanks for views,faves and comments:-)

Who knew that it is so difficult to balance Dolly Mixtures! After multiple collapses I had to enlist the help of my patient engineer husband to build my Dolly Mixture pyramid! Between the builder and the photographer we managed the balancing act!!!!!

© 2011 2026

Photo by Lloyd Thrap Photography for Halo Media Group

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For "Smile on Saturday" - theme : "Balancing Act".

The wharf in Coupeville Washington was built in 1905 to export grain produced on Whidbey Island. The town sits on Penn Cove, a sheltered bay that provided a safe, sheltered harbor during the early settlement of the area. In 1792 Capt. George Vancouver named the harbor in honor of, as he wrote, “a particular friend.” It is thought that the person honored was either John or Richard Penn, both of whom were grandsons of William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania.

 

Before European settlement, 3 permanent villages inhabited by the Lower Skagit People were located around Penn Cove. The largest village called at bəc̓adᶻali, or “snake place" occupied the site of present day town of Coupeville.

 

Cmdr. Charles Wilkes of the US Navy charted the small bay in 1841. Wilkes was the American born great nephew of the former Lord Mayor of London John Wilkes. He led US Expeditions to the South Pacific (including Antarctica) and Puget Sound. He was an important and controversial naval leader during the Civil War and ended his career with the rank of Rear Admiral (retired).

 

In 1850 Issac Neff Ebey became one of the first non-native American settlers and farmers in the area. Others soon followed and made land claims as provided by the Donation Land Act of 1850. Also, in 1850 Captain Thomas Coupe laid out a town on the shores of Penn Cove which today bears his name, Coupeville. It became the center of commerce for the Island, an important port, and during the late 1800s, home to many active and retired sea captains and mariners.

 

The wharf is a contributing property to the Central Whidbey Island Historic District which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. To better protect the unique history and landscape, Coupeville and its wharf was included in Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve in 1978. This one-of-a-kind unit of the National Park System preserves and protects the historical record of the exploration and settlement of central Whidbey Island from 19th century to the present.

 

References:

www.nps.gov/ebla/learn/historyculture/index.htm

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebey%27s_Landing_National_Historica...

www.ebeysreserve.com/learn-about-the-reserve

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_N._Ebey

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coupeville,_Washington

npshistory.com/publications/ebla/nr-cent-whidbey-is-hd.pdf

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coupeville_grain_wharf

revisitwa.org/waypoint/penns-cove/

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Wilkes

   

Down Under Challenge.

 

Thanks to Gill Steenvoorde for the use of his photo of the bicyclists.

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