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American Coot AMCO (Fulica americana)
Adult with 2 chicks
"'Greater' Edmonton Area"
St Albert's Riel Wetlands:
Big Lake and John E. Poole boardwalk
Location: west side of St Albert
St. Albert,
Alberta, Canada
DSCN0011
Interestingly(bizarre) the Parent fed one constantly and persistently ignored constant begging of the other
PS
i like the feet detail visible in this shot
Over-sized Juvenile feet still appear chicken-like - while parent bird shows fully developed lobed features
Click on Image for Enlarged View
Bald head won't win the chicks any cutie-beauty pageants
click on image for more detail
A common red soldier beetle (a vegetarian as far as I'm aware) trying to pull apart a mating pair of dock bugs in New Ferry Butterfly Park.
They are also known as Cobra Chickens, Viper Chickens or of course as their name many know them by - Canada Geese. They are nasty with one another especially if they try to invade the space of others.
Canon EOS RP with a Canon RP 800mm f/11 IS STM lens and processed in Lightroom Classic.
I want to thank you for taking the time to visit my little space here on Flickr.
All the parts in this image were not officially released to the public. I have obtained them through other collectors and resellers. From left to right:
• prototype SNOT plates
• a test print
• a Q-Element
• a Grangemouth test brick
• a Satin-Light blue minifigure
These items have been collected because of a genuine hobbyist interest in, and enthusiasm for, LEGO history, production, engineering and quality control. Finding and understanding these items, is like an ongoing treasure hunt that is shared with a community of like-minded LEGO fans.
The items
Prototype parts
Prototype parts, like the prototype SNOT plates in the photo, are "early models" of part designs. The parts never made it into production in this form. They are generally used to evaluate the part design (for example to evaluate the concept, visual appearance, user-experience testing, ...). The parts are usually discarded afterwards.
The parts that I own have been sold in LEGO's internal shop for employees or have been given away in lots that LEGO donated, for example for promotional purposes.
Test bricks
LEGO required that the chemical companies and manufacturers followed a strict quality control programme using test bricks. They often manufactured other plastic products also. The quality control process that was in place for their work for LEGO, was frequently also applied to their other plastic products. As a result, test bricks can be found in a wide range of materials and colours that were never used by LEGO itself.
Initially, old production moulds were used. These bricks have the LEGO logo on all studs. Later specific test brick moulds were made. Initially, those also had the LEGO logo on all studs. After that, bricks with the letters ABCD with varying stud size were used. Later those were replaced by bricks with the letter C on the studs. These days, several other letters are seen.
Nightshift Grangemouth test bricks
In the late 1970s some employees at Borg-Warner wanted to experiment with some of the excess plastic from the regular LEGO production and used the mould to produce bricks with a "granite effect", like the multicoloured brick in the photo. The bricks they produced were given to children. They did not see this as a problem, because the marbled "granite" bricks could be clearly distinguished from real LEGO products. This might have been done with permission within the factory, or they might have been produced during night shifts, but LEGO was not pleased about it. As the story was told on BrickLink, the bricks were eventually spotted by a LEGO representative and the mould was taken away.
It looks like soon after, the test moulds with LEGO logos were replaced with test moulds without LEGO markings. From now on, if any unofficial products that might not meet all quality standards made their way to the general public, it would be clear that these were not official LEGO products.
Test prints
A lot can go wrong while printing on LEGO parts. That is why LEGO has a quality control process for printing. We find both print alignment calibration parts and parts that are printed on the "wrong" base colour, like the minifigure head in the photo.
We assume that these wrong-coloured parts are usually test prints, made on whatever colour was available in the machine at the time but not on the intended colour. This way, the final print design can be evaluated while any test parts can easily be separated from the later actual production parts. That way, there can be no confusion and only the correct parts can be included into sets. Even with all that care, things can still go wrong. Technology can fail, printers can run out of ink, etc. As a result, incomplete prints or misaligned prints are also found.
These parts used to be very rare, but in recent year many have found their way to resellers. They have been included in charity gifts that LEGO made, and some German resellers that seem to have access to LEGO's leftovers get them.
Q-elements
Q-Elements are parts that are made by LEGO for use in model shops. The model shops can request certain parts in unusual colours when they need them. That is how the transparent dark blue brick in this photo was made. They are intended to be used by these model shops only, and as a result they probably do not have to meet all the strict quality requirements that the parts that are released in sets have to meet. That would explain why transparent parts are available to model shops but not in sets. Leftovers from these model shops are sometimes sold or given away.
Mould test runs
Moulds require maintenance. After a mould has been disassembled, maintained and reassembled, a test is needed to ensure that everything works properly. Traditionally, red and transparent material has been used for these tests because some flaws are more visible using these colours.
Few of these parts have shown up, although the number seems to be increasing. These parts used to be rare, but are not hard to find now (finding a random part is easy, finding a specific part is still nearly impossible).
The parts are still often sold as "rare prototypes" by resellers who wish to increase the price.
"Nightshift minifigures"
Before 2020, only very few transparent minifigures were known to exist. They were probably really part of initial mould testing (looking for hidden flaws in the first parts made in a new mould). These were extremely rare. Also, a red Darth Vader helmet was known. That part was probably also made during a first mould test. It sold for such a high value, that later clone brands made "replica prototype helmets" and sold those on Ebay.
In 2020, several transparent minifigures found their way to online sales platforms. The figures were made with genuine LEGO parts, made in unreleased colours. As far as we could tell, the parts originated in the Mexico factory. They were received with enthusiasm by several collectors who were willing to pay serious amounts of money for them. Soon, more minifigures became available. In order to increase collectability and related value, soon accessories like helmets/headgear and weapons were added to the minifigures. Minifigures related to themes like Star Wars and Batman became available in a wide range of colours. When these figures were first made, I expected LEGO to stop them soon. For some reason, LEGO has not done that or has not been able to. By 2022, the range of colours has increased to include 9 or 10 colours with glitter and 11 colours with satin have been made or announced (including the figure in this photo). Many of those colours were never released with those additions in officially released LEGO products.
Because the quality standards that normally apply to LEGO parts did not fully apply to these figures, deviations could occur. Several transparent parts are already known to crack. There is a good reason why LEGO does not release full-transparent minifigures. The available combination of material and design is not suitable for this application. This is an important quality consideration for LEGO products, but it does not appear to be for these unofficial released parts.
I would guess that these parts are made in small quantities during mould testing after maintenance. That would keep them out of the regular LEGO production lines, and possibly out of strict supervision.
Replicas and clones
Finally, there are replica's and clones, which are parts that were "inspired" by actual LEGO bricks. Made with "Is no fake, is copy"-ethics. For example, we have seen
• Replica stickers or replica prints on genuine (unprinted) LEGO parts, especially for expensive collectible sets
• Replica Plant Leaves 6 x 5 (part 2417) that were made "only in colours that LEGO did not make", until LEGO made some of those colours later...
• Replica train wheel rubber, to replace old parts that have deteriorated over time.
• Custom chromed parts, making it difficult to find the parts that were actually chromed by LEGO
• And finally last year there was a story that Chinese clone bricks were found that used the LEGO logo. As far as I know, this is the first time that suspected clone bricks might actually have used the LEGO logo. Usually, people just think that parts made in another mould version must be fake.
These fake parts often violate the intellectual property rights of LEGO (and franchises like Star Wars when those stickers/prints are copied). For collectors, they can make things very difficult. How to separate genuine or even rare valuable items from cheap knock-offs?
I don't have any of these in my collection, but I would probably be interested in a few of those rumoured Chinese Fake-LEGO-2x4-bricks with LEGO logo...
Reasons to collect
Treasure hunt and the community - It's a fun hobby
People still frequently find items that have never been seen by our community before. Finding them, sharing them online, and engaging the community bring both joy and social interaction with fellow collectors. The new items provide an opportunity to everyone to learn something new and to gain new insights or better understanding.
There is also fun in the chase. Figuring out what is out there and where to find it. Gotta catch 'em all!
And, finally.... Ohhh, Look how beautiful this new brick is!
Understanding history and product design
Through collecting these items, we can learn about LEGO's history. By comparing them, or thinking about why things are the way they are, we can learn about the evolution of technology and ideas. Every brick tells a story, about when and how it was made, about the challenges that had to be overcome or about the people that made and used them.
Conservation of knowledge and unique items
By finding, collecting and conserving items that are otherwise unobtainable and that might otherwise be scrapped and destroyed, we preserve tangible items that tell us the stories behind them in a visible way. When we find these items, we are often also finding the stories relating to these items.
Telling a story
Finally, when the items and their information become available, we can use those to tell a story. We can share what we have found in exhibitions or online, like on this Flickr page. Through these items and their stories, we can help people understand their rich history.
Ethical considerations
Collecting unreleased items?
While collecting, a collector should consider the implications of his or her actions.
We could consider several aspects:
1) Why the parts were made;
2) How the parts became available;
3) Who benefits from them;
4) Confidentiality and conflicts of interest.
Most of these parts were made as part of LEGO's design or quality control processes. They were made by LEGO or by their suppliers because they were needed.
Although the parts were not made to be released to the general public, most parts that do find their way out of the factories seem to do so by legitimate routes. They are, for example, included in sales or donations of leftover parts. There are stories where chemical companies have given test parts to their employees.
In most cases the person who made the parts did not personally benefit from them. The parts were often seen as unusable leftovers that could be donated or as interesting gifts to contacts or people who were involved in their development, or simply as toys for children of employees. Only later, often decades later when these children were grown up or when the employees died, did these parts make it to the secondary market. Resellers make some money by finding and selling these items.
As far as I know, confidentiality and conflicts of interest have not caused any issues yet. Considering confidentiality, we might happen to find information that could (still) be confidential. The basic principle should be that we, as fans of LEGO, do not wish to do any harm to LEGO. As a result, intellectual property and proprietary information should remain confidential. We can, however, share all publicly available information (including when it takes some effort of specialist knowledge to get it) about the items we find and our thoughts about them. Collectors might have personal friendships with people in the professional communities. We can ask for information, but we should respect their professional limits in what they can or cannot share and respect confidentiality when they ask us to remain silent about something.
Stimulation of illegitimate behaviour
In the case of the minifigure, a new situation seems to have occurred. It looks like someone, or probably a small group of people, is actively benefiting from an illegitimate activity. They have discovered the LEGO AFOL collectors market, and have found that serious money can be made by selling "unreleased prototypes", especially of minifigures related to collectable themes like Star Wars or Batman.
We cannot be certain as long as no official statements are made by LEGO, but it seems like these parts are made using LEGO moulds and LEGO materials without proper authorisation and without financial benefits for LEGO. This might be a form of theft, by the employee(s) who used the facilities and materials for personal gain. When buying these items, we might support and stimulate this kind of behaviour.
I consider the "nightshift minifigures" an interesting example of how LEGO employees and LEGO collectors deal with these items. Because of that, I do think that some of these parts have a place in my collection. I do however do not wish to stimulate the production of these figures much. That is why I choose to limit myself to a few parts. I will not buy any for resale or trade. That is just my approach though, every collector will have to make his or her own choices here.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The alpine swift (Tachymarptis melba, formerly Apus melba) is a species of swift found in Africa, southern Europe and Asia. They breed in mountains from southern Europe to the Himalaya. Like common swifts, they are migratory; the southern European population winters further south in southern Africa. They have very short legs which are used for clinging to vertical surfaces. Like most swifts, they never settle voluntarily on the ground, spending most of their lives in the air living on the insects they catch in their beaks.
This is a large swift measuring 20–22 cm in length with a wingspan of 54–60 cm with broad wings and tail with a shallow fork, superficially similar to a large barn swallow or house martin although unrelated to these two species.
In the western palearctic, temperate and Mediterranean zones, it is typically in the mountains but occasionally in lowlands, while in remainder of sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia, it occurs in a larger variety of habitats ranging from sub-desert steppe to mountains.[4] It typically breeds below 1500 m but may sometimes go up to 2300 m. In the tropical parts of it range in Kenya, it has been recorded breeding above 4000 m and in the Himalayas, it has been observed foraging at 3700 m. (wikipedia)
The Alpine Swift is a rare bird in Ireland, with maybe 1-2 birds seen annually (if that). Ireland (and the UK) is currently experiencing an unprecedented influx of the species, with what must be 100s of birds around the country. The largest flock recorded was of 9 birds (the largest flock ever recorded in Ireland or Britain for that matter). I was fortunate to see a flock of 8-9 birds over a village in Dublin while on my lunch break from work. An amazing spectacle.
This black heron has adapted to a very unique feeding behaviour making use of its wings to form a canopy, its flight feathers are particularly broad and shaped to help form the closed canopy. The erected nape plumes also help complete the canopy. Its distinctively coloured feet are similar to other herons/egrets, but interestingly, unlike many other species, the black heron’s legs do not change colour in the breeding season, suggesting that dark legs are important in the functioning of the canopy behaviour. The ability of the species to adequately catch fish in shallow open water using its unique shadow-casting behaviour is just short of amazing.
Although it’s not perfectly clear why the black heron uses this specific technique, scientists hypothesize that it has several advantages, like reducing glare and attracting the fish into a trap with the fish falsely believing its a safe place to hide in the shade. And because the shade gives the bird a better view of its victim, it can easily snatch it out of the water with its long beak. The black heron is definitely one of the sneakiest predators in the animal realm.
Watching with amazement and wondering how he or she can do the same is the glossy ibis.
This lagoon was always a hive of activity while we were at this camp, so many species of birds at all times to entertain between safari outings.
This chinchilla is my brother’s. This is something he has written for me:
“Buzz is a Hetero beige chinchilla who is just over 3 years old. He loves to sit on your shoulder whilst you walk around the house! He was acquired from a well known pet shop - he was in a cage with his two brothers but they were bought and sold separately leaving poor Buzz on his own. He is a very tame animal who likes cuddles but loves his sleep even more!
I have two additional chinchillas, one of which I have nursed back to health. When I came across her, named Valentina, a standard grey chinchilla, she was vastly underweight, and her shoulder blades and spine were clearly visible. She had lost half of her fur coat through poor diet and because she bit her fur due to boredom. I found out that she had been used for breeding, and after her last litter she was no longer wanted. Through two years of TLC, she is now a much healthier weight and has re-grown most of her fur coat. My other chinchilla, Alexei, is an ebony chinchilla. He too was left on his own after his brothers were bought. He was very scared at the pet shop, sat in the back corner of his cage shaking. When meeting new people, he still gets scared and shakes due to his experiences in the pet shop.”
The RSPCA do amazing things - they save animals every day from a meaningless life, from a painful life.
One of their key campaigns is the Five Freedoms.
Freedom from hunger and thirst
# by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour.
Freedom from discomfort
# by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
Freedom from pain, injury or disease
# by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
Freedom to express normal behaviour
# by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind.
Freedom from fear and distress
# by ensuring conditions and care which avoid mental suffering.
So, for the pets who were given as Christmas gifts and are not wanted a month on; for the garden birds who've suffered in the cold weather; for the battery hens and mutilated seals; for intensively farmed puppies and kittens beaten and left for dead; for the 150-200 animals still used in circuses; for all of these we raise awareness of the vital work carried out by the RSPCA.
The main RSPCA homepage is www.rspca.org.uk
I was met with in an accident and leg was fractured. A plate was fixed in my leg. With this, I went to Sankagiri Fort, near Salem, Tamil Nadu, India with my friend and I was not able to walk for long distance and due to pain, I laid down on the way under a tree. Then, around 10 monkeys came near the tree and I was waiting for a good shot with my camera. Suddenly, a monkey took newspaper and while laying down, I shot this photo which I feel is the gift given by God.
I also thank my friend at this moment who was with me at that time. Date :- 11-03-2018 - Timing - 15:17 pm
- Instagram id:- @nagendran_c4777
One of the major reasons why we need to work towards protecting the environment is because it helps to protect humanity. If we didn’t have our environment, then we wouldn’t have a place to live or resources to live.it is our moral obligation to do so. As a human who lives on earth, it is our responsibility to make sure that it is protected. We must give back to the future generation that what we have received and enjoying. Give them an environment that isn’t damaged and teach them how to continue living sustainably. I request all good souls to plant Banyan tree while making tree plantation. It will have a long lasting effect for mankind and go a long way in carry forwarding the nature to the next generation and will also give fruits useful for birds. Instagram Id : @nagendran_c4777. Planting of trees in a special occasion such as Birthday Wedding etc is a excellent gesture. It can be done in memory of our Parents, Teachers, Friends and also people who comes across in our life such as Doctors Nurses and health staff for their noble service to the society.
( Interview of Shri. C. Nagendran BSNL in NewsTamil 24x7 - Dated:- 05-10-2024 )
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Ly_euGfvk
youtu.be/GgOvcjSlA6Y?si=hH_LWz9Ij_NBI1Xr
C. Nagendran,
Instagram id:- @nagendran_c4777
Photographed at my red squirrel site in the Scottish Highlands. Please contact me for workshop details.
Scientific Name : indopadilla sp
Family : Salticidae
📷Olympus OM-D EM-5 Mark III
📷M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f2.8
⚡Olympus Fl36r + Wayfuser
🇲🇾 Malaysia
FDCPCG Contest: 3 Round: 3 Theme: BOUDOIR BEHAVIOR
www.flickr.com/groups/fdcpcg/pool/
Credits: Agnes is a Nightfall Agnes on a Poppy Parker/Darla Daley body. Top and shorts are playline, boots are by Hot Dotz Blythe (ebay).
A courting pair [female (left) and male (right)] of Creek Frogs (Ranoidea rheocola) [Pelodryadidae; Pelodryadinae], from Wooroonooran National Park, Queensland, Australia.
One of the reasons male frogs vocalise (call) is to attract females for the purposes of reproduction. Here, the male frog has been calling and caught the interest of the female. Following this interaction, the pair would begin amplexus followed by egg laying. In this species, egg deposition occurs in fast flowing rainforest streams or creeks, and the males call from vegetation or rocks along these waterways.