ANIMALS
These Pics Are Art and the Artists Are Insects
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
Amazing Video of Unseen Ocean Creatures in the Ningaloo Canyons
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
Eagle and Fox in an Epic Midair Battle Over a Rabbit, Were Captured by a Photographer
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
ANIMALS
Firefighters Rescue Dog Stuck in Tire
Certain jobs need bravery and determination. They’re not easy.
Being a firefighter is one of those tough jobs.
The Franklinville Volunteer Fire Company (FVFC) in New Jersey, along with the Franklin Township Police Department, worked together to save a dog in trouble.
The dog, Daisy, got her head stuck in a tire at her home.
Image source: Franklinville Volunteer Fire Department
The FVFC posted about it on Facebook, and they included a picture showing Daisy’s head sticking out from the middle of a big Firestone tire.
The picture showed how serious the situation was, with emergency workers working hard to rescue the scared dog.
Image source: Franklinville Volunteer Fire Department
At first, they tried to get Daisy out with soap and water, but it didn’t work.
Then, one of the FVFC lieutenants used his own plasma cutter, which was a new idea. It turned out to be the thing that finally freed Daisy.
Image source: Franklinville Volunteer Fire Department
The FVFC also shared a tense video of the rescue, filmed by the police.
In the video, you could see the emergency team working carefully around Daisy, who was waiting patiently to be freed.
Image source: Franklinville Volunteer Fire Department
The rescuers were really careful to make sure Daisy felt safe and comfortable.
They put two blankets around her neck to protect her while they cut the tire. It also made her feel safer.
Then, they used the plasma cutter to cut a piece out of the top of the tire. It was pretty dramatic, with sparks flying everywhere during the rescue.
Image source: Franklinville Volunteer Fire Department
In the middle of the video, one of the team members thought it would be a good idea to put a collar and leash on Daisy.
This was just in case she got scared and ran away once she was free.
The team kept cutting through the tire rim carefully until there was enough space to get Daisy’s head out safely.
Image source: Franklinville Volunteer Fire Department
The moment everyone felt better was when one of the team members carefully pulled Daisy out of the tire, and then they wrapped her up in blankets.
After finally getting out, Daisy wiggled out of the blankets and stretched, showing how grateful and relieved she was. Someone held onto her leash while she did this.
Image source: Franklinville Volunteer Fire Department
In another post, the FVFC shared a picture of the tire after they rescued Daisy. You could see that about a quarter of the top of the rim was cut off.
The post also had some good news: Daisy was okay and doing fine after what happened.
The FVFC proudly said, “This is the dedication and commitment you can expect from the FVFC each time we respond to a call. We are grateful to everyone who responded today to help Daisy.”
Image source: Youtube
This event shows how skilled and dedicated the Franklinville Volunteer Fire Company and the Franklin Township Police Department are.
It’s also a nice reminder of how much our emergency responders care about everyone’s safety, whether they’re people or animals.
To see the brave rescue happening, check out the video below.
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