24-4-2019 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - SPOTTED REDSHANK (Tringa erythropus)

The spotted redshank (Tringa erythropus) is a wader (shorebird) in the large bird family Scolopacidae. The genus name Tringa is the Neo-Latin name given to the green sandpiper by Aldrovandus in 1599 based on Ancient Greek trungas, a thrush-sized, white-rumped, tail-bobbing wading bird mentioned by Aristotle. The specific erythropus is from Ancient Greek eruthros, "red", and pous, "foot".

Like most waders, it feeds on small invertebrates.

The spotted redshank breeds in the Arctic across much of the Palearctic, from Lapland in the west to Chukotskaya in the east.

It nests on open boggy taiga, laying four eggs in a ground scrape. For breeding the bird moults to a black to dark grey with white spots. During breeding plumage the legs also turn a dark grey.

The spotted redshank (Tringa erythropus) is a wader (shorebird) in the large bird family Scolopacidae. The genus name Tringa is the Neo-Latin name given to the green sandpiper by Aldrovandus in 1599 based on Ancient Greek trungas, a thrush-sized, white-rumped, tail-bobbing wading bird mentioned by Aristotle. The specific erythropus is from Ancient Greek eruthros, "red", and pous, "foot".

It breeds across northern Scandinavia and the northern Palearctic and migrates south to the Mediterranean, the southern British Isles, France, tropical Africa, and tropical Asia for the winter. It is an occasional vagrant to Australia and North America.

This is a large wader (shorebird), measuring 29–31 cm (11–12 in) long,[nb 1] with a wingspan of 61–67 cm (24–26 in) and a weight ranging from 121 to 205 g (4.3 to 7.2 oz).[10] It is black in breeding plumage, and very pale in winter. It has a red legs and bill, and shows a white oval on the back in flight. Juveniles are grey-brown finely speckled white above, and have pale, finely barred underparts. Adults moult completely between July and October. In spring, the body plumage is moulted between March and May. Juveniles have a partial moult between August and February. The call is a creaking whistle teu-it (somewhat similar to the call of a roseate tern), the alarm call a kyip-kyip-kyip.

The Spotted Redshank, Tringa erythropus, is a striking wader belonging to the family Scolopacidae. This elegant bird is characterized by its long, slender legs and bill, both of which are a vivid red in breeding plumage. Adults transform from a sleek black during the breeding season to a very pale grey in winter. A distinctive white oval on the back is visible in flight, and juveniles can be recognized by their grey-brown speckled white upperparts and finely barred underparts.

When identifying the Spotted Redshank, look for its long red legs and bill, particularly during the breeding season. In flight, the white oval on the back is a key feature. The bird measures 29–31 cm in length, with a wingspan of 61–67 cm, and weighs between 121 to 205 grams. The transformation from black breeding plumage to pale winter plumage is quite dramatic, making seasonal identification an intriguing challenge.

The Spotted Redshank breeds in the Arctic expanses of the Palearctic, favoring open boggy taiga. Its preference for such remote and undisturbed habitats is a testament to its wild nature.

This bird has a broad breeding range across northern Scandinavia and the northern Palearctic. It migrates southwards to winter in warmer climes, including the Mediterranean, southern British Isles, France, tropical Africa, and tropical Asia. It is also known to be an occasional vagrant to Australia and North America.

The Spotted Redshank is a migratory species, undertaking long journeys between its breeding and wintering grounds. It is also known for its complete moult between July and October, and a spring moult of body plumage between March and May. Juveniles undergo a partial moult from August to February.

The Spotted Redshank's call is a distinctive creaking whistle, reminiscent of 'teu-it', somewhat akin to the call of a roseate tern. When alarmed, it emits a 'kyip-kyip-kyip' sound.

During the breeding season, the Spotted Redshank adopts a dramatic black to dark grey plumage with white spots, and even its legs turn a dark grey. It nests on the open boggy taiga, laying four eggs in a simple ground scrape.

24-4-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GREAT TIT (Parus major)

The great tit (Parus major) is a small passerine bird, easily recognized by its black head and neck, striking white cheeks, olive upperparts, and vibrant yellow underparts. This bird is the most widespread species in the genus Parus, found across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of North Africa.

Males are characterized by their bright plumage, with a black bib that extends down the belly, bordered by a lemon-yellow breast. Females and juveniles are similar but have duller coloration. The black line down the belly is also narrower and sometimes broken in these birds.

Great tits favor a variety of woodland habitats, including deciduous and mixed forests, forest edges, and even urban parks and gardens. They are also found in riverine woodlands and, in some regions, boreal taiga.

This species is resident throughout its range, which extends from the Iberian Peninsula to the Amur Valley, and from Scandinavia to the Middle East. It is generally non-migratory, except in harsh winters when it may move to more temperate areas.

Great tits are known for their intelligence and adaptability. They exhibit a range of foraging behaviors and can solve problems with insight learning. They are also cavity nesters and are monogamous, with both parents involved in raising the chicks.

The great tit has a repertoire of up to 40 calls and songs, with the male being particularly vocal. A common call resembles the phrase "teacher, teacher," which is used to proclaim territory.

Breeding occurs once a year, with the female laying up to 12 eggs in a cavity nest. The female incubates the eggs alone, but both parents feed the chicks. In most years, the pair will raise two broods.

In summer, the diet is predominantly insectivorous, while in winter, it expands to include seeds and berries. Great tits are adept at handling large food items and are known to visit bird feeders in urban areas.

24-4-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - RUSH VENEER MOTH (Nomophila noctuella)

Nomophila noctuella, the rush veneer, is a species of moth of the family Crambidae.

This species has a nearly cosmopolitan distribution (Europe, North Africa, Central Asia, Pakistan, North America). In Europe, it is a migratory species, travelling from southern Europe and North Africa to Northern Europe.

The wingspan is 26–32 mm. Forewings are very elongated and narrow. The basic color of the forewings is usually brown, with darker wide eight-shaped and reniform markings in the discal and postdiscal areas. Some dark brown spots are present close to the outer edge and to the apex. The hindwings are whitish with brown veins.

The mature larvae are gray green and spotted. They can reach a length of 15–20 millimetres (0.59–0.79 in).

These moths fly from May to September depending on the location. They are attracted to light, and in Europe they are migratory. There are two to four generations per year.

The larvae feed on Trifolium, clover, Medicago, Polygonum aviculare, wheat, Vaccinium and various other grasses. They pupate in a cocoon amongst the leaves of the host plants or on a stone. The pupa hibernates.

24-4-2019 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus)

The common kestrel, Falco tinnunculus, is a bird of prey from the kestrel group within the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In the United Kingdom, it is often simply referred to as the "kestrel." This raptor is small compared to other birds of prey but larger than most songbirds, with long wings and a distinctive long tail.

Males and females exhibit sexual dimorphism in their plumage. The male has a blue-grey cap and tail with a black tip bordered by a narrow white rim. Its back is chestnut with black spots, and the underside is buff with black streaks. The female is larger and lacks the blue-grey coloring, having a brown back with black bars and a similar underside to the male. Both sexes have a prominent black malar stripe, bright yellow cere, feet, and eye-ring, with dark toenails, bill, and iris.

The common kestrel favors open habitats such as fields, heaths, shrubland, and marshland. It does not require woodland but needs alternative perching and nesting sites like rocks or buildings. It thrives in treeless steppes and can adapt to human settlements and various landscapes, from wetlands to arid savannas.

This species has a vast range, being widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa, and occasionally reaching the east coast of North America. It has colonized some oceanic islands, though vagrant individuals are generally rare.

The common kestrel is diurnal and can be sedentary or migratory, depending on the region. It is known for its characteristic hunting behavior, hovering 10-20 meters above the ground before diving steeply onto prey. It is also capable of seeing ultraviolet light, which aids in detecting the urine trails of small mammals.

Breeding occurs in spring or the start of the dry season, with the kestrel preferring cavity nests in cliffs, trees, or buildings. Clutches typically consist of 3-7 eggs, which are incubated by both parents. The young fledge after 4-5 weeks and stay with the family for a short period thereafter.

The lesser kestrel and American kestrel are similar but not closely related. The lesser kestrel lacks black on the upperside except for wing and tail tips, while the American kestrel has much grey in the wings of males.

The common kestrel's diet consists almost exclusively of mouse-sized mammals, such as voles, shrews, and true mice. It may also consume small birds, particularly during the summer when fledglings are abundant. Invertebrates and arthropods can be significant food sources seasonally.

23-4-2019 OLIVA, VALENCIA - ROSE EVENING PRIMROSE (Oenothera rosea)

Oenothera rosea, also known as rosy evening-primrose, rose evening primrose, pink evening primrose, or Rose of Mexico, is a plant belonging to the genus Oenothera and native to northern Mexico and Texas.

Oenothera rosea has flowers with less than 2.5 cm (0.98 in) diameter. The shade varies from pink to red.

23-5-2019 KRUGER NAT PARK, SOUTH AFRICA - SPRINGBOK (Antidorcas marsupialis)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/42283-Antidorcas-marsupialis

 

23-4-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MOORISH GECKO (Tarentola mauritanica)

22-4-2018 OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA - RED CHESTED CUCKOO (Cuculus solitarius)

The red-chested cuckoo, known scientifically as Cuculus solitarius, is a medium-sized bird that graces the African skies south of the Sahara. With a length of about 31 cm, the male boasts slate-grey upper parts and a pale grey throat, with the sides of his head complementing his dark grey tail, which is tipped with white. His breast is a striking rufous or cinnamon, occasionally barred, leading to a creamy-white or pale buff belly. The female mirrors the male in plumage, though her breast is a tad duller and may show varying degrees of barring.

When attempting to identify the red-chested cuckoo, look for the distinctive rufous or cinnamon breast in males, which can sometimes be barred. The slate-grey upper parts and pale grey throat are also key characteristics. Females are similar but with a duller breast color and more variable barring.

The red-chested cuckoo favors woodlands as its preferred habitat, thriving in the lush greenery that these environments provide.

This bird's range is extensive across the African continent, from Angola to Zimbabwe, including countries like Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania. In Southern Africa, it is a common breeding migrant, though it tends to avoid the drier western regions.

4-4-2018 PHINDA GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - WHITE THROATED ROBIN CHAT (Cossypha humeralis)

The white-throated robin-chat or white-throated robin (Dessonornis humeralis) is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is endemic to Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitats are dry savannah and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.

The white-throated robin-chat is found in dry savannah woodland and shrubland.

The White-throated Robin-chat, Dessonornis humeralis, presents itself as a charming bird of the Muscicapidae family. It is recognized by its distinctive white throat, which contrasts with its otherwise muted plumage.

This species can be identified by its white throat, a feature that stands out against its greyish body. The bird's upper parts are brown, while the underparts are paler, providing a subtle yet elegant appearance.

The White-throated Robin-chat is a denizen of dry savannah woodlands and shrublands, where it finds the conditions ideal for its lifestyle.

Endemic to the southern regions of Africa, this bird graces the landscapes of Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe with its presence.

An insectivorous bird by nature, the White-throated Robin-chat also partakes in small vertebrates and some plant material. It is known to forage on the ground, often flipping leaves and debris to uncover hidden prey.

The diet of this bird is quite varied, including beetles, termites, ants, crickets, caterpillars, bugs, spiders, and millipedes. It also enjoys the fruits of several indigenous plants such as the woolly caper-bush and the magic guarrie.

Breeding season for the White-throated Robin-chat occurs in the spring, with nests typically found on or near the ground. The female incubates two or three eggs for about two weeks, and both parents are involved in feeding the chicks. After leaving the nest, the young birds continue to rely on their parents for an additional period.

The White-throated Robin-chat is fortunate to be listed as "Least Concern" by the IUCN, with a stable population across its substantial range in southern Africa.

5-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - SOUTHERN BANDED GROUNDLING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Brachythemis leucosticta

Brachythemis leucosticta, the banded groundling or Southern banded groundling, is a species of dragonfly belonging to the family Libellulidae. It is found in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Brachythemis leucosticta was first formally described as Libellula leucosticta in 1839 by the German entomologist Hermann Burmeister with its type locality designated as Port Natal. It was long considered that there was a single species, the banded groundling, but in 2009 they were split into two species; the Southern banded groundling (B. leucosticta) and the Northern Banded Groundling (B. impartita) with a wide area of overlap in central Africa.

Brachythemis leucosticta is a small species of dragonfly with a length of up to 33 mm (1.3 in) and a wingspan of up to 57 mm (2.2 in). The males have a completely black abdomen and thorax, pterostigmata which are bicoloured including yellow, a very dark brown or blackish band near the tip of each wing and a black face and eyes. The females have a yellow and black thorax and abdomen the colour becoming less bright in older individuals and they have brown banded eyes.

Brachythemis leucosticta is found in East and Central Africa, and its presence has been confirmed in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It may also occur in Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, South Sudan and Sudan. In South Africa it is found in the northern and eastern parts and is largely absent from the Cape region with a few scattered records in the Eastern Cape and a single record from the Western Cape.[5] It is found round small pools in open or savannah area, these pools may or may not have aquatic or emergent vegetation. The females and young males may be encountered some distance from water.

Brachythemis leucosticta prefers to be on or near the ground and will sit in the open. It is a tame species which often follows larger animals, including humans, catching small insects flushed by the larger animals as they walk through the grass. They are rather sociable and gather in mixed sex aggregations. In South Africa the adults are most active between September and May but in more tropical areas the adults are active throughout the year.

5-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (FEMALE) (Trithemis annulata)

Trithemis annulata, commonly known as the violet dropwing, violet-marked darter, purple-blushed darter, or plum-coloured dropwing, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in most of Africa, the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, and southern Europe. These dragonflies are called dropwings because of their habit of immediately lowering their wings after landing on a perch. Males of this species are violet-red with red veins in the wings, while females are yellow and brown. Both sexes have red eyes.

Trithemis annulata is a robust medium-sized species with a wingspan of 60 mm (2.4 in). The mature male has a dark red head and a yellow labium with a brown central spot. The eyes are red with white spots on the rear edge, and the frons is dark metallic purplish-red. The prothorax is violet with slightly darker longitudinal stripes. The membranous wings have distinctive red veins, the pterostigma is orange-brown, and there is a large orange-brown splash at the base of the hind wings. The abdomen is fairly broad and is pinkish-violet, with purple markings on the top of each segment and blackish markings on the terminal three segments. Females are a similar size to males, but the thorax is brownish, and the abdomen is yellow with dark brown markings. The wings of females lack the red veins of males but have similar orange-brown patches. It is very similar in appearance to the red-veined dropwing (Trithemis arteriosa), but that species has a more slender abdomen and a wedge-shaped black area on either side of the tip of the abdomen.

5-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - SOUTHERN BANDED GROUNDLING DRAGONFLY (FEMALE) (Brachythemis leucosticta)

Brachythemis leucosticta, the banded groundling or Southern banded groundling, is a species of dragonfly belonging to the family Libellulidae. It is found in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Brachythemis leucosticta was first formally described as Libellula leucosticta in 1839 by the German entomologist Hermann Burmeister with its type locality designated as Port Natal. It was long considered that there was a single species, the banded groundling, but in 2009 they were split into two species; the Southern banded groundling (B. leucosticta) and the Northern Banded Groundling (B. impartita) with a wide area of overlap in central Africa.

Brachythemis leucosticta is a small species of dragonfly with a length of up to 33 mm (1.3 in) and a wingspan of up to 57 mm (2.2 in). The males have a completely black abdomen and thorax, pterostigmata which are bicoloured including yellow, a very dark brown or blackish band near the tip of each wing and a black face and eyes. The females have a yellow and black thorax and abdomen the colour becoming less bright in older individuals and they have brown banded eyes.

Brachythemis leucosticta is found in East and Central Africa, and its presence has been confirmed in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It may also occur in Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, South Sudan and Sudan. In South Africa it is found in the northern and eastern parts and is largely absent from the Cape region with a few scattered records in the Eastern Cape and a single record from the Western Cape. It is found round small pools in open or savannah area, these pools may or may not have aquatic or emergent vegetation. The females and young males may be encountered some distance from water.

Brachythemis leucosticta prefers to be on or near the ground and will sit in the open. It is a tame species which often follows larger animals, including humans, catching small insects flushed by the larger animals as they walk through the grass. They are rather sociable and gather in mixed sex aggregations. In South Africa the adults are most active between September and May but in more tropical areas the adults are active throughout the year.

5-4-2018 CHOBE RIVER, NAMIBIA - BROAD SCARLET DRAGONFLY (FEMALE) (Crocothemis erythraea)

The scarlet dragonfly (Crocothemis erythraea) is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. Its common names include broad scarlet, common scarlet-darter, and scarlet darter.

The scarlet dragonfly is a common species in southern Europe and throughout Africa. It also occurs across western Asia as far as southern China. It is a very rare vagrant in Britain. Its first record in the country was at Hayle Kimbro Pool, The Lizard, Cornwall, on 7 August 1995. Since then there have been a few further records at scattered locations throughout Britain.

A wide range of both running and standing waters, except those that are shaded. Adults may be found some distance from water in habitats ranging from desert to open woodland; absent from dense forest.

Crocothemis erythraea can reach a length of 33–44 millimetres (1.3–1.7 in). These dragonflies haves a flattened and rather broad abdomen. The adult male scarlet dragonfly has a bright scarlet red, widened abdomen, with small amber patches at the bases of the hindwings. Also the veins on the leading edges of the wings are red. Females and immatures are yellow-brown and have a conspicuous pale stripe along the top of the thorax.

21-4-2018 OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN LION (FEMALE) (Panthera leo)

The lion (Panthera leo) is a large cat of the genus Panthera, native to Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; a short, rounded head; round ears; and a dark, hairy tuft at the tip of its tail. It is sexually dimorphic; adult male lions are larger than females and have a prominent mane. It is a social species, forming groups called prides. A lion's pride consists of a few adult males, related females, and cubs. Groups of female lions usually hunt together, preying mostly on medium-sized and large ungulates. The lion is an apex and keystone predator.

The lion inhabits grasslands, savannahs, and shrublands. It is usually more diurnal than other wild cats, but when persecuted, it adapts to being active at night and at twilight. During the Neolithic period, the lion ranged throughout Africa and Eurasia, from Southeast Europe to India, but it has been reduced to fragmented populations in sub-Saharan Africa and one population in western India. It has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1996 because populations in African countries have declined by about 43% since the early 1990s. Lion populations are untenable outside designated protected areas. Although the cause of the decline is not fully understood, habitat loss and conflicts with humans are the greatest causes for concern.

8-4-2018 THORNYBUSH LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - DIDERIC CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx caprius)

The diederik cuckoo (Chrysococcyx caprius), formerly dideric cuckoo or didric cuckoo is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes, which also includes the roadrunners and the anis.

It is a common resident breeder in Sub-Saharan Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula. It has been recorded as far north as Cyprus (1982 & 2023). It is a short-distance seasonal migrant, moving with the rains. It is a solitary bird, found in open woodland, savanna and riverside bushes.

A small, greenish cuckoo. The male has barred flanks, white flecking on the wing, white patches in front of and behind the eye, and a distinctly red eye surrounded by a red eye-ring. The bronzy-green female has a diagnostic white patch in front of the eye, a plain back, and white patches in the wings. 

This common resident and migrant is not a habitat specialist, but it prefers riverine and wetland areas where its preferred brood-parasite hosts, weavers and bishops, are common. The distinctive call is a loud, rising, high-pitched “deee-deee-deee-deee-dederik”.

27-3-2017 VILLA LAPAS, COSTA RICA - VARIABLE CRACKER BUTTERFLY (Hamadryas feronia)

Hamadryas feronia, the blue cracker or variable cracker, is a species of cracker butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is found in the southern parts of North America and South America and southwards Brazil.

Hamadryas feronia is similar in appearance to Hamadryas guatemalena and Hamadryas iphthime. The upperside of the fore wing is a mosaic pattern of white, brown and bluish-grey, with a row of small eyespots parallel with the outer margin; a small red bar occupies the discal cell. The upperside of the hind wing is similar but has few white patches and larger more distinct eyespots. The underside of the fore wing is white or whitish-tan with dark markings, a small red bar and a black submarginal eyespot, and the under hind wing is white or whitish-tan, with dark markings and blue rings containing larger eyespots near the rear margin.

The larva has two colour morphs; it is either bluish-black above with brownish-white speckles and reddish spots on the side, or it is greyish-green with a pale-coloured longitudinal line on the side. It has dorsal spines on the second and third thoracic segments and on the seventh and eighth abdominal segments. The pupa has two long processes on its anterior end.

Two subspecies are recognised; H. feronia feronia occurs in Brazil, Paraguay and Peru, and H. feronia farinulenta occurs in Mexico, Honduras, Venezuela, Colombia and Trinidad. This butterfly is found in open areas with trees.

21-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - MEXICAN SILVERSPOT BUTTERFLY (Dione moneta)

Dione moneta, the Mexican silverspot, is a species of butterfly of the subfamily Heliconiinae in the family Nymphalidae, found from the southern United States to South America.

D. moneta has an orange upperside, and the wing bases are brown in color. It has thick, dark veins. The hind wing of the underside of these butterflies is brown and covered in big, silver spots. Its wings span from 3 – 3 and 1/4 inches.

Moneta is a name given to two goddesses from Roman mythology, both representing fortune and wealth.

Subspecies

Listed alphabetically:

D. m. butleri Stichel, [1908]

D. m. moneta Hübner, [1825]

D. m. poeyii Butler, 1873

4-5-2018 ULAL DE BOLDOVI, VALENCIA - GULL BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica)

The gull-billed tern (Gelochelidon nilotica), formerly Sterna nilotica, is a tern in the family Laridae. It is widely distributed and breeds in scattered localities in Europe, Asia, northwest Africa, and the Americas. The Australian gull-billed tern was previously considered a subspecies.

This is a fairly large and powerful tern, similar in size and general appearance to a Sandwich tern, but the short thick gull-like bill, broad wings, long legs and robust body are distinctive. The summer adult has grey upperparts, white underparts, a black cap, strong black bill and black legs. The call is a characteristic ker-wik. It is 33–42 cm (13–17 in) in length and 76–91 cm (30–36 in) in wingspan. Body mass ranges from 150–292 g (5.3–10.3 oz).

In winter, the cap is lost, and there is a dark patch through the eye like a Forster's tern or a Mediterranean gull. Juvenile gull-billed terns have a fainter mask, but otherwise look much like winter adults.

23-3-2017 TAPANTI, COSTA RICA - PRONG BILLED BARBET (Semnornis frantzii)

The prong-billed barbet (Semnornis frantzii) is a distinctive, relatively large-billed bird native to humid highland forest of Costa Rica and western Panama.

The prong-billed barbet is found in the mountains from Costa Rica's Cordillera de Tilarán to western Panama's Veraguas Province. In elevation it mostly ranges between 750 and 2,450 m (2,500 and 8,000 ft) on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, between 1,500 and 1,450 m (4,900 and 4,800 ft) on the Pacific side, and between 1,500 and 2,250 m (4,900 and 7,400 ft) in Panama. (Locally it occurs somewhat lower in both countries.) It inhabits the interior and edges of extremely humid montane evergreen forest, a landscape characterized by many epiphytes and mosses and frequent fog.

The Prong-billed Barbet, Semnornis frantzii, is a bird of considerable charm, with a robust silhouette and a notably large bill, which is silvery gray to bluish with a dark tip. This bill, featuring a distinctive notch at the tip of the mandible, gives the bird its name. Adults sport a dull golden brown crown, with a brownish olive nape and upper back, transitioning to an olive green lower back, rump, and uppertail coverts. Males are distinguished by a glossy black tuft at the rear of the crown, a feature absent in females. Both sexes share dull slaty black lores, cheeks, and chin, with the sides of their head, neck, and upper breast a buffy olive that turns yellowish on the lower breast. The belly is pale yellow, flanks are a dull grayish with a pale yellowish wash, and the wings are dusky.

This species thrives in the interior and edges of extremely humid montane evergreen forests, a habitat rich with epiphytes, mosses, and frequent fog.

The Prong-billed Barbet is native to the highland forests of Costa Rica and western Panama, ranging in elevation from 750 to 2,450 meters on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, and from 1,500 to 2,250 meters in Panama.

A non-migratory bird, the Prong-billed Barbet is known to forage in flocks of up to 12 outside the breeding season and roost communally in tree cavities. During the breeding season, they exhibit monogamous and territorial behavior.

8-4-2018 THORNYBUSH LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - SPOTTED HYENA (Crocuta crocuta)

A highly misunderstood animal, the Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) has the reputation of being cowardly and sly, but it is actually a fascinating and intelligent creature with a very interesting social system. It looks like a dog but is closer related to cats, civets, and genets. It is also called the laughing hyena. It is a strong and capable hunter and the largest member of the hyena family. Females and males look exactly the same except that females are a little larger.

The spotted hyena has a strong and well-developed neck and forequarters, but relatively underdeveloped hindquarters. The rump is rounded rather than angular, which prevents attackers coming from behind from getting a firm grip on it. The head is wide and flat with a blunt muzzle and broad rhinarium. In contrast to the striped hyena, the ears of the spotted hyena are rounded rather than pointed. Each foot has four digits, which are webbed and armed with short, stout, and blunt claws. The paw-pads are broad and very flat, with the whole undersurface of the foot around them being naked. The tail is relatively short, being 300-350 mm (12-14 in) long, and resembles a pompom in appearance. Unusually among hyaenids, and mammals in general, the female Spotted hyena is considerably larger than the male. Both sexes have a pair of anal glands that produce a white, creamy secretion that is pasted onto grass stalks by everting the rectum. The odor of this secretion is very strong, smelling of boiling cheap soap or burning, and can be detected by humans several meters downwind.

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - NORTHERN EMERALD TOUCANET (Aulacorhynchus prasinus)

The emerald toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus) is a species of near-passerine bird in the toucan family Ramphastidae. It is found from Mexico to Nicaragua.

The emerald toucanet is non-migratory.

The emerald toucanet is gregarious and frequently gathers in groups of up to about 10.

The emerald toucanet forages by gleaning, usually while perched. Its diet is eclectic and includes a wide variety of fruits, invertebrates of many orders, and vertebrate prey such as birds, eggs, lizards, and snakes.

The emerald toucanet's breeding season is from March to July. It nests in tree cavities, either natural or those abandoned by woodpeckers. They can be as high as 27 m (89 ft) above the ground. The typical clutch size is three or four but can range from one to five. Both sexes incubate the eggs but the female does so more than the male. The incubation period is 16 days and fledging occurs 42 to 45 days after hatch.

11-4-2018 VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE - CARDINAL WOODPECKER (Chloropicus fuscescens)

The cardinal woodpecker, Dendropicos fuscescens, is a diminutive avian artisan, measuring a mere 14 to 15 cm from the tip of its bill to the end of its tail. Exhibiting the quintessential woodpecker physique, it boasts a straight, pointed bill and a rigid tail for support against the arboreal surfaces it frequents. Its zygodactyl feet, with two toes pointing forward and two backward, are perfectly adapted for an arboreal lifestyle. The plumage is a muted olive, adorned with paler dots and bands, while the underparts are a stark white with bold black streaks. The rump is tinged with tawny, and a striking black malar stripe sets off the white throat and face. The male is distinguished by a red hind crown and nape, whereas the female sports a dark hind crown and black nape. Juveniles and adults alike may raise their small crests when agitated or excited.

To identify the cardinal woodpecker, look for its small size and typical woodpecker body shape. The back is olive with pale markings, and the underparts are white with black streaks. The male's red hind crown and nape contrast with the female's darker head pattern. When observing behavior, note the species' propensity to raise its crest when excited.

This species thrives in a variety of environments, from the dense canopies of forests to the sparse foliage of thorn bushes. Its adaptability allows it to inhabit a broad spectrum of the sub-Saharan landscape.

The cardinal woodpecker's domain stretches across the tropical regions of western and central Africa, with a presence in numerous countries including Angola, Kenya, and South Africa. Its widespread distribution is a testament to its versatility in habitat preference.

The cardinal woodpecker is often seen in small familial groups or as part of mixed-species foraging parties. It predominantly seeks sustenance in the lower strata of the forest, navigating through shrubs, vines, and even agricultural remnants like maize stalks. Its foraging technique involves rapid pecking and probing, and it is adept at maneuvering along slender twigs. This species is also known for its soft drumming and frequent sightings.

The cardinal woodpecker communicates with a high-pitched "krrrek-krrrek-krrrek," a call that is as distinctive as it is indicative of the bird's presence in its natural habitat.

During the breeding season, typically in spring or early summer, the cardinal woodpecker dedicates several weeks to excavating a new nesting cavity, often avoiding proximity to the previous year's site. The nest, an oval entrance hole about 2 meters off the ground, is simple, with a bed of wood chips for the glossy white eggs. Clutch size ranges from one to three eggs, incubated by both parents for approximately 12 days. Fledging occurs around 27 days post-hatching, with parental care extending another 8 to 10 weeks. Notably, the scaly-throated honeyguide may parasitize their nests.

As an insectivore, the cardinal woodpecker's diet consists primarily of insects, which it skillfully extracts from its arboreal hunting grounds using its long, darting tongue.

28-3-2017 TARCOLES RIVER COSTA RICA - AMAZON KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle amazona)

                             

The Amazon kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona) is a species of "water kingfisher" in subfamily Cerylinae of family Alcedinidae. It is found in the lowlands of the American tropics from southern Mexico south through Central America to northern Argentina.

The Amazon kingfisher resembles the green kingfisher which shares its range, but it is much larger than its relative, and three to four times as heavy. It is 30 cm (12 in) in length and weighs 98–140 g (3.5–4.9 oz). It has the typical kingfisher shape, with a short tail and long bill. It is oily green above, with a shaggy crest and a white collar around the neck. It lacks the white markings on the wings shown by green kingfisher.

Males have white underparts apart from a broad chestnut breast band and some green streaks on the flanks. Females have white underparts with green patches on the side of the chest and green flank streaks. Young birds resemble the adult female, but have white spots on the wings. These birds often give a harsh teck call. The rarely heard song, given from a tree top, is a whistled see see see see.

This large kingfisher breeds by streams. The unlined nest is in a horizontal tunnel made in a river bank, and up to 1.6 m (5.2 ft) long and 10 cm (3.9 in) wide. The female lays three, sometimes four, white eggs.

Amazon kingfishers are often seen perched on a branch or rock close to water before plunging in head first after their fish prey. They also feed on insects and amphibians. They are the most likely American green kingfisher to be seen on large rivers.

17-4-2019 RACO DE OLLA, VALENCIA - SAGE LEAVED ROCK ROSE (Cistus salviifolius)

Cistus salviifolius

sage-leaved rock rose

A fast-growing, spreading, evergreen shrub, producing stems to 60cm (2ft) high and 80cm (32in) across, with oval to lance-shaped, dark green leaves. The leaves and young stems are aromatic to the touch. White saucer-shaped flowers with a central boss of bright yellow stamens, are produced from crimson buds in summer. 

The plant requires full sun and very well-drained soil in which to grow successfully, particularly overwinter, when rainfall may be higher.

Grows well in poor, but well drained soil, in a sheltered site and full sun. The foliage may become chlorotic with age when the shrubs are grown on chalky soil.

It may be susceptible to honey fungus.

17-4-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SMALL DUSTY WAVE MOTH (Idaea seriata)