theartofanimation:

Riikka Sormunen

venusmilk:

Etching by Fritz Hegenbart

Arts and Crafts: The Journal of Applied Arts and Crafts since 1851

theartofanimation:

Johnny Dombrowski

fletchingarrows:

treesweretaller:

Holly and the Ivy, one of the most beautiful carols, and it has ancient origins.

yessss one of my favorites

v-l-a:

Willow Ptarmigan by ~wolfnipplechips

(via studyofnature)

funnywildlife:

funnywildlife:

Apollo’s Wing
by Stephan Amm

(via studyofnature)

rhamphotheca:

Hallucinochrysa diogenesi • Early evolution and ecology of camouflage in insects | fossil of a green lacewing larva (Neuroptera: Chrysopoidea) in Early Cretaceous amber from Spain [2012]

Taxa within diverse lineages select and transport exogenous materials for the purposes of camouflage. This adaptive behavior also occurs in insects, most famously in green lacewing larvae who nestle the trash among setigerous cuticular processes, known as trash-carrying, rendering them nearly undetectable to predators and prey, as well as forming a defensive shield.

We report an exceptional discovery of a green lacewing larva in Early Cretaceous amber from Spain with specialized cuticular processes forming a dorsal basket that carry a dense trash packet. The trash packet is composed of trichomes of gleicheniacean ferns, which highlight the presence of wildfires in this early forest ecosystem. This discovery provides direct evidence of an early acquisition of a sophisticated behavioral suite in stasis for over 110 million years and an ancient plant–insect interaction.

reference:  Ricardo Pérez-de la Fuente et al. 2012. Early evolution and ecology of camouflage in insects. PNAS, published online before print December 12, 2012; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1213775110

(read more: NovaTaxa - Species New to Science)

(via scientificillustration)

(Source: avgrd, via cambienta)

bonedust:

earth-song:

King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise

The King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise (Pteridophora alberti) is a bird in the Bird-of-paradise family (Paradisaeidae). It is the only member in the monotypic genus Pteridophora. It is endemic to montane forest in New Guinea.

Both the common name “King of Saxony” and the scientific specific name “alberti” were given to honour Albert of Saxony, whose wife gave her name to the Queen Carola’s Bird-of-Paradise. The bird is sometimes known as “Kisaba” by the natives of Papua New Guinea and Western New Guinea, as a human interpretation of the male’s loud call.

The diet consists mainly of fruits, berries and arthropods.

( read more )

damn nature, you crazy

(via studyofnature)

definitelydope:

By Antonello Zoffoli

(via studyofnature)