After an absence, Jacques Hausser, emeritus professor of ecology and evolution at the University of Lausanne, has returned with three photos of squirrels, which of course are Honorary Cats™. His notes are indented.
A small refugee population:Visiting the beautiful Isles of Scilly, off Cornwall, for one very windy week, I was surprised to discover a small population of European Red Squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in the Abbey Garden, Tresco Island, famous for their subtropical plants. The squirrels were obviously introduced there, but at least they are protected from the American Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) and the parapoxvirus brought by them, which wiped them out most of the red squirrels on the Britain mainland.
Reader Rick Longworth sent one hummingbird photo and a video:
I shot some hummingbird footage at my daughter’s house just outside Nampa, Idaho. I’m not sure of the species, but from my Google research, it looks like a female/immature broad-tailed hummingbird (Selasphorus platycerus). I used a Panasonic GH3 with stock zoom lens. To get the close ups shooting from 6′ – 8′ away, I used the camera’s Tel-Ex mode which captures an uncompressed image from the center of the sensor. The camera also has a decent slow motion mode (used in the middle clips) and I slowed it a bit more in the editor.
Click on “vimeo” to enlarge:
Finally, three photos from reader Nicole Reggia, all taken in eastern Pennsylvania:
Really good photos and video today. Love those squirrels and hummers.
We just have ordinary dull looking round eared squirrels here in New York. I’m suffering from squirrel envy.
A few ‘true facts about hummingbirds’ – from the Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior:
flight body temp = 40 – 44 degees C, heart = 1250 bpm
night torpor temp = 13 degrees C, heart = 50 bpm
Coevolution with flowers. Flowers are thick walled, tubular shape, lack scent( to discourage insects).
food includes invertebrates
fruit flies(with appologies)
gnats
mosquitoes
spiders, etc
Leaf rolling: blast of air from wings turns over leaves to access small bugs and eggs.
Very good! I enjoyed these so thanks to everyone.
It took me a moment to realize the 2nd picture from Nicole is taken of a reflection of trees on water! Why are they upside down? I was wondering.
Great pics everyone, and love the video Rick! 🙂
The last photo is so simple, and so beautiful.
+1
I love squirrels of all varieties and gladly feed the along with the birds but I do wish the greys a swift but humane departure from the U.K. It would be such a heartbreaking loss for the world if they completely replaced squirrel nutkins and friends.
amazing captures.. I don’t see red squirrels nowadays, but when i do, it is a delight.
thanks for the pics. Eve