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chetterbiscuits.bsky.social
Random facts about the things I come across in life. All photos taken by me.
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The Sexton Beetle, scientific name Nicrophorus investigator. A regular visitor to my moth trap in Cheshire in July and August. A burying beetle. The first indication that there is one in the trap is the nauseating smell. #beetles

submitted 190 days ago • 2 comments

Red-banded leafhopper, aka sharpshooter or Candy-striped leafhopper. There are over 20,000 species of leafhopper, more than mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles combined. These true bugs produce nano-particles called brochosomes that could be used to make better sunscreens and solar panels.

submitted 190 days ago • 0 comments

Magnolias are believed to be the earliest known flowering plant, predating the bee. The Magnolia is the state flower of both Louisiana and Mississippi. The oldest trees on the grounds of the white house are Magnolia trees planted by Andrew Jackson.

submitted 190 days ago • 0 comments

Maybe she's born with it, maybe it's her uropygial gland. The uropygial gland is an oil gland at the base of the tail that birds use for feather conditioning. You can see the nub of the gland just under the Great Blue Heron's beak.

submitted 193 days ago • 6 comments

Frigatebirds are aerial masters of the sky, able to swipe fish from other birds and snatch fish from the surface of the ocean! They stay aloft for weeks, but their feathers are not waterproof so they avoid getting wet. They also have tiny feet and if they end up in the water, they can drown. 1/4

submitted 199 days ago • 9 comments

The Florida brown pelican is known for its large pouched bill and striking plumage. These birds are often seen diving dramatically to catch fish along the coast. They play a crucial role in Florida’s ecosystem. ❤️📷 #birdphotography #photographer

submitted 199 days ago • 7 comments

Crowds of Bohemian Waxwings glide south as the snow flies. Their cheery presence come for the winter and really seem to make the most of it. #birds

submitted 199 days ago • 19 comments

Did you know that when hummingbirds retract their long tongue back into their beak, it coils up inside their head, wrapping around their skull? Wild stuff. I photographed this guy on my deck. #birds #photography

submitted 199 days ago • 2 comments

The Barn Owl is the most widely distributed owl species in the world. It is found on every continent except Antarctica. These owls don't give a hoot; they screech instead. These nocturnal predators eat around four small animals a night. That's almost 1,500 a year!

submitted 199 days ago • 0 comments

The American Toad is short, stout, and covered with warts. Their skin is usually brown but can vary based on temperature and humidity. These nocturnal feeders don't drink water but instead absorb it through their skin.

submitted 199 days ago • 0 comments

Bumblebees are North America's only native social bee. Colonies have a multi-generational "caste" system for delegating labor. These bees can beat their wings up to 200 times a second, helping them maintain a necessary flight temperature of 86° F.

submitted 200 days ago • 0 comments

The Pleated Inkcap mushroom grows overnight after a rain. The delicate fruitbody of these fungi may only last a few hours in the sun. Due to their shape, these are sometimes known as the Little Japanese Umbrella.

submitted 200 days ago • 1 comment

Daylilies aren't "true lilies." The genus Hemerocallis roughly means "beauty for a day," as flowers usually bloom for a single day. There are over 80,000 registered cultivars. Unlike the poisonous true lilies, some daylilies are edible.

submitted 200 days ago • 0 comments

Triceratops Horridus at the Melbourne Museum. Affectionately known as Horridus, it is one of the most complete Triceratops fossils ever found. Discovered in Montana, USA in 2014 and acquired by the Melbourne Museum in 2020.

submitted 201 days ago • 0 comments

The Australian Pelican is found throughout Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Western Indonesia. These pelicans are cooperative feeders, forming flocks as large as 1,900 individuals. The Australian Pelican has the longest bill of any flying bird, up to 50 cm long.

submitted 201 days ago • 0 comments

Ranchman’s Tiger Moth captured at Sister’s Rock State Park in Oregon. These bold colored day-flying moths are found in wet lowland prairies, meadows, forests, and along creeks and rivers in the Western United States.

submitted 201 days ago • 0 comments

The "Key West Gypsy" is an unofficial mascot of Key West, Florida. These feral birds are descended from Cuban roosters bred for cockfighting and have roamed the streets since the sport was banned in 1980. Today, these chickens are protected by city ordinance.

submitted 201 days ago • 0 comments

Niagra Falls is approximately 12,000 years old. The Canadian city of Niagra Falls is connected to the U.S. by several bridges, including the Rainbow and Whirlpool bridges. Annie Taylor, known as the "Queen of the Mists," was the first person to go over the Falls in a barrel on October 24th, 1901.

submitted 201 days ago • 0 comments