#weird nature

[lichenaday]

Umbilicaria rigida 

Roughened rocktripe lichen, sandpaper rocktripe lichen

images: source | source

[rosieandthemoon]

Actias Ningpoana

[jenfoundabug]

Dasymutilla vestita, a species of velvet ant, in southern New Mexico, US. Despite their name, velvet ants are actually wasps. The females, like the one in this picture, don't have wings and can inflict an extremely painful sting. However, they're non aggressive and will only sting in self defense. Males have wings and cannot sting.

[kvetch19]

x

[katiajewelbox]

Meet the real life “Bulbasaur”! That Pokemon is famous for being a dinosuar-like animal with a flowering green plant that grows on its back and provides energy. It sounds like pure fantasy, but there is actually an animal that has a similar lifestyle...

“There are several species of sea slugs that have evolved to look like leaves. One example is the Elysia chlorotica, also known as the eastern emerald elysia or the "solar-powered sea slug". This species of sea slug is found along the east coast of North America and is known for its bright green color and leaf-like appearance, which allows it to blend in with the surrounding seaweed. In addition to its leaf-like appearance, the Elysia chlorotica has the unique ability to steal genes from the algae it consumes, allowing it to photosynthesize and use solar energy to survive. This makes it one of the few animals on Earth that is capable of harnessing the power of the sun to meet its energy needs - it can go without eating for 9 months because it can photosynthesize just like a plant while basking in the sun!”

(Source: The Organic Consumers’ Association of Australia Linked In page) #biodiversity #nature #wildlife #naturephotography #macro #conservation #birds #naturelovers #biodiversit #wildlifephotography #climatechange #environment #sustainability #photography #biology #biodiversidad #animals #insects #ecology #insect #bird #biodiversidade #flowers #macrophotography #naturaleza #forest #perfection #earth #science #wildlifeconservation

[natureisthegreatestartist]

Can you tell the difference between moss (which is a plant) and lichen (which is not a plant)? Here are my photos. Top photo (lichen), second photo (moss), 3rd photo (lichen), bottom photo (closeup of lichen). Weird and wonderful!

[nokia3650]

★

[alwayssacred]

[darksaphire2002]

[bugtoot]

[lichenaday]

Lecanora helicopis

images: source

[rosieandthemoon]

falling out of place

[giftshopofcuriosities]

The World’s Record black sea bass caught by Edward Llewellen. It weighed 425 lbs. He brought it in alone in 1903. This record fish was surpassed in 1968 by a 563-pound giant sea bass caught by James McAdam, Jr.

read about it here

[crystalinecat]

Look at this! I found a tree with this large growth-like tumor while walking in the woods at a local nature preserve. Does anyone know what this is? Why it happens?

I was thinking it would possibly be a chaga mushroom, being the size of an infant, hanging off the tree. But I wasn’t sure! Let me know in the comments!

[katiajewelbox]

What is this curious object in my hand? With its scale-like pattern, it looks like a dragon's egg but it is actually the fruit of the Cherimoya Tree (Annona cherimola). The Cherimoya fruit is also called a "custard apple". It was a complex flavour similar to pear, custard, pineapple, and mild mango blended together. The inner part of the fruit is silky smooth surrounded by flesh textured like an Asian pear.

The Cherimoya name comes from the Quechua word for "cold seeds" and the plant has been cultivated in the Andes and Central America since prehistoric times. The Cherimoya fruit appears in the exquisite ceramic art of the Moche people from over 2000 years ago. The fruit is still very popular in Peru and Chile, where it is used as ice cream flavouring and in other desserts.

The Cherimoya tree is difficult to cultivate outside its native range due to the lack of natural pollinators and the delicate fruits are challenging to ship. Only recently has this fruit become available in Europe. This fruit is packed with antioxidants, vitamin B, and fibre as well as a potentially harmful toxin called annonacin which can cause nervous system damage. The toxin is concentrated in the seeds and skin, so as long as you avoid eating those part the fruit is safe.

Just don't wait for it to hatch into a dragon!

[mediocrephd]

My last post about life found under hydrothermal vents got me really interested in the process behind chemosynthesis!

So I found this really helpful fact sheet from the US government's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:

(it was free to find and download, so I assume I'm fine to share it here)