Taken in the Netherlands, Biesbosch.

The world is full of predators and preys, be a hunter or run!

TUNE

Birds of prey are fascinating and majestic animals. They can generally be defined as birds that feed on animals that they catch alive. Representatives of these two orders can be found almost everywhere in the world. Although these groups are distantly related, the behavioural and anatomical characteristics they share appear to be mainly the result of parallel evolution.

Barn Owl

Osprey with a freshly caught fish. Here's looking at you, kid.

Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at sunset.

"No More Honey" | Flower Crab Spider & European Honeybee | Misumena Vatia | Apis Mellifera | Switzerland

My best photos are here: www.lacerta-bilineata.com/ticino-best-photos-of-southern-...

My latest ANIMAL VIDEO (warning, it's a bit shocking): www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T2-Xszz7FI

You find a selection of my 80 BEST PHOTOS (mostly not yet on Flickr) here: www.lacerta-bilineata.com/western-green-lizard-lacerta-bi... (the website exists in ESPAÑOL, FRANÇAIS, ITALIANO, ENGLISH, DEUTSCH)

ABOUT THIS PHOTO:

My garden may look like a peaceful green paradise to humans, but for the little creatures living in it it's a place where death may lurk behind every corner.

From time to time when I'm working in the garden or I'm just reading a book I hear a very distinct, loud buzzing that stands out as somewhat unusual among the many noises and sounds I hear during the day. By now I know what that sound is: it's the panicky, frantic buzzing of a European honeybee (Apis mellifera) that has fallen prey to a very distinguished predator: the flower crab spider (Misumena vatia).

The arachnid usually hides in flowers, patiently waiting for an unsuspecting insect; due to its ability to adapt its color to that of the flowers it hunts in it is almost invisible - and all the more deadly to its prey. This photo here is actually somewhat unusual because this crab spider didn't hunt in a flower but in the leaves of the vines that make up the roof of my veranda.

Once it had caught the bee it let itself fall into the empty space below, safely secured by two threads, to enjoy its meal undisturbed (and probably also in order not to become prey itself, namely of another predator like a lizard that might have been attracted by the victim's frantic buzzing ;-)

This scene may seem cruel to us (and I'm aware that - sadly - many people don't like spiders to begin with), but this is simply nature's way (and that bee didn't suffer long; compared to what we humans do to animals, the spider's way of killing its prey actually seems rather "humane" - even if that word sounds absurd in this context).

ABOUT THE SPECIES (from Wikipedia):

Misumena vatia is a species of crab spider with a holarctic distribution. It is called the goldenrod crab spider or flower (crab) spider, as it is commonly found hunting in goldenrot sprays and milkweed plants. They are called crab spiders because of their unique ability to walk sideways as well as forwards and backwards.

Females can grow up to 10 mm (0.39 in) while males are quite small, reaching 5 mm (0.20 in) at most. Misumena vatia may be yellow or white. This ultimately depends on the flower on which they are hunting. Younger females especially, which may hunt on a variety of flowers such as daisies and sunflowers, have a strong tendency to adapt to the color of the surrounding flower. However, the color-changing process is not instant and can require up to 25 days to complete.

They have a complex visual system, with eight eyes, that they rely on for prey capture and for their color-changing abilities. Sometimes, if Misumena vatia consume colored prey, the spider itself will take on that color.Misumena vatia feed on common insects, often consuming prey much larger than themselves. They use venom to immobilize their prey, though they are harmless to humans. They face threats due to parasites and larger insects.

For Misumena vatia, survival depends on the choice of hunting site. The spiders closely monitor multiple sites to see if others nearby are frequented by greater numbers of potential prey. Females are stationary and choose a flower to settle on while males cover great distances searching for mates. Females do not emit pheromones, rather, they leave "draglines" of silk behind them as they move, which males follow. Females live longer than males, on average. After mating, females guard their nests until the young have hatched, after which they die.

I don't want this text to get even longer, so I'll skip the info about the Eurpean honeybee (Apis Mellifera), but I encourage everyone to look it up or watch the documentary 'More Than Honey' from 2012; bees may seem a very familiar and common sight to us, but they are among the most important and fascinating creatures on the planet.

As I mentioned before, if people like these photos and are interested in other flora and fauna from my private jungle, I'll upload an insect or spider every once in a while between lizards, so let me know in the comments if you're interested in seeing more of these or if I should stick to just reptiles ;-)

As always, thank you so much for your interest and feedback, stay safe - and have a great week everyone!

Lacerta

Labyrinth Spider (Agelena labyrinthica) & Sweat Bee (Andrena Sp.) | 05-2022 | Ticino | Switzerland

My best photos are here: www.lacerta-bilineata.com/ticino-best-photos-of-southern-...

More TICINO/TESSIN Wildlife Photos (all taken in my garden in Monteggio/Ti, Switzerland): it.lacerta-bilineata.com/ramarro-occidentale-lacerta-bili... (the website exists in ESPAÑOL, FRANÇAIS, ITALIANO, ENGLISH, DEUTSCH)

My latest ANIMAL VIDEO (warning, it's a bit shocking): www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T2-Xszz7FI

A version in color of this photo (and of one where the spider attacks and is in focus) you can find here: www.lacerta-bilineata.com/other-fauna?pgid=krc12ip9-c9a0a...

THE STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO:

I was trying to get a good shot of a labyrinth spider in my garden, when suddenly this little sweat bee got caught in the web. As the bee frantically tried to escape the sticky trap, the spider attacked. I thought the little bee was all done for, but to my surprise, it used its sting to great effect.

The spider attacked again and again, but it had huge respect of the little fella's sting, and it just couldn't get the right angle to overwhelm the bee and tie it up. Eventually, the spider retreated, and the little guy made it out alive and unharmed.

Now for those of you who feel sorry for the spider that lost a juicy meal, don't worry: that web of hers was incredibly efficient, and she feasted like a queen every day during the time I was there (which is probably partly the reason why she gave up relatively easily on the little bee).

In case you're interested, you can find the color version of this photo and of one where the spider attacks and is in focus through the link above, but the reason I prefer the one in b/w (intentionally "over-sharpened" to create a "grainy", "grungy" look ;-) and with the focus on the little bee is that it reminds me of the posters for horror/sci-fi B-movies of the 50s like 'Tarantula' or 'Them' - and I adore those 😉

As always, many greetings from Switzerland; try to stay out of the heat and let me know what you think in the comments 😊

The Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) is a species of eagle-owl that resides in much of Eurasia.

Being the national bird of Hungary, and capable of flying at speeds approaching 200mph I was delighted when this fabulous looking bird perched briefly to enable a few shots.

Image taken in the Hortobágy region of Hungary.

Many thanks to everyone that views and comments on my images - very much appreciated.

Silbermöwe mit Beute, einem kleinen Krebs.

Silver Gull with prey, a small crab.

Northern Pygmy-Owls are widespread in the mountains of western North America, and they’re active during the day.

Northern Pygmy-Owls are smaller but plumper than a Mountain Bluebirds. Adults are 15–17 cm in overall length. They sometimes take prey up to three times their own size, such as a Northern Flicker, and even chickens. When they find extra food, Northern Pygmy-Owls often cache their prey in tree cavities, or by hanging the prey on thorns, as shrikes are famous for doing. They are incredibly hard to spot because of their size and color.

Thank you for your views, faves and comments.

Greatly appreciated.

La Bergeronnette grise se nourrit de nombreux invertébrés aquatiques et terrestres. Elle capture des insectes sur le sol après une courte poursuite, mais aussi en volant. Elle poursuit sa proie avec un vol ondulant rapide, ou en voletant brièvement avant de la capturer. Sur le sol, elle chasse en marchant, en exploitant toutes sortes de surfaces depuis les routes jusqu’aux toits des maisons et autres endroits découverts.

Elle peut capturer des proies en courant et en donnant un coup de bec pour la saisir. Il lui arrive aussi de sauter en l’air pour happer un insecte volant.

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The Yellow Wagtail feeds on numerous aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. She captures insects on the ground after a short chase, but also while flying. She pursues her prey with a fast waving flight, or flutters briefly before capturing it. On the ground, she hunts while walking, exploiting all kinds of surfaces from the roads to the roofs of houses and other places discovered.

She can catch prey by running and pecking to grab it. It also happens to jump in the air to catch a flying insect.

My first photograph of a merlin.

St.Mary's, Scilly Isles.

Thank you for taking a look at my images.

Peregrine Falcon eating it's kill

Barred owl looking at me.

Shrike Road,Carden Alvar

Ontario,Canada

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CUREMORE / Voodoo Tribe / Ritual Headdress

CUREMORE / Voodoo Tribe / Ritual Jewelry / EARRING

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CUREMORE / Voodoo Tribe / Ritual Jewelry / NOSE PIERCINGS

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CUREMORE / Voodoo Tribe / Wild Claws / WHITE

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original

Blog⇒~L.S.L~

all the bee eaters love wasps and hornets.southern carmine bee eaters (merpos rubicoides) are quite big--max38cm-- and they are used to catch on bigger insect.this time the prey is a tarantula hawk wasp or something similar...a dangerous prey

Kruger national park,SA

original HD file here:

www.flickr.com/photos/187458160@N06/49741845126/sizes/o/

Barn Owl ready to pounce on it's prey

2017 10 23

- Outfit - center -

Hair & Bow:　[^.^Ayashi^.^] Janko hair and bow

Tops:　-Pixicat- Blush.Top - Black (Maitreya)

Collar:　Violent Seduction - Madame Rosier Collar EPIPHANY EXCLUSIVE

Skirt:　-SU!- Tutu Skirt White BLOODY M

Body & Hand:　CURELESS [+] Sliced Torso / BLACK (v.2)

Flower:　*LODE* Head Accessory - Gladiolus [black]

こないだフレのしおるんとリサチャと撮影しました♥

ハロウィンSS(*´ч`*)

なかなか衣装決まらず迷惑をかけちゃった( ᵅั ᴈ ᵅั;)

一緒に撮れてよかったぁ♥

またみんなで撮影しようね(*´ω｀*)

しおるん、場所とセットありがとおお( >д<)♫

SS遅くなってごめんね｡ﾟ(ﾟ´Д｀ﾟ)ﾟ｡

I took a picture of Halloween with my friend xD

I enjoyed it. Thank you for a great time !!

Milvus Milvus

Harewood

Short-eared Owl locked on to some prey. Caption ideas most welcome 😁

Another shot from a session with falconry birds put on by Roy Rimmer and Mick Hudson at Northwest Wildlife Workshops.

This shot has done well for me at the British Photography Exhibitions gaining four acceptances so far. Because they are captive birds I enter them in open colour rather than Nature.

I’m told this bird is a hybrid falcon, half American Kestrel, half Peregrine.

As always thanks for viewing my photos and for any favourites and comments, it’s much appreciated 👍

Came across this owl unexpectedly on my local dog walk.

I think he caught a vole !

The Prey - Monolink

Sin

I see your eyes you check my skin

Just wait your turn, let me begin

You own the game you let me win

Lies

It's 35 to kick my pride

Ten more for the taxi ride

But I wanna be with you tonight

Pay

Am I dreaming?

Pay

What I'm seeing

I follow you down the open hall

The closer we get, the more I fall

I wanna believe in what I said

But it's only lies inside my head

So take me back to when we're young

Back to where we started from

Nobody said we'd spin this fast

Nobody said that it would last

That we would last

Slow

It's 45 to strip my soul

20 more to let me go

The play is done before the show

Light

Is waiting in the car outside

To take you back into the night

Can't move until you're out of sight

Pay

Am I dreaming?

Pay

I'm still breathing

I follow you down the open hall

The closer we get, the more I fall

I wanna believe in what I said

But it's only lies inside my head

So take me back to when we're young

Back to where we started from

Nobody said we'd spin this fast

Only a fool would make it last

Only a fool would make it last

Sin, sin, sin

A last look before the hunt resumed.

Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

Yorkshire Dales - Lower Barn/ Embankment Female

Many thanks to all those who take the time to comment

DSC_7550

A harvestman with a parasitic mite attached.

This is one of those moments in which I saw the harvestman and a red dot, but I had no idea what I was seeing until I took the shot(s). Gotta love macro lenses!

Need some help on this one! A peregrine falcon?? sparrowhawk? ?

Mara North Conservancy, Kenya

half an hour later the prey was taken over by hyaenas

cheetah

acinonyx jubatus

jachtluipaard

guépard

Gepard

guepardo o chita

ghepardo

IUCN RED LIST Status: Vulnerable and the trend is DECREASING

Many thanks for your views, favorites and supportive comments.

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Fons Buts©2025

My photos may not be used on websites, blogs or in any other media without my written and explicit permission.

Sat in a tree

birds of prey