Birds and the Bees

Spring, especially in an area where the seasons are so pronounced, is a time to get into the act of reproduction while the food sources and climate support the raising offspring.

These pictures below are of Reproduction of two sorts.

The insects are male and female, requiring sperm from the male to fertilise eggs within the female.....whereas the snails are asexual (each being effectively male and female ).

This means that they supply 1/2 of the genetic material needed and both produce young (lay eggs).

The snail below is of the same species, though shows colour differences to those above.

It is redder in appearance and, if I had the time, would be interested to cross snails of both colours.

It would be interesting to see the ratio of light to dark snails, and mixed shells, through this method of reproduction.

...and if you have ever wondered what a bumble bee looks like compared to a regular bee....wonder no longer

....of course, all the regular predators are out taking advantage of the increased food sources.

...and even a little fungi.

This bracket fungi is similar to its Australian counterpart, though was very white and seemed of much denser composition. This is possibly due, in part, to differing climatic conditions from those I have observed in detail in places like Robertson Nature Reserve ( see previous posts).

I would like to wish Denis Wilson and his colleagues much success with their fungi exhibition being held at Robertson NSW Australia. Perhaps a few pics of the exhibition Denis?

Many changes afoot

A recent trip to the Black Forest was an eye opener, with many trees on the fringes of the great forest suffering from the ravages of acid rain. The trees seemed wilted somewhat, though as I travelled deeper within the wald things seemed to improve greatly.
The German government is fighting this problem with a massive replanting scheme.
Damaged trees are removed and are replaced with farm grown trees.
This is done while migratory birds are away in Africa so as not to disturb breeding season.
This shot was taken deep in the forest and, although the trees are healthy, altered weather patterns that cause mini cyclones have taken their toll even here.



Things have been warmer of late.
The following shots taken at 2 areas 500km apart from each other, illustrating that all but the highest altitudes feel spring in the air.

Northern Hemisphere Spings to life

Spring has had a late showing in the Northern Hemisphere this year, with winter temps keeping things sleeping well into April.
In warmer areas things have are under way now, though in some parts things are only just getting started.
In Berlin, pictured below, Cherry blossoms are in full show with many deciduous plants greening well though, as you can see, some have only started budding.



In my travels I came across a unusual sight.
The tree pictured below is beginning its regrowth for the spring.
When I first saw it I thought the shapes to be a collection of nests.
Shapes like this are common in Australia after bushfires, as regrowth begins, though no fires have affected these plants and, as I saw many, must be a common and usual event for this species.





The picture below is the view from Schloss Burg.
The area is at about 400m above sea level, and the forests are still to show significant regrowth.



Its not all winter here though, as the following blooms demonstrate.



Spring is underway in the Northern Hemisphere, and I will post more as it progresses.

A year of Blogging

Today is the anniversary of this blog, and to celebrate I am going

to say little and let the photos speak for themselves.

As a site devoted to the natural world, the following photos reflect

the wonders that surround us all if we just take the time to have a look.

Take the time to care for this world of ours.

It is a truely amazing place