From Jen Marie

I found my first woolly bear of the season.

Did you know that unlike other insects, woolly bear caterpillars can survive freezing temperatures by producing a cryoprotectant-a natural antifreeze-that prevents ice from forming in their cells? In this frozen state, they wait out the winter.

When fall arrives and temperatures drop, they seek out sheltered places such as under fallen leaves, rocks, or logs to hibernate.

Some more details:

The Woolly Bear Caterpillar (Pyrrharctia isabella) is one of the more ubiquitous and more impressively adaptable creatures in the Northeastern United States and particularly in the Adirondacks.

These black, red, and fuzzy caterpillars emerge from their pupa in the fall and explode in numbers throughout the Adirondacks around October.

When winter finally comes in November, the insect buries under only the top layer of leaf litter and characteristically curls up with its bristles facing outwards. In this curled-up state, the Woolly Bear Caterpillar performs a number of striking biological processes. To prepare for winter, they convert their glycogen stores into glycerol and sorbitol (alcohols) which then make up 5% of the insect's body mass. These alcohols are cryoprotectants, or antifreeze proteins, and they reduce the freezing point of the caterpillar's blood to 14°F as well as prevent ice formation over the outside of the animal up to -22°F.

Despite this, the insects freeze completely, (i.e., hard to the touch) when the temperature dips below 7°F and the glycerol and sorbitol act to prevent cell damage from this freezing.

In late March, the caterpillar thaws and spins a cocoon under the leaf litter. One month later, the caterpillar emerges from the winter as an Isabella Tiger Moth. (Source)

Random photo of Isabella Tiger Moth

From Ron Sobers

Peregrine Falcon and Young Eagle ~ Backstory, the speed of the falcon was fast and this photo was taken with water in the background. The Eagle looks a little stunned. Nikon z8, 1/3200, 600mm6.3 lens. NJ

More context from the comment section:

Before the encounter the Bald Eagle flew pass the area where the falcons live, the falcons (2) started making the Keh- Keh sounds and started flying towards the Eagle and diving towards the Eagle which tried to fly away into the tree line after a few minutes the Eagle reappeared attempted to leave area, I lost sight when the Eagle got hit in the tree line.

From William Ko

Grey-headed Fish Eagle

Wonderful display of its incredible hunting prowess!

19 Aug 26

Ulu Pandan Park Connector, Singapore

From Peter Ruth Lingat Bangayan

Emerald Toucanet

Cabinas El Quetzal

San Gerardo De Dota, Costa Rica March 2024

Just hanging out in the trees, showing off its bright green feathers with pops of blue and yellow. Caught it snacking on some fruit and letting out a few cute little calls-such a chill moment in the cloud forest.

• Survey will examine facility numbers, animal conditions and how visitors interact with animals

• Government also plans public campaign on risks of buying exotic animals or visiting cafes

• WWF research found 27% of animals at 25 exotic animal ​cafes were threatened species

From Reuters

Japan has started its first nationwide survey of animal ‌cafes amid concerns over animal welfare, hygiene and public health, a government official said, bringing greater scrutiny to the popular but lightly regulated sector.

The desktop survey, which began this month, will examine the number of facilities, the types of animals they house ​and the conditions they are held in, and how visitors interact with the animals.

Exotic animal cafes, where ​visitors can interact with species ranging from otters to owls and marmots, have become ⁠popular attractions for both Japanese and foreign tourists. But researchers say some facilities keep threatened species, raising concerns ​about animal welfare and the trade in wildlife.

Japan lacks specific standards governing such cafes and handling of many exotic ​species, said Takuya Ishikawa, an official at the Environment Ministry.

"There has been strong public interest, including from animal welfare groups, which have regularly shared findings from their own research with the ministry," Ishikawa said. "Experts on a government advisory panel have also frequently ​raised concerns about potential problems at such cafes."

Cafes with domesticated animals including cats and dogs will also be ​included in the survey.

The government also plans a public awareness campaign, acknowledging that it had not done enough to inform public ‌about the ⁠risks of interacting with exotic animals.

The prospect of tighter oversight has been welcomed by some in the industry.

"Japan is clearly lagging behind when it comes to (animal welfare) regulation," said Syaina Nozaki, manager of Owl Otter Cafe in Kamakura, near Tokyo, which houses rescued animals.

Nozaki said that she hoped that regulations will help distinguish facilities like ​hers from less responsible operators ​focused solely on profit.

Japan, ⁠which has a large domestic pet market, ranked as the world's second-biggest importer of both live reptiles and mammals by value in 2024, a report by the World ​Wildlife Fund this month said, highlighting risks including invasive species introduced through pet releases ​and the ⁠spread of zoonotic diseases.

Of about 80 registered wildlife animal cafes in Tokyo and Osaka, three-quarters were also registered to sell animals, according to a separate report by WWF and Hokkaido University.

Researchers visiting 25 cafes found more than 1,700 animals ⁠on display, ​27% of them threatened species. More than 90% of the cafes ​displayed animals considered at high risk of causing injury through contact, while samples from four cafes tested positive for enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), which ​can cause bloody diarrhoea.

From Kelley Luikey

I'm pretty sure he wasn't asking for help with his worm pulling 🪱🤪

This Black-bellied Plover was a master wormer ...I've never seen one pull out giant worm after giant worm with such a high success rate.

Unfortunately for the plover, he had little thieves ready and waiting to snatch his hard won meals!

Hilton Head Island, SC

From Newhouse Wildlife Rescue

Groundhogs are starting to disappear for the year... and what happens to their bodies underground is pretty wild.

During deep hibernation, a groundhog's body temperature can drop from around 99°F to as low as 37°F. Their heart rate can fall from roughly 80 beats per minute to only 4-5, and their breathing can slow to about one breath every few minutes.

They'll spend the winter surviving almost entirely on the fat they worked so hard to pack on all summer.

So when you stop seeing those chunky little bodies waddling around soon, they aren't just sleeping. Their entire body has essentially shifted into energy-saving mode until spring.

Stanley here will be staying awake with us - as he has epilepsy and needs medications daily to keep him healthy. By controlling his environment, we can stop the signals that he would normally get to tell him it's time to hibernate - but his wild friends are getting ready to clock out for the season.

From Martin Armstrong

Dunnart week anybody? I follow the Kakadu Dunnart with the most common of the northern NT (and Kimberley) dunnarts, the Red-cheeked Dunnart (Sminthopsis virginiae nitela). Currently classified as one of 3 sub-specific forms, recent DNA work (2024) suggests the NT-Kimberley form is likely to be re- described as a separate species (by convention it should become S. nitela). I prefer S. nutella - much easier to remember. There may also be a split between the Qld & NG forms (also currently regarded as subspecies). They're all gorgeous but this isn't included as taxonomic criteria.

These are cute little guys.

The wiki is kinda sparse for them, but it did have this bit of trivia:

A male dunnart's Y chromosome is the smallest known mammalian Y chromosome.

The Donkey And The Sign Of The Cross! "The only animal in creation to have a distinct cross emblazoned on its body is the donkey. According to legend, the donkey that Jesus rode into Jerusalem when he made his triumphal entrance on the first Palm Sunday and later followed him to the place called Calvary, a hill near Jerusalem, became the first bearer of the distinctive cross marking. Grief stricken by the sight of Jesus on the cross on that day now known as Good Friday, the donkey turned away but couldn't leave. It was then the shadow of the cross fell upon the shoulders and back of the donkey and there it stayed. Since that fateful day on God's calendar, all donkeys have borne what has come to be known as the cross of Jesus on their backs. The Sign of the Cross indeed!"

Mark 11:1-11: Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

"Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; 2 and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. 3 And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.”

4 So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. 5 But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?”

6 And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. 8 And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

10 “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’

Blessed is the kingdom of our father David That comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

11 And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve." Mark 11:1-11

"And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross." Philippians 2:8

What does it mean that Jesus died for our sins? | GotQuestions.org "Simply put, without Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins, no one would have eternal life. Jesus Himself said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). In this statement, Jesus declares the reason for His birth, death, and resurrection—to provide the way to heaven for sinful mankind, who could never get there on their own." Read more...

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Going to heaven—how can I guarantee my eternal destination? | GotQuestions.org

From John Crawley (Jc_wings)

A Woodhouse's Scrub-jay perches on an evergreen tree in Northern Utah. The Woodhouse's Scrub-jay and California Scrub-jay, both formerly known as Western Scrub-jay, have been given separate species status. The Woodhouse's Scrub-jay can be found in the intermountian west from Idaho south to Mexico. Natural setting. Nikon Z9 camera body and Nikon Z 400mm f2.8 TC VR S lens.

From National Aviary

SLAY queen! 🫅

Like vultures, Southern Bald Ibises also have bald heads to help with hygiene! They primarily feed on insects and small invertebrates, which they often have to sift through dirt and soil to find. The "bald is beautiful" look helps keep their heads clean, as feathers more easily trap dirt and bacteria.

From Derek Friend

Ok... so my empathy may stretch a little too far.

This is my Spider pet/friend.. she's always making a web on my loader. Well, Monday I backed into a tree limb and I was worried she was injured or gone.

My fear was true yesterday, she didn't make a web yesterday morning for the first time in months, and I felt like it was my fault so I felt awful all freaking day. I literally looked over an hour trying to find her in the crevices of my loader. NOWHERE!!!!

Got to work this morning and here she is in all her glory. 🤣🤣🤣 I was so freakin happy.

I think my empathy needs to be dialed back some because my soul hurt for a spider. 🥲

Jeffersonville, Kentucky

(Her name is Orbitz)

You are a kind spider bro, Derek! ♥️

From Paws Animal Wildlife Sanctuary

Here's your smile for the day! This is our precious Gunter, a non-releasable opossum, sound asleep after his daily cage cleaning and feeding. Opossums are wonderful creatures when they feel safe and aren't scared and feeling like they have to defend themselves.

Gunter came to us scared and in bad shape until he realized that all we wanted to do was care for him, (and love on him, once we knew he couldn't be released).

Gunter has a very important job at PAWS now. He has agreed to allow our new volunteers to touch him so they can learn about opossums. He's so good at his job that he has changed the hearts of many opossum-fearing new volunteers!

And he does that by doing exactly what you see him doing in this photo.....sleeping like a rock, even with our new volunteers touching him....because he feels safe.... and because he loves being petted.

If he can't be wild and free, then we love that we can spoil him and give him a new purpose in life.

Theoretically, this process can go on indefinitely, effectively rendering the jellyfish biologically immortal,[3][6] although in practice individuals can still die. In nature, most Turritopsis dohrnii are likely to succumb to predation or disease in the medusa stage without reverting to the polyp form.[7] --WP

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turritopsis_dohrnii

From Chito Limchiu

A once in a lifetime event.. Seeing this rare migrant after a storm in Cavite. This was one of the bird moments I will not forget...

Eurasian Hoopoe, rare accidental migrant

It looks like these guys have even showed up in Alaska back in 1975. That's really far off course!

From Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre

It is always an amazing day when we get to return animals back into the wild. This time it was for our three pure-bred African Wildcats. Pure African Wildcats are becoming increasingly rare in South Africa, with interbreeding with domestic cats threatening their genetics and long-term survival.

These three now have the chance to live the wild life they deserve, but their importance goes even further. By introducing pure African Wildcat genetics back into wild populations, we hope they will contribute to the future conservation and repopulation of this incredible species.

Three cats. Three second chances. And hopefully, a little more hope for the future of the African Wildcat.

From Dijumon Komanthakkal

Hidden within the green pockets of our cities are nature's finest predators. Caught this magnificent Changeable Hawk-Eagle / Crested Hawk-Eagle perched with effortless grace amidst the urban canopy of HMT Kalamassery.

Nature always finds a way to thrive right alongside us if we leave enough green spaces for them to call home.

Urban Forest, HMT Kalamasseri

Feb 2022

Oh boy, looking up this bird's name was an ordeal! There are Changeable Hawk-Eagles. Then come crested or non-crested, and nobody can agree on if/how they are related, how they're related or not, etc. sounds like we've got some big knowledge gaps to fill with these birds.

But I did get to the bottom of what a "changeable" bird is, I think. From the sound of it, there is a large gradient of plumage colors they can have from light to dark, and what color it is can even vary as they age or when they molt, so it may not always look like its immediate family or even itself at different points in its life.

From Eric Lombardini

This was an American mink with its dinner. I photographed this little guy in fall of 2025 in the Parker River Wildlife Preserve, near the watch tower.

From Barnegat Lighthouse State Park

The exciting return of the black skimmers to the park! Meet Tuxedo, the oldest baby skimmer to hatch this summer in the Plover Park section of Barnegat Lighthouse State Park! It's reported that there have been eight fledged (capable of flying) skimmer babies already, with more growing toward that milestone every day.

The return of the black skimmers to the park is an amazing event. It has been decades since they have hatched and fledged here. This spectacular photo of Tuxedo is courtesy of Readings from the Northside.

Skimmers have a unique hunting style. They fly low above the water, drop down their lower jaw, which is much longer than the upper, and skim for a fish. When they feel contact, the beak snaps shut.

Here's a video that shows off the hunting starting around 0:55. Be sure to stay until the end when they show it at full speed!