Tag Archives: National Geographic

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Our fine feathered friends.

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Part three, the last of the Photo Ark birds.

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Black and Red Broadbill

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing these photographs as much as I’ve enjoyed sharing them.

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Superb Bird of Paradise

This is my all time favorite weirdo bird. And if you don’t agree? Watch the short video clip and get back to me.

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Crested Auklet

Can you imagine having a permanent curlicue on your forehead?

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Red Headed Vulture

If you see this fellow flying around overhead… kiss your butt goodbye.

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Southern Lapwing

Is it me? Or is this beauty the perfect Dr. Seuss character.

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Lesser Flamingo

If you’ve never taken the time to watch a frolicking flock of flamingoes? You haven’t yet lived.

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Mandarin Duck

Birds…. beauty and grace in motion.

Just ask Joel.

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Bird brains.

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Part two of the Photo Ark for birds.

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Black Crowned Crane

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Those are magnificent hairdos, no doubt about it.

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Verreaux’s Eagle Owl

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Sleepy owl is not amused.

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Wattled Curassow

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This poor guy looks like he’s balancing half a walnut on his nose.

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Purple Starling

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We have starlings, but they’re nowhere as impressive as these.

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Palm Cockatoo

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A beak that could crush cocktail ice in no time flat.

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White Naped Cranes

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I totally want to want to animate that photo to music.

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Tawny Frogmouth

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The little guy looks pissed. Whoever stole his mouse? Give it back…

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Northern Bald Ibis

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Wow. If anyone was ever in dire need of a toupe, it’s that guy.

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Common Bay Owl

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Owls.

They’re da bomb.

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I bet you thought I was done.

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But I’m not done sharing wonderful photos from Joel Sartore because he has another book.

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Great Blue Turaco

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A book full of birds.

Northern White Faced Owl

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Our fine feathered….

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Baby Golden Parakeet

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And not quite feathered yet friends.

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Golden Pheasant

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Being an avid bird watcher and feeder, this book warms my soul.

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Kea

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I’ll try not to overshare.

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Andean Cock of the Rock

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But look at these beauties.

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Vulturine Guineafowl

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It’s going to be tough.

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Photo Ark… The Finale.

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Yes, these are the last photos I’ll post from this truly wonderful book.

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Malay Tapir

But look at that face! I couldn’t help myself.

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Sulawesi Stripe-faced Fruit Bat

I’m so very glad Joel Sartore followed his dream.

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Victoria Crowned Pigeon

The wonderful and wacky diversity of nature should be celebrated as well as protected.

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Watusi Cow

So that’s where the Watusi dance craze came from…. who knew?

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Varied Capuchin

I think we’ve all been there.

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Spix’s Macaw

Sadly, this lovely bird no longer exists in the wild.

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Florida Panther

And this graceful cat is hanging on by a thread.

We share our world with some fabulous creatures… please respect them and their need for a small corner of it.

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The Photo Ark… Part 6.

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More fabulous photos…

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Black and Rufous Elephant Shrew.

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Of more fabulous creatures.

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Himalayan Moran.

And look how happy some of them are to have their picture taken.

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Northern Tamandua.

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No, this isn’t a Rorschach test, but it could be.

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Atlantic Sea Spider.

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I see my late Mother in Law there, but you probably won’t.

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Hispaniolan Hutia.

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Bet that Hutia could make short work of momma red squirrel. Anyone know where I can rent a few?

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Waxy Monkey Frog.

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Damn, I wish my legs were that long.

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Platypus.

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Platypuses are proof positive evolution has a sense of humor. And a slight drinking problem.

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Red Celestial Eye Goldfish.

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Imagine how effective my eye rolls would be with those peepers.

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Horned Screamer.

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That fellow’s horn required a two page centerfold.  Men? You should be so lucky.

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African Moon Moth.

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I am completely in love with this moth. He has attitude to spare….

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The Photo Ark Part Three.

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I hope you’re enjoying these photographs as much as I am.

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Albino North American Porcupine.

And while I’ll include the well known and cute…

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Giant Panda.

It’s the unusual….

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Whispered Auklet.

And odd I usually prefer.

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Silvery Marmoset.

Like this fellow.

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Devil’s Flower Mantis.

“Back away from the beetle and no one gets hurt.“

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Texas Blind Salamander.

Biodiversity is a wonderful thing.

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Four Toed Jerboa.

You know Mother Nature was 3 margaritas into a pitcher when she came up with the ‘dillo.

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Southern Three Banded Armadillo.

So many variations of the creatures you think you know.

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Common Yabby.

This way there be dragons…

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Ribboned Seadragon.

Heck, this guy is perpetually Bloody Mary ready…. he’s got celery on his head!

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The Photo Ark… Part Two.

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More amazing photographs from Joel Sartore.

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Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine.

I’m thoroughly enjoying this book.

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Budgett’s Frog.

I mean look at that happy little frog…. how could I not?

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Adult Mandrill.

Joel gives these animals a voice.

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Side Striped Palm Pit Viper.

And dignity in their uniqueness.

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Malay Tapir.

Some are a bit bizarre.

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Red Bellied Lemur.

Some are cute and cuddly.

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White Bellied Pangolin and baby.

Some are cute and scaly.

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Common Striped Possum.

Common? Not around here..

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Bobtail Squid.

And who knew squids could look so melancholy?

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East African Crowned Crane.

Stunning.

Every single one.

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The Photo Ark

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Have you heard of Joel Sartore?

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Arctic Fox.

If not, let me rectify that.

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Tiger Striped Tree Frog.

Joel has made it his mission in life to photograph the approximately 12,000 species living in zoos and wildlife sanctuaries.

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Brown Throated Sloth.

But Joel’s photographs are different.

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Springbok Mantis.

They’re special.

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Mandrill.

Because they’re portraits.

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Spectacled Eiders.

Stunning portraits of glorious diversity.

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California Sea Lion.

Joel believes if we see these marvelous creatures… we’ll feel something.

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Andean Condor.

We’ll care.

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Sumatran Rhinoceros.

And if we care, we’ll fight to preserve not only them, but the habitats they need to thrive.

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DeBrazza’s Monkey.

Joel is my hero. And I’ve bought all 3 of his incredible books.

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As I make my way through them, I’m going to share some of his work.

Because they make me feel.

Because they make me care.

Not all of the animals are beautiful.

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Common Warthog.

But all of them are perfect… and worth protecting.

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Random musings…

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Telemarketers have gotten clever over the past few years. They spoof actual businesses and use real people’s names with local numbers to trick you into answering.

Last month our caller ID came up with my own name and number. Though why I needed to call myself has yet to be determined.

Last week?

This:

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It’s like they’re not even trying anymore.

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Covid warnings, Maine style.

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Deer and fading backyard foliage, just because.

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Damn.

I knew I shouldn’t have let my National Geographic subscription expire. Slutty ostriches would have been a good read.

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Deep fried pickled asparagus is not my idea of an acceptable appetizer, but they’re very popular at our local pub right now.

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This describes our current weather quite well. Something for everyone.

And finally, fluffle.

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Because we all need a tad more cuteness in our life right about now.

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