The mourning dove is a member of the dove family. The bird is also called the turtle dove or the American mourning dove or rain dove, and formerly was known as the Carolina pigeon or Carolina turtledove. These birds take refuge in my backyard and enjoy the seeds from the feeder.
Monthly Archives: January 2015
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird on Firecracker Plant
These shots were taken from my backyard Butterflies and Hummingbird Garden. The migrating season is upon us in South Florida. It is a challenge to capture these tini wini birds. It takes lots of patience and time, which I gladly exercise at times. It pays. Hope you enjoy its magnificence.
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird_4500
These pics exhibit the female Ruby. I have yet to see and capture the brilliant male. Time will tell.
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird_4529
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird_4536
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird_4540
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird_4587
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird_4599
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird_4609
The Monarch and the Bee
The se shots were all taken from my Butterflies and Hummingbird Garden.
The Monarch and the Caterpillar
Zebra Longwing Butterfly Emerging
Emerging is the stage when amazing physiological changes take place as the caterpillar is transformed into a beautiful butterfly. The wings then need to get dry before the butterfly can fly. This is a process that takes some times and makes them also defenseless at that time. It is also very easy to approach them.
Purple Spotted Phalaenopsis Orchid
I am very excited this year. Twenty of my orchids (about 80 in total) are in bloom and my patio in about two more weeks approximately will soon look splendidly colorful. Can’t wait to share some of these beauties with you.
A Miniature Phalaenopsis From my Orchid Garden
Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco
The Middle Atlas is a mountain range in Morocco. It is part of the Atlas mountain range a vast mountainous region with more than 100,000 km² or 15% of its landmass rising above 2,000 metres. The Middle Atlas is the northernmost of three Atlas Mountains chains that define a large plateaued basin extending eastward into Algeria as the Tell Atlas.
Middle Atlas Mountains_1955, Morocco
The Middle Atlas provinces cover 23,000 km² in area, and comprise 18% of the total mountainous surface of Morocco. The provinces of Khènifra, Ifrane and others nearby lie in the Middle Atlas region.
Middle Atlas Mountains_1990, Morocco
Because of its elevation, the Middle Atlas experiences snow during the winter months and a cool climate during the summer. The town of Ifrane enjoys sufficient snow during the winter months that it provides accommodations quite rare in Africa: it is a ski resort.
Middle Atlas Mountains_1990, Morocco
Picture of a Berber Guide, Morocco
I thought that this man’s traditional costume warranted a photograph. I approached him and engaged in a conversation, at the end, he graciously allowed me to take a few shot with a smile and a hand shake.
Fruit Seller, Morocco
Man taking a Little Rest, Morocco
Driving the Moroccan Highway and thru the Atlas Mountains present dazzling opportunities to witness first hand a bit of the local people culture, for instance their rural dwellings (huge tents), their farmlands and many captivating phenomenons. You get a chance to appreciate their customs and way of life.
Mother, Son & Donky, Morocco
Man & Two DonkeysDriving thru
Red Flower at Archaeological Site of Volubilis, Morocco
These plants and flowers were downright pleasant to look at. Unfortunately, I am not able to name any of them. Hope you enjoy the view.
Plant_1527 at Archaeological Site of Volubilis, Morocco
Plant_1525 at Archaeological Site of Volubilis, Morocco
Plant_1528 at Archaeological Site of Volubilis, Morocco
Plant_1529 at Archaeological Site of Volubilis, Morocco
Plant_1538 at Archaeological Site of Volubilis, Morocco
Pine Tree at Archaeological Site of Volubilis, Morocco
Archeological Site of Volubilis, Morocco
Volubilis is a partly excavated Roman city in Morocco situated near Meknes between Fes and Rabat. Built in a fertile agricultural area, it was developed from the 3rd century BC onwards as a Phoenician (and later Carthaginian) settlement. It grew rapidly under Roman rule from the 1st century AD onwards and expanded to cover about 40 hectares (100 acres) with a 2.6 km (1.6 mi) circuit of walls. The city gained a number of major public buildings in the 2nd century, including a basilica, temple and triumphal arch. Its prosperity, which was derived principally from olive growing, prompted the construction of many fine town-houses with large mosaic floors.
Archeological Site of Volubilis_1531, Morocco
The ruins remained substantially intact until they were devastated by an earthquake in the mid-18th century and subsequently looted by Moroccan rulers seeking stone for building Meknes. It was not until the latter part of the 19th century that the site was definitively identified as that of the ancient city of Volubilis. During and after the period of French rule over Morocco, about half of the site was excavated, revealing many fine mosaics, and some of the more prominent public buildings and high-status houses were restored or reconstructed. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed for being “an exceptionally well preserved example of a large Roman colonial town on the fringes of the Empire”.
Archeological Site of Volubilis_1546, Morocco
Roman Column at Archeological Site of Volubilis, Morocco
Roman Ruins at Archaeological Site of Volubilis, Morocco
Tortoise at Archaeological Site of Volubilis, Morocco
I found this little turtle while visiting the site. There is a close resemblance to the Leopard Tortoise, but I am not sure and if anyone could share some lights to this species, I would appreciate it.
Village on Hill Top, Morocco
Barbary Macaque, Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Not far from Ifrane and by the road side, you can spot these tamed species. It offers a great opportunity to take abundance shots of this mammmal. The Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus), Barbary ape, or magot is a species of macaque unique for its distribution outside Asia and for its vestigial tail. Found in the Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco and El-Kouf National Park in Libya along with a small population of unknown origin in Gibraltar, the Barbary macaque is one of the best-known Old World monkey species.
Barbary Macaque_1786, Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Barbary Macaque_1787, Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Barbary Macaque with Juvenile, Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Alix Bléus 