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Author Topic: December Wildlife 2013  (Read 3311 times)

Anthony Darby

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Re: December Wildlife 2013
« Reply #30 on: December 31, 2013, 09:24:45 AM »
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Anthony Darby, Auckland, New Zealand.
"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution"
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arillady

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Re: December Wildlife 2013
« Reply #31 on: December 31, 2013, 10:41:46 AM »
I wouldn't like to be walking under that tree and have that come down on you!
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Pat Toolan,
Keyneton,
South Australia

Peter Maguire

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Re: December Wildlife 2013
« Reply #32 on: December 31, 2013, 11:26:43 AM »
That's one for Maggi...... ::)
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Peter Maguire
Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K.

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David Nicholson

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Re: December Wildlife 2013
« Reply #33 on: December 31, 2013, 01:46:25 PM »
She'll love that one.
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David Nicholson
in Devon, UK  Zone 9b
"Victims of satire who are overly defensive, who cry "foul" or just winge to high heaven, might take pause and consider what exactly it is that leaves them so sensitive, when they were happy with satire when they were on the side dishing it out"

Maggi Young

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Re: December Wildlife 2013
« Reply #34 on: December 31, 2013, 02:10:14 PM »
She's lying down in a darkened room, you horrors!!
To quote an old Carry On film ....." infamy, infamy - they've all got in infamy.......  "
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Margaret Young in Aberdeen, North East Scotland Zone 7 -ish!

Editor: International Rock Gardener e-magazine

Anthony Darby

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Re: December Wildlife 2013
« Reply #35 on: December 31, 2013, 09:45:55 PM »
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Anthony Darby, Auckland, New Zealand.
"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution"
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ashley

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Re: December Wildlife 2013
« Reply #36 on: December 31, 2013, 10:33:29 PM »
Here's another short video, looped for endless enjoyment ;D 
I wonder why they cluster like that.
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Ashley Allshire, Cork, Ireland

Anthony Darby

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Re: December Wildlife 2013
« Reply #37 on: December 31, 2013, 10:40:36 PM »
I think it conserves moisture.
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Anthony Darby, Auckland, New Zealand.
"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution"
http://www.dunblanecathedral.org.uk/Choir/The-Choir.html

Steve Garvie

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Re: December Wildlife 2013
« Reply #38 on: December 31, 2013, 10:48:45 PM »
They're certainly pretty gross. I remember seeing an aggregation of these opilionids on a tree buttress in Rincon de La Vieja NP in Costa Rica. ......still makes me squirm! At least they don't bite.

I'm not sure about clustering to conserve moisture as the forest at Rincon was quite humid (but not true rain forest).

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Steve
West Fife, Scotland.

ashley

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Re: December Wildlife 2013
« Reply #39 on: December 31, 2013, 10:53:07 PM »
Sorry Anthony, I didn't spot that you had already linked to the same video on another site.
Moisture conservation?  Interesting, although the pic from Costa Rica suggests that there may be other reasons too. 
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Ashley Allshire, Cork, Ireland

GordonT

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Re: December Wildlife 2013
« Reply #40 on: December 31, 2013, 10:53:55 PM »
Moving on to a lighter theme- here is a video we just recently discovered in a newsfeed. We had no idea that porcupines were vocal creatures. Hope you enjoy!

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Southwestern Nova Scotia,
Zone 6B or above , depending on the year.

Maggi Young

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Re: December Wildlife 2013
« Reply #41 on: December 31, 2013, 11:10:43 PM »
Oh, thank goodness for that - something hairy that only has four legs - and is mega cute to boot  and a very chatty little soul.

He doesn't seem to have any spines at all- when do young porcupines get their spines? I thought they were born with soft spikes which hardened in just a few days, like hedgehogs- but that chap has clearly got good chomping teeth but isn't spiny......
« Last Edit: December 31, 2013, 11:12:27 PM by Maggi Young »
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Margaret Young in Aberdeen, North East Scotland Zone 7 -ish!

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Anthony Darby

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Re: December Wildlife 2013
« Reply #42 on: December 31, 2013, 11:11:33 PM »
Quote from: ashley on December 31, 2013, 10:53:07 PM
Moisture conservation?  Interesting, although the pic from Costa Rica suggests that there may be other reasons too.
This paper suggests they don't really know, but offers mating, defence, hydro- or thermoregulation as possible  reasons. These aggregations certainly look more vegetable than animal, and would be a protective device. http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=pbdpSKHkKDIC&pg=PA400&lpg=PA400&dq=harvestman+aggregations&source=bl&ots=5b14N5jm0J&sig=bvqVQ1gf5jHYWFFfKFNp-f5SszM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=g03DUoHLMoiMiQenmoDwDA&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=harvestman%20aggregations&f=false
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Anthony Darby, Auckland, New Zealand.
"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution"
http://www.dunblanecathedral.org.uk/Choir/The-Choir.html

ashley

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Re: December Wildlife 2013
« Reply #43 on: December 31, 2013, 11:35:26 PM »
That's a fascinating read Anthony; thanks.

Thanks too Gordon for introducing us to such a charming porcupine 8) ;D   I never knew they could be so vocal (or domesticated).
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Ashley Allshire, Cork, Ireland

Lori S.

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Re: December Wildlife 2013
« Reply #44 on: December 31, 2013, 11:45:53 PM »
Quote from: GordonT on December 31, 2013, 10:53:55 PM
We had no idea that porcupines were vocal creatures.
Oh yes, we had them moaning and brushing up against our tent all night once while backpacking in Banff N.P. (at a backcountry campsite where they had also eaten the outhouse, attracted by the salt.)  Didn't know they were that vocal though! Very cute!
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Lori
Calgary, Alberta, Canada - Zone 3
-30 C to +30 C (rarely!); elevation ~1130m; annual precipitation ~40 cm
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