An American Goldfinch was working over these thistle plant pretty good for an afternoon meal and from the looks of it this chubby guy is well versed at extracting thistle seeds.
Tag: nature photography
Beauty
She’s a beauty don’t you think?
There is just something special, call it perfection if yo will, about how pronghorn fit in so well with the dry fall grasses in their habitat. A beauty that is laid bare and obvious. A beauty in nature’s design. A beauty we could perhaps call truth.
Mammoth Monochromes
A monochrome afternoon on monochrome late November day. The air had a bit of chill and the sky full of cloud yet not threatening in any way.
Peeking between trees for a wonderful views.
A few inches of snow still on the ground from a recent storm letting you know real winter is only a storm away.
Big views across terraces where the earth demonstrates it is indeed alive.
A beautiful afternoon despite the flatness of the sky.
Seeking Solutions: A global deal for nature
As humanity marches on seemingly ignorant, yet keenly aware, the earths climate continues to warm faster than predicted and the sixth-extinction event picks up momentum like a snowball rolling down hill one group of scientists recently published a paper titled “A Global Deal For Nature: Guiding principles, milestones, and targets” in the journal Science Advances proposing a solution to put a halt to our global crises. In this paper the authors make the case that:
“the most logical path to avoid the approaching crisis is maintaining and restoring at least 50% of the Earth’s land area as intact natural ecosystems, in combination with energy transition measures.”
The authors clearly state that measures to protect ecosystems, biodiversity and any aversion or mitigation of anthropogenic climate change is a time bound matter and action must come sooner than later.
The paper lists five major goals of the project:
(3) maintain ecological function and ecosystem services
(4) maximize carbon sequestration by natural ecosystems
In addition the paper gives clear scientific evidence for their proposal and priorities that include: protecting biodiversity, mitigating climate change and reducing future threats. This is a well presented paper and one clearly worth reading.
A short article summarizing the project can be found here and is a good jumping off point prior to reading the whole study. It’s a beautiful world and diverse world and something too important to loose.
Click image to view slideshow.
References:
1) A Global Deal For Nature: Guiding principles, milestones, and targets.
Townsend’s Solitaire
One of our frequent winter visitors is the Townsends Solitaire. Usually sitting high up on a tree or on top of a juniper bush singing either a wonderful melodious song or calling out a high pitched tew-tew-tew.
Morning Color
Finding a bit of color on a Monday morning along narrow gauge terrace. The sun peeking though steam and lighting up the rock. Monday morning color at its finest.
The Fungus Among Us
I have always found mushrooms fascinating life forms. Not plant, not animal yet vitally important for the health of both plants and animals. However, they are a bugger to photograph yet I never stop trying.
Paul Stamets wrote a great book on Fungus call “Mycellium Running” and delivered a very interesting TED talk several years ago:
Western Grebe
We usually do not see Grebes on the local pond during winter in our neck of the woods. However, last week, this Western Grebe was swimming in a small section of a local pond that remained unfrozen. Perhaps she if off course in migration and landed here to rest and refuel. Although it was a pleasure to see her, I hope she takes advantage of this weeks thaw to get back on track and is gone the next time I visit this pond.
White Tailed Buck
A white tailed buck slowly moves slowly through the fields of dried grass foraging on a few green shoots and the remains of a rocky mountain bee plant.
A regal fellow with head held high.
And a wonderful sight that brought some light to a cloudy gray afternoon.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Giving Thanks: simple things
Giving thanks this day for simple things like landscapes open and wide. For food on the table and family and friends the things that bring it all to life.
Happy Thanksgiving.
nature has no boss 
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