Sunday, 28 March 2021
Saturday, 27 March 2021
23-3-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCA - BUNCH FLOWERED DAFFODIL (Narcissus tazetta)
Narcissus tazetta (paperwhite, bunch-flowered narcissus, bunch-flowered daffodil, Chinese sacred lily, cream narcissus, joss flower, polyanthus narcissus) is a perennial ornamental plant that grows from a bulb. Cultivars of N. tazetta include 'Caniculatus', 'Grand Soleil d'Or' and 'Ziva', which are popularly used for forcing indoors, as is the form of N. tazetta known as Chinese Sacred Lily.
Narcissus tazetta is amongst the tallest of the narcissi, and can grow to a height of up to 80 centimetres (31 in),[5] with thin, flat leaves up to 40 centimetres (16 in) long and 15 millimetres (0.59 in) wide. Umbels have as many as 8 flowers, white with a yellow corona.
Friday, 26 March 2021
Thursday, 25 March 2021
24-3-2021 SALINAS DE BONMATI, ALICANTE - SLENDER BILLED GULL (Chroicocephalus genei)
The Slender-billed Gull, Chroicocephalus genei, presents a graceful figure, slightly larger than the familiar Black-headed Gull. It measures 37 to 40 cm in length with a wingspan stretching from 90 to 102 cm. Its plumage is a pale grey, complemented by a white head and breast, and accented with black tips on the primary wing feathers. The bird's head and dark red bill are elongated, contributing to its slender appearance, and it possesses a notably long neck. The legs are a matching dark red, while the iris of the eye is a striking yellow. During the summer months, one may observe a subtle pink blush upon its breast. This species attains full maturity over two years, typical for gulls. Juveniles can be identified by a black band at the tail's end and darker wing markings.
To identify the Slender-billed Gull, look for its distinctive elongated head and bill, and the dark red coloration of both the bill and legs. The pale grey body contrasts with the white head and breast, and the black wingtip markings are a key feature. In flight, the bird's long neck and slender profile are particularly noticeable.
This gull favors the lagoons and lakes in the vicinity of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as similar environments along the northwestern Indian Ocean. It is known to breed on islands and coastal lagoons, where the absence of predators and human disturbance allows for successful nesting.
The Slender-billed Gull breeds very locally around the Mediterranean and the northern reaches of the western Indian Ocean, including Pakistan. It exhibits migratory behavior, wintering to the south as far as North Africa and India. Occasionally, individuals have been recorded as vagrants in western Europe and as far afield as Antigua.
The Slender-billed Gull is a sociable bird, especially in winter, when it can be seen feeding and roosting in groups. It is not an oceanic bird and is seldom observed far from land. It breeds in colonies, with nests on the ground, and feeds by diving from the air into the water to catch fish or by probing mud for invertebrates. The gull also captures insects mid-flight. After a 25-day incubation period, the young take their first flight approximately 25 days later.
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