An “initiation Well,” Used In Magical Rites, Which Was Excavated At The Quinta Da Regaleira Estate

Me: oh yeah, if you think school photography is hard now, try imagining doing this with film.

The new girl: what’s film?

Me: … film. Like… film that goes in a film camera.

New girl: what’s that mean?

Me: … before cameras were digital.

New girl: how did you do it before digital?

Me:… with film? I haven’t had enough coffee for this conversation

Library at Marienburg Castle, Germany

I love seeing this shot, and it's a lot of fun to replicate!

P.S. I have patreon now! It's very new, but check it out if you want more art references, bonus info, tips and shirtless clips:

Patreon

Blumineck | Fantasy Archery art refs, bts, and more | Patreon

Become a patron of Blumineck today: Get access to exclusive content and experiences on the world’s largest membership platform for artists a

The albatrosses in a same-sex partnership | Frozen Planet II - BBC

Prancing Peacock Spiders

Maratus volans is perhaps the most widely known member of the genus Maratus, also known as peacock spiders– part of the jumping spider family– which contains 108 recognised species. Maratus volans is common across Australia and the island of Tasmania, and occur in a variety of habitats. They are most commonly found among leaf litter and dry vegetation, especially in dunes, grasslands, and sparse deciduous forests.

Peacock spiders like M. volans are extraordinarily small; both sexes only reach about 5 mm (0.19 in) in length. Members of the Maratus genus are famous for the male’s coloration, and M. volans is no exception; the abdomen is covered in brightly colored microscopic scales or modified hair which they can unfold for mating displays. Some males can also change the color of their scales, and the hairs can reflect both visible and ultraviolet light. Female M. volans lack this distinctive coloration, and are a drab grayish brown.

Reproduction for M. volans occurs in the spring, from August to December. During this period, males will approach females and raise their patterned abdomens and third pair of legs for display. He then approaches, vibrating the fan-like tail, and dances from side to side. If a female is receptive, he then mounts her; if not, she may attempt to attack and feed on him. This may also occur post-copulation. In December, the female creates a nest in a warm hollow in the ground where she lays her eggs. Each cluch contains between 6 and 15 eggs, though females typically lay several clutches. Male M. volans hatch the following August, while females typically hatch in September. Both sexes mature quickly and typically only live about a year.

Like other jumping spiders, peacock spiders like M. volans do not weave webs. Instead, they hunt during the day time using their highly developed eyesight. These spiders are also able to jump over 40 times their body length, which allows them to pounce on unsuspecting prey like flies, moths, ants, crickets, and other, much larger spiders. Other spiders are also common predators of M. volans, as well as wasps, birds, frogs, and lizards.

Conservation status: None of the Maratus species have been evaluated by the IUCN. However, it is generally accepted that they are threatened by habitat destruction, like many other insects.

If you like what I do, consider leaving a tip or buying me a ko-fi!

Photos

Jurgen Otto 2 & 3

Animal of the Day!

Great Spotted Kiwi (Apteryx haastii)

(Photo by Max De Beer)

Conservation Status- Vulnerable

Habitat- Northern South Island of New Zealand

Size (Weight/Length)- 3 kg; 50 cm

Diet- Insects; Worms; Crayfish

Cool Facts- Kiwi’s got the shortest evolutionary stick. The great spotted kiwi is the largest kiwi species. These flightless birds are nocturnal and spend their days sleeping in burrows. Monogamous pairs are aggressive to other kiwi’s and humans alike, attempting to chase them away from burrows. If you thought human pregnancy was difficult, a female great spotted kiwi would laugh in your face. The egg makes up a fourth of a female’s body weight. The female has to survive on fat reserves as she does not eat the entire five month gestation period. As soon as the egg is laid, the male takes over the incubation process. Once the chick hatches, the parents leave it to fend for itself with no regrets. Invasive predators in a mix with habitat destruction have dropped the great spotted kiwi population by 45% in half a century. 

Rating- 13/10 (The fruit was named after the bird.)

Bilateral gynandromorph carpenter bee [x]

[VIDEO AND PHOTOS TAKEN: MAY 8TH, 2023 | Video and Image IDs: A video and six photos of a yellow and black eastern carpenter bee (Xylocopa virginica) crawling on and chewing a hole into a brown walking stick in front of a grey background and a few other objects /End IDs.]

Breathtaking- Eagle flying over the Alps 

(Source)