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ANIMALS

Woman Captures Unintentionally Bizarre Photo of Optical Illusion Involving an Endangered Bird

Woman Captures Unintentionally Bizarre Photo of Optical Illusion Involving an Endangered Bird

As civilization and industry expand, the habitats of wildlife are shrinking significantly. People are often consumed by their digital social lives and tend to overlook the beauty of nature. Various platforms aim to raise awareness and showcase the stunning beauty of wild animals through galleries. It is interesting to note that photos of rare species tend to go viral more easily.

Image source: Wingthreads (photo used for illustration)

So, when Franziska Speck spotted a group of around 50 to 60 birds landing on the beach at Oyster Point in Queensland, Australia, she was compelled to capture the moment with her camera. These were not your ordinary shorebirds; they were Eastern curlews, a species at risk of extinction. Speck was captivated by their distinct features, including their long, slender, curved bills and beautifully patterned brown feathers. She couldn’t resist the urge to capture this precious moment, frame by frame.

Image source: Franziska Speck

Knowing that Eastern curlews only visit beaches for a limited period each year, Speck realized that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to encounter these elusive birds. As the weather in Australia was warm during this time (spring being the transitional period of September, October, and November, followed by the hot summer months of December, January, and February), the curlew flock was happily feasting on a bountiful and nourishing meal. Speck understood that she may never have another fortunate encounter like this with these rare and beautiful birds.

Image source: Morgan Thomas/Reef Catchments (photo used for illustration)

While in pursuit of their prey, the curlews displayed agile and rapid flight patterns, making it challenging for Speck to capture sharp and clear photographs. Once she completed the task, Speck eagerly reviewed the results and was astonished by her own work. Most of the pictures turned out quite well, bringing a sense of satisfaction to Speck. However, among them, there were a few peculiar and surreal shots. One particular photo featured a bird with two reversed beaks, creating an intriguing optical illusion.

Image source: Franziska Speck

Additionally, there was another image that captured a curlew in the midst of capturing its prey, creating the illusion that its beak was piercing through the head of another bird.

Image source: Franziska Speck

Speck’s photo session with the curlews surpassed perfection. As she reviewed the pictures, she couldn’t contain her laughter. It became a cherished memory of her time at the beach. Moreover, we have an additional collection of priceless photos capturing the perfect moments of this endangered bird family.

Image source: Wingthreads (photo used for illustration)

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ANIMALS

Amazing Video of Unseen Ocean Creatures in the Ningaloo Canyons

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

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ANIMALS

These Pics Are Art and the Artists Are Insects

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

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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

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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