There is lots of cow parsley in flower by the roadsides at the moment. As a hopeless botanist – or plant-identifier – I like cow parsley because I usually recognise it and know what it is. Cow Parsley has a variety of other names – like most of our plants, it seems. The nicest, which […]
Morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae)
Morepork, (Ruru) morepork New Zealand has, or rather had only two native owls. Sadly the Laughing Owl is almost certainly extinct, although a few dedicated enthusiasts still search hopefully. Our other native is the Morepork, or Ruru. Both names refect its quite distinctive call. Morepork are common on Stewart Island and we see them quite […]
North Atlantic right whale spotted off Cornwall?
North Atlantic right whales are usually found off the East Coast of USA. Cornish mystery whale could be one or the most endangered species- scientists appeal for more sightings May 2012. Sightings of a large whale off the Cornish coast near Lizard Point are causing a stir amongst scientists who say it could have been […]
Update 2 for Eurasian Eagle Owl
The chick is growing. I noticed his walking around the nest and his flight exercises.
How EU farming policies led to a collapse in Europe’s bird population
New survey shows devastation to farmland birds caused by policies – and experts can see no sign of improvement… They have entranced generations with the beauty of their songs and glimpses of their plumage. But today the sound of the linnet and the vision of a turtle dove are becoming increasingly rare experiences for visitors […]
Snowy Egret – Show Me Those Golden Slippers!
I was photographing at Fort De Soto’s north beach on May 30th, 2008 when I had a very cooperative Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) start fishing in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico right in front of me. People have nicknamed Snowy Egrets “Golden Slippers” because of their yellow feet, this image really shows […]
Ash-throated Flycatchers Nesting in a Natural Cavity
Ash-throated Flycatchers (Myiarchus cinerascens) migrate to Northern California from Mexico and Central America every Spring to nest. They are cavity nesting birds and I one of the species that nest in my birdhouses every year. Every May I look forward to waking up in the morning hearing that sweet gurgling call. The gathering of nest […]
Florida Softshell Turtle
The Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone forax) is an aquatic species native to Florida, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. Rarely found out of it’s fresh water habitat, this female was spotted laying eggs on the bank of a roadside canal in the Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area in Punta Gorda, Florida. The largest of the species abalone, […]