Anne marie bokslag
133 creative works found
-
P = Pelican Featured in the Pelicans group and / in the First Things group. This picture is included in the BIRDS!!!! Why the heck have I immigrated to this windy country…. / My hairdo is always getting ruined here!!!! Made in Wissel Animal Park in Epe, The Netherlands.
-
“You people are so boring, I think I go to take a nap….” / Taken in LA Zoo.
-
Polar bear in Ouwehands Animal Park in Rhenen, The Netherlands
-
Featured in the For the Love of Cats group. This is Emma, one of my two cats. She is sitting on her favourite place, a little bit higher than we, so she can watch everything. And hypnotise everybody with these eyes. Miaaaauw
-
This picture is included in the Giraffe calender The Rothschild Giraffe, also known as the Baringo Giraffe, after the Lake Baringo area of Kenya, or as the Ugandan Giraffe, is the second most endangered giraffe subspecies with only a few hundred members. All of those that are living in the wild are in protected areas in Kenya and Uganda. (Recently it has been proposed that the Rothschild Giraffe is actually a separate species from other giraffes and not a giraffe subspecies.) While giraffes in general are classified as Lower Risk: Conservation Dependent, the Rothschild Giraffe is at particular risk of hybridisation, as the population is so limited in numbers. There are very few locations where the Rothschild Giraffe can be seen in the wild, with notable spots being Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya and Murchison Falls National Park in Northern Uganda. There are various captive breeding programmes in place – most notably at The Giraffe Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, and at Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire, England – which aim to expand the genetic gene-pool in the wild population of the Rothschild Giraffe. Rothschild Giraffes are easily distinguishable from other subspecies. The most obvious sign is in the colouring of the coat, or pelt. Where the Reticulated Giraffe has very clearly defined dark patches with bright whitish channels between them, the Rothschild Giraffe more closely resembles the Masai Giraffe. However, when compared to the Masai Giraffe, the Rothschild subspecies is paler, the orange-brown patches are less jagged and sharp in shape and the connective channel is of a creamier hue compared to that seen on the Reticulated Giraffe. In addition, the Rothschild Giraffe displays no markings on the lower leg, giving the impression that it is wearing white stockings. Another distinguishing feature of the Rothschild Giraffe, although harder to spot, is the number of horns on the head. This is the only subspecies to be born with five ‘horns’. Two of these are ‘true’ horns at the top of the head, in common with all giraffes. The third ‘horn’ can often be seen in the centre of the giraffe’s forehead and the other two behind each ear.[6] They are also taller than many other subspecies, measuring up to six metres tall (20 ft). Rothschild Giraffes mate at any time of the year and have a gestation period of 14 to 16 months, with one calf generally being born. They live in small herds, with males and females (and their calves) living separately, only mixing for mating. Males are larger than females and their two ‘true’ horns are usually bald from sparring. They also tend to be darker in colour than the females, although this is not a guaranteed sexing indicator. / Source: Wikipedia Picture taken in Animalpark Amersfoort, where they have only a male group of the Rothshild Giraffe and the Reticulated Giraffe Featured in the Love a Giraffe group.
-
Featured in the Just Butterflies group and / Winner of the Treasure Hunt Series A Challenge in the 12 Great Features group and therefore featured in this group. A = Attacus Atlas / The Atlas moth (Attacus atlas) is a large saturniid moth found in the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia, southern China, common across the Malay archipelago, Thailand to Indonesia. In India, Atlas moths are cultivated for their silk in a non-commercial capacity; unlike that produced by the related Silkworm moth (Bombyx mori), Atlas moth silk is secreted as broken strands. This brown, wool-like silk is thought to have greater durability and is known as fagara. Atlas moth cocoons have been employed as purses in Taiwan. Atlas moths are considered to be the largest moths in the world in terms of total wing surface area (upwards of c. 400 square cm or 65 square inches). Their wingspans are also amongst the largest, from 25-30 cm (10-12 inches). Females are appreciably larger and heavier. (The largest lepidopteran in terms of wingspan is thought to be the White Witch, Thysania agrippina. A record specimen of Attacus atlas from Java measured 262 mm while Thysania are claimed to be about 270-280 mm or 11 inches. Based on some spread specimens and angle of wing, actual measurements of around 289 mm have been estimated.) Atlas moths are said to be named after either the Titan of Greek mythology, or their map-like wing patterns. In Hong Kong the Cantonese name translates as “snake’s head moth”, referring to apical extension of the forewing, which bears a passing resemblance to a snake’s head. Atlas moths are predominantly tawny to maroon in colour with roughly triangular, diaphanous “eyes” on both forewing and hindwing, bordered in black. The purpose of these dramatic, gossamer portals is not clear, but they are thought to play a role in predator avoidance. Their bodies are hairy and disproportionately small compared to their wings. Patterns and colouration vary among the many described subspecies. Male Atlas moths are distinguished from females by their smaller size, more tapered wings, and larger, bushier antennae. Neither sex possess fully-formed mouthparts and therefore do not feed; throughout their 1-2 week adult life they survive entirely on larval fat reserves that they build up while they are caterpillars. Females are sexually passive, releasing powerful pheromones which males detect and home in on with the help of chemoreceptors located on their large feathery antennae. Males may thus be attracted from several kilometres downwind. Atlas moths are unsteady fliers and the female does not stray far from the location of her discarded chrysalis: she seeks a perch where the air currents will best carry her pheromones. Once mated the female lays a number of spherical eggs 2.5 mm in diameter on the undersides of leaves. Dusty-green caterpillars hatch after about two weeks and feed voraciously on the foliage of certain citrus and other evergreen trees.[8] The caterpillars are adorned with fleshy spines along their backs which are covered in a waxy white substance. After reaching a length of about 115 mm (4.5 inches), the caterpillars pupate within papery cocoon interwoven into desiccated leaves. The adult moths emerge after about four weeks. / Source: Wikipedia Picture taken in the butterfly house in Northern Animal Park in Emmen, The Netherlands. Canon 1000N
-
Winner of the Plumb & Pudgy Challenge of the Mood & Ambience group and / of the Fat and Sassy! Challenge of the Squirrels & Chipmunks group. Featured in the Squirrel group and / in the Northern California Style group. This ground squirl I found on a parking place in San Simeon, where you can watch the elephant seals. Unfortunately people are feeding them with the wrong food. But,... it gave me this shot. Canon EOS Digital Rebel / Canon Zoom lens EF 90-300mm 1:4,5-5,6 USM / Exposure time 1/640s / Aperture value f/10 / ISO 400 / Focal lenght 200mm
-
Winner of the Q Challenge of the Alphabet Soup group. Featured in / the ImageWriting group; / the California Sound group; / the American Southwest group, / the Alphabet Soup group and / the Hiostoric Places group. Also available as T-Shirt Listed as American Heritage. RMS Queen Mary is an ocean liner that sailed the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967 for the Cunard Line (then Cunard White Star Line). Built by John Brown and Company, Clydebank, Scotland, she was designed to be the first of Cunard’s planned two-ship weekly express service from Southampton to Cherbourg to New York, in answer to the mainland European superliners of the late 1920s and early 1930s. After their release from World War II troop transport duties, Queen Mary and her running mate RMS Queen Elizabeth commenced this two-ship service and continued it for two decades until Queen Mary’s retirement in 1967. The ship is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is permanently berthed in Long Beach, California serving as a museum ship and hotel. The Queen Mary celebrated the 70th anniversary of her launch in both Clydebank and in Long Beach during 2004, and the 70th anniversary of her maiden voyage in 2006. There was already a Clyde turbine steamer named Queen Mary, so Cunard White Star reached agreement with the owners that the existing steamer would be renamed TS Queen Mary II, and in 1934 the new liner was launched by Queen Mary as RMS Queen Mary. The first incident in what was to be an eventful career occurred just after the naming ceremony. On her way down the slipway, the Queen Mary began increase her speed towards the water and she almost overshot her projected stopping point in the Clyde racing onwards towards the opposite bank before the drag chains took full effect. After her retirement in 1967, she steamed to Long Beach, California, where she is permanently moored as a tourist attraction. From 1983 to 1993, the Queen Mary was accompanied by Howard Hughes’ Spruce Goose, which was located in a large dome nearby (the dome is now used by Carnival Cruise Lines as a ship terminal, and formerly as a soundstage). Long Beach did not buy the Queen Mary to preserve her as an ocean liner. Since they started drilling for oil in Long Beach Harbor, some of the revenue had been set aside in the “Tidelands Oil Fund.” Some of this money was allocated in 1958 for the future purchase of a maritime museum for Long Beach. The Queen Mary was purchased to be the iconic host for this museum. Ghosts have been reported on board only after she reached California. Many areas are rumored to be haunted. Reports of hearing little children crying in the nursery room, actually used as the third-class playroom, and a mysterious splash noise in the drained first-class swimming pool are cited. In 1966, 18-year-old fireman John Pedder was crushed by a watertight door in the engine room during a drill, and his ghost is said to haunt the ship. The Queen Mary operates daily paranormal themed tours, some of which have theatrics applied for dramatic effect. Guests may also pay for private paranormal investigations, and are encouraged to document their paranormal experiences, if any. The ship also maintains a haunted maze and expands to multiple mazes during Halloween. Canon EOS 40D / Canon Zoom lens EF-S 17-85mm 1:4-5.6 IS USM lens / Exposure time 30 s / Aperture value f/20 / ISO 400 / Focal length 41 mm
-
Featured in the AMERICA’s National Parks and WILDLIFE Habitat group and / in the Squirrels and Chipmunks group. White-tailed Antelope Squirrel (Ammospermophilus leucurus) Met this little guy when walking around in the Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. / Boy they were fast. Hard to follow and even harder to focus on. / Sitting on the ground helped …lol. They didn’t see me immediately! Canon EOS 40D / Canon Zoom lens EF 100-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6 L IS / Exposure time 1/4000s / Aperture value f/5.6 / ISO 800 / Focal length 400 mm
-
Winner of the It’s all in the Eyes Challenge of the Exotic Mammals group; / of the The Eye Of The Tiger Challenge of the Eye Contact group and / of the Never Been Featured in Tiger Tiger Challenge of the Tiger, Tiger group. Featured in the Exotic Mammals group, / in the ImageWriting group, / in the Animal Kingdom group, / in the The Beauty of Nature group, / in the Eye Contact group and / in the 300+ Go Long! group. Today, November 28th, 2009 it got 66 favoritings and 952 views! Sumatran Tiger The Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) is a subspecies of tiger found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Recent genetic testing has revealed the presence of unique genetic markers, which isolate Sumatran tigers from all mainland subspecies. Currently, there are only 100-400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild. Like most wild cats, Sumatran tigers are solitary animals that live within marked, carefully guarded territory. Hunting begins at dusk and is by no means easy: tigers may travel more than 20 miles to find suitable prey, and will successfully catch their target only one out of every ten or twenty attempts. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: The Sumatran Tiger is the smallest of all tiger subspecies. Male Sumatran tigers average 204 cm (6 feet, 8 inches) in length from head to tail and weigh about 136 kg. Females average 198 cm (6 feet, 6 inches) in length and weigh about 91 kg (200 lb). Its stripes are narrower than other subspecies of tigers’ stripes, and it has a more bearded and maned appearance, especially the males. Its small size makes it easier to move through dense rain forests. It has webbing between its toes that, when spread, makes Sumatran tigers very fast swimmers. It has been known to drive hoofed prey into the water, especially if the prey animal is a slow swimmer. DIET: Sumatran Tigers commonly prey on larger ungulates, like Wild Boar, Malayan Tapir and deer, and sometimes also smaller animals, like fowl, monkeys, and fish. Orangutans could be prey, but since they spend a minimal amount of time on the ground, tigers rarely catch one. HABITAT: The Sumatran tiger is only found naturally in Sumatra, a large island in western Indonesia. It lives anywhere from lowland forests to mountain forest and inhabits many unprotected areas. Only about 400 live in game reserves and national parks, The largest population of about 110 tigers lives in Gunung Leuser National Park. Another 100 live in unprotected areas that will soon be lost and the rest are spread out in areas that are quickly being lost to agriculture. The reserves are not safe because, despite conservation efforts, many tigers are killed by poachers each year. The Sumatran Tiger is found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra in habitat that ranges from lowland forest to sub mountain and mountain forest including some peat swamp forests. According the Tiger Information Centre and the World Wildlife Fund there are no more than 500 of these tigers left in the wild with some estimates considerably lower. For the most part, these tigers are solitary, with the only basic social unit being the mother and her young. Males rarely associate with a specific female and may claim a territory containing several females. Territories are marked with scents on bushes or other plants; scratches on trees, or scrapes on the ground, which generally help to eliminate possible confrontations. Mating typically occurs in winter or spring, and the mother will give birth to two to four cubs. She raises them alone and they will be totally dependent on her for food until about 18 months. At about two years the cubs will become independent, and will reach full maturity at about three and a half years for females and five years for males. Average life span is 15 years but they may reach up to 26 years in captivity. Analysis of DNA is consistent with the hypothesis that the Sumatran Tigers have been isolated after a rise in sea level at the Pleistocene to Holocene border (about 12,000-6,000 years ago) from other tiger populations. In agreement with this evolutionary history, the Sumatran Tiger is genetically isolated from all living mainland tigers, which form a distinct group, closely related among each other. STATUS: Critically Endangered. Continued agricultural habitat destruction, poaching, and killing of tigers that come into contact with villagers, all intensify the crises surrounding tiger. The continuing loss of habitat is intensifying the crises to save this tiger. In August of 2009, thieves broke into the Taman Rimba Zoo on Sumatra and poached a female Sumatran Tiger. / (Source: Wikipedia) / / Picture made in LA Zoo Canon EOS 40D / Canon Zoom lens EF 90-300mm 1:4,5-5,6 USM / Exposure time 1/500s / Aperture value f/5 / ISO 800 / Focal length300 mm
-
Porto (Portuguese pron. IPA: [ˈpoɾtu]), also Oporto in English, is Portugal’s second city and capital of the Norte NUTS II region. The city is located in the estuary of the Douro river in northern Portugal. The largest city in the region, Porto is considered the economic and cultural heart of the entire region. The city, which had an estimated population of about 220,000 (est.2008), lies at the centre of the political Greater Metropolitan Area of Porto, with a population of slightly more than 1.7 million (est. 2008), and is the main agglomeration of northern Portugal. The city of Porto comprises 15 civil parishes. The historic centre of Porto was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. In 2001, Porto shared the designation European Culture Capital with Rotterdam. In the scope of these events, the construction of the major concert hall space Casa da Música, designed by the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, was initiated and finished in 2005. In August 1820, Porto rebelled against the English presence, resulting in a civil war in Portugal. In 1822, a liberal constitution was accepted, partly through the efforts of the liberal assembly of Porto (Junta do Porto). When Miguel of Portugal took the Portuguese throne in 1828, he rejected this constitution and reigned as an absolutist monarch. Porto rebelled again and had to undergo a siege of eighteen months between 1832 and 1833 by the Portuguese army. After the abdication of king Miguel the liberal constitution was re-established. Canon EOS 40D / Canon Zoom lens EF-S 17-85mm 1:4-5.6 IS USM lens
-
Featured in the Canon DSLR group. This picture is hanging on one of the walls of the visitors center of Arlington National Cemeteray in Virginia. It’s a picture of the funeral of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. The picture is in B/W, but on this time of a sunny day you can see reflections from the outside, which makes it almost a coloured picture. Canon EOS 40D / Canon Zoom lens EF-S 17-85mm 1:4-5.6 IS USM lens / Exposure time 1/2s / Aperture value f/14 / ISO 200 / Focal length 50 mm
-
Featured in the Latin Flair group, / in the Amazing Graves group and / in the Image Writing group. Please read the whole story In 1995 I travelled around in Peru for about 2 month. Among other places I visited Nazca. A small place halfway South between Lima and the border with Chili. Nazca is well known because of the Nazca lines and drawings in the sand. / When we were there one of the taxi drivers brought us to the desert where, as he explained, we would find some interesting things. / When we were approaching the place we only saw sand with some white dots. He stopped and let us out of the car. / It was quite windy, so out of the car we couldn’t look far. We started walking around and then all of a sudden we were confronted with a place like this…... I can asure you, it was a kind of a shock, but also intriguing. So when we got over it we started walking around and found lots of these: The Pre Inca Cemetery of Chauchilla / For many years Chauchilla cemetery was looted by treasure hunters, who destroyed the place completely, taking away all the treasures the mummies kept in their tombs for centuries. Grave robbers just left behind the corpses, which can be seen today all over the ground. In addition to skulls and bones, visitors also can see several tombs centuries’ old, as well as long human hairs, ceramic fragments and others remains scattered on the dessert surface. It is the only archaeological site in Peru, in which ancient mummies are seen in their original graves, along with ancient artifacts, dating back to 1000 AD. Nowadays you can book trips to this site. I finally found a reasonable solution for my old film images, of which this is the first one. Canon EOS 1000N
-
Featured in the ImageWriting group, / in the Canon DSLR group, / in the AMERICAN PATRIOT group (2x), / in the United States group and / in the Historic Places group. The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. / (American Historic Heritage) The Tomb of the Unknowns (also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) is guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and in any weather by Tomb Guard sentinels. Sentinels, all volunteers, are considered to be the best of the elite 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard), headquartered at Fort Myer, Va. After members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry become ceremonially qualified, they are eligible to volunteer for duty as sentinels at the Tomb. If accepted, they are assigned to Company E of The Old Guard. Each soldier must be in superb physical condition, possess an unblemished military record and be between 5 feet, 10 inches and 6 feet, 4 inches tall, with a proportionate weight and build. An interview and a two-week trial to determine a volunteer’s capability to train as a tomb guard is required. During the trial phase, would-be sentinels memorize seven pages of Arlington National Cemetery history. This information must be recited verbatim in order to earn a “walk.” A walk occurs between guard changes. A daytime walk is one-half hour in the summer and one hour in the winter. All night walks are one hour. If a soldier passes the first training phase, “new-soldier” training begins. New sentinels learn the history of Arlington National Cemetery and the grave locations of nearly 300 veterans. They learn the guard-change ceremony and the manual of arms that takes place during the inspection portion of the Changing of the Guard. Sentinels learn to keep their uniforms and weapons in immaculate condition. The sentinels will be tested to earn the privilege of wearing the silver Tomb Guard Identification Badge after several months of serving. First, they are tested on their manual of arms, uniform preparation and their walks. Then, the Badge Test is given. The test is 100 randomly selected questions of the 300 items memorized during training on the history of Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns. The would-be badge holder must get more than 95 percent correct to succeed. Only 400 Tomb Guard Badges have been awarded since it was created in February 1958. The Tomb Guard Identification Badge is a temporary award until the badge-holding sentinel has honorably served at the Tomb of the Unknowns for nine months. At that time, the award can be made a permanent badge, which may then be worn for the rest of a military career. The silver badge is an upside-down, laurel-leaf wreath surrounding a depiction of the front face of the Tomb. Peace, Victory and Valor are portrayed as Greek figures. The words “Honor Guard” are shown below the Tomb on the badge. There are three reliefs, each having one relief commander and about six sentinels. The three reliefs are divided by height so that those in each guard change ceremony look similar. The sentinels rotate walks every hour in the winter and at night, and every half-hour in the day during the summer. The Tomb Guard Quarters is staffed using a rotating Kelly system. Each relief has the following schedule: first day on, one day off, second day on, one day off, third day on, four days off. Then, their schedule repeats. The guard is changed every hour on the hour Oct. 1 to March 31 in an elaborate ritual. From April 1 through September 30, there are more than double the opportunities to view the change because another change is added on the half hour and the cemetery closing time moves from 5 to 7 p.m. An impeccably uniformed relief commander appears on the plaza to announce the Changing of the Guard. Soon the new sentinel leaves the Quarters and unlocks the bolt of his or her M-14 rifle to signal to the relief commander to start the ceremony. The relief commander walks out to the Tomb and salutes, then faces the spectators and asks them to stand and stay silent during the ceremony. The relief commander conducts a detailed white-glove inspection of the weapon, checking each part of the rifle once. Then, the relief commander and the relieving sentinel meet the retiring sentinel at the center of the matted path in front of the Tomb. All three salute the Unknowns who have been symbolically given the Medal of Honor. Then the relief commander orders the relieved sentinel, “Pass on your orders.” The current sentinel commands, “Post and orders, remain as directed.” The newly posted sentinel replies, “Orders acknowledged,” and steps into position on the black mat. When the relief commander passes by, the new sentinel begins walking at a cadence of 90 steps per minute. The Tomb Guard marches 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb, turns, faces east for 21 seconds, turns and faces north for 21 seconds, then takes 21 steps down the mat and repeats the process. After the turn, the sentinel executes a sharp “shoulder-arms” movement to place the weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors to signify that the sentinel stands between the Tomb and any possible threat. Twenty-one was chosen because it symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed—the 21-gun salute. Duty time when not “walking” is spent in the Tomb Guard Quarters below the Memorial Display Room of the Memorial Amphitheater where they study Cemetery “knowledge,” clean their weapons and help the rest of their relief prepare for the Changing of the Guard. The guards also train on their days off. The Guards of Honor at the Tomb of the Unknowns are highly motivated and are proud to honor all American service members who are “Known But to God.” Canon EOS 40D / Canon Zoom lens EF-S 17-85mm 1:4-5.6 IS USM lens / Exposure time 1/500s / Aperture value f/5,6 / ISO 400 / Focal length 85 mm
-
Featured in the 5D Mark II group. This picture is included in the Only Owls calendar The Great Grey Owl or Lapland Owl (Strix nebulosa) is a very large owl, distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. Adults have a big, rounded head with a grey face and yellow eyes with darker circles around them. The underparts are light with dark streaks; the upper parts are grey with pale bars. This owl does not have ear tufts and has the largest facial disc of any raptor. In terms of length, the Great Grey Owl rivals the Eurasian Eagle Owl and the Blakiston’s Fish Owl as the world’s largest owl. However, much of its size is deceptive, since this species’ fluffy feathers, long tail and large head obscure a body lighter than that of most other large owls. The length ranges from 61 to 84 cm (24 to 33 in), averaging 72 cm (27 in) for females and 67 cm (26 in) for males. The wingspan can exceed 152 cm (60 in), but averages 142 cm (56 in) for females and 140 cm (55 in) for males. The adult weight ranges from 700 to 1800 grams (1½ to 4 lb), averaging 1290 grams (2 lb 14 oz) for females and 1000 g (2 lb 3 oz) for males. The males are usually smaller than females, as in most owl species. They breed in North America from Lake Superior to the Pacific coast and Alaska, and from Finland and Estonia across northern Asia. They are permanent residents, but may move south and southeast when food is scarce. A small population, estimated at less than 100 birds, occurs in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. This population is the southernmost population of the species’ range and is listed Endangered under California’s Endangered Species Act. These birds wait, listen, and watch for prey, then swoop down; they also may fly low through open areas in search of prey. Their large facial disks focus sound, and the asymmetrical placement of their ears assists them in locating prey, because of the lack of light during the late and early hours in which they hunt. On the nesting grounds, they mainly hunt at night and near dawn and dusk; at other times, they are active mostly during the night. They have excellent hearing, and may locate (and then capture) prey moving beneath 60 cm (2 feet) of snow in a series of tunnels solely with that sense. These owls can crash through snow that could support the weight of a 180-pound person[citation needed]. Unlike the more versatile eagle and horned owls, Great Grey Owls rely almost fully upon small rodents, with voles being their most important food source. Locally, alternative prey animals (usually comprising less than 20% of prey intake) include hares, moles, shrews, weasels, thrushes, grouse, Gray Jays, small hawks and ducks. Great Grey Owl juveniles may themselves fall prey to bears, fishers, and large hawks, especially Northern Goshawks; while adults may fall prey to Bubo owls and lynxes. The call of the adult is a series of very deep, rhythmic whoos, which is usually given in correlation to their territories or in interactions with their offspring. At other times, adults are normally silent. The young may chitter, shriek or hiss. IUCN Red List least concern species. Canon EOS 5D Mark II / Canon Zoom lens EF 100-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6 L IS / Exposure time 1/1250s / Aperture value f/5.6 / ISO 800 / Focal length 400 mm Picture made at the Roofvogelboerderij in Berkel en Rodenrijs, The Netherlands
-
Featured in the DSLR Users Only group. Also available as T-Shirt This picture is included in the Only Owls calendar The Rock Eagle Owl also called the Indian Eagle Owl or Bengal Eagle Owl, Bubo bengalensis is a species of large horned owl found in South Asia. They were earlier treated as a subspecies of the Eurasian Eagle Owl. They are found in hilly and rocky scrub forests, and are usually seen in pairs. They have a deep resonant booming call that may be heard at dawn and dusk. They are typically large owls, and have “tufts” on their heads. They are splashed with brown, and grey and have a white throat patch with black small stripes. This species is often considered a subspecies of the Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo and is very similar in appearance. The facial disk is unmarked and has a black border, a feature that is much weaker in the Eurasian form. The base of the primaries is unbanded and rufous. The tail bands have the tawn bands wider than the black ones. A large pale scapular patch is visible on the folded wing. They are seen in scrub and light to medium forests but are especially seen near rocky places within the mainland of the Indian Subcontinent south of the Himalayas and below 5000 feet elevation. Humid evergreen forest and extremely arid areas are avoided. Bush covered rocky hillocks and ravines, and steep banks of rivers and streams are favourite haunts. It spends the day under the shelter of a bush or rocky projection, or in a large mango or similar thickly foliaged tree near villages. Their diet consists of rodents, reptiles and birds. The deep resonant two note calls are characteristic and males deliver these “long calls” mainly during dusk in the breeding season. The peak calling intensity is noticed in February. Young birds produce clicks, hisses and open up their wings to appear larger than they are. Nesting adults will fly in zig zag patterns and mob any potential predators (including humans) who approach the nest. Their diet through much of the year consists of rodents, but birds seem to be mainly taken towards winter. Prey species of birds include partridges, doves, Indian Roller, the Shikra and the Spotted Owlet. Birds the size of a peacock are sometimes attacked. Rodents noted in a study in Pondicherry were Tatera indica, Golunda ellioti, Rattus sp., Mus booduga and Bandicota bengalensis. Bats were also preyed on. In Pakistan, Nesokia indica is an important prey item in their diet. Mammals the size of a Black-naped hare Lepus nigricollis may be taken. In Pakistan, they have been found to take Lepus capensis and Eupetaurus cinereus. When feeding on rodents, they tear up the prey rather than swallow them whole. Captives feed on about 61g of prey per day. The nesting season is November to April. The eggs number three to four and are creamy white, broad roundish ovals with a smooth texture. They are laid on bare soil in a natural recess in an earth bank, on the ledge of a cliff, or under the shelter of a bush on level ground. The nest site is reused each year. Source: Wikipedia IUCN Red List least concern species. Canon EOS 5D Mark II / Canon Zoom lens EF 100-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6 L IS / Exposure time 1/800s / Aperture value f/5.6 / ISO 400 / Focal length 400 mm Picture made at the Roofvogelboerderij in Berkel en Rodenrijs, The Netherlands
-
Featured in the For the Love of Canon group and / in the Eye Contact group. The Great Grey Owl or Lapland Owl (Strix nebulosa) is a very large owl, distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. Adults have a big, rounded head with a grey face and yellow eyes with darker circles around them. The underparts are light with dark streaks; the upper parts are grey with pale bars. This owl does not have ear tufts and has the largest facial disc of any raptor. In terms of length, the Great Grey Owl rivals the Eurasian Eagle Owl and the Blakiston’s Fish Owl as the world’s largest owl. However, much of its size is deceptive, since this species’ fluffy feathers, long tail and large head obscure a body lighter than that of most other large owls. The length ranges from 61 to 84 cm (24 to 33 in), averaging 72 cm (27 in) for females and 67 cm (26 in) for males. The wingspan can exceed 152 cm (60 in), but averages 142 cm (56 in) for females and 140 cm (55 in) for males. The adult weight ranges from 700 to 1800 grams (1½ to 4 lb), averaging 1290 grams (2 lb 14 oz) for females and 1000 g (2 lb 3 oz) for males. The males are usually smaller than females, as in most owl species. They breed in North America from Lake Superior to the Pacific coast and Alaska, and from Finland and Estonia across northern Asia. They are permanent residents, but may move south and southeast when food is scarce. A small population, estimated at less than 100 birds, occurs in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. This population is the southernmost population of the species’ range and is listed Endangered under California’s Endangered Species Act. These birds wait, listen, and watch for prey, then swoop down; they also may fly low through open areas in search of prey. Their large facial disks focus sound, and the asymmetrical placement of their ears assists them in locating prey, because of the lack of light during the late and early hours in which they hunt. On the nesting grounds, they mainly hunt at night and near dawn and dusk; at other times, they are active mostly during the night. They have excellent hearing, and may locate (and then capture) prey moving beneath 60 cm (2 feet) of snow in a series of tunnels solely with that sense. These owls can crash through snow that could support the weight of a 180-pound person[citation needed]. Unlike the more versatile eagle and horned owls, Great Grey Owls rely almost fully upon small rodents, with voles being their most important food source. Locally, alternative prey animals (usually comprising less than 20% of prey intake) include hares, moles, shrews, weasels, thrushes, grouse, Gray Jays, small hawks and ducks. Great Grey Owl juveniles may themselves fall prey to bears, fishers, and large hawks, especially Northern Goshawks; while adults may fall prey to Bubo owls and lynxes. The call of the adult is a series of very deep, rhythmic whoos, which is usually given in correlation to their territories or in interactions with their offspring. At other times, adults are normally silent. The young may chitter, shriek or hiss. IUCN Red List least concern species. Canon EOS 5D Mark II / Canon Zoom lens EF 100-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6 L IS / Exposure time 1/1600s / Aperture value f/5.6 / ISO 200 / Focal length 400 mm Picture made at the Roofvogelboerderij in Berkel en Rodenrijs, The Netherlands
-
Featured in the Canon DSLR group and / in the ImageWriting group. This picture is included in the Only Owls calendar The Ural Owl (Strix uralensis ) is a medium-large nocturnal owl of the genus Strix, with up to 15 subspecies found in Europe and northern Asia. The Ural Owl is smaller than the Great Grey Owl, and much larger than the Tawny Owl, which it superficially resembles. Distinguishing features apart from the size are the pale, buffish grey-brown Plumage, with copious dark brown streaking on the back, back of the head and underparts. It has a round head with plain buffish-grey facial discs, orange-yellow bill and small black eyes. The tail is long and wedge-shaped, with dark barring on the uppertail, and the wings are rounded. Flight is direct and purposeful, recalling that of the Common Buzzard. Sexes are similar, with no seasonal variation. Size: 50-59 cm; Wingspan: Male 115 cm, female 125 cm; Weight: Male 540-730 g, female 720-1200 g. The Ural Owl has an extended distribution area in Europe and Asia, from Sakhalin, Japan and Korea in the east to Scandinavia in the west. The northern border is at approximately 65 degrees north latitude, and the southern border follows the southern delimitation of the taiga. There are relict populations in the mountains of central Europe belonging to the subspecies S.u.macroura. Birds in northeast Poland and Scandinavia belong to the subspecies S.u.liturata, and those in western Siberia to the nominate race S.u. uralensis. The northern populations of the Ural Owl occupy similar habitat to the Great Grey Owl, nesting in lowland forests but avoiding dense areas, especially those of purely conifers. In central Europe it is an upland species, preferring deciduous woodland. It usually occupies open woodland and is more often found in moist rather than dry areas. It nests in hollow tree trunks, occasionally in old raptor nests, and increasingly in nestboxes. It normally lays two to four eggs, which hatch after 27-34 days. The young leave the nest after about four weeks, but will not fly until about six weeks old. It is a very aggressive owl, chasing other birds of prey from its territory, and it will attack human intruders, especially when young are present. The Ural Owl feeds on rodents and medium-sized to large birds such as Jays and Willow Grouse, although normally only up to the size of a Woodpigeon. Its territorial call, which can carry up to two kilometres, is a soft, deep ‘wo-ho….. woho uhwo-ho’. Birds also give unmistakable yapping ’ wau – wau ’ calls, which are delivered by both sexes. IUCN Red List least concern species Canon EOS 40D / Canon Zoom lens EF 100-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6 L IS / Exposure time 1/1000s / Aperture value f/5.6 / ISO 320 / Focal length 300 mm Picture made at the Roofvogelboerderij in Berkel en Rodenrijs, The Netherlands
-
Featured in the I Love Birds group. This picture is included in the Only Owls calendar Siberian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo sibiricus – “Sugar Puff” Found: Central to Western Siberia The Siberian Eagle Owl prefers mountainous forest, semi-desert and rocky slopes. Being the biggest owl in the world it will take large birds, a variety of small and medium mammals, rabbits and hares, roe deer fawns, young foxes, hedgehogs, frogs, newts, crabs and farmyard cats. Whereas most diurnal birds rely on speed of impact to kill their prey, the Siberian Eagle Owl uses its 250 pounds per square inch crushing power (in each foot!) to obtain its meal. The Siberian Eagle Owl will have between one and three offspring, with each owlet taking twelve weeks to go from egg to fully grown owl. / Status: Widespread but scarce everywhere, locally endangered. Canon EOS 40D / Canon Zoom lens EF 100-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6 L IS / Exposure time 1/800s / Aperture value f/11 / ISO 320 / Focal length 400 mm Picture made at the Roofvogelboerderij in Berkel en Rodenrijs, The Netherlands
-
This picture is included in the Only Owls calendar The Barn Owl (Tyto alba) is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds. It is also referred to as Common Barn Owl, to distinguish it from other species in the barn-owl family Tytonidae. These form one of the two living main lineages groups of owls, the other being the typical owls (Strigidae). T. alba is found almost anywhere in the world outside polar and desert regions, as well as all of Asia north of the Alpide belt, most of Indonesia and the Pacific islands. It is known by many other names, which may refer to the appearance, habitat or the eerie, silent flight: White Owl, Silver Owl, Demon Owl, Ghost Owl, Death Owl, Night Owl, Rat Owl, Church Owl, Cave Owl, Stone Owl, Monkey-faced Owl, Hissing Owl, Hobgoblin or Hobby Owl, Golden Owl, Scritch Owl, Screech Owl, Straw Owl, Barnyard Owl and Delicate Owl. Golden Owl might also refer to the related Golden Masked-owl (T. aurantia). Hissing Owl and – particularly in the USA – “screech owl” refer to the piercing calls of these birds, but the latter term usually refers to typical owls of the genus Megascops. The Ashy-faced Owl (T. glaucops) was for some time included in T. alba, and by some authors its Lesser Antilles populations insularis and nigrescens still are. The Barn Owls from the Indopacific region are sometimes separated as Eastern Barn-owl, Australian Barn-owl or Delicate Barn-owl (T. delicatula). While this may be warranted, it is not clear between which races to draw the line between the two species. Also, some island subspecies are occasionally treated as distinct species. While all this may be warranted, such a move is generally eschewed pending further information on Barn Owl phylogeography. The Barn Owl is a pale, long-winged, long-legged owl with a short squarish tail. Depending on subspecies, it measures c.25-45 cm in overall length, with a wingspan of about 75-100 cm. Tail shape is a way of distinguishing the Barn Owl from true owls when seen in flight, as are the wavering motions and the open dangling feathered legs. The light face with its peculiar shape and the black eyes give the flying bird an odd and startling appearance, like a flat mask with oversized oblique black eyeslits, the ridge of feathers above the bill somewhat resembling a nose. Its head and upperparts are a mixture of buff and grey (especially on the forehead and back) feathers in most subspecies. Some are purer richer brown instead, and all have fine black-and-white speckles except on the remiges and rectrices, which are light brown with darker bands. The heart-shaped face is usually bright white, but in some subspecies it is browner. The underparts (including the tarsometatarsus feathers) vary from white to reddish buff among the subspecies, and are either mostly unpatterned or bear a varying amount of tiny blackish-brown speckles. It was found that at least in the continental European populations, females with more spotting are healthier on average. This does not hold true for European males by contrast, where the spotting varies according to subspecies. The bill varies from pale horn to dark buff, corresponding to the general plumage hue. The iris is blackish brown. The toes, as the bill, vary in color; their color ranges from pinkish to dark pinkish-grey. The talons are black. Barn Owl nestlings are covered in white down all over, but the heart-shaped facial disk is visible soon after hatching. Contrary to popular belief, it does not hoot (such calls are made by typical owls, like the Tawny Owl or other Strix). It instead produces the characteristic shree scream, ear-shattering at close range. It can hiss like a snake, and when captured or cornered, it throws itself on its back and flails with sharp-taloned feet, making for an effective defense. Across its vast range, the Barn Owl has formed many subspecies, but several are considered to be intergrades between more distinct populations today. Still, some 20-30 seem to be worthy of recognition as long as the species is not split up. They vary mainly in size and color, sometimes according to Bergmann’s and Gloger’s Rules, sometimes more unpredictably. This species ranges in color from the almost beige-and-white nominate subspecies, erlangeri and niveicauda to the nearly black-and-brown contempta. This is the Tyto alba alba (Scopoli, 1769) – W Europe from the British Isles south to the Maghreb and west along Mediterranean coastal regions to NW Turkey in the north and the Nile in the south, where it reaches upstream to NE Sudan. Also Aïr Mountains in the Sahara of Niger, Balearic Islands and Sicily in the Mediterranean, and the W Canary Islands (El Hierro, La Gomera, La Palma Gran Canaria and Tenerife). Intergrades with guttata from the Balkans through Hungary and along the Rhine and lower Meuse rivers, and with affinis around the Egypt-Sudan border. Includes hostilis, kirchhoffi, kleinschmidti, pusillus. African populations might belong to erlangeri. / Upperparts grey and light buff. Underparts white, with few if any black spots; males often appear entirely unspotted. / Source: Wikipedia IUCN Red List least concern species Canon EOS 5D Mark II / Canon Zoom lens EF 100-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6 L IS / Exposure time 1/800s / Aperture value f/11 / ISO 320 / Focal length 400 mm Picture made at the Roofvogelboerderij in Berkel en Rodenrijs, The Netherlands
-
Featured in the Topshelf Wildlife & Nature Art group. The Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) is a medium-sized eagle in the bird family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as buzzards, kites and harriers. It is the only member of the genus Terathopius and probably the origin of the “Zimbabwe bird”, national emblem of Zimbabwe. This is a common resident species of the open savanna country in Sub-Saharan Africa. It nests in trees, laying a single egg which is incubated by the female for 42 to 43 days, with a further 90 to 125 days until fledging. Bateleurs pair for life, and will use the same nest for a number of years. Unpaired birds, presumably from a previous clutch, will sometimes help at the nest. The Bateleur is a colourful species with a very short tail (ecaudatus is Latin for tailless) which makes it unmistakable in flight. The adult male is 60 to 75 cm (24 to 30 in) long with a 175 cm (5.75 ft) wingspan. He has black plumage except for the chestnut mantle and tail, grey shoulders, and red facial skin, bill and legs. The female is similar to the male except that she has grey rather than black secondary flight feathers. Immature birds are brown with white dappling and have greenish facial skin. It takes them seven or eight years to reach full maturity. The eagle hunts over a territory of 250 square miles (650 km2) a day. The prey of this raptor is mostly birds, including pigeons and sandgrouse, and also small mammals; it also takes carrion. The Bateleur is generally silent, but on occasions it produces a variety of barks and screams. “Bateleur” is French for “tight-rope walker”. This name describes the bird’s characteristic habit of tipping the ends of its wings when flying, as if catching its balance. In some countries, the Bateleur is occasionally known as the “Conifer Eagle” or even “Pine Eagle”, since its feathers somewhat resemble a conifer cone when it fluffs itself up. Canon EOS 40D / Canon Zoom lens EF 100-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6 L IS / Exposure time 1/800s / Aperture value f/6.3 / ISO 320 / Focal length 400 mm Picture made at the Roofvogelboerderij in Berkel en Rodenrijs, The Netherlands
-
Featured in the Woman Photographer group, / in the Canon DSLR group and / in the Cee’s Fun Artsy Friends group. This picture is included in the Only Owls calendar The Great Grey Owl or Lapland Owl (Strix nebulosa) is a very large owl, distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. Canon EOS 5D Mark II / Canon Zoom lens EF 100-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6 L IS / Exposure time 1/1250s / Aperture value f/5.6 / ISO 800 / Focal length 400 mm Picture made at Roofvogelboerderij in Berkel en Rodenrijs, The Netherlands
-
Featured in the 300+ Go Long! group and / in the Animals in Action group. A Rock Eagle Owl in flight. Canon EOS 5D Mark II / Canon Zoom lens EF 100-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6 L IS / Exposure time 1/1000s / Aperture value f/5.6 / ISO 800 / Focal length 400mm Picture made at Roofvogelboerderij in Berkel en Rodenrijs, The Netherlands
-
Featured in the ImageWriting group and / in the Playful Photogenic Animals group. The Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European Kestrel, Eurasian Kestrel, or Old World Kestrel. In Britain, where no other brown falcon occurs, it is generally just called “the kestrel”. This species occurs over a large range. It is widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as occasionally reaching the east coast of North America. But although it has colonized a few oceanic islands, vagrant individuals are generally rare; in the whole of Micronesia for example, the species was only recorded twice each on Guam and Saipan in the Marianas. Common Kestrels measure 32–39 cm (13-15 in) from head to tail, with a wingspan of 65–82 cm (26-32 in). Females are noticeably larger, with the adult male weighing 136-252 g (c,5-9 oz), around 155 g (around 5.5 oz) on average; the adult female weighs 154-314 g (about 5.5-11 oz), around 184 g (around 6.5 oz) on average. They are thus small compared with other birds of prey, but larger than most songbirds. Like the other Falco species, they have long wings as well as a distinctive long tail. Their plumage is mainly light chestnut brown with blackish spots on the upperside and buff with narrow blackish streaks on the underside; the remiges are also blackish. Unlike most hawks, they display sexual colour dimorphism with the male having less black spots and streaks, as well as a blue-grey cap and tail. The tail is brown with black bars in females, and has a black tip with a narrow white rim in both sexes. All Common Kestrels have a prominent black malar stripe like their closest relatives. The cere feet, and a narrow ring around the eye are bright yellow; the toenails, bill and iris are dark. Juveniles look like adult females, but the underside streaks are wider; the yellow of their bare parts is paler. Hatchlings are covered in white down feathers, changing to a buff-grey second down coat before they grow their first true plumage. If you want to know more about the Krestel check Wikipedia Canon EOS 40D / Canon Zoom lens EF 100-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6 L IS / Exposure time 1/1600s / Aperture value f/5.6 / ISO 400 / Focal length 400mm
RedBubble is a great place to find art, design, photos and writing from over 80,000 talented people.
You can buy their stuff
On stunning greeting cards, awesome t-shirts or beautiful prints to hang on your walls.
Risk Free Returns
It’s really simple. If you’re not happy with your purchase for any reason, we’ll fix it.
About RedBubble
Since February 2007 we’ve shipped over 326,400 items to more than 70 countries around the world.
Join In
Sign up for your free account, upload your work, join some groups and share your creative genius with the world.