The sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus)

The sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus) is a small hawk, with males being the smallest hawks in the United States and Canada, but with the species averaging larger than some Neotropical species, such as the tiny hawk. The taxonomy is far from resolved, with some authorities considering the southern taxa to represent three separate species: white-breasted hawk (A. chionogaster), plain-breasted hawk (A. ventralis), and rufous-thighed hawk (A. erythronemius). The American Ornithological Society keeps all four species conspecific.

The white throated kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis

The white-throated kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) also known as the white-breasted kingfisher is a tree kingfisher, widely distributed in Asia from the Sinai east through the Indian subcontinent to the Philippines. This kingfisher is a resident over much of its range, although some populations may make short distance movements. 

It can often be found well away from water where it feeds on a wide range of prey that includes small reptiles, amphibians, crabs, small rodents and even birds. During the breeding season they call loudly in the mornings from prominent perches including the tops of buildings in urban areas or on wires.

The black-shouldered kite (Elanus axillaris)

The black-shouldered kite (Elanus axillaris), also known as the Australian black-shouldered kite, is a small raptor found in open habitat throughout Australia. It resembles similar species found in Africa, Eurasia and North America, including the black-winged kite, a species that has in the past also been called "black-shouldered kite". Measuring around 35 cm (14 in) in length with a wingspan of 80–100 cm (31–39 in), the adult black-shouldered kite has predominantly grey-white plumage and prominent black markings above its red eyes. It gains its name from the black patches on its wings. The primary call is a clear whistle, uttered in flight and while hovering. It can be confused with the related letter-winged kite in Australia, which is distinguished by the striking black markings under its wings

The bee eaters passerine birds

The bee-eaters are a group of near-passerine birds in the family Meropidae containing three genera and 27 species. Most species are found in Africa and Asia, with a few in southern Europe, Australia, and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies, and usually elongated central tail feathers. All have long down-turned bills and medium to long wings, which may be pointed or round. Male and female plumages are usually similar.

As they're name suggests, bee-eaters predominantly eat flying insects, especially bees and wasps, which are caught in the air by flights from an open perch. The stinger is removed by repeatedly hitting and rubbing the insect on a hard surface. During this process, pressure is applied to the insect, thereby extracting most of the venom.

Most bee-eaters are gregarious. They form colonies, nesting in burrows tunnelled into vertical sandy banks, often at the side of a river or in flat ground. As they mostly live in colonies, large numbers of nest holes may be seen together. The eggs are white, with typically five to the clutch. Most species are monogamous, and both parents care for the young, sometimes with assistance from related birds in the colony.

Bee-eaters may be killed by raptors; there nests are raided by rodents and snakes, and they can carry various parasites. Some species are adversely affected by human activity or habitat loss, but none meet the International Union for Conservation of Nature's vulnerability criteria, and all are therefore evaluated as "least concern". They're conspicuous appearance means that they have been mentioned by ancient writers and incorporated into mythology.

What are Drunken Trees?

Drunken trees are a stand of trees displaced from their normal vertical alignment. This most commonly occurs in northern subarctic taiga forests of black spruce under which intermittent permafrost or ice wedges have melted, causing trees to tilt at various angles. Some trees survive their soil eroding and continue to grow. Others collapse or drown as the subterranean ice melts. As they are staggered across the landscape, people often refer to them as 'drunken trees.'

Drunken Trees are also called, tilted trees, or a drunken forest may also be caused by frost heaving, and subsequent palsa development, hummocks, earth flows, forested active rock glaciers, landslides, or earthquakes. In stands of spruce trees of equal age that germinated in the permafrost active layer after a fire. They tilting begin when the trees are 50 to 100 years old, suggesting that surface heaving from new permafrost aggradation can also create drunken forests.

The Golden Pheasant - Chrysolophus pictus

The golden pheasant or Chinese pheasant is a gamebird of the order Galliformes and the family Phasianidae. The genus name is from Ancient Greek khrusolophos, "with golden crest", and pictus is Latin for "painted" from pingere, "to paint". It is native to forests in mountainous areas of western China, but feral populations have been established in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, the Falkland Islands, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

Winter in Hawaii From Above

Winter in Hawaii From Above from Eric Sterman on Vimeo.

Acadia National Park - 4K Hyperlapse/Timelapse

I visited Acadia National Park in Maine last month for the first time and was taken aback by the natural beauty of the landscape. During the week I spent on Mount Desert Island, I shot timelapses and hyperlapses whenever I could in an attempt to capture that beauty. I frequently post my adventures to Instagram and my photography can be found on my Flickr page but be sure to follow me here on Vimeo if you'd like to catch my full timelapse projects. Music by the talented Nick Rice:
Soundcloud.com/nickrice I shot with a Nikon D7000, Tokina 11-16mm, Nikon 35,50, and 85mm D series lenses, Dynamic Perception and eMotimo Motion Control systems, and an Induro carbon fiber tripod. For inquiries about licensing any of my footage, contact me at Mw.Irion@gmail.com

Acadia National Park - 4K Hyperlapse/Timelapse from Mark Irion on Vimeo.

A Rare Picture of white peacock with blue feathers

A rare picture of white peacock blue feathers is what is the bird with most beautiful feathers?” the answer is definitely going to be Peacock The feathers of Peacocks are so beautifully designed. This fascinating picture enticing peacock lovers on the internet. 

Source: CP

The way to paradise,sao,miguel,azore portugal.

Mysterious Things in The World

Julia Roberts is breaking the internet with this video!
Posted by Mysterious Things in The World on Thursday, May 28, 2015

Blue Planet

Bbc.the.blue.planet.ep7.Tidal.Seal by rededocumentarios

Pratt Ginkgo biloba tree at University of Virginia

Babb, Montana

Arman pass, Magadan Oblast Russia

Ansu lake, Naran valley

Ancient sanctuary Myat-Seli, Republic of Ingushetia

A Beautiful View in Oregon

A supermoon rises over the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, July 12, 2014. (Photo by Mike Zacchino-The Oregonian)

Altai steppe, Altai Republic