Wildlife June 2010

[Anthony Darby]

Paul, as there is only one species of black swan, and ALL the rest (mute, whooper, Bewick, trumpeter etc.) are white, white is the norm. You probably think we all walk upside down? 

[Stephenb]

Excellent pics everyone.  Nice to see some excellent Aussie finches in there. 

Very weird seeing WHITE swans...... to me they should be black.  I know that it is the opposite way around for you guys, but I still look twice every time I see a pic of a white swan, and I would love to see a family of them myself one day.  The black swans regularly breed in ponds/lakes all around Canberra and the surrounding areas.  The cygnets are just so cute. 

Thanks again for the wonderful pics.

What do you make of the SWAN picture here then: http://www.kingislandbirdwatching.com.au/King-Island-different-and-unusual-pics.php?ImageGalleryPage=2

[Olga Bondareva]

Some pictures from Tula region.

Horse. Not wild but free.


Dragonfly


Grass-snake

[Gail]

Paul, as there is only one species of black swan, and ALL the rest (mute, whooper, Bewick, trumpeter etc.) are white, white is the norm. You probably think we all walk upside down? 

And don't forget the black-necked swan - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-necked_Swan

[annew]

Excellent pictures, Olga - especially the snake!

[angie]

Olga your pictures just amaze me.. love the dragonfly

Angie

[Paul T]

Wow Olga.  Glorious pics.

I did say that I knew that to everyone else swans are white...... it is just that here they aren't.  You lot called us the land down under, so if anyone is thinking anyone is walking upside down then I think it is you lot thinking of us. 

The Albino black swan is rather cool.  Doesn't look quite right for a "normal" white swan, does it? 

[Anthony Darby]

Not a grass snake Olga but a four-lined snake - Užovka pardálí (Elaphe quatuorlineata).

[Ragged Robin]

I love the composition of your horse shot, Olga, with the endless sky at its head and the grass swaying at its feet 

[ArnoldT]

Olga:

I'm growing a black tomato from Tula.

Is it the same Tula?

Arnold

[Olga Bondareva]

Not a grass snake Olga but a four-lined snake - Užovka pardálí (Elaphe quatuorlineata).

Anthony it's Coronella austriaca (is it grass snake&). I am sure because I was in company of professional biologists. It eats lizards and very unusual in Tula area.

Thank you all!  

Arnold I know nothing about black tomato.  

[Olga Bondareva]

Just some views.

[David Nicholson]

.... and very nice they were too Olga. Don't suppose I shall ever visit Russia but your pictures are a real enlightenment to me.

[Tony Willis]

Paul, as there is only one species of black swan, and ALL the rest (mute, whooper, Bewick, trumpeter etc.) are white, white is the norm. You probably think we all walk upside down? 

Here is one that does not know which it is supposed to be


Black necked Swan
Cygnus melancoryphus

[Paul T]

Everyone can get a bit confused at times.