Bottega Veneta’s Post

In the artful dance of light and shadow, the Great Egret (Ardea alba) emerges as the protagonist in this photograph taken at Gatorland, Orlando. This sanctuary, a microcosm where Florida's wild heart beats strongest, provided the stage for this shot. The egret, with its plumage as white as porcelain and poised stance, became an emblem of the stillness and vitality that coexists in nature's design. The technical journey to capture this moment was one of both challenge and precision. Utilizing a fast shutter speed to freeze the egret's subtle movements, I balanced this with a narrow aperture to achieve sharp detail throughout the bird's elegant form. The choice of a telephoto lens allowed for an intimate portrait, while ensuring the subject's undisturbed natural behavior. A careful composition was essential to frame the egret against the clear sky, highlighting the contrast and simplicity that often defines the most powerful images. An intriguing aspect of the Great Egret is its seasonal transformation. During breeding season, this normally solitary bird joins a community, building nests in colonies that can number in the hundreds. It's a remarkable behavior that exemplifies nature's rhythm and the egret's adaptive strategies for survival and community. My photographic journey is a testament to the meticulous craft of wildlife photography, a discipline that demands patience, respect for the natural world, and a profound understanding of the technical facets of the craft. Each image is a chapter in a larger narrative of conservation and reverence for the biodiversity that graces our planet. ©2020 Adam Rainoff

#Chlaenius tibialis DEJEAN, commonly known as the #dark-legged ground beetle, is a member of the ground beetle family (Carabidae) with a body length of up to 12 mm. Its body shimmers in a golden-green hue. The thighs and feet are dark, while the shins are yellow-red. The first two segments of the antennae are yellow-red, with the rest being dark. The dark-legged ground beetle is a European species, with a range that spans from the Pyrenees and the Basque Country in the west, to the European part of Russia in the east, and from the North Sea and Baltic coastlines in the north, to the northern shores of the Mediterranean Sea in the south. It is not found in the Balkans. Chlaenius tibialis inhabits moist and shaded areas. It can be found along the banks of rivers, lakes, pond for day hidden under stones, leaves, pieces of and in dense vegetation. Chlaenius tibialis inhabits moist and shaded areas. It can be found along the banks of rivers, lakes, ponds, in marshy areas, and also in damp forests. As a nocturnal creature, it spends the day hidden under stones, leaves, pieces of wood, and in dense vegetation. The dark-legged ground beetle feeds on small insects and their larvae. In Europe and other regions where it is found, Chlaenius tibialis is not considered an endangered species and is not under species protection. #Insect #Chlaenius Tibialis #darkleggedgroundbeetles #GroundBeetle #Carabidae #InsectConservation #Entomology #Biodiversity #Nature Photography #Wildlife #EuropeanWildlife #NocturnalInsects #InsectsOfInstagram #MacroPhotography #NatureLovers #Ecosystem #Conservation #Beetle

This is a focus stacked image of about 20 photos of a 𝘋𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴, otherwise known as the Sundew plant. This carnivorous plant doesn’t actually have the sun’s dew on its appendages, rather this is a sticky substance produced that lures insects in with its sweet aroma. You heard that right, this species is a carnivorous plant, much like the Venus flytrap which is also native in the area! When an unsuspecting prey item lands on the sticky substance it becomes trapped and slowly the sun do plant wraps around the unfortunate victim before being consumed by the digestive nectar. What a brutal way to go. 😵 I really can’t overstate how visceral the stoke was that day—this was probably one of the happiest I’ve been to see a plant species in its native habitat. 🙌🏼 ————————— Sundew plant 𝘋𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴 Carolina Beach State Park, North Carolina 10/29/2024 ————————— 📷 Camera: Nikon d850 Nikon 💡Flash: Godox TT685IIN Godox Lighting 🌫️ Diffuser: AK Diffuser ——— #sundewplant #droseracapillaris #carnivorousplants #focusstacking #macroshots #macrophotography #plantsofinstagram #nikon #nikond850 #nikonphotographer #wildlifeofnorthcarolina #ncwildlife #northcarolinawildlife #naturephotography #nativeplants #plantsofnc #amazingplants #plantphotography #barlowstudio #keepgettingoutthere #carnivorousplantsofinstagram #southernwildlife #insecteaters #wildlifediscovery #closeupphotography #plantscience #fieldphotography #outdooradventures #plantspecies

Animal art has always held a special place in our hearts. Whether we’re celebrating our own four-legged friends, enjoying the countryside creatures that appear on our walks, or remembering the exotic wildlife of past travels, there’s a lot to enjoy in Animal Art. From the regal presence of a lion in a study to the playful antics of flocking birds in the sitting room, these artworks hold the power to transform your room. Choosing the Right Animal Art for Your Space Consider the energy and emotion you want in your space so you can find the right piece to enhance your surroundings. Would you choose a realistic elephant on safari, an abstract horse in motion, or an illustrative fox with captivating eyes? Animal art doesn't have to be cute or predictable; our blog looks at some of the options you might like to consider. https://lnkd.in/eJPAp2vZ

Hoopoes are one of my favourite birds. This photograph was taken in India, but they can often be seen across parts of Africa and Europe. #hoopoe, #birdsoftheworld, #birds, #birdsphotography, #travelphotography, #wildlifephotography, #wildlife, #visitindia, #visitafrica, #visiteurope, #travel, #naturephotography, #nature, #naturalworld, #conservation

Five Interesting Facts About Kingfishers Throughout my many years dedicated to documenting neotropical birds, I have had numerous encounters with these unique animals. In my view, kingfishers are one of those ideal genera to start with in the art of bird photography, as they often perch calmly on the edges of bodies of water, creating ideal conditions for capturing good images. Here are five interesting facts about these fascinating creatures: Species Diversity: There are approximately 90 species of kingfishers distributed worldwide. While many are primarily associated with freshwater bodies, some species inhabit coastal areas and tropical forests. Fishing Skills: Kingfishers are expert fishers. They use their sharp vision to spot fish from branches overhanging the water. Once they locate their prey, they dive swiftly, catching the fish with their sharp beak. Their vision is adapted to compensate for the refraction of water, allowing them to accurately judge the distance to their prey. Bright Plumage: One of the most notable features of kingfishers is their vibrant plumage. Colors such as blue, green, and orange are common and are due to the structure of the feathers reflecting light, rather than pigments. This makes kingfishers particularly striking and easy to identify. Underground Nests: Unlike many birds, kingfishers build their nests in underground tunnels. They dig tunnels in sandbanks or soil, where they lay their eggs in a chamber at the end of the tunnel. This nesting method helps protect their young from predators. Cultural Significance: Kingfishers have been symbols of peace, prosperity, and love in various cultures around the world. In Greek mythology, for example, the kingfisher was associated with the goddess Alcyone and symbolized tranquility. In other cultures, their presence is considered a good omen. I hope this post helps you learn more about these beautiful animals that are widely distributed around the world. Photo and Text: Fabian Passariello  www.proyectoave.org #Kingfishers #Birds #Wildlife #BirdPhotography #Nature #NeotropicalBirds #FishingSkills #BrightPlumage #UndergroundNests #CulturalSignificance #Conservation #Biodiversity #WildlifePhotography

"Colorful Adirondacks". This viewpoint took me completely by surprise. I figured the moderately steep mountain bike trail we were hiking up would lead to a view of the distant hills and fall color. What I wasn't expecting was a standing forest of dead snags near the top. Of course the distant view was a brilliant mosaic of color, but the contrast between the striking dead trees and the colorful backdrop added some tension and a perspective on the life of this Adirondack forest. According to the Adirondack Almanack, "Some of the most important trees in your woodlot are the ones that are no longer alive. Large, standing dead or dying trees—called snags—are an important component of healthy forests and a critical habitat feature for wildlife. They provide places for many birds and mammals to forage, den, nest, perch, and roost. Snags are particularly important for cavity nesting birds like woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees; for bats that roost within cavities, crevices, and flaky bark; and for countless species that rely on the abundant insects, fungi, and lichens as a food source.... These stately spires also add structural complexity, provide an element of visual interest, store carbon, reflect a forest stand’s past, and will enrich soils in the future." IrisArts, Art for Healthcare: https://lnkd.in/d5eVMrwH #BaxterMountain #LakePlacid #AdirondackStatePark #UpstateNewYork #fall #leaves #snags #nature #photography #healthcaredesign #seniorliving #interiordesign #calming #biophilia #uplifting

Portrait Of A Mountain Lion Framed By Tree Branches IMAGE STORY: This image was taken at the Oakland Zoo a couple of weeks ago. I love mountain lions; I have seen seven in the wild at my beloved Ramrod Ranch. They are my spirit animal! The mountain lion enclosure at the Oakland Zoo faces directly east, so it is tough to photograph them. They are back-lighted during sunny weather, and only silhouettes are possible. Thus, we hurry to the upper level via the Gondola before the fog or cloud cover burns off for my Peninsula Camera Club Wildlife Class. Diffused light is the photographer’s friend, and dappled lighting is the photographer’s enemy. Also, with zoo photography, I try primarily for portraits, eliminating the man-made elements of the enclosures. I added my 1.4 x RF teleconverter to my 100—500 zoom telephoto lens to help me get tight-framed subjects or portraits of the zoo animals. ABOUT: The cougar, also known as the panther, mountain lion, catamount, or puma, is a large cat native to the Americas, second in size only to the stockier jaguar. Its range spans the Canadian Territory of Yukon, Provinces British Columbia and Alberta, the Rocky Mountains, and other areas in the Western United States. The mountain lion’s range spreads across the Americas, from the Canadian Yukon to The Strait of Magellan, the greatest range of any living mammal in the Americas. Mountain lions inhabit many ecosystems, making their home anywhere there is shelter and prey, including mountains, forests, deserts, and wetlands. They are territorial and have naturally low population densities, which means the species requires large swaths of wilderness habitat to thrive. “The only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to look for them.” ~ Michelle Obama #cougar, #mountainlion, #puma, #panther, #catamount, #pumaconcolor, #portrait, #portraitofamountainlion, #portraitofacougar, #mountainlion, #mountainlionframedbytreebranches, #framedbytreebranches, #bigcat, #feline, #faceofamountainlion, #predator, #mammal, #mammalphotography, #nature, #naturephotography, #oaklandzoo, #eastbay, #northerncalifornia, #brucefinocchio, #dreamcatcherimagesnet If you want to join my nature photography community or view more of my imagery, please check out my website: https://lnkd.in/gqkvy4VW. Please fill out the contact form on the right sidebar. Also, I have a new print store where you can purchase metal, traditional, or canvas prints of this image. https://lnkd.in/gJnrR9Jx

The tiger sports a magnificent orange coat which, when illuminated by the sun, appears even more radiant. This color is not just aesthetic; it also plays a crucial role in the animal’s survival. The tiger’s orange color is actually a form of camouflage. The forests and grasslands where tigers live are often dotted with light and shadow created by trees and vegetation. In this environment, the orange hue blends surprisingly well with the earthy tones and dry vegetation, allowing the tiger to merge into the landscape. Additionally, the black stripes that streak their fur break up the animal’s silhouette, making it more difficult for its prey to spot. The sun also plays a role in enhancing this color. When it shines on the tiger’s coat, it accentuates the warm shades of orange, making the animal even more impressive and majestic. This additional brilliance can also serve to assert the tiger’s dominance and power within its territory, intimidating other predators and attracting potential mates. In summary, the tiger’s orange color, amplified by the sun’s rays, is not just a visual spectacle. It is a complex evolutionary adaptation that helps the tiger camouflage, hunt, and survive in its natural environment. @_planettiger_ @tauseef_traveller #wildislife #safariwithplanettiger #tiger #indianwildlife #bigcat #wildlife #nature #mother #bandhavgarh #safari #peace #natgeotravelindia #natgeo #natgeoyourshot #ranthambore #wildlifephotography #leopard #sony # #instagood #trendingreels #trendingnow #viral #explore #tigres #tigers #association #associationplanetetigre #ngoplanettiger

Nine years ago, this crazy photo by Phoo Chan popped up of a crow chillin' on an eagle's back. Everyone was like, 'Whoa, what the heck?' It went viral, and before you knew it, the self-help gurus were all over it! But according to bird expert Kenn Kaufman, while it's unusual to see such a dynamic play out, it's not entirely surprising. Smaller birds, including crows, often harass larger predators like eagles to protect their nests, especially during breeding season. However, physically riding on an eagle's back is an exceptional tactic. Kaufman suggests two possible explanations: the eagle might have been actively ignoring its pesky tormentor, similar to how we might react to a yapping dog. Alternatively, the eagle could have been trying to shake off the crow, but the photographer managed to capture the brief moment before it succeeded. It's unlikely the eagle harbored any malicious intent towards its feathered hitchhiker. There was no need for such drastic measures as carrying the crow to a suffocating height. For a creature at the apex of the avian food chain, expending energy on such a minor annoyance would be counterproductive. As the saying goes, to lead is to feel in control. A true leader doesn't dwell on petty distractions. The eagle's apparent indifference to the crow's antics is a prime example of this principle in action. Video Source: https://lnkd.in/dpGrEzKX #leadership #motivation #mindsetofgreatness #animalbehavior #nature #photography #inspiration