View allAll Photos Tagged natureconservancy
Taken from the new boardwalk at Lake Martin, near Lafayette, Louisiana.
Buy a copy of my new book, A Carolina Mountain Perspective by Ben Pierce.
Life is so beautifully opportunistic, and at the same time so fragile.
Last week we heard reports of studies that show wild animal populations have decreased some 40% worldwide over the last 40 years. There are excellent reasons for all of us to be more environmentally aware, active and concerned. The rate at which species are becoming extinct probably indicates we are in the middle of this planet's sixth major extinction event, and this is highly likely a direct result of human activities, population explosion and the wide-scale conversion of wild habitats for human use.
For my Canadian friends and contacts, please check out the Nature Conservancy of Canada at www.natureconservancy.ca
Photographers have historically played an important role in conservation efforts and raising public awareness. Let's be part of this!
This was taken early in the morning as winter fog filled a valley close to Pandenes in Asturias, Spain.
I was told morning fog is quite a common phenomenon, with the fog burned away by the sun by midday.
This is an image that you probably either like or don't. I found it very atmospheric.
Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium sp.). There are several species of Sisyrinchium in Georgia, but I haven't learned to tell them apart. Moody Forest WMA, Appling County, Georgia.
This harbour seal lingered to watch a large flock of shorebirds, mostly semipalmated sandpipers, as they congregated at the high tide mark. It was either fascinated with their flight patterns, as I was, or it was perhaps waiting for an opportunity to snatch one from the water's surface.
As I climbed Tom McCall Trail on Rowena Crest at the end of September to create a lunar eclipse panorama, I encountered a small herd of 6 Columbian black-tailed deer backlit in the sunset light.
The deer grazed patiently while I setup the tripod and then meandered closer as they curiously inspected this multi-legged invader.
Click this link to see the lunar eclipse panorama.
Silverbell Tree (Halesia sp.). Several species of Silverbell trees can be found in the southeastern US. This one seems to be Two-wing Silverbell (Halesia diptera). Moody Forest WMA, Appling County, Georgia.
One of the most photographed places on earth. Nothing special here, just documentation of our recent visit. And a reminder of Ebenezer Bryce's famous quote "hell of a place to lose a cow".
"The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has a rare opportunity to protect a 640-acre (260-hectare) property neighbouring Alberta's capital city. In 1974, five families bought Bunchberry Meadows Conservation Area — a parcel of land bordering Edmonton near the Devonian Botanic Garden. For 40 years the families cared for the land, protecting important habitat for moose and numerous other species.
The five ownership families have generously offered to sell Bunchberry Meadows Conservation Area to the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) for half the asset value. Their vision is to ensure that the land is conserved for our province; particularly for our children.
Over the years Bunchberry Meadows has remained intact. But the surrounding lands and the city of Edmonton have undergone significant changes. Natural spaces in and around Edmonton continue to be developed. It’s increasingly difficult for city dwellers to find open green spaces to enjoy a sunny afternoon, or teach their children about the outdoors.
The campaign for Bunchberry Meadows was officially launched in Edmonton on May 21, 2015. Since then, Edmontonians have stepped up in support so that this special community amenity can be created.
Urban development on this property would mean the loss of habitat for many plant and wildlife species, and the loss of a wonderful space in which Albertans and all Canadians can reconnect with nature.
In June 2016, the Bunchberry campaign was closed sucessfully. NCC willl open Bunchberry to the public in the fall of 2016 as a natural retreat for everyone to enjoy."
www.natureconservancy.ca/en/where-we-work/alberta/feature...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FibqXugavrc
There are about 17,000 species of lichen worldwide and yesterday, I saw just a handful of them, including the leafy foliose lichens in this photo : ) I need to add that basically I know nothing about lichens, so am unable to identify any photos I take, unless IDs are given by a specialist.
Yesterday, 17 September 2016, was a long day, spent with a group of people - some of us travelled north from Calgary and others lived in or near the capital city of Alberta - Edmonton. Two friends had been invited to meet with members of the Nature Conservancy of Canada, to do a walk at a newly acquired 640 acre parcel of land, immediately to the east of the Devonian Botanic Garden. Edmonton is a three-hour drive north of Calgary, so it makes for a long drive when one goes for just a day trip. Set my alarm for 4:20 am.. That, plus walking for several hours (my pedometer said 16,175 steps by the time I went to bed last night) completely knocked me out and I couldn't keep awake long enough to get my "daily three" photos ready last night. Today has had to be a day at home, recovering, lol.
One of the two friends I went with, Dr. Peter Whitehead (who drove us there and back, which was wonderful) is an ecologist and bryologist, founder of the Western Canada Bryophyte and Lichen Interest Group. See the first link below about his exciting program for school children.
www.capeecology.ca/people.html
The other friend I went with was Dr. Janet Marsh, Lichenologist. She is considered one of Canada's leading authorities on lichens. So, as you can see, I was in the company of extremely knowledgeable people. I'll add that I have been on many outings the last few years that have included both these specialists. Always most enjoyable and lots of fun!
My big confession is that so many of the lichens that they find are growing in forests - and when I'm in a forest, my focus immediately turns to fungi! Which is why I still barely know anything about lichens : ) I do enjoy photographing lichens, however, and have quite a few in my photostream. Yesterday, I was able to see a number of different fungi, which made my day. Not the sharpest photos of all of them - I guess the light in the forest was worse than I thought.
The people of Edmonton and area are so very fortunate that this land is being preserved by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. What a beautiful area of meadows, bogs and forest! I especially liked the spectacular Birch trees that were growing there, with their beautiful peeling bark - some of these trees were quite large.
Thanks so much to the Nature Conservancy of Canada for inviting us for this walk yesterday. I know you will receive extensive lists of the species that Peter and Janet found. Many thanks, Peter, for organizing this trip and for all the driving you did, too. I really appreciated the opportunity to visit this new area and capture a few species with my camera. Even the weather cooperated, giving us a very pleasant temperature for walking (around 18C?) and even the rain that had been falling in Edmonton, stopped for the rest of the day. A great day in great company!
Shrader-Weaver Woods.
In 1974 our family donated a 108 acre old-growth forest and homestead to The Nature Conservancy. The land had been part of a farm in our family since about 1800.
Bobcat, Southern Arizona
Taken at the Nature Conservancy's Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve. This beautiful cat was perched in a tree about 15 feet above the creek trail.
Last weekend I rescued some 3 kg of abandoned fishnet from the sea. At least this one will not end up swirling in the Pacific trash vortex, neither will it end up hanging in Sammy the Seal’s neck. As an additional bonus I got some decent photography props for my future photo shoots.
Explore #16
Common buzzard-Buse variable (Buteo buteo), Auvergne, France.🇫🇷🐧🌏 👉 Getty Video Birds Collection www.gettyimages.fr/vidéos/vincent-pommeyrol-birds?assett...