#são miguel island

[postcard-from-the-past]

Landing Place in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal

Portuguese vintage postcard, mailed in 1909 to the Netherlands

[mothmiso]

(1) (2) (3) (4) by Eduardo Santos

[luvarin]

São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal

[fashionofroyals]

São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal

[debbieallen]

São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal

[caringnewt]

São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal

[fakevince]

São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal

[yayareasfinest]

São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal

[maishazjohnson]

São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal

[postcard-from-the-past]

Street scene in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal

Portuguese vintage postcard

[oscar-out-of-a-suitcase]

São Miguel Island, Azores

[renmoldovan]

São Miguel Island, Azores

Instagram | Prints

[alphynix]

When owls find their way onto isolated islands lacking any terrestrial predators, they have a tendency to take up that role for themselves – evolving longer legs and shorter wings, and specializing more towards hunting on foot. From New Zealand to Hawaii to the Caribbean to the Mediterranean to Macaronesia, leggy island ground-owls have independently happened over and over again in the last few million years—

—And, unfortunately, they've all also become victims of the Holocene extinction, their fragile island ecosystems too easily disrupted by human activity and the arrival of invasive species.

The São Miguel scops owl (Otus frutuosoi) was found only in the Azores on São Miguel Island. About 18cm tall (~7"), it was slightly smaller than its relative the Eurasian scops owl, with longer legs, a wider body, and much shorter wings.

Its wing proportions indicate it would have been a poor flyer, instead primarily hunting on foot in the dense laurisilva forests. Since there were no terrestrial mammals or reptiles on São Miguel at the time, its diet probably mainly consisted of insects and other invertebrates – and it would have in turn been the potential prey of larger predatory birds like buzzards and long-eared owls.

All currently known subfossil remains of the São Miguel scops owl date only from the Holocene, between about 50 BCE and 125 CE. It's likely that it was extinct by the 1400s, following the settlement of humans in the Azores, destruction of its forest habitat, and the introduction of rodents, cats, and weasels.

———

NixIllustration.com | Tumblr | Twitter | Patreon

[mutant-distraction]

Azores islands

The Azores Islands, an autonomous region of Portugal, consist of nine volcanic islands located in the North Atlantic Ocean:

1. Geography: Situated approximately 1,360 km (850 miles) west of mainland Portugal, the islands are grouped into the Eastern Group (São Miguel and Santa Maria), the Central Group (Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico, and Faial), and the Western Group (Flores and Corvo).

2. Volcanic Origins: Predominantly of volcanic origin, some volcanoes on the islands are still considered active. Mount Pico on Pico Island is the highest point in Portugal, rising 2,351 meters (7,713 feet) above sea level.

3. Natural Beauty: Known for their stunning landscapes, the Azores feature crater lakes, thermal springs, verdant valleys, and rugged coastlines. The islands are a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

4. Culture and History: Influenced by Portuguese, Flemish, Spanish, and Moorish traditions, the Azores boast UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira Island, renowned for its well-preserved architecture and historical significance.

5. Tourism: The islands attract tourists interested in activities such as hiking, whale watching, diving, and exploring volcanic caves. They offer a unique blend of adventure and relaxation in a pristine natural environment.

6. Local Cuisine: Azorean cuisine highlights fresh seafood, dairy products, and traditional dishes such as cozido das Furnas (a stew cooked underground by volcanic heat) and queijadas (cheese pastries).

The Azores Islands provide a distinct and captivating destination for travelers seeking a combination of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and outdoor adventure in Europe.

📸:karolnienartowicz

[maslimanny]

A vibrant scene from the Azores archipelago, with the lush, volcanic landscapes of São Miguel Island. The image includes the twin crater lakes of Sete Cidades surrounded by verdant hills and vibrant hydrangeas in full bloom, under a dramatic, partly cloudy sky.!!

[owlrolls]

Speaking of old drawings, here'a little evolution of my portuguese archipelagos OCs!

(Note: Azores is on the left side, Madeira is on the right side)

First digital version!

Older than the first digital sketches (so these are probably from around 2020/2021?)

The moles represent each island's geographic location!! That's something i chose to keep on their designs!

Azores again! From the same time period of time

From a bit later!

I think i blacked out while drawing Azores' hair because oh my god 😭 (/s)

And finally!! The most recent and super sketchy version!

I'm very happy with how they look like here!

I kept the moles reference, Madeira has an Order of Christ hair clip (in reference to their flag) and the only thing missing here is some sort of hydrangea reference for the Azores :") but oh well

I also hope you can notice my graphite version of heterochromia for the Azores!! 😭 (reference to the Lagoa das Sete Cidades in São Miguel)

Also!!!

Found these other drawings while scrollling trough my phone's gallery :O