GREEN JAY
Cyanocorax yncas
©dongwu
A species of the New World jay, which exhibits distinct regional variations within its large but discontinuous range. This stretches from southern Texas south into Mexico and Central America, with a break before the species reappears in a broad sweep across the highlands (primarily the Andes) of South America in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. It has been suggested that the North American taxa should be considered separate species, Cyanocorax luxuosus.
Green Jays feed on a wide range of insects and other invertebrates and various cereal grains. They take ebony (Ebenopsis spp.) seeds where these occur, and also any oak species’ acorns, which they will cache. Meat and human scraps add to the diet when opportunity arises. Green Jays have been observed using sticks as tools to extract insects from tree bark.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Jay
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Green Jay
ZENITHOPTERA LANAI - The Morpho of Dragonflies
Zenithoptera lanei
©Jim Johnson
Jim Johnson clip, full text here:
If you focused only on the body of the tiny 1” Zenithoptera—the head, thorax, and abdomen, you’d think these were among the dullest, least interesting odonates that you’ve ever seen. Ah, but the wings are what make them so stunning with that kind-of-hard-to-describe silvery, slightly iridescent blue over the upper surface with just a hint of pale patterning. The color on the females’ wings is a vivid, almost metallic, deep blue with more obvious pale patterning.
Zenithoptera don’t always perch with the wings closed, they spend much of their perching time with the wings fully open (and actually drooping quite a bit like some dragonflies do, looking like flowers when viewed head-on) exposing that beautiful blue color, and only closed them occasionally for short periods. I don’t think anyone really knows why they do it. If the wings were kept closed most of the time I’d suspect it was to avoid being spotted by predators (particularly birds). Even pairs that were copulating alternated between open and closed wings. When the male closed his wings, the female’s head would be hidden.
There is more Zenithoptera weirdness—they can independently raise only the hind pair of wings, but leave the forewings in the open position. After a couple of seconds the hind wings were dropped. This can be repeated several times.
Source:
http://nwdragonflier.blogspot.com/2011/02/zenithoptera-morpho-of-dragonflies.html
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![FRILLED COQUETTELophornis magnificus©jarbas mattos
The Frilled Coquette (Lophornis magnificus) is a species of hummingbird in the Trochilidae family. It is found only in Brazil. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and heavily degraded former forest. At 6.8 cm (2.7 in) and a weight under 3 grams [NOTE: Anonymous pointed out that this is about the weight of a penny], this is one of the smallest birds alive.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frilled_Coquette
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Antillian Crested Hummingbird
Long-tailed Sylph
Indigo-capped Hummingbird](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq9ljuaGBu1qeeqk5o1_500.jpg)
FRILLED COQUETTE
Lophornis magnificus
©jarbas mattos
The Frilled Coquette (Lophornis magnificus) is a species of hummingbird in the Trochilidae family. It is found only in Brazil. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and heavily degraded former forest. At 6.8 cm (2.7 in) and a weight under 3 grams [NOTE: Anonymous pointed out that this is about the weight of a penny], this is one of the smallest birds alive.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frilled_Coquette
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BUSH CRICKET
Ephippiger ephippiger
©d_smets
Species of this genus are mainly present in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Romania, Spain and Switzerland. This photo was shot in Belgium see more photos by Dirk Smets here
In this genus grasshoppers have very small wings, the pronotum resembles a saddle (the Latin name ephippium means ‘saddle of horse ‘). The atrophied wings of Ephippiger species are unfit to flight and only used for the emission of sounds (stridulation)
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephippiger
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Stalk-eyed Fly - pushing eye distance from the head to new limits (also video)
CROWNED HORNBILL
Tockus alboterminatus
©John Thacks
The Crowned Hornbill is an African hornbill. It is a medium-sized bird, with a length between 50 and 54 cm, and it is characterized by its white belly and black back and wings. The tips of the long tail feathers are white. The eyes are yellow; the beak is red and presents a stocky casque on the upper mandible. In females, the casque is smaller.
The Crowned Hornbill is a common resident of the coastal and riverine forests of southern (only the eastern coast) to northeastern Africa. It forages mainly in trees, where it feeds in insects (often caught in flight), small rodents and reptiles, seeds and fruits. This hornbill species can be seen in flocks, usually in the dry season. Four to five white eggs are incubated for 25 to 30 days; the juveniles remain with both parents for about 8 weeks
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowned_Hornbill
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GOLDEN PHEASANT
Chrysolophus pictus
©catlovers
The Golden Pheasant or “Chinese Pheasant” is native to forests in mountainous areas of western China but feral populations have been established in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.
The adult male is 90–105 cm in length, its tail accounting for two-thirds of the total length. It is unmistakable with its golden crest and rump and bright red body. The deep orange “cape” can be spread in display, appearing as an alternating black and orange fan that covers all of the face except its bright yellow eye, with a pinpoint black pupil.
Despite the male’s showy appearance, these hardy birds are very difficult to see in their natural habitat. Consequently, little is known of their behavior in the wild.
They feed on the ground on grain, leaves and invertebrates, but roost in trees at night. While they can fly, they prefer to run: but if startled they can suddenly burst upwards at great speed, with a distinctive wing sound.
Although they can fly in short bursts they are quite clumsy in flight and spend most of their time on the ground. Golden Pheasants lay 8-12 eggs at a time and will then incubate these for around 22–23 days. They tend to eat berries, grubs, seeds and other types of vegetation.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Pheasant
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Pair of MANDARIN DUCKS
Aix galericulata
©Stefano Ronchi
The Mandarin Duck, or just Mandarin, is a medium-sized perching duck, closely related to the North American Wood Duck. It is 41–49 cm long with a 65–75 cm wingspan.
The species was once widespread in eastern Asia, but large-scale exports and the destruction of its forest habitat have reduced populations in eastern Russia and in China to below 1,000 pairs in each country; Japan, however, is thought to still hold some 5,000 pairs.
Specimens frequently escape from collections, and in the 20th century a feral population numbering about 1,000 pairs was established in Great Britain; more recently small numbers have bred in Ireland. Black Mountain, North Carolina also has a limited population. There is also a free-flying feral population of several hundred mandarins in Sonoma County, California. This population is the result of several mandarin ducks escaping from captivity, then going on to reproduce in the wild.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandarin_Duck
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ULYSSES BUTTERFLY
Papilio ulysses
©wildphotos4u / Sandy C
The Ulysses butterfly, Papilio ulysses, also known as the Blue Mountain Butterfly, or the Blue Mountain Swallowtail is a large swallowtail butterfly, endemic to Australasia.
This butterfly is used as an emblem for Queensland tourism.
The Ulysses butterfly typically has a wingspan of about 14 cm (5.5 inches), but depending on subspecies there are some variations in size. The upperside of the wings are an iridescent electric blue; the underside is a more subdued black and brown in colouration. The colours are produced by the microscopic structure of the scales.
The female of the species is different from the male in that she has little crescents of blue in the back, upside sections of her hind wings, where there is only black for males. When the butterfly is perched the intense blue of its wings is hidden by the plainer brown under side of its wings, helping it to blend in with its surroundings. When in flight the butterfly can be seen hundreds of metres away as sudden bright blue flashes. Males are strongly attracted to blue objects which they mistake for females.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papilio_ulysses
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Cluster of Blue Morpho Butterflies
SILVER PHEASANT
Lophura nycthemera
©Tamara Kenneally
The Silver Pheasant is a species of pheasant found in forests, mainly in mountains, of mainland Southeast Asia, and eastern and southern China, with introduced populations in Hawaii and various locations in the US mainland. The male is black and white, while the female is mainly brown. Both sexes have a bare red face and red legs.
This is a relatively large pheasant, with males of the largest subspecies having a total length of 120 to 125 centimetres (47 to 49 in), including a tail of up to 75 centimetres (30 in), while the males of the smallest subspecies barely reach 70 centimetres (28 in) in total length, including a tail of about 30 centimetres (12 in). Females of all subspecies are significanlty smaller than their respective males, with the largest only reaching about 70 centimetres (28 in) in total length.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Pheasant
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FOSSA
Cryptoprocta ferox
©sdzooglobal
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Fossa
Cryptoprocta ferox
Fossas are the largest carnivorous mammals on the island of Madagascar. While they have many cat-like features, they are actually more closely related to the mongoose. They are a widespread species, although population densities are usually low. They strictly live in forested habitats. They hunt both during the day and during the night. Over 50% of its diet consists of lemurs, tenrecs, rodents, lizards, birds, and other animals. Life expectancy is up to 20 years in captivity. The fossa is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. It is generally feared by the Malagasy people and is often protected by their taboo. The greatest threat to their existence is habitat destruction.
Facts | Photo
CHO TOMBO - or BUTTERFLY SKIMMER
Rhyothemis fuliginosa
© myu-myu
Rhyothemis fuliginosa is widespread throughout much of central, southern and eastern China, central and southern Japan and may occur in Vietnam and Myanmar. Its Japanese common name ‘cho-tombo’ literally means a butterfly-like dragonfly, and it does fly like a butterfly.
Population: A stable population and widely distributed.
Population Trend: Stable
Habitat and Ecology: Frequents weedy ponds.
Systems: Freshwater
Major Threat(s): There are no threats known to be presently affecting this species. Conservation Actions: Populations recorded from Protected Areas in China.
Source: http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/167149/0
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MARINE WORM
Family: Polychaete (possibly Tomopteris)
source video: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
Other Polychaete Posts:
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A segmented marine worm of the class Polychaeta. Each body segment has a pair of fleshy protrusions called parapodia.
source video: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
There are two INDIA BLUE PEAFOWL roosting in my oak tree!
Pavo cristatus
©gurusan2010
Current Status - I’m so excited! Two beautiful India Blue peafowl have showed up in our Little Los Angeles canyon, and though I’d not been lucky enough to see them, I’ve heard them calling each other over the past few days - it’s a cross between a goose honk and a raven caw. This afternoon they moved into an oak tree in the side yard. They are currently roosting about 30 feet away from our 2nd story bedroom window. Of course my partner took the long lens I need to photograph them to San Diego this weekend so I haven’t been able to get a good shot - maybe tomorrow. I’m actually not sure yet if they are peahens or juvenile peacocks, as they have the brilliant blue neck feathers but no coverts or train over their tail. They look like the two above (from what I could tell) except for the long tail ad darker wings. I hope they stick around awhile even though they are noisy buggers.
Have I mentioned that peafowl are among my very favorite birds?
UPDATE: They are still here!!! I’ve put out food and water on the roof and hope they’ll come and take it. I’m a little worried about the coyotes if they forage on the ground. My 5 pound cat keeps puffing up and growling at them, it’s pretty funny.
About India Peafowl: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Peafowl
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NICOBAR PIGEON
Caloenas nicobarica
©Winston D. Munnings
Someone asked where they could buy a pair of Nicobar Pigeons in South Africa. I could see where this would be tempting, these are absolutely gorgeous birds. However, I’m not for people keeping wildlife as pets — both because the demand for animals as pets drives the trapping that is often linked to an animals decline in their natural habitat. Also, many animals have specific requirements that make them well-suited for this particular spot on the globe, adaptations present in the wild that make them a poor choice as a captive animals. Specifically, the Nicobar Pigeon is listed as Near Threatened and trapping them for the pet trade is illegal.
Here’s why:
The species is also trapped for the local pet market, but as it is on CITES Appendix I, such trade is generally illegal. Internationally, captive breeding is able to supply the birds demanded by zoos, where this attractive and unusual bird is often seen. Direct exploitation of the species, even including the illegal trade, might be sustainable on its own; however, available nesting habitat is decreasing. For one thing, the offshore islets which it requires are often logged for plantations, destroyed by construction activity, or polluted by nearby industry or harbours. Also, increased travel introduces predators to more and more of the breeding sites, and colonies of the Nicobar Pigeon may be driven to desert such locations or be destroyed outright. Though the bird is widely distributed and in some locations very common – even on small Palau it is still reasonably plentiful, with an estimated 1,000 adult birds remaining –, its long-term future is increasingly being jeopardized. For these reasons, the IUCN considers C. nicobarica a Near Threatened species.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicobar_Pigeon
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Nicobar Pigeon (back view)
Nicobar Pigeon (front vew)
Nicobar Pigeon (side view)
TEXAS WASP MOTH
Horama panthalon
Source: NABA Facebook
Photo: Troy Zurovec
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the diurnal wasp mimic, Texas Wasp Moth (Horama panthalon) at the NABA’s National Butterfly Center in Mission, TX
(via: NABA Facebook) (photo: Troy Zurovec)
