{"id":11441,"date":"2021-08-25T14:49:57","date_gmt":"2021-08-25T14:49:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/?p=11441"},"modified":"2021-09-06T10:43:29","modified_gmt":"2021-09-06T10:43:29","slug":"august-2021-highlights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/2021\/08\/25\/august-2021-highlights\/","title":{"rendered":"August 2021 Highlights"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span>Our photographers have provided an intriguing mix of new images <a href=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/-latest-highlights\/2021\/august-2021.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this month<\/a>. We have David Pattyn&#8217;s intimate studies of great crested grebes, Jiri Lochman&#8217;s rare images of Australia&#8217;s lesser known marsupials, some great macro work from Alex Hyde and Stephen Dalton. There is also varied material from the Americas, spanning the plains of Canada, the coastal reserves of Mexico and the endemic species of the Galapagos. Tony Wu, Claudio Contreras, David Fleetham and Shane Gross add some fascinating new behavioural material on fish and marine life around the world. Watch out too for a fresh takes on urban foxes and badgers&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery gallery-11441 style-window-width'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680575-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Schmidt&#039;s wrinkled ground frog (Cornufer schmidti \/ Platymantis schmidti), endemic to the Bismarck Arpichelago, Willaumez Peninsula, New Britain, Papua New Guinea, December\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680575-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680575-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680575-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680575-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680575-600x399.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680575-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680575-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680575-375x249.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680575-900x599.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680575-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Schmidt&#039;s wrinkled ground frog (Cornufer schmidti \/ Platymantis schmidti), endemic to the Bismarck Arpichelago, Willaumez Peninsula, New Britain, Papua New Guinea, December\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680368-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Darwin&#039;s medium ground finch (Geospiza fortis), eating native tomatoes, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680368-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680368-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680368-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680368-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680368.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680368-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680368-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680368-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680368-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680368-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680368-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Darwin&#039;s medium ground finch (Geospiza fortis), eating native tomatoes, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680189-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Badger (Meles meles) and Fox (Vulpes vulpes) at night, England, UK.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680189-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680189-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680189-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680189-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Badger (Meles meles) and Fox (Vulpes vulpes) at night, England, UK.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678712-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Green elfcup fungus (Chlorociboria aeruginascens) fruiting bodies on decaying wood. Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, UK. November. Focus stacked image.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678712-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678712-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678712-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678712-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678712.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678712-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678712-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678712-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678712-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678712-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678712-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Green elfcup fungus (Chlorociboria aeruginascens) fruiting bodies on decaying wood. Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, UK. November. Focus stacked image.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680048-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Californian sea lion (Zalophus californianus), Los Islotes, Espiritu Santo Archipelago National Park, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, September\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680048-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680048-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680048-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680048-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680048.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680048-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680048-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680048-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680048-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680048-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680048-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Californian sea lion (Zalophus californianus), Los Islotes, Espiritu Santo Archipelago National Park, Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), Mexico, September\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678724-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Tunnel along the Monsal Trail with a dramatic display of icicles during an extended period of freezing weather, Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, UK. February.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678724-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678724-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678724-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678724-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678724.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678724-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678724-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678724-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678724-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678724-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678724-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Tunnel along the Monsal Trail with a dramatic display of icicles during an extended period of freezing weather, Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, UK. February.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679147-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Aerial view of drying out salt lake, called Old Wives Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679147-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679147-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679147-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679147-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679147.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679147-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679147-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679147-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679147-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679147-900x599.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679147-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Aerial view of drying out salt lake, called Old Wives Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679971-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) male passing fish to female, courtship behaviour, Lorraine, France, March\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679971-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679971-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679971-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679971-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679971.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679971-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679971-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679971-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679971-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679971-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679971-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) male passing fish to female, courtship behaviour, Lorraine, France, March\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680068_Contreras-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Giant damselfish (Microspathodon dorsalis) guarding egg mass, Coronado Island, Loreto Bay National Park, Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Mexico, August\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680068_Contreras-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680068_Contreras-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680068_Contreras-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680068_Contreras-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680068_Contreras.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680068_Contreras-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680068_Contreras-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680068_Contreras-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680068_Contreras-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680068_Contreras-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680068_Contreras-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Giant damselfish (Microspathodon dorsalis) guarding egg mass, Coronado Island, Loreto Bay National Park, Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Mexico, August\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<h3>David Pattyn &#8211; Family Life on the Water<\/h3>\n<p>Dutch nature conservation organisation\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brabantslandschap.nl\/\">Brabants Landschap<\/a>\u00a0permitted David to leave\u00a0a floating hide in Valkenhorst, one of their more restricted nature reserves. Having been there for quite some time,\u00a0the birds became oblivious to its presence, so David was\u00a0able to photograph the intimate life of great crested grebes raising their young without disturbing them.<\/p>\n<p><em>&#8216;It might sound easy, but in order not to disturb the birds, I entered the hide at night and waited, hoping for good light and that the birds would get close enough; two conditions which d<\/em><em>o not often happen!&#8217;<\/em><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery gallery-11441 style-standard'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681061-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) adult with young on nthe back busy with jockeiing for the best position on the back Valkenhorst Nature Reserve, Valkenswaard, The Netherlands. May\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681061-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681061-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681061-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681061-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) adult with young on nthe back busy with jockeiing for the best position on the back Valkenhorst Nature Reserve, Valkenswaard, The Netherlands. May\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681095_David-Pattyn-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) adult with young chick on the back preening in the first morning light Valkenhorst Nature Reserve, Valkenswaard, The Netherlands. May.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681095_David-Pattyn-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681095_David-Pattyn-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681095_David-Pattyn-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681095_David-Pattyn-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681095_David-Pattyn.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681095_David-Pattyn-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681095_David-Pattyn-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681095_David-Pattyn-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681095_David-Pattyn-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681095_David-Pattyn-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681095_David-Pattyn-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) adult with young chick on the back preening in the first morning light Valkenhorst Nature Reserve, Valkenswaard, The Netherlands. May.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681065_DPattyn-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) parent bird with chicks on its back, portrait in the first morning light Valkenhorst Nature Reserve, Valkenswaard, The Netherlands. May\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681065_DPattyn-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681065_DPattyn-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681065_DPattyn-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681065_DPattyn-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681065_DPattyn.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681065_DPattyn-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681065_DPattyn-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681065_DPattyn-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681065_DPattyn-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681065_DPattyn-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681065_DPattyn-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) parent bird with chicks on its back, portrait in the first morning light Valkenhorst Nature Reserve, Valkenswaard, The Netherlands. May\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681093_DPattyn-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) adult grebe shaking young off its back to go fishing for itself. Valkenhorst Nature Reserve, Valkenswaard, The Netherlands May\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681093_DPattyn-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681093_DPattyn-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681093_DPattyn-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681093_DPattyn-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681093_DPattyn.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681093_DPattyn-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681093_DPattyn-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681093_DPattyn-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681093_DPattyn-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681093_DPattyn-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681093_DPattyn-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) adult grebe shaking young off its back to go fishing for itself. Valkenhorst Nature Reserve, Valkenswaard, The Netherlands May\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681071_DPattyn-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) parents busy feeding their young with fish, in this case a small Tench (Tinca tinca) Valkenhorst Nature Reserve, Valkenswaard, The Netherlands. June\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681071_DPattyn-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681071_DPattyn-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681071_DPattyn-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681071_DPattyn-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681071_DPattyn.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681071_DPattyn-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681071_DPattyn-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681071_DPattyn-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681071_DPattyn-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681071_DPattyn-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01681071_DPattyn-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) parents busy feeding their young with fish, in this case a small Tench (Tinca tinca) Valkenhorst Nature Reserve, Valkenswaard, The Netherlands. June\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<h3>Jiri Lochman &#8211; Bandicoots, Bettongs, Pygmy Possoms and Potoroos<\/h3>\n<p>Jiri and Marie Lochman have been photographing Australian endemics since the 1980&#8217;s. We have a fabulous new selection of marsupial images as part of the highlights gallery,<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-3' class='gallery gallery-11441 style-standard'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679867_JLochman-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Honey possum (Tarsipes rostratus), feeding on Yellow Lantern Banksia (Banksia lemanniana), at night, Mount Gibbs Nature Reserve, Western Australia.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679867_JLochman-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679867_JLochman-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679867_JLochman-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Honey possum (Tarsipes rostratus), feeding on Yellow Lantern Banksia (Banksia lemanniana), at night, Mount Gibbs Nature Reserve, Western Australia.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679826_JLochman-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Western Pygmy-possum (Cercartetus concinnus) feeding on flowers of Large-fruited Mallee (Eucalyptus youngiana), Great Victoria Desert, Australia.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679826_JLochman-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679826_JLochman-150x99.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679826_JLochman-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679826_JLochman-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679826_JLochman-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679826_JLochman-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679826_JLochman-320x212.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679826_JLochman-160x106.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Western Pygmy-possum (Cercartetus concinnus) feeding on flowers of Large-fruited Mallee (Eucalyptus youngiana), Great Victoria Desert, Australia.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679886_JLochman-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Mountain pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus), Kosciuszko National Park, Australia. Critically endangered species.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679886_JLochman-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679886_JLochman-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679886_JLochman-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Mountain pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus), Kosciuszko National Park, Australia. Critically endangered species.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679910_JLochman-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Brush-tailed Bettong or Woylie (Bettongia penicillata), Wheatbelt Region, Western Australia. Critically endangered species.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679910_JLochman-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679910_JLochman-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679910_JLochman-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Brush-tailed Bettong or Woylie (Bettongia penicillata), Wheatbelt Region, Western Australia. Critically endangered species.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679893_JLochman-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Gilbert&#039;s potoroo (Potorous gilberti) female with joey, Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia. Critically endangered species.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679893_JLochman-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679893_JLochman-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679893_JLochman-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Gilbert&#039;s potoroo (Potorous gilberti) female with joey, Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia. Critically endangered species.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679813_JLochman-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Western Barred Bandicoot (Perameles bougainville), on Heirisson Prong, Shark Bay UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, Western Australia. Endangered species.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679813_JLochman-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679813_JLochman-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679813_JLochman-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Western Barred Bandicoot (Perameles bougainville), on Heirisson Prong, Shark Bay UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, Western Australia. Endangered species.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679750_JLochman-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Southern greater glider (Petauroides volans), the Gondwana Rainforest UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, Australia.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679750_JLochman-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679750_JLochman-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679750_JLochman-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679750_JLochman-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679750_JLochman.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679750_JLochman-600x398.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679750_JLochman-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679750_JLochman-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679750_JLochman-375x249.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679750_JLochman-900x598.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679750_JLochman-160x106.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Southern greater glider (Petauroides volans), the Gondwana Rainforest UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, Australia.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679792_JLochman-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Quokka (Setonix brachyurus), on the mainland, Waychinicup National Park, Western Australia.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679792_JLochman-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679792_JLochman-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679792_JLochman-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679792_JLochman-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679792_JLochman.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679792_JLochman-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679792_JLochman-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679792_JLochman-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679792_JLochman-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679792_JLochman-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679792_JLochman-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Quokka (Setonix brachyurus), on the mainland, Waychinicup National Park, Western Australia.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<h3>Jiri Lochman \u2013 The Tale of the Bilby<\/h3>\n<p><em>One of many endangered Australian marsupials, the Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis) has disappeared from most of its former distribution range. It used to be found in all mainland states, inhabiting large swathes of arid and semiarid Australia. Nowadays, it naturally survives only in scattered populations in the hearts of the deserts in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and a tiny part of south-western Queensland. Although it can be viewed in several nocturnal houses in Australian zoos and wildlife parks, photographs of truly wild Bilbies are very rare. This photograph was taken in Little Sandy Desert, off the Canning Stock Route; one of the least accessible parts of Western Australia.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>In early 1980, slightly over a year after we arrived in Australia, my partner Marie and I were heading to a town called Windorah in south-western Queensland in search for the Bilbies. When we were making enquiries there about Bilbies, most people had never heard of the bilby, never mind where to find one! Since then, this attitude has changed dramatically, not only in the rest of the world, but also in the Australian outback. When we came back in 2006, we found that the town of Windorah now has the Bilby, as its faunal emblem.\u00a0 (below left)<\/em><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-4' class='gallery gallery-11441 style-window-width'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"470\" height=\"470\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679747_JLochman-470x470.jpg\" class=\"attachment-square-overview size-square-overview\" alt=\"Greater bilby or bilby (Macrotis lagotis) Canning Stock Route, Little Sandy Desert, Western Australia. Vulnerable\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679747_JLochman-470x470.jpg 470w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679747_JLochman-600x600.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Greater bilby or bilby (Macrotis lagotis) Canning Stock Route, Little Sandy Desert, Western Australia. Vulnerable\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon portrait'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"470\" height=\"470\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679835-1-470x470.jpg\" class=\"attachment-square-overview size-square-overview\" alt=\"Western Pygmy-possum (Cercartetus concinnus) feeding on flowers of a Grevillea (Grevillea georgeana), Helena Aurora Range proposed National Park, Australia.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679835-1-470x470.jpg 470w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679835-1-600x600.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Western Pygmy-possum (Cercartetus concinnus) feeding on flowers of a Grevillea (Grevillea georgeana), Helena Aurora Range proposed National Park, Australia.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon portrait'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"470\" height=\"470\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679836_JLochman-470x470.jpg\" class=\"attachment-square-overview size-square-overview\" alt=\"Western Pygmy-possum (Cercartetus concinnus) feeding on flowers -licking the pollent presented- of a Grevillea (Grevillea georgeana), Helena Aurora Range proposed National Park, Australia.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679836_JLochman-470x470.jpg 470w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679836_JLochman-600x600.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Western Pygmy-possum (Cercartetus concinnus) feeding on flowers -licking the pollent presented- of a Grevillea (Grevillea georgeana), Helena Aurora Range proposed National Park, Australia.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<h3>Jiri Lochman &#8211; Pollen Thief<\/h3>\n<p><em>Although it is one of the more common, small marsupials, the Western Pygmy-possum (Cercartetus concinus) is not easy to photograph in situ in the wild. It is a very fast, strictly nocturnal climber on shrubs and trees, and is smaller than the house mouse. The majority of the photographs are of captive, or otherwise handled Pygmy-possums frequently showing signs of stress this has caused. I was therefore very pleased to capture this little fellow, feeding on a Grevillea flower, completely oblivious to my presence. This image is even interesting from a botanical point of view, as it shows the Pygmy-possum harvesting pollen from the pollen-presenter, and hence exposing this important pollinator of native plants in a role of the pollen thief. Pollen-presenter is a unique feature of proteaceous plants evolved as a mechanism of self-pollination avoidance. I am pretty sure that this might be the only image depicting this behaviour in existence. (above centre &amp; right)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Matthew Maran &#8211; City Foxes<\/h3>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-11619\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678461_MattMaran-300x153.jpg\" alt=\"Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) leaving a corner shop North London, England, UK. November.\" width=\"1250\" height=\"637\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678461_MattMaran-300x153.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678461_MattMaran-150x77.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678461_MattMaran-768x392.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678461_MattMaran.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678461_MattMaran-320x163.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678461_MattMaran-375x192.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678461_MattMaran-600x306.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678461_MattMaran-900x460.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678461_MattMaran-208x106.jpg 208w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1250px) 100vw, 1250px\" \/>\n<p><strong>Late Night Shop<\/strong><em> (above) &#8211; This shot was moment of luck as I followed the vixen on her nightly territory patrol. I\u2019d seen her pass many times, but never actually enter the shop so I had to react quickly when she did. I know this fox very well and she is always full of surprises;\u00a0 for me this picture shows the opportunistic behaviour urban foxes exhibit in order to survive.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-5' class='gallery gallery-11441 style-standard'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678460_MattMaran-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) resting in the road at night North London, England, UK. September\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678460_MattMaran-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678460_MattMaran-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678460_MattMaran-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678460_MattMaran-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678460_MattMaran.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678460_MattMaran-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678460_MattMaran-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678460_MattMaran-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678460_MattMaran-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678460_MattMaran-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678460_MattMaran-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) resting in the road at night North London, England, UK. September\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678457_MattMaran-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) grooming her cubs North London, England, UK. April.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678457_MattMaran-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678457_MattMaran-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678457_MattMaran-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678457_MattMaran-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678457_MattMaran.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678457_MattMaran-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678457_MattMaran-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678457_MattMaran-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678457_MattMaran-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678457_MattMaran-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678457_MattMaran-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) grooming her cubs North London, England, UK. April.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<p><strong>Sleeping on the Streets<\/strong> <em>(above left) &#8211;\u00a0This photo scared many people when I posted it on my social media feeds, but the streets where this fox lay are thankfully very quiet. It may have chosen this spot due to the tarmac holding some heat on a chilly night. Sadly, many foxes die on the roads in the UK and most foxes don\u2019t make it beyond 20 months.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Vixen &amp; Cubs<\/strong>\u00a0<em>(above right) &#8211;\u00a0During the lockdown, I was thankful to still be able to work at the vixen\u2019s den site which was just 10 minutes&#8217; walk from my house. That year, she\u2019d placed it within reach of my telephoto lens so I was able to capture some wonderful moments of tenderness.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Tui De Roy &#8211; Not Just a Pair of Pretty Feet<\/h3>\n<p><em>Everybody who visits Galapagos falls in love with the charismatic boobies and their endearing courtship displays that often centre around their large and colourful webbed feet. \u00a0As a result, most of the photos that result from this photographer\u2019s infatuation are bright, bold close-ups. \u00a0Blue feet, red feet: stunning! \u00a0So instead, I\u2019ve been concentrating for years on catching these attractive seabirds within the context to their wider, often harsh, environment. \u00a0Blue-footed boobies nest on the ground, and this pair had chosen a small flat spot overlooking the famous blowhole on Espa\u00f1ola Island, which erupts like a geyser when the tide and swells are just right. \u00a0But on sunny days this scene was simply too contrast-y, so the low, gloomy skies here helped emphasise the whiteness of the sea spray as well as the vivid colours of the birds\u2019 feet and endemic sea purslane around them. \u00a0The red-footed booby instead nests in t<\/em><em>rees. \u00a0When this bird came to investigate a red mangrove above a crystal clear, deep tidepool in search of a nesting spot, I saw the perfect shot I\u2019d been looking for.<\/em><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-6' class='gallery gallery-11441 style-window-width'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680357_TuiDR-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Blue-footed booby (Sula nebouxii) pair with chicks, blowhole in background, Punta Suarez, Espanola Island, Galapagos Islands.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680357_TuiDR-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680357_TuiDR-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680357_TuiDR-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680357_TuiDR-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680357_TuiDR.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680357_TuiDR-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680357_TuiDR-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680357_TuiDR-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680357_TuiDR-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680357_TuiDR-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680357_TuiDR-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Blue-footed booby (Sula nebouxii) pair with chicks, blowhole in background, Punta Suarez, Espanola Island, Galapagos Islands.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680435_Tui-DR-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Red-footed booby (Sula sula), brown morph, Genovesa Island, Galapagos Islands.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680435_Tui-DR-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680435_Tui-DR-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680435_Tui-DR-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680435_Tui-DR-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680435_Tui-DR.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680435_Tui-DR-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680435_Tui-DR-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680435_Tui-DR-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680435_Tui-DR-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680435_Tui-DR-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680435_Tui-DR-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Red-footed booby (Sula sula), brown morph, Genovesa Island, Galapagos Islands.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3>Tony Wu &#8211; Something Fishy Going On<\/h3>\n<p>A male fat greenling guarding his eggs, tenderly tending to the purple cluster. What he doesn&#8217;t know is that the eggs belong to an all-female hybrid species that produces all-female clones; the female relies on the male to protect and tend to the eggs despite the fact that the eggs have no genetic link to the unsuspecting &#8216;father&#8217;. This is an example of <em>hemiclonal reproduction<\/em>.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-7' class='gallery gallery-11441 style-window-width'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679458_Tony-Wu-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) male in the background. The purple eggs in the middle, however, belong to an all-female hybrid species (Hexagrammos octogrammus x H. otakii) that produces all-female clones, using males of H. otakii to protect its eggs. There is no genetic benefit to the male. This is an example of hemiclonal reproduction. Hokkaido, Japan.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679458_Tony-Wu-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679458_Tony-Wu-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679458_Tony-Wu-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679458_Tony-Wu-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679458_Tony-Wu.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679458_Tony-Wu-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679458_Tony-Wu-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679458_Tony-Wu-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679458_Tony-Wu-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679458_Tony-Wu-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679458_Tony-Wu-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) male in the background. The purple eggs in the middle, however, belong to an all-female hybrid species (Hexagrammos octogrammus x H. otakii) that produces all-female clones, using males of H. otakii to protect its eggs. There is no genetic benefit to the male. This is an example of hemiclonal reproduction. Hokkaido, Japan.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679453_Tony-Wu-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) male tending to eggs, Hokkaido, Japan.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679453_Tony-Wu-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679453_Tony-Wu-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679453_Tony-Wu-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679453_Tony-Wu-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679453_Tony-Wu.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679453_Tony-Wu-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679453_Tony-Wu-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679453_Tony-Wu-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679453_Tony-Wu-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679453_Tony-Wu-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679453_Tony-Wu-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) male tending to eggs, Hokkaido, Japan.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3>Shane Gross<\/h3>\n<p><strong>All Tucked In &#8211;\u00a0<\/strong><em>I could not have planned for this image and almost couldn&#8217;t believe the little scene in front of me as I slowly finned along, my drysuit protecting me from the chilly BC water. The position of the beautiful cabezon fish and algae is, of course, mere chance, but as I shivered I couldn&#8217;t help but wonder if the fish, all tucked in, felt cozy under the covers. (below left)<\/em><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-8' class='gallery gallery-11441 style-window-width'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679118_ShaneGross-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus) hides under seaweeds off Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679118_ShaneGross-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679118_ShaneGross-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679118_ShaneGross-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679118_ShaneGross-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679118_ShaneGross.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679118_ShaneGross-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679118_ShaneGross-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679118_ShaneGross-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679118_ShaneGross-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679118_ShaneGross-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679118_ShaneGross-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus) hides under seaweeds off Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679129_ShaneGross-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Northern kelp crab (Pugettia producta) clinging to a fallen tree branch off Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679129_ShaneGross-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679129_ShaneGross-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679129_ShaneGross-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679129_ShaneGross-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679129_ShaneGross.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679129_ShaneGross-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679129_ShaneGross-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679129_ShaneGross-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679129_ShaneGross-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679129_ShaneGross-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679129_ShaneGross-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Northern kelp crab (Pugettia producta) clinging to a fallen tree branch off Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679183_ShaneGross-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha), male, in a severely degraded state, migrating up river, Vancouver Island, Canada.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679183_ShaneGross-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679183_ShaneGross-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679183_ShaneGross-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679183_ShaneGross-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679183_ShaneGross.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679183_ShaneGross-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679183_ShaneGross-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679183_ShaneGross-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679183_ShaneGross-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679183_ShaneGross-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679183_ShaneGross-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha), male, in a severely degraded state, migrating up river, Vancouver Island, Canada.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<p><strong>A Tree-Climbing Crab &#8211;\u00a0<\/strong><em>A tree falls in the ocean. Northern kelp crabs seize the opportunity to get up in the water column to feed. I see an opportunity to get my camera well underneath the animal and photograph her against the blue sky and passing moon jelly. (above centre)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Walking Dead &#8211;\u00a0<\/strong><em>I was warned the salmon may look a little&#8230;worn out by this time of year. They weren&#8217;t kidding. While I understand this is part of the natural cycle of life for salmon, to return to where they were born to procreate and then die, feeding the forest in the process, I couldn&#8217;t help but feel bad for them, desperately trying to spawn while their bodies break down. (above right)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>A Price Worth Paying?\u00a0<\/strong>The vivid colours and abstract shapes below may look beautiful, but they are signs of change&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><em>Climate change is giving the farmers of Saskatchewan&#8217;s prairies a longer growing season. But it comes at a price. Less precipitation. This salt lake in southern Saskatchewan, like many lakes and ponds in the area, is drying up.<\/em><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-9' class='gallery gallery-11441 style-standard'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679163_ShaneGross-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Aerial view of Drying out salt lake, called Old Wives Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679163_ShaneGross-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679163_ShaneGross-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679163_ShaneGross-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679163_ShaneGross-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679163_ShaneGross.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679163_ShaneGross-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679163_ShaneGross-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679163_ShaneGross-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679163_ShaneGross-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679163_ShaneGross-900x599.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01679163_ShaneGross-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Aerial view of Drying out salt lake, called Old Wives Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Focus on the Little Things<\/em><\/h2>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3>Alex Hyde<\/h3>\n<p><em>A tiny globular springtail is picked out by the low morning light on a fallen autumn leaf, the wet surface shimmering like glass. Many gardeners feel the need to sweep away the autumn leaves but I always make sure to leave a few scattered on the lawn as they are great places to find and photograph springtails. They are able to spring into the air to escape danger by means of their \u2018furca\u2019, which is rapidly extended from under the abdomen.\u00a0This image was shot for a project I\u2019m working on called <a href=\"http:\/\/earthboundproject.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">EarthBound<\/a>, all about soil health and its impact on biodiversity and human communities.<\/em>\u00a0<em>(below left)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Rainbow Web &#8211;<\/strong> <em>With the camera at a very precise angle to the sun, the silk of the web refracted the light into a rainbow of coloured bands. From most other angles the silk was hardly visible at all.<\/em> <em>(below centre)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Snail Trails &#8211;\u00a0<\/strong><em>Whilst walking over a railway bridge, I stooped to examine the intricate feeding trails from Common Snails (Helix aspersa) grazing algae growing on an area of black paint. The rows of chitinous, recurved teeth (the cuticula, part of the radula) leave a distinctive zigzag pattern. Passers by looked a little perplexed when I set up my tripod!<\/em>\u00a0<em>(below right)<\/em><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-10' class='gallery gallery-11441 style-window-width'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678768_AHyde-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Globular springtail (Dicyrtomina saundersi) on dew-covered dead leaf. Derbyshire, UK. October.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678768_AHyde-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678768_AHyde-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678768_AHyde-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Globular springtail (Dicyrtomina saundersi) on dew-covered dead leaf. Derbyshire, UK. October.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678673_Alex-Hyde-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Common Orb Weaver (Metellina sp.) male. With the camera at a very precise angle to the sun, the silk of the web refracted the light into a rainbow of coloured bands.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678673_Alex-Hyde-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678673_Alex-Hyde-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678673_Alex-Hyde-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678673_Alex-Hyde-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678673_Alex-Hyde.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678673_Alex-Hyde-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678673_Alex-Hyde-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678673_Alex-Hyde-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678673_Alex-Hyde-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678673_Alex-Hyde-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678673_Alex-Hyde-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Common Orb Weaver (Metellina sp.) male. With the camera at a very precise angle to the sun, the silk of the web refracted the light into a rainbow of coloured bands.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678742_AHyde-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Feeding trails from Common snails (Helix aspersa) grazing algae growing on black paint. The rows of chitinous, recurved teeth (the cuticula, part of the radula) leave a distinctive zigzag pattern. Derbyshire, UK. April.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678742_AHyde-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678742_AHyde-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678742_AHyde-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678742_AHyde-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678742_AHyde.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678742_AHyde-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678742_AHyde-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678742_AHyde-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678742_AHyde-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678742_AHyde-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678742_AHyde-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Feeding trails from Common snails (Helix aspersa) grazing algae growing on black paint. The rows of chitinous, recurved teeth (the cuticula, part of the radula) leave a distinctive zigzag pattern. Derbyshire, UK. April.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<p><strong>Sand Abstract<\/strong> &#8211; <em>There is a real magic to the compositions revealed in the intertidal zone at low tide, their transience making them all the more precious when discovered. The complex weave of trails seen here were created by Edible Periwinkles (Littorina littorea), displacing the thin layer of sand that had accumulated on the rock, as they grazed on algae.<\/em>\u00a0<em>(below left)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Hidden in Plain Sight<\/strong> &#8211; <em>A Peppered Moth (Biston betularia), superbly camouflaged on a lichen-encrusted Birch trunk. Giving insects a sense of place and environment by making them small in the frame is something I greatly enjoy doing in my photography.<\/em>\u00a0<em>(below right)<\/em><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-11' class='gallery gallery-11441 style-standard'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"470\" height=\"470\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678744_AHyde-470x470.jpg\" class=\"attachment-square-overview size-square-overview\" alt=\"Trails left on sand-covered rock from Edible periwinkle (Littorina littorea) grazing on algae. Cornwall, UK. May.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678744_AHyde-470x470.jpg 470w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678744_AHyde-600x600.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Trails left on sand-covered rock from Edible periwinkle (Littorina littorea) grazing on algae. Cornwall, UK. May.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon portrait'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"470\" height=\"470\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678765-470x470.jpg\" class=\"attachment-square-overview size-square-overview\" alt=\"Peppered moth (Biston betularia), camouflaged on lichen-encrusted Birch (Betula sp.) tree trunk. Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, UK. July.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678765-470x470.jpg 470w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678765-683x684.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678765-600x600.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Peppered moth (Biston betularia), camouflaged on lichen-encrusted Birch (Betula sp.) tree trunk. Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, UK. July.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-12' class='gallery gallery-11441 style-window-width'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678877_RipanBiswas-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Spider wasp (Pompilidae) with spider prey, Buxa Tiger Reserve, India.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678877_RipanBiswas-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678877_RipanBiswas-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678877_RipanBiswas-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678877_RipanBiswas-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678877_RipanBiswas.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678877_RipanBiswas-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678877_RipanBiswas-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678877_RipanBiswas-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678877_RipanBiswas-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678877_RipanBiswas-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678877_RipanBiswas-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Spider wasp (Pompilidae) with spider prey, Buxa Tiger Reserve, India.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678878_RipanBiswas-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Cordyceps fungus sporing bodies emerging from daddy long legs, Coochbehar, India.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678878_RipanBiswas-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678878_RipanBiswas-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678878_RipanBiswas-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678878_RipanBiswas-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678878_RipanBiswas.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678878_RipanBiswas-600x401.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678878_RipanBiswas-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678878_RipanBiswas-320x214.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678878_RipanBiswas-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678878_RipanBiswas-900x601.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678878_RipanBiswas-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Cordyceps fungus sporing bodies emerging from daddy long legs, Coochbehar, India.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678880_RipanBiswas-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Eucharited Wasp (Eucharitedae) parasitic wasp, which attacks ants, Coochbehar, India.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678880_RipanBiswas-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678880_RipanBiswas-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678880_RipanBiswas-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678880_RipanBiswas-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678880_RipanBiswas.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678880_RipanBiswas-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678880_RipanBiswas-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678880_RipanBiswas-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678880_RipanBiswas-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678880_RipanBiswas-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678880_RipanBiswas-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Eucharited Wasp (Eucharitedae) parasitic wasp, which attacks ants, Coochbehar, India.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<h3>Ripan Biswas<\/h3>\n<p><strong>The Hunter becomes the Hunted &#8211;\u00a0<\/strong><em>This is a picture of spider wasp belong to Pompilidae family. They are specialist in hunting spiders. Thus, they got their common name. They do not eat spiders which they hunt. They sting spiders and pour specific amount of venom which paralyze the spider. They don\u2019t kill the spider. Most of the times they cut off all the limbs of the spider for ease in carrying. They take the spiders to their burrow and lay eggs on the body of the spider. When the eggs hatch, the larva would feed on the spider which would be still alive.\u00a0I took this picture in Buxa tiger reserve. (above left)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Killer Fungus &#8211;\u00a0<\/strong><em>This is an unfortunate daddy long legs, infected by cordyceps fungus. Cordyceps are deadly fungi for insects. Tiny spores of the fungus travel by air. If a spore falls on the body of insects, it starts its life cycle. It gets into the body of the insect and disables the insect&#8217;s ability to move on its own will. Controlled by the fungus, the infected insect finds a secluded place and stays there. The fungus completes its life cycle using the body of the insect as food and in the last stage, it develops fruiting bodies which disperse more spores into the air.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>I found the body of the daddy long leg in a garden near my house. The white fruiting body of the fungus looked beautiful to me. I used a back-light to highlight the fruiting body of the fungus. (above centre)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Tiny Invaders &#8211;\u00a0<\/strong><em>This is a parasitic wasp belonging to the Eucharitid family. They are known to infect ants. These wasps find a place near an ant colony and lay eggs on leaves. When the eggs hatch, the larva would come out and wait for an ant. When an ant comes near it, it attaches itself to the body of the ant and enters in the colony. There, it eats the eggs of the ants.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>This wasp was tiny. Only 3-4mm in length. It looked beautiful when it was sitting on the leaf. I took this picture in a garden near my house. (above right)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Claudio Contreras &#8211; Sea of Cortez<\/h3>\n<div id='gallery-13' class='gallery gallery-11441 style-window-width'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680117_Contreras-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Californian sea lion (Zalophus californianus), La Lobera Islet, near San Jose Island, Gulf of California Islands Protected Area, Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Mexico, September\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680117_Contreras-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680117_Contreras-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680117_Contreras-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680117_Contreras-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680117_Contreras.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680117_Contreras-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680117_Contreras-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680117_Contreras-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680117_Contreras-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680117_Contreras-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680117_Contreras-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Californian sea lion (Zalophus californianus), La Lobera Islet, near San Jose Island, Gulf of California Islands Protected Area, Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Mexico, September\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680051_Contreras-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Panamic cushion star (Pentaceraster cumingi), Botella Point, Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Mexico, August\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680051_Contreras-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680051_Contreras-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680051_Contreras-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680051_Contreras-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680051_Contreras.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680051_Contreras-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680051_Contreras-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680051_Contreras-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680051_Contreras-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680051_Contreras-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680051_Contreras-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Panamic cushion star (Pentaceraster cumingi), Botella Point, Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Mexico, August\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680084_Contreras-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Panamic sergeant major (Abudefduf troschelii) guarding egg mass, removing seastar that was coming to close to egg mass, Punta Resbaladilla, south of El Tecolote, Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Mexico, September\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680084_Contreras-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680084_Contreras-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680084_Contreras-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680084_Contreras-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680084_Contreras.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680084_Contreras-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680084_Contreras-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680084_Contreras-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680084_Contreras-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680084_Contreras-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680084_Contreras-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Panamic sergeant major (Abudefduf troschelii) guarding egg mass, removing seastar that was coming to close to egg mass, Punta Resbaladilla, south of El Tecolote, Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Mexico, September\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">See the full August Highlights gallery <a href=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/-latest-highlights\/2021\/august-2021.html\">here,<\/a>\u00a0<span>or why not check out our\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.natureplprints.com\/august-2021-highlights\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">prints gallery<\/a><span>?<\/span><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-14' class='gallery gallery-11441 style-window-width'><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680181-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Robin (Erithacus rubecula) at the point of taking off Sussex, England, UK, January.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680181-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680181-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680181-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680181-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Robin (Erithacus rubecula) at the point of taking off\nSussex, England, UK, January.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678983-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Slime mould (Leocarpus fragilis), fully developed sporangia on grass, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, UK. September.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678983-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678983-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678983-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678983-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678983.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678983-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678983-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678983-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678983-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678983-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678983-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Slime mould (Leocarpus fragilis), fully developed sporangia on grass, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, UK. September.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678653-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Elephant hawkmoth (Deilephila elpenor), close up of head, showing detail of compound eye. Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, UK. May. Focus stacked image.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678653-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678653-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678653-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678653-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678653.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678653-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678653-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678653-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678653-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678653-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678653-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Elephant hawkmoth (Deilephila elpenor), close up of head, showing detail of compound eye. Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, UK. May. Focus stacked image.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680203-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Common blue butterfly (Polyommatus icarus) in flight Sussex, England, UK, July.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680203-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680203-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680203-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680203-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Common blue butterfly (Polyommatus icarus) in flight\nSussex, England, UK, July.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01677291-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Sri Lankan elephants (Elephas maximus) Indian elephant subspecies, Pinnawala village, Sri Lanka. Endangered species.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01677291-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01677291-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01677291-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01677291-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01677291.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01677291-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01677291-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01677291-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01677291-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01677291-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01677291-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Sri Lankan elephants (Elephas maximus) Indian elephant subspecies, Pinnawala village, Sri Lanka. Endangered species.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680562_BertWillaert-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Portrait of a Bismarck Ringed python (Bothrochilus boa) with fly, Willaumez Peninsula, New Britain, Papua New Guinea, December\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680562_BertWillaert-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680562_BertWillaert-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680562_BertWillaert-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680562_BertWillaert-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680562_BertWillaert.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680562_BertWillaert-600x399.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680562_BertWillaert-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680562_BertWillaert-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680562_BertWillaert-375x249.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680562_BertWillaert-900x599.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01680562_BertWillaert-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Portrait of a Bismarck Ringed python (Bothrochilus boa) with fly, Willaumez Peninsula, New Britain, Papua New Guinea, December\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/01678719-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Velvet Shank \/ Winter Fungus (Flammulina velutipes), growing on moss-covered dead tree. Park District National Park, UK. December. Focus stacked image.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/01678719-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/01678719-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/01678719-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/01678719-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/01678719-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/01678719-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/01678719-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/01678719-159x106.jpg 159w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/01678719.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Velvet Shank \/ Winter Fungus (Flammulina velutipes), growing on moss-covered dead tree. Park District National Park, UK. December. Focus stacked image.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><figure class='gallery-item col-0'><div class='gallery-icon landscape'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678771-360x240.jpg\" class=\"attachment-three-two size-three-two\" alt=\"Common puffball fungus (Apioperdon pyriforme) emitting spores into the air. Spores are ejected when the fungus is disturbed, such as by falling raindrops. Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, UK. November.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678771-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678771-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678771-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678771-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678771.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678771-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678771-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678771-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678771-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678771-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/naturepl_01678771-159x106.jpg 159w\" sizes=\"100vw\" title=\"Common puffball fungus (Apioperdon pyriforme) emitting spores into the air. Spores are ejected when the fungus is disturbed, such as by falling raindrops. Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, UK. November.\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .gallery -->\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our photographers have provided an intriguing mix of new images this month. We have David Pattyn&#8217;s intimate studies of great crested grebes, Jiri Lochman&#8217;s rare images of Australia&#8217;s lesser known marsupials, some great macro work from Alex Hyde and Stephen Dalton. There is also varied material from the Americas, spanning the plains of Canada, the&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/2021\/08\/25\/august-2021-highlights\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"button\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[3,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11441","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","category-natural-inspiration"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11441"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11441"}],"version-history":[{"count":63,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11441\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11634,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11441\/revisions\/11634"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11441"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11441"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturepl.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11441"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}