Canadian Conservation Photographers Collective’s Post

🌿 Who is living under this rock? 🌿 Meet the Eastern red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus), a species quietly thriving beneath logs, rocks, and leaf litter in Ontario’s woodlands. It has two distinct color phases: the “red-backed” form, featuring a red stripe down its back, and the “lead-backed” form, which is uniformly dark gray or black. 🦎 Unlike most amphibians, red-backs don’t require any aquatic habitat. They lay their eggs in moist, terrestrial locations, and their young hatch fully formed—completely skipping the aquatic larval stage! Additionally, red-backs are lungless, so they “breathe” through their skin, making them highly sensitive to changes in their environment and key indicators of forest health. 🌲 Remember, if you’re out exploring and flip a log to see what—or who—may be underneath, be sure to put it back gently; you’re visiting someone’s home! 🪵 Please feel free to contact our team if you have any questions about natural heritage or wildlife conservation in Ontario —we're always here to help! 😊 #salamander #wildlifeviewing #sumacenvironmental #salamanderscience #wildlifeecology #Ontarionature 🌳🌱🍂

For those of you that know me, ducks have a special place in my heart. Even in some cases chosing to duck watch over the presence of Marsh Harrier. In this image, we have a duck called a Teal, Anas crecca. He was spotted on the Co. Cork coast after surveys during the week. BoCCI (Birds of Conservation Concern, Ireland) have listed this species as amber (as of Dec '24) Teal are quite small. Close to about half the size of a mallard. However, the males (as seen here) are unmistakable. The rusty-brown head, contrasted with the green patches around the eyes towards the back of the head, is a distinctive feature. The species mainly feed on seeds but will also turn to macroinverebrates if no seeds are available. May also be seen sifting through mud on shores in search of food. The teal also don't breed by the coast (for the most part). They prefer areas of freshwater in upland regions where there is thick vegetation cover. Best time to see the species is during winter when individuals from mainland Europe migrate to more milder weather. The teal is a protected species under the EU Birds Directive. #ornithology #birdwatching #canon #sigma #cork #Ireland #protectedspecies #wildlife #ducks

It's time for another #FieldFeatureFriday post, in which we share a photo from our archive showing just how wild our landscapes can be. 💚 This week, an impressive shot from the Rhodope Mountains rewilding landscape, where Rewilding Rhodopes is working to help scavenger populations recover and reforge the #CircleOfLife. These mighty birds not only have a vital role to play in the ecosystem by cleaning up carcasses and mitigating the spread of diseases, but are a great drawcard for nature-based tourism too, as proven by this spectacular shot of a cinereous vulture, golden eagle and griffon vulture taken from a wildlife wachting hide in the landscape! While golden eagles are more typical birds of prey, they are known to feed on carrion as well and might even try to snatch something from the true scavengers like these vultures. And did you know that every vulture species (four are found in Europe) has a different scavenging role? Their unique and important role in the ecosystem makes them what we call true #KeystoneSpecies. You can read more about that in one of our blogs 👉 https://lnkd.in/endauxW 📷 Georgi Kurtev #Rewilding #Scavengers #BirdsOfPrey #Ecosystem #Biodiversity

🐾 International Beaver Day 🐾 Beavers are large rodents, which are excellent landscapes engineers. They live in the banks of rivers, lakes, and are known to build impressive dams. Many people may not know that beavers use every bit of the tree that they fell! They eat the buds, bark and leaves, before gnawing the branches and trunk into smaller pieces to build with. 🏞 Thanks to their teeth and jaws, they create log, branch or mud structures to block streams, which turn fields into flooded areas and productive wetlands. In fact, Indigenous Americans called beavers the "sacred centre" of land because they create a rich watery environment for other animals, fish, turtles, frogs, ducks, and birds, supporting biodiversity. Half of the endangered animals in North America rely on wetlands. Thus the importance beavers have in their local ecosystem. 📸 My Dad continues being one of the most enthusiastic fans of nature and wildlife I know, and he always LOVED showing me photos of animals, mushrooms, ponds, etc., he took at work. Or even better: later taking me to said locations to see it for myself. - ''Hvala, baba!'' #beaver #beaverday #landscape #engineer #rodent #mammal #wildlifeconservation #conservation #animals #insitu #ppe #InternationalBeaverDay

Happy Flora Friday! Humans have applied many anthropomorphisms to nature. One recurring example is that of a “nurse”. There are a few contexts for this anthropomorphism, especially in the animal kingdom. For example, "nurse" can refer to feeding behavior, like in Nurse Sharks. But it can also refer to one species taking care of others, like nurse bees. In the plant kingdom, a “nurse log” refers to fallen dead trees that nurture many species in a forest. Once a tree dies, its trunk adds a new habitat layer to the forest floor for species to colonize with less competition than the crowded forest floor. Insects and fungi help decompose the log, creating nutrients that allow other species, like moss, to establish and thrive. These mosses help hold water and promote decomposition creating moist, nutrient-rich soil. As seeds fall from the surrounding trees, the nurse log creates optimal habitats for young seedlings to grow, supporting new life from death. Photo & Write-Up Credit: Jenna Watson (Junior Wetland and Vegetation Ecologist) #FloraFriday #Trees #NurseLog #RCBioSolutions #Fish #Wildlife #Wetlands #Grasslands #Regulatory #Alberta #EnvironmentalConsulting #SylvanLake #Edmonton #Calgary #Fieldwork

I promised to share the inspiration for Symbiotic Harmony that is now #timelesstextiles gallery in Newcastle, NSW, Australia. When I was invited to participate in the show Wings: Lanny Bergner and Friends my thought immediately went to butterflies as they are endangered around the world. The purple copper butterfly is one of Australia's rarest butterfly species and an important pollinator. And it is increasingly endangered due to habitat loss and modification through clearing, spraying, grazing, inappropriate use of fire and weed invasion. Symbiotic Harmony highlights an even deeper interdependence story regarding this butterfly, its nesting place and food source, and local ant species which reinforces the majesty and complexity of Nature. The female butterfly lays her eggs on or near blackthorn shrubs, at the base of which are nests of attendant ants. During the 14 to 17 days the caterpillars take to hatch, the ants constantly patrol the blackthorn. When the larvae hatch, they are immediately tended by ants. The ants protect the caterpillars from other predators and enable them to fully develop. As the caterpillars grow, the ants move them underground into their nest during the day and out at night to continue grazing on the native blackthorn leaves. The ants’ efforts are rewarded with a sugary honeydew-flavored secretion from a gland on the caterpillar’s back. This mutualistic relationship occurs naturally but is now threatened by environmental factors and habitat destruction. #endangeredbutterflies #timelesstextiles #purplecopperbutterflies #bathurstcopperbutterflies #nativeblackthornshrub

Its Day 2 in the countdown to World Rewilding Day on 20th March and we bring you another tip in rewilding your space from Bright Green Nature .... 2. Just Add Water…. One of the most impactful things you can do for wildlife in your garden is add water. Establishing a small pond in your garden can offer vital resources for wildlife such as birds and small mammals, providing both drinking spots and places to bathe. Moreover, it serves as a sanctuary for endangered species like the great crested newt, common frog, and common toad, along with sustaining a diverse array of aquatic and flying invertebrates, which form the base of the food chain. Even the creation of a tiny water feature – and we’re talking a bucket-sized affair here - can swiftly attract a variety of aquatic flora, insects, and amphibians. Go into your garden under the cover of night, and with a strong torch and you’ll witness the (very busy) underwater ecosystem: from dragonfly larvae poised for their next meal to juvenile newts leisurely navigating the shallows. To a child this kind of adventure is something which will last in their memory for a long time to come. Want to bring Nature back to your space? Bright Green Nature offers small grants for households and schools to do just that. Go to https://lnkd.in/eRFmNRxH for more details. #brightgreennature #rewilding #biodiversity #aquaticecosystems #nature #grantsfornature #communityengagement

Birds are a true marvel of nature, with their stunning plumage, intricate songs, and incredible migratory journeys 🐦🌿. In the wild, birds play a vital role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems, pollinating plants, and dispersing seeds 🌸🌻. From the majestic eagle to the tiny hummingbird, each species brings its unique characteristics and abilities to the natural world 🦅🐦. In their natural habitats, birds exhibit fascinating behaviors, such as courtship displays, territorial markings, and social interactions 🌟🐤. By observing birds in the wild, we can gain insights into their adaptability, resilience, and remarkable survival strategies 🌿💡. Whether soaring through the skies or flitting through the underbrush, birds are a constant source of wonder and inspiration 🌈🌳. Let's cherish and protect the beauty and diversity of birds in nature, preserving their habitats and addressing the threats they face 🌿💚. By doing so, we can ensure the continued thrival of these incredible creatures and the ecosystems they inhabit 🌸🌿. Remember, every bird is a treasure, and every effort to conserve them is a step towards a more harmonious relationship with the natural world 🐦💖. #BirdsInNature #Wildlife #NatureLovers #BirdWatching #Ecosystems #Conservation #BirdProtection #HabitatPreservation #WildlifePhotography #Ornithology #BirdBehavior #Migration #Pollination #SeedDispersal #BirdDiversity #NaturePreservation #WildlifeConservation #BirdsOfAFeather

Interesting concept to fuse food supply/ hospitality/ conservation/ education under one item. There’s been an increase in interest of food foraging and eating seasonally in recent years and rather than people putting more pressure on wild garlic populations this could be an interesting alternative to try in kitchens around the UK.

⚠️ The wolf loses its status as a “strictly protected species” under the Bern Convention.⚠️ What does the future hold for wolves in Europe? In recent decades, these predators have made a successful comeback across the continent. Almost eradicated from Western Europe in the mid-19th century, they are now present in nearly every country in the European Union. However, a decision adopted on Tuesday, December 3, could disrupt this positive trend for the species. Meeting in Strasbourg, the 50 member states of the Bern Convention—a key treaty for the protection of Europe’s wildlife and flora signed in 1979—voted in favor of lowering wolves’ level of protection. This unprecedented decision comes against a backdrop of rising influence from right-wing and far-right political forces, as well as heated political battles over agricultural and environmental issues. Heavily criticized by scientists and NGOs, the move paves the way for a similar status change within the European Union (EU), where wolves could shift from being classified as a “strictly protected” species to merely “protected.” This raises fears of increased culling in certain countries and a broader unraveling of the European “Habitats” Directive, a cornerstone of nature protection. “Wolves are becoming the first victims of political decisions not based on science, which sets a dangerous precedent,” critics warn. Perrine moutarde @_planettiger_ #loup #wolf #safariwithplanettiger #tiger #indianwildlife #bigcat #wildlife #nature #bandhavgarh #safari #peace #natgeotravelindia #natgeo #natgeoyourshot #ranthambore #wildlifephotography #leopard #sony # #instagood #trendingreels #trendingnow #viral #explore #tigres #tigers #association #associationplanetetigre #ngoplanettiger