14-5-2017 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - WHITE FEATHERLEG DAMSELFLY (FEMALE) (Platycnemis latipes)

The white-legged damselfly or blue featherleg (Platycnemis pennipes) is a damselfly of slow-flowing, muddy waters. It occurs from the Atlantic to Siberia and is often abundant throughout its range.

Platycnemis pennipes is about 32 millimetres (1.3 in) long. Mature adults differ from most other blue damselflies in having expanded white edges to the tibiae, paired black markings down most of the abdomen, broad pale brown double antehumeral stripes, wider head and a pale brown pterostigmata.

The male has a blue abdomen that is often pale and usually has a greenish thorax. The female is a very pale yellow-green colour with black markings.

This species favours unshaded slow-flowing sections of muddy rivers with abundant floating vegetation. it has been recorded in tidal rivers and the larvae seem well able to tolerate brackish water. It also occurs in muddy streams but is rare in lakes or ponds of any sort. In north-west Europe, it is mostly confined to flowing waters.

Mating is preceded by the male displaying his white legs in a fluttering display flight in front of females. Elongated eggs are laid whilst in tandem, into emergent stems and especially the underside of floating leaves. The larvae live amongst bottom debris and emerge after two years.

After emerging, adults tend to congregate in the shelter of tall vegetation, although some immatures wander away from water and have been found five kilometres away from the nearest breeding site.

14-5-2017 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - BLACK WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus)

The Black-winged Stilt, Himantopus himantopus, is a slender wader known for its strikingly long, pink legs and contrasting black-and-white plumage. This elegant bird is a member of the avocet and stilt family, Recurvirostridae.

Adult Black-winged Stilts measure 33–36 cm in length. They possess a long, thin black bill and display a distinctive black and white coloration. The head and neck are predominantly white, with variable black markings depending on the sex and subspecies. Males typically have a glossy or greenish sheen on their black backs, while females exhibit a more brownish tinge. During flight, their long legs trail behind, and their wingbeats are steady.

These birds favor marshes, shallow lakes, and ponds as their breeding grounds. They are also known to inhabit coastal areas during migration and in the winter months.

The Black-winged Stilt has a wide range, extending across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Some populations migrate to coastal regions in winter, while others in milder climates may remain resident or engage in short-range movements.

Black-winged Stilts are often seen foraging in shallow waters, gracefully picking insects and crustaceans from the surface. They are known to nest in small groups, sometimes alongside avocets, and exhibit a variety of courtship behaviors, including intricate displays and duets.

The flight call of the Black-winged Stilt is a sharp and clear kleek, typically heard during its aerial maneuvers.

Nests are simple bare spots on the ground near water. These birds are communal nesters and may breed in loose colonies. They have been known to breed as far north as Britain, with recent successful breeding events recorded in Southern and Northern England.

The Black-winged Stilt can be confused with other stilt species, such as the Black-necked Stilt (H. mexicanus) in the Americas, the White-backed Stilt (H. melanurus), and the Pied Stilt (H. leucocephalus) in Australasia and New Zealand.

Black-winged stilts (Himantopus himantopus) are very long-legged wading birds. They are found in both warm and hot climates, feed on small aquatic creatures, and nest on the ground surface in small colonies.

Adult Black-winged stilts have long, pink legs, and a long, rather thin black bill. They are generally black above and white below, with a white head and neck. Males have a black back, often with a greenish gloss or sheen. Females' backs have a brownish hue, contrasting with the black remiges. In populations where the top of the head is normally white (at least in winter), females tend to have less black on the head and neck the entire year round, while males often have much more black, particularly in summer. This difference is not clear-cut, however, and males usually grow all-white head feathers in winter. Immature birds are grey, instead of black, and have a markedly sandy hue on their wings, with light feather fringes appearing as a whitish line in flight.

Their diet consists mainly of insects and crustaceans, which they deftly pick from the water's surface or from wet sand.

The IUCN lists the Black-winged Stilt as Least Concern, indicating a stable global population. However, they are protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in their conservation.

14-5-2017 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)

The Little Egret, Egretta garzetta, is a dainty heron adorned in pure white plumage. It is characterized by a slender black beak, long black legs, and, notably in the western race, yellow feet. This elegant bird is a sight to behold with its graceful neck and poised stance.

Adult Little Egrets measure between 55–65 cm in length with a wingspan of 88–106 cm, and weigh 350–550 g. Their plumage is predominantly white, though some may exhibit bluish-grey coloration. Breeding adults boast ornate nape plumes reaching about 150 mm, along with distinctive feathers on the breast and elongated scapulars. The bill and lores are black, with greenish-grey skin at the base of the lower mandible and around the eye, which houses a yellow iris. Legs are black with contrasting yellow feet, though juveniles may have greenish-black legs and duller feet. The subspecies E. g. nigripes is distinguished by yellow skin between the bill and eye, and blackish feet.

The Little Egret frequents a variety of wetland habitats, from the shores of lakes and rivers to marshes and coastal regions. It is often found in open environments, such as mangroves, swamps, mudflats, and sandy beaches, as well as human-altered landscapes like rice fields.

The species has a broad breeding distribution across warm temperate to tropical regions of Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe. Northern populations are migratory, wintering in Africa and southern Asia, while others remain as permanent residents in warmer areas.

14-5-2017 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - YELLOW LEGGED GULL (Larus michahellis)

The Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) is a large, robust seabird with a commanding presence. Its size can be quite variable, with the smallest females being scarcely larger than a Common Gull, and the largest males approaching the heft of a Great Black-backed Gull. Adults typically exhibit a grey back, a shade lighter than that of the Lesser Black-backed Gull, and their heads are notably whiter in the autumn months. A distinctive feature is their yellow legs, which give this species its common name.

When observing the Yellow-legged Gull, look for the yellow legs that contrast with the grey back and the white head, which becomes even whiter during the autumn. The wing tips are black with limited white spots, and adults have a red spot on the bill. The eye is surrounded by a red ring. Juveniles can be identified by their paler head, rump, and underparts, dark bill and eyes, and a black band on the tail.

This gull favors a variety of coastal environments, often nesting on sea cliffs, islands, and occasionally on buildings within urban settings. It is also known to breed on trees in some regions.

The Yellow-legged Gull has a breeding range centered around the Mediterranean Sea, extending to the Atlantic islands and coasts as far north as Brittany and west to the Azores. Its presence is also noted on the western side of the Black Sea.

The species is known for its adaptability, with many individuals remaining in the same area year-round, while others migrate to milder regions of western Europe or head south to areas such as Senegal and the Red Sea. Post-breeding dispersal can lead to increased numbers in regions like southern England from July to October.

The vocalizations of the Yellow-legged Gull are characterized by a loud, laughing call that is deeper and more nasal than that of the Herring Gull.

Breeding typically occurs in colonies, with nests constructed on the ground or cliff ledges. The nests are mounds of vegetation, and the species is known for its vigorous defense of its eggs, usually numbering three. Incubation lasts for 27–31 days, and fledging occurs after 35–40 days.

An opportunistic forager, the Yellow-legged Gull is omnivorous, feeding on a wide range of items from rubbish tips to field prey, coastal offerings, and even other seabirds' catches. Remarkably, during periods of food scarcity, such as the lockdown in Italy in 2020, these gulls have been observed preying on larger animals like rats and rock doves.

The Yellow-legged Gull is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it does not face any immediate threat of extinction.

13-5-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - LANTANA PLUME MOTH (Lantanophaga pusillidactylus)

Lantanophaga pusillidactyla, the lantana plume moth, is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is native to the southern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America.

Other records include Cape Verde, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Réunion, South Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius, Nigeria, Seychelles, Eswatini, Tanzania, Zambia, Israel, Morocco, India, Indonesia (Java), New Guinea and Sri Lanka.[3]

The wingspan is 11–14 mm.

Adults feed on flowers and lay eggs in flower heads. The larvae feed on Lantana camara, Lantana montevidensis, Lantana hispida, Lantana peduncularis, Lantana indica, Lantana involucrata, Lippia alba, Phyla nodiflora, Phyla lanceolata, Caperonia palustris, Mentha and Utricularia species.

17-3-2017 PARC DE NEGOCIS, BARCELONA - MUSKOVY DUCK (Cairina moschata)

In Catalonia the Muscovy duck is also referred to as almescat, turc, morisc or Barbaria. It is a black duck, with white feathers on its wings, with thin skin and firm meat with little fat. The male's weight is double that of the female. Although the breed is originally from tropical America, since the 16th century it has been bred in the rural areas close to Vilafranca del Penedès. According to legend the peasants from the local area liked black ducks and those from Osona liked white ones. Since 1994, the Muskovy duck has the official designation of Producte Alimentari del Penedès. Whoever wishes to try them can go to the Fira del Gall which is held in Vilafranca in mid-December where they can also be bought. These ducks are bred for meat, which has an intense flavour and is very pleasant thanks to their diet which is basically comprised of cereals. They are usually bred in open spaces and are not reared for more than sixty days. With regard to how to prepare it, it can be as duck confit or roasted and the magret can be roasted or accompanied by a fruit sauce, although it is normally prepared with dried fruit or orange. Amongst the dishes in Catalan cuisine it is worth mentioning the Muskovy duck Empordà style with pears, the magret with a coulis of red forest fruit, and the roasted version with plums and pine nuts, with black turnip, with rolled cabbage or with mushrooms. For all of the above the recommended drink to accompany the dish is a young red wine.

28-3-2017 VILLA LAPAS, COSTA RICA - GLASSY WINGED SKIPPER BUTTERFLY (Xenophanes tryxus)

The Pyrginae is a cosmopolitan subfamily, its members being found in temperate and tropical habitats throughout the world. The 990 neotropical species include 581 which are placed in the tribe Pyrgini, which includes such well known genera as Urbanus, Astraptes, Bolla, Pyrgus, Erynnis, Sostrata, and Mylon.

The genus Xenophanes contains a single species tryxus. It is instantly recognizable, with a pale brown ground color heavily speckled with grayish; and large hyaline windows in the fore and hind wings.

Xenophanes tryxus is found throughout much of central and South America from Mexico to Bolivia and Argentina.

This is a species of open disturbed evergreen and deciduous habitats including pastures, farmland, riverbanks, and roadsides at altitudes between sea level and about 1500m.

The adults are normally encountered singly or in two’s and three’s. They bask on bushes and low herbage with wings fully outspread but rarely spend more than a few seconds in one place. In hot weather they escape the desiccating effects of the sun by sheltering under the leaves of trees and bushes. Both sexes visit flowers, and males also imbibe mineralized moisture from rock faces, pebbles, sandbanks, and the surface of unmetalled roads.

13-5-2017 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - LITTLE BITTERN (Ixobrychus minutus)

The Little Bittern, or Common Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus), is a diminutive member of the heron family, Ardeidae. This species is the smallest of the breeding herons in Europe, distinguished by its compact stature, elongated and pointed bill, and robust neck.

Male Little Bitterns exhibit a striking pattern with a black crown, nape, back, tail, and scapulars that may show a subtle green sheen. Their underparts are a soft buff, and the wings feature a distinctive pinkish buff oval panel formed by the inner wing coverts. Females are more subdued in color, with brownish-black upperparts and streaked underparts. Juveniles resemble females but are rufous and heavily streaked.

This species thrives in dense reedbeds, rushes, and bushes that grow above water bodies, providing them with ample cover and feeding opportunities.

The Little Bittern is native to the Old World, with a breeding range that spans Africa, central and southern Europe, western and southern Asia, and Madagascar. Migratory populations from Europe and western Asia winter in Africa and southern Asia, while tropical populations are generally sedentary.

A crepuscular and elusive bird, the Little Bittern is often solitary, hunting fish, amphibians, and insects within or along the edges of reedbeds. Males establish territories in spring, signaling their presence with a deep, barking call. The species is monogamous for the breeding season, with nests built in dense vegetation over water. They typically lay 5-6 eggs, which are incubated for 17-19 days, and chicks fledge after 25-30 days.

The male's territorial call is a deep, barking or croaking sound, used to attract a mate and declare ownership of his breeding area.

Breeding occurs in dense reedbeds, with a single brood per season. The eggs are laid from mid-May, with both parents involved in raising the offspring.

The Little Bittern can be confused with other small herons, but its size, distinctive wing panels, and behavior help differentiate it.

Their diet consists of fish, amphibians, and insects, which they hunt by stealthily stalking their prey in their aquatic habitats.

The Little Bittern is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, populations have declined in some areas, and the species is subject to conservation efforts under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds.

13-5-2017 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)

The little egret (Egretta garzetta) is a species of small heron in the family Ardeidae. It is a white bird with a slender black beak, long black legs and, in the western race, yellow feet. As an aquatic bird, it feeds in shallow water and on land, consuming a variety of small creatures. It breeds colonially, often with other species of water birds, making a platform nest of sticks in a tree, bush or reed bed. A clutch of three to five bluish-green eggs is laid and incubated by both parents for about three weeks. The young fledge at about six weeks of age.

Its breeding distribution is in wetlands in warm temperate to tropical parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. A successful colonist, its range has gradually expanded north, with stable and self-sustaining populations now present in the United Kingdom.

Little egrets are sociable birds and are often seen in small flocks. They are diurnal birds and feed mainly in the early morning and in the late afternoon. They use a variety of methods to procure their food; they stalk their prey in shallow water, often running with raised wings or shuffling their feet to disturb small fish, or may stand still and wait to ambush prey. Little egrets also make use of opportunities provided by cormorants disturbing fish or humans attracting fish by throwing bread into the water. On land, they walk or run while chasing their prey, feed on creatures disturbed by grazing livestock and ticks on the livestock, and even scavenge occasionally. Little egrets are silent birds in general, however, at their breeding colonies, they make various croaking and bubbling calls. When disturbed, they produce a harsh alarm call.

Little egrets are monogamous. This means that males and females mate only with one partner. They nest in colonies, often with other wading birds. The nests are usually platforms of sticks built in trees or shrubs or in reed beds or bamboo groves. In some locations such as the Cape Verde Islands, these birds nest on cliffs. Pairs defend a small breeding territory, usually extending around 3 to 4 m (10 to 13 ft) from the nest. The female lays 3 to 5 eggs which are incubated by both parents for 21 to 25 days. The eggs are oval in shape and have a pale, non-glossy, blue-green shell color. Upon hatching the chicks are covered in white down feathers and are cared for by both parents. Around 3 weeks after hatching the chicks start to move around the nest and climb into the close branches. They fledge after 40 to 45 days and are able to follow the adults to learn how to feed themselves.

13-5-2017 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - YELLOW LEGGED GULL (Larus michahellis)

The yellow-legged gull is a large gull found in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, which has only recently achieved wide recognition as a distinct species. It was formerly treated as a subspecies of either the Caspian gull L. cachinnans, or more broadly as a subspecies of the herring gull L. argentatus.The genus name is from Latin Larus which appears to have referred to a gull or other large seabird, and the species name honours the German zoologist Karl Michahelles.

The yellow-legged gull is a large gull, though the size does vary, with the smallest females being scarcely larger than a common gull and the largest males being roughly the size of a great black-backed gull. They range in length from 52 to 68 cm (20 to 27 in) in total length, from 120 to 155 cm (47 to 61 in) in wingspan and from 550 to 1,600 g (1.21 to 3.53 lb) in weight. Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 40.8 to 47.2 cm (16.1 to 18.6 in), the bill is 4.6 to 6 cm (1.8 to 2.4 in) and the tarsus is 5.6 to 7.5 cm (2.2 to 3.0 in). Adults are externally similar to herring gulls but have yellow legs. They have a grey back, slightly darker than herring gulls but lighter than lesser black-backed gulls. They are much whiter-headed in autumn, and have more extensively black wing tips with few white spots, just as lesser black-backed. They have a red spot on the bill as adults, like the entire complex. There is a red ring around the eye like in the lesser black-backed gull but unlike in the herring gull which has a dark yellow ring.

First-year birds have a paler head, rump and underparts than those of the herring gull, more closely resembling first-year great black-backed gulls in plumage. They have a dark bill and eyes, pinkish grey legs, dark flight feathers and a well-defined black band on the tail. They become lighter in the underparts and lose the upperpart pattern subsequently. By their second winter, birds are essentially feathered like adults, save for the patterned feathers remaining on the wing coverts. However, their bill tips are black, their eyes still dark, and the legs are a light yellow flesh colour.

The call is a loud laugh which is deeper and more nasal than the call of the herring gull.

The breeding range is centred on the Mediterranean Sea. In North Africa, it is common in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia and increasing in places. Recent breeding has occurred in Libya and Egypt. In the Middle East, a few breed in Israel and Syria with larger numbers in Cyprus and Turkey. In Europe, there are colonies all along the Mediterranean coast, and also on the Atlantic islands and coasts north to Brittany and west to the Azores. It also breeds on the western side of the Black Sea; here it overlaps with the Caspian gull but there is a difference in habitat, with the yellow-legged gull preferring sea cliffs and the Caspian gull flatter shores. In recent decades birds have spread north into central and western Europe. One to four pairs have attempted to breed in southern England since 1995 (sometimes hybrid pairs with lesser black-backed gulls), though colonisation has been very slow.

Many birds remain in the same area all year round, but others migrate to spend the winter in mild areas of western Europe or head south as far as Senegal, Gambia and the Red Sea. There is also extensive northward post-breeding dispersal in the late summer, with numbers in southern England high from July to October. It is reported as a vagrant to northeastern North America and Nigeria.

Like most Larus gulls, they are omnivores and opportunistic foragers. They will scavenge on rubbish tips and elsewhere, as well as seeking suitable prey in fields or on the coast, or robbing smaller gulls and other seabirds of their catches. Although urban populations are generally opportunistic scavengers, they can shift to a predatory diet if necessary; this was observed during the lockdown of Italy in 2020, when the lack of food scraps led the yellow-legged gulls of Rome to take prey as large as rats and rock doves.

Atlantic gulls in Gibraltar have been observed and photographed picking and eating fruit from olive trees in flight.

Yellow-legged gulls usually breed in colonies. Eggs, usually three, are laid from mid March to early May and are defended vigorously by this large gull. The nest is a sometimes sparse mound of vegetation built on the ground or on cliff ledges. In some places such as Gibraltar they have started nesting on buildings and even on trees. The eggs are incubated for 27–31 days and the young birds fledge after 35–40 days.

19-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - RUSTY TIP PAGE BUTTERFLY (Siproeta epaphus)

Siproeta epaphus, the rusty-tipped page or brown siproeta,[1] is a New World butterfly that lives all year in tropical habitats. It has large wings, averaging 7.0–7.5 cm (2.8–3.0 in),[1] that are black in the inner portion of the top surface and brown throughout the underside. Both surfaces have a bold white transverse stripe continuing across both wings. The outer portion of the forewings, beyond the white stripe, is rusty orange in the widespread subspecies S. epaphus epaphus; it is mostly or entirely black in the other two subspecies. S. epaphus is found throughout Central America, where it is one of the most common butterflies. Its range extends from southern North America to central South America. The range includes (though may not be limited to) south Texas and rarely southern New Mexico south through both eastern and western Mexico to the Guyanas, Brazil, Bolivia and Peru.

Adults can be found nectaring on a variety of flowers including Lantana, Croton, Impatiens and Stachytrapheta. They are also known to feed on rotting fruit.

Siproeta is currently unknown. In Greek mythology Epaphus is the son of Zeus and Io who founded the city of Memphis in Egypt.

The Rusty Tip is found in wet subtropical forests, especially along the forest edge and river banks.

Females patrol the forest edge looking for young plants to oviposit on. Eggs are laid in loose clusters and when the caterpillar hatches out they feed on the fresh leaves until they pupate.

Adult Rusty Tip butterflies can be found all year round in tropical areas.

While they are not considered to be a native of the Unitied States there have been a couple of reports of strays that made their way into the border states. The Malachite (Siprotea stelenes) and the Rusty Tip are closely related and while the adults look fairly different their chrysilides look almost the same.

19-3-2017 BUTTERFLY WORLD, FLORIDA - GRECIAN SHOEMAKER BUTTERFLY (Catonephele numilia)

Catonephele numilia, the blue-frosted banner, blue-frosted Catone, Grecian shoemaker or stoplight Catone, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae found in Central and South America.

This butterfly usually flies along the ground and close to the ripe fruits and flowers. It can live a month. Adults feed on rotten fruits, while caterpillars feed on Alchornea species (family Euphorbiaceae).

Catonephele numilia can be found in most of Central and South America.

Larvae are known to feed on Alchornea costaricensis and A. latifolia; both are woody species known to have medicinal properties.

Estimated Lifespan 26 Days.

Adults use rotting fruit and tree sap as their primary nutrient source.

The origin of the genus and species of Catonephele numilia is currently unknown.

Adults spend the majority of their time in wet forest habitats.

Males perch on vegetation and wait for receptive females to pass. After mating, females spend the warmest parts of the day cruising waterways and paths looking for host plants to lay their eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the host plant until they are ready to form their chrysalides.

There are multiple generations each year, making it possible to find adults all year round.

All the species found in the genus Catonephele are sexually dimorphic, which means the males and females of a species look remarkably different from each other.

8-5-2017 ARCOS DE FRONTERA, ANDALUSIA - EURASIAN EAGLE OWL (Bubo bubo)

The Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) is a formidable avian predator and one of the largest owl species. The females, which are larger than the males, can reach a total length of 75 cm (30 in) and boast a wingspan of up to 188 cm (6 ft 2 in). This species is characterized by prominent ear tufts, mottled upper parts with darker blackish and tawny coloring, barred wings and tail, and a buff underpart streaked with darker shades. The facial disc is not sharply defined, and the orange eyes are a striking feature.

To identify the Eurasian eagle-owl, look for its large size, barrel-shaped body, and erect ear tufts. The orange eyes are distinctive, and the plumage is a mix of brown-black to tawny-buff with dense freckling on the forehead and crown, and dark splotches on a pale background on the back and mantle. The underparts are creamy to tawny with fine dark barring.

Eurasian eagle-owls favor a variety of habitats but are predominantly found in mountainous or other rocky regions near woodland edges, shrubby areas, and wetlands. They also inhabit coniferous forests, steppes, and other areas at varied elevations that are typically remote.

The Eurasian eagle-owl has an extensive range across Europe and Asia, from the Iberian Peninsula to Japan. It is also present in the UK, where it is considered non-native.

This species is mostly nocturnal, hunting a variety of prey from small mammals to larger birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. They are sedentary and territorial, with a deep, resonant territorial call.

Song & Calls

The male's territorial call is a deep "ooh-hu," while the female's is higher-pitched. They may also produce a faint laughter-like sound and a harsh "kveck-kveck."

Eurasian eagle-owls typically breed on cliff ledges, in gullies, or among rocks. The female incubates the eggs and broods the young, while the male provides food. Both parents care for the young for about five months

The Eurasian eagle-owl can be distinguished from other large owls like the great grey owl and Ural owl by its ear tufts and orange eyes. It is also larger than the snowy owl.

The diet is mainly small mammals, such as rodents and rabbits, but also includes larger mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and large insects.

The IUCN lists the Eurasian eagle-owl as Least Concern, with a decreasing population trend. However, it remains widespread with a large total population.

21-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus gilvus)

The tropical mockingbird (Mimus gilvus) is a medium-sized bird, with adults measuring between 23 to 25.5 cm in length. It exhibits a predominantly gray plumage on the head and upper parts, while the underparts are an off-white shade. A distinctive whitish supercilium contrasts with a dark stripe through the eye. The wings are blackish, adorned with two white wing bars and white-edged flight feathers. Its long dark tail is tipped with white, and it possesses a slim, slightly curved black bill and long dark legs. Juvenile birds are somewhat browner with dusky streaks on their chest and flanks.

To identify the tropical mockingbird, look for its gray upper parts, white underparts, and the characteristic white wing bars. The white tips on the long tail are also a key feature. The bird's slim, curved bill and long legs are useful identification markers as well.

This species thrives in open habitats such as scrublands, savannas, parks, and farmlands. It tends to avoid dense forests and mangroves, preferring lowlands to middle elevations, up to about 2,500 m in Central America and the northern Andes.

The tropical mockingbird is a resident breeding bird found from southern Mexico to northern and eastern South America, as well as in the Lesser Antilles and other Caribbean islands. It has a wide distribution with several subspecies occupying various regions, including the Yucatán Peninsula, the Lesser Antilles, Trinidad and Tobago, and parts of Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil.

This bird is known for its omnivorous diet, feeding on the ground or low in vegetation, and even capturing flying insects in mid-air. It is also observed to consume a variety of fruits, seeds, arthropods, and occasionally lizards and eggs. The tropical mockingbird is monogamous and may exhibit cooperative breeding, with previous brood offspring acting as helpers.

11-5-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY (Pararge aegeria)

The speckled wood (Pararge aegeria) is a butterfly found in and on the borders of woodland areas throughout much of the Palearctic realm. The species is subdivided into multiple subspecies, including Pararge aegeria aegeria, Pararge aegeria tircis, Pararge aegeria oblita, and Pararge aegeria insula. The color of this butterfly varies between subspecies. The existence of these subspecies is due to variation in morphology down a gradient corresponding to a geographic cline. The background of the wings ranges from brown to orange, and the spots are either pale yellow, white, cream, or a tawny orange. The speckled wood feeds on a variety of grass species. The males of this species exhibit two types of mate locating behaviors: territorial defense and patrolling. The proportion of males exhibiting these two strategies changes based on ecological conditions. The monandrous female must choose which type of male can help her reproduce successfully. Her decision is heavily influenced by environmental conditions.

11-5-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SIERRA NEVADA OCELLATED LIZARD (Timon nevadensis)

Timon nevadensis, the Sierra Nevada lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. It is endemic to Spain. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the ocellated lizard.

It is a showy and robust lizard, which can reach 26 cm in head-body length and exceed 70 cm in total length. It has strong and well-developed limbs. They are generally grey or brown in colour, with light green scales on the back, and during mating they can acquire more greenish and bluish tones. Its colour and body design change with age, some males lack ornamentation while others have dorsal ocelli in two or more rows. The scales are granular on the back and slightly keeled, while the ventral ones are wide and overlapping one another. Unlike T. lepidus , T. nevadensis lacks jet-black scales on the back, which in this case are grey or brown. Its head is also narrower and longer, as a result, its occipital plate is narrower than in T. lepidus . In addition, the Betic lizards have a lighter coloration in their blue ocelli. Their hind limbs, the end of the back and tail usually have orange-brown tones that T. lepidus does not have . Juveniles have a much more greyish or darker general coloration than juveniles of T. lepidus .

As for sexual dimorphism, males have a much larger head than females, due in part to the greater development of the masseteric muscles. In contrast, females have a greater relative body length than males, which translates into a greater number of ventral scales and lumbar vertebrae. The development of the femoral pores is also greater in males and the base of the tail is wider to accommodate the hemipenes. In general, females tend to maintain designs similar to those of subadults for longer. Juveniles have ocelli bordered with dark on the back and sides.

19-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - BOAT TAILED GRACKLE (MALE) (Quiscalus major)

The boat-tailed grackle (Quiscalus major ) is a passerine bird of the family Icteridae found as a permanent resident on the coasts of the Southeastern United States.

The male boat-tailed grackle is 37–43 cm (15–17 in) long and weighs 165–250 g (5.8–8.8 oz). Adult males have entirely iridescent black plumage, a long dark bill, a pale yellowish or brown iris, and a long keel-shaped tail. The adult female is much smaller at 26–33 cm (10–13 in) long and a weight of 90–115 g (3.2–4.1 oz). She is also distinguished by her shorter tail and tawny-brown coloration, which covers the body apart from the darker wings and tail. The wingspan in adult birds is 39–50 cm (15–20 in). In standard measurements, this species measures 13–20 cm (5.1–7.9 in) along the wing bone, 11–20 cm (4.3–7.9 in) in tail length, 2–4.2 cm (0.79–1.65 in) along the culmen, and 3.6–5.8 cm (1.4–2.3 in) along the tarsus. On average, the boat-tailed grackle weighs about 10% more than the closely related great-tailed grackle, although the male great-tailed grackle has an even longer tail.

Young males are black but lack the adult's iridescence. Immature females are duller versions of the adult female and have blotches or spots on the breast. The eye color of the boat-tailed grackle varies with range. Gulf Coast and inland birds have dark eyes, whereas Atlantic birds have pale eyes.

The boat-tailed grackle is found in coastal saltwater marshes and, in Florida, also on inland waters. Boat-tailed grackles have established significant populations in several United States Gulf Coast cities and towns, where they can be found foraging in trash bins, dumpsters, and parking lots.

They forage on the ground, in shallow water, or in shrubs; they will steal food from other birds. They are omnivorous, eating insects, minnows, frogs, eggs, berries, seeds, grain, and even small birds.

The nest is a well-concealed cup in trees or shrubs near water; three to five eggs are laid.

19-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - LONG TAILED FINCH (Poephila acuticauda)

The long-tailed finch (Poephila acuticauda) is a common species of estrildid finch found in northern Australia, from the Kimberley region to the Gulf of Carpentaria. It is a predominantly fawn-coloured bird with a pale grey head and prominent black bib and eyes. It inhabits dry savannah habitats in Australia and adapts readily to aviculture.

Common names for the species have been assigned or arisen from usage in aviculture, these include the long-tailed finch or longtail, blackheart finch, shaft-tail finch, orange-billed finch or grassfinch. Heck's grassfinch or finch, or Heck's longtail is applied to the eastern subspecies Poephila acuticauda hecki with red beaks, and the nominate subspecies with orange or yellow beaks is referred by the common name for the species.

The adult long-tailed finch is around 160 mm in length, the weight range of males is 13.5–16.2 grams and females 11.4–17.6 g. It has a prominent roundish black bib on its throat and upper chest and a long pointed black tail. It has pinkish brown upperparts with paler plumage below its bib over the lower breast and abdomen. It has a grey head, a white ear-patch, and black lores. It has black patches on its upper flanks and its rump and undertail coverts are white. The beak colour of the adult long-tailed finch varies from red through orange to yellow. Males and females are similar, except the females may be slightly duller and may have a slightly smaller bib. Females have shorter wings and tails than males on average, but their measurements, as well as throat bib size, generally lie within the range of male measurements. Furthermore, male and female plumage is indistinguishable in ultraviolet and visible light. A study published in 1999 showed that male long-tailed finches were unable to determine the sex of unfamiliar members of their species unless the latter bird declared its sex by song. Juveniles have black beaks and shorter tail feathers.

25-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - BORDER ANOLE (Anolis limifrons)

Anolis limifrons, also known commonly as the slender anole or the border anole, is a species of lizard in the family Dactyloidae. The species is native to Central America.

Geographic range

A. limifrons is found in Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.

Reproduction

A. limifrons is oviparous.

9-5-2017 RONDA, ANDALUSIA - EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH (Carduelis carduelis)

The European goldfinch, or simply goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), is a small, vibrant passerine bird belonging to the finch family. This charming avian species is adorned with a striking red face, encircled by black markings near the eyes, and a black-and-white head. The back and flanks exhibit a warm buff or chestnut brown, while the wings are black with a prominent yellow bar. The tail is black, and the rump is a contrasting white. Males and females are similar in appearance, though the male boasts a slightly more extensive red mask.

Upon closer inspection, one can discern the male goldfinch by its larger, more vivid red mask that extends just beyond the eye. The female's red face does not reach past the eye, and her shoulder feathers are brown, as opposed to the male's black. The bill is ivory-colored, long, and pointed, and the tail is forked. Juveniles can be identified by their plain heads and greyer backs, but the yellow wing stripe is a clear indicator of their species.

The European goldfinch favors open, partially wooded lowlands and is a resident in the milder western parts of its range. In colder regions, it migrates to escape the harsh weather.

Native to Europe, North Africa, and western and central Asia, the European goldfinch has also been introduced to various regions across the globe, including Australia, New Zealand, and Uruguay.

The European goldfinch is known for its sociable nature, often forming flocks in the winter. It is a frequent visitor to bird feeders, particularly in the colder months.

The goldfinch's song is a delightful, silvery twittering, while its call is a melodic tickeLIT. Its song comprises a tinkling medley of trills and twitters, always including the tri-syllabic call phrase.

The female goldfinch solely constructs the nest, which is often situated several meters above ground, camouflaged by leaves. The nest is made of mosses and lichens, lined with plant down, and secured with spider silk. Eggs are laid at daily intervals, typically resulting in a clutch of 4-6 eggs. Incubation lasts 11-13 days, with the female being fed by the male. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge 13-18 days after hatching.

Goldfinches have a preference for small seeds, such as those from thistles and teasels, but will also consume insects when feeding young. They are particularly drawn to bird feeders offering niger seed.

The European goldfinch has a long history of being kept and bred in captivity due to its attractive plumage and pleasant song. It has also been featured in various works of art and literature, symbolizing different cultural and religious themes.