Please share your photos of nature, wildlife, etc.

[jordyonbass]

Aaaaaand some more from the vault. I didn't realize that I have as many pics as I do, I know for a fact that there are hundreds that are still missing.
Goes to show how much time I have spent on the water in my near-30 years

 

[jordyonbass]

Some more shots.

 

[december-fire]

Jordy,

I was in the process of logging in to comment on your first set of photos, only to find that you've posted more great shots! Wonderful!

You've clearly shown some of the ocean's many emotions!

I love your photos of sunrises and sunsets on the water; simply stunning!

The shot of Sydney Harbour is gorgeous! Your iconic landmarks are well known to millions around the world, even those of us who have not had the pleasure of seeing them in person.

Wow, I can only imagine the reaction of the tagman and others at tagging the fish when he jumped out of the water. Hmmm, a 'Psychotic Spearfish'. Haven't heard of that species, but I bet you've dealt with many during your life.

Thanks for sharing more of your wonderful experiences at sea.

 

[december-fire]

A couple of photos taken from terra firma, unlike Jordy's amazing shots!

Male Cardinal

 

[jordyonbass]

Jordy,

I was in the process of logging in to comment on your first set of photos, only to find that you've posted more great shots! Wonderful!

You've clearly shown some of the ocean's many emotions!

I love your photos of sunrises and sunsets on the water; simply stunning!

The shot of Sydney Harbour is gorgeous! Your iconic landmarks are well known to millions around the world, even those of us who have not had the pleasure of seeing them in person.

Wow, I can only imagine the reaction of the tagman and others at tagging the fish when he jumped out of the water. Hmmm, a 'Psychotic Spearfish'. Haven't heard of that species, but I bet you've dealt with many during your life.

Thanks for sharing more of your wonderful experiences at sea.

Thanks DF! Sydney Harbour is one of my playgrounds from when I was a kid, I know it like the back of my hand. I like the lower part of the harbour further towards the ocean as there's a few other historic landmarks around there although I mostly like it for how beautiful the natural scenery is.

If it wasn't against forum policy then I would post some links to my YT vids where you can see how psychotic the Spearfish was. It ran me around the back of the boat like an absolute madman

 

[jordyonbass]

A few more from the vault.

 

[mochiko42]

Just got back from a long weekend in Krabi. I can't wait to go back!

 

[december-fire]

A few more from the vault.

Jordy,

That vault contains a lot of priceless items (and memories, I bet)!

Thanks for sharing!

 

[december-fire]

Just got back from a long weekend in Krabi. I can't wait to go back!

Mochiko42,

What a beautiful piece of paradise!

After seeing your post, I had to google Krabi to learn more about it, including its location.

I hope you get to return soon and often!

Thank you for sharing this gorgeous view with us!

 

[mochiko42]

Thanks, December-fire!

Krabi was beautiful, but less touristy than other places in Thailand such as Samui or Phuket. It's a 3 hour flight from where I live so not too far away! I've always want to see all the seven seas. The Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean) is the 4th out of 7th for me.

Sadly though the coral reefs seem to be suffering from the effects of climate change - I saw some coral bleaching and quite a few sea urchins (not a good sign as too many sea urchins can lead to coral reef erosion).

We had an amazing time. Kayaking in the mangrove forest, snorkeling in emerald waters, island hopping on the traditional Thai longboat, and just lounging on the beach. Also all the coconut juice and mango w/sticky rice I could ask for!

Here are a few more photos.


The beautiful Andaman sea - can you see the fish? I saw clown fish, angel fish, parrot fish, and a lot of other reef life. Incidentally this is one of my holy grail colors for gemstones..

 

[december-fire]

Mochiko42,

Oh, those are breathtaking!

What a gorgeous location! The water is an incredible colour (yes, I did spot the fish!), the landscape is beautiful, and the flower you posted is so lovely!

Congratulations on seeing four of the seven seas!

Thank you for sharing your photos of this wonderful spot. Many of us may not be fortunate enough to actually see it in person.

If you'd like to share more photos, that would be great!

 

[december-fire]

Red-Winged Blackbirds

When not in flight, they appear to be almost all black with just a bit of red and yellow.
However, when they spread their wings, they reveal a larger amount of bright red.

 

[december-fire]

Pileated Woodpecker - male

A couple of times when I've been out, people have asked if I'd seen a Pileated Woodpecker.
I'd never even heard of it. I didn't start learning about birds until I got my camera.

Yesterday, I saw (and photographed!) a male and a female!

First up, the male.
He differs from the female in that he has red on his cheeks, and the red on top of his head extends much further towards his beak compared to the female.

These birds are big!
Length: 16-19 inches (40-49 cm)
Wing Span: 26-30 inches (66-75 cm)

 

[december-fire]

Pileated Woodpecker - female

I think the look she's giving me in the second photo is because she saw me checking out her mate.
He's hard to ignore with that flashy hairstyle he sports.

 

[december-fire]

And, finally, a female Pileated Woodpecker on one side of the tree and a female Downy Woodpecker on the other!

I don't expect to see that again!

It helps show the size difference between these two.

It was funny because I don't think they were aware of the other's presence at first.

 

[mochiko42]

And, finally, a female Pileated Woodpecker on one side of the tree and a female Downy Woodpecker on the other!

I don't expect to see that again!

It helps show the size difference between these two.

It was funny because I don't think they were aware of the other's presence at first.

December-fire, you are so fortunate to have such wildlife near you! Do you need to use a powerful zoom lens to get the photos?
My MIL lives on the shores of Lake Superior and she gets woodpeckers too, with red markings, but not quite the same as the ones in your photo.

 

[mochiko42]

Red-Winged Blackbirds

When not in flight, they appear to be almost all black with just a bit of red and yellow.
However, when they spread their wings, they reveal a larger amount of bright red.

That first photo of the blackbird in flight is amazing! Did you have to wait a long time to get that shot? What a majestic creature.

 

[mochiko42]

Mochiko42,

Oh, those are breathtaking!

What a gorgeous location! The water is an incredible colour (yes, I did spot the fish!), the landscape is beautiful, and the flower you posted is so lovely!

Congratulations on seeing four of the seven seas!

Thank you for sharing your photos of this wonderful spot. Many of us may not be fortunate enough to actually see it in person.

If you'd like to share more photos, that would be great!

You don't know what you're asking... I love to share travel photos. I will try to balance out my Thailand photos with a few from previous trips, then that's it so I don't take over this whole thread!!


Krabi - the sea is so warm, like swimming in your bathtub.


Our hotel

 

[jordyonbass]

Pileated Woodpecker - female

I think the look she's giving me in the second photo is because she saw me checking out her mate.
He's hard to ignore with that flashy hairstyle he sports.

The look on her face in that second pic is hilarious! She's hardly impressed at all

 

[packrat]

Jordy, the picture of Sydney Harbor is stunning. When I finally am able to see it in person, I know I will cry.

 

[mochiko42]

I got some nice photos in New Zealand last year. New Zealand made me feel so small, in a good way, in that I appreciated how magical and amazing the natural world is.

Lake Pukaki, on the way to Mt Cook


Kaikoura. The second photo is a seal nursery. The baby seals are playing and being supervised by the mother seals. Soooo cuteeeee...



Hot springs in Rotorua. The waters are naturally these colors!
[

Hobbiton. I've always wanted to live in a hobbit hole..

 

[mochiko42]

OK, final batch of photos for now. When I have time, I'll try to find my nature photos from Tibet and Xinjiang - they're such beautiful places yet sadly it is not that easy to visit there now due to political unrest.

Some of my favorite photos from my travels


Hong Kong - this beach is 1.5 hours from my doorstep. (1 hr drive, 1/2 hr hike)


Abu Dhabi - A man and his camel watch the sun going down in the Arabian desert. I could easily imagine Maurice Jarre's music from Lawrence of Arabia in the background.
I think this might be the best photo I've ever taken. Right place, right time.


Miyajima (Japan) - My husband's favorite moment from our travels. Deer lining up at the beer stand!


Kyoto (Japan) - Because it's that time of year again. The sakura/cherry blossom season.

 

[december-fire]

And, finally, a female Pileated Woodpecker on one side of the tree and a female Downy Woodpecker on the other!

I don't expect to see that again!

It helps show the size difference between these two.

It was funny because I don't think they were aware of the other's presence at first.

December-fire, you are so fortunate to have such wildlife near you! Do you need to use a powerful zoom lens to get the photos?
My MIL lives on the shores of Lake Superior and she gets woodpeckers too, with red markings, but not quite the same as the ones in your photo.

Mochiko,

Yes, I'm fortunate and appreciative of that fact.

I use a 70-300 mm lens but the woodpeckers were only about 20 feet from me.

I'm thinking of getting a more powerful zoom, but at this particular spot the birds are usually pretty close (thanks to the birdfeeders people have put out).

 

[december-fire]

Red-Winged Blackbirds

When not in flight, they appear to be almost all black with just a bit of red and yellow.
However, when they spread their wings, they reveal a larger amount of bright red.

That first photo of the blackbird in flight is amazing! Did you have to wait a long time to get that shot? What a majestic creature.

Mochiko,

I'm so glad you like it!

Red-Winged Blackbirds are common here, but I included the second and third photo in case some people aren't familiar with these birds.

I took these photos, and the Pileated Woodpecker photos, during the same hour spent at this location.

I just try to be quiet, patient and observant. But the animals and birds are the ones in control of the action! I've been going out thinking 'Oh, I'd love to see deer today!', or 'Gee, it would be great to get birds in flight, today!'. But I've found that my hopes or wishes have no bearing whatsoever on what transpires.

I want animal photos but, apparently, the birds have decided that they'll be my main subjects ... for now.

 

[december-fire]

Mochiko,

The new photos you've posted are incredible!

I'm speechless.

The photo taken in Abu Dhabi is wonderful. The deer lining up for beer is hilarious. The hotel and other shots are stunning.

I love that photos, like art, can create a feeling or emotion within the viewer.

Thank you!

 

[december-fire]

Pileated Woodpecker - female

I think the look she's giving me in the second photo is because she saw me checking out her mate.
He's hard to ignore with that flashy hairstyle he sports.

The look on her face in that second pic is hilarious! She's hardly impressed at all

Jordy,

I know! Some females are soooo possessive about their mate!

I can understand, though, he looks like the type that seeks out attention. He must spend hours on styling his hair. Tell me he doesn't use gel to get that 'wind swept-just rolled out of bed' look.

 

[december-fire]

Not being familiar with birds, I was surprised to see the additional eye covering on the Pileated Woodpecker. Apparently, as indicated below, its common to woodpeckers.

A woodpecker’s brain is protected by a spongy elastic material between their bill and their skull that holds their brain snugly and provides a cushion. This keeps their brains from getting injured while they bang away at at tree at a remarkable rate and force. For instance, the pileated woodpecker can strike a tree trunk at around 20 times per second, with around the same force as if you would hit your face against a wall at around 16 miles per hour. They do this around 12,000 times a day on average.

Woodpeckers also have a special membrane over their eyes that closes each time their beak strikes the wood. This membrane, combined with a portion of their eye lid which will swell with blood to increase pressure on the eye, is thought to help hold the eye in place and possibly keep it from popping out as they peck away. Just as practically, the membrane also protects the eye from debris.


In the second photo, its looks as though he's dozing off. Guess he finds me boring!

 

[Scandinavian]

Scandinavian mountains

 

[mochiko42]

Scandinavian mountains

Wow!! <3 Remind me of Hans Christian Andersen's Snow Queen story.

 

[mochiko42]

Not being familiar with birds, I was surprised to see the additional eye covering on the Pileated Woodpecker. Apparently, as indicated below, its common to woodpeckers.

A woodpecker’s brain is protected by a spongy elastic material between their bill and their skull that holds their brain snugly and provides a cushion. This keeps their brains from getting injured while they bang away at at tree at a remarkable rate and force. For instance, the pileated woodpecker can strike a tree trunk at around 20 times per second, with around the same force as if you would hit your face against a wall at around 16 miles per hour. They do this around 12,000 times a day on average.

Woodpeckers also have a special membrane over their eyes that closes each time their beak strikes the wood. This membrane, combined with a portion of their eye lid which will swell with blood to increase pressure on the eye, is thought to help hold the eye in place and possibly keep it from popping out as they peck away. Just as practically, the membrane also protects the eye from debris.


In the second photo, its looks as though he's dozing off. Guess he finds me boring!

That's so interesting about the eye membrane. I didn't know that! I knew that sharks have a membrane that covers their eyes when they attack prey (since they don't have eyelids to blink). It's fascinating to see how nature is so similar yet so different.

PS-- yes that woodpecker is totally falling asleep on the job! Maybe it was a long week..