Nature pics

[PaulR]

That's a great display from your cactus Rima. We have really disreputable succulent which we've had for decades. Every so often it puts out a single beautiful flower and it's in the process of doing that at the moment.

Unfortunately, we're going away on Friday for a week's holiday so what's the betting that it's gone by the time we come back.

D'ohhh!

 

[Lazarus]

Take it with you? (Assuming it's in a pot).

 

[sonnetpete]

While at my Mum's we went to Seaham and I got these shots of Marsden Rock and the seabirds nesting there :

 

[Lazarus]

Nice.

Is the gully clearly seen in the first pic man-made legacy, or just natural erosion?

 

[sonnetpete]

I think it's always been an 'island' as it were but there was an arch on the seaward side which collpapsed through erosion in the 1970's. It is possible to get over to the rock on foot when it's a really low tide.

 

[Archive4]

I would have thought the " steps " were man made by the look of them, but the centre ring " round the belly " looks natural to me.

 

[sonnetpete]

I think there were steps cut into the rock at sometime in the past, (for juggling purposes) but they have almost eroded now.

 

[Archive4]

You could be correct, re the juggling bit, but I would assume they were cut for religious reasons, possibly by Druids?

 

[sonnetpete]

I would assume they were cut for religious reasons, possibly by Druids?

Hmm..now there's a thought, Druids dressed as juggling clowns....

 

[Archive4]

Hmm..now there's a thought, Druids dressed as juggling clowns....

It´s been done before!

 

[PaulR]

Take it with you? (Assuming it's in a pot).

It is in a pot but the car will be packed to the gunwales so there won't be enough room. We're even leaving the stick inset behind this time.

 

[Archive4]

He may call Childline!

 

[PaulR]

The stick insect is a she. They all have been for many years as they can reproduce by parthenogenesis i.e.they don't need a male to fertilise the egg. But, because only X chromosomes get passed along, all babies are feminine.

 

[Lazarus]

In keeping with the Topic, may we please see a piccy?

(One of your, not a Sir Attenborough Archive job!)

 

[Archive4]

The stick insect is a she. They all have been for many years as they can reproduce by parthenogenesis i.e.they don't need a male to fertilise the egg. But, because only X chromosomes get passed along, all babies are feminine.

2. Stick insects can reproduce parthenogenetically, without the need for males.
Stick insects are a nation of Amazons, able to reproduce almost entirely without males. Unmated females produce eggs that become more females. When a male does manage to mate with a female, there's a 50/50 chance their offspring will be male

Our last hope!

 

[RimaNTSS]

Cactus update: The rest of the flowers are almost opened (although first 3 are gone )

 

[Archive4]

Cactus update: The rest of the flowers are almost opened (although first 3 are gone )

Looks really spectacular, shame they only last for such a short time.
I know nothing about plants ( some would ask me to remove the last two words, as not required ) but if it was in a bigger pot, would you get more flowers?

 

[PaulR]

... but if it was in a bigger pot, would you get more flowers?

Possibly not. Some plants need to "think" they are about to die and this spurs them into flowering so that they can set seed and so at least have the chance to propagate with a new generation.

Some plants which are well looked after and watered and fed regularly never seem to flower, they need to be stressed into flowering - orchids are notorious for this.

 

[Topper]

Lucky capture on my security camera this morning

 

[PaulR]

We have really disreputable succulent which we've had for decades. Every so often it puts out a single beautiful flower and it's in the process of doing that at the moment.

Took a couple of photos before we went on holiday



And then some more (yesterday) after the holiday. My feeble photography skills really do not do it justice.