#coastal rocks

[spikyseasponge]

Rock Bottom, acrylic on panel, 24x18”. 2022. Daniel Merriam.

[gbiechele]

Coastal Drama LaVerna Preserve, Bristol, Maine

Yashica Yashinon-DX 35mm f/2.8 Sony A7

[ant1gonesque]

[huariqueje]

Tide  - Massimiliano Alioto , 2007.

Italian , b. 1972 -

Oil on canvas , 100 x 120 cm.

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Monday 29 July 2024

In this wild, coastal ‘rock garden’ the short-lived perennial or biennial, Silene dioica (red campion, adder’s flower, Robin Hood, cuckoo flower) was flowering in a range of deep to pale pinks. The species has male and female flowers on separate plants with seed capsules having toothed edges as they open to disperse ripe seed.

Jill Raggett

[bad-wolf-circe]

actually i'm anti aesthetic. actually i don't believe in living my life according to the mandate of the same 500 pinterest images. actually i think my life has some meaning, some shades of color to it, outside of a set of rules and stereotypes that are presented to me in a tidy little package. actually, maybe i'm the ugly color gradient and that means there is nuance to the way i live. actually, i don't want to JUST be a witch, or a clean girl, or a mythic bitch, or the feminine mystique, or a coastal grandmother, or a cottagecore lover of women, or punk, or rock, or death metal, or goth. actually being a girl hasn't been anything like what's been shown to me -- and so i will be a girl on my own terms. actually i think being a girl has been nothing like the movies or the moodboards. actually FUCK your moodboards and your makeup too. actually i'm nothingandeverythingcore. actually im alive im alive im alive and that requires no aestheticization. it requires no sanitization of existence. actually life is most beautiful when it is diverse. actually i will try everything and know everything and nothing will stop me; my life will be varied and beautiful and messy and chaotic and occasionally organized and exactly the way it ought to be, you FUCKERS.

[thesilicontribesman]

'Needle's Eye' Landscape Feature, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland

[panoramicireland]

Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland with a bit of sunlight as seen from a calm Atlantic Ocean.

[mothmiso]

Isle of Skye (2) (3) (4) by Nick Fendall

Via Flickr:

(1) The Old Man of Storr. (2) The Quiraing. (3) A Ewe with her lambs. (4) Neist Point Lighthouse.     

[scotland]

Bow Fiddle Rock, found in Portknockie, Scotland, is a fascinating geological wonder shaped by the relentless sea over centuries. Resembling an elegant bow or crescent, its unique form has captivated visitors and photographers, drawn to its beauty on the picturesque coastline along the North Sea.

The rock's arched shape, seemingly sculpted by an artist's hand, stands out against the crashing waves, creating a harmonious natural symphony. During low tide, adventurous explorers can get closer to witness marine life clinging to its surfaces, adding an extra layer of fascination.

Beyond its striking appearance, Bow Fiddle Rock holds special significance as a symbol of Scotland's untamed coastal beauty. As the sun sets, casting a golden glow on the rock, one can't help but feel awe and humility in the presence of such extraordinary natural artistry. It stands as a testament to nature's enduring power and Scotland's rugged landscapes.

[lutnistas]

Sunset at Praia da Rocha ( Portimão / Algarve - Portugal )

[bluebelly-sun-serpentine]

December 26th 2023

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Rock on with Rock Pigeons

Rock pigeons, also known as rock doves or common pigeons (Columba livia) are one of the most common species of bird in the world, with over 400 million pigeons spread over feral and wild populations. They can be found on every continent, and feral doves are particularly abundant in urban areas. Before their global distribution, the species was native only to southern Europe, northern Africa, and southern Asia. However, due to their use as messengers, food, and pets, the species has been introduced to nearly every area humans inhabit.

Most urban populations are feral pigeons (C. livia domestica),  descendants of  domesticated individuals that either escaped or were freed when their use to humans fell out of fashion. These individuals tend to have more color and pattern variation in their plumage, but are otherwise identical to their wild relatives. In fact, as they are functionally a sub species of rock pigeon, feral and wild populations interbreed where they overlap, though wild pigeons more commonly nest along cliff faces closer to agriculture or open fields. In urban areas, pigeon nests are found nearly anywhere with a flat surface large enough for a nest; particularly window ledges, archways, and overpasses.

Generally speaking, the rock dove has dark plumage-- usually grey or black-- with white or iridescent markings along the neck and wings. The distinctive ‘moustache’ on their beaks is actually a piece of cartilage known as an operculum, which can help to reduce moisture loss. Healthy adults have a wingspan of 62 to 72 cm (24 to 28 in), and can weigh up to 380 g (13.4 oz). Females are nearly identical to males, especially among populations with mixed colors, but can be identified by their duller colors and smaller iridescent patches.

 C. livia breeds year round, so long as food is available, but peak nesting times are in the spring and summer. Courtship rituals begin with a male puffing out his feathers and strutting about on the ground. He then approaches the female while cooing, bowing, and spinning. If the female shows interest, he then feeds her regurgitated food before mounting. The female lays two eggs in a prepared nest  and both mates take turns incubating for 17-19 days. Hatchlings, also called squabs, are fed on a rich substance known as crop milk which is produced from the parents’ throat. Individuals take up to 4 months to become fully mature, though young typically leave the nest at only 30 days old.

Rock doves are largely monogamous and mate for life, though separations are not uncommon. Pairs regularly preen each other, and once mated build a semi-permanent nest together. They are also highly social and typically live in flocks of 50 to 500 individuals, with members often moving between nearby groups. Social organization is kept by pecking order-- disputes over territory, food, or mating rights are solved by two individuals pecking each other until the loser retreats. Flocks are also divided by foraging ability; one group, the producers, are responsible for locating food while scroungers feed on what the producers find.

One of the reasons for the common pigeon’s broad distribution is their diet; C. livia are omnivores. In the wild their main staple are seeds and fruits, but wild and feral populations can subsist on a wide variety of plant matter, as well as insects and human food waste. Interestingly, rock pigeons are one of the few birds that can drink continuously from a water source, as opposed to taking only small sips. Groups forage during the day when those on the outer edge of the flock can keep an eye out for predators like birds of prey. Other animals like opossums or raccoons are also known to steal eggs and squabs from  undefended nests.

Conservation status: The feral C. livia domestica has a large and growing population, and is considered Least Concern by the IUCN. However, many urban populations are considered healthy due to poor diet and abundance of diseases and parasites. The wild populations of rock pigeon are functionally considered Least Concern, but their populations are decreasing due to habitat loss and genetic intermingling, and they truly wild rock doves are extinct in many places in Europe.

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Photos

David Lin

Donald Trounson

Jim Rathert

[huariqueje]

Sky and Sea - Torleiv Agdestein , 2023.

Norwegian . b. 1950s -

Oil on canvas , 100 x 81 cm.

[ocean-witch-wild]

Birb.

[darktripz]