#Tony Hisgett

[kestarren]

Lion grotesque on Winchester Cathedral, England. Photo by Tony Hisgett.

[herpsandbirds]

Yucatan Jays (Cyanocorax yucatanicus), juveniles, family Corvidae, order Passeriformes, endemic to the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico

photograph by Tony Hisgett 

[guerrerense]

Duchess of Sutherland 6233 LMS por Tony Hisgett

[thxnews]

The Delights of Rye in East Sussex, UK

Rye is a small town in East Sussex, UK, with a population of nearly 5,000. It began as a humble fishing community before blossoming into an important seaport. The history of Rye traces back to Roman times, when it served as a vital hub for exporting iron from the Wealden iron industry to the Continent. Rye received its charter from King Edward I in 1289, gaining privileges and tax exemptions in return for providing ships for the crown. In 1350, Rye became a full member of the confederation of English Channel ports. The rich history of Rye can be explored at the Rye Heritage Centre on Strand Quay. No longer a seaport, Rye now lies two miles inland, connected to the sea by the River Rother, which winds past a nature reserve and out to the English Channel.  

Mermaid Street in Rye, East Sussex. Photo by Jez Timms. Unsplash.  

Medieval Rye: Explore Buildings Along Cobbled Streets

A Step Back in Time As you wander the narrow, ancient streets of Rye, you are immediately transported back in time to an era of old-world charm and timeless beauty. The quaint medieval buildings exude a palpable sense of history, inviting visitors to explore at their leisure. With its picturesque surroundings and stunning views across the marshes to the sea, Rye offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern life.   Historical Charm The array of independent shops, cafes, and restaurants in Rye provides ample opportunities to indulge in local delights and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of this charming town. Take a leisurely stroll along the ancient city walls or visit St. Mary’s Parish Church, which has dominated the town for over 900 years, perched on the hill where the old town stands.  

Natural Beauty: Stunning Coastal Views and Nature Reserves

Rye Bay and the High Weald The coastal views and nature reserves in Rye offer a captivating blend of natural beauty and tranquility. The high ground surrounding Rye Bay is the eastern extremity of the East Sussex High Weald, composed of the much-faulted strata of the Hastings Beds: sandstone and clay beds formed over 100 million years ago. Rye Bay is characterized by the wide expanse of reclaimed coastal marshland. It is surrounded by vast expanses of shimmering blue waters, with rugged cliffs providing a dramatic backdrop to the serene landscape. Walking along the cliff paths, one can witness the raw power of the sea crashing against the rocks and experience an overwhelming sense of awe.   Rye Harbour Nature Reserve A visit to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is highly recommended. Set in an exceptional coastal and wetland landscape, it is home to more than 4,355 species of plants and animals, including 300 that are rare or endangered. It is teeming with diverse wildlife and flourishing ecosystems. Birdwatchers flock to these reserves to catch glimpses of rare species like terns and plovers that call this area home. The marshlands are alive with activity as flocks of birds migrate through, creating a symphony of chirps and calls that resonates throughout the tranquil surroundings.  

The Mermaid Inn, Rye East Sussex was rebuilt in 1420, with cellars dating to 1156. Photo by Tony Hisgett. Flickr.  

Culinary Delights: Local Seafood, Quaint Cafes

Fresh Seafood One cannot visit the picturesque town of Rye without indulging in its abundant seafood offerings. From freshly caught fish to succulent shellfish, the local seafood in Rye is a true culinary delight that captures the essence of coastal dining. Quaint cafes dotted along the charming streets offer a unique dining experience, serving cod, plaice, Dover sole, crab, lobsters, and much more. These dishes are prepared with seasonal ingredients sourced directly from nearby waters.   Cozy Cafes The allure of Rye’s culinary scene lies not only in its fresh seafood but also in the charm of its quaint cafes. These establishments exude a cozy atmosphere and often showcase local art while serving delicious meals that highlight the region's flavors. Blending classic recipes with modern techniques, they create a memorable dining experience suitable for every palate. The fusion of fresh flavors, warm ambiance, and artistic presentations elevates dining in this seaside town to an unforgettable experience that celebrates both tradition and creativity.  

Outdoor Activities: Hiking, Biking, Water Sports

Scenic Trails Rye spoils outdoor enthusiasts for choice when it comes to activities that invigorate the body and refresh the mind. Hiking along the scenic trails offers a chance to enjoy the lush greenery of the surroundings, while biking through meandering paths allows for exhilarating exploration of the diverse terrain. Water sports enthusiasts can indulge in thrilling adventures such as kayaking or paddleboarding in the crystal-clear waters off Rye’s shores, providing not only an adrenaline rush but also a unique perspective on this picturesque coastal town.   Connection with Nature Engaging in these outdoor activities promotes physical well-being and fosters a deep connection with nature, offering a sense of tranquility often elusive in our fast-paced lives.  

Great Dixter, Rye. An old house, and garden. Photo by J R Cologne. Pixabay.  

Accommodation Options: B&Bs, Cottages, Luxury Hotels

Bed and Breakfasts When it comes to accommodation options in Rye, travelers have multiple choices. Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs) in the area offer a charming and personalized experience, often situated in historic homes with unique décor and excellent homemade breakfast options.   Cozy Cottages For those seeking a more secluded retreat, renting a cozy cottage can provide privacy and a sense of serenity amidst Rye’s picturesque countryside.   Luxury Hotels Luxury hotels in Rye cater to guests looking for top-notch amenities, impeccable service, and exquisite dining experiences. These establishments boast elegant décor, spa facilities, and concierge services to ensure a lavish stay. Visitors can curate their accommodations based on their preferences – whether an intimate B&B getaway or indulging in the opulence of a luxury hotel experience.  

Aerial view of Rye town, East Sussex. Photo by Gabriel Mihalcea. Unsplash.  

Closing Thoughts

Rye in East Sussex is a hidden gem for holidaymakers seeking a charming and picturesque destination off the beaten path. This small, English medieval town offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty that will captivate visitors from all walks of life. The cobbled streets lined with historic buildings whisper tales of centuries past, inviting exploration and discovery at every turn. One of the highlights of a holiday in Rye is the breathtaking views from St. Mary’s Church tower, where visitors can admire panoramic vistas of the surrounding countryside and coastline. The quaint shops and art galleries scattered throughout the town provide ample opportunities to indulge in local crafts and delicacies, making it a shopping haven for those looking to bring home authentic souvenirs. Whether strolling along the ancient city walls or dining in one of Rye’s award-winning restaurants, there is no shortage of experiences to savor in this enchanting corner of East Sussex.   Sources: THX News, Wikipedia, Britannica, British Geological Survey & Discover Sussex. Read the full article

[squawkoverflow]

A new variant has been added!

Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) © Tony Hisgett

It hatches from aggressive, black, blue, brown, diagnostic, facial, naked, open, pink, rare, silvery, slender, small, velvety, visible, white, widespread, and young eggs.

squawkoverflow - the ultimate bird collecting game          🥚 hatch    ❤️ collect     🤝 connect

[meromattandin]

Found an absolutely gorgeous bird with no source for the photographer, so I'm making my own post with pictures from Wikimedia Commons because

(Picture by Tony Hisgett, Flickr link)

Look at this absolute stunner

This is a sunbittern! When just walking around, it's a bit of a standard-fare greyish brownish bittern colour with some cool stripes, but many bitterns have cool stripes, so it doesn't set it apart that much.

HOWEVER. It's got these gorgeous wing patterns!

(Photo by Spencer Wright, Flickr link)

The post I found compares it to a moth and I couldn't agree more. This bird is the beautiful meeting between a peacock and a butterfly and I love it

(Photo by Just Chaos, Flickr link)

"EXTREMELY do not eat me"

[gothic-architecture]

Gothic Buildings of Prague, Bohemia, Czech Republic

Powder Tower, Old Town

St. Wenceslas Church, Zderaz, New Town

Church of Our Lady before Týn, Old Town

Old Town Bridge Tower

Lesser Town Bridge Tower, Malá Strana

Old New Synagogue, Josefov - The oldest active synagogue in the world

(Hans Peter Schaefer, JanRys, Tony Hisgett, Alf van Beem, Øyvind Holmstad)

[airmanisr]

Jubilee Class 45596 Bahamas 5 by Tony Hisgett

[herpsandbirds]

if ur still doing, can i have some birds/herps from mexico… 🦔

Birds and Herps of Mexico:

Sure thing, lets see what I can find for you...

Pink-headed Warbler (Cardellina versicolor), family Parulidae, order Passeriformes, found in far southern Mexico and Guatemala

photograph by Francesca Albini

Giant Mexican Musk Turtles (Staurotypus triporcatus), family Kinosternidae, found in Mexico and northern Central America

photograph by Parker Gibbons

Yucatan Jays (Cyanocorax yucatanicus), juveniles, family Corvidae, order Passeriformes, endemic to the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico

photograph by Tony Hisgett 

Mexican Cantil (Agkistrodon bilineatus), juvenile, family Viperidae, found in Mexico and Central America

Venomous.

photograph by Dick Bartlett

Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa), father with chick, family Jacanidae, Mexico

In this photo, the yellow bone spur on the wing is visible. They use these to defend their chicks and themselves.

photograph by Juan Miguel Artigas Azas

Bell’s False Brook Salamander aka Tlaconete Pinto Salamander (Isthmura bellii), family Plethodontidae, endemic to Mexico

photograph by JMRC Photo

Brown-hooded Parrot (Pyrilia haematotis), family Psittacidae, found in Mexico, Central America, and Colombia

photograph by @ercan_uc

Mexican Beaded Lizard (Heloderma horridum), family Helodermatidae, Mexico

Venomous.

photograph by @vibes.and.snakes

[guerrerense]

Duchess of Sutherland 6233 LMS por Tony Hisgett

[warcrimesimulator]

by Tony Hisgett

[cool-critters]

Common merganser (Mergus merganser)

The common merganser (North American) or goosander (Eurasian) is a large duck of rivers and lakes in forested areas of Europe, northern and central Asia, and North America. It is 58–72 cm long with a 78–97 cm wingspan and a weight of 0.9–2.1 kg. Like the other mergansers, these piscivorous ducks have serrated edges to their bills to help them grip their prey, so they are often known as "sawbills". In addition to fish, they take a wide range of other aquatic prey, such as molluscs, crustaceans, worms, insect larvae, and amphibians; more rarely, small mammals and birds may be taken. In most places, the common merganser is as much a frequenter of salt water as fresh water. In larger streams and rivers, they float down with the stream for a few miles, and either fly back again or more commonly fish their way back, diving incessantly the whole way. In smaller streams, they are present in pairs or smaller groups, and they float down, twisting round and round in the rapids, or fishing vigorously in a deep pool near the foot of a waterfall or rapid. Nesting is normally in a tree cavity, so it requires mature forest as its breeding habitat. The species is a partial migrant, with birds moving away from areas where rivers and major lakes freeze in the winter, but resident where waters remain open. 

photo credits:Frank Schulenburg,Bengt Nyman, Tony Hisgett, werner22brigitte

[lynxpix]

Carpathian Lynx by Tony Hisgett

[naturalsciencesbelgium]

This Sunbittern has eyes on its wings and is amazingly handy! Nice one for #natureisthegreatestshow The Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias) looks like a cross between a heron and a rail. But this bird is unique and its exact place among the other birds is still food for discussion. You can find Sunbitterns near forested streams in the lowlands of tropical Central and South America. They mainly live on the ground and are active both during the day and at night. With a slow and deliberate pace they mainly hunt for insects and aquatic invertebrates, which they catch with a quick movement of their long, pointed beak. But it can be even more cunning: the Sunbittern is one of the few bird species that uses bait to attract prey. So it uses tools! With their striped plumage they are inconspicuous, but that changes when they spread their wings and tail, and the spectacular red-yellow-black sunbeam pattern emerges, after which they are named. ‘Eyes' on the wings are very rare in the bird world. Some claim that this particular pattern serves to divert the attention of predators such as birds of prey away from the head and rump. These are the most sensitive parts of its body. Such eye spots are also seen on butterfly wings and fish tails. What is certain is that this pattern plays an important role in courtship and competition with other Sunbitterns. . [images: Tony Hisgett, Rozmiar pierwotny, Tim Sackton]

[figuresinthevoid]

Some Stendhal syndrome

The Canterbury Cathedral (Kent, England, United Kingdom).

Built - for most of what we see today - in the Gothic style between the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, this monument actually offers a real architectural panorama, between Romanesque, early Gothic and late Gothic.

The cathedral is also historically charged, while it also has a remarkable crypt, a cloister and even a library. A paradise for History and Architecture lovers.

(The photographs show, in the following order: Becket's Crown, photography by David Iliff ; carvings on the ceiling inside the tower, photography by Nilfanion ; Warriors' Chapel, photography by Jonathan Cardy ; the choir, photography by David Iliff ; the ambulatory, photograph of Luctor ; the apse, photography by Nilfanion ; nave, photography by David Iliff ; the stained glass of the southern side of Trinity Chapel, idem ; the entrance to the Cathedral Precincts, photography by Tony Hisgett ; and finally, The rood screen separating the nave from the choir, photography by David Iliff. The original photographs have been modified)

[end0skeletal-undead]

Female Barn Owl by Tony Hisgett