Green Violetear is a glamorous hummingbird of Mexicowhich is endemic of the forests and shrublands of Mexico and the northern parts of the Latin America. Overall, the Green Violet-ear has a very large range, estimated globally at 800,000 square kilometers.
Green Violtear Hummingbird – Image by Don Faulkner
The Green Violetear is roughly medium-sized by hummingbird standards. It averages around 9.7 to 12 cm (3.8 to 4.7 in) in total length. Its bill is black and mostly straight with only a slight downward curve and measures from 1.8 to 2.5 cm (0.71 to 0.98 in). The body mass can vary from 4.8 to 5.6 g (0.17 to 0.20 oz). Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 5.8 to 6.8 cm (2.3 to 2.7 in) and the tail is 3.5 to 4.3 cm (1.4 to 1.7 in). It is shining green above with a glittering violet ear-patch on the sides of its neck. Its throat and chest are a more glittering green with a shining green belly. The tail is a metallic blue-green with bronzier central feathers and a prominent black subterminal band. Colibri thalassinusis the scientific name of this glamorous hummingbird from Mexico and the Latin America.
Green Violtear Hummingbird on a flowering plant – An image by Francesco Veronesi
The Green Violetear searches madly for the nectars and insects around the flowering trees, especially coffee-shade Inca. They feed at mid-level to canopy and often hold and defend a feeding territory.The Green Violetear has been recorded as attaining the greatest flying speed ever recorded for a hummingbird, with a pair of birds having attained 90 mph (140 km/h) during a chase, although other species may be able to attain similar speeds.
Green Violtear – A hummingbird of Mexico – Image by Laura Gooch
The Green Violetear makes their small nest with various plant materials, cobwebs, and down woven together to form a sturdy cup structure. The female Green Violetear lays two small white eggs within the nest and the female incubates them on her own for 14–18 days.
Living fairly close to the City of Arcata, I enjoy visiting the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary whenever it is possible to slip away from the more or less demanding activities of daily life. It is a lovely place for walking, taking photographs, or just relaxing in nature. Occasionally one sees other visitors wandering along the paths – sometimes joggers, or folks just walking their dog, or their bicycle. Dogs are allowed here too, but must be on a leash.
Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary – Eve Andreson’s Image
The Arcata Marsh currently encompasses somewhere between 300 to 310 acres of freshwater wetlands, as well as saltwater marsh & tidal slough, with numerous ponds and interconnecting waterways.
A fresh water wetland @ Arcata Marsh – Eve Andreson’s photo
Tidal mudflats and brackish marsh connect the northern end of the marsh to Humboldt Bay.
Tidal mudflats and brackish marsh ( Eve Andreson’s photo )
There are currently around 5½ miles of walking and bike paths that wind their way through this beautiful nature area as unobtrusively as possible. They lead one through the wetlands, alongside the bay, around the ponds, and through wooded areas & meadows.
A walkway at Arcata Marsh – Eve Andreson’s image
These wetlands are located along what is known as the Pacific Flyway, a major migratory route for the thousands of birds that breed in the far north and winter in warmer climates, from California in the US, down through Mexico, Central, and South America. The marsh provides permanent homes and migratory resting places for over 300 species of birds. Some inhabit it year round, while others use it as a winter home, or enjoy it as a brief stopover resort on their journey further south.
A wetland at Pacific flyway – Eve Andreson’s photo
Bird-watching may be enjoyed year round, but is said to be at its best from mid-July to early May. Songbirds are always abundant from spring through fall. A variety of raptors can be seen, whether residing in the area or visiting seasonally. Waterfowl, shorebirds and other wading birds can be found in abundance from the autumn through early spring months.
A bird watching site at Arcata Marsh – An image by Eve Andreson
Numerous species of plants thrive here, and provide a safe habitat for a variety of wildlife. Besides migrating and resident birds, the marsh is also home to bobcats, foxes, raccoons, river otters, a variety of frogs and small harmless reptiles, beautiful dragonflies & butterflies, and fresh & salt water fish & shellfish.
Some typical plant species at Arcata Marsh – Image : Eve Andreson
Wildflowers can be found almost year round, and wild blackberry bushes and fennel are in abundance during the summer through autumn months.
Wild flowers at Arcata Marsh – Eve Andreson’s image
The Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to an innovative waste water treatment facility that integrates conventional waste water treatment with the natural treatment processes of constructed wetlands.
The Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to an innovative wastewater treatment facility – Eve Andreson’s image
This process takes place in basically five stages
Primary Treatment – Sewage is held in sedimentation tanks where the sludge is removed and processed for use as fertilizer.
Secondary Treatment – Primary effluent is then pumped into oxidation ponds where bacteria break down the waste.
Disinfection – The secondary effluent is chlorinated to kill pathogens and then de-chlorinated to avoid damage to the natural environment it will be integrated into.
Tertiary Treatment – The disinfected secondary effluent is put into the artificially constructed marshes where it is cleansed by reeds, cattails, and bacteria.
Disinfection - The tertiary effluent is chlorinated again in order to kill pathogens from bird droppings and then de-chlorinated to avoid damage to natural environments.
A grassland at Arcata Marsh – An image by Eve Andreson
The Arcata Marsh was at one time the site of a landfill and several lumber mills. Today the landfill has been long buried and the site reclaimed. It now supports grasslands with pine and other trees that provide an attractive haven to the various species of wildlife.
A brackish water pond – An image by Eve Andreson
The former leach pond is now a brackish water pond, visited by thousands of shorebirds annually.
At one entrance to the marsh, one can find the Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center. It sits on the foundation of a defunct mill and is home to wildlife art displays, interactive exhibits, and a book and gift shop. The Interpretive Center is operated by Friends of the Arcata Marsh (FOAM), a nonprofit organization founded in 1989, and dedicated to educating the public about the ecological benefits of waste water used in a wetlands system. Exhibits explain the operations of the treatment process, the importance of the marsh, and give information on the plants and animals that live there. Educational programs are offered for school, scout and other groups, as well as summer camp programs.
The Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuaryhas been the recipient of international recognition and numerous awards – for municipal planning design, a cost-effective public utility operation, an urban redevelopment plan, and as a natural resource project.
About the author :
Eve Anderson is an artist, photographer, chocolateer, and intermittently aspiring writer, who has traveled to and resided in many places in and about the Pacific. Currently she resides on the Lost Coast of Northern California, fairly close to Humboldt Bay, the redwoods, and not far from the Arcata Marsh.
Most of the countries of the lovely planet have also enlisted their national birds. We’ll tell you about the officially declared national birds of the countries of the world.
The list along with the exotic images of the national birds of the lovely planet is as under;
1- African Fish Eagle: The national bird of Zambia & Zimbabwe
African Fish Eagle is the national bird of Zambia & Zimbabwe (Image:Lyn Francey )
2- Andean Cock of the Rock: The national animal of Peru
Andean Cock of the Rock is national animal of Peru (Image: Momotus )
3- Andean Condor: The national bird of Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador
Andean Condor is the national bird of Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador ( Image : Pedro Szekely )
4- Bald Eagle: The national bird of the United States of America
Bald Eagle is the national bird of the United States of America (Image:Alan Vernon )
5- Barbary Partridge: The national bird of Gibraltar
Barbary Partridge: The national bird of Gibraltar ( Image: Jonathan Perera )
6- Barn Swallow: The national bird of Austria & Estonia
Barn Swallow: The national bird of Austria & Estonia ( Image:Bayarsaikhan Luvsandor)
7- Bar-tailed Trogon: The national bird of Malawi
Bar-tailed Trogon is the national bird of Malawi_( Image courtesy flickr )
8- Bermuda Petrel: The national bird of Bermuda
Bermuda Petrel: The national bird of Bermuda ( Image courtesy Silver Photos )
9- Black Crowned-Crane: The national bird of Nigeria
Black Crowned-Crane is the national bird of Nigeria (Image courtesy Steve Photos on flickr )
10- Blue Crane : The national bird of South Africa
Blue Crane : The national bird of South Africa ( Image : Arthur Chapman )
11- Blue Rock Thrush: The national bird of Malta
Blue Rock Thrush is the national bird of Malta ( Image: Pete Walkden )
12- Burmese Peacock: The national bird of Myanmar
Burmese Peacock is the national bird of Myanmar ( Photo: Peter Stubbs )
13- Caribbean Flamingo: The national bird of Bahamas
Caribbean Flamingo: The national bird of Bahamas ( Photo: Jeffery Johnson )
14- Chukar Partridge: The national bird of Iraq and Pakistan
Chukar Partridge is the national bird of Iraq & Pakistan ( Image : Fly to Water )
15- Clay-colored Thrush: The national bird of Costa Rica
Clay-colored Thrush: The national bird of Costa Rica ( Photo :Reddirtpics )
16- Common blackbird: The national bird of Sweden
Common blackbird is the national bird of Sweden ( Image Source : Kate's Photos )
17- Common Kestrel: The national bird of Belgium
Common Kestrel: The national bird of Belgium ( Image : Trrhodes )
18- Common Raven: The national bird of Bhutan
Common Raven: The national bird of Bhutan ( Image: Tom Spross )
19- White-cheeked Turaco: The national bird of Côte d’Ivoire
White-cheeked Turaco: The national bird of Côte d'Ivoire ( Image:Ryan Ladbrook)
20- Crested Caracara: The national bird of Mexico
Crested Caracara is the national bird of Mexico ( Photo: Paul Williams )
21- Crimson Sunbird: The national bird of Singapore
Crimson Sunbird: The national bird of Singapore ( Photo : Sgluskoter )
22- Cuban-Trogon: The national bird of Cuba
Cuban-Trogon: The national bird of Cuba ( Phot: Dave Irving )
23- East African Crowned-Crane: The national bird of Uganda
East African Crowned-Crane: The national bird of Uganda ( Photo: gtjkb )
24- Eurasian Oystercatcher: The national bird of Faroe Islands
Eurasian Oystercatcher: The national bird of Faroe Islands ( Image: John Haslam )
25- European Robin: The national bird of the United Kingdom and Ireland
European Robin: The national bird of the United Kingdom and Ireland (Photo: Peter Kostov )
26- Gallic Rooster: The national bird of France
Gallic Rooster: The national bird of France ( Image by Mark Wilson )
27-Garden Bulbul: The national bird of Liberia
Garden Bulbul: The national bird of Liberia ( Photo: Tim Randall )
28- Giant Ibis Backlit or Pseudibis gigantea: The national bird of Cambodia
Giant Ibis Backlit or Pseudibis gigantea: The national bird of Cambodia ( wbdevelopmentmarjetplace )
29- Goldcrest: The national bird of Luxembourg
Goldcrest: The national bird of Luxembourg ( Photo: Gary Faulkner )
30- Golden Eagle: The national bird of Scotland
Golden Eagle: The national bird of Scotland ( Image : Mike Ashton )
This is the first part of the national bird series on the lovely planet. See the 2nd and the 3rd parts for the remaining lists of the national birds of the lovely planet.
Since the beginning of the human life on the lovely planet, the man has raised numerous synthetic improvisations in different patterns. Architecure and engineering both have attained the key importance in every era and this has resulted the construction of many radical and state of the art buildings. The designs of the architecture and the styles of the elevations have gone through tremendous developments and modifications with the passage of time. However, the sense of the conservation of the common heritage has also been equally developed, because the architecture of different ages is the main source of understanding the life styles, customs and cultures of their respective nations.
In the middle ages, in different parts of the world, especially in Europe the royal class started the tradition to raise a fortified construction in order to protect their personal properties. These type of constructions are usually called as castle and timber, clay and stones were the basic raw materials used in their constructions. In the following, we have tried to bring before you some wonderful images of the lovely castles of the lovely planet ;
1- Royal Palace of Brussels in Belgium
The Royal Palace of Brussels in Belgium ( Joachim Thieren's Image )
2- Windsor Castle of Berkshire, England
Windsor Castle of England. Jussi Kangasharju's Image
3- Limousin Castle of France
Limousin Castle of France ( An Image by Quim Bahi )
4- Quaitbay Castle in Alexandria, Egypt
Quaitbay Castle in Alexandria, Egypt ( An Image by Ahmed Samir Habib )
5- Templar Castle of Ponferrada in Spain
Templar Castle of Ponferrada, Spain ( Image By ribizlifozelek )
6- Ranikot Fort in Sindh, Pakistan
Ranikot Fort in Sindh, Pakistan ( Image: Tanwir Jogi )
7- Gulbarga Castle in Karnataka, India
Gulbarga Castle in Karnataka,India ( Image: Mejroxy )
8- Bangalore Castle of India
Bangalore Castle of India ( Image By Nina Maaninka )
9- Rayen Castle of Iran
Rayen Castle of Iran ( Photo by Mahdi Kazzazi )
10- Karak Castle of Jordan
Karak Castle of Jordan in Amman
11- Sorooca Castle of Moldova
Soroca Castle of Moldova ( Am Image by Groundhopping Merseburg )
12- Mongol Castle in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Mongol Castle in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia ( An Image by Ariunbold P )
13- Duwisib Castle of Namibia
Duwisib Castle of Namibia ( Image : Bill Dutfield )
14- Doorwerth Castle in Gelderland, Netherlands
Doorwerth Castle in Gelderland, Netherlands ( Image: Toon van den Einde )
15- Akershus Castle in Oslo, Norway
Akershus Castle in Oslo, Norway ( Image by Don César )
16- Masyaf Castle of Syria
Masyaf Castle of Syria ( Image: Richard Avis )
17- Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City, Mexico
Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City, Mexico ( Image: Pulpolux )
18- Nuovo Castle in Naples, Italy
Nuovo Castle of Italy Castel ( A Flickr Image by ScubaJo)
19- Rumelihisarı Castle in Istanbul, Turkey
Rumelihisarı Castle in Istanbul, Turkey ( Image By Rob.Mcgonigle )
20- Hohenzollern Castle of Germany
Hohenzollern Castle of Germany (An image by til213 )
21- Hame Castle in Hameenlinna, Finland
Hame Castle in Southern Finland ( Image By MEhokie04 )
22- Ivangorod Castle in Narva, Estonia
Ivangorod Castle of Estonia ( Image By t.devinney )
23- Old Castle of Tripoli, Libya
Old Castle of Tripoli in Libya ( Image: By aymen_tawil )
24- Egeskov Castle – Funen, Denmark
Egeskov Castle - Funen Denmark ( Image: Jim Trodel )
25- Taman Sari Water Castle of Indonesia
Taman Sari Water Castle of Indonesia ( Image : Fazlie Shamsuddin )
Sunset has its own appealing philosophy in nature. Clouds, mountains, streams, rivers, seashores, trees, fields even man made architecture becomes fascinating at the time of sunset. For poets, lovers, thinkers and meditators the time of sunrise and sunset is so ravishing. Every evening, the sun vanishes below the horizon in the west and the twilight starts. The atmosphare becomes full of amazing colors at the time of sunset and it has different shades in different parts of the world in accordance with the existing seasons. Somewhere it is blazing orange, somewhere it is pearly pinkish and somewhere it is magnificent purple. Following are some of the beautiful images of the sunset around the world;
1- Camel Caravan in Sunset, Australia
Camel Caravan in sunset ( A Symoto Image )
2- Sunset : Chakri Punjab, Pakistan
The super Sunset ( Chakri Green Fields, Punjab Pakistan ) Image: By Abeer J. Chaudhri
