What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, man would die from a great loneliness of spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts, soon happens to man. All things are connected. - Chief Seattle
This is the place to continue your journey with me to help you realize how every aspect of nature is an integral part of your life.
On the Wing
This roseate spoonbill just left the rookery and was in clear view as I stood on the shore some 3-400 feet away admiring the beauty and serenity of the scene.
It is moments like this that make the photo outings worthwhile.
Searching
Cormorants are a group of aquatic birds containing about 40 different species.
Like many other aquatic species, these birds have long, curved necks that they use to reach below the surface to snag fish.
To further aid in capturing slippery fish, cormorants have long beaks that have a sharp hook at the end.
To enable them to better move through the water, they have webbed feet which are shown clearly here.
Waning Moon
Just 3 days before the next full moon appears over the Indian River in Florida. This waning, or decrescent moon was visible in the clear night sky, showing roughly 13% of the moon's surface.
The moon is reflected light from the sun so as it orbits the earth we get to enjoy its various phases. The waxing phase, from the crescent to the half moon, is when we see the right hand side of the moon. From the 1/2 moon to when it becomes full it is the "gibbous" phase.
Then it reverses with the right side darkening and the left side remaining lit and eventually becomes a waning crescent moon.
Still Life
Great blue herons are large birds standing between approximately 3 feet and 5 feet tall. Surprisingly they typically weigh in at only 5 or 6 pounds mostly because of their hollow bones.
During breeding season, which started here several weeks ago, the iris in its eye will turn reddish and its yellow bill will take on an orange hue like the one in this photo.
What's the Message?
Size wise the length of a rhesus monkey ranges from 18-21 inches. Males are bit larger than the females.
They communicate in a vast majority of ways including variety of vocalizations, facial expressions, and visual signs like body stances. Rhesus monkeys also use grooming, playing and fighting as other means of communication.