markshepherdjournal

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California Kelp Forests

Only a few years ago (2013 – 2015) most of the kelp forests of Northern California disappeared. Ninety percent of these northern majestic forests were decimated by the purple sea urchins leaving a barren underwater landscape. Many fish and invertebrates that depend upon kelp to provide a habitat to hide from predators, reproduce, and find plenty of food, also disappeared. Though we call them…

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Coral Reef

Sometime between 500 and 600 million years ago, the very first coral species appeared on earth.  Of course, no one really knows when they actually appeared or what they originally were.   What color were they? Did they sting fish? We guess a lot about them from looking at fossil corals and observing the way coral behaves today.  That means we really don’t know that much at all, and likely will…

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Madagascar Fires

Madagascar is a land of wonders. Most species living on this, the Worlds fourth largest island, are found nowhere else. So while it is right off the east coast of southern Africa, the wildlife is very different than anything found in Africa.

Antananarivo Pollution

Upon arrival in Madagascar, one of the first things that I notice is the ubiquitous presence of fire and smoke. Like every…

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photo by @markshepherdphd Within a couple of feet of one of the trail heads in the Amazon rain forest, I found this leaf-mimic katydid. During the day, a lot of insect hide beneath leaves or just stop moving to make it harder for predators to find them. Some, like this katydid, have added mimicry to their survival bag. When hiking the Amazon, moving at a slower pace and looking carefully under leaves and twigs, will help you will find a whole lot of insects hiding in plain sight. I want to emphasize carefully because not all things under the leaf will be harmless. Refer to my last post on venomous caterpillars for more info. Katydids, leaf insects and caterpillars have perfected the hide and seek game. In the next few posts, I'll show a bunch of other insects that have remarkable adaptations to look like leaves and sticks. Some are so good, it is really tough to see them. While these insects are relatively easy to find, there is precious little information about their life in the rain forest. They are known to exhibit threatening behavior once discovered, in the hopes the threat will back down. If that doesn’t work, the move a little out of range and go back to standing very still. #katydid #leafinsect #rainforest #peru #tambopata #biodiversity (at Tambopata, Madre De Dios, Peru) https://www.instagram.com/p/Br_yEQSltlC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=le30yhat4u4k

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Endangered Giant River Otter. World’s largest otter. (at Tambopata, Madre De Dios, Peru) https://www.instagram.com/p/Br9Jcr5FpOn/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=km1gmqdcr5ho

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Photo by @markshepherdphd In nature, bright colors are common indicators of venomous animals. This caterpillar from southeastern peru is a species of of Saddleback Moth Caterpillar (Acharia Sp.). Except for the brightly colored back and underneath, this caterpillar is covered in urticating spines (meaning causing irritation like nettles). The spines allow venom to be injected into the skin of anyone who intentionally or accidentally touches them. While this caterpillar’s venom is not the most toxic, a sting has been compared to a bee or wasp sting. Symptoms may include irritation, local pain, swelling, and redness. More serious symptoms of a sting may include nausea, headaches, and in some cases breathing difficulties that require emergency treatment. There are a lot of brightly colored larvae of both moth and butterfly species, many of which are toxic, some seriously toxic. It is always best to look with your eyes. (at Tambopata, Madre De Dios, Peru) https://www.instagram.com/p/Br1zE2flz9J/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=zxrleyzc8s55

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Photo by @markshepherdphd Nothing I love more than traveling the wide open spaces of west Texas. #texas #grassland #wideopenspaces (at West, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqh8wvqFnb1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1imlm6cmv1w9k

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Ball Moss (Tillandsia recurvata ) photo by @markshepherdphd Texas ball moss, or Tilandsia, has completely covered this dead oak tree. Ball moss is not a moss at all. Ball moss is actually a flowering plant (flowers most often between June and August). Each ball moss will flower only once during its lifetime. After flowering, ball moss will bud new plants called pups. Ball moss is also an epiphyte, or air plant, which means it lives on other plants. I see ball moss frequently on the branches of Texas live oaks, and, more rarely, on Texas red cedars. Unlike mistletoe, however, ball moss is not a parasite and does not harm trees, though in large masses ball moss can compete with the tree for light. Ball moss is a relative of the pineapple, both of which are members of the bromeliad family (Bromeliaceae). Ball moss gets all of the nutrients they need by catching water and windblown dust in little hairs on its leaves known as trichomes. These little hairs capture water and nutrients dissolved in rainwater and transfer them into the plant leaves. Thus, Ball moss do not need roots, though they sometimes have roots to anchor them to trees. Ball moss also gets nitrogen from nitrogen fixing bacteria living on the trichomes. Pollen and seeds are spread by the wind, as no animal is known to pollinate ball moss. #tilandsia (at Driftwood, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqI5DNMFMEa/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1brolc8kqbmcd

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Leaf cutter ants (Acromyrmex species) are fairly common in the rain forests of the neotropics, They are one of my favorite ants. They don't actually eat the leaves they cut. Instead the ants take it back to the nest where they use it to grow fungus gardens. The fungus is then fed to their larvae, which need it to survive and mature. The adult ants, as is the case with almost all ants, live on a liquid diet. In the case of leaf cutters, the liquid is leaf sap. In the video you will notice many different sized ants (or castes). The larger ants are known as majors and the smaller ants are known as minors. When ants are foraging outside of the nest, they are vulnerable to various predatory insects, many of which can fly and seize ants from the ground. It is not uncommon for smaller ants to ride on the backs of larger ants to fight off attacks from the air. Their jaws are sharp and their bite can draw blood. Some Native Americans use them to close wounds, by allowing the ant to bite the two sides of lacerated skin thereby pulling the closing the cut. Then they separate the body and leaving the head attached until the laceration heals. When I was in Peru the guide allowed the ant to bite him and it really did draw blood. He asked if I wanted to try. I told him I was good.... (at Tambopata, Madre De Dios, Peru) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpF5I8sFoLP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1tw5k8enpyujh

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Leaf cutter ants (Acromyrmex species) are fairly common in the rain forests of the neotropics, They are one of my favorite ants. They don't actually eat the leaves they cut. Instead the ants take it back to the nest where they use it to grow fungus gardens. The fungus is then fed to their larvae, which need it to survive and mature. The adult ants, as is the case with almost all ants, live on a liquid diet. In the case of leaf cutters, the liquid is leaf sap. In the video you will notice many different sized ants (or castes). The larger ants are known as majors and the smaller ants are known as minors. When ants are foraging outside of the nest, they are vulnerable to various predatory insects, many of which can fly and seize ants from the ground. It is not uncommon for smaller ants to ride on the backs of larger ants to fight off attacks from the air. Their jaws are sharp and their bite can draw blood. Some Native Americans use them to close wounds, by allowing the ant to bite the two sides of lacerated skin thereby pulling the closing the cut. Then they separate the body and leaving the head attached until the laceration heals. When I was in Peru the guide allowed the ant to bite him and it really did draw blood. He asked if I wanted to try. I told him I was good.... (at Tambopata, Madre De Dios, Peru) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpF4v7hlmOm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1sqya88oqlgtg

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Photo by @markshepherdphd One of my favorite birds is the Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus). These birds are built for speed and can run along the ground at some 20 miles per hour. Incidentally, a coyote can run about 40 mph, making the cartoon of Wiley the Coyote chasing the roadrunner “fake news”. The coyote would easily catch a roadrunner if it were limited to a foot race. The birds, however, can fly well, and that would likely be the best escape route. I have never seen one fly a long distance, but have watched them fly up into the top of some pretty tall trees and across a field. They are very aggressive and other birds usually disappear when they show up. The will attack and kill a rattle snake, often tag teaming large snakes. Pretty much any snake is lunch if it catches a hungry roadrunner’s eye. They supposedly mate for life and the male also is supposedly the one who incubates the eggs most, while the female is out chasing down some unfortunate beetle, snake, bug, rodent, or other bird. They are fairly easy to find, so there is lots of opportunity to photograph one. #audubonsociety #roadrunners #texasbirds #texasbirding (at Driftwood, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoFu1MBH6PW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=zu9p3bpobd8d

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Plastic Ban in Maharashtra, India

Plastic Ban in Maharashtra, India

Trash accumulations near Pashan Lake wildlife, Pune India. The lake is visited by many migratory bird species. Photo by Mark Shepherd

A new plastic ban is in effect in Pune, Maharashtra, located in western India. I visited in July, shortly after the new ban went into effect.  I noted that my to-go orders came with paper bags, instead of plastic bags and utensils.  Even my favorite gift shops in…

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photo by @markshepherdphd Towering over the Sacred Valley of Peru, Mt. Veronica reaches 19,088 feet (5,818 meters). It is the highest peak in the Cordillera Urubamba, one of many mountain ranges among the Andes Mountains. Mount Veronica is the name the Spanish gave to the mountain. The Inca called the mountain Weqewillka, sacred tears. Its not far from the town of Ollantaytambo where the 15th Century Inca emperor Pahacuti, after capturing and destroying the town, extensively rebuilt it. One of the structures, the terraces Pumatallis (pic 2), rivals even close by Machu Picchu in demonstrating the Inca ability to sculpt rock into temples, theaters, homes, forts and other useful earthworks. #ollantaytambo #peru (at Ollantaytambo - Valle Sagrado de los Incas) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnMHxvjHrY8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=4z09264jebhg

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Caught a pair of Western Screech Owls (Megascops kennicottii) perched late at night at my bird bath. The hot Texas sun brings a lot of animals to the bird bath these days. I listened to them call and discovered that screech owls don't screech, but rather make a really quick series hoots that are almost melodic. As I was setting up a camera to take these snaps, one of the owls flew past my head from behind. Apparently, it had been perched on the house just above me, watching me. They make almost no sound no sound when they fly, and appear to materialize out of thin air. Turn your head, they are gone. Turn back, there they are. It can be a little spooky. Western screech owls are omnivores and they eat just about everything smaller, and sometimes bigger, than their bodes. They live between 13 and 19 years. In the wild they tend to live shorter lives. They nest in trees, and this pair has taken up residence in my backyard. I have not located the nest yet, but I am sure it's pretty close by as they are at my place every evening. I feel pretty luck, because I live at the eastern limit of the owls range. Got these pics in almost pitch darkness using a Sony A7 R II camera fitted with a Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS lens and a flash. #owls #texasbirds #audobonsociety #backyardbirds (at Driftwood, Texas)

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Photo by @markshepherdphd Took advantage of a recent trip to India to photograph birds. This Indian pond heron (Ardeola grayii) was hunting small fish in the wetlands surrounding Pashan lake in Pune, Maharashtra, India . The wetland is one of only a few surrounded by heavily urbanized area, home to more than three million people. They are a fairly common bird in around wetlands in India. They are only mildly skittish and so offer a good opportunity to photograph them in action. One source noted that the Indian pond heron will drop bread crumbs or other food on water surfaces to attract fish, which they then scoop up and eat. Smart bird eh. #birdsofpune #indiabirds #audubonsociety (at Pune, Maharashtra)

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Photo by @markshepherdphd. Earth Day Post - With the coming of warmer days, I finally got a chance to walk around the yard to see what might find. I Found a couple of these very well camouflaged Underwing moth (Catocala ilia) caterpillars. Look at how intricately it matches the lichen and tilandsea (Tillandsia recurvata) growing on the twig. When the caterpillar turns over (second photo), it shows off its birght purple underside (ventral). When agitated they bounce around and raise up ready to fight, like this one in the photo. I cannot imagine it would be much of a fight for the birds that will find this plump caterpillar a welcome morsel. In fact, so many birds were paying attention, I had to shew them away to make sure they did not notice where I put the caterpillar back on the tree. Once on the tree, it immediately blended into the background, almost invisible. When the moths emerge later in the year, they are also well camouflaged, hiding their bright under-wings, which is how the got the name Underwing Moth. #moths #butterflies #catterpillars #underwingmoth #spring #lepadoptera #texashillcountry #texaswildlife #texasinsects (at Driftwood, Texas)