Observations Of Nature Through The Seasons.

[knocker]

Eagles Bring Baby Hawk Into Their Nest Planning To Eat Him, Decide To Adopt The Bird Instead

http://themindcircle.com/eagle-parents-adopt-baby-hawk/

[knocker]

A couple of days ago the Heron, which appears to be a daily visitor at the moment, was tucked up at the other side of the lake putting it's best foot forward. It's difficult getting a sharp image near the limit of the zoom.

[knocker]

Wolf found in northern Belgium, first time in over 100 years

https://phys.org/news/2018-01-wolf-northern-belgium-years.html

[knocker]

Saw a couple of Goldcrests down the park this morning. It's quite character building trying to get a photo

[ciel]

1 hour ago, knocker said:

Saw a couple of Goldcrests down the park this morning. It's quite character building trying to get a photo

They are tricky.  One that appeared in the garden recently but only paid a fleeting visit.

This pic is from 2014. It was never a good shot, (best not enlarged) but has become even more distorted by transferring it from “tinypic,”where I used to store photos, to Lightroom. On that occasion the bird stayed around for about 6 weeks feeding regularly on suet cake and roosting in the hedge.

Edited January 14, 2018 by ciel

[knocker]

The problem down at the park, apart from actually spotting them in the first place is, as you know, the little blighters are never still

[ciel]

While raking about in "tinypic" looking for the Goldcrest photo, I came across several pics I had completely forgotten about.

 I did particularly like these twin roe deer kids which made daily appearances in the neighbourhood over the spring and summer (2014, I think).

Again, the photo is somewhat distorted.

 

[knocker]

 

[knocker]

Nabarlek rock wallaby poo found, not extinct from Australian mainland

Quote

LITTLE pellets of poo found in the far north of Western Australia have scientists hopping with excitement after it was confirmed they belong to an endangered species of rock wallaby believed extinct on the mainland.

Traditional owners conducting scientific monitoring in the northern Kimberley found the tiny evidence left by the nabarlek rock wallaby, which was thought to have disappeared from the Australian mainland in the 1970s.

https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/environment/nabarlek-rock-wallaby-poo-found-not-extinct-from-australian-mainland-ng-b88712660z

[knocker]

One thing about periods of heavy rain - the Mallards can spread their wings, so to speak

[knocker]

 

[knocker]

Wedge-tailed Eagles

With a wingspan reaching more than two metres, the Wedge-tailed Eagle is Australia’s largest bird of prey and one of the biggest eagles in the world. 

https://www.bushheritage.org.au/species/wedge-tailed-eagles

[knocker]

 

[knocker]

A wild morning down here so time for some quiet contemplation

And did you see that?

[knocker]

There is an article in the Times today, Mantis shrimp pack a punch fast enough to shatter shells, It's paywalled so had a look around and found this.

https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/shrimp-packs-punch

[knocker]

Cairngorms in bid to save rare plants from last ice age

Read more at: https://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/cairngorms-in-bid-to-save-rare-plants-from-last-ice-age-1-4660641

Cairngorms in bid to save rare plants from last ice age

 

Edited January 17, 2018 by knocker

[knocker]

 

[knocker]

Australian “Firehawk” Raptors Intentionally Spread Wildfires

https://blog.nature.org/science/2018/01/12/australian-firehawk-raptors-intentionally-spread-wildfires/

[knocker]

Why Birds Matter, and Are Worth Protecting

They help the environment, but they also help our souls. In 2018 we’ll explore the wonder of birds, and why we can’t live without them.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/01/why-birds-matter/

[knocker]

The comeback cats - amazing pictures show family life of Amur tigress and her three cubs

By The Siberian Times reporter

12 January 2018

Almost poached to extinction, these pictures highlight the way the endangered species is recovering thanks to Russian preservation measures.

http://siberiantimes.com/other/others/news/the-comeback-cats-amazing-pictures-show-family-life-of-amur-tigress-and-her-three-cubs/

[knocker]

There is an interesting article in this months Geographic on the return of the Bearded Vultures to the European Skies after nearly being driven to extinction. It is one of the most successful come back projects of recent years. I can't link to the article but to get a flavor.

https://www.petzl.com/fondation/projets/retour-gypaete-barbu-alpes?language=en#.WmNiS5fLjcs

The article was actually about the Hans Frey breeding programme

https://gypaetebarbu.fr/IMG/pdf/bearded_vulture_eep_results_2016_gypconnect.pdf

Edited January 20, 2018 by knocker

[Polar Maritime]

Snow Drops nearly out in flower already here.

[knocker]

I like it

 

[knocker]

The deafening soundtracks of Australia's cicadas

http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2018/01/the-deafening-soundtracks-of-australias-cicadas

[knocker]

8 adorable Aussie desert-dwellers

http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2018/01/australias-desert-dwelling-mammals

Edited January 22, 2018 by knocker