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A while back, when I knew nothing at all about bears, I read someone's description of them as 'antisocial, killing machines'. Their 'proof' was that bears are incapable of facial expression and that any animal capable of meaningful social interactions must also be able to express itself through expressions.
At the time, I thought, this is quite a load of b.s. First of all, I had never seen a grizzly bear kill anything larger than a mouse. Well, I had seen a bear eat a moose carcus, but I was unsure whether he had brought it down or whether he had confiscated a wolf kill. Besides that, in hundreds of hours of bear observing, I would say that 90% of the time they are eating weeds in the spring and berries in the summer.
Equating facial expression with social behaviour is ludicrous when you think about it. Orca's form complex social networks and I am fairly sure that an orca is not capable of as much facial expression as a grizzly bear.
Bears appear to communicate very effectively with other bears with extremely subtle body movements and vocalizations. Examples are the way they hold or move their heads, positions of their ears, swaying their bodies, tapping the ground, huffing and snorting etc. Their communication is so subtle, we may have difficulty interpreting it but cubs and other mature bears seem to understand very clearly. So, again, to say they aren't social because they aren't capable of facial expressions is a ridiculous oversimplification.
Getting back to whether bears are social or antisocial animals, I think this raises complex questions that are not easy for people to understand or verbalize. When it comes to anthropomorphism (assigning human attributes to animals), I believe it can be as bad to discard trying to understand their actions by defining them in human terms as it is to go too far.
Bear cubs explore their world and play with their siblings all day long. It is hard for me to believe that adult bears simply lose their curiosity and become antisocial. I think it is more logical to 'understand' their behaviours based on three critical needs:
1. The need to eat almost constantly. A Parks Canada document states that the 'average grizzly bear eats 30,000 cal/day'. If the food source is berries, they compete for territory and you will not see adult bears in close proximity. If the food source is plentiful, such as in the case of spawning salmon, bears will congregate and at least tolerate other bears in the same area.
2. The instinct to reproduce. Mature, male grizzly bears need to win the right to mate with the female of choice, so other males are rivals to the point where they will fight them out of their territory.
3. The motherly instinct to raise cubs. For me, the actions of mother bears are the most challenging ones to understand without using anthropomorphism. What is instinct and what is done in a thoughtful and/or loving way? Mother grizzly bears keep their cubs for at least 2-1/2 years and in some areas 3-1/2 years. Cubs need to learn what to eat (and how to find it) and how to avoid dangers. Mothers will do everything possible to protect their cubs, including defending them against mature male bears weighing 50% more than themselves and by attacking humans they perceive as threats.
When I have a chance to watch a bear for a while, usually I see a really hungry animal that wants to do nothing but eat. Generally, they are very shy and go out of their way to avoid humans and once they are aware of your presence, they will leave. However, there are times when they are more tolerant and even curious.
Returning to the photo, I imagine this grizzly was somewhat curious and maybe even baffled by my presence.
can be called truly intelligent :-)
― Christopher Isherwood
HPPT!!
rose, 'Double Delight', little theater rose garden, Raleigh, north carolina
We visited the 198 foot Palouse Falls while spending a night in Colfax, WA. We were actually lucky to get to visit the park since it had been closed multiple days following the death of a park visitor. Fortunately, it was re-opened the day before we arrived. This is a park where parents need to keep a close watch on their kids.
I am not sure what level of flow this river is capable of, but all of the rivers we passed on the trip were running high. I imagine that this flow is high as well.
According to information found on the web:
What you see in my images is actually the lower falls. Evidently, up river there is a 20 foot drop upper falls.
In 2009 a kayaker went over this portion setting an unofficial world record for the highest waterfall run.
Rokinon 12mm F2.0
A cow elk wears her warm winter coat in the Wichita Mountains of southwestern Oklahoma. Elk are capable of withstanding the truly brutal cold of the Rocky Mountains; those on the Southern Plains aren't even challenged. And as a bonus they have virtually no predators.
The elk herd in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge has grown to the point annual controlled hunts must be held to keep the herd in balance with its habitat.
Our beautiful world being passed on.
Mandel Explorer One was the First Interstellar Fully Autonomic Self Contained System Capable of Major Self-Repairs was sent on a Mission to Explore the Universe and Forward all Data back to Mission Central’s data collection points Alpha, Charlie and Delta. It was Launched Five Hundred Years Ago on St. Patrick's Day and has performed its Mission flawlessly to date. The Data it has collected has launched several other Ships to other Quadrants of Space. Manned Space Travel is still in very early stages of development. Several New Techniques and Theories look promising using Star Gates for short distances which will be eventually be replaced by onboard Space Folding Generators.
Check out My Website www.rickwillis-photos.com
Masai Mara National Reserve
Kenya
East Africa
Happy Caturday!
The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a large cat native to Africa and central Iran. It is the fastest land animal, estimated to be capable of running at 80 to 128 km/h (50 to 80 mph) with the fastest reliably recorded speeds being 93 and 98 km/h (58 and 61 mph), and as such has several adaptations for speed, including a light build, long thin legs and a long tail.
The cheetah lives in three main social groups, females and their cubs, male "coalitions" and solitary males. While females lead a nomadic life searching for prey in large home ranges, males are more sedentary and may instead establish much smaller territories in areas with plentiful prey and access to females.
The cheetah is active mainly during the day, with peaks during dawn and dusk. It feeds on small- to medium-sized prey, mostly weighing under 40 kg (88 lb), and prefers medium-sized ungulates such as impala, springbok and Thomson's gazelles. The cheetah typically stalks its prey to within 60–70 m (200–230 ft), charges towards it, trips it during the chase and bites its throat to suffocate it to death. -
The cheetah occurs in a variety of habitats such as savannahs in the Serengeti, arid mountain ranges in the Sahara and hilly desert terrain in Iran. The cheetah is threatened by several factors such as habitat loss, conflict with humans, poaching and high susceptibility to diseases. In 2016, the global cheetah population was estimated at around 7,100 individuals in the wild; it is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. – Wikipedia
A Buzzard like this is quite capable of killing rabbits and birds up to the size of a wood pigeons
Sounds like and looks like a genuine 'alpha' predator
Impressive stuff!
Then you discover it's prefered diet is carrion and earthworms (Carrion being the decaying flesh of a dead animal)
Funny how the facts can sometimes take a little of the 'gloss' off things!
Thanks for looking, comments and faves. Much appreciated!
“To be more childlike, you don't have to give up being an adult. The fully integrated person is capable of being both an adult and a child simultaneously. Recapture the childlike feelings of wide-eyed excitement, spontaneous appreciation, cutting loose, and being full of awe and wonder at this magnificent universe.”
- Wayne Dye
Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0hFZPvanMs
SPRING WALTZ - Frédéric Chopin
Always watchful; always kind
you are forever on my mind
in my heart and in my soul
you light my life and make me whole
so many times I fell down broken
you picked me up and soothed my wounds
imparted wisdom; kind words spoken
gave me love and sisterly bond
in this life we may be fragile
by this world we get worn down
on this earth our feet may ache
from all the miles that tarnish our crown
you are a Princess and so am I
but we try to keep us humble
we give out love and light to share
we try to never grumble
but we are human too and bleed
esteem gets cut to ribbons
yet in our hearts sown seeds of love
give us hope and keep us giving
whoever tries to bring us down
we smile at them and leave
one day we hope they'll turn around
and see the path they set and grieve
and we will open up our arms
to welcome them as friends
because we grow like precious flowers
our souls still flourish in stormy rains
never will we let floods drive us out
never will they drown us
we keep each other safe; afloat
and let our love surround us
all are welcome; all are loved
but some close eyes against it
yet one day the ethereal light above
will open their hearts; will let them find us
for now, my Sister, you and I
drift in and out on ebbs and flowing constant tides
that break but always return safely to the shore
a loving heart leaves a window open
or better still, an open door.
- AP - Copyright © remains with and is the intellectual property of the author
Copyright © protected image please do not reproduce without permission
A very early ‘poverty spec’ Persona Compact. This one looks to have been loved by its long term owner, including a nine year stint of being parked up, until it was recommissioned in 2014. This has no doubt aided its survival! Despite Protons initial success in the UK, later models like these never quite took off compared to what Kia and Hyundai were offering. This is evident in their low survival rates nowadays. Of the entry level 1996 GLi model this is 1 of 7 left both taxed and on SORN. Quite sad really seeing as they were very capable cars. For the record, only the very first GLi models got black bumpers making this an even more significant survivor.
Mileage in between MOTs - 186 Miles
Mileage at last MOT - 35,995 Miles
Last Ownership Change - 6th March 2000
N963 JUG
✓ SORN
✗ MOT
Expired: 2 February 2019
Important to know: Iguanas are capable of severely injuring people, other animals and themselves when their body language signals are not recognized. Most iguanas clearly sign that trouble is ahead. They nod their head and wave their dewlap side to side. The dewlap is a fold of loose skin hanging from the neck or throat of an animal, such as a cow.
Iguanas use their dewlap to communicate. First, an extended dewlap can simply be a greeting, away to say hello to another creature during mating but most generally as a territorial sign. Second, it can be a form of protection. A threatened iguana may extend its dewlap to intimidate a predator into thinking it is much larger than it is. Third, an extended dewlap may be a sign that the iguana is trying to adjust its temperature. An extended dewlap on an iguana basking in the sun is quite normal. It may be catching more sun to warm up or a breeze to cool off. So it's important to see "the big picture" when reading Iguana body language.
Parts of an iguana... www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=Up3IVbC...
Biscayne Park, FL
The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus; /ˈtʃiːtə/) is a large cat native to Africa and central Iran. It is the fastest land animal, capable of running at 80 to 128 km/h (50 to 80 mph), and as such has several adaptations for speed, including a light build, long thin legs and a long tail. Cheetahs typically reach 67–94 cm (26–37 in) at the shoulder, and the head-and-body length is between 1.1 and 1.5 m (3.6 and 4.9 ft). Adults typically weigh between 20 and 65 kg (44 and 143 lb). Its head is small, rounded, and has a short snout and black tear-like facial streaks. The coat is typically tawny to creamy white or pale buff and is mostly covered with evenly spaced, solid black spots. Four subspecies are recognised.
More gregarious than many other cats, the cheetah has three main social groups—females and their cubs, male 'coalitions' and solitary males. While females lead a nomadic life searching for prey in large home ranges, males are more sedentary and may instead establish much smaller territories in areas with plentiful prey and access to females. The cheetah is active mainly during the day and hunting is the major activity, with peaks during dawn and dusk. It feeds on small- to medium-sized prey weighing mostly below 40 kg (88 lb), and prefers medium-sized ungulates such as impala, springbok and Thomson's gazelles. The cheetah will typically stalk its prey to within 60–70 m (200–230 ft), charge towards it, trip it during the chase and bite its throat to suffocate it to death. Breeding occurs throughout the year; after a gestation of nearly three months a litter of typically three to five cubs is born; cheetah cubs are highly vulnerable to predation by other large carnivores such as hyenas and lions. Weaning happens at around four months, and cubs are independent by around 20 months of age.
The cheetah occurs in a variety of habitats such as savannahs in the Serengeti, arid mountain ranges in the Sahara and hilly desert terrain in Iran. The cheetah is threatened by habitat loss, conflict with humans and poaching. Earlier ranging throughout most of Sub Saharan Africa and extending eastward into the Middle East up to the Indian subcontinent, the cheetah is now distributed in mainly small, fragmented populations in central Iran and southern, eastern and northwestern Africa. In 2016, the global cheetah population was estimated at around 7,100 individuals in the wild; it is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. In the past, cheetahs used to be tamed and trained for hunting ungulates. They have been widely depicted in art, literature, advertising, and animation.
Flickr toys gives us presents a few times each year. These have not been all on Explore. These are my most popular pics that are on flickr. There were many, many more pages because I have over 7000 pics on flickr. For April Fools', this year... I decided that I wanted to display the 4 pages which are my most popular creations and images.
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♡ April Fools' Explore 2012 #1
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1. Megumi, 2. Meg..., 3. Christmas Megumi..., 4. baby Megumi, 5. Megumi's Christmas decorations, 6. Happy Baby Meg..., 7. Cute Meg..., 8. Meg... her special smile,
9. baby Megumi, 10. Singin' & dancin' in the rain..., 11. orchid cactus bloom, 12. There is..., 13. Kindnesses..., 14. Friends... My Special Thank you..., 15. The BEST gifts are tied with "Heartstrings!" {2}, 16. "Let's love so the world can see how much God loves mankind.",
17. "We celebrate the cat by examining its wisdom.", 18. Love is the reason for the Season!, 19. Storing up..., 20. Slow yourself down today, 21. Faith, 22. A good life..., 23. Laughing out loud., 24. Hugs for luvmykatz,
25. "Remember the blessings you receive.", 26. "Excitement is contagious.", 27. Sometimes..., 28. Life is a team sport., 29. Having faith, 30. Silence, 31. Hearty laughter..., 32. Happy people...,
33. Thank you, thank you, thank you..., 34. "We are not capable of perfection; we will make mistakes and hit many false notes.", 35. "If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.", 36. "I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks.", 37. Tapestry, 38. Glistening..., 39. Jerry, 40. “Raindrops are a silent language.”,
41. "Remember the joy and appreciate it.", 42. To Tumbleweed Photography~~Carole~~, 43. Mizunomori (2), 44. "To see a World in a Grain of Sand", 45. "And the world stood still……..", 46. To love what you do..., 47. The Value of Friendship, 48. pink plum... another favorite,
49. Megumi - a happy young girl, 50. "Everything is miraculous.", 51. "Take plenty of time to count your blessings.", 52. Please keep fantartsy JJ's family in your prayers..., 53. "Learn to use your imagination.", 54. Let us form a community of peace..., 55. Megumi in her younger days tried to tell me she was Irish., 56. "Nature thrives on patience; man on impatience.",
57. "Begin tomorrow with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense.", 58. "Be happy. It's one way of being wise.", 59. Your hugs..., 60. Happy Birthday Megumi, 61. Standing alone with thoughts of my own, 62. The World, 63. "Let us always meet each other with a smile.", 64. "Seek not outside yourself, heaven is within.",
65. "Successful people make mistakes, but they don't quit.", 66. Christmas angel memories, 67. Love is where the heart is., 68. Hearty laughter..., 69. Youth..., 70. Blossoms..., 71. Today is here..., 72. "Love is nature's way of giving a reason to be living"
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♡ April Fools' Explore 2012 #2
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1. "Strangers are just friends waiting to happen.", 2. Slow down..., 3. Today, I am celebrating my 24th Wedding Anniversary!, 4. "Life is a flower of which love is the honey.", 5. "Think of the blessings we so easily take for granted...", 6. "You are full of promise.", 7. "A friend is the hope of the heart.", 8. Happy Holidays!,
9. Megumi appears in a water drop reflection., 10. "Courage is doing what you are afraid to do.", 11. "As a man is, so he sees.", 12. The Wind, 13. "Think positive... BeCome Aware... Become Cancer Aware...", 14. Spirit, 15. Life is a grand adventure, 16. The BEST gifts are tied with "Heartstrings!" {1},
17. lake view, 18. "I'm thankful for every moment.", 19. Make it Friendly, 20. Absolute honesty, 21. Smiles help me..., 22. "There's always something for which to be thankful.", 23. WALTZ OF THE BUTTERFLIES, 24. "Bloom where you're planted.",
25. Good friends always remain in your heart., 26. "Dreams are the touchstones of our character.", 27. Living with nature, 28. God's handiwork, 29. a friend..., 30. Megumi, 31. "The power from God keeps us young.", 32. The UPLOOK,
33. Taking time for love, 34. Happy Birthday Ron [(aka) Franomilano], 35. Smiling in the sunshine comforts the soul., 36. Hugs are contagious!, 37. Megumi says "Happy Birthday Mama...", 38. We have all..., 39. "Life is short. Be swift to love; make haste to be kind.", 40. "To have joy, one must share it.",
41. Happy Birthday Joy!, 42. It's the love that counts., 43. A New Happy Ending, 44. "Wherever your heart is, that is where you'll find your treasure.", 45. Find the finest joy, 46. Prayers for Joyce's recovery... an update..., 47. Winds of Change ~ a slide show with music, 48. "Who rises from prayer a better man, his prayer is answered.",
49. Isn't it splendid..., 50. Celebrating God's Glorious Creation, 51. Thank you for my Happy Birthday wishes..., 52. Spiritual rewards, 53. the cherry promenade, 54. A New Day (a slideshow with music), 55. "Smile to feel healthier.", 56. Now... a season for treasured memories!,
57. Thank you flickr friends... 70,710 views..., 58. Twenty-three years ago today changed my life!, 59. Quiet moments, 60. When you wish upon a star..., 61. "All life lies ahead and every road leads home.", 62. "Your greatness is measured by your horizons.", 63. "Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.", 64. "Share your faith with a friend.",
65. "I'm thankful for every moment.", 66. "Remember to thank God for each and every day.", 67. "Weave in faith and God will find the thread.", 68. Thanks for laughing along with me., 69. Believe in yourself, 70. Happy Thanksgiving!, 71. Fluffy petals for awareness..., 72. When is the best time to apologize?
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♡ April Fools' Explore 2012 #3
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1. Feelings..., 2. Blueberry as a classy lookin' cowgirl kitty..., 3. "Some say love it is a hunger", 4. We turn not older with years, but newer everyday., 5. Happy Birthday Megumi! She is 5 years old!, 6. Daily situations reveal our love of life., 7. Seeds of kindness, 8. beautiful flowering peach blossoms,
9. "When I look to the sea I see peaceful and powerful infinity.", 10. "The sea continues to feed our spiritual need for adventure into the unknown.", 11. "All of our loves are first loves.", 12. "It is in their eyes that their magic resides.", 13. "Embracing life is a choice.", 14. Celebrate!, 15. Let's Celebrate!, 16. A choice...,
17. "Watching the sunset is an eye-catching memory.", 18. "Each day is a gift we can share with those around us.", 19. It takes a lifetime..., 20. "Prayer is the voice of faith.", 21. A flickr's Valentine's Day Celebration Equation, 22. "Love is the beauty of each day.", 23. Live for Today, 24. Megumi understands the meaning of October & BCA do you?,
25. "A Mama shares her love with her baby.", 26. "Nature is my medicine.", 27. Happy Holidays from our home to yours..., 28. When you least expect it, miracles seem to happen., 29. The joy of life, 30. New Year's Wish (1), 31. Applaud..., 32. Livestrong Flickr 2007 - come and join the cause!,
33. “Joy in looking and comprehending is nature's most beautiful gift.”, 34. "Pray so that there is a real continuity between your prayer and your whole actual life.", 35. Happy 40th Anniversary Mike and Joyce (aka) fantartsy JJ, 36. Jen's update... please keep the prayers coming..., 37. "Everyday is the chance of a lifetime.", 38. "Look at everything as though you are seeing it fresh with wonder.", 39. "The love of family is life's greatest blessing.", 40. "God is abundant in love.",
41. Pink Ribbons in M is for Mammogram, 42. Hugs of kindness..., 43. Why me?, 44. Isn't it time..., 45. Goodness..., 46. "Friends help you collect memories.", 47. "Friends that love us always count.", 48. a friend's kitten,
49. "Whoever is happy will make others happy, too.", 50. Wings of love, 51. What makes Christmas?, 52. Tomorrow is a new day..., 53. "The world is charged with the grandeur of God.", 54. Soon... It's my Anniversary..., 55. "Some say love it is a river", 56. Our Christmas cake...,
57. Megumi as such a young girl..., 58. Moments..., 59. A Happy Ending..., 60. "A sailor's joys are as simple as a child's.", 61. Vivsirena (aka) Vivian is back! Send her some love!, 62. "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.", 63. "If each moment is sacred..., 64. Thank you flickr friends... you are wonderful!,
65. Happy Halloween from Sock Monkeys in Japan!, 66. Good Morning Sunshine!, 67. Beauty..., 68. Rock-'n-Roll Meg, 69. THANKSGIVING PRAYER, 70. Keep Vivsirena (aka) Vivian in your prayers, 71. Megumi's Christmases ~ a slide show with music, 72. "Make your life a celebration with prayer."
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♡ April Fools' Explore 2012 #4
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1. "Nothing so gentle is real strength.", 2. "It takes a great man to be a good listener.", 3. "Then our attitudes make us.", 4. "One is nearer God's Heart in a garden", 5. The tea treats are ready..., 6. The little things in life..., 7. This seems only like yesterday..., 8. "Our peace is in our place.",
9. A Happy Valentine's Day Teatime!, 10. Create a moment to smile!, 11. Count your Blessings..., 12. The longer..., 13. The Wisdom to Laugh, 14. New Year's Wishes, 15. Prayers for: vivsirena's husband, Bobby, 16. "I never think of the future. It comes soon enough.",
17. "To understand a cat...", 18. "I know her Mama was kissing Megumi Claus underneath the mistletoe...", 19. Was my photo debut a success? Was it? I'm such a handsome looking duck!, 20. Listening, 21. Megumi... as a baby girl, 22. Tracy, Hope this brightens your day., 23. He inspired me., 24. Remember to always believe.,
25. Find a new friend... they are your treasures., 26. For Our 21st Anniversary ~ my Husband & I, 27. Megumi's little girl smile, 28. The Japanese green tea is ready!, 29. Sharing..., 30. Heartfelt moments..., 31. "Cats have a way of speaking without words.", 32. "Success is in the cherry words you speak.",
33. Welcome Home Jen!, 34. "Knowledge helps create a dream for success.", 35. The Fountain of Youth, 36. "God gives us supplies of His power that will never run out.", 37. "Sunshine is a little piece of quietness.", 38. Live in the light of prayer., 39. "There's something good in every day.", 40. "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.",
41. - Trick or Treat -, 42. "The smallest feline is a masterpiece.", 43. "The language of friendship is not words but meanings.", 44. "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand", 45. "If you want to be rich, be kind.", 46. "Today and everyday, remember to share hugs where ever you go.", 47. "Love's the thing.", 48. Shared strength,
49. Megumi - a Christmas ornament, 50. Please keep Jen in your prayers... the daughter of Fantartsy JJ, 51. "A ship sails the horizon...", 52. "To live each moment is to succeed.", 53. Merry Christmas from Megumi, 54. "The giving of love is an education in itself.", 55. "Never question God's great love.", 56. Mother -- A Blessing,
57. "As the rain dropping from the sky wends its way... who is supreme?", 58. Megumi's smile, 59. Megumi's moment, 60. "Kindness is tenderness.", 61. "A friend hears the song in my heart.", 62. "The simple news that nature told with tender majesty.", 63. "As Jesus stepped into the garden, you were in His prayers.", 64. "The only good advice is a good example.",
65. Happy Birthday ~ Fred the Man, 66. "True friends are magical.", 67. Happy Mother's Day, 68. "Life is real!", 69. Count your blessings., 70. Megumi's eyes... check her out..., 71. The Sock Monkeys in Japan celebrate Christmas Day, 72. Loving heart
The oystercatcher is one of the largest waders in the region. It is 40–45 cm (16–18 in) long, the bill accounting for 8–9 cm (3–3+1⁄2 in), and has a wingspan of 80–85 cm (31–33 in). They are obvious and noisy plover-like birds, with black and white plumage, red legs and strong broad red bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs such as mussels or for finding earthworms.
Despite its name, oysters do not form a large part of its diet. The bird still lives up to its name, as few if any other wading birds are capable of opening oysters at all.
This oystercatcher is unmistakable in flight, with white patches on the wings and tail, otherwise black upperparts, and white underparts. Young birds are more brown, have a white neck collar and a duller bill. The call is a distinctive loud piping.
The bill shape varies; oystercatchers with broad bill tips open molluscs by prising them apart or hammering through the shell, whereas pointed-bill birds dig up worms. Much of this is due to the wear resulting from feeding on the prey. Individual birds specialise in one technique or the other which they learn from their parents.
It shows clinal variation with an increase from west to east. The subspecies longipes has distinctly brownish upperparts and the nasal groove extends more than halfway along the bill. In the subspecies ostralegus the nasal groove stops short of the half-way mark. The osculans subspecies lacks white on the shafts of the outer 2–3 primaries and has no white on the outer webs of the outer five primaries.
This image was taken near the breakwater at Honningsvag Harbour in Norway
So, we finally got to a computer that was capable of running the Spore Creature Creator. We've only used the free trial edition at this point, but, as expected, Sophia and Enzo created a series of interesting creatures. See some of them in this set. My personal favorites are Whale, Human and Pickle (my name for that one).
Balloon is my favorite of all – in no small part because The Red Balloon was one of my favorite films while growing up and is still in my top ten. I haven't seen this one yet though.
Spore Creature Creator is now highly recommended by us and we are all looking forward to playing the game Spore (more here) when it is released in September. By then we will have upgraded our operating system and should have no problem.
NOAA Ship Fairweather in Kachemak Bay, Alaska. The Fairweather is designed and outfitted primarily for conducting hydrographic surveys in support of nautical charting, but the ship is capable of many other missions in support of NOAA programs. The Fairweather is equipped with the latest in hydrographic survey technology –- multi-beam survey systems; high-speed, high-resolution side-scan sonar; position and orientation systems; hydrographic survey launches; and an on-board data-processing server. The Fairweather is named for Mt. Fairweather in southeast Alaska, which is the highest peak in the Fairweather Range -- the tallest coastal range on Earth.
To learn more about hydrography, visit:
What Is Hydrography? (Diving Deeper audio podcast)
Sea Floor Mapping (National Ocean Service Education)
(Original source: National Ocean Service Image Gallery)
There are several forms of Honey Fungus within the Armillaria genus.
This parasitic fungi is fairly common and widespread. It can cause serious damage to conifer and broad-leaved trees, leading to the death of the host.
Mycelial threads spread throughout the tree and from one tree to another. Black root forms called rhizomorphs develop beneath the bark of a tree and are capable of linking an infected tree to a new host some distance away.
Once the fruiting bodies appear nearby it's too late, the damage is done and the host's fate sealed.
This example was photographed in rural Gloucestershire, close to the stump of a tree already cut down and removed.
plein écran - full screen - Vollbild - pantalla completa
🇫🇷 Le grand koudou est un mammifère herbivore de la famille des bovidés vivant dans la savane arborée africaine.il est capable de franchir des obstacles de 2,50 m de haut et échappe aisément aux prédateurs. Sur terrain plat, c’est une autre histoire ! Sa course, gauche et lente, en fait une proie facile.Le grand koudou possède de grandes oreilles qui lui permettent de bien entendre, une crête de poils sur le dos ainsi qu’une robe striée de 6 à 10 raies verticales blanches. Le mâle se différencie de la femelle par une frange de poils partant du cou jusqu’au poitrail et par la présence de grandes cornes spiralées de 1,20 à 1,80 mètre.
🇬🇧 The greater kudu is a herbivorous mammal of the bovid family that lives in the African tree savannah. It can leap over obstacles 2.50 m high and easily evades predators. On flat ground, however, it's a different story! The greater kudu has large ears that enable it to hear clearly, a crest of hair on its back and a coat streaked with 6 to 10 vertical white stripes. The male can be distinguished from the female by a fringe of hair running from the neck to the chest and by the presence of large spiral horns measuring 1.20 to 1.80 metres.
🇩🇪 Der Große Kudu ist ein pflanzenfressendes Säugetier aus der Familie der Bovidae, das in der afrikanischen Baumsavanne lebt.Er kann bis zu 2,50 m hohe Hindernisse überwinden und entkommt Raubtieren mühelos. Auf ebenem Gelände sieht das schon anders aus! Der Große Kudu hat große Ohren, mit denen er gut hören kann, einen Haarkamm auf dem Rücken und ein Fell, das mit 6 bis 10 weißen, vertikalen Streifen durchzogen ist. Das Männchen unterscheidet sich vom Weibchen durch einen Haarkranz, der sich vom Hals bis zur Brust zieht, und durch die großen, spiralförmigen Hörner, die 1,20 bis 1,80 Meter lang sind.
🇪🇸 El gran kudú es un mamífero herbívoro de la familia de los bóvidos que vive en la sabana arbórea africana. Puede saltar obstáculos de 2,50 m de altura y esquivar fácilmente a los depredadores. En terreno llano, sin embargo, la cosa cambia. El gran kudú tiene grandes orejas que le permiten oír con claridad, una cresta de pelo en el lomo y un pelaje con entre 6 y 10 rayas blancas verticales. El macho se distingue de la hembra por una franja de pelo que va del cuello al pecho y por la presencia de grandes cuernos en espiral de 1,20 a 1,80 metros.
Photographed in South Africa from a safari vehicle
Please click twice on the image to view at the largest size
While not as obviously capable of immediate damage as a lion or leopard, wild dogs are particularly scary, IMO. When they're in pursuit of prey, sometimes with a pack as large as 10-20 others, they're absolutely relentless. In this non-hunting situation, this individual looks almost like a healthy domestic dog to me.
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From Wikipedia: The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), also called the painted dog or Cape hunting dog, is a wild canine which is a native species to sub-Saharan Africa. It is the largest wild canine in Africa, and the only extant member of the genus Lycaon, which is distinguished from Canis by dentition highly specialised for a hypercarnivorous diet, and by a lack of dewclaws. It is estimated that about 6,600 adults (including 1,400 mature individuals) live in 39 subpopulations that are all threatened by habitat fragmentation, human persecution, and outbreaks of disease. As the largest subpopulation probably comprises fewer than 250 individuals, the African wild dog has been listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List since 1990.
The species is a specialised diurnal hunter of antelopes, which it catches by chasing them to exhaustion. Its natural enemies are lions and spotted hyenas: the former will kill the dogs where possible, whilst hyenas are frequent kleptoparasites.
Like other canids, the African wild dog regurgitates food for its young, but also extends this action to adults, as a central part of the pack's social life. The young are allowed to feed first on carcasses.
The African wild dog has been respected in several hunter-gatherer societies, particularly those of the San people and Prehistoric Egypt.
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Very unusual car, from a company now best known for manufacturing lorries. This looked like a well-used and loved old thing, and nice and original. UK spec car too, presumably.
There is only one other Deluxe Auto on the roads, and 14 of all models as of 2018. I find it rather amusing that it is fitted with a towbar! I cannot imagine the 746cc engine being capable of pulling much! A mighty 32BHP and 57nM of torque.
Windlight: ColeMarie's Windlight Set: Cloudy Day (sunset)
i made a youtube video comparing PBR items in Alchemy Beta (PBR capable viewer) and Firestorm (currently nonPBR viewer) just to see the differences.
my youtube video
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTG5L51WH9M
If you make it over there, let me know what you think.
Firestorm is working on adding PBR. If you want to join their beta testing group to test their pbr viewer, go to their website and click the link to join their beta group in SL.
Alchemy beta does not have all the whistles and bells of Firestorm. For example, no area search which as a hunter, I really like. However, it does have some other advantages. PBR is one. That's very cool. Frame rate is faster. and you can do alt shift C for cinema mode for pictures and videos and the UI and huds disappear. Nice!
However, I know where things are in Firestorm so I'm very comfy with it.
The coolest thing about PBR: realtime reflections so you can have mirrors.
So, we finally got to a computer that was capable of running the Spore Creature Creator. We've only used the free trial edition at this point, but, as expected, Sophia and Enzo created a series of interesting creatures. See some of them in this set. My personal favorites are Whale, Human and Pickle (my name for that one).
Balloon is my favorite of all – in no small part because The Red Balloon was one of my favorite films while growing up and is still in my top ten. I haven't seen this one yet though.
Spore Creature Creator is now highly recommended by us and we are all looking forward to playing the game Spore (more here) when it is released in September. By then we will have upgraded our operating system and should have no problem.
The Taipei 101 (Chinese: 臺北101; pinyin: Táiběi yī líng yī; stylized as TAIPEI 101[1]) formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center (臺北國際金融中心), is a supertall skyscraper designed by C.Y. Lee & Partners in Xinyi, Taipei, Taiwan. This building was officially classified as the world's tallest from its opening in 2004 until the 2010 completion of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Its elevators, capable of 60.6 km/h (37.7 mph) used to transport passengers from the 5th to 89th floor in 37 seconds, set new records.[9] In 2011 Taipei 101 received a Platinum rating under the LEED certification system to become the tallest and largest green building in the world.[10][11] The structure regularly appears as an icon of Taipei in international media, and the Taipei 101 fireworks displays [zh] are a regular feature of New Year's Eve broadcasts.
Taipei 101's postmodernist architectural style evokes Asian traditions in a modern structure employing industrial materials. Its design incorporates a number of features that enable the structure to withstand the Pacific Rim's earthquakes and the region's tropical storms. The tower houses offices and restaurants as well as both indoor and outdoor observatories. The tower is adjoined by a multi-level shopping mall that claims the world's largest ruyi symbol as an exterior feature.
Some people are capable of doing amazing things for humanity and still remain humble. Other people instead, woke up at 5 in the morning to take a picture and feel already like a hero. Guess which one of those two I am? Joke aside, with this picture I've realized a small dream I had for such a long time, that is being in Madeira, a place that looks like it comes from a fantasy world. Being there while surrounded by a magic light, can only add up more value to the moment.
Today's story and sketch "by me" you see the newest chopper
capable of extended intergalactic travel in JB's chopper
collection. This unit the BC-72 was built by the design team at "FSU" Flying Stuff Universities "BCGF" Beach Chair Galaxy
Flyers division. JB is just about to enter the Topoc Gorge
Stargate into worm hole nine, and on to the "HHAS" Hoff's Hutt Space Station Dinner, which is in a Geostationary Orbit around Mars, known to have the best Chili Size in the Galaxy, which is a story for another time. We will surly have an update soon on the performance of the BC-72 and how JB's lunch date with the "HHAS" manager and X girlfriend Sheela went, until then
taa ta the Rod Blog
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Outrigger boats (bangka) are used in the Philippines at all sizes. You can find them from small canoes to midsize ferry boats.
The outrigger canoe is a type of canoe featuring one or more lateral support floats known as outriggers, which are fastened to one or both sides of the main hull. Smaller canoes often employ a single outrigger on the port side, while larger canoes may employ a single outrigger, double outrigger, or double hull configuration.
Using an outrigger or double hull configuration greatly increases the stability of the canoe, but introduces much less hydrodynamic inefficiency than making a single hull canoe wider. Compared to other types of canoes, outrigger canoes can be quite fast, yet are also capable of being paddled and sailed in rougher water.
Explored: Highest Position: 271
I watched this Green Heron for a few minutes as he sat motionless and then spied something. In the next two images, he hops to another log for a closer look and then, in the third image, attacks (though this image is taken at 1/800 second, by the third image it was down to 1/200 of a second and was not sufficient to stop action). The bird measures 17-18 inches from beak-tip to tail-tip.
Feeding Behavior
Forages mostly by standing still or stalking very slowly at edge of shallow water, waiting for prey to approach. Sometimes uses "bait," dropping feather or small twig on surface of water to lure fish within striking distance.
Eggs
3-5, sometimes 2-7. Pale green or blue-green. Incubation is by both sexes, 19-21 days. Young: Both parents feed young, by regurgitation. Young begin to climb about near nest by 16-17 days after hatching, usually make first flight at 21-23 days, but are fed by parents for a few more weeks. Young are reportedly capable of swimming well. 1 or 2 broods per year.
Young
Both parents feed young, by regurgitation. Young begin to climb about near nest by 16-17 days after hatching, usually make first flight at 21-23 days, but are fed by parents for a few more weeks. Young are reportedly capable of swimming well. 1 or 2 broods per year.
Diet
Mostly fish. Eats small fish such as minnows, sunfishes, gizzard shad; also crayfish and other crustaceans, aquatic insects, frogs, tadpoles. Other items include grasshoppers, snakes, earthworms, snails, small rodents.
Nesting
May nest as isolated pairs or in small groups, rarely in large colonies. Male chooses nesting territory and calls repeatedly from prominent perch in tree or shrub. Displays of male include stretching neck forward and down and snapping bill shut, pointing bill straight upward while swaying back and forth. Male and female may perform display flights around territory. Nest: Site is usually in shrub or tree 5-30' above ground, but sometimes on ground; often very close to water but can be quite distant. Nest is a platform of sticks; male begins construction, then female builds while male brings materials.
Circle B Bar Reserve, located near Lakeland, Florida, is a great place to be surprised by what you encounter . . . and it is FREE admission.
The Big Lake Ranch, with its large rooming house, barns capable of sheltering more than 50 horses, blacksmith shop, saddle shed, store and post office - served as an important 'stopping place' on the way to the gold-producing areas around Barkerville.
The house and barns were built by William Parker, a young man from Wisconsin in the latter part of the 1800s. He operated a transportation system, carrying freight and passengers between Ashcroft and Quesnel Forks.
As "Gold Fever" cooled down and the roads and vehicles improved, the ranch became less important as a 'stopping place' and was used mostly as a ranch home and a store serving local ranches and sawmills in the 1950s.
Pictured here is what was the blacksmith's shop.
Ce gros pigeon et ses amis ne cessent de chasser les moineaux et les mésanges pour venir dévorer leur nourriture !
Je ne sais pas comment les chasser, ils reviennent sans cesse, ils n'ont peur de rien.
Et en plus ils essaient de m'intimider, leur regard n'est pas amical !
Ce sont des oiseaux sauvages, tout à fait capables d'aller chercher et trouver leur nourriture par eux-mêmes.
Jusqu'au début des années 2000 il y avait des oiseaux de la forêt, des oiseaux des champs, des moineaux, des mésanges, etc, qui peuplaient mon environnement, et qui venaient manger la nourriture que je leur donnais quand ils en avaient envie ou besoin. Je les voyais, je les entendais chanter !
Puis ils ont tous disparu. Ils ont été remplacés par les tourterelles, qui ont été remplacées à leur tour par des corbeaux, des pies, des pigeons.
Il y a maintenant beaucoup moins de corbeaux et de pies.
Mais il y a beaucoup de pigeons.
Petit à petit les moineaux, en bande, et les mésanges sont revenus manger la nourriture que je leur donne. Il y avait des années que je n'en avais plus vu, et ils sont fidèles, pour mon plus grand bonheur !
Un oiseau que je ne connais pas, au poitrail rouge foncé, est venu dernièrement, et même temps que les moineaux.
Et cette semaine un oiseau couleur vert jaune est entré dans le salon, il s'est posé, m'a regardée, a voleté, s'est posé à nouveau, puis s'est dirigé vers la cuisine où il s'est posé, avant de disparaitre !
Mais ces gros pigeons occupent l'espace. Ils ont un culot incroyable ! Je vis avec les porte-fenêtres et les fenêtres grande ouvertes dès que le temps le permet. Et chaque année je dois me battre contre eux, ils ont décidé que ces pièces étaient parfaites pour venir y loger, et je dois boucher le moindre espace pour les empêcher de s'installer, de construire leur nid et de pondre !
This big pigeon and his friends are constantly chasing sparrows and chickadees to come and devour their food!
I don't know how to drive them away, they keep coming back, they're not afraid of anything.
And in addition they try to intimidate me, their look is not friendly!
They are wild birds, quite capable of seeking and finding their food on their own.
Until the early 2000s there were forest birds, field birds, sparrows, tits, etc., which populated my environment, and which came to eat the food I gave them when they felt like it or need. I saw them, I heard them sing!
Then they all disappeared. They were replaced by doves, which in turn were replaced by crows, magpies, pigeons.
There are now far fewer crows and magpies.
But there are a lot of pigeons.
Little by little the sparrows, in flocks, and the tits have come back to eat the food that I give them. It had been years since I had seen any, and they are faithful, for my greatest happiness!
A bird that I don't know, with a dark red chest, came recently, and at the same time as the sparrows.
And this week a yellow-green bird came into the living room, it landed, looked at me, fluttered, landed again, then headed for the kitchen where it landed, before disappearing!
But these big pigeons take up space. They have incredible nerve! I live with the patio doors and windows wide open whenever the weather permits. And every year I have to fight against them, they decided that these rooms were perfect to come to live in, and I have to close the smallest space to prevent them from settling, building their nest and laying eggs!
A great place to visit and learn the history of the fur trade. Beavers in this case. Really enjoyed seeing the birch bark canoes that the trappers and traders used. The largest canoe they had was capable of carrying a 4 ton load. They used the 4 ton canoes to take the furs to Montreal, for shipment to Europe.
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Outrigger boats (bangka) are used in the Philippines at all sizes. You can find them from small canoes to midsize ferry boats.
The outrigger canoe is a type of canoe featuring one or more lateral support floats known as outriggers, which are fastened to one or both sides of the main hull. Smaller canoes often employ a single outrigger on the port side, while larger canoes may employ a single outrigger, double outrigger, or double hull configuration.
Using an outrigger or double hull configuration greatly increases the stability of the canoe, but introduces much less hydrodynamic inefficiency than making a single hull canoe wider. Compared to other types of canoes, outrigger canoes can be quite fast, yet are also capable of being paddled and sailed in rougher water.
More and more I use my phone to take pictures recently. My phone, Pixel 2, is incredibly capable.
This was taken at Island Park in Winfield. I edited to where it's kind of eerie feel to it. The sky looked a bit strange that day.
Whatever the imagination is capable of, it will be done on the Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain. The tenacity of each performer to be able to sit for hours on end completely still is amazing. Let alone the heat and their costumes. In particular this man looks like he is covered in chocolate, this is a heat magnet as well.
Piste Vangaindrano/Fort-Dauphin (Madagascar) - Les 257 km qui séparent Vangaindrano à Fort-Dauphin peuvent prendre beaucoup de temps. En cette saison des pluies la piste est boueuse et seuls les 4X4 sont capables de franchir les obstacles les plus périlleux. Sauf si des camions sont embourbés au milieu de la route. Ça nous est arrivé le premier jour du voyage, mais on a pu faire un détour d'une demi-heure à travers des villages de brousse et des champs sans piste pour contourner les camions bloquant le passage.
Pour venir de Fort-Dauphin pour nous récupérer à Vangaindrano, Sylvestre notre chauffeur a mis 4 jours. Des pluies tropicales se sont abattues sur tous le trajet, l’obligeant à rouler en permanence en quatre roues motrices et à adapter sa conduite en mode « rodéo ». Sans compter plus de 20 heures à attendre qu’un bac affecté à un passage d’eau reprenne du service en raison de courants très forts, rendant la navigation dangereuse.
Quand nous sommes partis de Vangaidrano, le beau temps était revenu et nous n'avons mis que deux jours pour rejoindre Fort-Dauphin, même si le premier jours nous n'avons parcouru qu'à peine 90 km en plus de 14 h en raison d’une piste boueuse à souhait. Mais plus nous roulions vers le sud la « route » était moins humide et nous n’avions qu’à gérer les ornières et les importantes dénivéllations de terrain. Sur les 50 derniers km de piste avant Fort-Dauphin, en meilleur état, nous avons pu faire des pointes à 40 voire 50 km/h, au prix d’importants nuages de poussière.
Ce qui nous a pris le plus de temps, ce sont les franchissements des bras de mer et des fleuves. Sur cette piste - qui a le statut de Route nationale -, il n'y a pas moins de 10 passages d'eau. Hormis les deux premiers bacs qui sont équipés d'un moteur, les autres nécessitent qu'on tire une corde reliée d'une rive à l'autre. Les moins rustiques, sont actionnés avec une manivelle. Le plus insolite est sans conteste le bac n°3 (photo) que nous avons pris au matin du deuxième jour. Le vrai bac autrefois motorisé, risquant de couler à tout moment, les habitants du village ont construit un radeau fait de planches et de bidons, qui fait l'affaire. Les passeurs demandent un prix exorbitant, alors qu'initialement les bacs sont publics et gratuits. Comme on n'a pas le choix, Il n’y pas d’autre solution que de passer à la caisse.
Je connaissais le Radeau de la Méduse de Géricault, ici, c’est le radeau de jerricans.
The raft of jerrycans
Vangaindrano/Fort-Dauphin track (Madagascar) - The 257 km between Vangaindrano and Fort-Dauphin can take a long time. In this rainy season the track is muddy and only 4X4s are capable of overcoming the most perilous obstacles. Unless there are trucks stuck in the middle of the road.” This happened to us on the first day of the trip, but we were able to take a half-hour detour through bush villages and trackless fields to get around trucks blocking the way.
To come from Fort-Dauphin to pick us up in Vangaindrano, Sylvestre our driver took 4 days. Tropical rain fell along the entire route, forcing him to constantly drive in four-wheel drive and adapt his driving to “rodeo” mode. Not to mention more than 20 hours waiting for a ferry assigned to a water passage to resume service due to very strong currents, making navigation dangerous.
When we left Vangaidrano, the good weather had returned and we only took two days to reach Fort-Dauphin, even if the first day we only covered barely 90 km in more than 14 hours due to 'a muddy track. But the further south we drove the “road” was less wet and we only had to deal with the ruts and significant drops in terrain. On the last 50 km of track before Fort-Dauphin, in better condition, we were able to reach peaks of 40 or even 50 km/h.
What took us the longest was crossing the arms of the sea and the rivers. On this track - which has the status of National Road - there are no less than 10 water crossings. Apart from the first two ferries which are equipped with a motor, the others require pulling a rope connected from one bank to the other. The less rustic ones are operated with a crank. The most unusual is undoubtedly ferry number 3 (photo) which we took on the morning of the second day. The real ferry, formerly motorized, risked sinking at any moment, the inhabitants of the bush village built a raft made of planks and cans, which did the trick. The smugglers charge an exorbitant price, even though initially the ferries are public and free. As we have no choice, there is no other solution than to pay.
Typhoon from 29 (R) Squadron based at RAF Coningsby performs at RIAT 2014.
The Typhoon FGR4 provides the RAF with a highly capable and extremely agile multi-role combat aircraft, capable of being deployed in the full spectrum of air operations, including air policing, peace support and high intensity conflict.
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© Crown Copyright 2014
Photographer: Andrew Linnett
Image 45157945.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk
This image is available for high resolution download at www.defenceimagery.mod.uk subject to the terms and conditions of the Open Government License at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/. Search for image number 45157945.jpg
For latest news visit www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
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Seen at Welland rally, the magnificently restored Multidrive MTL33 8x6 articulated tipper J353PBM with a steered & double-drive Rockwell axled trailer permanently coupled to a Cummins C-series powered AWD 4x2 tractor unit.
Both Multidrive and AWD were owned by David John Bowes Brown aka DJB Engineering at the time this combination was built.
Green Bee-eater हरियल पतरिंगा, पतुरी (Merops orientalis), like other bee-eaters, is a richly coloured, slender bird. It is about 9 inches (16–18 cm) long with about 2 inches made up by the elongated central tail-feathers. The sexes are not visually distinguishable. The entire plumage is bright green and tinged with blue especially on the chin and throat. The crown and upper back are tinged with golden rufous. The flight feathers are rufous washed with green and tipped with blackish. A fine black line runs in front of and behind the eye.
Bird Facts: Green bee-eaters may be capable of interpreting the behaviour of human observers. They showed an ability to predict whether a human at a particular location would be capable of spotting the nest entrance and then behaved accordingly to avoid giving away the nest location. The ability to look at a situation from another's point of view was previously believed to be possessed only by primates.
Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, Arizona
The Convair B-36 "Peacemaker" is a strategic bomber built by Convair and operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) from 1949 to 1959. The B-36 is the largest mass-produced piston-engined aircraft ever built, although it was exceeded in span and weight by the one-off Hughes H-4 Hercules. It has the longest wingspan of any combat aircraft. The B-36 was capable of intercontinental flight without refueling.
Entering service in 1948, the B-36 was the primary nuclear weapons delivery vehicle of Strategic Air Command (SAC) until it was replaced by the jet-powered Boeing B-52 Stratofortress beginning in 1955. All but four aircraft have been scrapped.
Development
The prototype XB-36
The design of the B-36 can be traced to early 1941, prior to the entry of the United States into World War II. At the time, Britain was at risk of falling to the Nazi "Blitz" attacks, making strategic bombing attacks by the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) against Germany impossible with the aircraft available.
The United States would need a new bomber to reach Europe and return to bases in North America, necessitating a combat range of at least 5,700 mi (9,200 km), the length of a Gander, Newfoundland–Berlin round trip. The USAAC therefore sought a bomber of truly intercontinental range. The German Reichsluftfahrtministerium's (RLM) would request the similar ultralong-range Amerikabomber program on 12 May 1942.
The USAAC sent out an initial request on 11 April 1941, asking for a 450 mph (720 km/h) top speed, a 275 mph (443 km/h) cruising speed, a service ceiling of 45,000 ft (14,000 m) and a maximum range of 12,000 mi (19,000 km) at 25,000 ft (7,600 m). These requirements were too demanding and far exceeded the technology of the day, so on 19 August 1941, they were reduced, to a maximum range of 10,000 mi (16,000 km), an effective combat radius of 4,000 mi (6,400 km) with a 10,000 lb (4,500 kg) bomb-load, a cruising speed between 240 and 300 mph (390 and 480 km/h), and a service ceiling of 40,000 ft (12,000 m) The ceiling in both cases was chosen to exceed the maximum effective altitude of most of Nazi Germany's anti-aircraft guns.
The day started off looking pretty miserable, but the forecast said it would be clearing later in the afternoon.
It did too and I went out for a lovely walk. Sadly my photography wasn't quite up to the standard of the weather, so it's this or almost nothing!
I found it in a front garden of a house that looks like a 2nd home (holiday home), but this was all that was in the garden. It was stuck into the ground with a very unattractive metal post.
If I've spelt the German version wrong please correct me - Google is capable of anything !!
Maybe better viewed large.
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Thank you for your favourites. :O)
This is located in western Kansas. See Below.
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Big Basin Prairie Preserve Wildlife Area
The Big Basin Prairie Preserve is 1,818 acres of native mixed grass prairie managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. This area is in the Red Hills region of Kansas. The landscape can generally be described as rolling hills with both level uplands and small canyons. The preserve also includes an intermittent stream , Keiger Creek, which flows through the northeast corner of the preserve, and two non-draining basins that make the preserve topographically and geologically unique.
Big Basin:
Big Basin is a large circular depression. It is about one mile in diameter and about 100 feet deep. The walls of the basin are nearly vertical. Scattered across the floor of Big Basin are a number of small ephemeral ponds that catch and temporarily hold the water that flows into the basin. U.S. Highway 283 bisects Big Basin, with approximately two-thirds of the basin lying east of the road and within the confines of the preserve. The remaining western third of the basin is privately owned.
Little Basin:
The Little Basin is about 280 yards in diameter and 35 feet from rim to floor. Within Little Basin is a small permanent pond known as St. Jacob’s Well. St. Jacob’s Well is a pool of water about 84 feet in diameter that has never been known to go dry. The well has been the subject of many local legends, most associated with the idea that the well was bottomless and/or connected to an underground stream that was capable of washing away anything that fell in the well. The well was also reportedly inhabited by blind fish. Research has shown the well to be roughly funnel shaped and 58 feet deep. No evidence of any underground stream or blind fish has been found.
Big Basin, Little Basin, and St. Jacob’s Well were formed in the recent geological past by a process known as solution-subsidence. This process occurs when surface water gains access and dissolves underground deposits of salt, gypsum, or limestone. The overlaying layers of rock and minerals subside to fill the volume vacated by the water soluble deposits. The process of solution - subsidence is thought to still be occurring, and small depressions have been noted forming within Little Basin.
CSX Q437 rushes by the West Warren falls, with SD60M 8760 on point. During this time only a handful of these locos were left on the roster, strictly due to being capable of operation in third rail territory on Metro North. But occasionally, one of these would sneak their way onto the B&A when CSX didn't have another bonga to send in Selkirk.
Hummingbirds are native only to the Americas. They are known for their ability to hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings, 15 - 80 times per second (depending on the species). Capable of sustained hovering, the hummingbird has the ability to fly deliberately backwards or vertically, which is the only bird able to do so as to maintain its position while drinking from flower blossoms. They are named for the characteristic hum made by their wings.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are very solitary. They even migrate alone. Adults are not social, other than during courtship (which lasts only a few minutes), and when a female cares for her offspring. Both males and females of any age are aggressive towards other hummingbirds. They are very territorial and defend feeding areas by attacking and chasing other hummingbirds that enter it.
Many mistakenly believe nectar from flowers and flowering trees are a hummingbird's only food source. But small insects and spiders are also part of the hummingbird's main diet. Arthropods appear to be the main source of protein, minerals, and vitamins, especially when rearing offspring since nectar is an insufficient source of protein for the growing birds. Their diet may also occasionally include tree sap taken from sapsucker wells.
Hummingbirds show a slight preference for red, tubular flowers as a nectar source. The birds feed from flowers using a long extendable tongue, and catch insects on the wing or glean them from flowers, leaves, bark, and even from spider's webs.
Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds spend the winter in southern Mexico, Central America as far south as South America, and the West Indies, and most get there by flying across the Gulf of Mexico. Some birds stay in the United States along the Gulf Coast and at the tip of Florida; these are usually birds from farther north rather than birds that spent the summer there.
In late summer to early fall Ruby-throated Hummingbirds fatten up for migration, which is important because part of their migration takes them across the Gulf of Mexico. This feat is impressive, as a 500-mile, non-stop flight over water requires caloric energy that far exceeds an adult hummingbird's body weight of 3 grams. However, researchers discovered the tiny birds can increase their body mass up to double with lean mass in preparation for their Gulf crossing. The additional mass, stored as fat, provides enough energy for the birds to achieve the flight.
ISO1600, aperture f/6.3, exposure .001 seconds (1/1000) focal length 450mm
MANY THANKS FOR YOUR KIND COMMENTS AND FAVS........ PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT MY PHOTOSTREAM, FOR GENERAL PHOTOS OF NATURE ACROSS THE SPECTRUM OF WILDLIFE.
This brightly coloured blue and orange-stiped caterpillar makes its appearance in spring, hatching from eggs deposited by the moth the July to August of the previous year, around the branches of foodplants, such as hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel and fruit trees.
In contrast, the moth, found throughout southern Britain and central Europe, apart from having a parallel bar across its forewing, is a rather dull uniform brownish colour, hence the name, 'lackey', which refers to the clothing worn by mensevants in medieval times.
Apart from its brightly coloured hues, a further reason why the caterpillar is distinctive, is because it spins a silken tent and lives communally, feeding on mass, and as such, is capable of stripping host plant bare, which in an orchard can be a problem.
The tent which faces into the sunshine, enables the caterpillars to regulate temperature. On their feeding trips they leave chemical trails, enables them to follow each other.
This is a stick insect capable of perfectly mimicking its surroundings.
The photo was taken in the Natural Park of Utxesa in Lleida, Spain.
I used an external flash configured manually 1/32 and triggered remotely and also a diffuser panel to avoid the direct sunlight.
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Un insecto palo que se mimetiza perfectamente con su entorno.
La foto está hecha en el Espacio Natural Protegido de Utxesa en Lleida, España.
Usé un flash externor, configurado manualmente a 1/32 y accionado de forma remota. También utilicé un panel difusor para evitar la luz directa del sol.
I'll be appearing on the next episode of The Two Hosers Photo Show, and they've given me the weekly photo challenge.... "the longest day" (in honour of the summer solstice). Wide open to interpretation, and this is what I've come up with.
This image is photographed at The Wildflower Farm, a favourite location of mine to go shoot flower, insects and water droplets. Closed to the public, but they still let me poke around. One of the interesting things they have are these strange bicycle-based lawn mower contraptions. The front wheel is replaced with a grass-cutting blade apparatus, surely intended to make lawn mowing a faster task.... but it looks painfully labour intensive and time consuming.
Imagine cutting an entire field with a tool such as this? I think it would be the longest day of my life. Right behind this apple tree is a fledgling meadow, but the foreground grass is carefully manicured. I hope they aren't using these bikes to get the job done!
Oh, and this is a false-colour infrared image, shot with a modified camera. In infrared light, anything capable of photosynthesis typically glows brightly, giving a ghostly surreal look to the scene. The sky in this spectrum is often dark, and I was trying to frame the bright tree in the dark sky. This required me to set my tripod at nearly ground-level (thank you Gitzo for a removable center column) to find the right angle.
When shooting infrared, the camera will only capture the deepest reds in the visible spectrum, and also capture colours beyond our visual perception. These colours can be remapped into a range more natural to the way we see the world, usually done by swapping the red and blue colour channels as a starting point. I think I'll write a tutorial on my workflow in the near future. :)
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