not exactly in your backyard, but cool nonetheless:
Wild & Weird: Amazing Technicolor Dream Toad
For the last 87 years, the Borneo rainbow toad might as well have been a myth. No human had seen it since Prohibition, and its only likeness was a beautifully rendered -- but drably black-and-white -- drawing. Although no one knew precisely how cool-looking this toad might be, the legendary leaper made conservation scientists' top 10 list of "most wanted" lost amphibians.
Finally, after months of trekking through high-elevation Borneo rainforests, this summer Malaysian researchers spotted a trio of the toads up three different trees. One scientist took the first-ever photograph of the species -- in living color. Still, the toad's bizarrely bright neon splotches and splatters defy the beholder's belief (especially in these days of Photoshop).
Tragically, the Borneo rainbow toad could disappear again -- this time forever -- due to habitat loss, climate change, collection and other threats. It's our duty to find and conserve the world's lost amphibians -- even if (or because) they look like an eccentric '80s manicure.
not exactly in your backyard, but cool nonetheless:
Wild & Weird: Amazing Technicolor Dream Toad
For the last 87 years, the Borneo rainbow toad might as well have been a myth. No human had seen it since Prohibition, and its only likeness was a beautifully rendered -- but drably black-and-white -- drawing. Although no one knew precisely how cool-looking this toad might be, the legendary leaper made conservation scientists' top 10 list of "most wanted" lost amphibians.
Finally, after months of trekking through high-elevation Borneo rainforests, this summer Malaysian researchers spotted a trio of the toads up three different trees. One scientist took the first-ever photograph of the species -- in living color. Still, the toad's bizarrely bright neon splotches and splatters defy the beholder's belief (especially in these days of Photoshop).
Tragically, the Borneo rainbow toad could disappear again -- this time forever -- due to habitat loss, climate change, collection and other threats. It's our duty to find and conserve the world's lost amphibians -- even if (or because) they look like an eccentric '80s manicure.
Think criminals are the only ones with a grudge against cops? Not in Everett, Wash., where crows have taken a decided dislike to uniformed staff at the police department’s north precinct. Crows have taken over a tree in the lot and are actually dive-bombing officers -- especially the higher-ranking ones -- as they walk to and from their cars. One officer who tried to scare the birds away with a siren got his car plastered with droppings.
A local biologist explained that it’s just about time for baby crows to be leaving the nest, so their parents are extra hostile toward any possible threats. Everett cops have agreed to save their Tasers and guns for human aggressors and just maybe carry umbrellas till the crows are less defensive.
Think criminals are the only ones with a grudge against cops? Not in Everett, Wash., where crows have taken a decided dislike to uniformed staff at the police department’s north precinct. Crows have taken over a tree in the lot and are actually dive-bombing officers -- especially the higher-ranking ones -- as they walk to and from their cars. One officer who tried to scare the birds away with a siren got his car plastered with droppings.
A local biologist explained that it’s just about time for baby crows to be leaving the nest, so their parents are extra hostile toward any possible threats. Everett cops have agreed to save their Tasers and guns for human aggressors and just maybe carry umbrellas till the crows are less defensive.
This is actually Eva's pic (she's uploaded it in her album) but I thought it was worth sharing in here as well.
This poor cockatoo has 'beak and feather disease', which makes them look... um, well you decide. He's a nice little fellow and we feed him whenever he drops by.
Re the pelican - as much as I loved Finding Nemo (and I do have to give Pixar credit for their general accuracy regarding the wildlife), I've always been mildly annoyed that the pelican in the movie is a North american Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis). There are no brown pelicans within 10000 miles of the Great Barrier Reef, and it should have been an Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus), which are almost entirely white.
As always, I am focusing on the big issues.
Other news I managed to get a picture of some cockatoos and galahs eating sunflower seeds on our back lawn which I will upload soon.
I had an injured Sparrowhawk passed into me last week. I looked after it for a few hours until the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) took it. The poor thing had a broken wing which was probably caused by the hawk chasing it's prey into someones conservatory window. If people would hang some decal up or decorate their window with something then there would be less birds getting injured or dying.
Nice one Apostrophe, I shall take a peek.
I posted some new critter pics here: http://www.dweezilzappaworld.com/photo_albums/2223/photos
Nice one apostrophe
Photos are of a Wild Sparrowhawk eating a Pigeon. My brothers Peregrine Falcon and a friends Harris Hawk.
Riding my bike through a local conservation area down the road from my place today & found a few deer wandering around.
This shot is not the best from my cell but they ran after taking it.
Excellent posts all. I got some Buzzard pics and a few other bits and pieces to show.
Will post em up asap.
Keep em' coming guys.
not exactly in your backyard, but cool nonetheless:
Wild & Weird: Amazing Technicolor Dream Toad
Finally, after months of trekking through high-elevation Borneo rainforests, this summer Malaysian researchers spotted a trio of the toads up three different trees. One scientist took the first-ever photograph of the species -- in living color. Still, the toad's bizarrely bright neon splotches and splatters defy the beholder's belief (especially in these days of Photoshop).
Tragically, the Borneo rainbow toad could disappear again -- this time forever -- due to habitat loss, climate change, collection and other threats. It's our duty to find and conserve the world's lost amphibians -- even if (or because) they look like an eccentric '80s manicure.
Read more in The Ne…Read more
not exactly in your backyard, but cool nonetheless:
Wild & Weird: Amazing Technicolor Dream Toad
Finally, after months of trekking through high-elevation Borneo rainforests, this summer Malaysian researchers spotted a trio of the toads up three different trees. One scientist took the first-ever photograph of the species -- in living color. Still, the toad's bizarrely bright neon splotches and splatters defy the beholder's belief (especially in these days of Photoshop).
Tragically, the Borneo rainbow toad could disappear again -- this time forever -- due to habitat loss, climate change, collection and other threats. It's our duty to find and conserve the world's lost amphibians -- even if (or because) they look like an eccentric '80s manicure.
Read more in The New York Times.
Wild & Weird: Crows vs. Cops
Think criminals are the only ones with a grudge against cops? Not in Everett, Wash., where crows have taken a decided dislike to uniformed staff at the police department’s north precinct. Crows have taken over a tree in the lot and are actually dive-bombing officers -- especially the higher-ranking ones -- as they walk to and from their cars. One officer who tried to scare the birds away with a siren got his car plastered with droppings.
A local biologist explained that it’s just about time for baby crows to be leaving the nest, so their parents are extra hostile toward any possible threats. Everett cops have agreed to save their Tasers and guns for human aggressors and just maybe carry umbrellas till the crows are less defensive.
Read more in the Everett Herald.
Wild & Weird: Crows vs. Cops
Think criminals are the only ones with a grudge against cops? Not in Everett, Wash., where crows have taken a decided dislike to uniformed staff at the police department’s north precinct. Crows have taken over a tree in the lot and are actually dive-bombing officers -- especially the higher-ranking ones -- as they walk to and from their cars. One officer who tried to scare the birds away with a siren got his car plastered with droppings.
A local biologist explained that it’s just about time for baby crows to be leaving the nest, so their parents are extra hostile toward any possible threats. Everett cops have agreed to save their Tasers and guns for human aggressors and just maybe carry umbrellas till the crows are less defensive.
Read more in the Everett Herald.
I posted some new pics of baby foxes:
http://www.dweezilzappaworld.com/photos/34162
This is actually Eva's pic (she's uploaded it in her album) but I thought it was worth sharing in here as well.
This poor cockatoo has 'beak and feather disease', which makes them look... um, well you decide. He's a nice little fellow and we feed him whenever he drops by.
I've just uploaded some pics of rainbow lorikeets, sulphur-crested cockatoos and a galah.
http://www.dweezilzappaworld.com/photo_albums/1834/photos
I uploaded some new photos of an osprey and some baby red fox kits... have a gander. There's some white pelicans in there too.
http://www.dweezilzappaworld.com/photos/page/2?photo_album_id=1749
Re the pelican - as much as I loved Finding Nemo (and I do have to give Pixar credit for their general accuracy regarding the wildlife), I've always been mildly annoyed that the pelican in the movie is a North american Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis). There are no brown pelicans within 10000 miles of the Great Barrier Reef, and it should have been an Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus), which are almost entirely white.
As always, I am focusing on the big issues.
Other news I managed to get a picture of some cockatoos and galahs eating sunflower seeds on our back lawn which I will upload soon.
Good one Dave, amazing how they can still fly with a belly full.
Here's a pic of the Great Spotted Woodpecker around it's nesting place.
An amazing bird is the Pelican,it's mouth can hold more than its belly-can.
Cracker pics all.
I had an injured Sparrowhawk passed into me last week. I looked after it for a few hours until the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) took it. The poor thing had a broken wing which was probably caused by the hawk chasing it's prey into someones conservatory window. If people would hang some decal up or decorate their window with something then there would be less birds getting injured or dying.
Here is the Male Sparrowhawk.
Harris Hawk Just off her telephone pole pirch.
Beautiful Great Horned Owl swooping down from the trees.