Cuiaba River

The Pantanal

Brazil

South America

The green iguana (Iguana iguana), also known as the American iguana, is a large, arboreal, mostly herbivorous species of lizard of the genus Iguana. It is native to Central, South America, and the Caribbean. The green iguana ranges over a large geographic area, from southern Brazil and Paraguay as far north as Mexico and the Caribbean islands.

They have been introduced from South America to Puerto Rico and are very common throughout the island, where they are colloquially known as gallina de palo and considered an invasive species; in the United States feral populations also exist in South Florida (including the Florida Keys), Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

A herbivore, it has adapted significantly with regard to locomotion and osmoregulation as a result of its diet. It grows to 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) in length from head to tail, although a few specimens have grown more than 2 metres (6.6 ft) with bodyweights upward of 20 pounds (9.1 kg).

Green iguanas use "head bobs" and dewlaps in a variety of ways in social interactions, such as greeting another iguana or to court a possible mate. The frequency and number of head bobs have particular meanings to other iguanas. Green iguanas are hunted by predatory birds.

Green Iguanas are primarily herbivores, with the reptiles feeding on growing shoots of upwards of 100 different species of plant. In Panama one of the green iguana's favorite foods is wild plum, Spondias mombin. - Wikipedia

Der Grüne Leguan (Iguana iguana) ist ein Vertreter der Leguane (Iguanidae), dessen Lebensraum in Mittelamerika und Südamerika liegt. Grüne Leguane erreichen für gewöhnlich eine Kopfrumpflänge von 45 Zentimetern. Mit dem Schwanz zusammen erreichen sie Längen von zwei Metern, manchmal 2,2 Metern. Sie werden in Gefangenschaft gut 10 bis 17 Jahre alt, es wurde aber schon von Tieren berichtet, die 25 Jahre alt wurden. Der bevorzugte Lebensraum sind Tieflandwälder in der Nähe größerer Gewässer. Grüne Leguane sind ausgesprochene Flachlandbewohner und überschreiten fast nie die Höhengrenze von 1000 Metern. Sie sind primär baumbewohnend und gute Kletterer, können aber auch gut schwimmen. Sie sind ausschließlich pflanzenfressend (Wikipedia).

The green iguana (Iguana iguana), also known as the American iguana, is a large, arboreal, mostly herbivorous species of lizard of the genus Iguana. It is native from southern Brazil and Paraguay as far north as Mexico, and have been introduced from South America to Puerto Rico and are very common throughout the island, where they are colloquially known as gallina de palo ("bamboo chicken" or "chicken of the trees") and considered an invasive species. It grows to 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) in length from head to tail, although a few specimens have grown more than 2 metres (6.6 ft) with bodyweights upward of 20 pounds (9.1 kg). Agile climbers, Iguana iguana can fall up to 50 feet (15 m) and land unhurt. Iguanas use their hind leg claws to clasp leaves and branches to break a fall (Wikipedia)

I just love the bright red bill and blue to emerald plumage of the broad-billed hummingbird. This species supposedly eats 1.6 to 1.7x their bodyweight in food each day. And like other hummingbird species their tiny legs and feet are incapable of walking or hopping. Their mobility comes entirely from flight.

Cuiaba River

The Pantanal

Brazil

South America

The green iguana (Iguana iguana), also known as the American iguana, is a large, arboreal, mostly herbivorous species of lizard of the genus Iguana. It is native to Central, South America, and the Caribbean. The green iguana ranges over a large geographic area, from southern Brazil and Paraguay as far north as Mexico and the Caribbean islands.

They have been introduced from South America to Puerto Rico and are very common throughout the island, where they are colloquially known as gallina de palo and considered an invasive species; in the United States feral populations also exist in South Florida (including the Florida Keys), Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

A herbivore, it has adapted significantly with regard to locomotion and osmoregulation as a result of its diet. It grows to 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) in length from head to tail, although a few specimens have grown more than 2 metres (6.6 ft) with bodyweights upward of 20 pounds (9.1 kg).

Green iguanas use "head bobs" and dewlaps in a variety of ways in social interactions, such as greeting another iguana or to court a possible mate. The frequency and number of head bobs have particular meanings to other iguanas. Green iguanas are hunted by predatory birds.

Green Iguanas are primarily herbivores, with the reptiles feeding on growing shoots of upwards of 100 different species of plant. In Panama one of the green iguana's favorite foods is wild plum, Spondias mombin. - Wikipedia

Der Grüne Leguan (Iguana iguana) ist ein Vertreter der Leguane (Iguanidae), dessen Lebensraum in Mittelamerika und Südamerika liegt. Grüne Leguane erreichen für gewöhnlich eine Kopfrumpflänge von 45 Zentimetern. Mit dem Schwanz zusammen erreichen sie Längen von zwei Metern, manchmal 2,2 Metern. Sie werden in Gefangenschaft gut 10 bis 17 Jahre alt, es wurde aber schon von Tieren berichtet, die 25 Jahre alt wurden. Der bevorzugte Lebensraum sind Tieflandwälder in der Nähe größerer Gewässer. Grüne Leguane sind ausgesprochene Flachlandbewohner und überschreiten fast nie die Höhengrenze von 1000 Metern. Sie sind primär baumbewohnend und gute Kletterer, können aber auch gut schwimmen. Sie sind ausschließlich pflanzenfressend (Wikipedia).

The green iguana (Iguana iguana), also known as the American iguana, is a large, arboreal, mostly herbivorous species of lizard of the genus Iguana. It is native from southern Brazil and Paraguay as far north as Mexico, and have been introduced from South America to Puerto Rico and are very common throughout the island, where they are colloquially known as gallina de palo ("bamboo chicken" or "chicken of the trees") and considered an invasive species. It grows to 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) in length from head to tail, although a few specimens have grown more than 2 metres (6.6 ft) with bodyweights upward of 20 pounds (9.1 kg). Agile climbers, Iguana iguana can fall up to 50 feet (15 m) and land unhurt. Iguanas use their hind leg claws to clasp leaves and branches to break a fall (Wikipedia)

The Green Iguana is a large, arboreal, mostly herbivorous species of lizard of the genus Iguana. Usually, this animal is simply called the iguana. The Green Iguana ranges over a large geographic area; it is native from southern Brazil and Paraguay as far north as Mexico, and has been introduced from South America to Puerto Rico and is very common throughout the island, where it is colloquially known as gallina de palo ("bamboo chicken" or "chicken of the trees") and considered an invasive species. In the United States, feral populations also exist in South Florida (including the Florida Keys), Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Green Iguanas have also successfully colonised the island of Anguilla, arriving on the island in 1995 after rafting across the Caribbean from Guadeloupe, where they were introduced.

A herbivore, it has adapted significantly with regard to locomotion and osmoregulation as a result of its diet. It grows to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in length from head to tail, although a few specimens have grown more than 2 m (6.6 ft) with bodyweights upward of 20 lb (9.1 kg).

Parque Natural Metropolitano, Panama. January 2014.

The Pantanal

Brazil

South America

The green iguana (Iguana iguana), also known as the American iguana, is a large, arboreal, mostly herbivorous species of lizard of the genus Iguana. Usually, this animal is simply called the iguana. The green iguana ranges over a large geographic area; it is native from southern Brazil and Paraguay as far north as Mexico, and have been introduced from South America to Puerto Rico.

Considered an invasive species; in the United States, feral populations also exist in South Florida (including the Florida Keys), Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

A herbivore, it has adapted significantly with regard to locomotion and osmoregulation as a result of its diet. It grows to 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) in length from head to tail, although a few specimens have grown more than 2 metres (6.6 ft) with bodyweights upward of 20 pounds (9.1 kg). – Wikipedia

My super fit labrador friend Rosie displaces twice her own bodyweight in snow with every excited leap...

he's about 4mm in length. carrying nearly his own bodyweight

The Pantanal

Brazil

South America

The green iguana (Iguana iguana), also known as the American iguana, is a large, arboreal, mostly herbivorous species of lizard of the genus Iguana. Usually, this animal is simply called the iguana. The green iguana ranges over a large geographic area; it is native from southern Brazil and Paraguay as far north as Mexico and have been introduced from South America to Puerto Rico.

Considered an invasive species; in the United States, feral populations also exist in South Florida (including the Florida Keys), Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

A herbivore, it has adapted significantly with regard to locomotion and osmoregulation as a result of its diet. It grows to 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) in length from head to tail, although a few specimens have grown more than 2 metres (6.6 ft) with bodyweights upward of 20 pounds (9.1 kg). – Wikipedia

Male Anna's Hummingbird in front of our grapefruit tree in our backyard this morning. There is quite a lot of activity now with the boys in particular fighting it out all day long. Some epic chases!

Here are some interesting facts that I uncovered just because I love hummingbirds. The Anna's hummingbird heart beats from 500-1200 beats per minute. They can consume up to 3x their bodyweight in nectar every day and require 3 to 8 calories per day, equivalent to a human consuming 150,000 calories. Hummingbirds have the largest hearts relative to their body size in the animal kingdom - up to 2.5% of their body weight (compared to humans at about 0.3% of body weight)

The Anna's hummingbird's feathers have no pigment. Rather, they have millions of tiny bubbles in their feathers that only reflect certain wavelengths of color which can be further amplified by the light bouncing around inside those tiny bubbles.

Well, I guess I've blathered on long enough to prove I'm a hummingbird geek

The Black guillemot is a medium-sized bird with adults normally 30 to 32 centimetres (12 to 12+1⁄2 inches) in length and with wingspans of 52 to 58 cm (20+1⁄2 to 23 in).

The bodyweight can range from 300 to 460 grams (10+1⁄2 to 16 ounces). Adults have both summer and winter plumage and there is no sexual difference in this that can be identified in the field.

The English common name “Black Guillemot” references their strikingly black breeding summer plumage which is totally black except for a large white patch on the upper side of their wings. During the summer plumage, their legs, feet and inside of the mouth are all a bright coral-red, and their beak is a black.

Adults lose their summer plumage in an early fall moult where their upper plumage become barred with light grey and white, their head is a pale grey, their underparts white, and legs and feet a pale red. They retain their white wing patch, black beak and red inside their mouth. The call in the breeding season is a high whistle. The red gape is also prominent then.

Juveniles and immatures can easily be identified by the spotting of the white wing patch with grey or brown feathers and is easy to see even at far distances in the field.

This image was taken on Vigur Island in Iceland

The Black guillemot is a medium sized bird with adults normally 30–32cm in length and with wingspans of 52 -58cm. The bodyweight can range from 300-460g. Adults have both summer and winter plumage and there is no sexual difference in this that can be identified in the field. The English common name “Black Guillemot” references their strikingly black breeding summer plumage which is totally black except for a large white patch on the upper side of their wings. During the summer plumage, their legs, feet and inside of the mouth are all a bright coral-red, and their beak is a black. Adults lose their summer plumage in an early fall moult where their upper plumage become barred with light grey and white, their head is a pale grey, their underparts white, and legs and feet a pale red. They retain their white wing patch, black beak and red inside their mouth.

Der Grüne Leguan (Iguana iguana) ist ein Vertreter der Leguane (Iguanidae), dessen Lebensraum in Mittelamerika und Südamerika liegt. Grüne Leguane erreichen für gewöhnlich eine Kopfrumpflänge von 45 Zentimetern. Mit dem Schwanz zusammen erreichen sie Längen von zwei Metern, manchmal 2,2 Metern. Sie werden in Gefangenschaft gut 10 bis 17 Jahre alt, es wurde aber schon von Tieren berichtet, die 25 Jahre alt wurden. Der bevorzugte Lebensraum sind Tieflandwälder in der Nähe größerer Gewässer. Grüne Leguane sind ausgesprochene Flachlandbewohner und überschreiten fast nie die Höhengrenze von 1000 Metern. Sie sind primär baumbewohnend und gute Kletterer, können aber auch gut schwimmen. Sie sind ausschließlich pflanzenfressend (Wikipedia).

The green iguana (Iguana iguana), also known as the American iguana, is a large, arboreal, mostly herbivorous species of lizard of the genus Iguana. It is native from southern Brazil and Paraguay as far north as Mexico, and have been introduced from South America to Puerto Rico and are very common throughout the island, where they are colloquially known as gallina de palo ("bamboo chicken" or "chicken of the trees") and considered an invasive species. It grows to 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) in length from head to tail, although a few specimens have grown more than 2 metres (6.6 ft) with bodyweights upward of 20 pounds (9.1 kg). Agile climbers, Iguana iguana can fall up to 50 feet (15 m) and land unhurt. Iguanas use their hind leg claws to clasp leaves and branches to break a fall (Wikipedia)

This big old Fallow deer buck (Dama dama) was the dominant Buck around, here he is resting on his stand at the last light of a golden evening, in an area where he literally makes his stand to take on all comers during the rut. He was resting after a day of seeing off several other bucks, and attracting more females to his harem.

www.paullindleyphotography.co.uk/

Fallow deer bucks don't eat during the time of the rut, losing up to 30% of their bodyweight as they concentrate on the task ahead. This fella had his stand at the top of a hill with all the lesser mortals scattered around him below, often having to take one of them on when they thought the time was right. Some fallow deer stands are many generations old.

Taken near Sevenoaks, Kent, UK

The green iguana (Iguana iguana), also known as the American iguana or the common green iguana, is a large, arboreal, mostly herbivorous species of lizard of the genus Iguana. Usually, this animal is simply called the iguana.

The native range of the green iguana extends from southern Mexico to central Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia and the Caribbean; specifically Grenada, Aruba, Curaçao, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Útila. They have been introduced to Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola (in the Dominican Republic), Guadeloupe, Texas, Florida, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Furthermore, green iguanas colonised the island of Anguilla in 1995 after being washed ashore following a hurricane. Though the species is not native to Martinique, a small wild colony of released or escaped green iguanas endures at historic Fort Saint Louis.

A herbivore, it has adapted significantly with regard to locomotion and osmoregulation as a result of its diet. It grows to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in length from head to tail, although a few specimens have grown more than 2 m (6.6 ft) with bodyweights upward of 20 lb (9.1 kg).

Despite their name, green iguanas occur in different colours and types. In southern countries of their range, such as Peru, green iguanas appear bluish in colour, with bold blue markings. On islands such as Bonaire, Curaçao, Aruba, and Grenada, a green iguana's colour may vary from green to lavender, black, and even reddish brown. Green iguanas from the western region of Costa Rica are red, and animals of the northern ranges, such as Mexico, appear orange. Juvenile green iguanas from El Salvador are often bright blue, but lose this color as they get older.

This image was taken at Aruba, one of the Leeward Antilles, in the Caribbean Sea

Anthropogenic mass refers to the total weight of inanimate solid objects created by humans that are currently in use. On average, for each person on the globe, anthropogenic mass equal to more than his or her bodyweight is produced every week. Source: www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-3010-5

We are burying ourselves in garbage!

Widely distributed throughout Britain & Ireland, this tiny songbird vies with the closely-related Firecrest for the title of our smallest breeding bird.

Being so small (5-6 g), Goldcrests are vulnerable in cold weather, and as such numbers fluctuate depending on the harshness of the seasons. In winter, the resident Goldcrest population is bolstered by arrivals from Fennoscandia, and impressive numbers can sometimes be found on the east coast in the autumn, recovering in the dunes after their long flight across the North Sea.

Despite their small size, female Goldcrests can lay up to 12 eggs in a clutch (one and a half times an adult's bodyweight). Goldcrests have an overall olive appearance, with their eponymous stripe on the top of their heads, which is more orange in males and yellow in females. Goldcrests can often be seen searching trees, especially conifers, for small invertebrate prey. Their high-pitched, repetitive song can also be a good way to find one.

We still have snow and frost here in the Pennines which makes a great backdrop for wildlife photographs. This hungry Goldcrest was searching frost-covered vegetation on the banks of the River Calder in West Yorkshire. It always surprises me that a bird so small can survive sub-zero temperatures because of a high surface area to volume ratio. This means that there's a lot of surface to lose heat out of for such a small body. As things get bigger this becomes less of a problem as the surface area becomes smaller relative to body size. I know it's geeky and most people will glaze over but the surface area of a sphere is 4πr² whereas its volume is ⁴⁄₃πr³. This means that as the radius (r) of a ball (or bird) gets bigger, its surface area increases as the radius is squared whereas its volume is the radius cubed, so increases relatively much more. That's why large birds and animals can retain heat better than small ones.

Thousands of Goldcrests migrate to Britain from Fennoscandia to escape their cold continental winters. It seems odd that birds might migrate to Britain for its warm winters but that's what they do. In really bad winters the population crashes but Goldcrests can bounce back by laying up to 12 eggs, though 6-8 is more typical. A clutch this size can exceed her bodyweight, but she produces one every day or two. She even uses her hot legs to help incubate such a large clutch. As well as being a winter visitor we also have a large breeding population of more than half a million pairs, preferring to nest among conifers.

Its scientific name is Regulus regulus, which translates as little king, or kinglet as they are called in America. This obviously refers to the golden crown which is visible here.

Here is another photograph I took this week close to home. For such a common British bird I do find them difficult to photograph well. The British population is currently c790,000 breeding pairs but there are more in winter with a big influx of birds from Fennoscandia.

It never ceases to amaze me that such a tiny bird can survive sub zero temperatures. Weighing just 5 or 6g, Goldcrest competes with its close cousin Firecrest as the smallest British bird. But being small means it has difficulty keeping warm (because it has a large surface area to volume ratio). In really bad winters the population crashes but Goldcrests can bounce back by laying up to 12 eggs, though 6-8 is more typical. A clutch this size can exceed her bodyweight, but she produces just one every day or two, and does not start incubating until she has a full clutch. She even uses her hot legs to help incubate such a large clutch. Its scientific name is Regulus regulus, which translates as little king, or kinglet as they are called in America. This obviously refers to the golden crown which is visible here. Its English name Goldcrest took a bit of getting to. It was first named Golden-crowned Wren by John Ray in 1678. Ninety years later in 1768 Thomas Pennant coined Golden-crested Wren which persisted for well over a hundred years, though many naturalists were unhappy with the "Wren" part of the name as it wasn't a Wren. Some authors used its scientific name or even its translation (Kinglet) that is used in America. For example William Yarrell in 1843 called it "Little Golden-crested Regulus , or Kinglet". But throughout the nineteenth century it was generally known as Golden-crested Wren, but that tended to be shortened to Goldcrest. This became so well-used that the name stuck and is now adopted.

I love dung beetles!! it is big fun to lie on my stomach and watch them. There is so much going on in a pile of dung :-)

There's construction work as huge perfectly round balls of dung are made in no time at all.

There is blossoming love, as the females come flying in and above the dung pile let themselves fall straight into the fresh dung. They come to inspect the male's balls and when they see one they like they just cling onto it.

Than the male goes down on his 'hands' an starts rolling the ball with his hind legs, still with the female attached. They can roll up to 50 times their own bodyweight! They always roll the ball in a straight line to where they want to go, no matter what obstacles there might be (I once saw a couple of dung beetles roll their ball over a leopard's bum).

But on the way to the spot where they are going to bury the ball, there are many dangers! You can get trampled by an elephant, driven over by a vehicle, get eaten by a bird of.. your ball can get stolen by another dung beetle who's too lazy to roll one himself!! And than you'll have to fight. Fight like the brave little gladiator you are...

The Wildlife Diary has been updated with another truly exciting day.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!

Shot with the 500mm; perhaps not the most obvious macro lens :-)

Weighing in at 5 or 6g, Goldcrest competes with its close cousin Firecrest as the smallest British bird. But being small means it has difficulty keeping warm (because it has a large surface area to volume ratio). In really bad winters the population crashes but Goldcrests can bounce back by laying up to 12 eggs, though 6-8 is more typical. A clutch this size can exceed her bodyweight, but she produces just one every day or two, and does not start incubating until she has a full clutch. She even uses her hot legs to help incubate such a large clutch. It is quite a common breeding bird in Britain with more than half a million pairs but many more arrive here for the winter escaping the cold Scandinavian winter. Its scientific name is Regulus regulus, which translates as little king, or kinglet as they are called in America. This obviously refers to the golden crown which is visible here. Its English name Goldcrest took a bit of getting to. It was first named Golden-crowned Wren by John Ray in 1678. Ninety years later in 1768 Thomas Pennant coined Golden-crested Wren which persisted for well over a hundred years, though many naturalists were unhappy with the "Wren" part of the name as it wasn't a Wren. Some authors used its scientific name or even its translation (Kinglet) that is used in America. For example William Yarrell in 1843 called it "Little Golden-crested Regulus , or Kinglet". But throughout the nineteenth century it was generally known as Golden-crested Wren, but that tended to be shortened to Goldcrest. This became so well-used that the name stuck and is now adopted.

I photographed this male sitting on a Sitka Spruce branch near Holmfirth.

Explore # 128

Spotted in the flight area of The Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm: the Peruvian Green Iguana. It is a herbivorous reptile native to Central and South America and the Caribbean. They can be rather mischievous and they have been known to enter the shop in search of a mate during the breeding season.Knowing it grows to 1.5 meters in length from head to tail, some grow more than 2 metres with bodyweights of 20 pounds (9.1 kg) I can image the screams of the visitors... LOL!!!!

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The green iguana (Iguana iguana), also known as the American iguana or the common green iguana, is a large, arboreal, mostly herbivorous species of lizard of the genus Iguana. Usually, this animal is simply called the iguana.

The native range of the green iguana extends from southern Mexico to central Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia and the Caribbean; specifically Grenada, Aruba, Curaçao, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Útila. They have been introduced to Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola (in the Dominican Republic), Guadeloupe, Texas, Florida, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Furthermore, green iguanas colonised the island of Anguilla in 1995 after being washed ashore following a hurricane. Though the species is not native to Martinique, a small wild colony of released or escaped green iguanas endures at historic Fort Saint Louis.

A herbivore, it has adapted significantly with regard to locomotion and osmoregulation as a result of its diet. It grows to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in length from head to tail, although a few specimens have grown more than 2 m (6.6 ft) with bodyweights upward of 20 lb (9.1 kg).

Despite their name, green iguanas occur in different colours and types. In southern countries of their range, such as Peru, green iguanas appear bluish in colour, with bold blue markings. On islands such as Bonaire, Curaçao, Aruba, and Grenada, a green iguana's colour may vary from green to lavender, black, and even reddish brown. Green iguanas from the western region of Costa Rica are red, and animals of the northern ranges, such as Mexico, appear orange. Juvenile green iguanas from El Salvador are often bright blue, but lose this color as they get older.

This image was taken at Aruba, one of the Leeward Antilles, in the Caribbean Sea

It never ceases to amaze me that such a tiny bird can survive sub zero temperatures. Weighing just 5 or 6g, Goldcrest competes with its close cousin Firecrest as the smallest British bird. But being small means it has difficulty keeping warm (because it has a large surface area to volume ratio). In really bad winters the population crashes but Goldcrests can bounce back by laying up to 12 eggs, though 6-8 is more typical. A clutch this size can exceed her bodyweight, but she produces just one every day or two, and does not start incubating until she has a full clutch. She even uses her hot legs to help incubate such a large clutch. It is quite a common breeding bird in Britain with more than half a million pairs but many more arrive here for the winter escaping the cold Scandinavian winter. Its scientific name is Regulus regulus, which translates as little king, or kinglet as they are called in America. This obviously refers to the golden crown which is visible here. Its English name Goldcrest took a bit of getting to. It was first named Golden-crowned Wren by John Ray in 1678. Ninety years later in 1768 Thomas Pennant coined Golden-crested Wren which persisted for well over a hundred years, though many naturalists were unhappy with the "Wren" part of the name as it wasn't a Wren. Some authors used its scientific name or even its translation (Kinglet) that is used in America. For example William Yarrell in 1843 called it "Little Golden-crested Regulus , or Kinglet". But throughout the nineteenth century it was generally known as Golden-crested Wren, but that tended to be shortened to Goldcrest. This became so well-used that the name stuck and is now adopted.

I photographed this one during a recent walk from home as it fed in a snowy Scot's Pine. This one is a male as you can see a splash of orange in his yellow crown. Females have a pure yellow crown stripe though the orange is often very difficult to see.

This is a Wilson's Snipe, a stocky shorebird with a very long beak that can get deep in the muck to find larva, worms and other invertebrates. I read on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology site that the pectoral muscles of this bird makes up nearly 25% of its bodyweight. And with those big flying muscles, then can reach estimated speeds of 60 MPH. I wouldn't typically think of a chunky bird like this as a speed demon, but I guess I'm wrong. I maybe see this species once or twice per year, so I was happy to see it poking around pond 5 at the Gilbert Riparian Preserve

The black guillemot or tystie (Cepphus grylle) is a medium-sized seabird of the Alcidae family, native throughout northern Atlantic coasts and eastern North American coasts. It is resident in much of its range, but large populations from the high arctic migrate southwards in winter.

The bird can be seen in and around its breeding habitat of rocky shores, cliffs and islands in single or smalls groups of pairs. They feed mainly by diving towards the sea floor feeding on fish, crustaceans or other benthic invertebrates. They are listed on the IUCN red list as a species of least concern.

The black guillemot is a medium-sized bird with adults normally 30 to 32 centimetres (12 to 12+1⁄2 inches) in length and with wingspans of 52 to 58 cm (20+1⁄2 to 23 in). The bodyweight can range from 300 to 460 grams (10+1⁄2 to 16 ounces).

Adults have both summer and winter plumage and there is no sexual difference in this that can be identified in the field. The English common name “Black Guillemot” references their strikingly black breeding summer plumage which is totally black except for a large white patch on the upper side of their wings. During the summer plumage, their legs, feet and inside of the mouth are all a bright coral-red, and their beak is a black.

Adults lose their summer plumage in an early fall moult where their upper plumage become barred with light grey and white, their head is a pale grey, their underparts white, and legs and feet a pale red. They retain their white wing patch, black beak and red inside their mouth. The call in the breeding season is a high whistle. The red gape is also prominent then.

Juveniles and immatures can easily be identified by the spotting of the white wing patch with grey or brown feathers and is easy to see even at far distances in the field.

This image was taken in Witless Bay, near St Johns in Newfoundland, Canada

At the Pashputinath temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, 1993. Hundreds of sadhus (itinerant Hindu holy men, like this fella) turn up at the temple every year for the Shivaratri festival. There, they celebrate the life of the god Shiva by smoking their own bodyweight in weed and doing unspeakable things. I saw one guy, a "naga baba" (a sadhu who spends his life naked) lifting great big rocks with a sling tied around his cock. The crowd went wild for that one. Scanned from print.

The green iguana (Iguana iguana), also known as the American iguana or the common green iguana, is a large, arboreal, mostly herbivorous species of lizard of the genus Iguana. Usually, this animal is simply called the iguana.

The native range of the green iguana extends from southern Mexico to central Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia and the Caribbean; specifically Grenada, Aruba, Curaçao, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Útila. They have been introduced to Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola (in the Dominican Republic), Guadeloupe, Texas, Florida, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Furthermore, green iguanas colonised the island of Anguilla in 1995 after being washed ashore following a hurricane. Though the species is not native to Martinique, a small wild colony of released or escaped green iguanas endures at historic Fort Saint Louis.

A herbivore, it has adapted significantly with regard to locomotion and osmoregulation as a result of its diet. It grows to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in length from head to tail, although a few specimens have grown more than 2 m (6.6 ft) with bodyweights upward of 20 lb (9.1 kg).

Despite their name, green iguanas occur in different colours and types. In southern countries of their range, such as Peru, green iguanas appear bluish in colour, with bold blue markings. On islands such as Bonaire, Curaçao, Aruba, and Grenada, a green iguana's colour may vary from green to lavender, black, and even reddish brown. Green iguanas from the western region of Costa Rica are red, and animals of the northern ranges, such as Mexico, appear orange. Juvenile green iguanas from El Salvador are often bright blue, but lose this color as they get older.

This image was taken at Aruba, one of the Leeward Antilles, in the Caribbean Sea

Widely distributed throughout Britain & Ireland, this tiny songbird vies with the closely-related Firecrest for the title of our smallest breeding bird.

Being so small (5-6 g), Goldcrests are vulnerable in cold weather, and as such numbers fluctuate depending on the harshness of the seasons. In winter, the resident Goldcrest population is bolstered by arrivals from Fennoscandia, and impressive numbers can sometimes be found on the east coast in the autumn, recovering in the dunes after their long flight across the North Sea.

Despite their small size, female Goldcrests can lay up to 12 eggs in a clutch (one and a half times an adult's bodyweight). Goldcrests have an overall olive appearance, with their eponymous stripe on the top of their heads, which is more orange in males and yellow in females. Goldcrests can often be seen searching trees, especially conifers, for small invertebrate prey. Their high-pitched, repetitive song can also be a good way to find one.

Goldcrest holds the record for being the smallest British bird. From bill tip to tail they are about 9cm and weigh in at 4.5 to 7g. It always surprises me that a bird so small can survive a British winter because of a high surface area to volume ratio. This means that there's a lot of surface to lose heat out of for such a small body. As things get bigger this becomes less of a problem as the surface area becomes smaller relative to body size. I know it's geeky and most people will glaze over but the surface area of a sphere is 4πr² whereas its volume is ⁴⁄₃πr³. This means that as the radius (r) of a ball (or bird) gets bigger, its surface area increases as the radius is squared whereas its volume is the radius cubed, so increases relatively much more (two squared is 4, but two cubed is 8). That's why large birds and animals can retain heat better than small ones.

Thousands of Goldcrests migrate to Britain from Fennoscandia to escape their cold continental winters. It seems odd that birds might migrate to Britain for its warm winters but that's what they do. In really bad winters the population crashes but Goldcrests can bounce back by laying up to 12 eggs, though 6-8 is more typical. A clutch this size can exceed her bodyweight, but she produces one every day or two. She even uses her hot legs to help incubate such a large clutch. As well as being a winter visitor we also have a large breeding population of more than half a million pairs, preferring to nest among conifers.

Its scientific name is Regulus regulus, which translates as little king, or kinglet as they are called in America. This obviously refers to the golden crown which is just visible here. The autumn leaf by the way is a Field Maple. This was taken last weekend in the Peak District.

Kingfishers have evolved a remarkable ability to fish. They eat mainly small fish such as minnows and sticklebacks as well as aquatic insects and newts, and need to eat their own bodyweight in food each day which is about 5,000 fish during the summer.

(S) (C)

Sandwich, Kent, England.

One of a pair in The Elms.

Length: 9cm

Wingspan: 14cm

Weight: 6g

The goldcrest is a tiny kinglet of conifer woodland, scrub, parks and gardens. In autumn, resident birds are joined by large numbers on migration; they arrive on the east coast and are often found in bushes on sand dunes. The goldcrest is widespread in the UK, apart from in areas which are treeless, such as fens and northern Scotland. In winter, it joins other tits and woodland birds in flocks. Although it is our smallest songbird, it can lay up to 12 eggs in a clutch, which is about one and a half times the adult female's bodyweight.

www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/birds/tits-crest...

The Pantanal

Brazil

South America

The green iguana (Iguana iguana), also known as the American iguana, is a large, arboreal, mostly herbivorous species of lizard of the genus Iguana. Usually, this animal is simply called the iguana. The green iguana ranges over a large geographic area; it is native from southern Brazil and Paraguay as far north as Mexico and have been introduced from South America to Puerto Rico.

Considered an invasive species; in the United States, feral populations also exist in South Florida (including the Florida Keys), Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

A herbivore, it has adapted significantly with regard to locomotion and osmoregulation as a result of its diet. It grows to 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) in length from head to tail, although a few specimens have grown more than 2 metres (6.6 ft) with bodyweights upward of 20 pounds (9.1 kg). – Wikipedia

Weighing in at 5 or 6g, Goldcrest competes with its close cousin Firecrest as the smallest British bird. But being small means it has difficulty keeping warm (because it has a large surface area to volume ratio). That is why many, many thousands vacate Scandinavia and fly to Britain before the onset of their extremely cold winter. When they first arrive in Britain they are often exhausted and land in unusual places such as this one on an open wire. I probably see Goldcrests on most days but I very rarely see one perching in the open like this tired migrant at Spurn in East Yorkshire.

It seems odd that birds might migrate to Britain for its warm winters but that's what they do. In really bad winters the population crashes but Goldcrests can bounce back by laying up to 12 eggs, though 6-8 is more typical. A clutch this size can exceed her bodyweight, but she produces one every day or two. She even uses her hot legs to help incubate such a large clutch. As well as being a winter visitor we also have a large breeding population of more than half a million pairs, preferring to nest among conifers.

Its scientific name is Regulus regulus, which translates as little king, or kinglet as they are called in America. This obviously refers to the golden crown which is just about visible here.

The green iguana (Iguana iguana), also known as the American iguana or the common green iguana, is a large, arboreal, mostly herbivorous species of lizard of the genus Iguana. Usually, this animal is simply called the iguana.

The native range of the green iguana extends from southern Mexico to central Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia and the Caribbean; specifically Grenada, Aruba, Curaçao, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Útila. They have been introduced to Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola (in the Dominican Republic), Guadeloupe, Texas, Florida, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Furthermore, green iguanas colonised the island of Anguilla in 1995 after being washed ashore following a hurricane. Though the species is not native to Martinique, a small wild colony of released or escaped green iguanas endures at historic Fort Saint Louis.

A herbivore, it has adapted significantly with regard to locomotion and osmoregulation as a result of its diet. It grows to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in length from head to tail, although a few specimens have grown more than 2 m (6.6 ft) with bodyweights upward of 20 lb (9.1 kg).

Despite their name, green iguanas occur in different colours and types. In southern countries of their range, such as Peru, green iguanas appear bluish in colour, with bold blue markings. On islands such as Bonaire, Curaçao, Aruba, and Grenada, a green iguana's colour may vary from green to lavender, black, and even reddish brown. Green iguanas from the western region of Costa Rica are red, and animals of the northern ranges, such as Mexico, appear orange. Juvenile green iguanas from El Salvador are often bright blue, but lose this color as they get older.

This image was taken at Aruba, one of the Leeward Antilles, in the Caribbean Sea

Yesterday morning dawned with the appearance of a light dusting of snow on the higher fells, most of which melted barely hours into the day.

The data accompanying this image isn't, as you might assume, indicative of a 'shoot now, worry later', slapdash approach to photography, whereby quality is low on the pecking order. There is a calmness in this scene which belies a murderous northerly gale which used Mickleden as a way of moving up the gears. Coupled with the early sub-zero temperatures, this resulted in some seriously difficult conditions for moving about in, never mind taking photos. Anyway, the only way of getting a shutter speed fast enough to evade the serious buffeting was to up the ISO & employ the camera's image stabilization in conjunction WITH the tripod. Needs must.

P.S. I should add that this technique involves putting a fair chunk of bodyweight down on the camera as it shoots.

From the deck I noticed this cute little bird foraging for insects in the hornbeam saplings that surround the yard. This is a male and his mate was nearby and I got some good shots of her, too. They migrate about 2000 miles from winter territory in northern South America, to their summer breeding grounds in northern Canada. They have to double their bodyweight to do it. IRL they're about 5 inches - chickadee size. My first time seeing them!

"A tiny little bird, the Goldcrest is olive-green above, buff-white below, with a double white wingbar...The male has a bright orange crown, edged with black; while the female has a yellow crown...The similar Firecrest is a much rarer bird, with a black eyestripe and broad white eyebrow stripe...The goldcrest is widespread in the UK, apart from in areas which are treeless, such as fens and northern Scotland. In winter, it joins other tits and woodland birds in flocks...Although it is our smallest songbird, it can lay up to 12 eggs in a clutch, which is about one and a half times the adult female's bodyweight..."

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Weighing in at 5 or 6g, Goldcrest competes with its close cousin Firecrest as the smallest British bird. But being small means it has difficulty keeping warm (because it has a large surface area to volume ratio). In really bad winters the population crashes but Goldcrests can bounce back by laying up to 12 eggs, though 6-8 is more typical. A clutch this size can exceed her bodyweight, but she produces just one every day or two, and does not start incubating until she has a full clutch. She even uses her hot legs to help incubate such a large clutch. It is quite a common breeding bird in Britain with more than half a million pairs but many more arrive here for the winter escaping the cold Scandinavian winter. Its scientific name is Regulus regulus, which translates as little king, or kinglet as they are called in America. This obviously refers to the golden crown which is visible here. Its English name Goldcrest took a bit of getting to. It was first named Golden-crowned Wren by John Ray in 1678. Ninety years later in 1768 Thomas Pennant coined Golden-crested Wren which persisted for well over a hundred years, though many naturalists were unhappy with the "Wren" part of the name as it wasn't a Wren. Some authors used its scientific name or even its translation (Kinglet) that is used in America. For example William Yarrell in 1843 called it "Little Golden-crested Regulus , or Kinglet". But throughout the nineteenth century it was generally known as Golden-crested Wren, but that tended to be shortened to Goldcrest. This became so well-used that the name stuck and is now adopted.

This was taken a couple of days a ago during my Government sanctioned exercise bike ride.

You may notice that this green iguana is not in fact green! She came to The Living Rainforest after being a pet for a number of years. It is common in the pet trade to selectively breed individuals with more desirable traits, and artificially create different colour morphs. This can cause issues within the captive population of the species, as it often involves in-breeding.

The green iguana (Iguana iguana), also known as the American iguana or the common green iguana, is a large, arboreal, mostly herbivorous species of lizard of the genus Iguana. Usually, this animal is simply called the iguana. The green iguana ranges over a large geographic area; it is native from southern Brazil and Paraguay as far north as Mexico, and has been introduced from South America to Puerto Rico and is very common throughout the island, where it is colloquially known as gallina de palo ("bamboo chicken" or "chicken of the tree") and considered an invasive species; in the United States, feral populations also exist in South Florida (including the Florida Keys), Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Green iguanas have also successfully colonised the island of Anguilla, arriving on the island in 1995 after rafting across the Caribbean from Guadeloupe, where they were introduced.

A herbivore, it has adapted significantly with regard to locomotion and osmoregulation (the maintenance of constant osmotic pressure in the fluids of an organism by the control of water and salt concentrations) as a result of its diet. It grows to 1.5 m in length from head to tail, although a few specimens have grown more than 2 m with bodyweights upward of 9.1 kg.

This animal is a resident of The Living Rainforest which is an indoor greenhouse tropical rainforest that is located in Hampstead Norreys in Berkshire, England. It is an ecological centre, educational centre and visitor attraction consisting of three glasshouses, operated and run by the Trust for Sustainable Living. The glasshouses are named Amazonica, Lowlands and Small Islands respectively.

The Living Rainforest has been accredited by the Council for Learning Outside of the Classroom and awarded the LOtC Quality Badge. Each year around 25,000 children visit the Living Rainforest as part of their school's curriculum. It is open 7-days a week from 09:30 to 16:00.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_iguana

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Living_Rainforest

The Pantanal

Brazil

South America

Green iguana without the skin flap or dewlap showing located under the neck. Green iguanas can be found in other colors besides green.

The green iguana (Iguana iguana), also known as the American iguana, is a large, arboreal, mostly herbivorous species of lizard of the genus Iguana. Usually, this animal is simply called the iguana. The green iguana ranges over a large geographic area; it is native from southern Brazil and Paraguay as far north as Mexico, and have been introduced from South America to Puerto Rico.

Considered an invasive species; in the United States, feral populations also exist in South Florida (including the Florida Keys), Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

A herbivore, it has adapted significantly with regard to locomotion and osmoregulation as a result of its diet. It grows to 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) in length from head to tail, although a few specimens have grown more than 2 metres (6.6 ft) with bodyweights upward of 20 pounds (9.1 kg).

A small carnivorous member of the Dasyrid family found in Triodia/Mallee country. Very small (5 to 14 grams) and a voracious eater of invertebrates, consuming its bodyweight in food a day. They live only about a year and there are times when the population is almost entirely juveniles!

Unfortunately one of our group members was a little enthusiastic with the green texta, colouring the topside of the tail! Any ideas how to remove the green colouring in Photoshop, as I would like to make a larger print of this shot?

The green iguana (Iguana iguana), also known as the American iguana or the common green iguana, is a large, arboreal, mostly herbivorous species of lizard of the genus Iguana. Usually, this animal is simply called the iguana. The green iguana ranges over a large geographic area; it is native from southern Brazil and Paraguay as far north as Mexico.

A herbivore, it has adapted significantly with regard to locomotion and osmoregulation as a result of its diet. It grows to 1.7 m (5.6 ft) in length from head to tail, although a few specimens have grown more than 2 m (6.6 ft) with bodyweights upward of 20 lb (9.1 kg).

Commonly found in captivity as a pet due to its calm disposition and bright colors, it can be very demanding to care for properly. Space requirements and the need for special lighting and heat can prove challenging to the hobbyist.

This image was taken at Agua Blanca, in the Machalilla National Park, in Ecuador

"The oldest living city in the world".

Pritviraj and Vinod, after their training at the gym, this morning at sunrise near Sankathi Ghat along river Ganga in Varanasi (Benaras).

In Indian wrestling, vyayam, or physical training, is meant to build strength and develop muscle bulk and flexibility. Exercises that employ the wrestler's own bodyweight include the sun salutation, shirshasan, and the dand, which are also found in hatha yoga, as well as the bethak.

Sawari (the passenger) is the practice of using another person's bodyweight to add resistance to such exercises.

Exercise regimens may also employ the following weight training devices:

The nal is a hollow stone cylinder with a handle inside.

The gar nals (literally "neck weights") is a circular stone ring worn around the neck to add resistance to dands and bethaks.

The gada is a mace, as associated with Hanuman.

An exercise gada is a heavy round stone attached to the end of a meter-long bamboo stick.

Pahalwani trophies take the form of gadas made of silver and gold.

Exercise regimens may also include dhakulis, which involve twisting rotations; rope climbing; log pulling; and running. Massage is regarded an integral part of a pahalwan's exercise regimen.

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Please do not use any photographs without permission (even for private use).

The use of any work without consent of the artist is PROHIBITED and will lead automatically to consequences.

The black guillemot is a medium-sized bird with adults normally 30 to 32 centimetres (12 to 12+1⁄2 inches) in length and with wingspans of 52 to 58 cm (20+1⁄2 to 23 in). The bodyweight can range from 300 to 460 grams (10+1⁄2 to 16 ounces).

Adults have both summer and winter plumage and there is no sexual difference in this that can be identified in the field. The English common name “Black Guillemot” references their strikingly black breeding summer plumage which is totally black except for a large white patch on the upper side of their wings.

During the summer plumage, their legs, feet and inside of the mouth are all a bright coral-red, and their beak is a black. Adults lose their summer plumage in an early fall moult where their upper plumage become barred with light grey and white, their head is a pale grey, their underparts white, and legs and feet a pale red.

They retain their white wing patch, black beak and red inside their mouth. The call in the breeding season is a high whistle. The red gape is also prominent then.

Juveniles and immatures can easily be identified by the spotting of the white wing patch with grey or brown feathers and is easy to see even at far distances in the field.

This image was taken on Spitsbergen.

Cuiaba River

The Pantanal

Brazil

South America

Another image of the iguana can be seen in the first comment section.

The green iguana (Iguana iguana), also known as the American iguana, is a large, arboreal, mostly herbivorous species of lizard of the genus Iguana. It is native to Central, South America, and the Caribbean. The green iguana ranges over a large geographic area, from southern Brazil and Paraguay as far north as Mexico and the Caribbean islands.

They have been introduced from South America to Puerto Rico and are very common throughout the island, where they are colloquially known as gallina de palo and considered an invasive species; in the United States feral populations also exist in South Florida (including the Florida Keys), Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

A herbivore, it has adapted significantly with regard to locomotion and osmoregulation as a result of its diet. It grows to 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) in length from head to tail, although a few specimens have grown more than 2 metres (6.6 ft) with bodyweights upward of 20 pounds (9.1 kg).

When frightened by a predator, green iguanas will attempt to flee, and if near a body of water, they dive into it and swim away. If cornered by a threat, the green iguana will extend and display the dewlap under its neck, stiffen and puff up its body, hiss, and bob its head at the aggressor. If threat persists the iguana can lash with its tail, bite and use its claws in defense. The wounded are more inclined to fight than uninjured prey.

Green iguanas use "head bobs" and dewlaps in a variety of ways in social interactions, such as greeting another iguana or to court a possible mate. The frequency and number of head bobs have particular meanings to other iguanas. Green iguanas are hunted by predatory birds.

Green Iguanas are primarily herbivores, with the reptiles feeding on growing shoots of upwards of 100 different species of plant. In Panama one of the green iguana's favorite foods is wild plum, Spondias mombin.

Miami Beach verfügt über 6 Trainingsorte in der ganzen Stadt. Egal, ob man Bodyweight-Training, Outdoor-Fitness oder Crossfit machen möchte und nach einem kostenlosen öffentlichen Fitnessstudio mit Klimmzugstange in Miami Beach sucht, hier ist man genau richtig.

Miami Beach has 6 workout places all around the city. Whether you do bodyweight exercise, outdoor fitness, or crossfit and you're looking for a free public gym with pull up bar in Miami Beach, you're at the right place.

The green iguana (Iguana iguana), also known as the American iguana, is a large, arboreal, mostly herbivorous species of lizard of the genus Iguana. It is native to Central, South America, and the Caribbean. Usually, this animal is simply called the iguana. The green iguana ranges over a large geographic area, from southern Brazil and Paraguay as far north as Mexico and the Caribbean Islands.

They have been introduced from South America to Puerto Rico and are very common throughout the island, where they are colloquially known as "Gallina de palo" and considered an invasive species; in the United States feral populations also exist in South Florida (including the Florida Keys), Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

An herbivore, it has adapted significantly with regard to locomotion and osmoregulation as a result of its diet. It grows to 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) in length from head to tail, although a few specimens have grown more than 2 metres (6.6 ft) with bodyweights upward of 20 pounds (9.1 kg).

This image was taken on Martinique in the Caribbean.

Tortuguero National Park, Limón, Costa Rica

The green iguana is a large, mostly herbivorous species of lizard. They are diurnal, arboreal, and are often found near water. Green iguanas possess a row of spines along their backs and along their tails, which helps to protect them from predators. They have a white photosensory organ on the top of their heads called the parietal eye (also called third eye, pineal eye or pineal gland), in contrast to most other lizards that have lost this primitive feature. This "eye" has only a rudimentary retina and lens and cannot form images, but is sensitive to changes in light and dark and can detect movement. This helps the iguana detect predators stalking it from above. Their whip-like tails can be used to deliver painful strikes and like many other lizards, when grabbed by the tail, the iguana can allow it to break, so it can escape and eventually regenerate a new one. They have a well-developed dewlap, which helps regulate their body temperature.

They can grow to 1.5 meters in length from head to tail, although a few specimens have grown more than 2 metres with bodyweights upward of 9.1 kg.

Despite their name, green iguanas can come in different colors. In southern countries of their range, such as Peru, green iguanas appear bluish in color with bold blue markings. On islands such as Bonaire, Curaçao, Aruba, and Grenada, a green iguana's color may range from green to lavender, black, and even pink. Green iguanas from the western region of Costa Rica are red, and animals of the northern ranges, such as Mexico, appear orange. Juvenile green iguanas from El Salvador are often bright blue as babies, but they lose this color as they get older. However, the bright green individuals in Costa Rica are juveniles, the colour fading as they become older. [info courtesy of Wikipedia]