ANIMALS
Meet The Gorgeous Summer Tanager, The Breathtaking Sight In The North American Sky
![Meet The Gorgeous Summer Tanager, The Breathtaking Sight In The North American Sky](http://beginandbegin.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Meet-The-Gorgeous-Summer-Tanager-The-Breathtaking-Sight-In-The-North-American-Sky.jpg)
When it comes to choosing complementary colors, birds can be a great source of inspiration. They offer an incredible array of vibrant palettes that will surely amaze you—we guarantee it. While it’s common knowledge that birds come in a wide variety of colors due to their feathers, did you know that certain bird species exhibit different hues based on their gender? If this concept is new to you, allow us to introduce you to the Summer Tanager, one of the most breathtaking birds found in the skies of North America.
The Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) is a medium-sized songbird native to North America. Previously classified within the tanager family (Thraupidae), it and other members of its genus are now included in the cardinal family (Cardinalidae).
Image source: forrestwilleyphoto
Spotting the Differences: Adult female Summer Tanagers feature olive-brown wings and tails, along with an orangish hue on their underparts. On the other hand, adult males showcase a stunning rose-red coloration, resembling the appearance of the hepatic tanager. Interestingly, the various shades of red and orange observed in birds, including the Summer Tanager, are derived from their diet, similar to other avian species.
Image source: justinchildress_photography
Image source: jimiandersonphotography
Similar to females, male juvenile Summer Tanagers possess a comparable appearance. They display a vibrant yellow-green coloring, which is especially bright yellow on the head and underparts, while slightly greener on the wings and back.
Image source: keithricflick
Adult Summer Tanagers are characterized by their robust, pointed bills and measure around 17 cm (6.7 in) in length, weighing approximately 29 g (1.0 oz). Their wingspan typically ranges between 28 and 30 cm.
As the sole completely red bird in North America, the Summer Tanager stands out remarkably against the lush greenery of the forest. During the summer season, these birds raise a single brood following their annual breeding cycle.
Image source: bill.draker
Summer Tanagers maintain a single partner throughout each breeding season, although they may not necessarily stick with the same mate in subsequent seasons. This behavior can be described as sequential monogamy.
When Summer Tanagers arrive at their nesting grounds in the spring, they typically construct their nests on horizontal branches, positioned between 2.5 and 10.5 meters above the ground. The female bird takes on the responsibility of building the nest, using grass and other herbaceous plants. The nest usually contains three to four eggs.
Image source: dpwagtail
The female Summer Tanager is solely responsible for incubating the eggs, which takes about 12 to 13 days. During this period, the male may choose to either support the female or attend to his own grooming needs.
Once the chicks hatch, the male quickly shifts his focus to assisting the mother in feeding the offspring and meeting their needs. After a period of approximately 8 to 10 weeks, the young birds are capable of flying and leave the nest.
Image source: Ospr3yy
The summer tanager is commonly found in open, wooded areas, especially those with oak trees. These birds primarily feed on honey bees and wasps, although they occasionally consume other insects and berries as well.
During the summer months, tanagers often perch in elevated spots within wooded habitats. From there, they patiently wait for flying insects and swiftly capture them in mid-air. They may also delicately traverse tree branches in search of food.
Image source: marvinw.laynes
Both male and female summer tanagers emit a unique call note characterized by a sweet and whistling sound, reminiscent of the call of an American Robin.
ANIMALS
Amazing Video of Unseen Ocean Creatures in the Ningaloo Canyons
![Amazing Video of Unseen Ocean Creatures in the Ningaloo Canyons](http://beginandbegin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Amazing-Video-of-Unseen-Ocean-Creatures-in-the-Ningaloo-Canyons.jpg)
The Schmidt Ocean Institute recently explored the Ningaloo Canyons on the western coast of Australia using a robotic underwater vehicle called the ROV Sebastian. Check out the amazing video of what they discovered in the deep parts of the Indian Ocean.
More info: Youtube
ANIMALS
These Pics Are Art and the Artists Are Insects
![These Pics Are Art and the Artists Are Insects](http://beginandbegin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/These-Pics-Are-Art-and-the-Artists-Are-Insects.jpg)
Flying insects move so quickly that they are hard to follow, but new technology and some smart ideas have helped Spanish photographer Xavi Bou do just that. After spending 10 years focusing on birds in flight for his Ornithographies project, he turned his attention to insects.
For Entomographies, he uses high-speed video footage taken by Adrian Smith, an insect expert at North Carolina State University, to study and record how insects move. Bou then picks multiple frames and combines them into single images that show the fast movements of one or more insects through space and time.
With Smith’s help, Bou has captured the aerial tricks of wasps, the jumps of leafhoppers, and the fluttering of butterflies in amazing detail. He hopes that by doing this, he can make people more aware of the decline in important insect populations around the world.
1. Zebra longwing
This butterfly, which is common in many areas of the Americas, really fits its name. It can fly very high with just a few flaps of its large wings.
Image source: nationalgeographic
2. Two-lined spittlebug
This insect, which comes from the eastern United States, is often seen as a pest because it likes to eat grass. Its springy back legs can make it jump into the air like a rocket.
Image source: nationalgeographic
3. Yellow-collared scape moth
Unlike most moths, this North American species flies during the day. Its shiny blue-black wings sparkle in the sunlight.
Image source: nationalgeographic
4. Ailanthus webworm moths
These tropical moths have spread farther north in the U.S. Because of their larval host, the invasive tree of heaven, they are now one of the most common backyard moths in the country.
Image source: nationalgeographic
5. Common stonefly
Mostly found in eastern North America, this insect starts its life as an underwater nymph in forested streams or rivers. Then it leaves the water, sheds its skin, and becomes an adult with wings.
Image source: nationalgeographic
6. Green lacewings
Eighty-seven species of this insect have been found in the U.S. and Canada. Since they eat a lot of unwanted plant pests like aphids and mites, they are often used to naturally control these pests.
Image source: nationalgeographic
7. Grapevine beetle
This insect, fittingly named, eats the leaves and fruit of grapevines, both wild and farmed, but it doesn’t do much damage to the plants. As a type of scarab beetle, it often flies in a curved path.
Image source: nationalgeographic
8. Oak treehopper and green treehopper
Treehoppers are known for their uniquely shaped pronotum, the part behind their head, which often looks like plant parts to hide from predators. They can jump well thanks to special muscles.
Image source: nationalgeographic
9. Banded orange
This brightly colored butterfly can be found from Mexico to Brazil. Before mating season, male butterflies look for mineral salts, sometimes even drinking salty fluids from the skin, eyes, and nostrils of other animals.
Image source: nationalgeographic
10. Sapho longwing
Longwings can live for 6 to 7 months, longer than most butterflies. This type, found from Mexico to Ecuador, has shiny blue wings, which is why it’s also called the Sapphire longwing.
Image source: nationalgeographic
ANIMALS
Eagle and Fox in an Epic Midair Battle Over a Rabbit, Were Captured by a Photographer
![Eagle and Fox in an Epic Midair Battle Over a Rabbit, Were Captured by a Photographer](http://beginandbegin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eagle-and-Fox-in-an-Epic-Midair-Battle-Over-a-Rabbit-Were-Captured-by-a-Photographer.jpg)
Wildlife photography often depends on the perfect combination of good timing and the right place.
That’s exactly what happened when Kevin Ebi, an experienced wildlife photographer, captured an incredible battle between a bald eagle and a red fox, both competing for a rabbit meal.
In a detailed blog post, Ebi shares the fascinating series of events that unfolded while he was photographing foxes in San Juan Island National Historical Park, located in Washington state.
Ebi noticed a lively group of eight fox kits as they began their hunting lessons. Suddenly, they spotted a rabbit, and a thrilling chase ensued. Eventually, one of the foxes emerged as the winner, proudly carrying the rabbit across the field.
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Ebi shares what happened at that moment: “As I followed the fox with my camera, a sudden bald eagle cry caught my attention. It was swiftly approaching, clearly aiming for the rabbit. I quickly focused on the fox, anticipating a quick turnover of events.”
To Ebi’s astonishment, instead of a quick surrender, the situation turned into a intense fight in the air.
The eagle used its power to lift the fox and rabbit high up in the sky. Even while airborne, the fox attempted to break free by swinging back and forth.
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Image source: Kevin Ebi
In the end, the eagle moved the rabbit to its other claw, causing the fox to let go. The intense battle came to an end in less than 10 seconds.
Image source: Kevin Ebi
For those worried about the fox’s well-being after the fight, Ebi reassures that it was not injured. The fox swiftly bounced back from the encounter and resumed its playful behavior with the other young foxes, showing no visible wounds from the aerial clash.
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Image source: Kevin Ebi
Image source: Kevin Ebi
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