Dog Behavior
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Spring brings the mating calls of the marsh, and competition for nesting sites. Native Canada Geese are the loudest competitors, and are fiercely territorial, but are no match for the invasive Mute Swans.
Human pollution has affected the behavior of the American white ibis via an increase in the concentrations of methylmercury, which is released into the environment from untreated waste. Exposure to methylmercury alters the hormone levels of American white ibis, affecting their mating and nesting behavior and leading to lower reproduction rates.
This is the heron that I showed a few days ago with the fish jumping clear of a strike. This Great Blue worked the area for a while, catching a fish, then dropping it. I wondered if it was sport fishing, then it did this: gathered up three together, and proceeded to eat them! I'd never seen this behavior before! See below for a close-up of the catch (first comment).
I was watching the belted kingfisher at the lake recently, when I saw three together in this tree. The male had recently arrived at the tree with the fish, when the female landed on his back, and took the fish away from him. He flew off, and she then fed the fish to the young kingfisher, lower on this branch. I'll post her feeding the youngster tomorrow. Stay tuned!
Comportement nuptial : Bec pointé vers le ciel.
Breeding behavior: Beak pointing upwards.
Île Bonaventure-Percé, Québec.
Canada.
Reddish egret ballet performance while fishing on North Beach, Fort DeSoto Park, St. Petersburg, Florida
Double-crested Cormorant Nesting Behavior: These two cormorants are in their full breeding colors and are wonderful to watch. The male goes out to gather sticks and receives a warm welcome on every return. He's met with both verbal and physical bonding , each holding the stick as the female decides where to incorporate it into the nest. Soon there will be eggs and chicks to enjoy. (Phalacrocorax auritus)
RKO_2619. Great Crested Grebe project 2021.
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Cascade Mountains - Jackson County - Oregon - USA
Habitat : Open Woodlands
Food : Insects
Nesting : Shrub
Behavior : Ground Forager
Conservation : Low Concern
"Like many other songbirds, the male Song Sparrow uses its song to attract mates as well as defend its territory. Laboratory studies have shown that the female Song Sparrow is attracted not just to the song itself, but to how well it reflects the ability of the male to learn. Males that used more learned components in their songs and that better matched their song tutors (the adult bird they learned their songs from) were preferred."
- Cornell University Lab of Ornithology
Among the dragonflies, there are three common species that are frequently seen now. All three have brownish females. The males also start out brownish, but quickly turn red. They have confusing names: blood-red, brown-red, and stone-red dragonflies. This suggests you could identify them by their color, but that's not the case. Another complaint about the name: dragonflies fly throughout the country and are not at all restricted to heathland. To identify them, there are a few characteristics to look for. The blood-red dragonfly has black legs and can be identified by these. The brown-red and stone-red dragonflies have brownish or yellowish stripes across their legs. To distinguish between the two, the whiskers are important. The whiskers are black and are located directly below the eyes. In the stone-red dragonfly, it is a drooping whisker that extends downward on either side of the snout. In the brown-red dragonfly, the black is only above the snout.
Mating Behavior
Once mature, a male dragonfly or damselfly establishes a territory from which he chases other males. When on territory, he produces packets of sperm called spermatophores at the tip of his abdomen (tenth segment), reaches the tip forward and places the spermatophores in a depression on the lower surface of the second abdominal segment.
With his sperm receptacle filled, the male flies out and grasps a female's head with his clasping genitalia at the abdominal tip. Each species' male genitalia fit the head of only the female of that species. (Slaty Skimmer Clamped in Tandem.) In some dragonflies and damselflies, the shape of the male genitalia is the most constant and accurate identifier of the insect's species.
Once the male has grasped a female, they fly in tandem for some time (Swamp Spreadwing in Tandem). The male usually flies while the female rests. Rarely, the female will fly while the male rests. It is unusual for both odonates to be flying at the same time.After some time, the female reaches the tip of her abdomen below her body and grasps the male's second segment to pick up the spermatophores he placed there. During this process, called the wheel formation, the two dragonflies take on a circular or heart-shaped pose. The two may stay in the wheel formation for upwards of fifteen minutes before the female releases and returns to the tandem position. (Eastern Forktails in Wheel Formation image.)
Egg Laying
Once the wheel is broken, the female may leave the male, separate from him as he remains close to her, or they may stay together in tandem as she goes about laying eggs (oviposition). Oviposition may take many forms:
Four black-tailed prairie dogs stand at attention near Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming, all focused on something beyond the frame.
Prairie dog towns are one of the most entertaining places to photograph wildlife. There is usually plenty of activity—feeding, digging, chasing, calling—but every so often several animals suddenly freeze and look in the same direction.
This group lined up perfectly for a few seconds, with each prairie dog standing at a slightly different height. It looked less like a wildlife encounter and more like the neighborhood watch had just spotted something suspicious.
For more tips on photographing these entertaining little animals, see How to Photograph Prairie Dogs: Small Animals with Big Personalities.
Disgraceful behavior by vandals painting this iconic Lone Tree.
Photographers have come from all over to take photographs of this Tree and the stunning views.
We have a fairly large Honey Locust tree in our backyard. Lately, House Sparrows, like the adult female in the picture, have been clinging to the wide tree trunk) like nuthatches and creepers) or hovering midair with wings a-flutter (like hummingbirds). Maybe that is common behavior among House Sparrows, but I've never noticed it before.
Honey Locusts attract all kinds of bugs, like aphids, ants, lacewings, and leafhoppers. I think that is what the sparrows were after. Or, maybe they were after lichens and mosses growing on the tree for use in their nests.They returned day after day, and were joined by half a dozen of their cousins, making quite a spectacle. If only I could have told them to fly up into the tree...they would have had much easier pickings.
I'll be mostly off for a few days (taking my camera), with limited WiFi access but I'll try to check in each day.
Fairly small, stocky shorebird with short, chisel-like bill. Breeding plumage is particular striking with bright rusty upperparts and bold black-and-white pattern on head and neck. Nonbreeding and juvenile are duller brown but still boldly patterned; note orange legs. Interesting behavior of flipping over rocks, shells, and other debris to nab invertebrates. Fairly common, with extensive global range. Breeds in the high Arctic tundra; winters on coastlines nearly worldwide. Prefers rocky habitats, but also seen on beaches and mudflats. Usually in small flocks, often mixed with other shorebirds. Listen for low, hard rattle call. (eBird)
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It is always a thrill to see these cute little shorebirds, no matter how many times we've seen them. Usually, though, we see them in non-breeding plumage, so it was a nice change to see this plumage instead. This one was part of a larger flock scattered across the beach.
Riverton Estuary, Southland, New Zealand. March n2024.
Roadrunner Birding Tours.
A Little Ringed Plover raises its wing while walking along the shore, just after switching incubation duties with its partner.
Love is in the air !!
Good crop ...great to see the behavior !
Thank You all for your likes and comments
I been on my worst behavior
But baby, I don't need no savior
I'm way outta line
But I kind of like the way I
Feel when I just don't give a fuck
Oh, I forgot to mention
I'll be there in five
Black Grouse courtship displays often include a behavior known as "jumping display," which is performed by males in combination with wing displays and vocalizations. This behavior adds another layer of complexity to their courtship rituals and is an important component of their mating behavior. The ability to perform vigorous jumps and displays demonstrates the physical fitness and health of male Black Grouse. Females may use these displays to assess the quality of potential mates and choose the most suitable partners for breeding
This is at first sight a photograph showing aggression but the upper birds mouth was full of apple and the lower bird was taking some this happened several times as I watched . I know they some times pass berries between each other and wonder if this is an extension of this behavior .
An Azure-winged Magpie raises its vibrant blue tail, a likely sign of excitement, while gathering near an almost hidden pool. Captured from a low angle, this characteristic pose reflects the bird's social behavior
Aeshna mixta (Latreille, 1805)
En cuanto se acoplaron fueron a posarse en lo alto de las cañas. Es un comportamiento que he observado varias veces en las mixtas y que dificulta las posibilidades de fotografiarlas mejor.
As soon as they got together they went to perch on top of the reeds. It is a behavior that I have observed several times in the mixed ones that makes it difficult to photograph them better.
Dès qu'ils se sont réunis, ils sont allés se percher au sommet des roseaux. C’est un comportement que j’ai observé à plusieurs reprises dans les mixtes qui rend difficile de mieux les photographier.
Elephants are highly social animals and are known for their complex social behavior, which includes a variety of communication methods, social bonding, and cooperation. One of the most important aspects of elephant social behavior is their family structure, which is centered around a matriarchal society.
Female elephants, called cows, form close bonds with their female relatives, such as their mothers, sisters, and daughters, and often live in multi-generational family groups. These groups are led by the oldest and most experienced cow, known as the matriarch, who is responsible for making decisions for the group, such as where to feed and drink and when to move to new areas.
Male elephants, called bulls, are more solitary and typically leave their family group around the age of 12 to 14 to join bachelor herds or to live alone. However, bulls do interact with family groups during the mating season, when they seek out receptive females to mate with.
When elephants socialize, they use a variety of communication methods, including vocalizations, body language, and chemical signals. They also engage in tactile communication, such as touching trunks or rubbing against each other.
Elephants are highly intelligent and are capable of exhibiting empathy and compassion towards each other. They have been known to show affection towards other elephants, comfort each other in times of distress, and even mourn their dead. Overall, elephants are complex social animals with intricate social structures and behaviors.
Periscoping: A behavior in snakes where they raise their heads to get a better view of their surroundings (Source: AI Overview)
Western Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum testaceus) | Hidalgo County, TX
©R.C. Clark: Dancing Snake Nature Photography | All Rights Reserved
RKO_5156. Courtship behavior of some Great Crested Grebes.
More of my work and activities can be seen on:
www.instagram.com/robertkok_photography/
Please do not use my photos on websites, blogs or in any other media without my explicit permission.
Thanks a lot for your visit, fave and comments. Its truly appreciated!
Habitat : Open Woodlands
Food : Nectar
Nesting : Tree
Behavior : Hovering
Conservation : Low Concern
Brown Acres - Jackson County - Oregon - USA
"Anna’s Hummingbirds are among the most common hummingbirds along the Pacific Coast, yet they're anything but common in appearance. With their iridescent emerald feathers and sparkling rose-pink throats, they are more like flying jewelry than birds. Though no larger than a ping-pong ball and no heavier than a nickel, Anna’s Hummingbirds make a strong impression. In their thrilling courtship displays, males climb up to 130 feet into the air and then swoop to the ground with a curious burst of noise that they produce through their tail feathers... Anna's Hummingbirds normally have a body temperature of around 107 degrees Fahrenheit—that's a scorching temperature for a human. When outside temperatures fall, Anna's and many other species of hummingbirds enter torpor. Their breathing and heart rate slow, and their body temperature can fall as low as 48 degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperature warms, the hummingbirds can become active again in a few minutes."
- Cornell University Lab of Ornithology
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
While doing dishes I glanced out the window and saw several Wild Turkey flying down a slope towards my property. Upon landing they starting running towards the dry creek. I was confused by this behavior until I saw a large brown blur out of the corner of my eye. The blur was a Golden Eagle, and it exploded onto one of the Toms and the two tumbled out of view at the base of a tree. I grabbed my camera and carefully worked my way to the field. I got there in time to see the poor Tom thrashing around (you can see its foot in the bottom right of the image) while the Eagle was standing on it throttling the Turkey with its talons. I backed off to not stress the Eagle. The Eagle remained to eat for about an hour, that night the Coyotes paid a visit, and the next day the Turkey Vultures finished the clean up.
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This male Western Tanager was enjoying a drink and a bath in a small seep on the Gifford Pinchot NF in Yakima Co, WA, May 29, 2020.
The often-observed "heart" pattern, which occurs when two swans turn their necks toward each other, is, from an ethological perspective, part of ritualized courtship and bonding behaviors. Such synchronized movements strengthen the pair bond through repeated positive social interaction and simultaneously serve to communicate stability to other swans.
I have also observed on another occasion how a third swan attempted to disrupt this courtship display.
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)
Rogue Valley - Jackson County - Oregon - USA
Habitat : Grasslands
Food : Insects
Nesting : Ground
Behavior : Ground Forager
Conservation : Low Concern
"A shorebird you can see without going to the beach, Killdeer are graceful plovers common to lawns, golf courses, athletic fields, and parking lots. These tawny birds run across the ground in spurts, stopping with a jolt every so often to check their progress, or to see if they’ve startled up any insect prey. Their voice, a far-carrying, excited kill-deer, is a common sound even after dark, often given in flight as the bird circles overhead on slender wings... The Killdeer’s broken-wing act leads predators away from a nest, but doesn’t keep cows or horses from stepping on eggs. To guard against large hoofed animals, the Killdeer uses a quite different display, fluffing itself up, displaying its tail over its head, and running at the beast to attempt to make it change its path."
- Cornell University Lab of Ornithology
I read somewhere that cats ask one another to play by turning their tails around. I don't know where I found this information, but by the time I went to upload this work, sadly, I had lost my source 😲😜. It may well be an old wives' tale anyway, I liked
the idea for a Caturday work😜
Happy Caturday, my Flickr Friends 😺😸😹😻😼😽
With heartfelt and genuine thanks for your kind visit. Have a
beautiful day, be well, keep your eyes open, appreciate the beauty surrounding you, enjoy creating, stay safe, and laugh often! ❤️❤️❤️
After thinking off and on all week about Rena's behavior, it's apparent that she is a strange cat. She DOESN'T meow at all, except in a moving car, she doesn't sit in boxes, she doesn't knead (making biscuits), she doesn't care about catnip, and she doesn't like chicken, fish, or treats of any kind. She doesn't like high places and doesn't knock anything off a shelf, ever.
She does love to do zoomies through the house, engage me in play, bop Benni Dog and enjoy vying with Benni for my attention. It makes me feel very important to be so in demand. Here she is letting me know it's kibble time, which follows her wet food breakfast which she eats, but only if I brush her the whole time.
She does love me. That's her best trait!
RKO_5158. Love is in the air!
Couldn't resist to upload another shot of this young pair of Grebes during their courtship ritual.
More of my work and activities can be seen on:
www.instagram.com/robertkok_photography/
Please do not use my photos on websites, blogs or in any other media without my explicit permission.
Thanks a lot for your visit, fave and comments. Its truly appreciated!