The Striking Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher is Only Regular “Long-Tailed Kingbird”.

The striking scissor-tailed flycatcher is our only regular “long-tailed kingbird.” But it is not only elegant and attractive, but also common and easy to observe.  The splendid scissor-tailed flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus), also recognized as the Texas bird-of-paradise and swallow-tailed flycatcher, is a long-tailed bird of the genus Tyrannus, whose members are collectively referred to as kingbirds. Well, the kingbirds are a group of large insectivorous (means insect-eating) birds in the tyrant flycatcher (Tyrannidae) family. The scissor-tailed flycatcher can be found in North and Central America. This bird was also famous with its former Latin name “Muscivora forficate”. The former genus word, “Muscivora” actually derives from the Latin word for "fly" (musca) and "to devour" (vorare), while the species name forficata derives from the Latin word for "scissors" (forfex). The long scissortail bird is now considered to be a member of the Tyrannus, or "tyrant-like" genus. This genus earned its name because quite a few of its species are exceptionally aggressive on their breeding territories, where they will feel no hesitation to attack on larger birds such as crows, hawks and owls.

Moreover, adult birds have pale gray heads and their upper parts, light underparts, salmon-pink flanks and under tail coverts, and dark gray wings. Axillars and patch on underwing coverts are red. The bird’s species extremely long, forked tails, which are usually black on top and white on the underside, are characteristic and unique. At maturity, the male may be up to 15 inches in length, though the female's tail is up to 30 percent shorter. The wingspan is 15 cm and the weight is up to 43 g. Further, Lmmature birds are duller in color and have shorter tails, whereas a lot of these birds have been reported to be more than 40 cm.  The male and female travel together throughout their territory in search of a nest place in open prairie, mesquite prairie, parks, gardens, pastures, croplands, roadsides or saltmarsh edges. When they discover a potential nest site in an isolated tree or shrub, they both hop around and test out diverse spots by pressing themselves against the branches. They normally select an open site that’s sheltered from the prevailing wind and often shaded by some foliage. These birds build a cup nest in isolated trees or shrubs, sometimes using artificial sites such as telephone poles near towns. The male bird performs a huge aerial display during courtship with his long tail forks streaming out behind him. Both species feed the young bird and like other kingbirds, they’re extremely aggressive in defending their nest. Normally these birds’ clutches contain 3 to 6 eggs.

In the summer season, scissor-tailed flycatchers feed mostly on insects i.e., grasshoppers, robber-flies, and dragonflies, which they may catch by waiting on a perch and then flying out to catch them in flight. If they need extra food in the winter season, they’ll also eat some berries. The bird breeding habitat normally in open shrubby country with scattered trees in the south-central states of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas; western portions of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Missouri; far eastern New Mexico; and northeastern Mexico. It is reported sightings record occasional stray visitors as far north as southern Canada and as far east as Florida and Georgia. The birds migrate through Texas and eastern Mexico to their winter non-breeding range, from southern Mexico to Panama. Moreover, pre-migratory roosts and flocks flying south may comprise as many as 1000 birds. The lovely scissor-tailed flycatcher is the state bird of Oklahoma, and is displayed in flight with tail feathers spread on the reverse of the Oklahoma Commemorative Quarter. The Scissor-Tailed Flycatchers have the habits of having several human products in its nest, such as string, cloth, paper, carpet fuzz, and cigarette filters. Well, this beautiful Scissor-tailed Flycatcher numbers are a small decline between 1966 and 2010, however, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. A decline was noted in the mid-1970s, which was offset by an increase in numbers during the 1980s. Moreover partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 9.5 million with 92 % breeding in the United States., and 50 % spending some part of the year in Mexico.

Nabiyotum Crater, in Lake Turkana, Kenya,

Nabiyotum Crater, in Lake Turkana, Kenya, is the world’s largest desert lake as well as the world’s largest alkaline lake. The crater is situated in the famous Great Rift Valley.

Scientist Discovered Species Looks Exactly Like Kermit the Frog

Down in Costa Rica, researchers have discovered an attractive, acquainted looking new species. This transparent newfound amphibian is a frog identified as Diane’s Bare-hearted Glassfrog, since its underbelly is translucent and takes on the appearance of glass. Most astonishingly, this strange creature looks just like Kermit the Frog!  The frog has evaded discovery until now because it lives in an isolated location and also because it’s mating call is quite akin to an insect's call. Brian Kubicki, Stanley Salazar, and Robert Puschendorf are the inventors who discovered this beautiful Kermit look-alike between 400m and 800m up in the Talamanca Mountains, stating that its call sounds like “a single tonal long metallic whistle-like note.” Not only did Dr. Kubicki able to capture some vivid photos of the frog, he also decided to name it after his mom Janet Diana Kubicki, according to the Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center. Source: My Modernmet

Fishing and Hunting Best Moments

Tabebuia Impetiginosa in Brazi also called Pink Trumpet Tree

Bonsai is an art of taking a simple plant or tree and turning it into a reminder of nature's beauty within a confined space

bonsai is an art of taking a simple plant or tree and turning it into a reminder of nature's beauty within a confined space. 

In recent years Taxus cuspidata (Japanese yew, Ichi) have become popular as bonsai. These traditional garden trees have only recently caught the imagination of bonsai enthusiasts. They are suitable for most styles, but particularly for bonsai where there is lots of driftwood. Exquisite fins and sharis can be created from the superfluous branches. Yew has lovely, dark green foliage, and new shoots grow easily from old wood. Ready-trained plants can be found in most bonsai nurseries, and nursery material is easy to train into bonsai. Source: Herons Bonsai

Wonderful relax on the Maldives Islands- Tropical Paradise

The last paradise on earth is located in the Indian Ocean and bears the name “Maldives”: an archipelago of almost 1,200 coral islands, of which only about two hundred are inhabited. The total package of features of real Bounty Islands are plentiful: dazzling white beaches, endless blue skies, palm trees, coral reefs that the crystal clear water a turquoise color and cause sea-gardens full of colorful fish, shells and other life. 

Lake Garda, Italy Should Be On Your Bucket List

Lake Garda is a stunning lake located in Northern Italy, created during the Quaternary Ice Ages (1.5 million years ago). The lake was formed when a huge glacier ripped down and cut through the valley, carving out this now very old lake.

Mother Nature’s Emotions

This lovable heart-shaped island can be found in the Republic of the Maldives, a country that is spread out over 35,000 square miles in the Indian Ocean,250 miles southwest of India. The nation is comprised of 1,190 coral islands formed around 26 natural atolls, each of which is made of a coral reef circling a lagoon. While the Maldives is one the world’s most geographically dispersed countries, it is the smallest Asian country in both land area and population; only 200 of those
islands are populated. Hello, deserted island paradise.

Stunning Tree House

Tree houses or tree forts are platforms or buildings constructed around, next to or among the trunk or branches of one or more mature trees while above ground level. Tree houses can be used for recreation, work space, habitation, obs.

Waterfalls Lakes Plitvice, Croatia

Is among the 20 most beautiful lakes in the world to 17th place. The park covers an area of 33,000 hectares and includes 16 lakes in succession, connected by waterfalls.Plitvice is the oldest national park in Southeast Europa.All'interno the park there are also many caves of which only a small part is agibile.I lakes are formed by two rivers: the White River and the Black River, which flow in the river Korana. The waters of these rivers are rich in calcareous salts (mostly calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate), from the dissolution of carbonate rocks forming the geological structure of sito.Questi salts are precipitated by vegetation, forming layers of travertine , a sedimentary rock recently. Over time, these deposits forming real natural dams that act as barriers to water, growing by about a centimeter per year. At one point the water pressure breaks these natural levees, opening new paths in the ground. This mechanism, in fact common to all the calcareous water, in Plitvice has assumed a particular importance. The beauty of the National Park Plitvice, Croatia, is increased in the second round of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

Bonsai" is a Japanese pronunciation of the earlier Chinese term penzai.

Bonsai" is a Japanese pronunciation of the earlier Chinese term penzai. A "bon" is a tray-like pot typically used in bonsai culture.The word bonsai is often used in English as an umbrella term for all miniature trees in containers or pots. This article focuses on bonsai as defined in the Japanese tradition. The main purposes of bonsai are primarily contemplation (for the viewer) and the pleasant exercise of effort and ingenuity (for the grower). By contrast with other plant cultivation practices, bonsai is not intended for production of food, for medicine, or for creating landscapes. Instead, bonsai practice focuses on long-term cultivation and shaping of one or more small trees growing in a container.

The Northern Cardinal Bird, is a Songbird, Sing Variety of Different Melodies

The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a beautiful North American bird in the genus Cardinalis. This is also famous as “colloquially” as the redbird or common cardinal. It can be found in the eastern United States from Maine to Texas, south through Mexico and southern Canada. The species can be found in woodlands, gardens, shrub lands, and swamps. The majestic red color bird is a mid-sized songbird with a body length of only 21 cm. The Northern Cardinal Bird has a distinctive crest on the head and a mask on the face which is black in the male and gray in the female. 

The northern cardinal is so attractive and extremely loved that it has been named the official bird of no fewer than seven United States. The bright red cardinals are effortlessly identified by even casual bird watchers, and are often seen frequenting backyards and bird feeders. After foraging elsewhere the birds eat insects, seeds, grain, fruit, and sap. Northern Cardinals are active songbirds and have ability to sing a variety of different melodies. 

The male bird is very vibrant red; however the female is a dull red-brown shade. The northern cardinal is mainly granivorous, and mainly he relies on feeds on insects and fruit. The male bird behaves territorially, marking out his territory with song. Therefore during courtship, the male specie feeds seed to the female beak-to-beak. A clutch of 3 to 4 eggs is laid, and 2 to 4 clutches are produced each year. It was once prized as a pet, but its sale as a cage bird is now banned in the United States by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

The bird is widespread and abundant, and having expanded its range over the last century or more. The bird current numbers perhaps stable and they’re naturally associated with open woodland. The sexes habitually have distinct appearances. The northern cardinal type species was named by colonists for the male's red crest, reminiscent of a Catholic cardinal's mitre. The stunning Northern Cardinals will eat almost anything offered at feeding stations.

However, it is observed, their favorite foods are black-oil sunflower seed, cracked corn, suet, suet mixes, nutmeats of all kinds, melon seeds and safflower seed. The birds' diet consists of 30 % insects, which makes cardinals extremely valuable to farmers and gardeners. They consume some of the worst agricultural pests, codling moths, cotton cutworms, scale insects, cotton bollworms, grasshoppers, aphids, snails and slugs. Cardinal nests might be compact and well-lined with fine grass or hair, or they might be fragile and barely lined. The birds habitually use grass, rootlets, weed stems, pliable twigs, vines and bark strips, interwoven with leaves and paper or plastic.

This is one of those birds that once you've seen this fellow you will have to admit he’s a looker. These red color birds are perpetual residents throughout their range. Though a slightly secretive bird while nesting, you may still be able to watch from a distance. It has been experience of several bird watchers that if she feels threatened, the female bird will abandon her nest building and find a new location. The bird can be always watched from a distance.

In John James Audubon's day (1785-1851), the Northern Cardinal was considered a southern bird and was rarely seen as far north as Philadelphia. By 1895, its range reached the Great Lakes, and by 1910, the cardinal was in southern Ontario and along the southern portions of the Hudson River. Some authorities believe the cardinal's push northward was due to more people feeding birds during the winter. Nowadays the Northern Cardinal is a year-round resident from the Dakotas, southern Ontario and Nova Scotia south to the Gulf Coast, and from southern Texas westward through Arizona and southward through Mexico as far as Guatemala and Honduras.

The history tells us, the Northern Cardinal was introduced in Hawaii in 1929 and now the bird is well established there and it also occurs sparingly in southeastern California and in Bermuda as an introduced species. Though non-migratory bird, cardinals often gather in large flocks of up to 70 birds during winter months and can be found in bushy thickets in the more sheltered areas of their range. Most peoples believe Northern Cardinals mate for life, but during winter season, the male bird does not allow his mate to feed with him.

When with the return of spring season, though, he regards her in a new light. Then we see the practice of mate-feeding when the male brings shucked sunflower seeds and other choice tidbits to the female. She waits with her wings all aflutter like a baby bird begging for food, and he places the seed in her bill as tenderly as a first kiss between lovers. Although cardinals prefer to eat on the ground, they will come to bird tables, trays on posts and trees, window trays, and hanging feeders with perches. 

Water for drinking and bathing is just as important for Northern Cardinals in winter as it is during hot months. Because wet cardinals cannot fly quickly to safety, place your birdbath near cover so the birds can escape from cats and other predators. When birdbaths are not available, cardinals bathe in shallow edges of ponds and streams, in snowmelt or in a puddle after rain. Just like most of children, cardinals relish bathing in the spray of lawn sprinklers.

Northern Cardinal from Lang Elliott on Vimeo.
Northern Cardinal from WildOhio on Vimeo.

The Cocoa Island Maldives

The Maldives seem a bit like an over-the-top parody of an island holiday destination,not an Island or archipelago,but an atoll of a thhout Robinson Crusoe-sized islands,in the shallow water of a coral reef in the Indian Ocean. Cocoa Island is one of the these,just a ten minute walk from end to end(and two minutes across),with absolutely nothing on it but the hotel.All of *Cocoa Island's suite's and villas are over the water in the form of dhomi,a traditional fishing boat,with a short out the back door,leading from a tiny balcony straight down into the oceans shallow waters.The "boats" are firmly moored to the sea floor,as you can see at the low tide,but at night tide the gentle waters lap against the edge of the balcony. The view from the bed,through large french windows,is nothing but calm and unbroken Indian Ocean as far as the eye can see.

Flowering Bonsai

Flowering bonsai are very rare and fruits on miniature trees really fascinate almost everybody. But there’re a number of things you must pay attention to if you want to make sure these bonsai tree species will produce the desired flowers and fruits. In general, flowering and fruit bearing species are treated and styled using the same techniques as for other bonsai tree species. But if they don't get enough sunlight, are pruned at the wrong time or too often, grow too strongly due to high nitrogen fertilizer or the soil gets too dry you will be disappointed when no flowers or fruit grow on your bonsai tree.