#double-crested OWL

[sbnkalny]

it's 2028, your husband comes up and smacks your butt as you're unplugging the crockpot full of buffalo chicken dip, your friends have turned the dining room table into a beer pong tournament, the kids are laughing from the playroom, it's super bowl sunday and your heart is full

They will feed on all types of OWL: hooded owl, Leather owl, lesser small owl, rainbow owl, prison owl, BALD OWL, double-crested owl, powerful owl, shoebill Owl, swallow-tailed owl, vermilion owl, western meadow owl, buffalo owl, skunk owl, house owl, whispering Owl

[mey-rin-is-fabulous]

Double Crested Cormorant that I thought was a Loon at first, male and female Mallard ducks, Ring Billed Gull mid laugh, an Osprey, the coolest thing I saw all day what I think is a Barred Owl which I disturbed I think looked at the tree whipped out my binoculars to see what was in the tree and lo and behold there it was being annoyed by Robins and then we saw a Mourning Dove, then we got home and saw a Rock Dove.

It really is worth it bringing binoculars everywhere with you.

[what-is-this-rubbish]

Some solid birds while out scouting my field sites

[new-dinosaurs]

Phalacrocorax bakonyiensis Horváth et al., 2024 (new species)

(Type humerus [upper arm bone] of Phalacrocorax bakonyiensis, from Horváth et al., 2024)

Meaning of name: bakonyiensis = from the Bakony Mountains

Age: Miocene (Tortonian–Messinian)

Where found: Várhegy Cave No. 2, Veszprém, Hungary

How much is known: Three fragmentary humeri (upper arm bones), including one belonging to a juvenile individual.

Notes: Phalacrocorax is an extant genus of cormorants, a group of waterbirds that primarily catch prey by swimming underwater, propelling themselves with their feet. P. bakonyiensis was relatively small for a cormorant, being smaller than the extant great (P. carbo) and double-crested (Nannopterum auritum) cormorants, but larger than the pygmy cormorant (Microcarbo pygmaeus).

Remains of P. bakonyiensis were discovered in a cave, where they might have been accumulated as the remains of prey that had been fed on by an owl. Additional cormorant fossils that might belong to P. bakonyiensis had been previously collected from the same site in 1991, but have since been lost.

Reference: Horváth, I., J. Futó, and J. Kessler. 2024. Phalacrocorax bakonyiensis n. sp., a new species of cormorant from the Late Miocene of Hungary. Ornis Hungarica 32: 222–230. doi: 10.2478/orhu-2024-0016

[proton-wobbler]

Great Backyard Bird Off - Schedule & Info

Round One Schedule

Cosmopolitan - posted February 1st & 2nd - 14 polls

Europe - posted February 11th - 9 polls

Africa - posted February 20th - 9 polls

Australia - posted March 1st & 2nd - 20 polls

New Zealand - posted March 11th - 7 polls

Asia - posted March 20th & 21st - 14 polls

the Americas - posted March 29th & 30th - 16 polls

Eurasia - posted April 8th & 9th - 14 polls

Poll Info

There are 8 brackets, with 208 species featured! Ranges were determined either using the self-report feature added to the submission box or with eBird sightings. "Cosmopolitan" is a bracket involving species of birds which were found on at least three continents, regardless of which they were submitted for. "Eurasia" are birds which seem to appear equally between Europe and Asia (majority of the continent, not just Middle East). "the Americas" includes all of the Americas, with US birds removed- granted, some Canadian or Mexican birds can show up in the US, but they're not common enough backyard birds (imo) to have been disqualified.

Please-- feel free to advocate for whichever bird you vote for! I would love to get some more participation with this tournament, especially since this is a poll with popular bird species.

Polls will be a week long, and are tagged #Great Backyard Bird Off. All subsequent reblogs are tagged as #poll reblog. Be sure to block this tag if you want to avoid me spamming your dash. Any reblogs containing support for a species will be tagged #[species] support. Results will be tagged #poll results.

Bird Support Google Form

vvv Participant List under the Read More vvv

Cosmopolitan (28 species)

Black kite, Black-headed gull, Bohemian waxwing, Canada goose, Common buzzard, C. Chiffchaff, C. Kingfisher, C. Loon, C. Myna, C. Nightingale, C. Swift, Eurasian Collared-dove, Eurasian Hoopoe, Eurasian (Common) Kestrel, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, European bee-eater, European (common) starling, Great crested grebe, Great gray owl, Grey wagtail, Little grebe, Ring-necked pheasant, Red-backed Shrike, Rock Pigeon, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Western barn owl, Western cattle egret, White (pied) wagtail

Europe (18 species)

Tawny Owl, Spotless Starling, Red kite, Middle spotted woodpecker, Great spotted woodpecker, Fieldfare, European Stonechat, E. Robin, E. Herring Gull, E. Goldfinch, Eurasian Green Woodpecker, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Eurasian blackcap, Eurasian (Common) Blackbird, Dunnock, Crested tit, Common wood-pigeon, Eurasian Blue tit

Africa (18 species)

African Harrier-hawk, Bearded barbet, Blacksmith lapwing, Bokmakierie, Cape starling, Cape white-eye, Dark-capped bulbul, Hadada ibis, House bunting, Klaas' Cuckoo, Kwevoel (Grey go-away-bird), Nile valley sunbird, Purple-crested turaco, Red-winged starling, Southern double-collared sunbird, Southern masked weaver, Spotted eagle-owl, White-backed mousebird

Australia (41 species)

Yellow Wattlebird, Willie-wagtail, White-faced Heron, Welcome Swallow, Weebill, Tawny Frogmouth, Tasmanian Nativehen, Superb Fairywren, Sulfur-crested Cockatoo, Splendid Fairywren, Sooty Owl, Red-browed Firetail, Red wattlebird, Rainbow lorikeet, Peid currawong, Pheasant coucal, Pacific koel, Noisy miner, Masked lapwing, Magpie-lark, Little corella, Lewin's honeyeater, Laughing kookaburra, Grey fantail, Grey butcherbird, Gang Gang cockatoo, Galah, Eastern spinebill, Eastern rosella, Crimson rosella, Crested pigeon, Crescent honeyeater, Bush stone curlew (thick-knee), Brown thornbill, Black swan, Bell miner, Austarlian ringneck, Australian magpie, Australian Ibis (Bin Chicken), Australasian Swamphen (Pukeko)

New Zealand (14 species)

Kaka, Kakaruwai (South Island robin), Karearea (NZ falcon), Kereru, Koekoea (Long-tailed Koel), Korimako (NZ bellbird), Yellowhead, Piwakawaka (NZ Fantail), Riroriro (Grey Gerygone), Satin Bowerbird, Silvereye (Tahou), Titipounamu (Rifleman), Tomtit, Tui

Asia (28 species)

Asian Koel, Azure-winged Magpie, Black-collared Starling, Brown-eared Bulbul, Colombo (House) Crow, Common Hill-myna, Eastern Buzzard, Japanese Robin, Light-vented Bulbul, Mandarin Duck, Masked Laughingthrush, Olive-backed Sunbird, Oriental Magpie-robin, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Palau Fruit dove, Palla's Gull, Purple-rumped Sunbird, Red-billed Blue magpie, Red Junglefowl, Red-whiskered bulbul, Ruppell's Weaver, Southern Hill-myna, Spotted dove, Swinhoe's White-eye, Whistling Green-pigeon, White-rumped munia, White-spectacled bulbul, Yellow bittern

The Americas (33 species)

Austral Thrush, Bananaquit, Blue-and-white Swallow, Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Bushy-crested Jay, Canada Jay, Chalk-browed Mockingbird, Chimango, Clay-colored Thrush, Common Potoo, Crimson-fronted Parakeet, Eared Dove, Great Kiskadee, Great Thrush, Green-backed Firecrown, Green-headed Tanager, Hoatzin, Lesson's Motmot, Masked Water Tyrant, Pacific Hornero, Pale-breasted Thrush, Plain Parakeet, Red-rumped Cacique, Ruddy Ground Dove, Rufous Hornero, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Russet-naped Wood rail, Sayaca Tanager, Southern House Wren, Southern Lapwing, White Bellbird, White-crested Elaenia

Eurasia (28 Species)

Black Redstart, Blue Rock thrush, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, Eurasian Bittern, Eurasian Jackdaw, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Magpie, Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Eurasian Siskin, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Eurasian Treecreeper, Eurasian Wren, European Greenfinch, Goldcrest, Great Tit, Hawfinch, Hooded Crow, Long-tailed Tit, Mistle Thrush, Northern Lapwing, Rook, Song Thrush, Spanish Sparrow, Yellowhammer

[reynolds-here-over]

Hermitcraft/life series fic I’m workshopping

Superheroes with the watchers as the evil guys to force/blackmail super powered humans to do what they want.

The Hermits are the worlds version of the avengers

The sky siblings (grain,pearl and jimmy) are siblings in this au and are avians and have side small powers related to their bird species.

Grain =parrot(red with lots of colours)likes flying and can do it well

jimmy =canary(The Crested Canary) isn’t good with heights and smaller wings so can’t fly long or to well since he mostly hides his wings

Pearl = owl (The Powerful Owl)loves flying and good at gliding

Grain =oldest pearl and jimmy =younger twins (pearls older of the twins)

Growing up grain accidentally got involved with the watchers and went to prison for it and as a part of his rehabilitation he has to help the hermits and after a few years he ranks up to hero position

During grains jail time pearl and jimmy are still young so they are kinda fending for themselves (let’s say the parents are absent because that physically or emotionally or financially) jimmy lands a job part time at his friends Lizzie’s family vet clinic and pearl gets a part time waste disposal position

Due to her job and relationship to grian the watchers keeps tabs on pearl and sometimes around 18ish she goes missing and presumed dead but in reality the watchers have taken her

Jimmy eventually goes on to get a medical license and actually gets hired to the hermits for medical

Around about 4 years after pearls disappearance a watcher villian with jet black wings appears by the name scarlet and starts causing a lot of trouble and normally the hermits can sus out how the watchers have a villain under their control and help them get out but with scarlet they can’t find anything.

Btw the others come into this at odd angles like:

Martin is a double agent who helps the hermits out with watcher info but he’s not on the top of the watchers information clearance yet so doesn’t know everything

Lizzie is dating Joel who’s the public communications guy for the hermits and she herself runs her family vet(this comes in with pearl and grain plot I’ve thought of)

Scar is a hero for the hermits along with most of the others

Gem was pearls friend before she was taken and was planing to go to med school with jimmy but decided to go full hero route but still is help with medical

Impulse and skizz are a superhero duo(in hermit group) who still run their own podcast

I’m going to be adding more just not ironed out the details yet

[greeenchrysanthemums]

UPDATED appearances for the GG rivals au characters: now with Lizzie and Joel!!

Once again, i am no artist so they are just written descriptions with pictures here and there. Most of them are largely the same as the previous post, but I have added little tidbits to certain descriptions, some of which are lore related!

Gem looks similar to this gorgeous fanart, except her dress has slits up the side to allow for easier movement. This look is sometimes replaced entirely by a trouser and tunic combo of the same colour if she knows the mission she is being sent on will need a great deal of movement in close quarters or something to that affect. No matter the outfit, her sword never leaves her waist. Her hair is in a low bun with a braid wrapping around the front of her head, like this. I do not imagine her with horns in this au.

Scott and Impulse wear armour similar to how applestruda draws it in her au, with their cloths in shades of teal and yellow respectively. Scott has long, back length hair, that he wears down and covering one eye. He was born with heterochromatic eyes, one blue and one hazel. His teeth are sharp, and he has fin-like ears due to his Coral Crest heritage. Impulse has shortly cropped hair, stubble on his face, and two little nubby horns that are tipped in black extending out of his forehead. He also has sharp, clawed hands.

Grian's eyes are entirely black like a barn owl's, and he has feathers on the high parts of his cheek bones and ears. His hands end in sharp talons rather than nails. He also has bird-like legs and taloned feet. His wings are not visible, if there at all. He wears a red shawl/cloak that has a high collar and ends around his waist, held closed by a brooch in the shape of an eye, similar to this but golden instead of silver. It has a hood, but he only wears it if he is trying not to be seen. His undershirt is black, and it is a long sleeve. His trousers are brown.

Scar wears a similar black cloak as Grian, held closed by the same brooch, though he wears his with the hood up. The cloak has red flower detailing on the hem. His eyes are green, and his hair is brown. He has a single grey streak in the front of his bangs. His tunic and trousers under the cloak are both black and he wears his shirt just a little bit too open at the top. He also always wears a smile, but pretty much everyone can agree it is deceptively kind and fake. He looks the most human out of the whole cast, so much so that it is entirely uncanny. EDIT: I can't believe I forgot to mention! Scar has a cane as well. It's wooden with a gold handle.

Mumbo and Etho wear matching outfits, claiming it is professional since they share a job and shop, but it is something they choose to do, not something that is required of them (they are just very, very silly). They are simple outfits consisting of white tunics with black trousers and thick, leather aprons on top (mumbo's is red and etho's is a dark green). They both wear goggles and thick gloves, as well as chunky boots, all for safety since they work with explosives very often. Etho wears a black bandana to cover his lower his face, both to hide his scars and his identity. His goggles replace his headband in this look, doubling as what keeps his hair out of his face. His scared eye is missing entirely; he does not have a false eye, it is just an empty socket. Mumbo wears his goggles around his neck when they are not on his face.

Bdubs also wears thick gloves to protect his hands in the garden. His shirt is white, and he has brown trousers that are a tad bit high watered, something he claims is intentional as he does not want mud all over his trousers. The previous argument becomes moot, because over this outfit he wears a thick cloak that is almost always covered in some manner of flora and/or mud. He completes the look with a wide brimmed hat to protect him from the sun.

Cleo is also dressed similarly to Etho and Mumbo but her apron is a plain brown that is stained with soot. Her tunic sleeves are always rolled up to show off her strong arms and she doesn't wear her safety gloves nearly as much as she should. She forgoes eye protection entirely. One of her eyes is missing, replaced with a glass eye of a slightly different shade of green than her organic eye. Her hair is pulled into a much messier bun than Gem's, with frizzy stray hairs going every direction. She is NOT a zombie in this au, she is completely human.

Ren is dressed in all the typical regalia of a king, complete with a diamond encrusted, golden crown and a thick red cape with a fluffy collar. His thick beard is long and braided. His eyes are red, as well as blood shot, and he almost always appears angry. He, of course, has wolf ears and a tail. He simply would not be Rendog without them.

Martyn is dressed in the same armour as the other knights. His under clothing is green, as is the bandana he wears around his forehead. He usually appears worried, but he smiles often in the presence of the king. He always has a hand on the sheath of his sword, ready to draw it at any time.

Pearl wears a white tunic with flared sleeves tucked into a pair of high waisted black trousers. Over this she has a deep, red cloak that stops at her waist and is held closed by a circular broch that, when unclasped, takes the shape of crescent and wanning gibbous moons. She has a crescent moon shaped birth mark on the left side of her face. Her hair is always down and messy under her hood. When she is on the job, she carries a scythe strapped to her back, along with a crossbow. There is a sheath on her leg which contains a dagger.

Bigb wears a blue tunic with brown trousers, along with a thin white apron when he is working. He always seems to have flour stains on his clothes whether he is on or off the clock, no matter how hard he tries to wipe it off. Big strong arms for him as well.

Skizz wears the same armour as the rest of the knights, and his underclothes are black. The shoulder of his armour has a cross emblem on it that delegates him as a medic, and he has medical supplies carried across his chest. The sleeves of his tunic are ripped off and he does not wear his gauntlets, showing off a plethora of scars along his arms. He is a dove avian, but one of his wings is heavily damaged and half missing as a result of an old injury he sustained on the field. He has white feathers on his upper cheekbones and ears, but he lacks the talons that Grian has.

Tango wears a short sleeved red tunic and black trousers with big chunky boots that are never free of mud. His hands are clawed, and his ears are pointed; both are tipped in a red to black gradient. His eyes are entirely red. He has a long tail that ends in a tuff of fire that doesn't seem to actually have any real heat.

Jimmy wears a blue tunic with a brown vest over it. Brown trousers and chunky boots. His sleeves are always rolled up and he is always covered in some manner of dirt, both because of the work he does on the farm, and from being very clumsy. He has bull horns, one of which is chipped. He also has a tail and bull-like ears. He has a gold ring in one of his ears.

Lizzie wears a flowy purplish-pink dress that is thin, both to allow for free movement and to allow airflow in the Coral Crest heat. Her teeth are sharp, and her ears are fin-like. Her nails are very sharp. She wears her pink hair down with a string of pearls like this. She wears many silver and gold bracelets on both wrists, along with a few anklets on both ankles. She does not wear shoes unless she is out of the castle.

Joel Wears a thin, short sleeved white tunic and brown trousers under a set of armour. While Wintertide armour is more thick and sturdy, as well as a darker greyish colour, Coral Crest armour is more thin and agile, and is a lighter grey, almost white, colour. He wears no gauntlets. His hair is short and messy with the back pulled into a tiny ponytail. He has a short, scruffy beard. He also has fin-like ears, sharp teeth, and sharp nails. He puts on a tough guy act by scowling all the time.

[sinister-moonlight]

Its been so long since I finished @naffeclipse's fic Cryptid Sightings but I got the urge to draw some more Cryptid monster design for Eclipse cause I still can't stop loving the way Naff created their Crypid!Eclipse! <3 I cannot stop the love I have for CS and I do need to reread it one day.

I did forget that it was four arms sooo um... woop! Hahaha!

I was like always inspired by the AMAZING - I cant praise my love for Meep's art enough no matter how much I try!! - @themeeplord cause their CS!Eclipse makes me MELT! Lemme hold their cute face!! This time I went with a more glowly design since I love light effects and I imagine that this Cryptid!Eclipse can turn their light on and off to use as a angler fish to lure their prey closer in the dark.

Please check out both Naff and Meep for their amazing work and their ability to make me melt with their creations! <3

─────────────── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───────────────

A little "short" story under to build on the picture <3 Been a while since I written stories haha!

The ever pressuring darkness of the ancient forest around seem to chill you to your very bones. Every creak of the old trees makes you flinch and turn your head praying its just a bird, but there is no sound of any animals in the forest with you. No hooting owl. No scavenging fox in the underbrush.

It is just you.

Or is it?

The heavy blackness is suddenly breaking as a red light seem to come from a unknown source just a short ways in front of where you were going. It almost looks like a firefly as it bobbles gently in the wind. Another is soon followed but this one a deep blue.

You feel your tired legs start to move towards the almost hypnotizing light. The exhaustion in your body seem to get heavier as if the light is telling you that it is finally okay to take a break. You feel safe.

The silence of the forest is then shattered by the sound of bells.

'Ding... Ding...'

Its a soft sound. A sound that reminds you of a windchime softly singing in the summer breeze.

More lights are now accompanying the previous ones and they seem to almost take shape.

Your mind is trying to tell you that it is not safe. You know the stories of the demon in this forest - yet still you went in only armed with a old camera around your neck. The elders in your small town spoke of the demon - or old god as some called them - and how it lured in wrong doers and so called rulebreakers to punish them. You been taught and ordered already as a young child never to enter the forest at night, but the stories had done the opposite of scaring you away.

They had thrilled you to enter.

Yet now you feared that maybe you really should have listened. Maybe you should have been scared as slowly giant hands dipped in red and blue reached out for you to oh so gently grasp your head and hips. The size double of that of your head with claws longer then your whole hand. Sharper then the teeth of the old stray dog that you used to feed at night.

Bright yellow eyes enveloped in red stares into your own with a soft cooing and rumbling coming from fanged mouth. A sound resembling the bellows of a crocodile emitting from the being's chest where it's bright petal shaped crest stands proudly like that of a lions mane.

Slowly it pulls you in where the hands travel to gently lift you up and press you close to its body as if you were something precious to keep safe.

You are now fighting to keep your eyes open as they grow heavier and heavier as the gentle chime of the bells and the now soft rumbling sings you to sleep. The feeling of being moved only managed to make you lose the fight to stay awake.

The last thing you register as the slumber sweeps you under is a deep voice that whispers in your hair with what sounds like two overlapping voices.

"Rest little one. Nothing in our forest will cause you harm. Not as long as we can help it..."

[ponlolhaha]

DAAAMN, I FINALLY FINISHED IT!!1!!! fan msm island - Night Island. I think it'll just stay at the concept stage. song - Sleepwalk-Forrest Day (i think it may be cover...or remix. idk).

Let's take a quick look at the canonical monsters that are present here. I would really like to cram the natural ones in here, but they just don't go with the song itself.. That's why they're magical. -one-element: Clackula, Floot Fly, Fluoress. -double element: Osstax, Knucklehead. -triple-element: Mushaboom. -Erthereal: Ghazt. now the most interesting and delicious part: fan monsters. I will tell you about them quickly, too, without unnecessary words.

Orbat - one-element monster of the Night Island. It makes truly heavenly sounds. It sounds like Gob. while she sings (i can say that, right?….) a circle on her stomach and her eyes begin to light up. instrument: pipe organ. Meteoro - He uses vocals during his part.. Well, how are the vocals.. just purring/mumbling.. something like that. Sunstroke - just rams its paws on the spheres around it. Instrument: Cajon (percussion). Silky - MY FAVORITE. ahem.. This kid is literally the foundation. base. He plays the whole song in the background, using his silk threads and bow. Instrument: violin. Violosker - this cat can play on his long whiskers and on your nerves. I'm sorry for the stupid pun. he makes a long and drawn-out sound during his playing. it can be heard mainly in the background (very good at duet with a Silky) instrument: cello. Howl - a sad guy for life. His song is more like crying and howling than the hooting that other owls make. That's why he's called that. Dragolight - a dragon resembling those in Chinese mythology. when his turn comes, his crests, eyes and stripes on his body flash with a bright lemon light, with a distinct sound. (and it also looks like a watermelon). Instrument: electro-synthesizer. Sello & Dart - these are the ones here.. What's their name.. Vocalists?????? Singers?? uh, Werdos. they are the main stars here: they sing the lyrics of the song.

That's it.. heh. I don't think I'll come up with another fan island later, despite the fact that it was a very interesting experience. with the monsters that we already have, I may still publish something. (if u had questions - ask always open)

[kadoo-travels-and-tours]

Unveiling Nyungwe National Park: A Birder's Paradise in Rwanda

Imagine a lush, verdant rainforest teeming with life, where the air is filled with the sweet melodies of countless birds. This is Nyungwe National Park, a true birder's paradise nestled in the heart of Rwanda. With its diverse habitats, from dense montane forests to marshy wetlands, this park is home to a captivating array of avian species, many of which are elusive and endemic to the Albertine Rift.

1. Nyungwe National Park: A Birder's Haven in Rwanda

Nyungwe National Park, located in southwestern Rwanda, is one of the country's most treasured natural areas. Spanning over 1,000 square kilometers, the park is part of the Albertine Rift, a global biodiversity hotspot. Its dense, evergreen forests are home to a staggering variety of plant and animal species, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts.

2. Encountering Rwanda's Iconic Birds

The turacos are undoubtedly Nyungwe's most iconic bird species. Their vibrant plumage, shimmering with iridescent hues, is a sight to behold. Three of the most sought-after turaco species in the park are:

Great Blue Turaco: With its deep blue plumage and striking red crest, the Great Blue Turaco is a majestic bird.

Ruwenzori Turaco: This stunning bird is characterized by its metallic green plumage and long, slender tail.

Ross's Turaco: Smaller than its relatives, Ross's Turaco has a vibrant green body with a blue head and throat.

3. Rare and Endangered Species: A Conservation Priority

Nyungwe National Park is also home to several rare and endangered bird species, including:

Red-collared Mountain Babbler: A secretive bird found in the park's montane forests.

Albertine Owlet: A small owl endemic to the Albertine Rift.

Grauer's Swamp Warbler: An elusive warbler found in the park's wetlands.

4. Colorful Forest Dwellers: A Sunbird's Paradise

Nyungwe is renowned for its diverse sunbird population, which includes some of the most colorful birds in the park:

Purple-breasted Sunbird: A vibrant bird often seen hovering at flowers.

Blue-headed Sunbird: A striking bird with a blue head and throat.

Regal Sunbird: The largest sunbird species in the park.

Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird: An endemic sunbird found in the park's higher elevations.

5. Elusive Forest Floor Residents

While many birds in Nyungwe are found in the canopy, there are also several species that inhabit the forest floor:

Red-throated Alethe: A shy thrush often seen foraging for insects.

Archer's Ground Robin: A small robin endemic to the Albertine Rift.

Kivu Ground Thrush: A ground thrush similar in appearance to the Red-throated Alethe.

6. Best Birdwatching Spots in Nyungwe

Nyungwe National Park offers a variety of birdwatching opportunities:

Uwinka Overlook: A popular viewpoint for spotting turacos and other forest birds.

Kamiranzovu Marsh: A wetland area home to waterbirds like herons and egrets.

Karamba Trail: A challenging hike offering excellent opportunities to see forest birds.

Isumo Waterfall: A scenic waterfall where you can spot birds in the surrounding forest.

7. Optimal Seasons for Birdwatching in Rwanda

The best time to visit Nyungwe for birdwatching is during the dry season (December to March). However, the park can also be visited during the wet season (April to November).

8. Essential Birdwatching Equipment for Your Rwanda Adventure

To make the most of your birdwatching experience in Nyungwe, you'll need:

Binoculars: A good pair of binoculars is essential for observing birds.

Field guides and checklists: These will help you identify the birds you see.

Appropriate clothing and footwear: Comfortable, sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are essential.

9. Tips for Responsible Birdwatching in Rwanda

Respect bird habitats: Avoid disturbing birds and their nests.

Minimize disturbance: Keep noise levels to a minimum and avoid feeding birds.

Support local conservation efforts: Consider staying at eco-friendly lodges and contributing to conservation projects.

Nyungwe National Park is a birder's dream destination, offering a unique opportunity to witness some of the most vibrant and elusive avian species in Africa. By embarking on a Rwanda birdwatching tour, you can experience the breathtaking beauty of this natural wonder and contribute to the conservation of its incredible birdlife.

[helenadurazzo]

Entering the Magic

Genna is the daughter of two muggles and is excited to learn everything she can about Hogwarts - from exploring Diagon Alley to Experiencing the Sorting Ceremony - all happening before she takes her first classes.

Sloan Truell, Elma Truell, Imogen Truell, and Gilbert Sharp belong to @melodymidway

Genna Raleigh’s POV, September 2008

Life was full of surprises and that was exactly the way Genna liked it. The past summer had certainly been no exception. One day, her and her parents were greeted with a knock on the door and upon opening it, revealed a rather unusual visitor. An unbelievably tall man with shaggy brown hair and a big beard. He was holding a pink umbrella despite there being no rain that day He practically had to squeeze his way inside due to how small the doorway was, at least for him as Genna was confident she had never seen someone as tall as him before

The gigantic man introduced himself as Rubeus Hagrid and pulled out an envelope with a red wax crest, decorated with a lion, eagle, badger, and snake, sealing it. He then explained to her and her parents that Genna was a witch, capable of magic, and going to pursue a study of magic at this curiously called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Genna felt like it was a dream but pinched herself to double check. She assumed her parents would laugh it off, as they did with all the other times Genna told stories about the strange things that happened around her such as pages flipping themselves or books floating in the air. Yet their reactions were rather peculiar given how neither seemed that surprised, perhaps they believed in some truth in Genna’s stories after all. Although mother didn’t seem fond of the idea of her going, worrying about safety concerns, but Hagrid assured her that Hogwarts was a fine and safe place and that she needn’t be concerned.

The Hogwarts Professor helped her get her supplies from a fascinating place in London called Diagon Alley, that they traveled to on a remarkably fast flying motorbike. The kind man helped her make sure she had all of her supplies such as her numerous school books and even gifted her an owl, saying that it was a great way to manage communication in the magical world. Yet the highlight of the visit was to the wand shop called Ollivanders. The old wand keeper helped her try out a few different wands but eventually one seemed to like her, one made sycamore wood with a phoenix feather serving as its core.

The last thing Hagrid told her before he left was to make sure she didn’t miss the Hogwarts Express that would be leaving from Kings Cross Station at Platform 9 and 3/4. Genna’s Dad was happy to accompany her to the train station, even though he didn’t hide his doubt from her that such a platform existed, having claimed he had been to the station many times, but never seen it. After what seemed like forever trying to look for the platform, analyzing the area near platforms nine and ten, Uncle Mateo’s older brother, Jacob Durazzo, arrived with his daughter and quickly correctly guessed that they were having trouble with the platform and explained to Genna that all she needed to do, was run through the brick wall, something that her Dad thought he was absolutely mad for saying until Sandy demonstrated. Jacob Durazzo went with Genna to the platform as Dad didn’t like the idea of running into a brick wall and gave his farewells between platforms nine and ten.

Now Genna boarded the Hogwarts Express. Originally she figured she would board with Sandy, but Jacob had spotted his colleague with his own daughter and son and Sandy went with him to talk with them. Genna didn’t mind, excited to do some exploring of her own as she looked at all of the curious people at the platform in robes with wands. Youthful wizards and witches just like her boarded the train after making sure all of their supplies and belongings were loaded and more were sure to come.

She looked around the train and tried to spot a compartment with empty seats. Yet she completely got distracted when out of the corner of her eyes she saw a girl of her own age whose hair changed from brown to a bright yellow all of a sudden. Out of curiosity she made her way over to the girl, noticing how she was with a boy around their age with dark hair and even darker eyes.

“I love your hair!” Genna energetically complimented the girl without a second thought, “You can do that with magic?”

The friendly girl smiled at her as she turned, albeit seemed initially surprised at first, “You can, there is a color changing charm.” She explained as her hair changed back to brown, although now Genna noticed that the girl was manipulating her appearance to add some green highlights, “But such a spell isn’t needed for a metamorphmagus.”

Genna raised an eyebrow with confusion at the unfamiliar term, “A meta- metamorpha- what?”

The girl gave a small, lighthearted and amused laugh before she gently provided the correct pronunciation, “A metamorphmagus. It means I can change my appearance at will, it’s quite a rare ability.” The girl motioned to herself and the boy she was with, “You seem nice, I’m Elma, and this is my cousin Sloan, what’s your name?”

“Genna.” She replied with a smile, “Genna Raleigh.”

“Nice to meet you.” Sloan gave a small smile, “Want to join us? We are also looking for seats.”

“My sister is helping us with that.” Elma added.

With that, Genna noticed an older girl who walked over to them. She was a bit taller with dark brown hair and round glasses. She appeared to already be in her school robes but Genna noticed that they had color compared to the ones she had, with her with green accents and a crest that depicted a snake.

“I see you have already made a friend.” The older girl commented. “Not that I am surprised.” She then motioned her hand a bit ways down, “I spotted a compartment on the left side that is pretty empty with the exception of a boy who seems to be about your age. You three should all be able to fit there. Follow me”

“Thanks Imogen.” Elma thanked her older sister before following her further down to the compartment with Sloan quickly following the pair of sisters and Genna finding herself walking behind him.

It didn’t take long to find the compartment of the train that Elma’s sister described, and rather accurately at that. The boy dressed in his school robes that lacked the color that Elma’s sister’s had, was already in there. He sat next to the window looking absently minded out of it as if he was waiting for something to occur.

“Hello there.” Elma spoke for the group without hesitation before her older sister had a chance to open her mouth. The dark brown haired boy slowly turned towards her voice his bright brown eyes narrowing with a surprising amount of suspicion. “Do you mind if we join you?”

For a brief moment, Genna was convinced that the guy was going to decline their request by the way he simply silently looked at them. Yet he seemed to give up with that and reluctantly agree, perhaps it was Elma’s older sister’s awkward, maybe even apologetic smile, “Come in.” Following which, Elma’s sister gave her sister a temporary farewell until they reached Hogwarts, and left to find herself a seat.

“Thanks.” Sloan smiled at their new companion for the rest of the trip as he sat next to him while Genna sat next to Elma across from the boys, “I am Sloan Truell, this is my cousin Elma, and that’s Genna Raleigh.”

“Whats your name?” Genna curiously asked as the train finally began to move.

The boy narrowed his eyes almost as if he wasn’t going to give them an answer, but he eventually did, “Rex.”

“Nice to meet you Rex.” Elma beamed.

“So your sister is a student here to?” Genna asked after a little bit of awkward silence, “Has she ever told you anything about what it’s like.”

“Imogen is going into her fourth year.” Elma explained, “She’s a Slytherin student.”

“Is that what the snake meant?” Genna asked.

“Yes.” Elma nodded before looking at Genna with even more curiosity, “So you’re a muggle born aren’t you? Your parents aren’t magical.”

“That’s right.” Genna confirmed with less confidence, “Is something wrong with that?”

“Not at all.” Elma assured her, “You’ll have to tell me about the muggle world sometime. It’ll be a nice supplement until muggle studies becomes an option for us in a few years. She always wrote letters of her Hogwarts stories and now I am excited to make my own.”

“It’ll be quite an adventure.” Genna agreed. “That I am sure of.”

“My stepbrothers also go here, Idris is a Ravenclaw and so is Noah.” Elma added, “and so did Sloan’s older sisters, Sage and Sakura, they graduated in a few years ago, and were sorted into Slytherin and Hufflepuff respectively.”

“Sorted?” Genna repeated out loud, “Is that how we are assigned?”

“That’s right.” Sloan explained. “Hogwarts has four houses, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin they each have their own values like bravery, intelligence, loyalty, and ambition among others.”

“Imogen told me that they put this anciently old hat on your head and that is how you are assigned to your house.” Elma added.

“That’s interesting!” Genna exclaimed with a grin as she pondered about what house she would be placed in. Yet her thoughts changed as she noticed Rex again, just as silent as ever, “What about you Rex? Do you have any older siblings who have come to this school before?”

“No.” Rex shook his head, “Just a younger sister, but I do-“

“Hey Rexie!” A new voice sounded from the threshold of their compartment. “I see you made some friends already? Can’t wait to tell Aunt Helena this.”

Genna looked in the direction of the voice to see a girl that seemed to be about seventeen or so years old standing there with a small owl on her shoulder dressed in school robes with yellow accents and a badger crest. She didn’t look much like Rex, having lighter brown hair that was tied in a low pony tail and soft grey eyes that were like smooth pebbles. She seemed to radiate friendliness with that smile.

“You really don’t have to do that.” Rex scowled with annoyance. “If I want to write to my parents I’ll do so, you don’t have to do it for me. And for that matter what are you doing here?”

“Just seeing how you’re doing.” The girl cheerfully replied.

Rex only sighed and ran his hand down his face, “Just because Odette isn’t here doesn’t mean you can bother me, don’t you have other people to talk with.”

“It’s just a visit don’t be so grumpy.” The girl teased him playfully as she smiled at Genna and the Truell cousins, “I am Antoinette, Rex’s cousin.”

“Nice to meet you.” Elma quickly matched the energy of Rex’s cousin, “I’m Elma, this is Genna, and that’s Sloan.”

Before Antoinette could speak further, an old woman with a trolly came coming down the aisle. “Get back to your seat.” She scolded with annoyance, as if it wasn’t the first time she had to tell someone that. “There is no reason to be wandering around the train you should know that.”

“Fine, fine.” Antoinette gave in simply before winking at Rex while he simultaneously rolled his eyes, “But first.” She handed the woman a few of those magical coins Hagrid was telling her about, “I would like to get each of them a chocolate frog, my treat.”

“Very well then.” The old woman complied as Renée walked on her way while the woman with the trolly handed out four packages of chocolate frogs. And then continued on her way.

“Your cousin is the best!” Elma cheered towards Rex as she opened up her chocolate frog.

“She’s fine.” Rex responded dismissively

Before Genna knew it the chocolate frog gained sentience and became hopping around. Soon enough flying out the slightly opened window, “Is that normal?” She asked with disbelief.

“Yeah.” Sloan laughed as he opened his own simultaneously with Genna and Rex. “These frogs have a mind of their own sometimes. Never know if you are going to catch them, but at least you got a card.”

“I got Artemisia Lufkin.” Elma informed the others as she held up her card which showed an old woman who was moving around in the image. It seemed that magic allowed any photograph or painting to move as if it had a mind of its own. “What about the rest of you?”

“Gwenog Jones.” Rex answered with little emotion as he showed his card briefly, a dark skinned woman with a broom in her hand dressed in emerald green. “Another duplicate.”

“It’s still nice! I also got a quidditch player.” Sloan revealed, “Roderick Plumpton.”

“What about you Genna?” Elma curiously asked again.

“Oh sorry.” Genna apologized after realizing she was lost in her own thought as she was looking at the figure on her card, a brown haired woman with blue eyes, and freckles, with the back informing that she was a curse breaker, “I got Melody Midway.”

“The curse breaker?” Elma’s eyes widened, “Wicked!”

“It sounds like she went on some epic adventures given this text. But it also says she helped play a role in the second wizarding war and fought in the Battle of Hogwarts.” Genna added, “What was that?”

Elma’s expression turned somber and spoke carefully, “It was a brutal time for those who were not of a suitable blood status. These supremacists claimed that muggle borns stole magic from wizards and should pay the price. Many were rounded up and either tortured or killed. The Battle of Hogwarts was what ended the war and brought peace.”

“Wow…” Genna’s eyes widened with shock, not having expected to hear about such an event, and one that seemed to have occurred relatively recently.

“Don’t let it get you down.” Sloan gave Genna an encouraging smile, “We are in much better times now. Actually if I recall correctly, Melody Midway’s father is the head auror, and quite a good one at that, those are basically dark wizard catchers.”

“If curse breaking interests you.” Elma added to continue lightening up the mood, “I remember that there was a book written a couple of years ago by another Midway, Louis I think his name was, about something called the cursed vaults, I’ve never read it myself though.”

“Fascinating.” Genna’s eyes lit up.

“Don’t go poking your nose where you shouldn’t though.” Rex grimly warned her, “Sure those curses are broken, but there were quite bad back in the day. And besides, no one should strive to get in trouble on the first day.”

~~

“Welcome to Hogwarts,” the headmistress greeted the crowd of students as they walked in but Genna’s eyes were still mesmerized by the floating candles, “before we begin, I’ve been advised by Mister Filch, that a rather grumpy ghoul has taken up residence in an empty classroom on the third floor. Best to steer clear until further notice. When I first became headmistress, barely four months had passed since the Battle of Hogwarts, since Voldemort and his followers were defeated thanks to the combined efforts of many heroic witches and wizards, forest dwellers, and house elves and students, much like yourselves. Hopefully, none of you will face such evil, but should challenges arise. Know that together you are capable of much more than you might think. Now, I know you are all starving, but first we must see to the sorting of our newest students into their houses. Now let us begin”

While the sorting hat sung an animated song, Genna thought further about what the headmistress said about what seemed to be a relatively recent wizarding war. She reminded herself to ask Rex, Sloan, and Elma more questions about this conflict, which seemed more violent than Genna could have guessed. Sure, they told her a bit about it on the train, but it seemed like this wizarding conflict had a number of different facets. Not only did they target those who were not pure of blood, but they also staged their final battle at the school Genna was now attending? At least it was in the past as Sloan had pointed out, but it was clear that the memories still lingered, and likely even more prominently in those who lived through the war.

Apparently, Genna was more lost in her own mind that she thought she was since it was only when Elma gently nudged her in the arm which is when she came back to reality.

“Professor McGonagall called your name.” Elma pointed out to her, even though Genna didn’t even hear it, not even the names of the others who had already been sorted, “Go on.”

Genna decided to silently nod and walk forward to sit in the seat as the Headmistress placed the worn and ragged hat on her head. She looked out at the tables a bit closer, noticing more of which table belonged to which house, recalling the colors she had seen before. Green was Slytherin, Yellow was Hufflepuff, and judging by the animal emblems, Blue was for Ravenclaw, and Red was for Gryffindor.

“Hmm, where shall I put you.” The hat finally spoke as it pondered the decision as Genna wondered how long this would take. It seemed that everyone before her was sorted rather quickly, how else would they have gotten to her name so quickly, yet before she knew it, the hat made its decision known by exclaiming "GRYFFINDOR!"

Genna quickly found a seat next to a girl who looked about her age with auburn hair and a red scarf that covered the lower half of her face and looked towards the front of the Great Hall as the sortings were quick to continue with hardly any breaks in between. It was a continuous pattern, with the headmistress calling out names, and the sorting hat making its decisions with haste. Something Genna was sure was something to be grateful for as dinner was soon approaching.

“Sharp, Gilbert!” The headmistress called out as a boy with long platinum blonde hair came forward

“SLYTHERIN!”

“Thistlethwaite, Robyn!” This time a girl with dark brown hair in a bob walked up.

“GRYFFINDOR!”

“Tremblay-Rath, Rexton!” Genna paid attention carefully as his name was called as the stoic dark brown haired guy walked forward

“HUFFLEPUFF!”

“Truell, Fidelma!” Genna was caught off guard by the sound of Elma’s full first name, even more so than Rex’s. It sounded way too pompous for her, perhaps the reason she preferred a shortened version of her name.

“HUFFLEPUFF!” The hat declared as Genna watched Elma walk over to the Hufflepuff table and took a seat right next to Rex.

“Truell, Sloan!” The name of Elma’s cousin was called out.

“SLYTHERIN!”

Sloan was the last name Genna had recognized being called out and one of the last to be sorted as Genna noticed there were only a handful people left standing. One was a dark brown haired girl with a beret and her robes already covered with a bit of pain, and the other was a prim and proper girl with platinum blonde hair that seemed to have such a similar physical appearance compared to that other blonde boy that was sorted earlier, yet Genna realized she had already forgotten his name somehow. By the time she looked over there again though, they were all already sorted in the blink of an eye

Genna assumed that was everyone sorted but she was surprised when she heard the Headmistress call out one final name, “Warrington, Ivy!”

“Ivy?” The headmistress repeated herself as she looked up from her list of names and scanned across the Great Hall and quickly realized there was no other first year present, “Does anyone know what happened to Ivy?” She asked the crowd, yet upon a moment of no one making a sound, she headmistress narrowed her eyes, “Am I to understand that no one has seen Miss Warrington?”

“Sorry headmistress.” Hagrid’s familiar voice boomed through the crowded hall. “Seems like we missed one. Got distracted by those lovely bushes just outside the castle and got herself lost”

“Thank you Professor Hagrid.” A short girl with silvery white hair smiled shyly and spoke quietly.

“Late for the sorting ceremony?” The headmistress raised an eyebrow at the late girl and only continued as Ivy took a seat just like the other first years before her, “Highly unusual Ms Warrington. I do hope you’re not one of those students who persistently finds herself in problematic”

“RAVENCLAW!” The sorting hat made its final decision of the year and with that the girl got up from the seat and walked over to the Ravenclaw table. Genna’s eyes followed her with curiosity, she wouldn’t be surprised someone go lost with how expansive this castle seemed to be. She watched as Ivy took a seat next to a boy with dirty blonde hair who looked awfully familiar. Yet she shook her head to get rid of the thought, it was certainly hard to tell who someone was when their back was turned

“And that concludes the sorting ceremony.” The headmistress confirmed, “Once again, welcome to Hogwarts! Enjoy the feast everybody and get a good night’s rest. Your first lessons will begin very soon

[sbnkalny]

Do you eat words, cliches are different types of Owl: hooded owl, leather owl, lesser small owl, rainbow owl, prison owl, bald owl, double-crested owl, powerful owl, shoebill owl, swallow-tailed owl, vermilion owl, western Meadow owl, buffalo owl, skunk owl, australian SKUNK owl, house owl, whispering Owl

[haveyouseenthisbirdpoll]

List of Birds organized by Order + locations:

Accipitriformes:

Bearded vulture

California condor

Cooper's hawk

Osprey

Red-shouldered hawk

Steller's sea eagle

Anseriformes:

Bar-headed goose

Barnacle goose

Black swan

Common merganser

Red-breasted goose

Snow goose

Trumpeter swan

Apodiformes:

Common swift

Ruby-throated hummingbird

Bucerotiformes:

Eurasian hoopoe

Cariamiformes:

Red-legged seriema

Casuariiformes:

Emu

Southern cassowary

Cathartiformes:

Black vulture

Turkey vulture

Charadriiformes:

American oystercatcher

Atlantic puffin

Black-headed gull

Black skimmer

Black-tailed godwit

European herring gull

Killdeer

Northern lapwing

Ruddy turnstone

Western sandpiper

Ciconiiformes:

White stork

Columbiformes:

Common wood pigeon

Eurasian collared dove

Luzon bleeding-heart

Nicobar pigeon

Stock dove

Victoria crowned pigeon

Coraciiformes:

Blue-capped kingfisher

Common kingfisher

Cuculiformes:

Asian koel

Greater roadrunner

Yellow-billed cuckoo

Eurypygiformes:

Kagu

Falconiformes:

American kestrel

Common kestrel

Galliformes:

Indian peafowl

Palawan peacock-pheasant

Plain chachalaca

Scaled quail

Western capercaillie

Gaviiformes:

Common loon

Gruiformes:

American coot

Australasian swamphen/pūkeko

Blue crane

Common moorhen

Sandhill crane

Sora

Whooping crane

Passeriformes:

American bushtit

American robin

Australian raven

Baltimore oriole

Barn swallow

Black-billed magpie

Black-capped chickadee

Black-headed grosbeak

Black-throated sparrow

Blue-headed vireo

Blue jay

Bluethroat

Brown thrasher

California scrub jay

California towhee

Canada warbler

Canyon wren

Cave swallow

Cedar waxwing

Chestnut-backed chickadee

Common blackbird

Common chlorospingus

Common raven

Eastern wood pewee

Eurasian blue tit

Eurasian bullfinch

Eurasian golden oriole

Eurasian jay

Eurasian magpie

European robin

Goldcrest

Great-tailed grackle

Great tit

Hooded crow

House sparrow

Indigo bunting

Kirtland's warbler

LeConte's sparrow

Long-tailed tit

Mexican jay

Painted bunting

Phainopepla

Pine siskin

Pin-tailed whydah

Pinyon jay

Pygmy nuthatch

Red winged blackbird

Rook

Saltmarsh sparrow

Satin bowerbird

Spotted towhee

Steller's jay

Tufted titmouse

Wallcreeper

Warbling vireo

Western tanager

White-breasted nuthatch

White-throated dipper

White-throated magpie-jay

Yellow-rumped warbler

Pelecaniformes:

Black-crowned night heron

Brown pelican

Great blue heron

Great egret

Great white pelican

Least bittern

Roseate spoonbill

Shoebill stork

Snowy egret

Phoenicopteriformes:

American flamingo

Chilean flamingo

Piciformes:

Acorn woodpecker

Clark's nutcracker

Great spotted woodpecker

Lesser spotted woodpecker

Lewis's woodpecker

Northern flicker

Pileated woodpecker

Red-bellied woodpecker

Red-headed woodpecker

Podargiformes:

Tawny frogmouth

Podicipediformes:

Pied-billed grebe

Procellariiformes:

Wilson's storm-petrel

Psittaciformes:

Australian king parrot

Chestnut-fronted macaw

Citron-crested cockatoo

Cockatiel

Galah

Gang-gang cockatoo

Pacific parrotlet

Red-masked parakeet

Rose-ringed parakeet

Sulphur-crested cockatoo

Strigiformes:

Barn owl

Barred owl

Eurasian eagle-owl

Suliformes:

Anhinga

Blue-footed booby

Double-crested cormorant

Trogoniformes:

Elegant trogon

Locations:

Africa

America

Antarctica

Asia

Australia

Eurasia

Europe

Oceania

[uncannyforest]

the commercial building west of San Felasco State Park, December 15, 2024

There is a building west of San Felasco State Park, and the Medium Armadillo has been monitoring it every day for the last month.  A wise owl told him that memories are manufactured there, and the Medium Armadillo thinks that sounds suspicious.  What is someone trying to hide that they are manufacturing memories?  The Medium Armadillo wants to do something about it.  Maybe he’ll break in someday.

His father, the Giant Armadillo, thinks that the building looks like the work of humans, and it is better to stay away from humans.  Every day they have to put up with bicyclists, and every full moon; and in the dead of winter they appear in droves as some sort of mid-hibernation ritual.  It was a step forward when the harvest man left.

The Medium Armadillo thinks his father could stand to have some curiosity.  Armadillos are not known for their intelligence, the way the great horned owl is, or the coyote, or the red-shouldered hawk, or the twin-flagged jumping spider, or the golden silk spider, or the double-crested cormorant, or the white ibis, or the Eastern indigo snake, or the green anole, or the American green tree frog, or the white-tailed deer, or the Eastern grey squirrel, or the alligator, or of course the anhinga.   But maybe with some curiosity the Medium Armadillo could change that.  What secrets could he learn by exploring the building?  And they're probably doing something evil, and he could stop them.  Perhaps by ramming into their equipment with his hard skin.  Or eating all the termites that work for the humans.

And he’d no longer be living in the shadow of his father anymore if he took control of the memory factory.

But tonight the Medium Armadillo is not spying on the building.  He is having a good rest in his warm burrow after a pleasant meal of ants with friends.

There’s little activity in the commercial building right now.  The crickets are hibernating and the lone star ticks are in diapause, and Florida woods cockroaches are staying warm in the dwellings of man, which is a cockroach's best friend.  It’s a full moon, which means that the Friends of San Felasco Community Support Organization is holding their night ride in five days, and the werepanthers are roaming the banks of the Santa Fe River to the north.  The hay bales abandoned by the harvest man are singing their sad song.  The one-eyed algae monster is eating holes in the ground, preparing his next sinkhole.  The creeks are gossiping and the legend of a dead 16th century explorer is waiting to be revived by a vulnerable youth.

Spring is coming and soon the days will be longer again.

[magnetothemagnificent]

Bird list of 2024!

Carolina Wren

House sparrow

American Robin

Blue jay

Song sparrow 

Northern mockingbird 

White throated sparrow

American kestrel

Cooper's hawk

Peregrine falcon

European starling

Rock pigeon

Eastern towhee

House finch

Little blue heron 

Sharp-shinned hawk

Black vulture

Great egret

Sandhill crane

Mourning doves

Common loon

Cattle egret 

Great blue heron

Anhinga

Double crested cormorant 

Red wing Blackbird 

Limpkin 

Wood stork

White ibis

Muskovy duck

Boat-tailed grackle

American crow 

American coot

Common gallinule 

Common grackle

Glossy ibis 

Palm warbler

Osprey

American purple gallinule

Wood duck

Red shouldered hawk

Pied billed grebe

Royal tern

Eastern Phoebe 

Roseate spoonbill 

Black-bellied Whistling duck

Tricolor heron

Northern harrier

Yellow rumped warbler

Tree swallow 

Swallow tailed kite

Ring billed gull

Turkey vulture 

Mallard

White pelican 

Red eyed vireo

Mulard

American pekin

Mallard/Pekin hybrid 

Downy woodpecker

Grey catbird

Blue grey gnat catcher 

Fish crow

Northern parula

Snowy egret

Chimney swift 

Common yellowthroat

Bald eagle

Red bellied woodpecker 

Blue winged teal

Louisiana waterthrush

Laughing gull

Mottled duck

Loggerhead shrike

White eyed vireo

Tufted titmouse 

Northern cardinal

Black and white warbler

Ring necked duck

Carolina chickadee 

Swamp sparrow 

Ruby crowned kinglet 

Pileated woodpecker

Belted kingfisher 

Brown headed cowbird

Hairy woodpecker

White breasted nuthatch 

Downy woodpecker 

Winter wren

Northern flicker 

Great horned owl

Wood thrush

Ovenbird

Canada goose

Willow flycatcher

American goldfinch 

Scarlet tanager

Least bittern

Warbling vireo

Great crested flycatcher

Yellow warbler

Barn swallow

Northern shoveler

Ruby throated hummingbird 

Brown creeper

AMERICAN WOODCOCK!!!

Wild turkey 

Lesser black backed gull

Sanderling 

Forster's tern

Killdeer   

Cedar waxwing 

Yellow bellied sapsucker 

Eastern bluebird 

Golden crowned kinglet

Brown pelican

Great black backed gull

Pine siskin

Dunlin

Bonaparte’s gull

Merlin

Orange crowned warbler 

Fox sparrow

Bufflehead 

Green-winged teal 

[keithsandwich]

Warning: Astrological rant on some of the new princes below

Enabled by @lorei-writes and @yarnnerdally

Disclaimer: I'm talking about the symbolisms of sun signs as something absolute because they're fictional characters. Real human beings are more complex than this and you are not your sun sign alone. Also notice that assuming the sun signs were intentionally chosen for the characters, it means they carry it somehow - in their personalities, and/or stories, and/or symbols.

1 - Matthias

Laws is a subject that belongs to the upper spheres. There is a hierarchy of planets -- the ones that deal with more physical, day-to-day subjects, and the ones that take care of some deeper stuff, such as philosophy, religion, and... Laws.

In Astrology, you have Jupiter to create the laws, and Saturn to apply them.

Saturn is inexorable. It does what needs to be done, and it punishes who needs to be punished. It doesn't matter if the person is a peasant or a king. This is why this quote of Matthias sounds VERY Saturnine to me. Like death, laws should befall everyone (ideally at least).

Another thing about Saturn is that it is cold and dry, and rules invernal signs -- Capricorn and Aquarius. Naturally, it rules over cold, dry and snowy places too, like, you know, Achroite. Another sign Saturn finds joy in by Exaltation is Libra -- symbolized by escales, and again, Achroite's crest.

Now, Mercury-ruled Virgo... Owl is a mercurial animal, so points on that. Virgo is a very dutiful sign that needs to bring order to chaos too, but it's still a Mutable sign of Mercury, which means skepticism.

Even wearing the clothes of an Earth sign, Mercury is always Mercury, and Mercury will never admit there's only one truth. There are countless truths, countless paths, countless overcomes spinning incessantly inside its head. And Mutable signs deal with the world changing around them, being Virgo the one that have to face one of the most crucial changes there is: Summer becoming Autumn. This is why Virgo is constantly anxious. They know harsher times approach, and they have to save provisions to go through it.

Basically, Virgo thinks way too much, acts more towards organization and taking care of the tiniest, littlest details, and being Mercury one of the lowest spheres, its realm is practical and realistic. I don't see much space to believe in something with an almost religious fervour, like Matthias apparently does with laws (btw Mercury is VERY opposite to Jupiter). Soulmates? Even less.

Methinks Matthias seems more like a Libra. Saturn in the realm of Venus, that carries something idealistic in itself (although less than Jupiter) and dreams of love.

2. Azel

*sighs*

Where shall I start? As I said above, Mercury can be seem as the opposite of Jupiter. While Mercury is realistic, skeptical, detail-oriented, etc., Jupiter is idealistic, a huge believer, that focus on the big picture and can't mind the details.

Ultimately, Jupiter is about faith. And Jupiter manifests in two signs: Sagittarius and Pisces. Here I'm gonna focus on Sagittarius.

Sagittarius, like Virgo, is Mutable -- a double-bodied sign represented by a centaur, half man, half horse. Half benevolent, optimistic, lenient, wise. A man that looks to the stars seeking the truth and is guided by his ideals and faith. But also half ruthless, harsh, proud, imprudent. A belligerent and self-indulgent beast that looks at its own ambitions. I feel that some tend to remember Sagittarius only for its adventurous spirit and good mood, but this sign IS double-bodied and originally feared for its brutal nature.

Oh, and Sagittarius is brutally honest as well. Always beware when you ask their opinions if you're not ready for certain answers.

Well, other than this, Sagittarius is the eternal search for the truth beyond mundane matters. And it involves religions and gods and divination and mystical, esoteric stuff, and all that jazz. Sagittarius is also the foreigner and either the new horizons it opens OR the "mysteries" it beholds. Sagittarius can be seen in the... ahn... "Arabian Nights" Days trope (sorry).

So you have Azel, the God prince, with his horse unicorn crest, his mystical motifs, his "arabian nights" days kingdom, his two-faced personality, AND HE'S NOT A SAGITTARIUS.

And there's no Sagittarius prince*, really, I don't understand why he couldn't be one and have his birthday like, one month later. But okay.

So, he's a Scorpio. A F I X E D, very stable sign of Mars that is related to everything that punctures, cuts, penetrates the skin and poison. Scorpio hides itself behind a shell and hates being exposed/vulnerable. It means they can hide their true nature, but there's a difference between being reserved and two-faced. It's also a sign that does search for hidden meanings, but not out of belief or faith. It's a more strategic sign, and belligerent too, but not in a straight, plain sighted way. It's a nocturnal sign, it acts when no one is looking. Funny thing too, the Moon (Tanzanite's symbol) is not in a good place when in Scorpio.

I can see one thing or two in what I know so far or speculate about Azel, but when it comes to symbols and themes, I still think Sagittarius would fit him better.

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I won't talk about Kagari because he's the one I know less about, I just think it's funny that he's so fiery when Aquarius is cold by nature.

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*It can be argued that Gilbert is a Sagittarius because many sources will tell you Sun enters Capricorn 12/22, but this is not 100% precise. Depending on the year, Sun can perfectly be in Capricorn in 12/21. And looking at Gilbert's demeanour and symbols, Obsidian and all, to me he's a Capricorn through and through. Ofc I can be wrong, this post is all about me being wrong in my assumptions lol But since him being a Capricorn is a real possibility, I'm sticking to it.