A composition from an area of the beautiful gardens within Nijō Castle, Kyoto, Japan.
Despite it being winter, the gardens still afforded much beauty, peace, serenity and opportunities of contemplation.
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Tags: japan nippon japanese garden nijō castle garden kyoto contemplation peace serenity beautiful garden zen garden tranquility calm winter winter in japan outdoor photography garden composition ishi-dōrō stone lantern mossy garden pine tree green
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This is a female common eider, a sea-duck that breeds in the Arctic, but winters in warmer areas south which is where I saw it in Dorset, England.
I learned that it is the UK's heaviest and fastest flying duck.
The winter sun complimented the plumage so beautifully.
Link to image of male: www.flickr.com/photos/112623317@N03/33906828748/in/photol...
70 cm length.
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Tags: somateria mollissima female eider duck eider duck on the water seaduck aves vertebrate fauna bird photography england winter common eider anseriformes anatidae st. cuthbert's duck cuddy's duck christchurch dorset waterfowl winter sun golden glow birding in the wild bird mudeford
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This is a teddy bear bee, Amegilla bombiformis and then in addition I've been advised, within sub genus Asaropoda.
Seen here on native snake vine, Hibbertia scandens.
Teddy bear bees utilise 'buzz pollination'...the sonication process which helps release the pollen. The flight muscles are used to create vibrations which are transmitted to the flower through the bee's legs, abdomen, mandibles, or thorax.
Chunky and robust, yet fast and agile flyers. All Amegilla species burrow to make nests and they are commonly referred to as 'digger bees.'
Around 12 mm body length.
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Tags: teddy bear bee australian bee bees of australia hymenoptera amegilla bombiformis apidae arthropod invertebrate insect bee pollinating flower pollination snake vine yellow flower summer golden haired mortar bee digger bee buzz pollination bee behaviour asaropoda hibbertia scandens dilleniales dilleniaceae nature nature macro natural world i love nature macro photography australia nsw new south wales entomology fauna vibrating bee wings sonication buzz pollinator
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Dahlia
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Tags: dahlia dahlia close up dahlia macro pale pink petals delicate dreamy soft flower photography asteraceae asterales beauty nature natural world i love nature gentle heart pink nature macro macro photography pretty natures art softly spoken floral ballad flowers in macro mode exquisite
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The antlions are a group of around 2000 species of insect in the neuropteran family Myrmeleontidae.
The larvae are predatory, digging pits to trap passing ants or other prey.
Adults such as this one spend only about a month or so in their adult form, feeding on nectar and pollen.
40 mm body length.
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Tags: adult antlion myrmeleon neuroptera myrmeleontidae myrmeleontinae myrmeleontini antlion lacewing insect insects of australia australian antlion australian insect entomology arthropod invertebrate insect macro macro photography nature natural world i love nature australia nsw new south wales fauna winged insect clubbed antennae
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