nature-and-happiness

[nature-and-happiness]

sublim-ature: Erksine Falls, Victoria, AustraliaBipphy Kath from nature and happiness

[nature-and-happiness]

softwaring: Ice slush waves of Nantucket, the temperatures have been so cold lately in Nantucket that the waters have partially frozen giving them a slushee effect. Jonathan Nimerfroh from nature and happiness

[nature-and-happiness]

trynottodrown: untitled | NirupamNigam from nature and happiness

[nature-and-happiness]

Calcite Phantoms | ©Stan Celestian Mina Buena Tierra, Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico. from nature and happiness

[nature-and-happiness]

Killcummin, Mayo | ©Sam J. Thomas  (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) - Ireland from nature and happiness

[nature-and-happiness]

Cape Coral Snake - Aspidelaps lubricus Commonly referred to as Cape Coral Snake, South African Coral Snake, Coral Snake, and Coral Shield Cobra, Aspidelaps lubricus is a small elapid (Elapidae) with an average size of 50-60 cm, but some are known to reach over 75 cm in length. Though most of its life is spent underground it is brilliantly colored. Coloration ranges from orange to coral red, but some can be a bit yellowish. It has 20-47 narrow, well-defined black crossbars, which may encircle the body and tail.  If threatened, this snake can rear itself, cobra fashion, but does not flatten its neck. It is a venomous snake distributed in southwestern Africa and the Cape. References: [1] - [2] - [3] Photo credit: ©Matthijs Kuijpers | Locality: Western Cape, South Africa (2014) from nature and happiness

[nature-and-happiness]

Splendid Waxcap - Hygrocybe splendidissima As its common and species name suggest, Hygrocybe splendidissima (Hygrophoraceae) is a splendid, big red mushroom, which can be found in Europe. This species can be distinguished from the Crimson Waxcap, Hygrocybe punicea, by its dry cap and the smell of honey that is given off when the fruitbodies are dried. References: [1] Photo credit: ©Juan Carlos Poveda Molero | Locality: Riba-roja de Túria, Valencia, Spain (2011) from nature and happiness

[nature-and-happiness]

montereybayaquarium: Coral reef combat! In an epic battle between mantis shrimp and disco clam, the outcome may surprise you.  The peacock mantis shrimp is well-known as a tiny but deadly predator lurking in coral reef crevices. Its fist-like claws pack a punch like a .22-caliber bullet and are made of material so strong, the military wants to replicate it as body armor. Moving fast enough to generate light, these claws easily crack clam shells—so why would a mantis shrimp retreat from a mere mollusc?  Superior dance moves aside, the disco clam’s flashy light show warns a hungry shrimp of an impending attack. Poked and provoked, the clam shoots out an acidic mucus, repelling the mantis shrimp and sending it into a temporary stupor. Researchers think the clam may be spewing sulfuric acid—a major component of drain cleaners and car batteries. Yikes! See these archenemies as they live side by side—but apart—in our Splash Zone exhibit! Learn more about the mantis shrimp Learn more about the disco clam(Thanks to Charlene Boarts for the disco clam video) from nature and happiness

[nature-and-happiness]

Espada’s Robber Frog - Pristimantis galdi Pristimantis galdi (Craugastoridae) is one of about 434 species included in the genus Pristimantis, spread over much of tropical America and particularly diverse in the tropical Andes. In fact, P. galdi, distributed in Ecuador and Peru, is a species complex, whose members are characterized by having tubercles on the back and belly as well as prominent conical tubercles on the eyelid and the interorbital region. Its dorsal coloration is bright green with or without brown spots or gold. This is a Near Threatened species, uncommon in Ecuador, where it was first recorded as recently as 2003. In Peru, only a single specimen has been recorded. References: [1] - [2] - [3] Photo credit: ©Jorge Brito M. | Locality: Sangay National Park, Ecuador (2010) from nature and happiness

[nature-and-happiness]

Pragser Wildseee - Lago di Braies | ©Zippo Zimmermann  (Braies, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy) from nature and happiness

[nature-and-happiness]

Rhodochrosite | ©Maia C. Royal Ontario Museum, Canada. from nature and happiness

[nature-and-happiness]

White-tailed Goldenthroat - Polytmus guainumbi Polytmus guainumbi (Apodiformes - Trochilidae) is a South American species of hummingbird native to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. These hummingbirds inhabit wet grasslands, dry shrubby savannas, pastures, and roadsides. They tend to favor areas near water. Both males and females display a white streak above and below the eye, and have a white-tipped tail.  References: [1] - [2] - [3] Photo credits: ©Fábio N. Manfredini | Locality: Santa Barbara d´Oeste, São Paulo, Brazil (2014) | [Top] - [Bottom] from nature and happiness

[nature-and-happiness]

Bee orchids: the use of sexual deception to attract pollinators The Mediterranean orchids of the genus Ophrys (Asparagales - Orchidaceae) are not only striking by the morphology of their flowers that resemble a bee, which gives them the common name of bee orchids, but also because of their reproductive strategy. These orchids are pollinated by males of solitary bees and wasps by means of sexual deception. Flowers mimic the odor of a receptive female and thus attract males that seek to copulate. Fooled hymenopteran males which attempt to copulate with the labellum of the orchid perform pollination through this “pseudocopulation”.  As specific pollinators have a strong selective effect on Ophrys flowers, it is believed that speciation in Ophrys is always a consequence of a change in pollinator. Ophrys sipontensis (shown in the photo) is a species endemic to the Gargano peninsula, southeast Italy. These orchids are pollinated by the smaller one of the dark blue carpenter bees, Xylocopa iris. References: [1] - [2] - [3] - [4] Photo credit: ©perillimatteo | Locality: Italy (2015) from nature and happiness

[nature-and-happiness]

[ No paradise without hell ] | ©Fabian Maximilian  (Bavaria, Germany) from nature and happiness

[nature-and-happiness]

clusterpod: Mycena interrupta Myrtle Gully, Tasmania from nature and happiness

[nature-and-happiness]

Climate change and the Weller’s Salamander The Weller’s Salamander, scientifically named Plethodon welleri (Plethodontidae) is an Endangered species endemic to the United States. It is a small dark salamander reaching a total length of 6.4-7.9 cm, whose dorsal coloration is amazing, being black with a profusion of dull golden or silvery blotches.  This salamander has a restricted range in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, a global hotspot for salamander biodiversity. The fully terrestrial woodland salamanders (genus Plethodon) contribute heavily to the biodiversity and endemism of this region, however these salamanders are under threat from a diversity of causes, most of which are not well understood. These animals have limited dispersal capabilities, narrow physiological tolerances, and are highly sensitive to changes in climate, specifically the interaction of temperature and moisture. Climate change is expected to result in habitat loss and increased isolation for high-elevation Plethodontid salamanders in the Southern Appalachians. So, the presence of warm-adapted populations at low elevation range limits has important consequences for the potential of montane species, such as P. welleri, to adapt to rapid warming. References: [1] - [2] - [3] Photo credit: ©Todd W Pierson (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) | Locality: western North Carolina, US (2010) from nature and happiness

[nature-and-happiness]

rhamphotheca: A dorsal view of a Swallow-tailed Gull (Creagrus furcatus) taken on Española Island, one of the Galapagos Islands where the gulls often breed. This species of nocturnal seabird spends most of its life flying and hunting for squid and small fish over the open ocean. Photograph: Benjamint444                                               (via: Wikipedia) from nature and happiness