Arctocephalus pusillus, the Cape fur seal, is a species in the family Otariidae, the eared seals. The species is found along the coasts of southern Africa and southeastern Australia and is the largest of the fur seals, with adult males growing up to 2.3 metres (7.5 ft) in length and females somewhat smaller. Males are dark grey to brown with a darker mane, while females are lighter in colour and pups are born black. The species breeds in large colonies on rocky islands, reefs and coastal outcrops, where females give birth to a single pup. Cape fur seals feed mainly on fish, squid and other marine animals, and are preyed upon mainly by great white sharks and orcas. It is classified as a least-concern species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Photographer: JJ Harrison

CC BY-SA 3.0

As the sun fades away you get to see a real beauty, you get to see some gazelles, you can't actually see any details but their silhouettes glazing within the sun rays. Pure epic wonder in such view, you can feel the beauty through the sunset's colors reflected on the gazelles.

Photographer: Anass Errihani

CC BY-SA 3.0

Photographer: Tisha Mukherjee

CC BY-SA 4.0

The Eurasian chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) is a species of bird in the family Fringillidae, the finches. It is found across Europe and temperate Asia, with introduced populations elsewhere. The adult male has a blue-grey head, rust-red underparts, and contrasting white wing bars and tail markings; the female is much duller, being mainly grey-brown. The species breeds in wooded areas, where the female builds a cup-shaped nest in a tree or bush and lays around four to five eggs. The Eurasian chaffinch mainly eats seeds outside the breeding season, and feeds its young on invertebrates such as caterpillars. It has two or three different song types, with some regional song dialects, and is classified as a least-concern species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Photographer: Caroline Legg

CC BY 2.0

Photographer: Charles J. Sharp

CC BY-SA 4.0

Graphium colonna, the black swordtail or mamba swordtail, is a species in the family Papilionidae, the swallowtail butterflies. It is found widely across sub-Saharan Africa, from West Africa to eastern and southern Africa. The butterfly is predominantly black with green markings and the characteristic "tail" on the hindwing. The species breeds throughout the warmer months, and its caterpillars feed on plants in the genera Artabotrys, Uvaria and Annona. Graphium colonna belongs to the clade antheus of the genus Graphium and was first described by Christopher Ward in 1873.

Photographer: Charles J. Sharp

CC BY-SA 4.0

Photographer: Diego Delso

CC BY-SA 4.0

The American woodcock (Scolopax minor) is a small shorebird in the sandpiper family, Scolopacidae. It is found mainly in the eastern half of North America, where it is the most common sandpiper, although unlike most other species it lives primarily in upland woods, thickets, and brushy wetlands. Its plumage is a mottled mix of brown, gray and black that provides effective camouflage against leaves and soil. The American woodcock has a plump body, short legs, large eyes set high on the head, and a long prehensile bill used to probe moist soil for earthworms and other invertebrates. Males are known for their spring courtship displays, giving a buzzy peent call before spiraling into the air. The species is considered of least concern globally, but its population has declined because of habitat loss and forest maturation.

Photographer: Rhododendrites

CC BY-SA 4.0

She gave me a beautiful show! Please consider these free for use. They'd make great art references.

The moor frog (Rana arvalis) is a reddish-brown, yellow, grey or olive frog in the family Ranidae, found in Europe and Asia. Usually 5.5 to 6.0 centimetres (2.2 to 2.4 in) long, it has horizontal pupils, partly webbed feet and, in males, nuptial pads and paired vocal sacs. The species inhabits varied wetlands, meadows, forests, steppes, bogs and farmland, from lowlands to high elevations, and tolerates acidic breeding pools. It feeds opportunistically on small invertebrates, with prey size broadly matching frog size. Breeding follows hibernation; males form choruses and may turn bright blue for a few days during mating. Although listed as a least-concern species, it is threatened in some areas by habitat loss, drainage, pollution, acidification and fragmentation.

Photographer: Charles J. Sharp

CC BY-SA 4.0

Photographer: Giles Laurent

CC BY-SA 4.0

The blue-billed white tern (Gygis candida) is a small tropical seabird in the family Laridae, occurring across the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean. Formerly treated as a subspecies within the white tern complex, conspecific with the the Atlantic white tern (G. alba) and the little white tern (G. microrhyncha), it is now generally recognised as a distinct species. First described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789, it is an all-white tern with dark eyes, a black bill with a blue base, and slaty-blue legs. Two subspecies are recognised, ranging from the Seychelles and Maldives to Hawaii and the Pitcairn Islands. Unusually, chicks occasionally fall prey to Aldabra giant tortoises in the Seychelles. This blue-billed white tern of the subspecies G. c. candida was photographed in flight at Muri Lagoon, on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.

Photographer: Charles J. Sharp

CC BY-SA 4.0

Photographer: Tisha Mukherjee

CC BY-SA 4.0

The adder (Vipera berus), also known as the common adder and the common European viper, is a species of venomous snake in the viper family, Viperidae. It occurs across much of Europe (where it is the most widespread snake species) and northern Asia, including Great Britain, Scandinavia, and parts of Russia and China. In several European countries, the adder is the only extant venomous snake. Usually growing to around 60 cm (24 in) in length, it has a dark zigzag stripe along the back, though colour varies considerably, including completely black melanistic forms. The adder inhabits a wide range of environments such as heathland, woodland edges, moors, and wetlands. It feeds mainly on small mammals, amphibians, and lizards, and is ovoviviparous, giving birth to live young. Although its bite can be painful, fatalities are extremely rare. The species is protected in several countries because of habitat loss and population declines.

Photographer: Charles J. Sharp

CC BY-SA 4.0

Like all hornbills, the bird has a large casque; the male's casque is even larger.

Photographer: Charles J. Sharp

CC BY-SA 4.0

The black kite (Milvus migrans) is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which occurs widely across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia, inhabiting both temperate and tropical regions. It is an opportunistic feeder, hunting small animals but also scavenging on carrion, household refuse and fish. Black kites are highly adaptable and often thrive in urban environments, especially in South Asia, where they frequently live close to humans. The bird has an average weight of 735 grams (26 oz) and features a forked tail and a distinctive shrill whistle followed by a rapid whinnying call. It is a skilled soarer, commonly using thermal currents to search for food and migrate. Several subspecies are recognised, including the Indian govinda and the Australian affinis.

Photographer: Charles J. Sharp

CC BY-SA 4.0

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/47636607

Found in the Pentland Hills, Scotland

CC-BY-4.0

Trisopterus luscus, commonly known as pouting, is a small marine fish in the family Gadidae, which includes the cods and near relatives. The species occurs mainly in European waters, particularly around the British Isles, Scandinavia, the Mediterranean Sea, and the coast of North Africa. They live over rocky and sandy seabeds at depths of up to 300 metres (980 ft), with smaller specimens being found closer to the shore. With a typical adult length of around 30 centimetres (12 in), they mature quickly and generally live for about four years. They are scavengers which feed on the seabed, with marine worms, shellfish and dead fish typically making up their diet. Once regarded as low-value bycatch, they have become increasingly important as a relatively sustainable commercial fish.

Photographer: Diego Delso

CC BY-SA 4.0

Despite its name, on a sign instead a of a fence ;)

Southwestern USA, May 2026