CygnusGal Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Sorry to slam you with a gazillion notifies, SWS. Been on a wonderful Maine vacation for two weeks and internet up there is sporadic. More likes to follow as I come current. Loons - check, they call from twilight to twilight. We saw one scrapping with a bald eagle on the pond. Fireflies were in June and numbered in the hundreds. Very pretty. :hi: BC, YL, x1yyz :hi: hope your summer was good :) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x1yyz Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Sorry to slam you with a gazillion notifies, SWS. Been on a wonderful Maine vacation for two weeks and internet up there is sporadic. More likes to follow as I come current. Loons - check, they call from twilight to twilight. We saw one scrapping with a bald eagle on the pond. Fireflies were in June and numbered in the hundreds. Very pretty. :hi: BC, YL, x1yyz :hi: hope your summer was good :) It was/is, thanks! Hope you enjoyed your vacation :) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted September 2, 2014 Author Share Posted September 2, 2014 Sorry to slam you with a gazillion notifies, SWS. Been on a wonderful Maine vacation for two weeks and internet up there is sporadic. More likes to follow as I come current. Loons - check, they call from twilight to twilight. We saw one scrapping with a bald eagle on the pond. Fireflies were in June and numbered in the hundreds. Very pretty. :hi: BC, YL, x1yyz :hi: hope your summer was good :) It's always preferable to have too many notifications than none at all. :) Glad you had a nice vacation, and it's nice to see you back. :hi: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted September 2, 2014 Author Share Posted September 2, 2014 02 September 2014Tuesday Turkey Vulture The most widespread vulture in North America, the turkey vulture is locally called “buzzard” in many areas. A turkey vulture standing on the ground can, at a distance, resemble a wild turkey. It is unique among vultures in that it finds carrion by smell as well as by sight. The turkey vulture's distinctive slow, teetering flight style probably helps the bird soar at low altitudes, where it is best able to use its nose to find carrion. At other times they may soar high on thermals and form mixed flocks or kettles. On the ground they move with ungainly hops, where they are particularly noticeable along roadsides and at landfills. The most common time to see a turkey vulture is while driving, so look along the sides of highways and in the sky over open countryside. At night, they roost in trees, on rocks, and other high secluded spots. Turkey Vultures eat carrion, which they find largely by their excellent sense of smell. Mostly they eat mammals but are not above snacking on reptiles, other birds, amphibians, fish, and even invertebrates. They prefer freshly dead animals, but often have to wait for their meal to soften in order to pierce the skin. They are deft foragers, targeting the softest bits first and are even known to leave aside the scent glands of dead skunks. Turkey Vultures don’t build full nests. They may scrape out a spot in the soil or leaf litter, pull aside obstacles, or arrange scraps of vegetation or rotting wood. Once found, many of these nest sites may be used repeatedly for a decade or more. http://i.imgur.com/aVqsZoz.jpg http://i.imgur.com/EPitdAP.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/0s9bSEa.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/TQVD2kC.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/QAmKBHd.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/x7IzA9X.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/gBFNnQr.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/cG9azYb.jpg 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your_Lion Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 01 September 2014Monday Golden Eagle This powerful eagle is North America's largest bird of prey and the national bird of Mexico. These birds are dark brown, with lighter golden-brown plumage on their heads and necks. They are extremely swift, and can dive upon their quarry at speeds of more than 150 miles (241 kilometers) per hour. Golden eagles use their speed and sharp talons to snatch up rabbits, marmots, and ground squirrels. They also eat carrion, reptiles, birds, fish, and smaller fare such as large insects. They have even been known to attack full grown deer. Ranchers once killed many of these birds for fear that they would prey on their livestock, but studies showed that the animal's impact was minimal. Today, golden eagles are protected by law. Golden eagle pairs maintain territories that may be as large as 60 square miles (155 square kilometers). They are monogamous and may remain with their mate for several years or possibly for life. Golden eagles nest in high places including cliffs, trees, or human structures such as telephone poles. They build huge nests to which they may return for several breeding years. Females lay from one to four eggs, and both parents incubate them for 40 to 45 days. Typically, one or two young survive to fledge in about three months. These majestic birds range from Mexico through much of western North America as far north as Alaska; they also appear in the east but are uncommon. Golden eagles are also found in Asia, northern Africa, and Europe. http://i.imgur.com/Fj8yFaN.jpg http://i.imgur.com/VbdS6Fe.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/J4mXZaK.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/u03KsjO.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/2b735T0.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/BvilYEz.jpgMagnificent! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your_Lion Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 02 September 2014Tuesday Turkey Vulture The most widespread vulture in North America, the turkey vulture is locally called “buzzard” in many areas. A turkey vulture standing on the ground can, at a distance, resemble a wild turkey. It is unique among vultures in that it finds carrion by smell as well as by sight. The turkey vulture's distinctive slow, teetering flight style probably helps the bird soar at low altitudes, where it is best able to use its nose to find carrion. At other times they may soar high on thermals and form mixed flocks or kettles. On the ground they move with ungainly hops, where they are particularly noticeable along roadsides and at landfills. The most common time to see a turkey vulture is while driving, so look along the sides of highways and in the sky over open countryside. At night, they roost in trees, on rocks, and other high secluded spots. Turkey Vultures eat carrion, which they find largely by their excellent sense of smell. Mostly they eat mammals but are not above snacking on reptiles, other birds, amphibians, fish, and even invertebrates. They prefer freshly dead animals, but often have to wait for their meal to soften in order to pierce the skin. They are deft foragers, targeting the softest bits first and are even known to leave aside the scent glands of dead skunks. Turkey Vultures don’t build full nests. They may scrape out a spot in the soil or leaf litter, pull aside obstacles, or arrange scraps of vegetation or rotting wood. Once found, many of these nest sites may be used repeatedly for a decade or more. http://i.imgur.com/aVqsZoz.jpg http://i.imgur.com/EPitdAP.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/0s9bSEa.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/TQVD2kC.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/QAmKBHd.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/x7IzA9X.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/gBFNnQr.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/cG9azYb.jpgImpressive wings on the 3rd pic...but they do look like old-timers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. P. L. Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 02 September 2014Tuesday Turkey Vulture The most widespread vulture in North America, the turkey vulture is locally called “buzzard” in many areas. A turkey vulture standing on the ground can, at a distance, resemble a wild turkey. It is unique among vultures in that it finds carrion by smell as well as by sight. The turkey vulture's distinctive slow, teetering flight style probably helps the bird soar at low altitudes, where it is best able to use its nose to find carrion. At other times they may soar high on thermals and form mixed flocks or kettles. On the ground they move with ungainly hops, where they are particularly noticeable along roadsides and at landfills. The most common time to see a turkey vulture is while driving, so look along the sides of highways and in the sky over open countryside. At night, they roost in trees, on rocks, and other high secluded spots. Turkey Vultures eat carrion, which they find largely by their excellent sense of smell. Mostly they eat mammals but are not above snacking on reptiles, other birds, amphibians, fish, and even invertebrates. They prefer freshly dead animals, but often have to wait for their meal to soften in order to pierce the skin. They are deft foragers, targeting the softest bits first and are even known to leave aside the scent glands of dead skunks. Turkey Vultures don’t build full nests. They may scrape out a spot in the soil or leaf litter, pull aside obstacles, or arrange scraps of vegetation or rotting wood. Once found, many of these nest sites may be used repeatedly for a decade or more. http://i.imgur.com/aVqsZoz.jpg http://i.imgur.com/EPitdAP.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/0s9bSEa.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/TQVD2kC.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/QAmKBHd.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/x7IzA9X.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/gBFNnQr.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/cG9azYb.jpgI saw an awful lot of these this summer. Their flying style is incredibly peculiar, they look so lazy!! They float and look like they can't be bothered. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CygnusGal Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 (edited) How much ground could a groundhog hog if a groundhog could hog ground? Nah, works better with "woodchuck" ;)Agreed. For some reason, I always hear the tumbleweed song when I hear the word bumblebee. Bumbling along with the bumbling bumble bees. :musicnote: Edited September 3, 2014 by CygnusGal 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 03 September 2014Wednesday Purple Gallinule Purple Gallinules are brilliantly colored tropical waterbirds related to rails and coots. They can be found in swamps, lagoons, ponds and freshwater marshes, with reedbeds and dense floating vegetation, and also in flooded fields. This colorful bird is often seen walking on lily pads, supporting its weight on its very long toes, and may even sometimes be seen climbing up into low bushes in search of food. When walking or swimming, it constantly jerks its head and tail. Its flight is slow and weak, but this has not prevented individual birds from traveling far out of their normal range. They have turned up in California, southern Canada, Bermuda, and even South Africa. Their breeding habitat is warm swamps and marshes in the southeastern United States, and the tropical regions of Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. This species is resident in southern Florida and the tropics, but most American birds are migratory, wintering south to Argentina. http://i.imgur.com/NZZRRm6.jpg http://i.imgur.com/c6xDVFz.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/N043OmR.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/9gGYRdG.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/72dycl0.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/gQ7Etip.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/y60x4Ss.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/fetrywW.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/b80S3vj.jpg 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x1yyz Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 That's a very pretty bird, even though it looks like it's got the feet of a much bigger bird! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted September 4, 2014 Author Share Posted September 4, 2014 (edited) 04 September 2014Thursday Secretary Bird Secretary birds are distantly related to buzzards, vultures, harriers, and kites. But unlike their raptor cousins, secretary birds spend most of their time on the ground. They are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and are non-migratory (although they may follow food sources). Their range is from Senegal to Somalia and south to the Cape of Good Hope. These birds are also found at a variety of elevations, from the coastal plains to the highlands. Secretary birds prefer open grasslands and savannahs rather than forests and dense shrubbery, which may impede their cursorial existence. While the birds roost in the local Acacia trees at night, they spend much of the day on the ground, returning to roosting sites just before dark. Adults hunt in pairs and sometimes as loose familial flocks, stalking through the habitat with long strides. Prey consists of insects, small mammals, lizards, snakes, young birds, bird eggs, and sometimes dead animals killed in wildfires. Some secretary birds are kept on African farms to keep the snake population in check. Secretary birds have two distinct feeding strategies that are both executed on land. They can either catch prey by chasing it and striking with the bill, or stamping on prey until it is rendered stunned or unconscious enough to swallow. Studies of this latter strategy have helped reconstruct the possible feeding mechanisms employed by the dinosaur-like 'terror birds' of five million years ago. Secretary birds lay two to three oval, pale-green eggs over the course of two to three days. Nests are built at a height of 5–7 m (15–20 feet) in Acacia trees. Both the male and female visit the nest site for almost half a year before egg laying takes place. The nest is around 2.5 m (eight feet) wide and 30 cm (one foot) deep, and is constructed as a relatively flat basin of sticks and branches, lined with grass. Instead of building a new nest each year, they add a new layer of grass. http://i.imgur.com/yq57dzQ.jpg http://i.imgur.com/nA6gkEA.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/QZb0vr1.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/hWd0BN6.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/P2s9zfD.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/rGIw5E0.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Vd9kOKW.jpg Edited September 4, 2014 by substancewithoutstyle 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your_Lion Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 03 September 2014Wednesday Purple Gallinule Purple Gallinules are brilliantly colored tropical waterbirds related to rails and coots. They can be found in swamps, lagoons, ponds and freshwater marshes, with reedbeds and dense floating vegetation, and also in flooded fields. This colorful bird is often seen walking on lily pads, supporting its weight on its very long toes, and may even sometimes be seen climbing up into low bushes in search of food. When walking or swimming, it constantly jerks its head and tail. Its flight is slow and weak, but this has not prevented individual birds from traveling far out of their normal range. They have turned up in California, southern Canada, Bermuda, and even South Africa. Their breeding habitat is warm swamps and marshes in the southeastern United States, and the tropical regions of Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. This species is resident in southern Florida and the tropics, but most American birds are migratory, wintering south to Argentina. http://i.imgur.com/NZZRRm6.jpg http://i.imgur.com/c6xDVFz.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/N043OmR.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/9gGYRdG.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/72dycl0.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/gQ7Etip.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/y60x4Ss.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/fetrywW.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/b80S3vj.jpg Great colours! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your_Lion Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 04 September 2014Thursday Secretary Bird Secretary birds are distantly related to buzzards, vultures, harriers, and kites. But unlike their raptor cousins, secretary birds spend most of their time on the ground. They are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and are non-migratory (although they may follow food sources). Their range is from Senegal to Somalia and south to the Cape of Good Hope. These birds are also found at a variety of elevations, from the coastal plains to the highlands. Secretary birds prefer open grasslands and savannahs rather than forests and dense shrubbery, which may impede their cursorial existence. While the birds roost in the local Acacia trees at night, they spend much of the day on the ground, returning to roosting sites just before dark. Adults hunt in pairs and sometimes as loose familial flocks, stalking through the habitat with long strides. Prey consists of insects, small mammals, lizards, snakes, young birds, bird eggs, and sometimes dead animals killed in wildfires. Some secretary birds are kept on African farms to keep the snake population in check. Secretary birds have two distinct feeding strategies that are both executed on land. They can either catch prey by chasing it and striking with the bill, or stamping on prey until it is rendered stunned or unconscious enough to swallow. Studies of this latter strategy have helped reconstruct the possible feeding mechanisms employed by the dinosaur-like 'terror birds' of five million years ago. Secretary birds lay two to three oval, pale-green eggs over the course of two to three days. Nests are built at a height of 5–7 m (15–20 feet) in Acacia trees. Both the male and female visit the nest site for almost half a year before egg laying takes place. The nest is around 2.5 m (eight feet) wide and 30 cm (one foot) deep, and is constructed as a relatively flat basin of sticks and branches, lined with grass. Instead of building a new nest each year, they add a new layer of grass. http://i.imgur.com/yq57dzQ.jpg http://i.imgur.com/nA6gkEA.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/QZb0vr1.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/hWd0BN6.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/P2s9zfD.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/rGIw5E0.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Vd9kOKW.jpg The faathers on the back of the head look cool looks funny going after that "snake" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted September 5, 2014 Author Share Posted September 5, 2014 05 September 2014 Flora Friday Close-up photos of flowers, with a bit of fauna for good measure. http://i.imgur.com/AQhAnZe.jpgGolden Penda (Xanthostemon chrysanthus) with lorikeet http://i.imgur.com/lLKln89.jpgPurple Coral Pea (Hardenbergia violacea) http://i.imgur.com/wINJibo.jpgWhitebeard (Agiortia pedicillata) with honeybee http://i.imgur.com/PI9UGDB.jpgPurple Bush Pea (Hovea acutifolia) -there's also a spider if you look closely http://i.imgur.com/4xztU8N.jpgGolden Everlasting with moth http://i.imgur.com/dRsENQI.jpgSilver Bush (Sophora tomentosa) with lynx spider http://i.imgur.com/L8cp6Kt.jpgNut Bush (Calothamnus quadrifidus) http://i.imgur.com/afZcaKx.jpgGrevillea tree with rainbow lorikeet http://i.imgur.com/YdsFA3K.jpgGolden Penda with tree frog 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted September 6, 2014 Author Share Posted September 6, 2014 06 September 2014 Paleontology Saturday Pterosaurs Like their cousins the dinosaurs, pterosaurs stand out as one of evolution's great success stories. They first appeared during the Triassic period, 215 million years ago, and thrived for 150 million years before going extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period. Their endurance record is almost inconceivable compared with the span of humans, whose ancestors started walking upright less than four million years ago. Uncontested in the air, pterosaurs colonized all continents and evolved a vast array of shapes and sizes. Of more than 120 named species, the smallest pterosaur measured no bigger than a sparrow; the largest reached a wingspan of nearly 40 feet (12 meters), wider than an F-16 fighter. Scientists once imagined many ways that pterosaurs might move on land—including upside down in trees, like sloths, or hopping and running on two feet, like birds—but recently discovered fossil tracks suggest that pterosaurs walked on all fours, folding up their wings like an umbrella. The wing of the pterosaur was unique, a large membrane suspended from a hugely expanded fourth finger. Pterosaurs are largely regarded as the first vertebrates to achieve sustainable powered flight, although the largest relied mainly on the wind and gliding to stay in the air. Pterosaur bones were hollow, with walls as thin as playing cards. Like bird's bones, they were strengthened by internal struts. By comparing pterosaur and bird brain casts, scientists have determined that the creatures' brains were similar in certain ways—both had well developed regions for vision and balance, which are important in flying. Their eggs were soft-shelled, and only a few have been found so far. (Dinosaurs, by comparison, laid hard-shelled eggs.) By the time a pterosaur hatched, its wings were fully formed; it probably could have taken off shortly after it hatched. Though scientists once imagined pterosaurs caring for their young in nests, they now believe the young hatchlings were on their own from the start. http://i.imgur.com/GdRp5Tb.png http://i.imgur.com/JlKaQqH.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/ulNurg2.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/BJ10DM1.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/0m42De9.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/RXopwvz.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/7cE3wWF.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/4Mmxb2K.gif 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your_Lion Posted September 7, 2014 Share Posted September 7, 2014 05 September 2014 Flora Friday Close-up photos of flowers, with a bit of fauna for good measure. http://i.imgur.com/AQhAnZe.jpgGolden Penda (Xanthostemon chrysanthus) with lorikeet http://i.imgur.com/lLKln89.jpgPurple Coral Pea (Hardenbergia violacea) http://i.imgur.com/wINJibo.jpgWhitebeard (Agiortia pedicillata) with honeybee http://i.imgur.com/PI9UGDB.jpgPurple Bush Pea (Hovea acutifolia) -there's also a spider if you look closely http://i.imgur.com/4xztU8N.jpgGolden Everlasting with moth http://i.imgur.com/dRsENQI.jpgSilver Bush (Sophora tomentosa) with lynx spider http://i.imgur.com/L8cp6Kt.jpgNut Bush (Calothamnus quadrifidus) http://i.imgur.com/afZcaKx.jpgGrevillea tree with rainbow lorikeet http://i.imgur.com/YdsFA3K.jpgGolden Penda with tree frog We haven't had any Flora for a while. A nice mix here. I particularly like the Nut Bush, which looks quite odd 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your_Lion Posted September 7, 2014 Share Posted September 7, 2014 06 September 2014 Paleontology Saturday Pterosaurs Like their cousins the dinosaurs, pterosaurs stand out as one of evolution's great success stories. They first appeared during the Triassic period, 215 million years ago, and thrived for 150 million years before going extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period. Their endurance record is almost inconceivable compared with the span of humans, whose ancestors started walking upright less than four million years ago. Uncontested in the air, pterosaurs colonized all continents and evolved a vast array of shapes and sizes. Of more than 120 named species, the smallest pterosaur measured no bigger than a sparrow; the largest reached a wingspan of nearly 40 feet (12 meters), wider than an F-16 fighter. Scientists once imagined many ways that pterosaurs might move on land—including upside down in trees, like sloths, or hopping and running on two feet, like birds—but recently discovered fossil tracks suggest that pterosaurs walked on all fours, folding up their wings like an umbrella. The wing of the pterosaur was unique, a large membrane suspended from a hugely expanded fourth finger. Pterosaurs are largely regarded as the first vertebrates to achieve sustainable powered flight, although the largest relied mainly on the wind and gliding to stay in the air. Pterosaur bones were hollow, with walls as thin as playing cards. Like bird's bones, they were strengthened by internal struts. By comparing pterosaur and bird brain casts, scientists have determined that the creatures' brains were similar in certain ways—both had well developed regions for vision and balance, which are important in flying. Their eggs were soft-shelled, and only a few have been found so far. (Dinosaurs, by comparison, laid hard-shelled eggs.) By the time a pterosaur hatched, its wings were fully formed; it probably could have taken off shortly after it hatched. Though scientists once imagined pterosaurs caring for their young in nests, they now believe the young hatchlings were on their own from the start. http://i.imgur.com/GdRp5Tb.png http://i.imgur.com/JlKaQqH.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/ulNurg2.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/BJ10DM1.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/0m42De9.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/RXopwvz.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/7cE3wWF.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/4Mmxb2K.gifCool. Love a flying dinosaur. I like how the wings are connected to both the front and back legs, giving the appearance of a kite 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted September 7, 2014 Author Share Posted September 7, 2014 07 September 2014Sunday Draco Lizard For the tiny Draco lizard, moving among the trees in the jungles of Southeast Asia is an essential task—for escaping danger, attracting mates, and finding meals. Scampering across the forest floor, where predators lurk, can be perilous. So over thousands of years, the Draco lizard has taken the ground out of the equation by adapting the capacity for flight. These so-called flying dragons have a set of elongated ribs, which they can extend and retract. Between these ribs are folds of skin that rest flat against the body when not in use, but act as wings when unfurled, allowing the Draco to catch the wind and glide. The lizards use their long, slender tails to steer themselves, and each sortie can carry them up to 30 feet (9 meters). Although Dracos usually avoid going to the ground, females still must descend to deposit eggs. The lizard uses her pointed snout to create a small hole in the ground, where she lays about five eggs and then covers the hole with dirt. She remains on the ground for about 24 hours, fiercely guarding the nest, and then returns to the trees and leaves the eggs to their fate. Flying dragons survive on a diet of almost exclusively ants and termites. The lizards are found in densely wooded areas in the Philippines and Borneo in the east, across Southeast Asia and into Southern India. They are abundant throughout their range and have no special conservation status. http://i.imgur.com/Jsc7ZbU.jpg http://i.imgur.com/e2W4hem.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/XXpeDX3.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/K6A7IQr.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/NIdb8Sc.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/jm4tWNl.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/i00G9fa.jpg 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x1yyz Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 07 September 2014Sunday Draco Lizard For the tiny Draco lizard, moving among the trees in the jungles of Southeast Asia is an essential task—for escaping danger, attracting mates, and finding meals. Scampering across the forest floor, where predators lurk, can be perilous. So over thousands of years, the Draco lizard has taken the ground out of the equation by adapting the capacity for flight. These so-called flying dragons have a set of elongated ribs, which they can extend and retract. Between these ribs are folds of skin that rest flat against the body when not in use, but act as wings when unfurled, allowing the Draco to catch the wind and glide. The lizards use their long, slender tails to steer themselves, and each sortie can carry them up to 30 feet (9 meters). Although Dracos usually avoid going to the ground, females still must descend to deposit eggs. The lizard uses her pointed snout to create a small hole in the ground, where she lays about five eggs and then covers the hole with dirt. She remains on the ground for about 24 hours, fiercely guarding the nest, and then returns to the trees and leaves the eggs to their fate. Flying dragons survive on a diet of almost exclusively ants and termites. The lizards are found in densely wooded areas in the Philippines and Borneo in the east, across Southeast Asia and into Southern India. They are abundant throughout their range and have no special conservation status. http://i.imgur.com/Jsc7ZbU.jpg http://i.imgur.com/e2W4hem.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/XXpeDX3.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/K6A7IQr.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/NIdb8Sc.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/jm4tWNl.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/i00G9fa.jpg What a cool animal! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. P. L. Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Paleontology Saturday Monday Special OK, I'm hacking a little bit Substance's thread, but I'm quite sure he won't mind because he knows I love him. And because this is so good. Read on! Maybe you didn't know that one of the most mind-blowing places for dinosaurs freaks, like I am, lies quitely in the south of Cuba. There, among the ravines and the platanos, not far from dreamy white sand beaches, lies, hidden to the most... Valle de la Prehistoria! http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/70465850.jpg I knew I had to visit this and boy am I glad I did! It has giant-size dinosaurs made of concrete and, according to Lonely Planet, they were made by inmates. And did they make a good job! Let's have a little tour. As you walk past the Flinstones-inspired gate, you are greeted by a giant caveman that makes Thor look like an amateur:http://www.dcubanos.com/rinconcuba/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/valle_de_la_prehistoria_15.jpg But really, the dinosaurs are the best. Here are the Pteranodonts.http://www.contactcuba.com/photospics/santiago-de-cuba-valle-de-la-prehistoria.jpg A T. Rex attaching a Diplodoch:http://www.odditycentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Valle-de-la-Prehistoria2.jpg Anatosauri and another Diplodoch. On the left, water dinosaurs, probably an Elasmosaurus:http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3cuIVaOQZXA/UVPvdMeR28I/AAAAAAAAArQ/rbFixFFdWwo/s1600/valle_de_la_prehistoria_07.jpg This guy surely looks pissed...http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/03/17/2c/64/parque-de-baconao.jpg The second half is dedicated to prehistoric mammals, which are not so awesome:http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/64313272.jpg And also I don't like the fact that they had to include cavemen fighting Mammoots, suggesting that it all happens in the same time-frame... But who cares in the end??http://www.cubawanderer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/The-Prehistoric-Valley-en.wikipedia.org_.jpg All in all, an awesome place!! If you're in the neighboorhood, drop by!! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your_Lion Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 07 September 2014Sunday Draco Lizard For the tiny Draco lizard, moving among the trees in the jungles of Southeast Asia is an essential task—for escaping danger, attracting mates, and finding meals. Scampering across the forest floor, where predators lurk, can be perilous. So over thousands of years, the Draco lizard has taken the ground out of the equation by adapting the capacity for flight. These so-called flying dragons have a set of elongated ribs, which they can extend and retract. Between these ribs are folds of skin that rest flat against the body when not in use, but act as wings when unfurled, allowing the Draco to catch the wind and glide. The lizards use their long, slender tails to steer themselves, and each sortie can carry them up to 30 feet (9 meters). Although Dracos usually avoid going to the ground, females still must descend to deposit eggs. The lizard uses her pointed snout to create a small hole in the ground, where she lays about five eggs and then covers the hole with dirt. She remains on the ground for about 24 hours, fiercely guarding the nest, and then returns to the trees and leaves the eggs to their fate. Flying dragons survive on a diet of almost exclusively ants and termites. The lizards are found in densely wooded areas in the Philippines and Borneo in the east, across Southeast Asia and into Southern India. They are abundant throughout their range and have no special conservation status. http://i.imgur.com/Jsc7ZbU.jpg http://i.imgur.com/e2W4hem.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/XXpeDX3.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/K6A7IQr.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/NIdb8Sc.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/jm4tWNl.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/i00G9fa.jpgCool! The close up of the face is fantastic 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted September 9, 2014 Author Share Posted September 9, 2014 08 September 2014Monday Horned "Toad" The short-horned lizard is often referred to as a “horned toad” or “horny toad” because its squat, flattened shape and short, blunt snout give it a toad-ish look. There are over a dozen recognized species found in the deserts and semi-arid environments of North and Central America, from southern Canada to Guatemala. Species are distinguishable by the formidable crown of horns adorning their head and the numerous spines across their back. Their coloring can be yellowish, gray, or reddish-brown depending on the environment they inhabit, and, combined with their shape, affords them considerable camouflage on the surface. They feed primarily on ants, waiting for one to unsuspectingly crawl by before snapping it in and swallowing it whole. They are also known to eat grasshoppers, beetles, and spiders. Despite their spiky features, short-horned lizards are preyed upon by a number of creatures, including hawks, roadrunners, snakes, lizards, dogs, wolves, and coyotes. Consequently, beyond their natural camouflage, they have adapted a pair of remarkable talents. In order to ward off hungry predators, short-horned lizards are capable of inflating their bodies up to twice their size, resembling a spiny balloon. And if this proves insufficient, some species employ one of the animal kingdom’s most bizarre defensive mechanisms: They shoot blood from their eyes. The ominous squirting blood emanates from ducts in the corners of their eyes and can travel a distance of up to three feet (one meter). It’s meant to confuse would-be predators, but also contains a chemical that is noxious to dogs, wolves, and coyotes. Over recent decades short-horn lizard populations have been in decline throughout their range. Destruction of their native habitat, efforts to eradicate ants—their staple food—and the pet trade have all contributed to this. http://i.imgur.com/0ATV38M.jpg http://i.imgur.com/GvFOFEL.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/fpdx6uk.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/B7MKZPx.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/5bLEq60.jpg eggs: http://i.imgur.com/akKk1uF.png 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babycat Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 29 August 2014Friday Gelada Monkey Gelada monkeys live only in the high mountain meadows of Ethiopia—an environment very unlike those of their forest or savanna-dwelling primate relatives. This high-altitude homeland is replete with steep, rocky cliffs, to which geladas have adapted. At night, the animals drop over precipice edges to sleep huddled together on ledges. These baboon-size animals are the world's most terrestrial primates—except for humans. As grass-eaters, they are the last surviving species of ancient grazing primates that were once numerous. Geladas spend most of their day sitting down, plucking and munching on grasses. They have fatty rear ends, much like human buttocks, which seem well adapted to this activity. Gelada live in small family units of one male and three to six females. Though males are larger and more colorful, females dominate gelada societies. When an aging male begins to decline, the females in his family decide when he will be replaced by a younger rival—though the male will do all he can do to drive off such competition. Gelada family units often combine to form large foraging bands of 30 to 350 animals. When food is abundant as many as 670 geladas have been seen together. About 100,000 to 200,000 gelada monkeys survive, but even their remote mountain locales are feeling the effects of encroaching agriculture that threatens the grasslands. Indigenous peoples also hunt gelada and use their impressive manes in traditional coming-of-age ceremonies. http://i.imgur.com/4r3QA3V.jpg http://i.imgur.com/OKUo6tD.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/VRruvv8.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/ZW3xfEK.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Bw6LQpA.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/1KWM2Q5.jpg Awesome! :ebert:And that baby! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babycat Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 30 August 2014 Paleontology Saturday Arthropleura Arthropleura was a genus of giant arthropod, related to centipedes and millipedes, that lived in North America and Scotland during the Carboniferous period, between about 340 and 280 million years ago. Arthropleura is the largest known land invertebrate of all time, and was between 1 and 8½ feet long (0.3 to 2.6 meters). It was able to grow larger than modern arthropods, partly because of the greater partial pressure of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere at that time, and because of the lack of large terrestrial vertebrate predators. Arthropleura is believed to have mostly lived on land (fossil tracks are relatively common), in a forest environment, but may also have been capable of travelling under water. Fossilized footprints from Arthropleura have been found in many places. These appear as long, parallel rows of small prints, which show that it moved quickly across the forest floor, swerving to avoid obstacles, such as trees and rocks. No fossil mouth parts of Arthropleura have ever been found, so it is not entirely clear what it ate. It was once assumed to have been a carnivore , but the discovery of fossilized pollen in the animal's gut now suggest it was probably a herbivore. http://i.imgur.com/ljPPHGJ.jpg http://i.imgur.com/lCkAUkT.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/yp0Z2Pf.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/MsSyBUE.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Hh6utfk.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/oCd10Y4.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/VFu7WhA.jpg http://youtu.be/c2lJbjoOuNs Blooming heck - that's the biggest bug in the world! :o 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babycat Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 31 August 2014Sunday Matschie's Tree Kangaroo Tree kangaroos are found only in the rain forests of Australia, West Papua, and Papua New Guinea. Six of ten species are found in Papua New Guinea, in some of the last undisturbed rain forest habitat in the world. The Matschie's tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus matschiei) is endemic to the Huon Peninsula on the northeast coast of Papua New Guinea. It is classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2004 Red List as endangered. Matschie's tree kangaroos live in mountainous cloud forests at elevations of up to 11,000 feet (3,350 meters). They spend most of their time in trees. Tree kangaroos primarily eat tree leaves. They also consume flowers, grass shoots, ferns, moss, and bark. Little is known about the social behavior of wild tree kangaroos. Researchers believe that Matschie's tree kangaroos are fairly solitary animals. Females and males have non-overlapping home ranges, but a male's range will overlap several females' range. Researchers also believe that Matschie's tree kangaroos are polygamous and that males interact with several females. Males, however, appear not to establish harems, and females remain independent. The only strong social bond these animals form is between mother and offspring. http://i.imgur.com/aaqCPRh.jpg http://i.imgur.com/rNBzRGL.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/hun2ekp.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/nrQlqEV.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/dWRoPIz.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/q9yiq00.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/OX2aNDO.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/vEURm3x.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/9s0RxdS.jpg That is a beautiful creature! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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