Thanks to the efforts of Senator Gaylord Nelson and the millions of Americans who participated in protests, demonstrations, and fundraisers Earth Day was born. The 1st Earth Day was April 22nd, 1970. The same year a flood of environmental legislation was passed and the EPA was created. In 1990 Earth Day went global with 141ContinueContinue reading “Happy Earth Day!”
Tag Archives: nature
Pigeons can be Beautiful
When you say pigeon most people think of the kind that live in big cities and go after your food in the park. But there are actually 175 different species of pigeons. The Victoria crowned pigeon is arguably the most elegant and ornate species of pigeons. Named after Queen Victoria for their regal appearance. TheContinueContinue reading “Pigeons can be Beautiful”
Oryx in the US…?
Yes. There are wild oryxes (gemsbok) in the U.S.A. No, they are not a native species. They are native to Africa. In the 1970s the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish wanted to increase “large game” opportunities for hunters. So they intentionally released 95 oryxes into New Mexico’s White Sands Missile Range. An AbundanceContinueContinue reading “Oryx in the US…?”
A Mob of Meerkats
Meerkats are members of the mongoose family. They live in the African savannah and yes like Timon they do eat insects, grubs and termites. They also eat scorpions, luckily they are immune to most venoms. Meerkats live in large groups called mobs, clans or gangs. The mob is led by an alpha female, called theContinueContinue reading “A Mob of Meerkats”
The worlds largest bird
You guessed it…The Ostrich These birds are not just big, they are powerful. The ostriches’ main defense is its legs. They can run up to 43 mph (70 kph). When running isn’t an option, ostriches use their foot equipped with a 4-inch long claw. A single kick from an ostrich can kill a lion. OstrichesContinueContinue reading “The worlds largest bird”
Flaming Flamingos
The name “flamingo” comes from Portuguese or Spanish flamengo, meaning “flame-colored” The pink or reddish color of flamingos comes from carotenoids found in the shrimp, plankton, algae and crustaceans they eat. Flamingos have a unique way of eating…upside down. They plunge their head underwater and use their bills like a shovel to scoop up food.ContinueContinue reading “Flaming Flamingos”
Flying Foxes!!..?
Spectacled flying-foxes are megabats, also known as fruit bats, that live in Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the surrounding islands. They are social animals that live in large groups called camps. These bats are very vocal, often chattering all day. The camp I observed in Australia sounded like a school lunchroom. In February 2019 theContinueContinue reading “Flying Foxes!!..?”
Tiny Turtles
ENDANGERED! The black-breasted leaf turtle is one of the smallest turtles in the world. Adults are a maximum of 5 inches. They can move their brilliant eyes independently, like a chameleon. This is especially useful when they are looking for prey. Leaf turtles are omnivores that eat earthworms, insects, and small fruit. Unlike most turtles,ContinueContinue reading “Tiny Turtles”
Flying Monkeys
White-faced sakis are nicknamed “flying monkeys” because of their impressive leaps between trees. They can leap up to 33 ft in a single bound. Only the males have a white face, the females have a black/gray face. These monkeys live in the northern part of South America. Their diet consists of fruit, seeds, leaves, andContinueContinue reading “Flying Monkeys”
On one island
The San Esteban Chuckwalla is an endangered species. These lizards live only on the small Mexican island of San Esteban in the Gulf of California. Chuckwallas are mainly herbivores that occasionally eat insects. They don’t drink water, instead, they get water from the plants they eat. Instead of urinating chuckwallas have a unique way ofContinueContinue reading “On one island”
Eye of the Wild Photography 