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Little Pied Cormorant at Logan River Wetlands, Brisbane. These small, attractive (if grumpy-looking) cormorants have now been placed in the genus Microcarbo. This species occurs from Sulawesi through New Guinea and the Solomons to Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand where they are polymorphic, having totally dark individuals
Wikipedia: Papilio memnon, the great Mormon, is a large butterfly native to southern Asia that belongs to the swallowtail family. It is widely distributed and has thirteen subspecies. The female is polymorphic and with mimetic forms.
Its range includes north-eastern India (including Sikkim, Assam and Nagaland), Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nicobar Islands, Andaman Islands (stragglers only), western, southern and eastern China (including Hainan), Taiwan, southern Japan including Ryukyu Islands, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Kampuchea, Malaysia and Indonesia (Sumatra, Mentawai Islands, Nias, Batu, Simeulue, Bangka, Java, Kalimantan and the Lesser Sunda Islands).
They are insects in the macrolepidopteran clade Rhopalocera from the order Lepidoptera, which also includes moths. Adult butterflies have large, often brightly coloured wings, and conspicuous, fluttering flight. Butterflies have the typical four-stage insect life cycle. Winged adults lay eggs on the food plant on which their larvae, known as caterpillars, will feed. The caterpillars grow, sometimes very rapidly, and when fully developed, pupate in a chrysalis. When metamorphosis is complete, the pupal skin splits, the adult insect climbs out, and after its wings have expanded and dried, it flies off. Some butterflies, especially in the tropics, have several generations in a year, while others have a single generation, and a few in cold locations may take several years to pass through their entire life cycle. Butterflies are often polymorphic, and many species make use of camouflage, mimicry and aposematism to evade their predators. Some, like the monarch and the painted lady, migrate over long distances. Many butterflies are attacked by parasites or parasitoids, including wasps, protozoans, flies, and other invertebrates, or are preyed upon by other organisms. 6424
They are insects in the macrolepidopteran clade Rhopalocera from the order Lepidoptera, which also includes moths. Adult butterflies have large, often brightly coloured wings, and conspicuous, fluttering flight. Butterflies have the typical four-stage insect life cycle. Winged adults lay eggs on the food plant on which their larvae, known as caterpillars, will feed. The caterpillars grow, sometimes very rapidly, and when fully developed, pupate in a chrysalis. When metamorphosis is complete, the pupal skin splits, the adult insect climbs out, and after its wings have expanded and dried, it flies off. Some butterflies, especially in the tropics, have several generations in a year, while others have a single generation, and a few in cold locations may take several years to pass through their entire life cycle. Butterflies are often polymorphic, and many species make use of camouflage, mimicry and aposematism to evade their predators. Some, like the monarch and the painted lady, migrate over long distances. Many butterflies are attacked by parasites or parasitoids, including wasps, protozoans, flies, and other invertebrates, or are preyed upon by other organisms. 6453
They are insects in the macrolepidopteran clade Rhopalocera from the order Lepidoptera, which also includes moths. Adult butterflies have large, often brightly coloured wings, and conspicuous, fluttering flight. Butterflies have the typical four-stage insect life cycle. Winged adults lay eggs on the food plant on which their larvae, known as caterpillars, will feed. The caterpillars grow, sometimes very rapidly, and when fully developed, pupate in a chrysalis. When metamorphosis is complete, the pupal skin splits, the adult insect climbs out, and after its wings have expanded and dried, it flies off. Some butterflies, especially in the tropics, have several generations in a year, while others have a single generation, and a few in cold locations may take several years to pass through their entire life cycle. Butterflies are often polymorphic, and many species make use of camouflage, mimicry and aposematism to evade their predators. Some, like the monarch and the painted lady, migrate over long distances. Many butterflies are attacked by parasites or parasitoids, including wasps, protozoans, flies, and other invertebrates, or are preyed upon by other organisms. 4143
They are insects in the macrolepidopteran clade Rhopalocera from the order Lepidoptera, which also includes moths. Adult butterflies have large, often brightly coloured wings, and conspicuous, fluttering flight. Butterflies have the typical four-stage insect life cycle. Winged adults lay eggs on the food plant on which their larvae, known as caterpillars, will feed. The caterpillars grow, sometimes very rapidly, and when fully developed, pupate in a chrysalis. When metamorphosis is complete, the pupal skin splits, the adult insect climbs out, and after its wings have expanded and dried, it flies off. Some butterflies, especially in the tropics, have several generations in a year, while others have a single generation, and a few in cold locations may take several years to pass through their entire life cycle. Butterflies are often polymorphic, and many species make use of camouflage, mimicry and aposematism to evade their predators. Some, like the monarch and the painted lady, migrate over long distances. Many butterflies are attacked by parasites or parasitoids, including wasps, protozoans, flies, and other invertebrates, or are preyed upon by other organisms. 22423
* Well my stream has emerged again I hope you are all back on stream Its all a bit slow but hopefully it will improve bit by bit
You will have noticed that a my images from Thailand are not great for people who prefer nature shots. However just for a change I did get at least one butterfly capture . The great Mormon butterfly was quite spectacular certainly the largest butterfly I have ever seen . It was flying along the banks of the river where we bathing elephants . So I had to get out the river pretty sharpish to grab this shot
Papilio memnon, the great Mormon, is a large butterfly native to southern Asia that belongs to the swallowtail family. It is widely distributed and has thirteen subspecies. The female is polymorphic and with mimetic forms.The butterfly is large with a 120 to 150 millimetres (4.7 to 5.9 in) wingspan . I believe this is the Male (form agenor)
THANKS FOR YOUR VISITING BUT CAN I ASK YOU NOT TO FAVE AN IMAGE WITHOUT ALSO MAKING A COMMENT. MANY THANKS KEITH. ANYONE MAKING MULTIPLE FAVES WITHOUT COMMENTS WILL SIMPLY BE BLOCKED
They are insects in the macrolepidopteran clade Rhopalocera from the order Lepidoptera, which also includes moths. Adult butterflies have large, often brightly coloured wings, and conspicuous, fluttering flight. Butterflies have the typical four-stage insect life cycle. Winged adults lay eggs on the food plant on which their larvae, known as caterpillars, will feed. The caterpillars grow, sometimes very rapidly, and when fully developed, pupate in a chrysalis. When metamorphosis is complete, the pupal skin splits, the adult insect climbs out, and after its wings have expanded and dried, it flies off. Some butterflies, especially in the tropics, have several generations in a year, while others have a single generation, and a few in cold locations may take several years to pass through their entire life cycle. Butterflies are often polymorphic, and many species make use of camouflage, mimicry and aposematism to evade their predators. Some, like the monarch and the painted lady, migrate over long distances. Many butterflies are attacked by parasites or parasitoids, including wasps, protozoans, flies, and other invertebrates, or are preyed upon by other organisms. 22359
They are insects in the macrolepidopteran clade Rhopalocera from the order Lepidoptera, which also includes moths. Adult butterflies have large, often brightly coloured wings, and conspicuous, fluttering flight. Butterflies have the typical four-stage insect life cycle. Winged adults lay eggs on the food plant on which their larvae, known as caterpillars, will feed. The caterpillars grow, sometimes very rapidly, and when fully developed, pupate in a chrysalis. When metamorphosis is complete, the pupal skin splits, the adult insect climbs out, and after its wings have expanded and dried, it flies off. Some butterflies, especially in the tropics, have several generations in a year, while others have a single generation, and a few in cold locations may take several years to pass through their entire life cycle. Butterflies are often polymorphic, and many species make use of camouflage, mimicry and aposematism to evade their predators. Some, like the monarch and the painted lady, migrate over long distances. Many butterflies are attacked by parasites or parasitoids, including wasps, protozoans, flies, and other invertebrates, or are preyed upon by other organisms. 22422
A female Great Mormon Butterfly (Papilio memnon) in the Butterfly and Orchid Pavilion of the Tucson Botanical Gardens in Tucson, Arizona. Native to southern Asia, the females are polymorphic.
The variable hawk (Geranoaetus polyosoma) is a polymorphic species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae.
It is widespread and often common in open habitats in western and southern South America, including the Falkland Islands. Its taxonomy is disputed, with some splitting it into the widespread red-backed hawk (G. polyosoma) and the Puna hawk or Gurney's hawk (G. poecilochrous) of the central and north Andean highlands, but the differences between the two are unclear. Most recent authorities have supported the lumping together of the two hawks although the issue still is controversial.[3][4] On the contrary, the rare taxon from the Juan Fernández Islands is relatively distinctive, and possibly worthy of species recognition as the Juan Fernández hawk (B. exsul).[5] In this article and most current accounts, the three races are regarded as subspecies.
The tropical screech owl (Megascops choliba) is a small species of owl in the family Strigidae.It is found throughout South America (including Trinidad and Tobago), except in the Andes, the arid Pacific lowlands, and the far south. Its distribution also extends into southern Central America in Costa Rica and Panama. It is generally common – in large parts of its range among the most common species of owls and likely the most common screech owl of the tropics. It occurs in a wide range of wooded habitats, ranging from arid Caatinga to dense rainforest, and even city parks.his polymorphic species is highly variable in colour, it being overall grey-brown or (less commonly) brown or rufous, but always with a relatively distinctive blackish edge to the face and yellow irides. The length is 21–23 centimetres (8.3–9.1 in) long and weight is 97–160 grams (3.4–5.6 oz).
A beautiful pierrid butterfly, the Red spot jezebel (Delias descombesi)(Boisduval, 1836) is sitting on a wild flower
Heliconius hecale zuleika. Seen in the Veragua Rainforest in Costa Rica.
www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/North America - Heliconius hecale.htm
Double click image to enlarge.
This female tachinid fly was one of two bee mimic flies in my garden this morning. I can't immediately identify them but I'm sure someone can help. This one posed obligingly on one of our osteospermums
The image should enlarge nicely if it helps with the i/d.
Thanks to Judy and Andrea for help with the i/d.
The Brown-lipped Snail is one of the commonest large species of land snail in Europe, and has been introduced to North America.
It is highly polymorphic in shell colour and banding. The background colour of the shell varies along a continuum from brown through pink to yellow and sometimes almost white. Additionally the shells can be with or without dark bands. The bands vary in intensity of colour, in width and in number, from zero to five.
This is a very common and widespread species in Western Europe, occupying a wide range of habitats from coastal dunes to woodlands with full canopy cover, including gardens and abandoned land. It feeds mainly on dead or senescent plants, preferring broad-leaved plants over grasses. Although mostly not a pest of crops, it can be a nuisance in vineyards because it is inadvertently picked with the grapes. (Wikipedia)
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I found this cute little snail hanging onto a leaf while out birding. I thought at first it was a Brown-lipped Snail, but an expert on iNaturalist told me that it was an immature Brown-lipped. The things that one learns when using sites like iNaturalist is amazing.
Presqu'ile Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. September 2023.
Yesterday, I spent the whole day walking in nature. I needed it. I took some photographs, also, including this one. I have no knowledge of butterflies, but suspect this one belongs to the Skipper family.
Butterflies are winged insects from the lepidopteran suborder Rhopalocera, characterized by large, often brightly coloured wings that often fold together when at rest, and a conspicuous, fluttering flight. The group comprises the superfamilies Hedyloidea (moth-butterflies in the Americas) and Papilionoidea (all others). The oldest butterfly fossils have been dated to the Paleocene, about 56 million years ago, though they likely originated in the Late Cretaceous, about 101 million years ago.
Butterflies have a four-stage life cycle, and like other holometabolous insects they undergo complete metamorphosis. Winged adults lay eggs on the food plant on which their larvae, known as caterpillars, will feed. The caterpillars grow, sometimes very rapidly, and when fully developed, pupate in a chrysalis. When metamorphosis is complete, the pupal skin splits, the adult insect climbs out, expands its wings to dry, and flies off.
Some butterflies, especially in the tropics, have several generations in a year, while others have a single generation, and a few in cold locations may take several years to pass through their entire life cycle.
Butterflies are often polymorphic, and many species make use of camouflage, mimicry, and aposematism to evade their predators. Some, like the monarch and the painted lady, migrate over long distances. Many butterflies are attacked by parasites or parasitoids, including wasps, protozoans, flies, and other invertebrates, or are preyed upon by other organisms. Some species are pests because in their larval stages they can damage domestic crops or trees; other species are agents of pollination of some plants. Larvae of a few butterflies (e.g., harvesters) eat harmful insects, and a few are predators of ants, while others live as mutualists in association with ants. Culturally, butterflies are a popular motif in the visual and literary arts. The Smithsonian Institution says "butterflies are certainly one of the most appealing creatures in nature". (Wikipedia)
Es una ranita venenosa, de hábitos diurnos, cuya distribución se da principalmente en el Caribe desde el Este de Nicaragua, en Costa Rica y el Oeste de Panamá.
Es una especie polimórfica, o sea, posee gran variedad de coloraciones. Mientras en la región de Bocas del Toro, en Panamá encontramos esa variedad de coloraciones, en Costa Rica y en Nicaragua domina la coloración roja con manchas negras, pero en el extremo sur de Costa Rica presentan un único color que puede ser rojo, naranja o beige.
Este individuo lo encontré en Hotel Don Quito. Siquirres, Limón. Costa Rica.
It is a poisonous frog, with diurnal habits, whose distribution occurs mainly in the Caribbean from the East of Nicaragua, in Costa Rica and the West of Panama.
It is a polymorphic species, that is, it has a great variety of colorations. While in the Bocas del Toro region, in Panama we find this variety of colorations, in Costa Rica and Nicaragua the red coloration with black spots dominates, but in the extreme south of Costa Rica they present a single color that can be red, orange or beige.
I found this individual at Hotel Don Quito. Siquirres, Limón. Costa Rica
Saxifraga paniculata (Saxifragaceae) 173 24
This polymorphic species forms a cushion of rosettes made up of 0.5-6 cm long more or less glaucous, lime-encrusted leaves incurving to varying degrees in different forms. Flowering stems 4-30cm high form a panicle of numerous white or pale cream flowers, petals 4-6mm long, plain or with varying degrees of red spotting. The species has a very extensive range throughout southern and central Europe extending also into the arctic region including Canada, Greenland, Iceland, the Faroes and Norway.
Scroll down for English text.
Der Papilio memnon, auch bekannt als der Große Mormone, ist ein beeindruckender Schmetterling aus der Familie der Ritterfalter (Papilionidae). Er ist in Südostasien weit verbreitet und umfasst 13 Unterarten.
Dieser Schmetterling hat eine Flügelspannweite von etwa 12 bis 15 cm und zeigt einen deutlichen Geschlechtsdimorphismus. Die Weibchen sind polymorph und imitieren oft ungenießbare Schmetterlingsarten, was ein faszinierendes Beispiel für Bates'sche Mimikry ist.
Der Lebensraum des Papilio memnon reicht von tropischen Regenwäldern bis hin zu lichten Stellen in diesen Gebieten. Er ist nicht bedroht, da die Kultivierung von Zitrusfrüchten in Südostasien eine reichhaltige Nahrungsquelle bietet.
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The Papilio memnon, also known as the Great Mormon, is an impressive butterfly belonging to the family Papilionidae. It is widely distributed in Southeast Asia and comprises 13 subspecies.
This butterfly has a wingspan of approximately 12 to 15 cm and exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism. The females are polymorphic and often mimic inedible butterfly species, which is a fascinating example of Batesian mimicry.
The habitat of Papilio memnon ranges from tropical rainforests to open areas within these regions. It is not considered endangered, as the cultivation of citrus fruits in Southeast Asia provides a plentiful food source.
It’s remarkable how nature creates such intricate survival strategies!
Another angle of this female bee mimic fly, which has yet to be identified...( Now identified as Nowickia ferox)
Nepenthes alata is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to the Philippines. Like all pitcher plants, it is carnivorous and uses its nectar to attract insects that drown in the pitcher and are digested by the plant. It is highly polymorphic, and its taxonomy continues to be subject to revisions. Wikipedia
Nikon Z7 + 200 mm f/4 - Iso 1600 - 1/60 - f/4.8
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Le papillon Heliconius doris, également connu sous le nom de Doris longwing, présente les caractéristiques principales suivantes :
•Morphologie : C’est un grand papillon avec des ailes allongées et arrondies. Les ailes antérieures sont souvent marron à bleu sombre, ornées de grandes taches blanches, tandis que la base des ailes postérieures peut être orange ou bleue selon les sous-espèces.
•Polymorphisme et mimétisme : Il est polymorphe et participe à des anneaux de mimétisme müllérien, ce qui en fait un modèle d’étude pour l’évolution et l’écologie.
•Répartition : Originaire d’Amérique centrale et du Sud, il habite les forêts tropicales depuis le niveau de la mer jusqu’à 1200 mètres d’altitude.
•Régime alimentaire : Les larves se nourrissent principalement de plantes du genre Passiflora, tandis que les adultes consomment du nectar (notamment des fleurs de Lantana) et collectent du pollen sur des plantes comme Psiguria.
•Chenille : La chenille a un corps blanc tacheté de noir avec une tête orange dotée de cornes noires.
Ce papillon est particulièrement étudié pour ses motifs colorés et son rôle dans les dynamiques évolutives.
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The butterfly Heliconius doris, also known as the Doris longwing, has the following main characteristics:
•Morphology: It is a large butterfly with elongated and rounded wings. The forewings are often brown to dark blue, adorned with large white spots, while the base of the hindwings can be orange or blue depending on the subspecies.
•Polymorphism and mimicry: It is polymorphic and participates in Müllerian mimicry rings, making it a model for studies in evolution and ecology.
•Distribution: Native to Central and South America, it inhabits tropical forests from sea level up to 1200 meters in altitude.
•Diet: The larvae primarily feed on plants of the Passiflora genus, while adults consume nectar (notably from Lantana flowers) and collect pollen from plants like Psiguria.
•Caterpillar: The caterpillar has a white body speckled with black, with an orange head featuring black horns.
This butterfly is particularly studied for its colorful patterns and its role in evolutionary dynamics.
Papilio memnon, the great Mormon, is a large butterfly native to southern Asia that belongs to the swallowtail family. It is widely distributed and has thirteen subspecies. The female is polymorphic and with mimetic forms.
Its range includes north-eastern India (including Sikkim, Assam and Nagaland), Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nicobar Islands, Andaman Islands (stragglers only), western, southern and eastern China (including Hainan), Taiwan, southern Japan including Ryukyu Islands, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Kampuchea, Malaysia and Indonesia (Sumatra, Mentawai Islands, Nias, Batu, Simeulue, Bangka, Java, Kalimantan and the Lesser Sunda Islands).
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papilio_memnon
From a recent visit to Pili Palas, North Wales
The species reaches a body length of 5–7 millimetres (0.20–0.28 in). Most females are slightly larger than males. In these polymorphic insects, the coloration of the body is very variable (about 20 different colors are known). Usually, they are yellowish, brownish, or black, with brighter patches on a dark background, but also with dark markings on a lighter background.
The most common modes of locomotion are running and flying, but the most striking is their strong jumping ability, which is useful for escaping from predators. When jumping, the hind leg tarsal spines and spine hairs are embedded into the material the animal is jumping from, typically a plant, and provide the purchase needed for a lateral jump - confirmed with scanning electron micrographs. X-ray spectroscopy revealed that the darker coloured sclerotized tips of the spines, the last 6/100ths of a millimetre or so, contain zinc.
Eggs are white with an orange spot; this spot becomes darker and larger if the egg is fertilised, approximately 1mm long and 0.3mm wide. The larvae, also called nymphs, hatch after about 20 days and develop through five stages, known as instars.
The larvae are well known for the self-generated foam nests which can be observed during spring in meadows (especially on cuckoo flowers, Cardamine pratensis, and broom, Genista, species). The larvae in the foam nests are largely protected from predators and also get the necessary moisture for the appropriate development and temperature, so their mortality remains low even in bad weather. The larval stage lasts about 50 days. The adults leave the foam nest only when it is completely dried. This takes about ten days. The females mate soon after.
Froghoppers are polyphagous, their host plant specificity is low, so that they can feed on a variety of plants, mainly grasses (Poaceae species), reed plants (Juncaceae species), herbs and sometimes trees (including the olive tree, where the species has been identified as spreading Xylella fastidiosa, the bacterium associated with Olive quick decline syndrome). They have been identified on over 170 host plants.
Granular poison frog (Oophaga granulifera) diverged into southern and northern lineages. The proportion of red is more prominent in the Osa Population, while the red, green and polymorphic populations are located in the Central Pacific. The poison produced by the poison dart frogs affects nerves and muscles, producing paralysis and respiratory failure. These colorful frogs hunt by day, feeding on termites and ants, and it has been suggested that their warning coloration evolved in response to their long feeding periods, when they would otherwise be vulnerable to predators. Their warning coloration is the response to the most basic problem in nature: to eat without being eaten. Toxic alkaloids in the skin secretions of these frogs provide them with powerful chemical weapons against potential predators. This distinctive flashing coloration is known as aposematic, or warning coloration.
The species reaches a body length of 5–7 millimetres (0.20–0.28 in). Most females are slightly larger than males. In these polymorphic insects, the coloration of the body is very variable (about 20 different colors are known). Usually, they are yellowish, brownish, or black, with brighter patches on a dark background, but also with dark markings on a lighter background.
The most common modes of locomotion are running and flying, but the most striking is their strong jumping ability, which is useful for escaping from predators. When jumping, the hind leg tarsal spines and spine hairs are embedded into the material the animal is jumping from, typically a plant, and provide the purchase needed for a lateral jump - confirmed with scanning electron micrographs. X-ray spectroscopy revealed that the darker coloured sclerotized tips of the spines, the last 6/100ths of a millimetre or so, contain zinc.
Eggs are white with an orange spot; this spot becomes darker and larger if the egg is fertilised, approximately 1mm long and 0.3mm wide. The larvae, also called nymphs, hatch after about 20 days and develop through five stages, known as instars.
The larvae are well known for the self-generated foam nests which can be observed during spring in meadows (especially on cuckoo flowers, Cardamine pratensis, and broom, Genista, species). The larvae in the foam nests are largely protected from predators and also get the necessary moisture for the appropriate development and temperature, so their mortality remains low even in bad weather. The larval stage lasts about 50 days. The adults leave the foam nest only when it is completely dried. This takes about ten days. The females mate soon after.
Froghoppers are polyphagous, their host plant specificity is low, so that they can feed on a variety of plants, mainly grasses (Poaceae species), reed plants (Juncaceae species), herbs and sometimes trees (including the olive tree, where the species has been identified as spreading Xylella fastidiosa, the bacterium associated with Olive quick decline syndrome). They have been identified on over 170 host plants.
The lesser goldfinch or dark-backed goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) is a very small songbird of the Americas. Together with its relatives the American goldfinch and Lawrence's goldfinch, it forms the American goldfinches clade in the genus Spinus sensu stricto.
The American goldfinches can be distinguished by the males having a black (rarely green) forehead, whereas the latter is (like the rest of the face) red or yellow in the European goldfinch and its relatives. North American males are markedly polymorphic and 5 subspecies are often named; at least 2 of them seem to represent a less-progressed stage in evolution however.
This petite species is not only the smallest North American Spinus finch, it may be the smallest true finch in the world.Some sources list more subtropical Spinus species as slightly smaller on average, including the Andean siskin. This species ranges from 9 to 12 cm (3.5 to 4.7 in) in length and can weigh from 8 to 11.5 g (0.28 to 0.41 oz).Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 5.5 to 7 cm (2.2 to 2.8 in), the tail is 3.9 to 4.7 cm (1.5 to 1.9 in), the bill is 0.9 to 1.1 cm (0.35 to 0.43 in) and the tarsus is 1.1 to 1.2 cm (0.43 to 0.47 in).[4] There is a slight NW-SE cline in size, with the largest birds from Mexico and south being up to one-fifth larger than the smallest from the extreme NW of its range; this effect is more pronounced in females. There is also considerable variation in the amount of black on head and back in males, and thus three subspecies have been proposed. But this variation too seem to be simple and clinal changes in allele frequency, and thus the "subspecies" might be better considered morphs or geographical forms.
Males are easily recognized by their bright yellow underparts and big white patches in the tail (outer rectrices) and on the wings (the base of the primaries). They range from having solid black from the back to the upper head including the ear-coverts to having these regions medium green; each of the back, crown and ear regions varies in darkness rather independently though as a rule the ears are not darker than the rest. In most of the range dark psaltria birds (Arkansas goldfinch) predominate. The light birds are termed hesperophilus and are most common in the far western U.S. and northwestern Mexico.
Los Angeles. California.
Taken in the butterfly house at the Riverhead Aquarium....
Heliconius doris
It is known for being a polymorphic species which participates in various Müllerian mimicry rings throughout Central America and the Amazon rainforest.
Remains of barley (Hordeum vulgare) grains found at archaeological sites in the Fertile Crescent indicate that about 10,000 years ago the crop was domesticated there from its wild relative Hordeum spontaneum. The domestication history of barley is revisited based on the assumptions that DNA markers effectively measure genetic distances and that wild populations are genetically different and they have not undergone significant change since domestication. The monophyletic nature of barley domestication is demonstrated based on allelic frequencies at 400 AFLP polymorphic loci studied in 317 wild and 57 cultivated lines. The wild populations from Israel-Jordan are molecularly more similar than are any others to the cultivated gene pool. The results provided support for the hypothesis that the Israel-Jordan area is the region in which barley was brought into culture. Moreover, the diagnostic allele I of the homeobox gene BKn-3, rarely but almost exclusively found in Israel H. spontaneum, is pervasive in western landraces and modern cultivated varieties. In landraces from the Himalayas and India, the BKn-3 allele IIIa prevails, indicating that an allelic substitution has taken place during the migration of barley from the Near East to South Asia. Thus, the Himalayas can be considered a region of domesticated barley diversification.
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Photographed at Shoreline Park, Mountain View, California
=> Please click on the image to see the largest size. <=
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From Wikipedia: The red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a bird of prey that breeds throughout most of North America, from the interior of Alaska and northern Canada to as far south as Panama and the West Indies. It is one of the most common members within the genus of Buteo in North America or worldwide. The red-tailed hawk is one of three species colloquially known in the United States as the "chickenhawk," though it rarely preys on standard-sized chickens. The bird is sometimes also referred to as the red-tail for short, when the meaning is clear in context. Red-tailed hawks can acclimate to all the biomes within their range, occurring on the edges of non-ideal habitats such as dense forests and sandy deserts. The red-tailed hawk occupies a wide range of habitats and altitudes including deserts, grasslands, coniferous and deciduous forests, agricultural fields and urban areas. Its latitudinal limits fall around the tree line in the Arctic and the species is absent from the high Arctic. It is legally protected in Canada, Mexico and the United States by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
The 14 recognized subspecies vary in appearance and range, varying most often in color, and in the west of North America, red-tails are particularly often strongly polymorphic, with individuals ranging from almost white to nearly all black. The subspecies Harlan's hawk (B. j. harlani) is sometimes considered a separate species (B. harlani). The red-tailed hawk is one of the largest members of the genus Buteo. This species displays sexual dimorphism in size, with females averaging about 25% heavier than males.
The diet of red-tailed hawks is highly variable and reflects their status as opportunistic generalist, but in North America, it is most often a predator of small mammals such as rodents. Prey that is terrestrial and diurnal is preferred so types such as ground squirrels are preferential where they naturally occur. Large numbers of birds and reptiles can occur in the diet in several areas and can even be the primary foods. Meanwhile, amphibians, fish and invertebrates can seem rare in the hawk’s regular diet; however, they are not infrequently taken by immature hawks.
Red-tailed hawks may survive on islands absent of native mammals on diets variously including invertebrates such as crabs, or lizards and birds. Like many Buteo, they hunt from a perch most often but can vary their hunting techniques where prey and habitat demand it. Because they are so common and easily trained as capable hunters, the majority of hawks captured for falconry in the United States are red-tails.
6D6A4124-1_fCA3Flkr
L'acropoli di Alatri (Frosinone) è posta nel cuore del centro storico, sulla cima del colle.
È di notevole interesse per le sue mura in opera poligonale, costituite da diversi strati di megaliti polimorfici che spesso raggiungono la lunghezza di 3 metri, provenienti dalla stessa collina e fatti combaciare perfettamente ad incastro senza l'ausilio di calce o cementi.
La datazione è incerta, ma si fa risalire al VII-VI sec. AC.
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The acropolis of Alatri (province of Frosinone town, Italy) is located in the heart of the historic center, on the top of the hill. It is of considerable interest for its polygonal walls, made up of several layers of polymorphic megaliths that often reach a length of 3 meters, coming from the same hill and made to fit together perfectly without the aid of lime or cement.
The dating is uncertain, but it dates back to the 7th-6th century BC.
The female of the Common Mormon is polymorphic.
Prominent red crescents distinguish females from males
Shot in my garden.
My Photoblog- My Third Eye...!
Caltha palustris (kingcup, marsh marigold) is a perennial herbaceous plant of the family Ranunculaceae, native to marshes, fens, ditches and wet woodland in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
It becomes most luxuriant in partial shade, but is rare on peat. In the United Kingdom, it is probably one of the most ancient native plants, surviving the glaciations and flourishing after the last retreat of the ice, in a landscape inundated with glacial meltwaters.
Height is up to 80 centimetres (31 in) tall. The leaves are rounded to kidney-shaped, 3–20 centimetres (1.2–7.9 in) across, with a bluntly serrated margin and a thick, waxy texture. Stems are hollow.
The flowers are yellow, 2–5 cm (1–2 in) diameter, with 4-9 (mostly 5) petal-like sepals and many yellow stamens; they appear in early spring to late summer. The flowers are visited by a great variety of insects for pollen and for the nectar secreted from small depressions, one on each side of each carpel.
Carpels form into green sac-like follicles to 1 cm long, each opening to release several seeds.
Caltha palustris is a highly polymorphic species, showing continuous and independent variation in many features. Forms in the UK may be divided into two subspecies: Caltha palustris subsp. palustris, and Caltha palustris subsp. minor.
It is sometimes considered a weed in clay-like garden soils, where every piece of its root will survive and spread. In warm free-draining soils, it simply dies away.
As is the case with many members of the family Ranunculaceae, all parts of the plant
Tenagogerris euphrosyne
Family: Gerridae
Order: Hemiptera
The Gerridae, or Water Striders, are small hemipterans or "true-bugs" - insects that feed by piercing prey and sucking the contents through the proboscis. The prey include spiders and insects. Cannibalism is common and the adults will prey upon other adults as well as larvae. On the other hand, the adults will sometimes share large prey with other adults.
Prey is located from vibrations in the water surface.
Gerridae adults will communicate with others for the purpose of mating. Several specific frequencies of vibration are produced, each frequency communicating a different message to assist in the mating process.
The Gerridae are very similar in appearance to another semiaquatic family of bugs, the Veliidae.
The striders walk on the water, thanks to surface tension and hydrophobic hairs on the legs. The hairs extend across the whole body too, making the insect able to repel splashes of water. They are so successful in their niche, that the strider family, the Gerridae, are widespread with some 1700 species described, 10% of which are marine.
The Gerridae are polymorphic in that they can have wings in one generation, when there might be a need to relocate to a new water body, however the next generation may not have wings, if the current environment is stable.
The Gerridae possess scent glands in the thorax that deter fish from eating them.
DSC03543
Seen growing at Forvie Nature Reserve Aberdeenshire.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Salix repens, the creeping willow, is a small, shrubby species of willow in the family Salicaceae, growing up to 1.5 metres in height. Found amongst sand dunes and heathlands, it is a polymorphic species, with a wide range of variants. In the UK, at least, these range from small, prostrate, hairless plants at one end of the spectrum to taller, erect or ascending silky-leaved shrubs at the other. This wide variation in form has resulted in numerous synonyms.
Photographed on Stewart Island in New Zealand
Please click twice on the image to view at the largest size
When photographing these birds on Steward Island, I assumed they were Black Oystercatchers, a bird with which I was quite familiar. Imagine my surprise to find out they were, in fact, Variable Oystercatchers. They're named that because the frontal plumage *varies* so much. However all the Variable Oystercatchers on Steward Island are, according to Wikipedia, black...hence my mis-identification.
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From Wikipedia: The variable oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolor) is a species of wader in the family Haematopodidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. The Maori name is torea-pango. They are also known as 'red bills'.
Description:
"Variable" refers to the frontal plumage, which ranges from pied through mottled to all black. They are polymorphic meaning they have different genetic variants. These color differences are attributed to the latitude of the habitat, where the northernmost oystercatchers have significantly more white on their bodies than those of southern origin. All Stewart Island variable oystercatchers are black. They have pink legs, an orange eye ring and orange-red beaks. Similar to a needle in shape, the bill is thin and long, and darkens to a deep red color during the breeding season. Males are around 678 grams and females slightly larger at around 724 grams.[citation needed] Length of individuals range from 42 to 47 cm from beak to tail and have a short, sturdy body with a thick neck.
Distribution and habitat:
Haematopus unicolor is endemic to New Zealand. The species has likely remained endemic due to its sedentary lifestyle and lack of migration, keeping all populations within the same island habitat. They are often seen in pairs on the coast all around New Zealand. Their distribution around New Zealand is around most of the North, South and Stewart Islands coastlines and some offshore islands with the exception of outlying islands off the west coast. While they occur in lower densities on the western coastlines they are concentrated in these areas; Northland, Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Greater Wellington, Nelson/Marlborough and Fiordland.
Their preferred habitat is a wide range of coastal habitat types varying depending on activity and habitat available. Haematopus unicolor is generally never found more than 30 km from the coast.[11] Breeding and nesting occurs on sandy coasts, usually far from muddy harbours. Individuals have been known to congregate in short grassed paddocks and sometimes forage in pastures after rain however will generally remain around the coastal beaches, estuaries and shorelines. They prefer sandy coastal areas and avoid gravel beaches and boulder strewn areas. They nest on the shore between rocks or on sand dunes by making a scrape out of the sand or shingle, sometimes lined with some seaweed.
Feeding:
Feeding behaviour is diurnal and nocturnal with no feeding occurring two hours either side of high tide. The birds will then start feeding as the tide ebbs. Food is located mainly by visual location but when it is dark or the food is obscured by the substrate, they will locate food via random probing with the bill. Their diet consists of a range of molluscs, crustaceans, worms, small invertebrates and sometimes small fish. The molluscs are mainly bivalves and are opened by the birds by using the bill to stab and twist them open. Some birds have been observed to hammer them open. After heavy rain, they sometime go inland in search of earthworms.
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Notice the blue scales on the wings. Beautiful!
Papilio memnon, the great Mormon, is a large butterfly native to southern Asia that belongs to the swallowtail family. It is widely distributed and has thirteen subspecies. The female is polymorphic and with mimetic forms.
Its range includes north-eastern India (including Sikkim, Assam and Nagaland), Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nicobar Islands, Andaman Islands (stragglers only), western, southern and eastern China. This species is common and not threatened. The cultivation of citrus all over Southern Asia provides an abundance of food plants.
Papilio memnon
Wings of the Tropics, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Miami FL
Doris Longwings are polymorphic with variable coloration within the species. While the forewings have white spots, the color of the hindwings may be red, orange, blue or even bright cream making it tricky to correctly identify the species in the wild.
Family Nymphalidae; sub-family Heliconiinae
Seen growing at Forvie Nature Reserve Aberdeenshire.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Salix repens, the creeping willow, is a small, shrubby species of willow in the family Salicaceae, growing up to 1.5 metres in height. Found amongst sand dunes and heathlands, it is a polymorphic species, with a wide range of variants. In the UK, at least, these range from small, prostrate, hairless plants at one end of the spectrum to taller, erect or ascending silky-leaved shrubs at the other. This wide variation in form has resulted in numerous synonyms.
The gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus), also spelled gerfalcon, is a bird of prey, the largest of the falcon species. It breeds on Arctic coasts and tundra, and the islands of northern North America, Europe, and Asia. It is mainly a resident there also, but some gyrfalcons disperse more widely after the breeding season, or in winter. Individual vagrancy can take birds for long distances. Its plumage varies with location, with birds being coloured from all-white to dark brown. These colour variations are called morphs. Like other falcons, it shows sexual dimorphism, with the female much larger than the male. For centuries the gyrfalcon has been a precious hunting bird, highly valued among the Vikings. Typical prey includes the ptarmigan and waterfowl, which it may take in flight. It has also been observed feeding on fish and mammals.
This is a juvenile male and part of a breeding program here in the UK. On the day of our visit he was being trained to hunt!
Click the pic to view large!
Photographed in Milpitas, California
=> Please click on the image to see the largest size. <=
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From Wikipedia: The red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a bird of prey that breeds throughout most of North America, from the interior of Alaska and northern Canada to as far south as Panama and the West Indies. It is one of the most common members within the genus of Buteo in North America or worldwide. The red-tailed hawk is one of three species colloquially known in the United States as the "chickenhawk," though it rarely preys on standard-sized chickens. The bird is sometimes also referred to as the red-tail for short, when the meaning is clear in context. Red-tailed hawks can acclimate to all the biomes within their range, occurring on the edges of non-ideal habitats such as dense forests and sandy deserts. The red-tailed hawk occupies a wide range of habitats and altitudes including deserts, grasslands, coniferous and deciduous forests, agricultural fields and urban areas. Its latitudinal limits fall around the tree line in the Arctic and the species is absent from the high Arctic. It is legally protected in Canada, Mexico and the United States by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
The 14 recognized subspecies vary in appearance and range, varying most often in color, and in the west of North America, red-tails are particularly often strongly polymorphic, with individuals ranging from almost white to nearly all black. The subspecies Harlan's hawk (B. j. harlani) is sometimes considered a separate species (B. harlani). The red-tailed hawk is one of the largest members of the genus Buteo. This species displays sexual dimorphism in size, with females averaging about 25% heavier than males.
The diet of red-tailed hawks is highly variable and reflects their status as opportunistic generalist, but in North America, it is most often a predator of small mammals such as rodents. Prey that is terrestrial and diurnal is preferred so types such as ground squirrels are preferential where they naturally occur. Large numbers of birds and reptiles can occur in the diet in several areas and can even be the primary foods. Meanwhile, amphibians, fish and invertebrates can seem rare in the hawk’s regular diet; however, they are not infrequently taken by immature hawks.
Red-tailed hawks may survive on islands absent of native mammals on diets variously including invertebrates such as crabs, or lizards and birds. Like many Buteo, they hunt from a perch most often but can vary their hunting techniques where prey and habitat demand it. Because they are so common and easily trained as capable hunters, the majority of hawks captured for falconry in the United States are red-tails.
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This is Amazonite and Smoky Quartz from White Cap Pocket, Smoky Hawk Claim, Teller Co., Colorado at the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show.
www.mindat.org/loc-158899.html
A gemstone(semiprecious)-specimen occurrence/claim. The claim is currently (2021) being mined by Joe Dorris of Pinnacle 5 Minerals.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazonite
Amazonite, also known as amazonstone,[4] is a green tectosilicate mineral, a variety of the potassium feldspar called microcline.[4][5][6] Its chemical formula is KAlSi3O8,[1][7] which is polymorphic to orthoclase.
Its name is taken from that of the Amazon River, from which green stones were formerly obtained, though it is unknown whether those stones were amazonite.[4] Although it has been used for jewellery for well over three thousand years, as attested by archaeological finds in Middle and New Kingdom Egypt[8] and Mesopotamia, no ancient or medieval authority mentions it. It was first described as a distinct mineral only in the 18th century.[9]
Green and greenish-blue varieties of potassium feldspars that are predominantly triclinic are designated as amazonite.[10] It has been described as a "beautiful crystallized variety of a bright verdigris-green"[11] and as possessing a "lively green colour".[4] It is occasionally cut and used as a gemstone.[12]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoky_quartz
Smoky quartz is a brownish grey, translucent variety of quartz that ranges in clarity from almost complete transparency to an almost-opaque brownish-gray or black crystals.[6] The color of smoky quartz is produced when natural radiation, emitted from the surrounding rock, activates color centers around aluminum impurities within the crystalline quartz. [7]
www.visittucson.org/tucson-gem-mineral-fossil-showcase/
Every year the world-renowned Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase is like a time portal, a trip around the world, and a treasure hunt all rolled into one. Every winter, more than 65,000 guests from around the globe descend upon Tucson, AZ, to buy, sell, trade, and bear witness to rare and enchanting gems, minerals, and fossils at more than 50 gem show locations across the city. If you're planning a winter visit to Tucson, you won't want to miss this three-week-long event filled with shows, related events, a free day at the gem & mineral museum, and much, much more!
"Whether you’re looking for a $5 shimmering crystal necklace or a show-stopping $200,000 crystallized rock from an exotic location, the Tucson Gem, Mineral, & Fossil Shows have something for everyone.
www.visittucson.org/blog/post/gems-and-minerals/
The theme this year was Shades of Green- Experience the Magic. The theme for next year's show will be Red, White, and Blue Celebrate the Spirit of Minerals
xpopress.com/news/article/783/shades-of-green-70th-annual...
TGMS 2025
Tucson Gem Show 2025
The red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is a bird of prey that breeds throughout most of North America, from the interior of Alaska and northern Canada to as far south as Panama and the West Indies. It is one of the most common members within the genus of Buteo in North America or worldwide.[2] The red-tailed hawk is one of three species colloquially known in the United States as the "chickenhawk," though it rarely preys on standard-sized chickens.[3] The bird is sometimes also referred to as the red-tail for short, when the meaning is clear in context. Red-tailed hawks can acclimate to all the biomes within their range, occurring on the edges of non-ideal habitats such as dense forests and sandy deserts.[4] The red-tailed hawk occupies a wide range of habitats and altitudes including deserts, grasslands, coniferous and deciduous forests, agricultural fields and urban areas. Its latitudinal limits fall around the tree line in the Arctic and the species is absent from the high Arctic. It is legally protected in Canada, Mexico and the United States by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
The 14 recognized subspecies vary in appearance and range, varying most often in color, and in the west of North America, red-tails are particularly often strongly polymorphic, with individuals ranging from almost white to nearly all black.[5] The subspecies Harlan's hawk (B. j. harlani) is sometimes considered a separate species (B. harlani).[6] The red-tailed hawk is one of the largest members of the genus Buteo, typically weighing from 690 to 1,600 g (1.5 to 3.5 lb) and measuring 45–65 cm (18–26 in) in length, with a wingspan from 110–141 cm (3 ft 7 in–4 ft 8 in). This species displays sexual dimorphism in size, with females averaging about 25% heavier than males.[2][7]
The diet of red-tailed hawks is highly variable and reflects their status as opportunistic generalist, but in North America, it is most often a predator of small mammals such as rodents. Prey that is terrestrial and diurnal is preferred so types such as ground squirrels are preferential where they naturally occur.[8] Large numbers of birds and reptiles can occur in the diet in several areas and can even be the primary foods. Meanwhile, amphibians, fish and invertebrates can seem rare in the hawk’s regular diet; however, they are not infrequently taken by immature hawks. Red-tailed hawks may survive on islands absent of native mammals on diets variously including invertebrates such as crabs, or lizards and birds. Like many Buteo, they hunt from a perch most often but can vary their hunting techniques where prey and habitat demand it.[5][9] Because they are so common and easily trained as capable hunters, the majority of hawks captured for falconry in the United States are red-tails. Falconers are permitted to take only passage hawks (which have left the nest, are on their own, but are less than a year old) so as to not affect the breeding population. Adults, which may be breeding or rearing chicks, may not be taken for falconry purposes and it is illegal to do so. Passage red-tailed hawks are also preferred by falconers because these younger birds have not yet developed the adult behaviors which would make them more difficult to train.[10]
(I'm having a small procedure, and may be quite late getting to your posts today.)
Today I want to show you something usually unique in the world of birds, but this one is uniqueR. I found this perhaps one of a kind Nuttall's Woodpecker morph on Mt. Diablo, California 12 years ago. Now, morphs are unusual to start with, maybe less so with a woodpeckers whose range is just California, but I'd never seen one before, and I've never seen one since. I would imaging that an Acorn Woodpecker morph would be more unusual, but I just had to bring back this Nuttall's for one last showing. I'ce asked quite a few birders, and thanks to the feather patterns, at least they could identify the species, but no one has been able to tell me the sex of this Brown Morph Nuttall's.
Only three percent of birds are polymorphic, fewer than that are woodpeckers. All things considered, since I've only been involved in avian photography and birding in general, that I have now photographed five morphs is quite a bit of luck. One was a hawk, but the morph of that hawk is as high as five percent, it became its own subspecies (if that's the way it works.) I will post that again when (and if) I can find enough images for a Radical Raptors Day. (More likely a year.)
Nuttall's woodpecker (Dryobates nuttallii) is a species of woodpecker named after naturalist Thomas Nuttall in 1843. They are found in oak woodlands of California and are similar to the ladder-backed woodpecker in both genetics and appearance. Nuttall's woodpecker has black wings and tail feathers with white barring. On the ventral surface, colour is white with black spots and barring. It has a black forehead with white streaks on the sides and an unbarred black region at the top of the back. Adult males have a distinguishable red crown which females do not. I cannot find any record of a Nuttall's morph, but that doesn't mean that this is the only one. It does mean that I've been incredible lucky. Perhaps it's a female where all feathers that should have been black are brown.
Note: This photo as with all others in my Flickr, old Smug Mug, Blog site, and under my web site, ewin.com are copyrighted and may not be copied, republished, or used in any way without my written permission.
Sorry about the quality of this image but finding my first common lizard was the highlight of my day and to photograph it was even better
The viviparous lizard, Zootoca vivipara (formerly Lacerta vivipara), is a Eurasian lizard. It lives farther north than any other species of non-marine reptile, and most populations are viviparous (giving birth to live young), rather than laying eggs as most other lizards do. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Zootoca.[3] Both "Zootoca" and "vivipara" mean "live birth," in Greek and Latin respectively.
Zootoca vivipara can be seen in a variety of different colours. Female Zootoca vivipara undergo colour polymorphism more commonly than males. A female lizard's display differs in ventral colouration, ranging from pale yellow to bright orange and a mixed colouration. There have been many hypothesis for the genetic cause of this polymorphic colouration. These hypothesis test for colouration due to thermoregulation, predator avoidance, and social cues, specifically sexual reproduction. Through an experiment conducted by Vercken et al., colour polymorphism in viviparous lizard is caused by social cues, rather than the other hypotheses. More specifically, the ventral colouration that is seen in female lizards is associated with patterns of sexual reproduction and sex allocation.[5]