Canoeguruab 

33 creative works found

• 

  Black Swan
  by Rebecca Cruz

  Socrates wrote that the swan sung it’s most beautiful song just before it died, leaving us with the phrase “swan song” More Photography: /

• 

  White Swan
  by Rebecca Cruz

  More Photography: /

• 

  The Poser
  by Rebecca Cruz

  This little snake was obligingly still, sitting in his pose while I crept as close as I dared to take his portrait. Although judging by the look in his eye, I’m not sure he was so pleased. I’m sure he’s not dangerous, but as I have no idea what type of snake this is, I kept a respectable distance! Butchart Gardens, Vancouver Island, BC. .

• 

  On Guard
  by Rebecca Cruz

  A male osprey perches above a nesting female on the Ocklawaha River in Central Florida. The Ocklawaha River is the principal tributary of the St. Johns River and forms the western boundary of the Ocala National Forest. The 110 mile long river flows north from Central Florida until it joins the St. Johns River near Palatka, Florida. The river has suffered severe ecological damage in the 20th century from fertilizer runoff, dredging, pollution and rerouting. The river narrowly escaped becoming part of the Cross Florida Barge Canal. The Osprey is a fish-eating specialist, with live fish accounting for about 99% of its diet. Barbed pads on the soles of its feet help it grip slippery fish. When an Osprey takes a large fish to its nest, it carries the fish headfirst to make it as aerodynamic as possible. Osprey eggs do not hatch all at once, but instead the first chick hatches out up to five days before the last one. The older chick dominates its younger siblings, and can monopolize the food brought by the parents. If food is abundant, little aggression is seen amongst the chicks, but if food is limited, the younger chicks often starve. Osprey numbers declined drastically in 1950-1970s, from pesticide poisoning and eggshell thinning. After the ban on DDT, populations increased rapidly. Still listed as endangered or threatened in some states, especially in inland states where populations were small or after the pesticide years.

• 

  King of the River
  by Rebecca Cruz

  This imposing American Alligator was photographed on the banks of the Ocklawaha River in Central Florida. The Ocklawaha River is the principal tributary of the St. Johns River and forms the western boundary of the Ocala National Forest. The 110 mile long river flows north from Central Florida until it joins the St. Johns River near Palatka, Florida. The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is found only in the southeastern part of the United States with the highest populations found in Florida and Louisiana—a much smaller part of its former range, due in part to change in climate. Alligators can be found in a range of habitats, including marshland, swamps, rivers, lakes and ponds. Alligators are often referred to as “cold-blooded” animals, a literal term, as they cannot automatically control their body temperatures. Being cold-blooded actually is a survival tactic because they don’t need to eat as much or as often as their warm-blooded counterparts. These reptiles are covered with scales or other hard, protective plates. The skull has two holes behind the eye socket that serve as attachment sites for muscle, enabling crocodilians to extend the muscles while exerting literally tons of pressure on their prey. Yet surprisingly, the jaw muscles are weak and can actually be held together with a thick rubber band, a fact that has been skillfully exploited by the Seminole and Miccosukee Indians during their alligator-wrestling shows. Alligators are armed with 80 potentially lethal teeth, shaped like cones, making them perfect for both grabbing and holding onto prey. Below each tooth is a replacement tooth that will appear when the primary tooth gets damaged or worn. However, the teeth aren’t suitable for chewing; alligators swallow their prey either in large chunks or whole, depending on the size of the prey. The alligator diet consists mostly of fish, turtles and snakes, although they have been known to strike an occasional small deer, wading bird, raccoon or even small pets. Source: ecofloridamag.com

• 

  King of the River II
  by Rebecca Cruz

  An American Alligator slides into the Ocklawaha River in Central Florida. The Ocklawaha River is the principal tributary of the St. Johns River and forms the western boundary of the Ocala National Forest. The 110 mile long river flows north from Central Florida until it joins the St. Johns River near Palatka, Florida. The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is found only in the southeastern part of the United States with the highest populations found in Florida and Louisiana—a much smaller part of its former range, due in part to change in climate. Alligators can be found in a range of habitats, including marshland, swamps, rivers, lakes and ponds. Alligators are often referred to as “cold-blooded” animals, a literal term, as they cannot automatically control their body temperatures. Being cold-blooded actually is a survival tactic because they don’t need to eat as much or as often as their warm-blooded counterparts. These reptiles are covered with scales or other hard, protective plates. The skull has two holes behind the eye socket that serve as attachment sites for muscle, enabling crocodilians to extend the muscles while exerting literally tons of pressure on their prey. Yet surprisingly, the jaw muscles are weak and can actually be held together with a thick rubber band, a fact that has been skillfully exploited by the Seminole and Miccosukee Indians during their alligator-wrestling shows. Alligators are armed with 80 potentially lethal teeth, shaped like cones, making them perfect for both grabbing and holding onto prey. Below each tooth is a replacement tooth that will appear when the primary tooth gets damaged or worn. However, the teeth aren’t suitable for chewing; alligators swallow their prey either in large chunks or whole, depending on the size of the prey. The alligator diet consists mostly of fish, turtles and snakes, although they have been known to strike an occasional small deer, wading bird, raccoon or even small pets. Source: ecofloridamag.com

• 

  The Contortionist
  by Rebecca Cruz

  A Black Swan poses at Lake Eola in Orlando, Florida.

• 

  The Great Horned Owl
  by Rebecca Cruz

  Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park, Florida. Found from the Arctic tundra to the tropical rainforest, from the desert to suburban backyards, the Great Horned Owl is one of the most widespread owls in North America. / The Great Horned Owl will take large prey, even other raptorial birds. It regularly kills and eats other owls, and is an important predator on nestling Ospreys. / The Great Horned Owl does not make its own nest, but typically takes over nests in trees made by other bird species.

• 

  Orchard Orbweaver
  by Rebecca Cruz

  Orchard Orbweaver (Leucauge venusta) photographed at Bok Sanctuary in Lake Wales, Florida.