Urban Vegetation (or nature strikes back)
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L'Hypolais polyglotte s'entend plus qu'elle ne se voit sur ses lieux de reproduction. Mais une fois un chant localisé, il est possible de trouver assez facilement le chanteur qui ne craint pas de s'exposer au sommet d'un buisson ou au bout d'une branche. En revanche, le reste de l'activité de l'espèce, comme la recherche de nourriture, échappe à l'observation car elle se déroule au sein de la végétation ligneuse. Lorsque les jeunes ont quitté le nid, on peut percevoir leurs petits cris de quémande typiques tandis que les adultes arrosent copieusement l'importun de leurs cris d'alarme insistants.
Le vol de l'Hypolaïs polyglotte est en général bas et direct lorsqu'elle vole d'un buisson à l'autre. La migration nocturne "longue distance" suppose une capacité de vol soutenu importante.
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The polyglot Hypolais gets along more than she sees on her breeding grounds. But once a localized song, it is possible to find quite easily the singer who does not fear to expose himself at the top of a bush or at the end of a branch. On the other hand, the rest of the activity of the species, such as foraging, escapes observation because it takes place within the woody vegetation. When the young have left the nest, one can perceive their typical little quivering cries while the adults copiously water the importunate of their insistent alarm cries.
The flight of the Polyglot Hypolaïs is usually low and direct when flying from one bush to another. Long-distance nocturnal migration assumes significant sustained flight capability.
Tres tomas, una para la flor y dos para el fondo. / Three shots, one for the flower and two for the background.
Snow Bunting - Plectrophenax Nivalis
Snow buntings are large buntings, with striking 'snowy' plumages. Males in summer have all white heads and underparts contrasting with a black mantle and wing tips. Females are a more mottled above. In autumn and winter birds develop a sandy/buff wash to their plumage and males have more mottled upperparts.
Globally, they breed around the arctic from Scandinavia to Alaska, Canada and Greenland and migrate south in winter. They are a scarce breeding species in the UK, in Scotland, making them an Amber List species. They are more widespread in winter in the north and east when residents are joined by continental birds.
They are listed under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act.
The snow bunting lives in very high latitudes in the Arctic tundra. There is no apparent limit to its northern range, while the southern range is limited by the duration of daylight, which influences their reproductive activity. This species is found in the high Arctic tundra of North America, Ellesmere Island, Iceland, higher mountains of Scotland, Norway, Russia, North Greenland, Siberia, Novaya Zemlya, and Franz Josef Land. During the winter, this bird migrates to the circumglobal northern temperate zone including the south of Canada, north of the United States, north of Germany, Poland, Ukraine, and east to central Asia. During the last ice age, the snow bunting was widespread throughout continental Europe.
During the breeding period the snow bunting looks for rocky habitats in the Arctic Since the vegetation in the tundra is low growing, this bird and its nestlings are exposed to predators, and in order to ensure the survival of its offspring, the snow bunting nests in cavities in order to protect the nestlings from any threat. During this period, buntings also look for a habitat rich in vegetation such as wet sedge meadows and areas rich in dryas and lichens. In the winter, they look for open habitats such as farms and fields where they feed on seeds in the ground.
Population:
UK breeding:
60 pairs
UK wintering:
10,000-15,000 birds
Gorillas are the largest of the great apes and are incredibly fascinating primates. They are known for their immense strength, gentle nature and complex social structures.
Western Lowland Gorilla are the most numerous and widespread subspecies, found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. This is the subspecies most commonly seen in zoos.
Mountain Gorillas were made famous due to the work of Dian Fossey, these gorillas live at high altitudes in the Virunga Mountains that border Rwanda, Uganda, and in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
All gorillas live in the tropical and subtropical forests of equatorial Africa. Their habitats range from lowland rainforests to montane cloud forests and even bamboo forests at high altitudes.
Gorillas are stocky, powerful animals with broad chests and shoulders. Males are significantly larger than females, and a mature male, known as a "silverback," can stand over 6 feet tall and weigh up to 400-500 pounds (or more in captivity).
Appearance: They have large, human-like hands, small eyes set into hairless faces, and distinctive brow ridges. Silverbacks develop a saddle of silvery hair on their backs as they mature, which gives them their name.
Gorillas are primarily herbivores, with their diet consisting mainly of vegetation. The exact composition of their diet varies by species and subspecies, and also seasonally.
Gorillas are highly social animals and live in groups called troops. The typical troop structure is a harem, led by a dominant adult male, the silverback. He is responsible for leading, protecting, mediating conflicts within the group, and breeding with the females.
Gorillas communicate through a complex repertoire of vocalizations (grunts, hoots, screams, roars) and body language, including the famous chest-beating display.
(Photographed at the San Diego Zoo, Nikon D500, Nikon 300/2.8, 1/125 @ f/5.6, ISO 200, edited to taste)
"White-Cheeked Barbet" also known as Small Green Barbet is predominantly green with a dark brown head, white streaks on the neck, a pale pink bill, and a distinct white stripe above and below the eye. They are territorial, aggressive fruit-eaters that play a crucial role in seed dispersal. They inhabit forests and gardens, nesting in tree cavities they excavate themselves. They are often heard rather than seen, making a loud, monotonous "kutrook-kutrook" sound throughout the day, especially during the breeding season from December to June. Spotted by its sound, as they merge with the vegetation. Endemic only to Southern India and the Western Ghats.
during the months of jan – may, the bottom of the mountains and the sea of sands are clearly exposed to vision. the humidity is high and vegetation at savanna is green. the clouds are painting the sky…
this image was taken in march last year.
still cant decide which one i like most… clouds above? or clouds at the bottom? ;-)
Ulster heights Lake, NY. Three elements of frozen lake surface, tree reflection and vegetation beneath the ice combine at the edge of a lake.
These little American tree sparrows can be tough to spot when they're sitting in all the dense canes and reeds here at Pool Slough. That tall and thick vegetation provides great protection for these wintering sparrows when the snow flies.
A common resident bird found around freshwater lakes, rivers and waterbodies. They are much smaller than the Grey Heron's and less aggressive too in my view. The birds are quite shy and have a tendency to hide in the reeds, vegetation unlike the Grey Herons which are more visible. The nesting season is towards the end of Summer and the birds start collecting materials like twigs to build their nests. These nests are well located in the middle of tall reeds and vegetation.
I was experimenting with very high shutter speeds and this was shot at max shutter speed of 1/32000. I am impressed by the quality of the shot and R5MKII noise levels are well controlled in the Raw file. The haze made things worse though. I am doubtful of using such high speeds ever though and at best limited to experimentation I guess.
Have you ever shot at such high shutter speeds? How did that go?
Thank you so much in advance for your views, feedback and faves.
Der Hartheu-Spanner erreicht eine Größe von etwa 35 bis 45 Millimetern. Die Art ist tagaktiv und für einen Vertreter aus der Familie der Spanner relativ groß, wodurch sie bei flüchtiger Betrachtung für einen Weißling gehalten werden kann. Ein sicheres Unterscheidungsmerkmal sind die fadenförmigen Fühler des Hartheu-Spanners, während diese bei Tagfalter keulenförmig ausgebildet sind. Auch im Flugverhalten unterscheidet er sich von den Weißlingen. Die Tiere ruhen in der niederen Vegetation und fliegen nur wenige Meter wenn sie aufgescheucht werden. Von ähnlichen Spannern unterscheidet er sich durch eine kontrastreiche dunkle Äderung der Flügel.
The Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) is a tiny but long-legged owl found throughout open landscapes of North and South America. Burrowing Owls can be found in grasslands, rangelands, agricultural areas, deserts, or any other open dry area with low vegetation. They nest and roost in burrows, such as those excavated by prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.). Unlike most owls, Burrowing Owls are often active during the day, although they tend to avoid the midday heat. But like many other kinds of owls, Burrowing Owls do most of their hunting from dusk until dawn, when they can use their night vision and hearing to their advantage. Source: #Wikipedia
Palm-fringed Ao Suan Yai Beach has a typical landscape of tropical coastline. There are beach resort hotels but the beach front is not tightly built up like White Sand Beach in Koh Chang. This photo was taken in the middle of peak season, but the tourist density was as you see in the photo.
So far, tourism seemed to be in a good balance with the local community of Suan Yai.
Buckpool and Fens Pool Local Nature Reserve
What3Words
///thin.spill.bravo
The Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) is a large, widespread wild goose species native to North America, easily recognizable by its black head and neck with a distinctive white chinstrap. It is found near freshwater areas like ponds, lakes, and marshes, and is well adapted to urban environments.
Key Characteristics
Appearance:
They have a brown body, a black head and neck, white cheek patches, and a black beak and legs. Males and females have similar plumage, though males are slightly larger.
Size:
They typically range from 75 to 110 cm in length, with a wingspan of 1.5 to 1.8 meters.
Diet:
Canada geese are primarily herbivores, or plant-eaters, using their serrated bills to graze on grasses, leaves, roots, seeds, and grains. They will also feed on aquatic vegetation and occasionally small insects or fish.
Behavior:
They are social birds that form large, noisy flocks. They are known for being very territorial and can become aggressive if they feel their nests or young are threatened, hissing and charging at perceived dangers.
Habitat and Distribution:
While native to North America, the Canada goose was introduced to Europe (including the UK) in the 17th century as an ornamental bird and has since established widespread populations there. They prefer open, grassy areas near water, which provides a safe escape route from predators.
Migration:
Canada geese are well-known for their seasonal migrations, often flying in a distinctive V-shaped formation that helps conserve energy by reducing wind resistance. The front position is rotated among the flock members as the lead bird tires.
However, not all populations are migratory. In areas with mild climates and consistent food sources (such as urban parks and agricultural fields in the US and UK), many populations have become non-migratory or sedentary year-round residents.
Reproduction:
Canada geese typically form monogamous pair bonds, often mating for life. The female incubates a clutch of around five eggs in a nest built near water, while the male stands guard. Goslings (baby geese) hatch with their eyes open and are able to walk and swim within 24 hours. Both parents lead and protect the goslings, which may form "gang broods" with other families.