Tags:   Thalasseus maximus Sterna maxima Sternidae bird nature wildlife Florida

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It's not uncommon to see one Bumblebee on a Dahlia, but I've never seen two on the one flower...!

The Dahlia, I should add is not in our garden...!

(Alas, the bees weren't as sharp as they might have been simply because they weren't very co-operative...! (In other words, they kept moving...!!!).


Thanks so much for the very kind and encouraging comments beneath this photo...! Your support is always greatly appreciated...!

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Canyon Towhees were by far the most common bird at Davis Mountains State Park during my visit this week. They were completely fearless of campers, joining us at meals and getting underfoot. Daytime temperatures during my visit approached 90F each afternoon, even at 5,000 feet, but thankfully there was a constant breeze and comfortable nighttime temperatures in the 40s. In Jeff Davis County, Texas.

Tags:   Canyon Towhee bird perch nature wildlife camping Davis Mountains State Park Jeff Davis County Texas gseloff

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Kruger National Park
South Africa

The martial eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) is a large eagle native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is the only member of the genus Polemaetus.

A species of the booted eagle subfamily (Aquillinae), it has feathering over its tarsus. One of the largest and most powerful species of booted eagle, it is a fairly opportunistic predator that varies it prey selection between mammals, birds and reptiles. Its hunting technique is unique as it is one of few eagle species known to hunt primarily from a high soar, by stooping on its quarry. An inhabitant of wooded belts of otherwise open savanna, this species has shown a precipitous decline in the last few centuries due to a variety of factors.

The martial eagle is one of the most persecuted bird species in the world. Due to its habit of taking livestock and regionally valuable game, local farmers and game wardens frequently seek to eliminate martial eagles, although the effect of eagles on this prey is almost certainly considerably exaggerated.
Currently, the martial eagle is classified with the status of Vulnerable to extinction by the IUCN.

The immature bird looks quite different from the adult. Immature are paler above, and they have white plumage on the underparts. They have a small crest on the crown. They reach adult plumage at about 7 years. Wikipedia

Tags:   South Africa 2011 Kruger National Park South Africa Martial Eagle Immature Polemaetus bellicosus Bird Of Prey Large Eagle Genus Polemaetus Booted Eagle Aquillinae Subfamily Opportunistic High Soar Precipitous Decline Most Persecuted IUCN Vulnerable Immature Bird Quite Different Than Adult Paler Above White Plummage Underparts Small Crest Adult Plumage 7 Years Sue Roehl Pentax K-7

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