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Red backed Shrike - Lanius collurio
The red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio) is a carnivorous passerine bird and member of the shrike family Laniidae. The breeding range stretches from Western Europe east to central Russia but it only rarely occurs in the British Isles. It is migratory and winters in the western areas of tropical Africa.
Once a common migratory visitor to Great Britain, numbers declined sharply during the 20th century. The bird's last stronghold was in Breckland but by 1988 just a single pair remained, successfully raising young at Santon Downham. The following year for the first time no nests were recorded in the UK. But since then sporadic breeding has taken place, mostly in Scotland and Wales. In September 2010 the RSPB announced that a pair had raised chicks at a secret location on Dartmoor where the bird last bred in 1970. In 2011, two pairs nested in the same locality, fledging seven young. In 2012 there was another breeding attempt, this time unsuccessful, probably due to a prolonged spell of wet weather. In 2013 breeding was again confirmed in Devon, with two young fledged at a new site.
This return to south western England has been an unexpected development and has raised speculation that a warming climate could assist the bird in re-colonising some of its former haunts, if only in small numbers.
Population:
UK breeding:
1-3 pairs
UK passage:
250 birds
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The Secret of Making Progress is to Get Started
- Mark Twain
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I spotted this Tortoise and his Human Pal taking an ocean-front walk along the cliffs of Palos Verdes California. One thing about California, you will usually find something interesting or unusual, even when you're not looking for it : )
The Tortoise:
Tortoises are "cold-blooded," meaning their body temperature varies with the surrounding environment. They are also herbivores, meaning they eat plants. Tortoises are found in a variety of habitats, including deserts, forests, grasslands, and swamps.
There are over 300 species of tortoises, and they come in a wide range of sizes. The smallest tortoise is the speckled padloper tortoise, which is only about 4 inches long. The largest tortoise is the Galapagos tortoise, which can grow to be over 150 pounds.
Tortoises are long-lived animals. Some species can live for over 100 years. The oldest known tortoise is a Galapagos tortoise named Jonathan, who is over 190 years old.
Here are some interesting facts about tortoises:
Tortoises have been around for over 200 million years.
The largest tortoise ever recorded was a Galapagos tortoise named "Johnathan" who weighed over 500 pounds and was over 190 years old.
Tortoises are very good at conserving water. They can go for long periods of time without drinking.
Tortoises are not very good swimmers.
Tortoises are very social animals and enjoy spending time with other tortoises.
Tortoises can be very affectionate and make great pets.
-Google Bard
(Sony, 200-600 @ 241 mm, 1/3200 @ f/8, ISO 4000, edited to taste)
Aerial view of snow covered mountain ranges as we flew from Xian to Donghuang. From the travel archive of the Old Silk's Road Trip in Xinjiang, China.
View enlarged for the distant mountain ranges.
Hope you like Julie Andrews singing " The Hills Are Alive "
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvQ4t-Nk128
Many thanks for your visit, comments, invites and faves...it is always appreciated..
Happy Travel Tuesday
During sunset, a cloud flew in in an amazing shape (a bird, a dragon, and maybe an angel ...)
A little understanding of the physics of cloud formation underscores the complexity of the atmosphere and sheds light on why predicting weather for more than a few days is such a challenge.
Six types of clouds you can see and how they can help you understand the weather.
1) Cumulus clouds - On a sunny day, rays warm the earth, which heats the air located directly above it. The heated air rises upward due to convection and forms cumulus clouds. These “good weather” clouds are like cotton wool. If you look at the sky filled with cumulus clouds, you can see that they have a flat bottom, located at the same level for all clouds. At this altitude, air rising from ground level cools down to the dew point. It usually doesn't rain from cumulus clouds, which means the weather will be good.
2) Cumulonimbus clouds.
Small cumulus clouds do not rain, but if they grow and grow in height, it is a sign that heavy rain is coming soon. This often happens in summer when morning cumulus clouds turn into cumulonimbus during the day. Cumulonimbus clouds often have a flat top. Air convection occurs inside such a cloud, and it gradually cools until it reaches the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere. At this moment, it loses its buoyancy and can no longer rise higher. Instead, it spreads out to the sides, forming the characteristic anvil shape.
3) Cirrus clouds form in very high layers of the atmosphere. They are smoky because they are composed entirely of ice crystals falling in the atmosphere. When cirrus clouds are carried by winds moving at different speeds, they take on a characteristic curved shape. And only at very high altitudes or at high latitudes, cirrus clouds give out rain that reaches the ground.
4) Stratus Clouds - A low-lying, continuous cloud sheet that covers the sky. Stratus clouds are formed by slowly rising air or gentle winds that cover the cold land or sea surface with moist air. Stratus clouds are thin, therefore, despite the gloomy picture, it is unlikely to rain from them, a little drizzle at most. Stratus clouds are identical to fog, so if you've ever walked in a mountainous area on a foggy day, you've been inside a cloud.
5) Lenticular clouds. Smooth and lenticular lenticular clouds form when air is blown up and over a mountain range, and as it travels over a mountain, the air descends to its previous level. At this time, it heats up and the cloud evaporates. But it can slip further, as a result of which the air rises again and forms another lenticular cloud. This can result in a chain of clouds extending far beyond the mountain range. The interaction of wind with mountains and other surface features is one of the many details that must be taken into account in computer simulations to obtain accurate weather predictions.
6) Kelvin - Helmholtz like a breaking ocean wave. When air masses at different heights move horizontally at different speeds, their state becomes unstable. The boundary between the air masses begins to ripple and form large waves, such clouds are quite rare.
The photo was taken in the city of Konakovo. Russia. On the banks of the Volga River.
Little Egret - Egretta garzetta
The little egret (Egretta garzetta) is a species of small heron in the family Ardeidae. The genus name comes from the Provençal French Aigrette, egret a diminutive of Aigron, heron. The species epithet garzetta is from the Italian name for this bird, garzetta or sgarzetta.
It is a white bird with a slender black beak, long black legs and, in the western race, yellow feet. As an aquatic bird, it feeds in shallow water and on land, consuming a variety of small creatures. It breeds colonially, often with other species of water birds, making a platform nest of sticks in a tree, bush or reed bed. A clutch of bluish-green eggs is laid and incubated by both parents. The young fledge at about six weeks of age.
Its breeding distribution is in wetlands in warm temperate to tropical parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. A successful colonist, its range has gradually expanded north, with stable and self-sustaining populations now present in the United Kingdom.
It first appeared in the UK in significant numbers in 1989 and first bred in Dorset in 1996
In warmer locations, most birds are permanent residents; northern populations, including many European birds, migrate to Africa and southern Asia to over-winter there. The birds may also wander north in late summer after the breeding season, and their tendency to disperse may have assisted in the recent expansion of the bird's range. At one time common in Western Europe, it was hunted extensively in the 19th century to provide plumes for the decoration of hats and became locally extinct in northwestern Europe and scarce in the south. Around 1950, conservation laws were introduced in southern Europe to protect the species and their numbers began to increase. By the beginning of the 21st century the bird was breeding again in France, the Netherlands, Ireland and Britain. It has also begun to colonise the New World; it was first seen in Barbados in 1954 and first bred there in 1994. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed the bird's global conservation status as being of least concern..
These two wild stallions were exchanging postures in a stand off over who had the right to have his herd in the area. Sometimes it seems this is exactly the posture you see between humans.
COLORADO wild horses
La Ceja, Colombia; 2300 meters above sea level.
Cyanocorax yncas galeatus (Inca Jay / Carriquí)
The Inca jay (Cyanocorax yncas) is a bird species of the New World jays, which is endemic to the Andes of South America.
Their basic diet consists of arthropods, vertebrates, seeds, and fruit.
The range extends southwards in the Andes from Colombia and Venezuela through Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.
Wikipedia
This early morning view is in the Flinders Ranges National Park of South Australia looking over the Bunyeroo Valley towards a small section of the majestic Heysen Range which dominates the background.
The hiking trail that climbs up the hill on the left is a minor part of the 1,200 km Heysen Trail which winds its way from Cape Jervis on the Fleurien Peninsula to Parachilna Gorge which is about 67 km off to the right of this scene.
Hans Heysen 1877 -1968 was a German-born Australian artist famous for his watercolours of the Australian bush and for his depictions of the arid landscapes in the Flinders Ranges.
From left to right: Mt. Adams, Jefferson, Clay, Washington (Center), Monroe, Franklin, Eisenhower
The Omnimount Washington Resort is on the left (looks like a castle).
The Bernina Range is a mountain range in the Alps of eastern Switzerland and northern Italy. It is considered to be part of the Rhaetian Alps within the Central Eastern Alps. It is one of the highest ranges of the Alps, covered with many glaciers. Piz Bernina (4,049 m (13,284 ft)), its highest peak, is the most easterly four-thousand-metre peak in the Alps. The peak in the range which sees the most ascents is Piz Palü.
Photo is taken from Diavolezza. September morning. Objects from left are: Piz Palü, Pers Glacier, Bellavista and Piz Bernina.
Switzerland, Diavolezza
Please don't use my images without my permission. All images © Aivar Mikko.
The Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) is a medium-sized black and white passerine bird native to Australia and southern New Guinea. Although once considered to be three separate species, it is now considered to be one, with nine recognised subspecies. A member of the Artamidae, the Australian magpie is placed in its own genus and is most closely related to the black butcherbird (Melloria quoyi). Currawongs have yellow eyes, whereas Magpies have red-brown eyes and Butcherbirds have very dark brown, almost black eyes. It is not, however, closely related to the European magpie, which is a corvid. The adult Australian magpie is a fairly robust bird ranging from 37 to 43 cm in length, with distinctive black and white plumage, gold brown eyes and a solid wedge-shaped bluish-white and black bill. The male and female are similar in appearance, and can be distinguished by differences in back markings. The male has pure white feathers on the back of the head and the female has white blending to grey feathers on the back of the head. With its long legs, the Australian magpie walks rather than waddles or hops and spends much time on the ground. Described as one of Australia's most accomplished songbirds, the Australian magpie has an array of complex vocalisations. It is omnivorous, with the bulk of its varied diet made up of invertebrates. It is generally sedentary and territorial throughout its range. Common and widespread, it has adapted well to human habitation and is a familiar bird of parks, gardens and farmland in Australia and New Guinea. This species is commonly fed by households around the country, but in spring (and occasionally in autumn) a small minority of breeding magpies (almost always males) become aggressive and swoop and attack those who approach their nests. 6966
Southampton has become part of Saugeen Shores. Southampton is fishing a village on Lake Huron. Several fishing boats on Lake Huron call this little port home. And leading them home safely is this range light.
This is two photos merged into one. This way I was able to have the foreground and the Range Light are in focus.
Part of the Elder Range as seen from Moralana Scenic Drive in the Flinders Ranges of South Australia
A colourful Heron that is easily distinguishable from the others due to its slender body and darker colour. A very shy bird, it favours densely vegetated habitats like reed beds where it hunts for a range of prey including fish, rodents, frogs and insects, either stalking them or standing waiting in ambush.
One of several scenic ranges that make up the West Elk Mountains, the Ruby Range is the backdrop for some beautiful views of fall color. The aspen on the southern flanks of the range make up the most extensive stands in Colorado, only a portion of which are seen here from Beckwith Pass. The two prominent peaks are Ruby Peak and Mount Owen. The conifer forests here have escaped the outbreaks of spruce beetle that have killed numerous trees in surrounding mountain ranges.
Sometimes we are unsure of where the road leads, but moving forward is, in reality, the only option. There's no looking back.
21 Day Flickr Photo Challenge Day 18: Inspiration
00806261-Pano
Nomad seems to have lost the helicopter when he made his way into the sewer system that was below a nearby overpass. It’s time to go. A lead has led him to another city anyway. It’s been a little over a year since he’s seen her, since they took her, since they got away with it. “I’ve got to follow the clues, expose them,” he mumbles.
He tilts his head downward and to the left, looking behind him without turning his head. He counts six on the left, 3 on the right. They’re closing in. Not to cause a scene he starts to ditch in and out of the alleyways. Making his escape slowly and quietly. He notices after some slick maneuvering that he only sees about 3 people in viewing range, though others could be around still. I’m sure they have an communications system in their ear, they all do.
Nomad walks in through the front of a burger-joint and walks out the back door. Two men in the back of the restaurant approach him, one with a gun. He quickly with two quick hand movements removes the weapon from the man on the right and pistol whips the man on the left with it knocking him out. Still holding the hand of the man on the right he pulls him into him as he kicks the man’s shin breaking a bone and sending him to the ground. Another swift kick to the head and both men are unconscious. Nomad walks off briskly looking from side to side. He places the gun in the back of pants expecting the elastic to keep it from falling.
He walks down a backstreet on the side of a pizzeria. Out from behind the building come an agent. Taller than Nomad, more muscular than him as well. He takes a swing at Nomad, Nomad is too quick for him as he bobs and weaves away from his opponent. One swing, one flush connect from Nomad’s left uppercut and the big man goes down, hitting his head on the concrete steps behind him. Blood starts to ooze out the back of the man’s head. “Ha I’m one punch man,” Nomad jokes as he takes off slipping into the night. He doesn’t get captured; he escapes easily.
Nomad starts his journey to the next city. “That was close. Need to end this!”
shot taken by crazy mazy
his link www.flickr.com/photos/crazy_mazy/
edit by me
HDR with 9 exposures
ᴄᴚαᴢẎ ᵯαᴢẎ ~ ♥©Copyright . photostream can not be copy, download, or used in any ways without my permission.
Highlands there in Wyoming with nice late afternoon escaping through the clouds and over the new fallen snow that day.
This view of the canola fields and Stirling Range, near Amelup and Borden, also features the great tower windmill called The Lily.
In Memory Of Ansel Adams. Ansel Easton Adams was an American landscape photographer and environmentalist known for his black-and-white images of the American West. An Inspiration.
A little section of the Tararua Ranges taken near Linton.
The Tararua Range, often referred to as the Tararua Ranges or Tararua, is one of several mountain ranges in the North Island of New Zealand.
The Tararua Range runs northeast-southwest for 80 kilometres (50 mi) from near Palmerston North to the upper reaches of the Hutt Valley, where the northern tip of the Remutaka Range begins. It is separated in the north from the southern end of the Ruahine Range by the Manawatu Gorge. Most of the Range is wilderness, protected as the Tararua Forest Park.
© Dominic Scott 2022
One source says the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains range is about 1,000 km (620 mi) in length. Its highest point is 7,090 m (23,260 ft) located 100 km (62 mi) to the northwest of Lhasa. The range is parallel to the Himalayas in the Transhimalayas, and north of the Brahmaputra River. [3] Another source says the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains extend 460 miles (740 km) from Nyêmo County in the west to Ranwu County (the southwestern part of Baxoi County) in the east.
Its highest peak is Mount Nyenchen Tanglha (Nyainqêntanglha Feng) at 7,162 metres (23,497 ft).[4]
The southern side of the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains is precipitous, and falls by around 2,000 metres (6,600 ft), while the northern side is fairly level and descends about 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). Most of the mountains are below 6,500 metres (21,300 ft).[5] They contain 7080 glaciers covering an area of 10,700 square kilometres (4,100 sq mi).[4]
The Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains have an average latitude of 30°30'N and a longitude between 90°E and 97°E. Together with the Gangdise Shan located further west, it forms the Transhimalaya [a] which runs parallel to the Himalayas north of the Yarlung Tsangpo River.
The Drukla Chu river rises in the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains, where it is called the Song Chu river, and joins the Gyamda Chu river. The combined rivers run about 100 kilometres (62 mi) southeast to the Yarlung Tsangpo river.
An image taken earlier this year, some rural farm high country hills catching some gentle light with the bush clad Ruahine Ranges swirling in the mist behind!
© Dominic Scott 2022
A view of the Ruahine Ranges from our picnic spot last weekend - a little section that I thought demonstrated the rugged beauty of these, even a tiny bit of snow still hanging on in there!
© Dominic Scott 2021
Hypopyrrhus pyrohypogaster
(Red-bellied Grackle / Cacique candela)
La Ceja, Colombia; 2.300 meters above sea level.
The red-bellied grackle is endemic to Colombia where it is found in all three Andean ranges at altitudes of 800 to 2,400m (2,600 to 7,900ft) above sea level.
Its natural habitat is tropical forest, but the trees are increasingly being felled for timber and to make way for agriculture, and little virgin forest remains within its range.
H. pyrohypogaster was formerly classified as "endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature but in 2012 the threat level was lowered to "vulnerable". This is on the basis that, although its forest habitat remains under pressure, it has been found at some new locations where it was not known before. The total population is now estimated to be in the range 2,500 to 9,999 individuals.
Sea to Sky Country and the Pacific coastal mountains of southern British Columbia - extending north from the Straight of Georgia and the low-runoff fjord of Howe Sound to the majestic snow-covered peaks and ice fields of the iconic Tantalus Range.
The sea-to-sky mountain corridor extends from West Vancouver to the world-class bouldering and rock-climbing haven in Squamish, and ultimately to Whistler's splendid alpine sanctuary and world-class ski destination.
explore#18
Various shooting ranges sit on a hillside northeast of Bakersfield, The range advertises over 200 acs of shooting rranges. The range lies hogbacks and strike valley in the Sierra Nevada Foothills.
suddenly I waded in a shallow fog bank with a horizontal visibility range of maybe 15m, but with clearly visible clouds, blue sky and contrails above me
A female Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis canadensis) looks up while I take her photo near the mouth of North Fork Canyon west of Cody, Wyoming. The sheep winter along the lower elevations of the Absaroka Mountains.
Back with more Spiders and their little world, this time I used the Tamron 70-30mm lens which was a cheap bargain at 90 quid and thanks to my girlfriend who bought it for me, it had the better Macro setting than the usual kit lens. It does kinda give the impression this is either SL or Photoshopped, I assure you it's neither of those things. This female Bridge Orb Weaver was quite high up so my usual 18-55mm couldn't reach and so going in with the longer range helped. This year these guys are much bigger but few of them, in Germany we've had some heavy storms and flash flooding which has washed a good few of these poor guys away. However, that said I got some good shots I am going to post over the new few weeks.
I hope everyone's week us off to a great start, love to all and so as always, thank you! :)
PS: Zoom in :)
It can be very interesting to see things in heavy rain or adverse weather. Usually flower petals may look ordinary under dry or normal weather, but raindrops make it a spectacle to see and spot one with.
A huge severe-warned cell shows off some explosive convection as it drifts along the Front Range west of Loveland, CO.
Image Notes: To get an idea of how large the storm is, consider that this image is a five-frame pano. Each frame was shot vertically with the Samyang 14 mm, itself an incredibly wide lens. I processed each frame in DXO, corrected distortion/vignetting with PTLens (DXO lacks a profile for the Samy) and merged the frames in Photoshop to construct the pano.