#yellowbellied toad

[jakehellenberg]

Kikkers en Padden van Nederland

Frogs and toads of the Netherlands, poster I made back in november!

Hope to open a shop soon so I can sell prints of these :) might also make a translated version in the future.

[thxnews]

Embrace a Joyful Coastal Adventure: Celebrating the King's England Coast Path

  Date: June 17, 2023. Location: North Sea Observatory, Chapel St Leonards, Skegness, Lincolnshire.  

Unleash the Fun Along the Lincolnshire Coastline

Get ready for a day filled with laughter and excitement as Chapel St Leonards invites you to a delightful celebration of the King Charles III England Coast Path on June 17. This free event at the North Sea Observatory promises a memorable experience for everyone, young and old.  

Costal path to the holiday park, Lincolnshire. Photo by Evelyn Simak. Wikimedia.  

Discover Nature's Marvels

Step into a world of natural wonders as you explore the enchanting King Charles III England Coast Path. Since its opening in 2019, this 16-mile stretch from Skegness to Mablethorpe has unlocked access to the magnificent Lincolnshire coastline, revealing its stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity. Stroll through the scenic coastal habitats of Anderby Marsh, Chapel Pit, and Wolla Bank Reedbed, where you'll encounter a diverse array of wildlife. Keep an eye out for graceful bearded tits and charming reed buntings among the vibrant sand dunes, clay pits, and beaches. Marvel at the captivating sight of knot, sanderling, and dunlin patrolling the waves, while adorable grey seals bob happily in the water. And on a summer evening, let the croaking chorus of natterjack toads serenade you. Don't miss the blooming purples and pinks of sea lavender, sea aster, and thrift, painting the sands with their vibrant hues.   Neil Constable, a programme manager for Natural England, said: "We’re delighted to be hosting this event to celebrate our wonderful section of the King Charles III England Coast Path here in Lincolnshire. It’s a fantastic opportunity to come and find out more about the path and its rich local environment." "So whether you’re a seasoned walker or new to the coast path and would like to find out more, we’re very much looking forward to welcoming you."  

Skegness aerial image including coastal path. Photo by John D Fielding. Flickr.  

Exciting Activities for All Ages

Prepare for a day brimming with fun and adventure at the North Sea Observatory. With activities catering to all ages and interests, there's something for everyone to enjoy: - Unleash your creativity with Art on the Beach bookable workshops. - Embark on a thrilling ride with the fabulous Cycling Without Age trike. - Immerse yourself in captivating films by Dynamic Dunescapes and local communities. - Be captivated by the exciting creations from UK New Artists. - Learn about the impact of litter on wildlife and show your care for the beach and sea. - Unwind and find inner peace with easy, gentle mindfulness walks. - Dive into the magical world of life underwater at the OceanDome. - Move, dance, and feel alive with our lively Silent disco. - Explore the captivating "Pathways for Choice" exhibition at the North Sea Observatory's very own art gallery. - Meet delightful puppets and learn about their unique environments. - Discover the wonders of local sea life with Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and try your hand at sea-dipping. - Play CLAWS, our new video game, and learn about Natural England's marine conservation work. - Admire the unique Beach of Dreams pennants by Kinetika on the beach. - Join Bro Pro for a section of the path, walking between Skegness and Chapel St Leonards. - Relax in the cozy book corner and let expert bookworms guide you through coastal literature. - Tap your feet to lively local music from Table 14 Band, Sam Harrison, and The Rambling Yellowbellies. - Discover how to protect the Lincolnshire coast's spectacular coastline and local wildlife with Operation Seabird. - Plot new adventures along the coast path and beyond with Go Jauntly and Countryside for All. - Immerse yourself in captivating tales with Keith, the storyteller.  

Connecting People with Nature

Opening access to the coast aligns with the government's commitment to connecting people with nature and realizing the aspirations of the 25-Year Environment Plan. The King Charles III England Coast Path, once completed, will span approximately 2,700 miles, encircling the entire coast of England. It will weave through breathtaking landscapes, linking iconic destinations with lesser-known areas and granting access to previously unexplored coastal regions. This coastal path aims to connect individuals with nature, providing an opportunity for all to experience the physical and mental health benefits that the natural environment offers.  

North Sea Observatory Chapel Point south side. Photo by Rocknrollmancer. Wikimedia.  

Join the Celebration at Chapel St Leonards

The event on June 17 promises a delightful array of activities for visitors to the North Sea Observatory. Participants can unleash their creativity through bookable Art on the Beach workshops, enjoy the unique experience of riding Cycling Without Age trikes, and witness films created by Dynamic Dunescapes and local communities. Moreover, attendees can explore the "Pathways for Choice" exhibition at the North Sea Observatory's art gallery, meet puppets representing different environments, and learn about marine conservation efforts through Natural England's video game, CLAWS. Other highlights include mindful walks, the OceanDome showcasing the magical underwater world, a lively silent disco, and engaging storytelling sessions. Attendees can also learn about beach preservation, discover the Beach of Dreams pennants by Kinetika, embark on a section of the path with Bro Pro, and find literary inspiration at the book corner. Live music performances from Table 14 Band, Sam Harrison, and The Rambling Yellowbellies will add a vibrant atmosphere to the celebration.  

Plan Your Visit

For more information about the event and directions to the North Sea Observatory, please visit Englandcoastpath.org.   Sources: THX News & Natural England. Read the full article

[emanuro]

Quiet moment of a male Apennine yellowbellied toad (Bombina pachypus) floating at the pond’s surface during breeding season. This place is so special to me. I studied this population of this endangered species for a total of 4 years during and after my university years but never stopped getting there to say them hello. We’re loosing this unique Italian species along its distribution, but at least here they still seem to thrive well. There were many males and plenty of young individuals from last year and me and my Elena even witnessed one of the first mating couples reaching the pool to breed. We left the place in the late afternoon with a few images and with gratitude to nature to be so beautiful, while my “bambine” were already calling with their quiet “whoooo whooooo”. #nature #beauty #relax #amphibians #underwater #picoftheday #conservation #gratitude #endangered @ilcp_photographers https://www.instagram.com/p/CANDrSug5uT/?igshid=1rgaqil6xqy85

[firelord-frowny]

animals i’ve seen in my yard/neighborhood

groundhogs, which are Especially Cute when they sit on the stone benches in my mom’s garden

bluejays

woodpeckers, including yellowbellied sapsuckers, northern flickers, and downy woodpeckers

a badger, I’m petty sure, after it dug up my dead parakeet and ate it. (But also, I’m not sure that it was a badger bc apparently their range doesn’t usually extend this far southeast? But it definitely looked like a badger to me!)

eastern box turtles, which are a Vulnerable Species in the area!

numerous black rat snakes

dekay’s brown snakes

garter snakes 

 great horned ominously silhouetted against the night sky while perched on a bare tree branch

A raccoon being mercilessly harassed and divebombed by two mockingbirds 

That same raccoon a few days later, except missing its tail and one of its back legs :(

common nighthawks swooping down and making “nyoom” sounds as they do so (seriously, look it up, it’s cray.)

turkey vultures on the gabled rooftop of the creepy house on the hill 

red tailed hawks

great blue herons

turkeys running through the yard on the day before Thanksgiving 

A barred owl on a power line at 2:30pm (except this was Down The Street from my neighborhood)

Bigass cicada larvae 

Black widows in the grill pit 

Five-lined skinks 

Ruby-throated hummingbirds 

cedar waxwings

Cardinals and their hatchling babies in the rose bush 

gray catbirds and their hatchling babies in the morning glory

A lil katydid nymph

European hornets

Baldfaced hornets

Various paper wasp species 

wood bees

honeybees

clearwing moths

hummingbird hawkmoths

American toads

Fowler’s toads

Leopard frogs

A species of greenish brown, semi-aquatic “true frog” that i still haven’t ben able to identify and haven’t seen in like 12 years, though I think it was probably just your average “green frog,” just very young/small

Gray treefrogs 

Gray foxes

Red foxes