Tag: photography

Snakes

~ joannerambling ~ 11 Comments

This week will look at snakes the legless reptiles, they are far more diverse and surprising than most people realise so here is some information about them.

It is believed that they evolved from four‑limbed lizards around 100 million years ago. Some species, like pythons and boas, still carry tiny vestigial leg bones — evolutionary leftovers.

They can be found everywhere except Ireland, Iceland, New Zealand, and the polar regions.

They live in some amazing habitats such as forests, deserts, grasslands, mountains but only up to 16,000 feet, oceans and even 800 feet underwater of Australia.

They don’t hear airborne sound well but detect ground vibrations with great sensitivity. Their eyes are covered by a transparent scale called a spectacle, which sheds with the rest of the skin. Many species use heat‑sensing pits to detect warm‑blooded prey.

When it comes to moving, they use several locomotion styles depending on the terrain there is the classic slithering which is called lateral undulation, then there is rectilinear movement which is for slow, stalking. Some can glide from tree-to-tree others are excellent swimmers and when on loose sand the do something called sidewinding.

Do you know what they eat, well they are carnivores so small snakes eat insects, frogs, lizards and rodents. Larger ones can eat deer, antelope, capybaras and even jaguars, not something I have ever they would eat. Mostly because they swallow prey whole thanks to flexible jaws. Also, some can go two years without eating due to extremely slow metabolism.

Most snakes lay eggs, but some give birth to live young, babies are independent from birth needing no parental care. A few species (like pythons and king cobras) guard their nests. Some females can store sperm for years. The Brahminy blind snake is all‑female and reproduces without males.

There are about 725 venomous species, and 250 can kill a human with one bite.


The most dangerous snake globally (in terms of human deaths) is the saw‑scaled viper.

Australia’s inland taipan is the most venomous by toxicity but rarely kills because it avoids humans.

About one‑third of adults have some level of snake fear. Scientists believe this may be an evolutionary instinct — early humans who avoided snakes were more likely to survive.

Chameleons

~ joannerambling ~ 8 Comments

This week we are looking at another reptile the chameleon.

Chameleons are believed to have been around for 65 million years. There are over 200 species across Africa and Europe and Asia, with Madagascar as the stronghold—home to more than half of all known species.

They range in size from very tiny, no bigger than a thumbnail up to 2 feet.

Their eyes can move independently, giving them nearly 360° vision. Many species can see ultraviolet light, which helps with communication and mate selection.

We all know that they are able to change colour, many may think this is done solo as a form of camouflage but that’s not the case, they also change colour to communicate and to regulate temperature.

A chameleon’s natural colour as in the one it displays when calm, unstressed, and not trying to communicate—is usually a blend of greens and browns, sometimes with muted yellows or greys depending on the species. These resting tones provide passive camouflage in their typical habitats.

These baseline colours are part of their camouflage strategy, helping them blend into vegetation without needing dramatic colour shifts.

The brighter blues, reds, oranges, and yellows only appear when they are communicating, regulating temperature, or reacting to stress.

Colour change happens through layers of pigment‑filled skin cells that expand or contract under neural control.

When it comes to feeding and hunting their tongues can shoot out at high speed—up to about 13 miles per hour—to snatch prey. They most eat insects although larger ones may eat small birds or lizards.

Many species have prehensile tails for gripping branches, they can be found in rainforests, deserts, and mountainous regions, depending on the species.

How long they live varies, but a typical wild chameleon lives around 12 years.

In Madagascar, chameleons appear in folklore and proverb’s, sometimes viewed as mystical or omens of luck.

New Years Fireworks

~ joannerambling ~ 5 Comments

It is the day before New Years Eve and I was thinking about it and wondered how many countries see in the new year with fireworks, the answer is somewhere between 100 and 120, that’s more than I thought.

Some of the biggest firework displays take place in Sydney, London, Las Vegas and Ras Al Khaimah. Some sources say the biggest display is in Ras Al Khaimah.

The cost of the firework display in Sydney is around $6 million, I have no idea how much is spent in other places, but I expect it is a bloody lot.

Here people start finding their spot to watch them fireworks from early on in the day as many of the prime free vantage points officially open around 9am–10am, and people begin queueing before opening time. These spots often hit capacity by lunchtime. A couple of free places are Hickson Road Reserve opened at 9am and reached capacity just after 12:30pm another is Bennelong Lawn, Tarpeian Lawn, Campbells Cove, and Circular Quay also open around 9–9:30am and fill quickly.

Most areas with clear views of the Harbour Bridge or Opera House are already packed or close to it by 12pm–2pm.

If you arrive after 4pm, your chances of getting into a top-tier free spot (Opera House surrounds, Mrs Macquaries Point, Circular Quay) drop dramatically. Many will already be closed due to capacity.

Some vantage points (e.g., Opera House forecourt) are ticketed and sell out well in advance. These guarantee entry but still require arriving early for a good position.

You may be thinking why so early?

Sydney draws over one million people to the harbour foreshore each NYE. With limited space and strict entry controls (no re-entry, bag checks, alcohol restrictions), people settle in for the whole day.

So, what do people do while waiting, well some read, some play board games or listen to podcasts and some take a nap. Of course, people need to make sure they have food, water and sunscreen and some kind of shade gear.

Three countries that do not celebrate NYE are Iran as there New Year is in March, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Somala to name a few.

Emu

~ joannerambling ~ 4 Comments

This week we are looking at the Emu they are the second-largest living birds in the world, native only to Australia, and known for their speed, endurance, and unique breeding habits.

They stand up to 1.75–2 meters tall and weigh 50–55 kg (110–121 lbs), with brownish feathers with a shaggy texture; long legs adapted for running. They have three forward-facing toes, which help them sprint and manoeuvre quickly.

Some may know and some may not know but emus can run as fast as 50 km/h which is 31 mph, and they can jump up to 2 meters which is 7 feet and to that they are damn strong swimmer and move through water damn fast when they want to.

These birds are omnivorous with their diet consisting of seeds, fruits, flowers, shoots, and insects like beetles and grasshoppers. They will travel long distances to find food and water, often forming loose groups called “mobs.”

They will mate for life in the wild, the female will lay 7–10 large dark green eggs, each about 13 cm long, but it the male who incubates the eggs for ~60 days and raises the chicks, while the female often moves on to mate again.

Now are you wondering what they sound like, well the female makes a deep, low-pitched sounds that can sound like drumming and often described as a hollow and resonant sound. These calls can carry for long distances and are used for communication, especially during breeding season. Males tend to sound like a soft grunt.

These calls are used to attract mates, signal territory, or keep contact with other emus.

Have you heard of the Emu War of 1932 this was a war us humans lost, the Australian army tried to cull emus damaging crops, but the birds proved too elusive. Despite firing 10,000 rounds of ammunition, fewer than 1,000 were killed, and the “war” was considered a failure.

Cockatoo

~ joannerambling ~ 3 Comments

Last week I wrote about birds in general, this week I am writing about the Cockatoo.

Cockatoos are intelligent, expressive parrot’s native to Australasia, known for their dramatic crests, powerful beaks, and deep emotional bonds with humans. They’re among the most affectionate and long-lived pet birds.

There are around 21 recognized species, including the Sulphur-crested, Galah, Palm, and Major Mitchell’s cockatoos

They are native to Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Solomon Islands.

Typically white, black, or pink with dramatic crests; less rainbow-coloured than other parrots

Their beak is strong, curved with a unique “three-way bite” for cracking nuts and gripping objects

They live in flocks and form lifelong pair bonds, they are loud and expressive, you wouldn’t want one if you lived I an apartment due to their volume.

They like to eat seeds, nuts, fruits, roots, and insects; use their beaks and strong tongues to forage.

They have a lifespan: 25–60 years, with some living over 70 years in captivity, in the wild they live in tree hollows and both parents care for their young.

They reproduce through internal fertilization, followed by egg-laying and a dedicated incubation period of about 28–30 days. The female lays 1–3 eggs per clutch, typically spaced a few days apart. Eggs are laid in a nest cavity or nesting box lined with wood shavings or soft material. The eggs are white and oval, and both parents may take turns incubating them.

Incubation lasts 28–30 days, during which the eggs must be kept at a stable temperature (~37.2°C) and humidity (55–60%).

Eggs are turned regularly to ensure even development and prevent the embryo from sticking to the shell. They are born blind and featherless, relying entirely on their parents. Their feathers start appearing in a few weeks and by 10 to 12 weeks they are ready to leave the nest.

They are highly social and attentive parents, often forming lifelong bonds. They teach their young vocalizations, foraging, and social behaviours essential for survival.

Birds

~ joannerambling ~ 3 Comments

Hello everyone, this week we are looking at birds, did you know there are over 11,000 species of birds throughout the world and 800 different species in Australia.

Now I expect everyone knows that all birds have feathers, beaks and wings but not all can fly. I will talk about those that don’t fly next week.

The country with the largest number of different species in Colombia with about 1,917.

This remarkable avian diversity is due to Colombia’s unique geography and climate.

The country with the fewest bird species is Vatican City, due to its extremely small size and limited natural habitat. However, if you’re considering larger countries with more ecological context, Iceland is often cited as having notably low avian diversity.

Do you know the diet of birds, most eat plants and seeds but there are some that eat meat, meat eaters are considered birds of prey. However, there are some that are not like the Butcher bird and the Magpie both are native to Australia.

Birds that have musical voices are called songbirds; they have specially developed vocal cords which are called the syrinx which they use to produced sounds resembling songs. They also have a special section in their brain which helps them learn their songs.

The birds that fly do so to find food and avoid predators; birds have a very light skeleton and strong muscles and wings. The shape and size of their wings determine the distance between and type of flight they can do.

Birds have feathers for flight, insulation, communication, camouflage, and protection—making feathers one of the most versatile and essential adaptations in the animal kingdom.

However, their feathers are not just for flight, they have bright, patterned feathers are used in courtship rituals to attract mates. Males often display more vibrant colours than females. Birds fluff, spread, or raise feathers to signal aggression, readiness to mate, or submission.

Many birds have feather colours and patterns that match their surroundings, helping them avoid predators or sneak up on prey.

Some species molt into different plumage depending on the season for better camouflage.

Feathers protect birds from UV radiation, wind, rain, and physical injuries.

Dense feather layers help shield sensitive skin from harsh environments.

Rodents

~ joannerambling ~ 4 Comments

Hello everyone, it is hot here and it is the type of day that I feel like doing stuff for an hour or so then I need to have a rest.

Anyway this week we are looking at rodents they are the largest order of mammals with hour many species there are. There are around 2,500 different species around the world.

Rodents are found everywhere except in Antarctica.

The character traits of rodents are incredibly diverse, as they are the largest order of mammals. However, they share several key physical and behavioural characteristics that define the group such as.

They have sharp incisor teeth which never stop growing and are kept short by gnawing.

They lack canine teeth and some premolars, leaving a distinct gap (diastema) between their incisors and their cheek teeth (molars/premolars).

While most are small (mice, hamsters), the order includes the largest living rodent, the capybara which weighs up to 70 kg.

They typically have robust bodies, short limbs, and a long tail although tails vary greatly—some are bushy like squirrels, others are nearly hairless like rats, and some are short or stubby.

They rely heavily on their long, sensitive whiskers to navigate and explore their environment, especially in the dark, as their vision is often less developed with many being colourblind or have poor eyesight.

Also they lack sweat glands and dissipate heat primarily through their tails and ears, making them susceptible to overheating.

They are one of the most successful mammalian groups, inhabiting nearly every environment on every continent except Antarctica. They are highly adaptable to new and human-disturbed environments.

The majority are herbivores, feeding on seeds, nuts, fruit, and plants, but many are omnivorous (like rats), and some are specialized predators (like grasshopper mice).

They are known for their high reproductive capacity, having large litters and short gestation periods, which helps compensate for high predation rates.

Sun Bear

~ joannerambling ~ 6 Comments

This week we are looking at a species of bear I have never heard of, that being the sun bear it is found in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. It is the only species in the genus Helarctos and they are the smallest bear species and are only around half the size of an American black bear, measuring 4-5 feet tall when stood on their hind limbs, and weighing up to 68kg.

Sun bears are named for the bib of often sunshine-yellow fur adorning their chests. Each sun-bear bib is unique and can be used to distinguish one bear from another. Their fur is thick, short and generally jet-black, although some bears have a reddish or silvery hue.

Despite their name, recent research on wild sun bears suggests these animals are crepuscular, meaning their activity levels peak during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk.

They are known to be very aggressive and may attack without apparent provocation. Except for females with cubs the bears are solitary although there is a suggestion that same may form long-term monogamous relationships. Litters are of from 1 to 3 cubs with no apparent set period for mating or birth.

Relative to their skull size, sun bears have the largest canine teeth of any bear species. For context, sun bear canines are the same size as those sported by polar bears, and species some 5 to 10 times larger.

Sun bears have long, curved claws, are well adapted for gripping bark and are the most arboreal of all the bear species. These bears will climb trees to forage for wild fruits and beehives and to evade predators such as tigers, leopards and dholes, an Asian canid. One of the characteristic signs of the presence of wild sun bears is claw marks on trees they have climbed. 

They have exceptionally long tongues, the longest among all bear species, reaching up to 25-30 centimetres (10-12 inches). These long, sticky tongues are essential for their diet, allowing them to extract insects and honey from hard-to-reach places like tree crevices and termite mounds.

Sun bears primarily inhabit dense tropical and subtropical rainforests throughout Southeast Asia. Their range includes areas in northeastern India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, southern China, and the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo. They are typically found at lower altitudes in these forests but can be seen at higher elevations in some regions like India. 

They are omnivorous, favouring fruits, insects, small animals and bee nests (for insects and honey). Large teeth and long claws enable sun bears to tear into logs and termite mounds in search of insects an important component of their diet. Their tropical habitat generally provides food resources year-round, so sun bears do not hibernate.

Sun bears face significant threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and conversion of forests for agriculture, particularly oil palm plantations. They are also targeted by commercial hunting for their bile, paws, and other body parts, and are affected by the illegal pet trade. 

England part 2

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This week I am doing a little more about England with information such as, England’s national animal which is the lion.

In the Middle Ages there were lions kept at the Towel of London as part of a menagerie.

English medieval warrior rulers with a reputation for bravery attracted the nickname “the Lion”: the most famous being Richard 1 aka Richard the Lionhearthed.

Lions are frequently depicted on shields they also appear in sculpture, at sites of national importance. The lion is used as a symbol of English sporting teams, such as their national sporting teams.

The national tree is the oak tree, specifically the English oak, it represents strength and endurance.  In 1651 during the battle of Worcester King Charles 11 hid in an oak tree before making it safely into exile.

The national flower is the rose, a Tudor rose is officially used, it signifies the unification of the warring parties of during the War of the Roses under the Tudor dynasty, the red rose represented the House of Lancaster, and the white rose the House of York.

England doesn’t have a single official national dish, however there are some foods mostly connected to the country such as roast beef with Yorkshire pudding which has its roots dating back to the 18th century. The ballad “The Roast Beef of Old England” from 1731 highlights the dish’s cultural significance. 

Other dishes would be fish and chips, toad in the hold and bangers and mash.

Toad in the hole is a traditional British dish consisting of sausages in Yorkshire pudding batter, usually served with onion gravy and vegetables. Historically, the dish has also been prepared using other meats, such as rump steak and lamb’s kidney.

Bangers and mash are sausages, and mash is a traditional British dish consisting of sausages and mashed potato. The dish is usually served with onion gravy but may also include fried onions and peas.

England’s national drink is tea. While gin is also a strong contender, particularly in the south, tea’s widespread consumption across all social classes.

Many people say that England has two national sports being Association football (commonly known as soccer), as well as Cricket, which is often considered the national summer sport.

Also, England is known for being the home of some amazing authors such as William Shakespeare, Jane Austen and Charles Dickens to name a few.

There are two versions of the banknotes in circulation. One version featuring a portrait of King Charles III and one version featuring a portrait of Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. There are four denominations of the banknotes in circulation: £5, £10, £20 and £50. The £1 & £2 notes have been converted to coins during the 1980’s and 1990’s.

In England, women gained the right to vote in a phased approach. The Representation of the People Act of 1918 granted women over 30 the vote, provided they also met certain property qualifications. However, full equality with men was achieved in 1928 with the Equal Franchise Act of 1928, which lowered the voting age for women to 21.

The first woman to have a seat in parliament was Nancy Astor (Viscountess Astor), after a by-election, in December 1919. She was elected as a Conservative for the Plymouth Sutton constituency after her husband, Waldorf Astor, the former MP, was elevated to the peerage.

The English coat of arms, featuring three golden lions on a red field, dates back to the late 12th century, around 1198. While there are earlier uses of lions in English heraldry, the specific design of three lions passant-guardant was introduced by King Richard I and is the one that became established as the Royal Arms of England. 

The coat of arms of England, part of the wider Royal Arms of the United Kingdom, features three lions passant (walking) on a field of gold, representing the English royal lineage. This design, often described as “three lions on a field of gold,” has been a consistent symbol of England since its adoption by King Richard I in the 12th century. The lions, initially a single lion on a shield, were later expanded to three by his successor, King John, and have remained a defining feature of the English coat of arms ever since. 

At the center of the arms is a quartered shield, depicting the three passant guardant lions of England in the first and fourth quarters, the rampant lion and double tressure flory-counterflory of Scotland in the second quarter, and a harp for Ireland in the third quarter. 

Well I guess I will wrap this up hope people found the post interesting.

 

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

~ joannerambling ~ 4 Comments

This week we are looking at Sydney, which is the capital of New South Wales and one of Australia’s largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.

The estimated population of the Sydney metropolitan area in 2025 is around 5.248 million. 

Greater Sydney covers 12,368.7 sq km and is made up of 34 local councils. Over 650 suburbs make up the Greater Sydney region.

Sydney was founded 237yrs ago when in 1788, the First Fleet of convicts, led by Arthur Phillip, founded Sydney as a British penal colony, making it the first European settlement in Australia.

Sydney is also where Kirribilli House is, this is the secondary official residence of the prime minister of Australia. Located in the Northern Sydney suburb of Kirribilli, New South Wales, the cottage and its associated grounds are located at the far eastern end of Kirribilli Avenue. 

It commands impressive views across to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House and has been visited over the years by many important international dignitaries. Kirribilli House is open to the public on one day a year, courtesy of The Australiana Fund.

This year it will be open to the public for an open day on Saturday, June 3rd, 2025, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, along with Admiralty House, allowing visitors to explore the grounds and gardens.

There will be tours of both houses, and then lunch on the lawns. You can bring a packed lunch, or there will be food available to purchase. Entry is $15. 

Sydney has relatively low crime rates compared to many other major cities globally. Violent crime is uncommon, and the city is known for its safe streets.

Sydney’s public transportation system, including buses, trains, and ferries, is generally safe and mostly reliable all the services are well-monitored and have security measures in place. We also have transit officers that can tell people to leave stations and trains, demand full name and residential address when they suspect, on reasonable grounds that a person has committed a railway offence, Issue infringement notices (‘on-the-spot’ fines) for railway offences.