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Socotra cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis is endemic to Arabia, found nowhere else across the globe apart from the Arabian Gulf and Arabian Sea.
Socotra cormorant is among the most skilled fish-catching birds in Bahrain and Arabian Gulf. It dives more than 10 m chasing fish underwater.
The nesting colony of Socotra cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis on Hawar Island, south of Bahrain, is among the largest in the world. As the case with other cormorant species, nesting colonies of Socotra cormorant fluctuate widely in size over time.
Socotra cormorant lays eggs in small depressions in the ground with thousands of dense nests forming sizable breeding colonies. As such, heavy rain and cold winter temperatures often lead to mass mortality of eggs and chicks.
Seagulls are among key predators of Socotra cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis on Hawar Islands. Despite continuous protection by parents, gulls succeed to prey on cormorant’s eggs and young chicks.
Skilled crew collecting ballon toward sun, after ballon tour, catched my attention
Nikon D750, 15mm, F/13, 1/640 sec., ISO 200
The mugger crocodile is a skilled predator that preys on a variety of species. Like other crocodilians they are ambush hunters and wait for their prey to come close. They wait camouflaged in the murky waters to launch the attack in the suitable moment. They mostly prey on fish, reptiles, birds and mammals. Reproduction takes place in winter months. Females lay eggs in nests that are holes dug in the sand. Temperature during incubation is the determinant of sex in the young. The mugger crocodile possesses the size to be a serious threat to humans, but they are not as aggressive as some other species, such as the sympatric saltwater crocodiles. They are also observed to usually avoid areas with saltwater crocodiles. Muggers are fairly social species and tolerate their conspecifics during basking and feeding.
The loggerhead shrike is beautiful and a very skilled hunter. He also can be very brutal . It is the way they were created and necessary for their survival. This is the part of nature that can be difficult to see but it is nature and survival.
Wisging you a lovely and blessed evening !!
Ibises are a group of long-legged wading birds in the family Threskiornithidae, that inhabit wetlands, forests and plains. Ibises usually feed as a group, probing mud for food items, usually crustaceans. It is widespread across much of Australia. It has a predominantly white plumage with a bare, black head, long down curved bill and black legs. They are monogamous and highly territorial while nesting and feeding. Most nest in trees, often with spoonbills or herons. Due to its increasing presence in the urban environment and its habit of rummaging in garbage, the species has acquired a variety of colloquial names such as tip turkey; and bin chicken, and in recent years has become an icon of popular culture, being regarded with passion, wit, and, in equal measure, affection and disgust. 42939
The cormorant is a very skilled fisherman and when this picture was captured he had just made a catch !!' He looked so pleased with himself !!!!
Wishing you a warm and blessed Tuesday !!!!
Thorshühnchen* grey phalarope * Phalaropus fulicarius
Eine Rarität in Deutschland! A rarity in Germany!
Als Langstreckenzieher verbringt das Thorshühnchen den Winter vor den Küsten Südamerikas und Afrikas. Umso kühler lebt es im Sommer, denn die nördlichen Regionen Kanadas, Alaskas und Sibiriens zählen zu seinen Brutgebieten, ebenso Grönland, Island und das zu Norwegen gehörende Spitzbergen am Nordpolarkreis.
Im europäischen Binnenland ist das Thorshühnchen nur zu beobachten, wenn es auf dem Zug von Stürmen oder anderen Störungen vom Kurs abgebracht wird. Auch an der Nordseeküste kann ein geübtes Auge mit Glück Thorshühnchen ausmachen, die in ihre arktische Heimat zurückkehren.
As a long-distance puller, the Grey Phalarope spends the winter off the coasts of South America and Africa. It is all the cooler in the summer, because the northern regions of Canada, Alaska and Siberia are among its breeding areas, as well as Greenland, Iceland and the Spitsbergen, which belongs to Norway, at the Northern Polar Circle.
In the European inland, the Grey Phalarope can only be observed if it is distracted by storms or other disturbances on the bird migration. Also on the North Sea coast, a skilled eye with luck can identify Grey Phalarope returning to their Arctic homeland.
n 1888 Queen Victoria granted Belfast the status of the city and it was agreed that a grand and magnificent building was required to reflect this new status. City Hall opened its doors on the first of August 1906, at a time of unprecedented prosperity and industrial might for the city.
The new City Hall was designed by Alfred Brumwell Thomas in the Baroque Revival style and constructed in Portland stone. The incredible building cost £369,000 to complete, the equivalent around 128 million pounds today but remains an extraordinary beacon of success and civic pride for Belfast.
City Hall has many connections with the famous ocean liner Titanic. Viscount William Pirrie who was Lord Mayor in 1896-1897 just before City Hall’s construction, was also managing director of Harland & Wolff Shipyard. He is the man credited as having the idea for both ambitious builds. He used many of his skilled workmen in the fit-out of City Hall which is why the interiors today are considered an incredible insight into the finish of Titanic’s lounges and suites, the ship’s carving panelling being very similar.
A cockatoo is any of the 21 parrot species belonging to the family Cacatuidae, the only family in the superfamily Cacatuoidea. Along with the Psittacoidea (true parrots) and the Strigopoidea (large New Zealand parrots), they make up the order Psittaciformes. The family has a mainly Australasian distribution, ranging from the Philippines and the eastern Indonesian islands of Wallacea to New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Australia. Cockatoos are recognisable by the prominent crests and curved bills. Their plumage is generally less colourful than that of other parrots, being mainly white, grey or black and often with coloured features in the crest, cheeks or tail. On average they are larger than other parrots; however, the cockatiel, the smallest cockatoo species, is a small bird. Cockatoos prefer to eat seeds, tubers, corms, fruit, flowers and insects. They often feed in large flocks, particularly when ground-feeding. Cockatoos are monogamous and nest in tree hollows. Some cockatoo species have been adversely affected by habitat loss, particularly from a shortage of suitable nesting hollows after large mature trees are cleared; conversely, some species have adapted well to human changes and are considered agricultural pests. 8191
Ibises are a group of long-legged wading birds in the family Threskiornithidae, that inhabit wetlands, forests and plains. Ibises usually feed as a group, probing mud for food items, usually crustaceans. It is widespread across much of Australia. It has a predominantly white plumage with a bare, black head, long down curved bill and black legs. They are monogamous and highly territorial while nesting and feeding. Most nest in trees, often with spoonbills or herons. Due to its increasing presence in the urban environment and its habit of rummaging in garbage, the species has acquired a variety of colloquial names such as tip turkey; and bin chicken, and in recent years has become an icon of popular culture, being regarded with passion, wit, and, in equal measure, affection and disgust. 42076
I can assure you that without the assistance of a very knowledgeable and skilled birder friend who pointed it out to me, I would never have found this owl. These screech owls have a feather pattern that mimics tree bark so closely that they completely blend in with their surroundings. Add to that the fact that they nestle themselves into a small tree knot, and you have a true master of camouflage.
Ibises are a group of long-legged wading birds in the family Threskiornithidae, that inhabit wetlands, forests and plains. Ibises usually feed as a group, probing mud for food items, usually crustaceans. It is widespread across much of Australia. It has a predominantly white plumage with a bare, black head, long down curved bill and black legs. They are monogamous and highly territorial while nesting and feeding. Most nest in trees, often with spoonbills or herons. Due to its increasing presence in the urban environment and its habit of rummaging in garbage, the species has acquired a variety of colloquial names such as tip turkey; and bin chicken, and in recent years has become an icon of popular culture, being regarded with passion, wit, and, in equal measure, affection and disgust. 42470
The 2020 Ferrari 812 Superfast is an example of what happens when an automaker commits to crafting a vehicle that offers the best performance money can buy. With almost 800 horses under the hood, this coupe provides brutish power, facilitating a zero-to-60-mph sprint that clocks in at less than three seconds. Fuel economy is poor, and the 812 Superfast's $330,000-plus price makes it accessible only to the very privileged few. Still, if you have deep pockets and a thirst for spectacular handling, this skilled Ferrari won't disappoint.
Ferrari's 812 Superfast gets its muscle from a 6.5-liter V-12 powerplant, and this engine delivers a bracing 788 horsepower and 529 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels. The 812 Superfast holds a place among the quickest of the quick. In our track tests, it sprinted from zero to 60 mph in a scant 2.8 seconds. That's a dazzling performance, but it trails that of the McLaren 720S. That car made the run in just 2.7 seconds. Handling is nimble, especially when you consider this Ferrari's relatively hefty curb weight. The engine note is mellifluous, and the car's brakes are potent enough to bring this beast to a quick and decisive standstill.
Thanks to Car And Driver for the above.
I was always fascinated with village weavers when I was young. They make their nests in trees right by the way side amongst all the hawkers and village street activities. They never seem to care about how close they were to humans. The chattering and the other noises always made me wonder how the people went about their business and never seem to care. This juvenile was very happy to pose for me on several occasions whereas the adults were a little shy. Taken on my recent tour to Ghana.
FACTS
Village weavers (Ploceus cucullatus) are among the most skilled builders in the bird world, best known for their extraordinary woven nests. Using only their beaks and feet, they weave long strips of grass into tightly knotted, hanging structures without any mud, glue, or adhesive. Each nest is created leaf by leaf, often completed in just a few days. During breeding season, a single male may build multiple nests at the same time to increase his chances of attracting a mate.
These nests play a key role in courtship. Female village weavers carefully inspect a male’s workmanship before choosing him. If she approves, she accepts both the nest and the builder; if not, she may tear the nest apart, even while the male is still present. To show off their skills, males wear bright yellow-and-black breeding plumage and often hang upside down from their nests, calling loudly to draw attention.
Village weaver nests are cleverly designed for protection. They are usually suspended over water or placed at the tips of thorny branches and feature a downward-facing entrance tunnel that helps prevent snakes and other predators from reaching the eggs and chicks. Despite being made entirely of grass, the tightly layered weaving shields rain effectively, keeping the interior dry even during heavy tropical showers.
These birds nest in large, noisy colonies, sometimes with hundreds of nests hanging from a single tree, creating a dramatic chandelier-like appearance. The constant movement, calling, and repair work make colonies lively and loud. Most nests are used for only one breeding season and then abandoned, which helps reduce parasites.
Nest-building skill improves with experience: young males often produce loose or misshapen nests, while older males craft tighter, more symmetrical structures. In many parts of Africa, village weaver nests are admired as symbols of patience, craftsmanship, and community—and they continue to fascinate observers as some of nature’s most impressive examples of animal architecture.
A cockatoo is any of the 21 parrot species belonging to the family Cacatuidae, the only family in the superfamily Cacatuoidea. Along with the Psittacoidea (true parrots) and the Strigopoidea (large New Zealand parrots), they make up the order Psittaciformes. The family has a mainly Australasian distribution, ranging from the Philippines and the eastern Indonesian islands of Wallacea to New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Australia. Cockatoos are recognisable by the prominent crests and curved bills. Their plumage is generally less colourful than that of other parrots, being mainly white, grey or black and often with coloured features in the crest, cheeks or tail. On average they are larger than other parrots; however, the cockatiel, the smallest cockatoo species, is a small bird. Cockatoos prefer to eat seeds, tubers, corms, fruit, flowers and insects. They often feed in large flocks, particularly when ground-feeding. Cockatoos are monogamous and nest in tree hollows. Some cockatoo species have been adversely affected by habitat loss, particularly from a shortage of suitable nesting hollows after large mature trees are cleared; conversely, some species have adapted well to human changes and are considered agricultural pests. 14796
"The pied kingfisher is a skilled hunter with remarkable abilities and interesting habits. The species is definitely one of Africa’s most interesting black and white animals.
If you evoke a kingfisher image, you see its unmistakable dagger beak. Well, the pied kingfisher is even more recognizable due to its simple black and white colors and its comparatively larger size.
It is one of the most largely populated species, ranking in the top three. These high numbers could be due to its specialized hunting abilities, which no other kingfisher species possesses.
The distinctive hunting technique of pied kingfishers has earned the species a few records. Not only are they the largest hovering bird. But they are also the only kingfishers with the ability to perform a figure of eight wing stroke.
They hunt by hovering 50-65 feet above the water and then diving headfirst (or rather, bill-first) into the water. Pied kingfishers demonstrate spectacular speed and agility on the hunt."
Another skilled artist on the street using a plain white t-shirt as a canvas. I stood for few minutes to watch him doing this wearable, trendy and versatile work of art! It only takes 20 minutes to get a shirt done. What brilliant idea as a Christmas or birthday presents.
Built of native sandstone by skilled English stone masons, this early Anglican Church was erected to meet the spiritual needs of a group of people who came over from England in the 1830’s to settle the prairies of western Peoria county here in Illinois. One of the oldest churches in the area, there are sister churches to this one in Brimfield and Robin’s Nest (Jubilee). With Bishop Philander Chase nearby and a seminary for training young ministers established at Robin’s Nest, it looked like there was a fair chance that the western Peoria county prairie would be modeled after Yorkshire England. In Southern Illinois at a place called Albion, there was already an earlier successful English prairie settlement started by a man named George Flowers. At this early date the prairies of Illinois were completely up for grabs because they were considered undesirable for settlement due to a shortage of available wood for building housing and for heating and cooking. The English with their extensive knowledge of building with stone and heating with coal which is very abundant in Illinois were undeterred by the prairie conditions which caused American settlers to shun the prairies in their search for inhabitable lands. To this day a glance at the telephone book will reveal a large number of English surnames among the local population. These people came to stay and are an important part of the state’s establishment though they seem to be largely forgotten in discussions of early Illinois settlement. They were educated, skilled, and religiously devout.
Created for Magnificent Manipulated Masterpieces: New Challenge 179 ~ Bread
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The 2020 Ferrari 812 Superfast is an example of what happens when an automaker commits to crafting a vehicle that offers the best performance money can buy. With almost 800 horses under the hood, this coupe provides brutish power, facilitating a zero-to-60-mph sprint that clocks in at less than three seconds. Fuel economy is poor, and the 812 Superfast's $330,000-plus price makes it accessible only to the very privileged few. Still, if you have deep pockets and a thirst for spectacular handling, this skilled Ferrari won't disappoint.
Ferrari's 812 Superfast gets its muscle from a 6.5-liter V-12 powerplant, and this engine delivers a bracing 788 horsepower and 529 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels. The 812 Superfast holds a place among the quickest of the quick. In our track tests, it sprinted from zero to 60 mph in a scant 2.8 seconds. That's a dazzling performance, but it trails that of the McLaren 720S. That car made the run in just 2.7 seconds. Handling is nimble, especially when you consider this Ferrari's relatively hefty curb weight. The engine note is mellifluous, and the car's brakes are potent enough to bring this beast to a quick and decisive standstill.
Thanks to Car And Driver for the above.
This guy was handling the huge waves very well and just making it all look so easy! Great to watch in action.
Taken near the mouth of the Moyne river at Port Fairy, Victoria.
While skilled in many disciplines, from painting to sculpture to metal work, artist Lowell Davis is perhaps best known for his farm animal figurines, distributed to thousands of gift shops across North America. Lowell was often called the “Norman Rockwell of Rural Art”. His home, Red Oak II, is just outside of Carthage, Missouri. Lowell depicts himself in this art piece, "The Flying Wagon". RIP Lowell, we all miss you!
Parakeets are skilled at many things, one of which is craning their necks around to check for cats. They are always very cautious before they descend down to the bird feeders and rightly so as there are one or two visiting cats now who don't hesitate to leap up high or shin up trees in hot pursuit.
For Flickr photo #2000 we go back about 7 months to bittersweet times for the Escalante Western Rwy. The days were numbered for the coal hauler with the planned shut down of the Plaines Escalante Generating Station announced for the end of the year, they would no longer have any purpose to operate. But on this morning, with bright sunshine and clear skies, the crew went on with business as usual. The morning empties are just about clear of the yard and 9,000 of EMD's finest horses are rolling down to the Hwy. 19 grade crossing under the skilled hands of the engineer. A few moments later the sweet sounds of that Leslie will be booming out across the land and bouncing off the red cliffs around Escalante Jct.
"The Golden Knights are made up of several expert teams and skilled professionals who all play a critical role in the US Army’s success. This includes parachute teams, aircraft pilots, and even those behind-the-scenes handling jump logistics. Whether jumping out of planes going 120 miles per hour from 12,500 feet or landing with expert precision, they embrace the thrill of adventure and feel proud while doing it."
I snapped this photo shortly after this freefall parachuting tandem team jumped out directly under the midday sun. With a 1000mm focal length and atmospheric haze, sharpness was not to be, but to my delight, I captured part of the sundog and its rainbow.
Needless to say, their skills were amazing!
May each one of us take inspiration this Memorial Day from the patriotism of the brave soldiers who died for our country!