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Landscape of Tibet
Tibet is the highest country on earth with an average elevation of over 4000m. The lowest regions of Tibet are still over 2000m above sea level with Jomo Langma (Everest,Sagarmatha) ཇོ་མོ་གླང་མ being the highest point at 8848m. Tibet is covered in grasslands, mountains and valleys.
Many of Asia’s largest rivers have their headwaters in Tibet such as the Ma chu རྨ་ཆུ་ ( Yellow River), Dri chu འབྲི་ཆུ་ (Yangtze), Nag chu ནག་ཆུ་ - རྒྱ་མོ་རྔུལ་ཆུ (Salween), Yarlung Tsangpo ཡར་ཀླུངས་གཙང་པོ་ (Brahmaputra) and Dza chu རྫ་ཆུ་ (Mekong). Western Tibet (Ngari) is a high, arid region with few people, while southeast Tibet (Kham) is forested and suitable for farming. Northern Tibet (Amdo) is covered in vast grasslands filled with yaks and sheep and central Tibet (U-Tsang) is the most densely populated area of Tibet lying along the fertile Yarlung Valley.
13-March-2023
Weather Can Change Rapidly in the Northern Adriatic and Especially at Cape Kamenjak Where the Winds Easily Swell the Sea whose Waters Are Deep up to the Shore
After Bora wind and cold and a couple of sunny days, an Atlantic front is preceded by southern currents that channel into the Adriatic Sea.
Thus the other recurring wind of these areas is generated, which is the Jugo (Scirocco in Italian) coming from the S/E or S/SE.
It is a wind originating from opposite currents to those that activate the bora, it is a matter of humid and mild Mediterranean or North African air masses.
What the two winds have in common is that the Jugo also has an orographic component, felt in a particular way along the Croatian coast on the mainland which from Dalmatia goes up towards the Kvarner, with characteristics that at times recall the bora as the currents are channeled between the dinaric gates the sea channels and the islands, thus generating not only an isobaric winds, whose direction of origin is generally varied (following the disposition of the isobars which are constantly changing), but also orographic, therefore falling from the Dinaric Alps with a fixed direction with irregular and drying gusts, which are, sometimes, strong and rabid, being able to reach 90/100kmph, exceptionally 120kmph, in some areas, especially along the Velebitski Kanal/Velebit Channel and, less accentuated, in Kvarnerić, between Otok Cres and Otok Krk.
It is therefore a recurring wind and for this reason it has a name, while the winds caused only by LP isobars, however continuous and intense, often change direction and are therefore defined only according to the quadrant of the wind rose from which they temporarily come.
In this case/shot the southern currents were not very intense and the wind was only moderate, generating normal waves for this area, i.e. about 2/2.5 meters in height, but in case of stormy situations (with very narrow isobars, as in the storm of Jugo/Scirocco of 29 October 2018) the waves on this cape can reach 6/7 meters in height, taking along the entire Adriatic from South to North for hundreds of kilometers and resulting in the place where the waves are most highest of all the small Adriatic.
Furthermore, Cape Kamenjak is quite distant from the islands and the Dalmatian coast, therefore the coastal orographic effects are felt much less and more the isobaric ones with the direction of origin more often oriented from S/SE instead of S/E, although this is also a form of channeling, i.e. the currents are channeled into the Adriatic, as if it were a wide channel and the Adriatic has an axis from S/SE towards N/NW, the resulting wind is therefore continuous and humid, sometimes with high average speeds, but without significant gusts, favoring regular swell.
The recurring wind from S/E or S/SE which mainly affects the central-northern Adriatic is a partially isobaric and partially orographic wind, this means that almost all the Atlantic perturbations that approach these areas activate (almost always) the jugo and much more rarely winds from the full South or South-West, which are only isobaric and therefore of short duration and non-recurring, generally present when the front passes and the isobars bend towards the west.
Figures from Pixabay ,background room is in Bodie Ghost Town which is my image.All texture and tints done in Nik Efex and Perfect Effects.Thank you.
Artfully and precisely stacked Cabernet barrels at Chateau Camou winery in Valle de Guadalupe wine country, Baja California, Mexico
Oreo in 2014 - Not your average cat. Uniquely marked, Oreo Robin William has a complex IQ. He learned the names of the other cats on his own, addresses them by name or attribute. Calls Lil Bear the same squeaky annoying sound LB makes to gain attention. Orie asks ?'s by repeating nouns, even when I'm talking to another cat. Showed up last winter, pleading for food, yet took a snow storm to finally trust me and come inside. He didn't understand why would anyone abandon him. Neither do I. He's a keeper.
Originally seen in My National Geographic Your Shot Gallery and submitted to the Assignment, "Animals We Love."
Thank you very much for the visits, faves and comments. Cheers
Black-fronted Dotterel
Scientific Name: Elseyornis melanops
Description: The Black-fronted Dotterel is a small wader with a distinctive black face-mask and breast-band and prominent chestnut scapulars (shoulder feathers). In juveniles, the breast-band is initially absent but a brown band slowly appears as the bird develops. Legs are pink orange, and the bill is red with a black tip. The dark eye is ringed with red. In flight the wings look broad and the tail short, while the black and white contrast is striking. Flight is slow with almost hesitant wing beats. This species is also called the Black-fronted Plover.
Similar species: The adult and immature Black-fronted Dotterel are unmistakable, though the juvenile could be confused with the juvenile and immature Red-capped Plover.
Distribution: The Black-fronted Dotterel is widespread throughout Australasia.
Habitat: The Black-fronted Dotterel is found in the shallow margins of wetlands, lakes, rivers, sewage farms, storm drains and marshes. It is normally always near freshwater and is not often seen on the coast.
Seasonal movements: Breeding resident.
Feeding: The Black-fronted Dotterel eats small molluscs as well as aquatic and terrestrial insects. When it forages, it keeps its body horizontal while bobbing its head to look for food, often running then stopping suddenly to peck at food items.
Breeding: The Black-fronted Dotterel lays its eggs in a shallow scrape, often on pebbly ground and quite close to water. It may have more then one brood per year. Both parents incubate the eggs and look after the young.
Calls: Sharp 'tip' call, singular or repeated three or four times.
Minimum Size: 16cm
Maximum Size: 18cm
Average size: 17cm
Average weight: 32g
Breeding season: September to February
Clutch Size: 2 to 3 eggs
Incubation: 27 days
Nestling Period: 25 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
© Chris Burns 2025
__________________________________________
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
I took this shot near Sarchu at an altitude of around 14000 feet above sea level on the Manali- Leh highway .We travelled this road in June 2016 and I have never seen such breathtaking mountain scenery in my life.This is also the only time in my life that I was really badly affected by altitude sickness.
The approx.490 kms long Manali-Leh highway connects Manali in the state of Himachal Pradesh to Leh in the state of Jammu & Kashmir in India.This highway is open for only about 4-5 months of the year from May-June till around mid-October.The average elevation of the highway is over 13000 feet and the highest elevation is at Tanglang la Pass (17480 feet).The highway passes through some spectacular mountain scenery and one can see some amazing rock and sand formations along the way.
Will be a little irregular during the next few days as my son is coming home for a short break.:-)
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Top and pants: .Malediction. Toki Set Anatomy Update
Male body: .Malediction. .Anatomy. Male Body
|.Malediction|
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Other:
Hairs: *barberyumyum*B20(neon)
Septum: Fewness - Thick Sphere Septum
Earings: [//REBIRTH/]-croissant
Nose band aid: kotte - band aid
Phone: MAJESTY - !Phone Crystal
Smart watch: MAJESTY - !Watch Charm
Icecream: Junk Food - Ice Cream Bouquet
Tattoo: .: CORAZON :. Belle Ame
Body piercing: Fewness - Bow Pelvis Piercing
Socks: [ VERSOV ] OMNI SOCKS
Shoes: -FLUID- Bun Sneaka
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I've got the pen
You cannot find the vape in your hand
It's offensive you want to be friends
Do not mention me ever again
You're disposable I'm undeniable
Let's not pretend
I am a legend already
Right now I am being mentioned
In therapy sessions
Across the state of Connecticut
They talk about me incessantly
Whispering "cunt"
Many thanks for the visits, faves and comments. Cheers
Brown Falcon
Falco berigora
Description: Brown Falcons are small to medium-sized raptors (birds of prey). The female is larger than the male. The Brown Falcon has a range of plumage colours, from very dark brown to light brown above and off-white below. Generally, the upperparts are dark brown and the underparts are pale buff or cream. The sides of the head are brown with a characteristic tear-stripe below the eye. Birds from the tropical north are very dark, with a paler face and undertail, while those from central Australia are paler all over. Younger birds resemble dark adults, but have less obvious barring on the tail, and a buff-yellow colour on the face, throat and nape of the neck.
Similar species: Paler birds may often be confused with a related raptor (bird of prey), the Nankeen Kestrel, F. cenchroides, which is quite a bit smaller and has a more rufous crown. Dark Brown Falcons may be mistaken for slightly larger Black Falcon, F. subniger. The Black Falcon has longer legs and lacks barring on the tail. The Black Falcon also appears sleeker in shape and movements.
Distribution: The Brown Falcon ranges throughout Australia, and north to New Guinea.
Habitat: The Brown Falcon is found in all but the densest forests and is locally common throughout its range. The preferred habitat is open grassland and agricultural areas, with scattered trees or structures such as telegraph poles which it uses for perching. Around outback towns, the birds become quite tame and will allow quite close approach. Birds may stay within the same areas throughout the year or may move around locally in response to changes in conditions. Paler birds are usually associated with inland areas, but all the colour varieties are fairly scattered throughout the range.
Feeding: Brown Falcons are usually seen alone, searching for food from an exposed perch. When prey is sighted, the bird swoops down and grasps it in its claws (talons), killing the prey with a bite to the spine. The powerful bill has specialised 'tomial' teeth and matching notches for this purpose. Less often the species will hunt by hovering or gliding over the ground, often at great heights. Brown Falcons feed on small mammals, insects, reptiles and, less often, small birds.
Breeding: The nest used by the Brown Falcon is normally an old nest from another hawk species, but the species may build its own stick nest in a tree. Occasionally birds nest in open tree hollows. Both sexes share the incubation of the eggs, and both care for the young, although the female performs the bulk of these duties, while the male supplies most of the food.
Calls: Normally silent at rest, but gives some cackling and screeching notes when in flight.
Minimum Size: 41cm
Maximum Size: 51cm
Average size: 46cm
Average weight: 530g
Breeding season: June to November in the south; November to April in the north.
Clutch Size: 2 to 6 (usually 3)
Incubation: 30 days
Nestling Period: 45 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net; and Pizzey & Night, The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia)
© Chris Burns 2025
__________________________________________
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
Please look carefully in the lower left part of the picture. ...He's smarter than the average .....🐻
I believe that this is a picture of an Ozark witch-hazel for following reasons: it flowers in late winter, the centers of the flowers appear to be very red, the petals are red towards the center of the flower, the young branches seem to grow in a zig-zag pattern, and the flowers grow close to each other like grapes. However, this was taken in the golden hour, so colours may well be off. Also: the petals, which for H. vernalis are often described as very thin, look rather similar to those seen in my other Hamamelis pictures , they are more likely to be red than yellow, and there are no leaves visible on this plant to make identifcation easier. Which means that we may well be dealing with another Hamamelis × intermedia variety. As usual, when the variation within a genus is less than that between its cultivars, it can be really difficult for an amateur to be certain.
We will just assume that I am right and I will just tell you a bit about the Ozark witch-hazel. It takes its common name from the Ozark Plateau in the US states of Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas, to which it is native. It often grows close to but does not interbreed with Hamamelis virginiana. The Ozark witch-hazel forms bushes on gravel and rocky stream banks at altitudes between 100 and 400 meters (320 - 1320 ft). It survives in areas with annual average minimum temperatures between -23° and -20° Celsius (-10 to -5° F). This hardiness and the fact that the species, as opposed to e.g. H. virginiana, has strongly scented flowers, make it ideal for cultivation. The variation in the colours of those cultivar's flowers (for example 'Carnea' (pink), 'Autumn embers' (copper-red), 'Red Imp' (red petals with orange tips), or 'Squib' (vivid yellow flowers)) takes us back to my initial point: It is very difficult to know which variety you are looking at. This may be 'Red Imp' or it may be something else entirely. In any case, they are always a lovely surprise to behold in the cold days of winter.
The average joes almost in Heaven were purged to make room for the rest of the average joes. Only the best and worst were worth saving.
Size: 44 x 66 inches
Website: www.shawnshawn.co
Paintings for sale: NFS
Newsletter: www.shawnshawn.co/Site/Contact.html
Art of the Real
Some more great Jazz music at the Manly Jazz Festival this afternoon, and another opportunity to experiment with multiple exposures.
I really liked the way the Bass Player's face created a progression of its own.
9 exposures on Average mode (in Camera)
(Todiramphus diops)
Sidangoli - Halmahera - North Muluku
Indonésia
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All my photos are now organized into sets by the country where they were taken, by taxonomic order, by family, by species (often with just one photo for the rarer ones), and by the date they were taken.
So, you may find:
- All the photos for this trip Indonésia (2025) (52)
- All the photos for this order CORACIIFORMES (243)
- All the photos for this family Alcedinidae (Alcedinídeos) (96)
- All the photos for this species Todiramphus diops (1)
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The Moutoa Sluice Gates and floodway, completed in 1962, are recognised as one of New Zealand’s outstanding engineering projects of the 20th century. They still serve as a lynchpin of the vast and growing network of drains, stopbanks and floodgates that comprise the Lower Manawatu Scheme and protect the farms, orchards, market gardens and homes between the ranges and the sea.
In their first 40 years to 2002 the sluice gates were opened almost 50 times. Since then they have been opened on average every 15 months with the biggest test being the disastrous floods of 2004. In fact, 2004 was a particularly notable year for floods in the Manawatu River with the gate required to be opened six times.
© Dominic Scott 2022
Kangra valley (average altitude 2000 feet) is my favourite destination in Himachal Pradesh.Thankfully it is not as popular with tourists as Shimla and Kullu- Manali but I think in the springtime few places in India can rival its sublime beauty. With its picturesque villages with their houses of slate covered roofs, wheatfields of soothing green,orchards in blossom,gushing mountain streams and the glistening white peaks of the Dhauladhars as a stunning backdrop it is no less than a paradise on earth
The Dhauladhar range is one of the ranges of the Middle Himalayas,.They lie entirely in the state of Himachal Pradesh in India.They are distinctive in their typical dark granite rocky formations with a remarkably steep rise culminationg in streaks of snow and ice at the top of their crested peaks.The elevation of the Dhauladhars ranges from around 3500 metres to nearly 6000 metres avove sea level.They are best seen from the beautiful Kangra valley from where they appear to shoot up almost vertically.
Source -: Wikipedia
One of the largest bird of prey in the world, with a 1.2 m body length, around 8-10 feet wing span and a maximum weight of around 14 kg (average around 9.2 kg) - these are large raptors found much of Eurasia. We found more than a dozen of them in the desert in various places much to my delight! This is a lifer and one of the 3 birds I was looking to sighting the most and it didn't disappoint.
The bird is also known as Monk Vulture, Asian King Vulture or Eurasian Black Vulture and is the largest bird in the Accipitridae family. They are a very important part of the ecosystem in these desert regions and play a huge role by eating caracasses that are littered across the desert.
These birds are so easy to identify due to their huge size and wing span - they dwarf pretty much every other bird in the sky.
The birds nest around hilly areas / cliff-faces / meadows or on top of tree-lines on ridges - all of which are not found in the desert, but maybe in the himalayan regions within India.
Thanks in advance for your lovely feedback and views - much appreciated.
I think they were actually average-sized people, but... you know...
Burroughs Mountain Trail (Mt. Rainier NP)
Pitt River
British Columbia
Canada
Pitt Lake is the second-largest lake in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. About 53.5 square kilometres in area, it is about 25 km long and about 4.5 km wide at its widest. It is one of the world's relatively few tidal lakes, and among the largest. In Pitt Lake, there is on average a three foot tide range; thus Pitt Lake is separated from sea level and tidal waters during most hours of each day during the 15 foot tide cycle of the Pitt River and Strait of Georgia estuary immediately downstream.The lake's southern tip is 20 km upstream from The Pitt River confluence with the Fraser River and is 40 km east of Downtown Vancouver.
Pitt Lake is in a typical U-shaped glacial valley in the Pacific Ranges of the Coast Mountains. The overdeepening of the lower end of the valley over the span of the Wisconsin glaciation created a trough over 140 m below current sea level. After initial glacial retreat at around 13,000 years ago a saltwater fjord occupied this basin when relative sea levels were still ca 120 to 140m above current levels in the region. Unlike neighbouring Indian Arm and Howe Sound farther west, this fjord basin became partly cut off from tidal waters by sedimentation of the lower Fraser River ca 10,500 years ago, and Pitt Lake is now considered a tidal fjord lake.
Pitt Lake is the second largest of a series of north-south oriented fjord-lakes incising the southern slopes of the Pacific Ranges, the largest being Harrison Lake located 60 km to the east. The other fjord-lakes include Coquitlam Lake, Alouette Lake, Stave Lake, and Chehalis Lake.
The Pitt River drains into the northern end of Pitt Lake. The western shore of Pitt Lake are protected within Pinecone Burke Provincial Park, while most of the eastern shore are protected within Golden Ears Provincial Park. The southern end of Pitt Lake features an extensive marshland called Pitt Polder. While most of this marshland has since been drained for agricultural use, the northernmost portion is strictly protected in order to provide critical habitat for migratory birds.
Communities
The community of Pitt Meadows and the First Nations reserve of Pitt Lake Indian Reserve 5 are located at the southern end of the lake. Just southwest of the lake is the community of Port Coquitlam, which is across the Pitt River from Pitt Meadows. At the north end of the lake is a locality named Alvin, which is a transport and shipping point for logging companies and their employees.
Wikipedia
Thank-you for being so supportive, I truly enjoyed your visits, comments and testimonials.
Cheers,
Christie by the River
**Image better experienced in full screen
Despite the fact it was chucking it down, it was a joy to photograph this little bird. Another very confiding wader coming as close as 1m to where I was laying at times. I have only seen these from a distance before so I was quite surprised how small they are. Even a pied wagtail looked big by comparison.
Your comments and faves are greatly appreciated. Many thanks.
Brown Goshawk
Scientific Name:Accipiter fasciatus
Description: Brown Goshawks are medium-sized raptors (birds of prey). They have a brown head, slate-grey to brown upperparts with a red-brown collar across the upper nape of the neck, and finely barred underparts of red-brown with white. The rounded wings are dark brown to grey above and buff to reddish brown below with darker wingtips, and the long rounded tail is grey with dark bars. The long legs are yellow, with reddish brown feathering about the thighs. The eye is bright yellow. Males are smaller than females. Young birds have grey-brown eyes, with brown, streaky plumage. There are several subspecies, with the northern sub-species, didimus, being generally smaller and paler. The Brown Goshawk is widespread but secretive.
Similar species: The Brown Goshawk is very similar in plumage to the related raptor (bird of prey) species, the Collared Sparrowhawk, A. cirrhocephalus, which has a notched or square-tipped tail rather than rounded, and has thinner legs and toes and lacks the Brown Goshawk's heavy brow. Female Sparrowhawks are around the same size (35 cm - 38 cm) as male Brown Goshawks, but males are significantly smaller (29 cm - 33 cm).
Where does it live?
Distribution: Brown Goshawks are found across Australia in suitable habitats. They are also found in New Guinea, the Lesser Sundas, New Caledonia and the New Hebrides.
Habitat: The Brown Goshawk is found in most timbered habitats.
Seasonal movements: Northern birds are sedentary, but southern birds tend to be nomadic, and immature birds move north when dispersing during the winter months.
Feeding: Brown Goshawks feed on small mammals, with rabbits a particularly important prey item, as well as birds, reptiles and insects and sometimes, carrion (dead animals). They hunt stealthily from a low, concealed perch, using sudden, short bursts of speed to pounce onto prey and use their long legs and clawed toes to reach out and strike it. It will occasionally stalk or run along the ground after insects. Prey items are taken back to a perch to be partially plucked (mammals, birds) and then eaten.
Breeding: The Brown Goshawk builds its large stick nest on a horizontal limb of the tallest tree available, often near a waterway or at the edge of a forest. It may sometimes re-use an old raptor's nest. The nest is kept lined with fresh eucalypt leaves. Both parents defend the nest and surrounding territory aggressively. Established pairs will reuse the same area year after year, and often use the same nest. The female incubates the eggs, with the male helping when she needs to leave the nest to feed. The male does the bulk of the hunting to feed the young, which remain dependent on their parents for up to three weeks after fledging. Young birds disperse widely, with distances of up to 900 km not uncommon, to find and establish their own breeding territories.
Calls:A loud, rising 'keek-keek-keek'; also a slow, drawn out 'ee-you-wick, ee-you-wick'. Females have deeper voices than males.
Minimum Size: 37cm
Maximum Size: 55cm
Average size: 46cm
Average weight: 454g
Breeding season: July to December
Clutch Size: 2 to 4 eggs, usually 3
Incubation: 33 days
Nestling Period: 35 days
© Chris Burns 2019
__________________________________________
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
__________________________________________
© Chris Burns 2020
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
Our daily average temperature has been dropping since July and hit rock-bottom a few days ago. Today the tide turned and we inched up a degree if this were a "normal" year. To celebrate, here's a look back at those balmy summer days. The orange sulphur is sometimes called the alfalfa butterfly because its caterpillars like to eat alfalfa leaves. However, the caterpillars also eat the leaves from a variety of other legume plants. Females have light-colored spots that break up the solid black bands that form a border on their dorsal wing surface, visible in this backlit view. Male orange sulphurs would be all black along that wing border.
The average goldfinch is 12–13 cm (4.7–5.1 in) long with a wingspan of 21–25 cm (8.3–9.8 in) and a weight of 14 to 19 g (0.49 to 0.67 oz). The sexes are broadly similar, with a red face, black and white head, warm brown upperparts, white underparts with buff flanks and breast patches, and black and yellow wings.
On closer inspection male goldfinches can often be distinguished by a larger, darker red mask that extends just behind the eye. In females, the red face does not extend past the eye. The ivory-coloured bill is long and pointed, and the tail is forked. Goldfinches in breeding condition have a white bill, with a greyish or blackish mark at the tip for the rest of the year. Juveniles have a plain head and a greyer back but are unmistakable due to the yellow wing stripe. Birds in central Asia (caniceps group) have a plain grey head behind the red face, lacking the black and white head pattern of European and western Asian birds.
The song is a pleasant silvery twittering. The call is a melodic tickeLIT, and the song is a pleasant tinkling medley of trills and twitters, but always including the trisyllabic call phrase or a teLLIT-teLLIT-teLLIT.
What is one thing the average driver can't stand? Well of course one answer could be a slow driver in the fast lane, Highway Patrol posted up in the most annoying spot possible, or maybe even that damn check engine light. However, the answer I was looking for was waiting for a train, and during this trip for the crew of a southbound, they would see three cars try to beat the train. One was a truck just south of Maxwell, which a buddy and I saw, another in Arbuckle, and then another here just outside Williams. However, this driver was particularly stupid.
Although my friend and I didn't see this happen as we were taking photos at the time, another friend who was one of the crew members explained to me what happened. As the train was approaching the crossing, a white SUV went around the gates in an attempt to beat the train, but then suddenly stopped. Although there was nobody in front of this car, whoever was driving then proceeded to backup almost into the gate, and due to the angle of the crossing got within only a few feet at most of being hit, narrowly avoiding an expensive and embarrassing trip to the auto shop. The crew obviously was pissed, and the conductor got out to yell at the driver as they passed by. It was only after the power had passed that my friend and I on the ground noticed the SUV, and we laughed knowing well that driver probably needed a new pair after that.
Continuing the chase of my 8th successful Batten Kill day that brought my 'batting average' up to .500
Very much on home rails, G&J 4116, a veteran ex D&H Alco RS3 (blt. Sep. 1952) has just crossed Main Street at MP A136.9 on the old Delaware and Hudson Washington Branch as measured from Albany the long way around via Catleton, Whitehall, and Mechanicville.
At right is the historic old Agway warehouse that was recently restored as the recipient of a 2019 New York Main Street Grant. While now residential apartments it has retained its classic exterior appearance and looked better than ever Surely D&H switch crews of yore spotted many a 40 ft boxcar at the warehouse doors on the siding here over the years. Check out this photo from last year before the remodel:
Cambridge, New York
Monday October 17, 2022
Re-edit from 12-12-12
Zumbadorcito / Vervain Hummingbird (Mellisuga minima vieilloti).
(Residente común) (Subespecie Endémica de la Hispaniola e Islas Adyacentes).
El colibrí zumbadorcito, también llamado zumbador verbena, zumbadorcito, zumbaflor zumbadorcito (Mellisuga minima), es una especie de ave de la familia Trochilidae, orden Apodiformes.
Vive en la República Dominicana, Haití, Jamaica y es migrante en Puerto Rico. Sus hábitats son los bosques lluviosos tropicales y subtropicales a baja altitud, así como los bosques primitivos muy degradados. También suelen frecuentar las plantaciones agrícolas, jardines y bosques de matorral.
Es muy pequeño, mide unos 6 cm de longitud (incluyendo el pico) y su peso no suele rebasar los 2,5 g. De hecho es el segundo colibrí más pequeño del mundo
La principal diferencia morfológica entre ambos sexos es la cola ahorquillada y casi completamente negra de los machos, a diferencia de la de las hembras, más corta, redondeada y con barras blancas en las plumas rectrices exteriores
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The vervain hummingbird (Mellisuga minima vieilloti)
(Common Resident) (Endemic Subspecies of the Hispaniola And Associate Island)
is a species of hummingbird found in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica, and is a vagrant to Puerto Rico. Its natural habitats are tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests and heavily degraded former forests.
It is considered the second-smallest bird in the world after the bee hummingbird. Typical length is 6 cm (2.4 in), including the bill, and weight is 2–2.4 g (0.071–0.085 oz).[2] It also has among the smallest eggs in the bird world, with an average length of 1 cm (0.39 in) and weight of 0.375 g.
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Lugar de Captura / Taken :Alma Rosa, Santo Domingo Este.
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ORDEN: APODIFORMES
FAMILIA: TROCHILIDAE
NOMBRE COMUN: Zumbadorcito
NOMBRE CIENTIFICO: Mellisuga Minima
INGLES: Vervain Hummigbbird.
© 2020 Carlos Eduardo Gómez. No usage permitted without prior written consent. All rights reserved. Prohibido su uso sin previa autorización escrita
Mellisuga_121212_DSC_0319v
live an average of 2 - 3 weeks, but the Longwings can live up to 6 months due to a higher protein diet than most butterflies, which can only drink nectar from flowers
The Tasmanian pademelon (Thylogale billardierii), also known as the rufous-bellied pademelon or red-bellied pademelon, is the sole species of pademelon found in Tasmania, and was formerly found throughout southeastern Australia. This pademelon has developed heavier and bushier fur than its northern relatives, who inhabit northern Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Males reach around 7 kg (15.4 lbs) in weight, 1–1.2 metres in length including the tail, and are considerably larger than the females, which average 4 kg (8.8 lbs).
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Diet:
Carnivore
Average life span in the wild:
6 years
Size:
5.5 in (14 cm)
Weight:
Less than 0.75 oz (20 g)
Did you know?
A single, captive male Carolina wren reportedly sang some 3,000 times in one day.
Relative:
Size relative to a tea cup
Please add a "relative" entry to your dictionary.
The Carolina wren is an adaptable dweller of forestlands, swamps, farms, and tree-filled human communities.
Carolina wrens (Thryothorus ludovicianus) are small but very vocal animals. Males are especially outgoing and are the only ones to produce songs. They employ one of the loudest songs per volume of birds. They are apt to sing anytime and anyplace they happen to be.
Carolina wrens are usually found in pairs, and each pair stays on its home territory all year long. Because these wrens cannot survive cold winters, they tend to live in southern climes, and are the official state bird of South Carolina. They are found as far north as the Great Lakes, and warm winters spur them to extend their range northward. However, when colder years arrive, many northern birds are unable to survive and fringe populations plummet.
These large wrens feed on insects, larvae, and spiders but also eat berries and fruit. They forage on or near the ground and hop along far more often than they fly. They use their bills to poke about and search for hidden meals and try to remain close to brush in which they can hide.
Carolina wrens are monogamous, and breeding pairs may stay together for years. They work together to construct nests—which may be found almost anywhere. Wrens nest in natural locations such as branches, tree-holes, and stumps but also frequent windowsills, mailboxes or other attractive human-made spots.
Females lay about four eggs and incubate them for two weeks while their mates bring them food. Both parents feed their chicks for an additional two weeks before they gain independence. A mating pair of Carolina wrens may have several broods each year.
Source: National Geographic
Thank you very much for the visit and comments. Cheers.
Red-capped Robin
Scientific Name: Petroica goodenovii
Description: The male Red-capped Robin is black above and white below with a distinctive scarlet-red cap, white shoulders, and a red breast that contrasts strongly with a black throat. The black wing is barred white and the tail is black with white edges. Females are quite different in appearance: grey-brown above and off-white below, with a reddish cap, brown-black wings barred buff to white, and some have faint red on the breast. Young birds are similar to females but are streaked white above, have an pale buff wing bar and their breast and sides are streaked or mottled dark-brown.
Similar species: The Red-capped Robin is the smallest red robin. It can be distinguished from other red robins by the unique red cap in the male, and by the dull red cap in the female. Males are similar to the Crimson Chat, Epthianura tricolor, but this species has a white throat, a white eye, is not as plump and lacks the white wing streak.
Distribution: The Red-capped Robin is found from Queensland (rarely above latitude 20°S), through New South Wales, mainly west of the Great Dividing Range, to Victoria and South Australia. Also found in Western Australia in inland regions north to the Pilbara region, rarely being seen on south coast or far south-west. An isolated population occurs on Rottnest Island. Widespread in Northern Territory south of latitude 20°S. The Red-capped Robin will visit areas along the east coast during droughts.
Habitat: The Red-capped Robin is found in most inland habitats that have tall trees or shrubs, such as eucalypt, acacia and cypress pine woodlands. It is mainly found in the arid and semi-arid zones, south of the Tropics, with some extension into coastal regions. The species is seen on farms with scattered trees, as well as vineyards and orchards. It is only occasionally reported in gardens.
Seasonal movements: Partial seasonal migrant, moving to more open areas in winter, usually in south of range.
Feeding: The Red-capped Robin feeds on insects and other invertebrates. It forages on the ground or in low vegetation, and will often perch on a stump or fallen branch, darting down to take insects from the ground. Can be seen in mixed feeding flocks with other small insect-eating birds such as Willie Wagtails, Rufous Whistlers and Black-faced Woodswallows.
Breeding: Red-capped Robins breed in pairs within a breeding territory established and defended by the male. The male sings from perches around the boundary of the territory to deter other Red-capped Robins and also other robin species, such as the Scarlet Robin, P. multicolor. The female chooses a nest site in a tree-fork and builds an open, cup-shaped nest of bark, grass, and rootlets, bound together with spider web, lined with soft materials and often camoflaged with lichen, bark and mosses. The male feeds the female during nest-building and incubation. The female incubates the eggs alone and both sexes feed the young. Once the young have fledged, they may remain in their parents' territories for up to one and a half months before dispersing. Nests may be parasitised by cuckoos. Predators of nestlings include the Grey Shrike-thrush, Colluricincla harmonica, and the Grey Butcherbird, Craticus torquatus.
Research by the Australian Museum (Major et al., 1999) has shown that male Red-capped Robin density is much lower in small, linear bushland remnants than in large non-linear remnants. The small remnants represented a higher risk of predation, making them much less suitable as breeding habitat.
Calls: Males sing with characteristic dry, repeated trill: 'dit-dit-drr-it'. Both sexes have a 'tick' call.
Average size: 12cm
Average weight: 9g
Breeding season: June to January
Clutch Size: Two or three; occasionally one, rarely four.
Incubation: 13 days
Nestling Period: 14 days
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net)
© Chris Burns 2025
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The Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza) is found in the tropical New World from southern Mexico south to Brazil, and on Trinidad. It is the only member of the genus Chlorophanes. The green honeycreeper is 5–5.5 inches (13–14 cm) long and weighs 14 to 23 grams, averaging about 19 grams. It is less heavily dependent on nectar than the other honeycreepers, fruit being its main food (60%), with nectar (20%) and insects (15%) as less important components of its diet. The green honeycreeper is 5–5.5 inches (13–14 cm) long and weighs 14 to 23 grams, averaging about 19 grams. It has a long decurved bill. The male is mainly blue-tinged green with a black head and a mostly bright yellow bill. The apparent color of the male changes from blue-green to green-blue according to the lighting.
Pose-[..::CuCa Designs::..] Gone Country
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Jacket-L&B [LEGACY ATHLETIC] Swear Jax Classic Moto Jacket w/T -Black
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Hair-NO.MATCH_NO_AVERAGE
One thing that albatrosses are very good at is dynamic soaring. They are so good at getting lift from the wind and wind that comes off the ocean swells that, on average, they use less energy flying than swimming on the ocean's surface. They also follow a distinct pattern when foraging, a sort of 3-D 'S'. They come down low after completing a big curve, swoop down to catch the wind off the waves and rise up to do another big curve. This is repeated over and over and over. Here is a link that describes it: www.whoi.edu/multimedia/albatross-flight-dynamics/.
My image was taken while at sea, with the albatross flying close to the boat as it followed its flight pattern. It passed by about 10 times and then went off in a different direction to continue foraging. BTW, this species of albatross will occasionally sit on the water whereas other species tend to do it less often.
Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus (M)
(Double click)
The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In Britain, where no other kestrel species occurs, it is generally just called "the kestrel".
This species occurs over a large range. It is widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as occasionally reaching the east coast of North America.
Kestrels can hover in still air, even indoors in barns. Because they face towards any slight wind when hovering, the common kestrel is called a "windhover" in some areas.
Unusual for falcons, plumage often differs between male and female, although as is usual with monogamous raptors the female is slightly larger than the male. This allows a pair to fill different feeding niches over their home range. Kestrels are bold and have adapted well to human encroachment, nesting in buildings and hunting by major roads. Kestrels do not build their own nests, but use nests built by other species.
Their plumage is mainly light chestnut brown with blackish spots on the upperside and buff with narrow blackish streaks on the underside; the remiges are also blackish. Unlike most raptors, they display sexual colour dimorphism with the male having fewer black spots and streaks, as well as a blue-grey cap and tail. The tail is brown with black bars in females, and has a black tip with a narrow white rim in both sexes. All common kestrels have a prominent black malar stripe like their closest relatives.
The cere, feet, and a narrow ring around the eye are bright yellow; the toenails, bill and iris are dark. Juveniles look like adult females, but the underside streaks are wider; the yellow of their bare parts is paler. Hatchlings are covered in white down feathers, changing to a buff-grey second down coat before they grow their first true plumage.
Data from Britain shows nesting pairs bringing up about 2–3 chicks on average, though this includes a considerable rate of total brood failures; actually, few pairs that do manage to fledge offspring raise less than 3 or 4. Compared to their siblings, first-hatched chicks have greater survival and recruitment probability, thought to be due to the first-hatched chicks obtaining a higher body condition when in the nest. Population cycles of prey, particularly voles, have a considerable influence on breeding success. Most common kestrels die before they reach 2 years of age; mortality up until the first birthday may be as high as 70%. At least females generally breed at one year of age; possibly, some males take a year longer to maturity as they do in related species. The biological lifespan to death from senescence can be 16 years or more, however; one was recorded to have lived almost 24 years.
Population:
UK breeding:
46,000 pairs
Le gisement d’étain de la région d’Abbaretz a fait l’objet d’exploitations très anciennes, dès l’époque gallo-romaine. Mais c’est au début du 20ème siècle que d’importants travaux de recherche ont débuté par la société nantaise des Minerais de l’Ouest (SNMO). L’exploitation principale a été réalisée à ciel ouvert sur le site du Bois Vert à l’ouest du bourg d’Abbaretz à partir de 1952. La mine à ciel ouvert a atteint des profondeurs allant de 40 à 70 m. Lors de l’exploitation, les matériaux extraits à la pelle mécanique étaient transportés par bandes transporteuses soit au nord de la route départementale directement lorsqu’il s’agit de roche de découverte ou de minerai trop pauvre en étai, soit dans l’usine de traitement du minerai. Dans l’usine, le minerai était concassé et broyé pour récupérer l’étain. Une fois ce dernier récupéré, les résidus de traitement étaient envoyés dans des grandes aires de décantation au nord de la route départementale. Cette activité a généré les terrils du Bois Vert visibles aujourd’hui : le terril conique composé de stériles d’exploitation (matériaux plus ou moins grossiers, moins chargés en métaux) et les terrils tabulaires en forme de plateaux composés de résidus de traitement (matériaux plus fins de type sable, plus chargés en métaux). L’étude menée récemment par le BRGM conclut à une concentration relativement importante en métaux dans les sols (arsenic notamment) présente dans les résidus des anciennes activités de traitement du minerai. Cette zone ayant donné lieu à une exploitation minière dans le passé contient naturellement des teneurs en métaux plus élevées que la moyenne de terres initialement chargées en métaux. Ce rapport indique qu’en dehors d’une promenade le long du chemin de randonnée et sur la montée au belvédère du terril conique, les autres usages ne sont pas compatibles avec le site.
The tin deposit in the Abbaretz region has been exploited for a very long time, since the Gallo-Roman period. But it was at the beginning of the 20th century that significant research work began by the Nantes company of West Minerals (SNMO). The main mining was carried out in the open pit on the Bois Vert site west of the village of Abbaretz from 1952. The open pit mine reached depths ranging from 40 to 70 m. During operation, the materials extracted with a mechanical shovel were transported by conveyor belts either to the north of the departmental road directly in the case of discovery rock or ore too poor in prop, or to the plant of ore processing. At the plant, the ore was crushed and ground to recover the tin. Once the latter was recovered, the treatment residues were sent to large settling areas north of the departmental road. This activity generated the Bois Vert slag heaps visible today: the conical slag heap made up of waste rock (more or less coarse materials, less loaded with metals) and the tabular slag heaps in the form of trays made up of processing residues (materials finer sand type, more loaded with metals). The recent study carried out by BRGM concludes that there is a relatively high concentration of metals in the soils (arsenic in particular) present in the residues of old ore processing activities. This area, which has given rise to mining in the past, naturally contains higher levels of metals than the average soil initially loaded with metals. This report indicates that apart from a walk along the hiking trail and on the climb to the belvedere of the conical slag heap, other uses are not compatible with the site.
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Please do not use my images on websites, blogs or other media without my written permission. If you want to use my images on websites, blogs or other media contact me by message or on my website!
The Blue Lagoon was spared in the latest volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula, but it was close. A high earthen wall has risen around Blue Lagoon to hold back the lava. To reach Blue Lagoon, a road has been built over the fresh pitch-black lava. It all looks rather eerie.
The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa in southwestern Iceland. The spa is located in a lava field 5 km (3.1 mi) from Grindavík and in front of Mount Þorbjörn on the Reykjanes Peninsula, in a location favourable for geothermal power, and is supplied by water used in the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power station. The Blue Lagoon is approximately 20 km (12 mi) from Keflavík International Airport, and is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Iceland.
The water's milky blue hue is due to its high silica content. The silica forms soft white mud on the bottom of the lake which bathers rub on themselves. The water is also rich in salts and algae.
The water temperature in the bathing and swimming area of the lagoon averages 37–39 °C (99–102 °F).
Langelsheim/Harz GER
The Innerste Dam (German: Innerstetalsperre) is a dam on the Innerste river, which lies near Langelsheim and Wolfshagen in the Harz mountains. It was built between 1963 and 1966 and belongs to the Harzwasserwerke. Its purposes are the supply of drinking water, flood protection, water flow regulation and hydroelectric power generation. The average annual discharge through the Innerste Dam is 60 million m³.
(Petroica boodang)
Hanssons beach - Bruny Island - TAS
Austrália
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All my photos are now organized into sets by the country where they were taken, by taxonomic order, by family, by species (often with just one photo for the rarer ones), and by the date they were taken.
So, you may find:
- All the photos for this trip Austrália (2024) (309)
- All the photos for this order PASSERIFORMES (3553)
- All the photos for this family Petroicidae (Petroicídeos) (11)
- All the photos for this species Petroica boodang (2)
- All the photos taken this day 2024/11/22 (12)
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Cape Coral Florida. Small long-legged owls, averaging 9" in height. They spend most of their time on the ground near their burrows, and do not migrate. Burrowing owls are some of the smallest owls in the world.
(Chalcophaps indica)
Cat Tien
Vietname
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All my photos are now organized into sets by the country where they were taken, by taxonomic order, by family, by species (often with just one photo for the rarer ones), and by the date they were taken.
So, you may find:
- All the photos for this trip Vietname (2022) (206)
- All the photos for this order COLUMBIFORMES (118)
- All the photos for this family Columbidae (Columbídeos) (119)
- All the photos for this species Chalcophaps indica (3)
- All the photos taken this day 2022/12/08 (21)
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The start of an average day in a medieval farming village, as the farmers go off to work in the fields...
My second entry into the CCC this year for the Village Life category. This build took almost a month to finish, which is considerably longer than I was expecting. I would also like to say thanks to all the builders that helped me out with WIPs while I was working on this, and especially to The Maestro for his help with the corner of the tudor building and inspiration for fence and wheat techniques.
If you live in the UK you get used to living with wet weather - not normally monsoons, hurricanes or blizzards - but often.
Don't misunderstand it doesn't rain all the time (London's rain is about half of the annual average of Sydney (1,222mm) or Orlando or New York (1,175mm and 1,059mm respectively). Britain tends to get more light rain and drizzle. More rainy days, but less water overall).
So bring a waterproof coat or an umbrella.
London, UK
How about some more WATCO? This time in the flat lands of Central Illinois. I came down here last year hoping for one of their new GP59s or WSOR geeps leading. Close, but no cigar. That said, I wasn't going to waste good light. So I gave chase to Tuscola and went looking for other things. All told this was a pretty average day down here last year.
The nursery web spider Pisaura mirabilis is a spider species of the family Pisauridae...Striking characteristics of Pisaura mirabilis are its long legs (the fourth one being the longest) and its slender abdomen (opisthosoma). The male is between 10 and 13 mm, while the female is 12 to 15 mm. After final ecdysis, the male spiders weigh on average 54 mg and females 68 mg