View allAll Photos Tagged skillful
This Cooper's Hawk saw a lot to whet his appetite with all of the birds that made a stop in our woods during migration.
I have found my father's old external flash (made in USSR, works only on cable, not compatible with my camera, of course), and I decided to test it. It was a challenge to synchronized with my camera, but as they said: "a smooth sea doesn't make a skillful sailor". The result is not that bad I think.
Wishing you all a wonderful week!
Got lucky today and caught this Peregrine Falcon as it “cruised” by my cliff-top perch. I was hoping to capture a mid-air food exchange which Peregrine’s carryout with exceptional skill, but it didn’t happen for me on this morning. Nevertheless, I came away with a smile on my face and a happy heart.
The Peregrine Falcon stands out as an exceptionally remarkable bird of prey, primarily celebrated for its astonishing speed and formidable hunting prowess.
Widely recognized as the fastest animal on Earth, this falcon can achieve cruising speeds of 25-34 mph (40-55 km/h), but it's during its iconic hunting dive, known as a "stoop," that it truly showcases its incredible velocity, reaching over 200 mph (320 km/h) and occasionally up to an astounding 240 mph (386 km/h) by streamlining its body.
Roughly the size of a crow, Peregrine Falcons are characterized by their striking appearance, featuring a blue-gray back, white undersides with black barring, and a distinctive black head adorned with a "moustache" mark, while females typically exhibit a larger stature than males.
This species boasts a near-global distribution, inhabiting diverse open environments across all continents except Antarctica, and is increasingly found in urban settings where tall structures mimic their preferred cliff nesting sites.
Primarily specialists in hunting other birds, Peregrine Falcons possess an incredibly varied diet, preying on hundreds of different bird species which they skillfully capture after their breathtaking stoops. Following a significant decline in the mid-20th century due to DDT use, the Peregrine Falcon has made a remarkable recovery thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, signifying a successful resurgence for this magnificent raptor.
(Nikon Z8, Nikon 600/f6.3, 1/1250 @ f/6.3, ISO 220, Edited to taste)
This Cooper's Hawk was on watch duty; watching for his next meal, that is. The intensity of those eyes and his fighter jet-like flight are hard to compete against, even in the tree canopy.
It was a fairly dull day when I watched this Curlew foraging for food on the south coast at Lepe. Catching a crab with its long bill is a skillful business. The first photo shows a small piece which broke off. I think this is a male (with a shorter, less sharply decurved bill.)
Found some time, after taking down the Holiday Lights and Christmas Decorations, to scoot over to a local wildlife sanctuary; the trip paid off ;-)
Cooper’s Hawk:
Among the bird world’s most skillful fliers, Cooper’s Hawks are common woodland hawks that tear through cluttered tree canopies in high-speed pursuit of other birds.
Dashing through vegetation to catch birds is a dangerous lifestyle. In a study of more than 300 Cooper’s Hawk skeletons, 23 percent showed old, healed-over fractures in the bones of the chest, especially of the furcula, or wishbone.
A Cooper's Hawk captures a bird with its feet and kills it by repeated squeezing. Falcons tend to kill their prey by biting it, but Cooper’s Hawks hold their catch away from the body until it dies. They’ve even been known to drown their prey, holding a bird underwater until it stopped moving.
Once thought averse to towns and cities, Cooper’s Hawks are now fairly common urban and suburban birds. Some studies show their numbers are actually higher in towns than in their natural habitat, forests. Cities provide plenty of Rock Pigeon and Mourning Dove prey.
(Nikon Z8, 600/6.3, 1/640 @ f/6.3 ISO 90, edited to taste)
Трапезный храм — один из самых больших и красивейших в лаврском архитектурном ансамбле, благодаря разноцветной росписи стен «в шахмат», имитирующей руст, благодаря искусной белокаменной резьбе колонн малого и большого ордеров, благодаря многопрофильному карнизу, увенчанному парапетом с поясом скульптурных раковин. Пышный декор фасадов в совокупности с широким гульбищем придает зданию монастырской Трапезной вид прекрасного дворца.Строительство этого грандиозного храма началось в 1686 г. повелением царствующих братьев Иоанна V и Петра I Алексеевичей и с благословения Патриарха Иоакима .Архитектурный облик постройки замышлялся в новом модном стиле, известном под условным названием «нарышкинского» барокко — русской версии одного из великих европейских стилей (до конца XVII в. в Троице-Сергиевом монастыре в том же стиле были возведены Царские чертоги, Надкладезная часовня и надвратная церковь в честь Рождества святого Иоанна Предтечи......Иконостас величественно смотрит
На нас,молящихся,вошедших тихо в храм...
И видится нам Бога,Сына облик,
И Дух Святой направлен прямо к нам...
И ряд икон,
словно страницы Книги,
даёт нам каждому возможность познавать,
и храм,как дом,
в котором жизни миги
нам проживать под Господа крылом,
и жизни путь до самой встречи с Богом
по-новому,поглубже понимать..............................
The refectory church is one of the largest and most beautiful in the Lavra architectural ensemble, thanks to the multicolored painting of the walls "in chess", imitating rust, thanks to the skillful white stone carving of the columns of small and large orders, thanks to the versatile cornice topped with a parapet with a belt of sculptural shells. The magnificent decor of the facades, combined with a wide gulbisch, gives the building of the monastery Refectory the appearance of a beautiful palace.The construction of this grandiose temple began in 1686 by the order of the reigning brothers John V and Peter I Alekseevich and with the blessing of Patriarch Joachim .The architectural appearance of the building was conceived in a new fashionable style, known by the conditional name of "Naryshkin" Baroque — the Russian version of one of the great European styles (until the end of the XVII century. in the Trinity-Sergius Monastery in the same style, the Royal Palaces, the Chapel and the gate church in honor of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist were erected.The iconostasis looks majestically
On us, praying, who entered the temple quietly...
And we see God, the Son of the image,
And the Holy Spirit is directed directly to us ...
And a number of icons,
like the pages of a Book,
gives us each the opportunity to learn,
and the temple is like a house
in which we live
our lives under the Lord's wing,
and the path of life to the very meeting with God
in a new, deeper way to understand...
... this one is a 2cm very cute babystar which must have been an incredible act of patience and skillful handwork to fold and fix it.
It made me aware of the wonder of friendship, so immeasurably precious and important especially in 2020, a year of uncertainty and worries about health, social distances and (for many people) also financial survival.
But - all the good things that happened to me (and there were lots) appeared like under a magnifying glass and left me looking at this past year with a deep thankfulness.
All the best for you, dear Flickr friends, in this New Year of 2021. May many of your wishes come true. 💙💙💙
HMM to all participants!
After a history of persecution Red Kite now appear to be well established in my area of southern England. It is a privilege to hear their mewing call, watch their skillful flight and catch an occasional close view as they descend and rise from foraging on the ground.
Thank you all for your kind responses.
Henrik Sørensen's decoration in the Oslo City Hall.Oil painting 1938-1950.
This is a gigantic mural,an oil painting by Henrik Sørensen. He called it " Labour - Administration - Celebration.”, and it is 12 x 42 meters.So many beautiful details put skillfully together and representing Oslo and it’s people,in an amazing way.You only need your eyes to see it,and your heart to love it ...
★♡ click on the photo to enlarge and discover all the beautiful details and the vibrant colours SOOC,without being exaggerated ★♡
💞 Bold Colours of Life To the Art Lovers 💞
This fluffy guy and I were pondering why Sparrows, Finches, and Doves were absent from my yard today.
The Cooper's Hawk:
Among the bird world’s most skillful fliers, Cooper’s Hawks are common woodland hawks that tear through cluttered tree canopies in high speed pursuit of other birds.
Dashing through vegetation to catch birds is a dangerous lifestyle. In a study of more than 300 Cooper’s Hawk skeletons, 23 percent showed old, healed-over fractures in the bones of the chest, especially of the furcula, or wishbone.
A Cooper's Hawk captures a bird with its feet and kills it by repeated squeezing. Falcons tend to kill their prey by biting it, but Cooper’s Hawks hold their catch away from the body until it dies.
They’ve even been known to drown their prey, holding a bird underwater until it stopped moving.
Once thought averse to towns and cities, Cooper’s Hawks are now fairly common urban and suburban birds.
Some studies show their numbers are actually higher in towns than in their natural habitat, forests. Cities provide plenty of Rock Pigeon and Mourning Dove prey.
(Nikon Z8, 600/6.3, 1/1250 @ F/6.3, ISO 2200, edited to taste)
Location: Heart of Avilion
SLURL: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Avilion/242/127/22
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Abyss
—James W. Underhill-
Pascal abhorred the abyss but it hounded at his heals.
The gulf gulps words, desires, actions and dreams.
While my hair stands on end each woeful time
The wind gropes through it with its silent screams.
Above, below, about me, the great empty depth.
A silence latches onto me and won't let me break loose,
While God drafts my nightmares with his skillful pen,
Multifaceted nightmares that know no truce.
I'm scared to fall into the gaping hole of sleep.
What horrors does it hold in its pitch black pit?
Infinity lurks below. Through each window it peeps
While vertigo is stalking me and my jittery spirit.
I long to lose all feeling and embrace nothingness
Where Beings and Numbers leave me to peaceful bliss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lurking behind the undergrowth and the canopy of a live oak tree, a solitary white ibis was found roosting virtually in the darkness hoping to catch a moment of slumber during its busy day of carefree activity at Flamingo Gardens in Fort Lauderdale Florida.
Needless to say, white ibis can be found virtually anywhere on the premises but it takes a skillful eye, which I’m still humbly developing, to find appealing and compelling light.
I’ve found, that, fill light allows one to accentuate plumage and ensure micro contrasting of your subject. It becomes even more challenging shooting manually using the flash and the camera settings when distances vary. Photographing white still is elusive to me on a consistent basis.
Photography continues to challenge me and sometimes it can turn a patient person impatient but at the same time, it’s the learning process that makes it so rewarding.
Thank you once again for all comments, fav’s and words of inspiration. My friends allow me to embrace the fine art of light.
This "Rail" species is very duck-like in appearance and actions and pretty much an all-terrain bird.
When feeding it both dives and dabbles like a duck and is a skillful swimmer with its large lobed toes which seem to be an impediment when it goes grazing on land.
One characteristic they are noted for is their constant bickering and squabbling. They seem to have a passion for charging across the top of the water charging rivals attempting to intimidate with flapping and splashing wings.
In winter they congregate in large flocks on open water and are quite social with other species of ducks which is an unusual trait for a rail species.
This adult bird is feeding quietly at the moment with its mate swimming nearby.
The little chef prepares a feast for you…
Skippy was inspired to create his universe with the help of 8f8’s delicious new Foodilicious Series!
Delectable figs straight from Uncle iBi’s trees have been skillfully prepared for you in so many tantalizing ways, from mouth-watering Figs With Ricotta and Bacon to an unbelievably rich Chocolate Pistachio Fig Tart. Every scrumptious dish has been created with love. So please sit down, savor every bite, and share in the delight that is this Fig Feast!
You can find the Foodilicious Series at the 8f8 Store at Black Kite!
The little man also created his restaurant with the following:
8f8’s Coffee House, Counters, Espresso Machine, and Delivery Tricycle, which are all from the La Petite Joie Cafe Collection!
8f8’s Stove and Baking Pan, which are from the Granny’s Winter Cottage Collection!
8f8’s Pots & Pans, which are from the New Beginnings Collection!
8f8’s Study Set, which is from the Storyteller’s Burrow Collection!
Be inspired and visit the 8f8 Store at Black Kite!
Keep sharing YOUR enticing creations,
and keep shining so bright, my friends!
Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) skillfully cracking open a walnut while perched on a branch.
Wiewiórka (Sciurus vulgaris) zręcznie rozłupuąca orzecha włoskiego siedzac na gałęzi.
Cascade Mountains - Jackson County - Oregon - USA
Habitat : Forests
Food : Birds
Nesting : Tree
Behavior : Aerial Forager
Conservation : Low Concern
"Among the bird world’s most skillful fliers, Cooper’s Hawks are common woodland hawks that tear through cluttered tree canopies in high speed pursuit of other birds. You’re most likely to see one prowling above a forest edge or field using just a few stiff wingbeats followed by a glide. With their smaller lookalike, the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawks make for famously tricky identifications... Dashing through vegetation to catch birds is a dangerous lifestyle. In a study of more than 300 Cooper’s Hawk skeletons, 23 percent showed old, healed-over fractures in the bones of the chest, especially of the furcula, or wishbone."
- Cornell University Lab of Ornithology
Many of you already know that I have great difficulty "creatively processing" the flower shots that so many of you handle so skillfully. But my macro album and archives are filled with SOOC shots covering just about all the wildflowers within my area multiple times, so I thought I would again tentatively and with some trepidation step "outside the box."
Also since it is "Slider Sunday" and I just recently discovered what that actually meant (having for a number of years celebrated the designation by going out and having a goodly number of small hamburgers...specifically White Castles), it seemed an appropriate time to play around a bit. However, not without adding the SOOC version in comments so as to assuage any doubts (and, frankly, for my own peace of mind) that this is a very nice combination of bee balm accented by black-eyed Susans. Another example of Mother Nature's remarkable flower arranging skills.
A much better day yesterday - bright, low sun and 12 C - lovely! This Grebe skillfully washed the weed off the fish before downing it in one.
My heart's a lonesome island
Disaster lines it's shipwrecked shore
A fleet of souls that thought they'd found
What they'd been searchiing for
But your treasure maps were lying
There's nothing gold beneath my sand
Don't let the sea convince you
That its safer on my land
You might be a skillful sailor
With nothing but the purest aim
But I have fought so many pirates
That you now all look the same
So, take heed of my lighthouse
Even waves break on my rocks
There's a reason not a single ship
Has made it to my docks
And I wish I could offer shelter
From those storm clouds in my sky
Because you've not made it ashore
But you should know, neither have I.
Poem by Eric Hansen
Photo taken at Brimstone Village, The Lost Islands of Penrose
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Brimstone%20Village/211/22...
Thanks so much to Jax Cinderflame for collaborating!
Timing is everything, and everything came together this evening as three trains converged at Dock 6 while the distinctive laker John D. Leitch loaded ore. Great light and color with the shadows holding off long enough to get all three trains unobstructed. Credit Air Missabe One and skillful piloting by Gus.
From: Me (always@you.com)
Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2021 10:48 PM
To: You
Subject: Re: Courage
Many thanks for your email. All my gratitude goes towards your skillful approach regarding the matter in subject.
It is with great pleasure for me to announce that despite all the obstacles, there is no denying that you are a jack in the box of surprises. I am highly interested in discovering more as time is in our favor. The unlimited gift that we were somehow blessed with. Most importantly, I admire your courage and respect it with all my heart. Perhaps you may disagree on the courage aspect but, I believe in you and always will.
Appreciate all your effort going forward.
With courage...
P.S. From the same room as the first photo, just another point of view, I can't get enough of 8f8 Creations so here is the main sets but I used only some of the items!
The new family member at Zurich Zoo.
The red panda is slightly larger than a domestic cat with a bear-like body and thick russet fur. The belly and limbs are black, and there are white markings on the side of the head and above its small eyes. Red pandas are very skillful and acrobatic animals that predominantly stay in trees. Almost 50% of the red panda’s habitat is in the Eastern Himalayas. They use their long, bushy tails for balance and to cover themselves in winter, presumably for warmth. Primarily an herbivore, the name panda is said to come from the Nepali word ‘ponya,’ which means bamboo or plant eating animal. (WWF)
More Pic's:You can buy picture's like this as a Poster or Print: www.pictrs.com/travel-pics?l=de
Many thanks to all visitors of my photo stream for your kind comments and criticisms, invitations and favourites.
all visitors and friends of my photostream, a big thank you for your comments and reviews, invitations and favorites.
__________________________________________________
All rights reserved. Copyright © Seapixel, Papua New Guinea
All my images are protected under international authors copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without my written explicit permission.
__________________________________________________
Emigrant Creek - Jackson County - Oregon - USA
Habitat : Forests
Food : Birds
Nesting : Tree
Behavior : Aerial Forager
Conservation : Low Concern
"Among the bird world’s most skillful fliers, Cooper’s Hawks are common woodland hawks that tear through cluttered tree canopies in high speed pursuit of other birds. You’re most likely to see one prowling above a forest edge or field using just a few stiff wingbeats followed by a glide. With their smaller lookalike, the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawks make for famously tricky identifications... Dashing through vegetation to catch birds is a dangerous lifestyle. In a study of more than 300 Cooper’s Hawk skeletons, 23 percent showed old, healed-over fractures in the bones of the chest, especially of the furcula, or wishbone."
- Cornell University Lab of Ornithology
And best of all it keeps them off the street :-)
Author Unknown
HGGT!! GO CANES!!
many petalled star magnolia, 'Waterlily', j c raulston arboretum, ncsu, raleigh, north carolina
It is not the ship so much as the skillful sailing that assures the prosperous voyage. ~ George William Curtis
For the learning process to begin we must develop a relationship with one or more animal guides and this requires time and patience. This does not mean you must be with the animal physically. But instead, will learn about the traits, habits, skills and spirit of the animal from afar. As with any new knowledge, practice is important to hone learning into a useful skill. The rewards will be understanding, love, light energy, skillful knowledge and wisdom.
Here's another Bighorn Sheep shot taken on my Tour of the Southwest. I had no reservations or accommodations on this trip as I was unwilling to lock myself to a schedule that wasn't based on photography and as far as I was concerned sleep was low on the priority list. I learned a lot about planning a solo trip and prepping for my target photo. And sometimes you just plain get lucky. For some reason I kept running into these fellows, almost as if they were following me, like some spirit guide looking out over me and helping to bring me good fortune.
A few times I heard them before I saw them. Baaaah. The first time, I actually thought it was a goat, like a farm goat not a Bighorn Sheep. Whatta Newb!! :)
I had some free time on my hands while waiting for an appointment, so I decided to run the numbers on this trip. This was an eight day trip and here are the stats:
Parks visited..............................11
Total hours slept......................38
Miles hiked…………....................54.7
Miles driven………......................1945
Photos taken………....................7862
Dollars spent………...................$385.00
New Camerapack and Shoes...$250.00
Memories created……..Priceless!!!!
Thank you for taking the time to take a look at my photos and as always, your views, comments, faves, and support are greatly appreciated!! Have a great week everyone :)
Delighted to present a stunning image I photographed of a Japanese fusion dance at Global Village, Dubai, on August 20, 2025. The picture showcases two dancers in graceful, flowing attire, skillfully managing glowing spheres, set against a lively cosmic backdrop with striking blue, pink, and green neon tones. The composition and lighting beautifully emphasize the cultural blend, offering a captivating visual. This shot captures the event’s dynamic spirit and exceptional artistry.
Needless to say, the Grebe skillfully disentangled the fish and weed and swallowed the fish, head first, in one gulp.
At the beach in Scheveningen. Took many images from these two, seemingly father and son, while they were playing skillfully with the ball. It was fun to watch them. They didn't pay attention to me. I was watching and photographing them for at least 15 minutes I guess, enjoying both the sunset and their play.
Games without frontiers - Peter Gabriel
It looks impressive, the Elbphilharmonie, and it also sounds wonderful. But we Germans have probably unlearned something! Is it because that understanding and knowledge no longer have this high status here in Germany. The policy lives us this unfortunately daily before. I did not want about Hamburg Lästern we in Berlin have yet quite andre problems than only the BER lol.
Since I have no 100mm or higher I stand here skillfully with my 35mm on the boat of a harbor tour. Lol
So as usual I had no time ;)))
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EOSR | RF35mm f/1.8 IS STM
Exposure: ƒ/3.5 | 1/1500s ISO 200
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◤Guys, this is a comment-free post. Nevertheless, thank you very much for viewing the photo. Best greetings. fr̅a̅n̅k
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This image is subject to full copyright © Please do not use my images on websites, blogs, or in other media without express written permission. F̶̅G̅. 2023 © all rights reserved
‘Among the bird world’s most skillful fliers, Cooper’s Hawks are common woodland hawks that tear through cluttered tree canopies in high speed pursuit of other birds. You’re most likely to see one prowling above a forest edge or field using just a few stiff wingbeats followed by a glide. With their smaller lookalike, the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawks make for famously tricky identifications. Both species are sometimes unwanted guests at bird feeders, looking for an easy meal (but not one of sunflower seeds).’
www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Coopers_Hawk
Larger view:
Ancienne-Lorette, Québec (Terrain privé / Private land)
Blanc sur blanc.
Je ne suis pas très habile pour la photographie sur des oiseaux en vol. Un manque de réflexes, peut-être, mais certainement un manque de pratique. Bon! Je sais! La lumière n'est pas terrible, mais je voulais partager avec vous ma première capture en vol avec un oiseau formidable pour ce genre de photos. Je vais me reprendre assurément avec de meilleures conditions, car ce visiteur hivernal semble bien établi sur ce domaine.
----------------------------------------
White on white.
I am not very skillful for photography on birds in flight. Maybe a lack of reflexes, but certainly a lack of practice. Well! I know! The light is not terrific, but I wanted to share with you my first flight shot with a great bird for this kind of photos. I will definitely retry this experiment with better conditions because this winter visitor seems well established on this area.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To give you a little encouragement in the midst of these horrific fires going on in Australia, meet one of the dogs saving koalas from Australian wildfires - a true story:
Thursday, January 9, 2020
As Australian wildfires endanger the lives of thousands of koalas, one dog is stepping up to save her fellow furry friends.
Taylor, a four-year-old English Springer Spaniel, is trained to sniff out koala fur and droppings, said her owner and professional dog trainer Ryan Tate.
To date, Taylor has rescued eight of the country's iconic marsupials from wildfires, which have destroyed more than 2,000 homes, claimed at least 26 human lives and potentially killed thousands of koalas.
Some of these animals were hospitalized, and others were taken to areas deemed safe, Tate said.
Tate and his skillful pup have been traveling along the east coast of Australia for nearly three years. Over her lifetime, Taylor has found more than 50 koalas.
Tate said when the air is still, koalas' scents descend from treetops to the ground, so when Taylor smells an animal, she will sit below a tree and point up.
In more difficult conditions, like the recent fires, she's also trained to find their droppings, and fresh poo is a good indicator that koalas are nearby.
- end -
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bento Mesh Head: LeLutka Korina
Bento Mesh Body: Maitreya Lara
Face/Body Applier: Brooklin by JUMO
Hair: My Hair Somi by [monso]
Ensemble: Oiseau ("rose gold", incl. corset, shorts, waist belt & cloth, boots, & arm gloves) by *PROMAGIC*
Sword of Gwendolyn: The White Armory
Nails: Ballerina by StunnerOriginals now @ The Liaison Collaborative @ maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Liaison%20Collaborat...
Sheen Eyeshadow: StunnerOriginals now @ The Liaison Collaborative @ maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Liaison%20Collaborat...
Bento Rings: Terri by [Dreamlight] now @ The Liaison Collaborative @ maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Liaison%20Collaborat...
Giselle Eyes Applier: .euphoric
Lipstick: Ivone by ::Modish::
Ascendant Wings: Spider's Productions (gold tone)
Crown: Tintagel by Bliensen + MaiTai
POSE: Pet Kneel by Watercolor
Splendid Spaniels 10. Blenheim Wanderer: JIAN
Koala Bear Buddy: [Black Bantam]
Yellow Lab Water Bowl (resized): Zooby
Cutie water bottle: {meka}
SIM: ELVION @ maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Secret%20Forest/222/171/23
ANOTHER WONDERFUL KOALA RESCUE STORY HERE:
www.theanimalclub.net/wildlife/baby-koala-rescued-by-a-do...
The image captures a vibrant Japanese traditional dance performance at Global Village, Dubai. Dancers in elegant pink kimonos adorned with intricate patterns and red trousers execute synchronized movements under striking purple lighting. This scene, photographed with immense joy, showcases the beauty of traditional artistry and skillful choreography, shared with a global audience.
Right next to the majestic Old Quarter of Hoi An and bordered by the tranquil Thu Bon River, Hotel Royal Hoi An – MGallery is the latest gem on the crown jewel of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hotel Royal Hoi An – MGallery dazzles the eyes with elegant decorations, intuitive design and a fascinating love story that dates back to centuries ago. In a skillfully balanced setting, evoking Japanese and Vietnamese cultures, the Hotel displays its precious colors. Featuring modern and artistic facilities ranging from luxurious rooms and suites, two signature restaurants, a charming Woosah Spa, modern meeting rooms and especially two stunning swimming pools, Hotel Royal Hoi An – MGallery is the ideal get-away destination for romantic breaks, family vacations or inspiring events.
I was parked in the mobile blind watching a few jays and a group of Quail. While waiting for something to move into good light, a squirrel gave a series of alert calls. This caused pretty much all wildlife to head for cover. Ten seconds later this one landed.
Emigrant Creek - Jackson County - Oregon - USA
Habitat : Forests
Food : Birds
Nesting : Tree
Behavior : Aerial Forager
Conservation : Low Concern
"Among the bird world’s most skillful fliers, Cooper’s Hawks are common woodland hawks that tear through cluttered tree canopies in high speed pursuit of other birds. You’re most likely to see one prowling above a forest edge or field using just a few stiff wingbeats followed by a glide. With their smaller lookalike, the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawks make for famously tricky identifications... Dashing through vegetation to catch birds is a dangerous lifestyle. In a study of more than 300 Cooper’s Hawk skeletons, 23 percent showed old, healed-over fractures in the bones of the chest, especially of the furcula, or wishbone."
- Cornell University Lab of Ornithology
So why Swallow-tailed Kites? Hmmm. Well maybe it's just to admire the skillfully graceful flight. Maybe too to try and catch them skimming. For one reason or another I'd always wanted to see them and enjoyed the visit; but this was a difficult subject for me.
Le Héron cendré peut avoir des attitudes curieuses. Il peut rester des heures, posé sur une seule patte , complètement inactif s'il n'est pas dérangé. Il enfonce son cou dans les épaules, seule la tête et le bec à l'horizontale semblent surgir de son corps. Sa manière de chasser est particulière. Il chemine lentement et courbé, dans les eaux peu profondes, sans faire de bruit, pointant vers le bas son bec puissant et pointu, prêt à asséner le coup mortel à la proie qui passera à sa portée.
Parfois, il reste immobile dans l'eau, observant le fond devant lui et sur les côtés afin de capturer habilement le moindre poisson qui passe.
Pour les grosses proies, (grand poisson ou anguille importante), il les frappe fortement de son bec pour les transpercer, et les secoue d'un côté à l'autre, avant de les avaler entières, tête la première.
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The Gray Heron may have curious attitudes. It can remain hours, resting on a single leg, completely inactive if it is not disturbed. He sticks his neck in the shoulders, only the head and beak to the horizontal seem to rise from his body. His manner of hunting is peculiar. He walks slowly and bent down into the shallow waters, making no noise, pointing down his powerful, sharp beak, ready to bring the mortal blow to the prey that passes within his reach.
Sometimes it stays immobile in the water, observing the bottom in front of it and on the sides to catch skillfully the slightest fish passing by.
For large prey (large fish or large eel), it strikes them strongly with its beak to pierce them, and shakes them from one side to the other, before swallowing whole, head first.
Willem Schellinks' painting "Dutch Ships in the Medway, June 1667" captures a pivotal moment in naval history with remarkable skill and detail. Created in the Dutch Golden Age, this artwork depicts the daring Raid on the Medway, a significant event during the Second Anglo-Dutch War.
Schellinks' composition skillfully conveys the chaotic intensity of the naval engagement. The viewer is drawn into the scene as Dutch ships, powerful and triumphant, navigate the waters of the River Medway in England. The artist's meticulous attention to architectural accuracy and his ability to render the vessels' intricate details highlight his technical prowess.
The painting not only commemorates a victorious naval campaign but also speaks to the broader themes of national pride and maritime power during the 17th century. The Dutch Republic's naval prowess is showcased as they successfully penetrated English defenses, a feat that left an indelible mark on both nations' histories.
Schellinks' work exemplifies the Dutch tradition of marine painting, which often combined meticulous representation of ships and seascapes with a sense of nationalistic pride. "Dutch Ships in the Medway, June 1667" stands as a testament to the artist's ability to capture historical events with artistic finesse, making it an enduring piece of both maritime and art history.
Petra (Arabic: البتراء, Al-Batrāʾ; Ancient Greek: Πέτρα), originally known as Raqmu (Nabataean Arabic: الرقيم), is a historical and archaeological city in southern Jordan. Petra lies on the slope of Jabal Al-Madbah in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Arabah valley that run from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. Established possibly as early as the 4th century BC as the capital city of the Nabataean Kingdom. The Nabataeans were nomadic Arabs who invested in Petra's proximity to the trade routes by establishing it as a major regional trading hub.
The trading business gained the Nabataeans considerable revenue, and Petra became the focus of their wealth. The earliest recorded historical reference to the city was when an envious Greek dynasty attempted to ransack the city in 312 BC. The Nabataeans were, unlike their enemies, accustomed to living in the barren deserts, and were able to repel attacks by utilizing the area's mountainous terrain. They were particularly skillful in harvesting rainwater, agriculture and stone carving. The Kingdom's capital continued to flourish until the 1st century AD when its famous Al-Khazneh facade was constructed, and its population peaked at an estimated 20,000 inhabitants.
Encroaching troops of the Roman Empire in 106 AD forced the Nabataeans to surrender. The Romans annexed and renamed the Kingdom to Arabia Petraea. Petra's importance declined as sea trade routes emerged, and after a 363 earthquake destroyed many structures. The Byzantine Era witnessed the construction of several Christian churches. By 700, the city became an abandoned place where only a handful of nomads grazed goats. It remained an unknown place until it was rediscovered by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812, sparking renewed interest in the city.
The city is famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system. Another name for Petra is the Rose City due to the color of the stone out of which it is carved. It is a symbol of Jordan, as well as Jordan's most-visited tourist attraction.
It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. UNESCO has described it as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage".
When I spotted this birdie I was worried, because it seemed to be too young to be on his own. After a while I saw it catching at least three snacks and flying skillfully in the dense vegetation along the path. I've seen many Eastern Yellow Robins but this is my first juvenile bird.
(Eopsaltria australis)