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Substancewithoutstyle's Slightly Frivolous Flora and Fauna Photo Gallery


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13 April 2015

Monday

 

 

Russian Desman

 

Desmans belong to the same family as moles but are adapted for a more aquatic lifestyle. They posses a similar long, cylindrical body, but the tail is longer and flatter than that of a mole and is broadened by a fringe of stiff hairs. The legs are also covered in stiff hairs and the thick, waterproof coat is brownish-red in colour, fading to ashy-grey on the underside. The snout is long and flexible and the back feet are completely webbed in order to provide propulsion in water.

 

Very little is known about the natural ecology and behaviour of the Russian desman. They build nests on the banks of rivers and appear to be fairly gregarious, as eight individuals have been found in a single nest. Females produce two litters a year of three to five young, which are born in spring and autumn. Musk glands at the base of the tail are used to mark territories.

 

Russian desmans are primarily nocturnal and catch their prey in the water, using their flexible snout to feel along the riverbed and also as a snorkel. They can stay underwater for up to five minutes between breaths. They eat a range of aquatic organisms such as fish, mollusks, insects, crustaceans and amphibians.

 

Fossils from the Pleistocene period show that the Russian desman was found across Europe from southern Britain to the Caspian Sea. Today, it occurs in Russia, Belarus, the Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

 

 

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Can you identify any of the flowers?

 

 

0:20

Erythronium americanum (Toad Lily)

 

0:45

Thalictrum thalictroides (Rue-Anemone)

 

I'm certain of the first, the second, maybe 75%. :unsure: :LOL:

 

What of the tree with the fungus growing on it...the opening shot?

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What of the tree with the fungus growing on it...the opening shot?

 

:huh:

 

I have no idea what that is, but I'd stay away from that tree at night.

 

http://youtu.be/85xpN_Ohwqs

I think truffles grow on the roots of those trees...no lie

--Ron Burgundy

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13 April 2015

Monday

 

 

Russian Desman

 

Desmans belong to the same family as moles but are adapted for a more aquatic lifestyle. They posses a similar long, cylindrical body, but the tail is longer and flatter than that of a mole and is broadened by a fringe of stiff hairs. The legs are also covered in stiff hairs and the thick, waterproof coat is brownish-red in colour, fading to ashy-grey on the underside. The snout is long and flexible and the back feet are completely webbed in order to provide propulsion in water.

 

Very little is known about the natural ecology and behaviour of the Russian desman. They build nests on the banks of rivers and appear to be fairly gregarious, as eight individuals have been found in a single nest. Females produce two litters a year of three to five young, which are born in spring and autumn. Musk glands at the base of the tail are used to mark territories.

 

Russian desmans are primarily nocturnal and catch their prey in the water, using their flexible snout to feel along the riverbed and also as a snorkel. They can stay underwater for up to five minutes between breaths. They eat a range of aquatic organisms such as fish, mollusks, insects, crustaceans and amphibians.

 

Fossils from the Pleistocene period show that the Russian desman was found across Europe from southern Britain to the Caspian Sea. Today, it occurs in Russia, Belarus, the Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

 

 

 

I've never heard of this creature before!

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13 April 2015

Monday

 

 

Russian Desman

 

Desmans belong to the same family as moles but are adapted for a more aquatic lifestyle. They posses a similar long, cylindrical body, but the tail is longer and flatter than that of a mole and is broadened by a fringe of stiff hairs. The legs are also covered in stiff hairs and the thick, waterproof coat is brownish-red in colour, fading to ashy-grey on the underside. The snout is long and flexible and the back feet are completely webbed in order to provide propulsion in water.

 

Very little is known about the natural ecology and behaviour of the Russian desman. They build nests on the banks of rivers and appear to be fairly gregarious, as eight individuals have been found in a single nest. Females produce two litters a year of three to five young, which are born in spring and autumn. Musk glands at the base of the tail are used to mark territories.

 

Russian desmans are primarily nocturnal and catch their prey in the water, using their flexible snout to feel along the riverbed and also as a snorkel. They can stay underwater for up to five minutes between breaths. They eat a range of aquatic organisms such as fish, mollusks, insects, crustaceans and amphibians.

 

Fossils from the Pleistocene period show that the Russian desman was found across Europe from southern Britain to the Caspian Sea. Today, it occurs in Russia, Belarus, the Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

 

 

 

I've not heard of this species, but they look sweet.

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What of the tree with the fungus growing on it...the opening shot?

 

http://i.imgur.com/0p9YmFI.png

 

Maybe it's a burl:

 

http://www.terrain.n...-tree-burl.html

 

I've walked through some woodlands in my time, but never have I seen burls on trees before.

Walnut trees are known for their burls. The wood is highly prized by woodworkers.

april-095.jpg?w=450

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13 April 2015

Monday

 

 

Russian Desman

 

Desmans belong to the same family as moles but are adapted for a more aquatic lifestyle. They posses a similar long, cylindrical body, but the tail is longer and flatter than that of a mole and is broadened by a fringe of stiff hairs. The legs are also covered in stiff hairs and the thick, waterproof coat is brownish-red in colour, fading to ashy-grey on the underside. The snout is long and flexible and the back feet are completely webbed in order to provide propulsion in water.

 

Very little is known about the natural ecology and behaviour of the Russian desman. They build nests on the banks of rivers and appear to be fairly gregarious, as eight individuals have been found in a single nest. Females produce two litters a year of three to five young, which are born in spring and autumn. Musk glands at the base of the tail are used to mark territories.

 

Russian desmans are primarily nocturnal and catch their prey in the water, using their flexible snout to feel along the riverbed and also as a snorkel. They can stay underwater for up to five minutes between breaths. They eat a range of aquatic organisms such as fish, mollusks, insects, crustaceans and amphibians.

 

Fossils from the Pleistocene period show that the Russian desman was found across Europe from southern Britain to the Caspian Sea. Today, it occurs in Russia, Belarus, the Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

 

 

Cool. I'd not heard of them, either. This thread is very educational :ebert:

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14 April 2015

Tuesday

 

 

Proboscis Monkey

 

Endemic to Borneo, the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) has one of the most unusual appearances of any of the leaf-eating monkeys of the family Cercopithecidae. Both the Latin and common names of this species refer to the mature males' large pendulous nose that hangs down over their mouth. Local people referred to these large monkeys with their potbellies and red noses as 'Dutch monkeys' as they were considered such a caricature of the Dutch sailors and plantation owners of the area.

 

Only a few studies on this intriguing primate have been carried out and little is known about their ecology and behaviour. Groups consist of single mature males and around 6 females and their young; adolescent males form bachelor groups until they can take over their own harem. Groups join together in larger more fluid troops to rest at dusk; these encounters may be noisy with rival males displaying to each other and often crashing through the branches. Unusually, females may switch harems several times in their lives, and they compete between each other to mate with the male of their group. When a female is ready to mate she will perform a head shaking and presenting display. A single offspring is born after a gestation period of nearly 6 months, remaining with their mother for the first few years; males will then leave to join bachelor groups.

 

Young leaves make up the majority of the proboscis monkey diet between June and December, and fruit from January to May, although seeds and flowers are also consumed. These monkeys are excellent swimmers and have partially webbed feet; they can be seen readily leaping into the water with a dramatic belly flop in order to cross rainforest rivers.

 

 

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What of the tree with the fungus growing on it...the opening shot?

 

http://i.imgur.com/0p9YmFI.png

 

Maybe it's a burl:

 

http://www.terrain.n...-tree-burl.html

 

I've walked through some woodlands in my time, but never have I seen burls on trees before.

Walnut trees are known for their burls. The wood is highly prized by woodworkers.

april-095.jpg?w=450

 

I'm going to have to take another walk through the woodlands again some time.

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14 April 2015

Tuesday

 

 

Proboscis Monkey

 

Endemic to Borneo, the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) has one of the most unusual appearances of any of the leaf-eating monkeys of the family Cercopithecidae. Both the Latin and common names of this species refer to the mature males' large pendulous nose that hangs down over their mouth. Local people referred to these large monkeys with their potbellies and red noses as 'Dutch monkeys' as they were considered such a caricature of the Dutch sailors and plantation owners of the area.

 

Only a few studies on this intriguing primate have been carried out and little is known about their ecology and behaviour. Groups consist of single mature males and around 6 females and their young; adolescent males form bachelor groups until they can take over their own harem. Groups join together in larger more fluid troops to rest at dusk; these encounters may be noisy with rival males displaying to each other and often crashing through the branches. Unusually, females may switch harems several times in their lives, and they compete between each other to mate with the male of their group. When a female is ready to mate she will perform a head shaking and presenting display. A single offspring is born after a gestation period of nearly 6 months, remaining with their mother for the first few years; males will then leave to join bachelor groups.

 

Young leaves make up the majority of the proboscis monkey diet between June and December, and fruit from January to May, although seeds and flowers are also consumed. These monkeys are excellent swimmers and have partially webbed feet; they can be seen readily leaping into the water with a dramatic belly flop in order to cross rainforest rivers.

 

 

 

What a gorgeous color! :)

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14 April 2015

Tuesday

 

 

Proboscis Monkey

 

Endemic to Borneo, the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) has one of the most unusual appearances of any of the leaf-eating monkeys of the family Cercopithecidae. Both the Latin and common names of this species refer to the mature males' large pendulous nose that hangs down over their mouth. Local people referred to these large monkeys with their potbellies and red noses as 'Dutch monkeys' as they were considered such a caricature of the Dutch sailors and plantation owners of the area.

 

Only a few studies on this intriguing primate have been carried out and little is known about their ecology and behaviour. Groups consist of single mature males and around 6 females and their young; adolescent males form bachelor groups until they can take over their own harem. Groups join together in larger more fluid troops to rest at dusk; these encounters may be noisy with rival males displaying to each other and often crashing through the branches. Unusually, females may switch harems several times in their lives, and they compete between each other to mate with the male of their group. When a female is ready to mate she will perform a head shaking and presenting display. A single offspring is born after a gestation period of nearly 6 months, remaining with their mother for the first few years; males will then leave to join bachelor groups.

 

Young leaves make up the majority of the proboscis monkey diet between June and December, and fruit from January to May, although seeds and flowers are also consumed. These monkeys are excellent swimmers and have partially webbed feet; they can be seen readily leaping into the water with a dramatic belly flop in order to cross rainforest rivers.

 

 

:LOL: They look like the comedians of the monkey world

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15 April 2015

Wednesday

 

 

World's Most Beautiful Mosquito?

 

This flamboyantly colored mosquito is known only by its scientific name, Sabethes cyaneus, and is an inhabitant of the Panamanian forest canopy.

 

Considered by some entomologists to be the world's most beautiful mosquito, it is bedazzled in brilliant iridescent scales and it sports feathery paddles on the sides of its back legs. The fluffy legs are used in elaborate courtship displays in which they wave their legs and swing their bodies back and forth. This is one of the only cited instances of courtship displays in mosquitoes. An article published in the Journal of Insect Behavior states that, “A male approaches a female suspended from a horizontal stick, suspends himself in front of her as he grasps her folded wings, and proceeds with a series of discrete stereotyped behaviors that involve proboscis vibration and movement of iridescent blue paddles on his midlegs.”

 

Sabethes are forest mosquitoes. The larvae inhabit plant cavities, primarily bamboo and tree-holes, but eggs are also sometimes deposited in the cups of bromeliads. Adults are active during the daylight hours, and although they are attracted to humans on the ground, they are most abundant in the forest canopy.

 

 

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15 April 2015

Wednesday

 

 

World's Most Beautiful Mosquito?

 

This flamboyantly colored mosquito is known only by its scientific name, Sabethes cyaneus, and is an inhabitant of the Panamanian forest canopy.

 

Considered by some entomologists to be the world's most beautiful mosquito, it is bedazzled in brilliant iridescent scales and it sports feathery paddles on the sides of its back legs. The fluffy legs are used in elaborate courtship displays in which they wave their legs and swing their bodies back and forth. This is one of the only cited instances of courtship displays in mosquitoes. An article published in the Journal of Insect Behavior states that, “A male approaches a female suspended from a horizontal stick, suspends himself in front of her as he grasps her folded wings, and proceeds with a series of discrete stereotyped behaviors that involve proboscis vibration and movement of iridescent blue paddles on his midlegs.”

 

Sabethes are forest mosquitoes. The larvae inhabit plant cavities, primarily bamboo and tree-holes, but eggs are also sometimes deposited in the cups of bromeliads. Adults are active during the daylight hours, and although they are attracted to humans on the ground, they are most abundant in the forest canopy.

 

 

They always go for me! :o :o :o

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15 April 2015

Wednesday

 

 

World's Most Beautiful Mosquito?

 

This flamboyantly colored mosquito is known only by its scientific name, Sabethes cyaneus, and is an inhabitant of the Panamanian forest canopy.

 

Considered by some entomologists to be the world's most beautiful mosquito, it is bedazzled in brilliant iridescent scales and it sports feathery paddles on the sides of its back legs. The fluffy legs are used in elaborate courtship displays in which they wave their legs and swing their bodies back and forth. This is one of the only cited instances of courtship displays in mosquitoes. An article published in the Journal of Insect Behavior states that, “A male approaches a female suspended from a horizontal stick, suspends himself in front of her as he grasps her folded wings, and proceeds with a series of discrete stereotyped behaviors that involve proboscis vibration and movement of iridescent blue paddles on his midlegs.”

 

Sabethes are forest mosquitoes. The larvae inhabit plant cavities, primarily bamboo and tree-holes, but eggs are also sometimes deposited in the cups of bromeliads. Adults are active during the daylight hours, and although they are attracted to humans on the ground, they are most abundant in the forest canopy.

 

 

Now there's a Disco Mosquito :cool:

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15 April 2015

Wednesday

 

 

 

World's Most Beautiful Mosquito?

 

This flamboyantly colored mosquito is known only by its scientific name, Sabethes cyaneus, and is an inhabitant of the Panamanian forest canopy.

 

Considered by some entomologists to be the world's most beautiful mosquito, it is bedazzled in brilliant iridescent scales and it sports feathery paddles on the sides of its back legs. The fluffy legs are used in elaborate courtship displays in which they wave their legs and swing their bodies back and forth. This is one of the only cited instances of courtship displays in mosquitoes. An article published in the Journal of Insect Behavior states that, “A male approaches a female suspended from a horizontal stick, suspends himself in front of her as he grasps her folded wings, and proceeds with a series of discrete stereotyped behaviors that involve proboscis vibration and movement of iridescent blue paddles on his midlegs.”

 

Sabethes are forest mosquitoes. The larvae inhabit plant cavities, primarily bamboo and tree-holes, but eggs are also sometimes deposited in the cups of bromeliads. Adults are active during the daylight hours, and although they are attracted to humans on the ground, they are most abundant in the forest canopy.

 

 

 

 

My God that's ....(fill in the blank)

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16 April 2015

Thursday

 

It's been a while since we've had a spider in this thread.

 

 

Bird-dropping Spider

 

(Celaenia excavata)

 

Several groups of spiders have evolved an effective strategy against being eaten by day-active predators like birds and wasps - they have bodies that look like unappetizing bird droppings.

 

One of the best known bird-dropping spiders is Celaenia excavata. Other names for this spider are the death's head spider, as its markings can also resemble the shape of a skull, and the orchard spider, because it is often seen on fruit trees where moths, its main source of food, may be abundant.

 

Its large size, distinctive colour pattern and resting posture all make this dung mimicking spider hard to mistake. The abdomen is broad and triangular in shape, concave along midline, and has a pair of roughened humps towards the rear. The legs are usually held folded against body.

 

The bird-dropping spider also uses mimicry of a quite different sort to capture its prey, which consist almost exclusively of male moths. At night the bird-dropping spider hangs from the edge of a leaf or twig on a short silk thread, its forelegs outstretched. While doing this it releases a chemical scent (pheromone) that mimics the airborne sex pheromone released by female moths to attract their mates. The unfortunate male moths that are attracted by the spider's deceiving pheromone eventually flutter close enough to the spider to be grabbed by its strong front legs.

 

The egg sacs of the bird-dropping spider are large, marbled brown coloured balls, each about 12 mm in diameter and containing more than 200 eggs. Up to 13 sacs are silked together in a group, beneath which the spider may be found sitting by day or hanging by night awaiting prey.

 

The bird-dropping spider is found throughout much of eastern and southern Australia.

 

 

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