Thursday 29 May 2014

News From Me

Hey every one I was just going to let you all know that I have been writing my own book since February 2013 last year, and have successfully finished it, I just needed some help on publishing, so please could you comment on the bottom of this post, I would be much obliged. 

Also I would like it if you could subscribe to my website and like my posts, and to those who have I'm most grateful.

Thank you :)  


Wish me luck.

The Common Sand piper / Actitis hypoleucos

The Common Sandpipers
 
The Common sand piper is very agile on land, but awkward flyers, they poke the sand for bugs or insects and that is probably the meaning for their names.
These birds are carnivores and that dine on crustaceans, insects, worms, and other coastal creatures. They retrieve them by meticulously pecking and probing with their short bills.

In flight, common sandpipers have a stiff-winged style and typically stay close to the water or ground. When airborne they tend to be vocal animals. They sound off with a distinctive three-note, piping-like cry—often represented as "twit-wie-wie-wie."

The bird is a European and Asian species, but is closely related to the similar-looking spotted sandpiper of the Americas.  The common sandpiper has a brown upper body and a white underside. When at rest its wing-tips reach halfway back to its tail. 

Sandpipers are familiar birds that are often seen running near the water's edge on beaches and tidal mud flats.

Size relative to cup:
Illustration: Sandpiper compared with tea cup

Thank you for reading.

Common Octopus / Octopus vulgaris

The Common Octopus

The common octopus can blend into it's surroundings to hide from predators and prey.The octopus has a massive bulbous head, large eyes, and eight distinctive arms ( like a spider)  But by far the most striking characteristic of the octopus is the wide array of techniques it uses to avoid it's attackers.

the common octopus can almost instantaneously match the colours, patterns, and even textures of its surroundings. Predators such as sharks, eels, and dolphins swim by without even noticing it!

Octopuses can release black ink, which is a distinctive smell that distracts predators, allowing the octopus to escape, they are also fast swimmers, And their soft bodies can squeeze into impossibly small cracks and crevices where predators can't follow.

If all else fails, an octopus can lose an arm to escape a predator's grasp and regrow it later with no permanent damage!
 They also have beak-like jaws that can deliver a nasty bite, and venomous saliva, used mainly for subduing prey.

Considered the most intelligent of all invertebrates, the common octopus is found in the tropical and temperate waters of the world’s oceans. They eat crabs, crayfish, and molluscs, and will sometimes use their ink to disorient their victims before attacking. 

Size relative to man:
Illustration: Octopus compared with adult man
I always thought that the common octopus was huge!

Common octopuses will collect crustacean shells and other objects to construct fortresses, or "gardens," around their lairs, also the octopus is an invertebrate and lives for only 1-2 years! they are carnivorous.

Two scenes from pirates the Caribbean - dead man's chest.

Wednesday 28 May 2014

10 New Species / 2014

The Top 10 New Species Of This Year ...

1. Photo of the olinguito. olinguito 

2. Photo of a new species of Leaf-tailed Gecko on a tree trunk. Gecko

3. The Skeleton Shrimp, Liropus male. skeleton of shrimp 

 4. A leaf-tailed Geckon, Saltuarius eximius. leaf tailed gecko

5. A Domed Land Snail, Zospeum tholussum. domed land snail

6. Detail of capitate region of the holotype, detailing the globelike, central structure and the radiating tracts of spiculeson. Ameboid protist

7. A Kaweesak's Dragon Tree. kaweesaks dragon tree (12 ft)

8. Tinkerbell Fairyfly, Tinkerbella nana, scanning electron micrograph of a female. Tinkerbell fairy fly

9. Clean Room Microbes, Tersicoccus phoenicis. clean room microbes

10. Orange Penicillium. orange penicillin 

Common Loon / Gavia immer

The Common Loon

The common loons are named for their clumsy, awkward appearance when walking on land. 
What a Loony. 

Their unusual cries, which vary from wails to tremolos to yodels, are distinct to individuals and can be heard at great distances. Loons have striking red eyes, black heads and necks, and white striping, checked, and spotting on their backs. They grow up to three feet, are invertebrates and live off mainly just fish.

Their predators are diverse and can strike from all directions as they include birds like gulls, ravens, and crows, fish such as pike, and land mammals such as raccoons, weasels, and skunks. They nest lakeside and incubate their eggs for 27 to 30 days. 

These birds are carnivores and live for 30 years, Loons can dive down to 200 ft!

There are many Native American legends about common loons. And to this day the Inuit legally hunt over 4,500 a year for subsistence. Loon populations are currently stable, but a number of threats loom, including human encroachment and pollution.

Size relative to man:
Illustration: Loon compared with adult man

Only video I can find of the Loon walking.

Tuesday 20 May 2014

The cockatiel /

The Cockatiel
 
History:

  • The Cockatiel was first discovered in Australia in 1770. It did not become popular until the Australian gold rush in the nineteen hundreds!
  •  In the wild, you'll see immense flocks of cockatiels circling the sky in search of large bodies of water where they can rest, breed, and escape from the Australian heat.
  • The cockatiel life span can reach up to 22 years, though the standard is 15 years. This life span is based on proper care, nutrition and environment where your tiel lives.
  • Male cockatiels are better are talking and whistling than female cockatiels. In the wild the male cockatiel use sounds to attract females.

Pets:

  • Also you must be careful with the fumes emitted from cookware coated with Teflon, because it can kill your Cockatiel.
  • Cockatiels are very sociable birds and will get depressed if they are left alone for long periods of time. They may hit their heads against cages, pull their feathers, refuse to eat, or become angry. It’s best to get a pair of cockatiels if you know you’ll be out of your house for long periods of time.

  • Cockatiels can be considered as the most widely kept parrot other than parakeet or budgie.
  •  Hand fed cockatiels are more likely to talk than the parent fed ones.
  • Drafty areas in your house can be very bad for your cockatiel, it can even kill them by making your tiel very sick. 
  • Don't place the cage anywhere there might be a direct or indirect draft like air conditioning vents. If you want to find out if there is a draft you are not aware of, place a candle in the area you are thinking of placing the cage. It if flickers, there's a draft there, so find another area for your cage.


    I myself have a pet cockatiel, called 'Birdy' my Dad bought him when I was a year old, I named him Birdy too ehehehe. 
    Here is an image of him...

    Common Earthworm / Lumbricus terrestris

    The Common Earthworm
      

    Some people may find this kind of subject disgusting but it isn't really a thing you can escape... anyway why be afraid they are HARMLESS.

    The reddish-grey-coloured common earthworm, often called a night crawler in the United States, is familiar to anyone with a fishing rod or a garden. They are indigenous to Europe, but are now abundant in North America and western Asia.

    Earthworms are a source of food for numerous animals, like birds, rats, and toads, and are frequently used in residential composting and as bait in commercial and recreational fishing. Their numbers are strong throughout their range, and sometimes pests in some areas.

    Earthworms’ bodies are made up of ring-like segments called annuli. These segments are covered in setae, or small bristles, which the worm uses to move and burrow.

    Worms are invertebrate, herbivores and can live for 6 years.

    Size relative to cup:
    Illustration: Earthworm compared with tea cup
    Worms are said to be blind, or their eyes are just very sensitive to light, so only come out at night, they are also like snails and slugs as they only come out in damp areas or they can dry up ... oh no.