N is for Nature.
What a wonderful word Nature is since it covers so many things in the world that interest me. I could post a butterfly or a moth, an oak tree or a red squirrel. All of those are part of the Natural World. But I decided not to cheat and specifically went for creatures and plants that began with N.
So here is a Rufous-bellied Nitava. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Thailand. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. But this one was in my town – Chester in England – at the zoo.
A Nomada species of bee. The genus Nomada is one of cuckoo bees and they are parasites on ordinary bees so they lack a pollen-carrying sac and are often extraordinarily wasp-like in appearance with red, black and yellow colours prevailing, and with smoky wings or wing tips.
This plant is called Navelwort because of the leaves resemblance to a navel.
This is Nipplewort – named for less obvious reasons. The name Nipplewort was coined by John Parkinson who wrote in his Theatrum Botanicum; or an Herball of Large Extent, 1640, "Camerarius (a physician and botanist of Nuremburg) saith that in Prussia they call it Papillaris, because it is good to heale the ulcers of the nipples of womens breasts, and thereupon I have intituled it Nipplewort in English."
Newts from my garden pond.
A Northern Marsh Orchid on the Isle of Anglesey, North Wales.
The leaf of a Norway Maple.
A North American River Otter – once more from a zoo (or Otter sanctuary, I can’t recall which).
Thank you Mother Nature for all your wonders.
If you would like to see what other Wednesday folk have chosen for this letter please visit...
You were so kind in your comment on your recent visit to me and am glad you visited me as you gave me the desire to return the visit. You have an absolutely delightful blog. I love your Nature post, as what could be better?
ReplyDeleteThis idea of finding subjects beginning with"N" , is both great and interesting. Besides, your photos are wonderful. Thanks for sharing. Have a great week.
DeleteWil, ABC Team.
Wonderful, Scriptor! You know what they say about great minds! We used to go and collect newts from the cow pond in the back field. The pond is no longer there. It has dried up. The Northern Marsh Orchid looks the same as the ones we found on the Head. But they were few and far between, even back then. Chester is one of our favorite cities, tho' more touristy-fied since our courting days along the river.
ReplyDeleteFantastic pictures, John! And as usual, I learnt a lot from your post. That bee indeed looks very much like a wasp, I had no idea some types of bees look like that. The maple leaf is so beautiful, and the bird, and the otter, and... everything!
ReplyDeletePlus I have NEVER seen a newt out of water, only in my parents' garden pond (which has recently been stocked with five new goldfish to make company for the lone one that remained from the very first set of fish my parents put in there more than 10 years ago).
As always I'm amazed at your vast knowledge within this field. I wouldn't know the detailed name of any of these. (I would have been able to say maple leaf but not tell one subspecies of maple from another.)
ReplyDeleteI saw your post about getting a list of books that are written by hand and illustrated by the author. I would also be interested in seeing that list. I did a book that way about 30 years ago and won an international book award with it. Now, it remains safely in a file cabinet drawer but there was a published version of it of 5000 copies and those were sold out in less than a week. I published it myself and a man in the real estate business bought all but a few and used them as gifts to people who purchased a home or farm through him. You might come across a copy of it somewhere. It is also my real name as I am President Lincoln's third cousin.
ReplyDeleteThe Buffalo and Indians by Abraham Lincoln
Good morning! Or good afternoon where you are!! Mother Nature is amazing and your photos just prove it! Nature stuns me every day with its beauty and design, its delicacy and raw power. I absolutely love the newts you have in your garden pond. Daniel will be so jealous - we have plenty of lizards and snakes, but no newts! Happy Wednesday!! Silke
ReplyDeleteNewts! Remember the lovely (and very funny) episodes of Jeeves and Wooster, involving Bertie Wooster's friend, Gussie Fink-Nottle who raised and collected newts? J&W was one of my favourite shows. I also liked the episodes involving Madeline Bassett -- the sweet little blonde with ditzy lisp.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about "N" and the only thing that came to my mind was -- nothing! :0)
a fabulous collection--these are nature's poetry.
ReplyDeleteN is for...
An interesting set of images - thanks for appreciating the captcha need - I think dogs been banned from beaches in summer is pretty much standard around the UK these days.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos, particularly the Nitava. Great N choices.
ReplyDeleteMe again, forgot to say I love the photo of your cat at the fireside.
ReplyDeleteNature is amazing, love those captures@!
ReplyDeleteNursing to Nuclear Medicine
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team
Noble post. I checked and my navel is shaped correctly but not blue.
ReplyDeleteLove the photos. Love your font too, actually.
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
wondrous to behold!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post for the N day! I enjoyed all of these photos and the information as well. I also like your photo of the cat at the hearth, and I'll have tea please....
ReplyDeleteWow, I learned a lot from your Ns!
ReplyDeleteHope you can come by and see my NooK, thanks!
What stunning photographs.
ReplyDelete