American Goldfinch, Spinus tristis

Winter plumage photos.  

These birds come to the green roof and backyard modular wetlands in droves!

Mistletoe, Vienna, Austria

Mistletoe in the Turkenschan Park Vienna

In London Mistletoe is very scarce. Whilst in Vienna I was amazed to see so much of the plant growing on street trees, in parks and gardens throughout the City. In fact my colleagues in Vienna told me that back in the 1990s Mistletoe had become very scarce and that the plant was given protection. This protection obviously has had a beneficial effect. However the plant is now viewed as a 'problem'. I am not an authority on the plant but obviously there needs to a balance between allowing the plant to flourish but also some management to ensure that it does not cause problems.



I have never seen mistletoe in my part of London. In fact it is a long time since I have seen it at my regular haunts in East Kent. The sheer profusion of the plant in Vienna was a joy to see.

Le Mur de la Treille, Genève

Les vieux murs en pierres constituent un habitat exceptionnel et indispensable à la vie de nombreux animaux, en particulier les reptiles et les invertébrés, ainsi qu'à de nombreux champignons, lichens, mousses et plantes à fleurs.
En 2010  "Murs urbains et biodiversité" une compétition amicale organisée entre chercheurs et naturalistes de la Swiss Systematics Society (SSS) dans plusieurs villes de Suisse avait pour but de répertorier les divers organismes associés à un mur de pierre en milieu urbain.

Photo courtesy of http://www.cri.ch/

Et c'est la Ville de Genève qui à reçu le premier prix du concours pour le Mur de la Treille
Pas moins de 149 espèces de mousses, lichens, papillons, plantes à fleur, mollusques, acariens, oiseaux et autres scarabées ont été répertoriés.
Parmi ces espèces, les scientifiques ont même identifié une espèce de papillon nocturne et une mouche qui n'avaient encore jamais été signalée sur le territoire genevois!
Le papillon Klimeschiopsis kiningerella (Duponchel). Le petit nouveau dans la faune genevoise mesure 13 mm. Que fait-il là? Mystère. «On ne connaît pas encore l’identité de sa plante hôte», indique Bernard Landry, spécialiste des lépidoptères.
Autre découverte surprenante: un diptère nommé Stevenia deceptoria (Loew). La mouche a été observée pour la première fois dans le canton. (source)





Ces murs anciens constituent des refuges imprtants pour la faune et la flore en mileu urbain sont malheureusement menacés et en voie de disparition. En effet, les réfections menées au nom de la modernisation, du "propre en ordre" et de l'embellissement entraînent un ravalement des vieux murs et par conséquent la disparition des précieuses anfractuosités.
Ces dernières constituent, en effet, l'un des facteurs primordiaux permettant le développement et la présence conséquente d'une faune et d'une végétation riches en espèces.

Voici le rapport détaillé de la SSS (Swiss Systematics Society) avec les listes de toutes les espèces trouvées sur les différents murs participants (Berne, Génève, Lausanne et Neuchâtel)

And here's a english translation of the survey on Dusty's Blog

Urban Ancients, Juniperus virginiana

Resilient reminders of Nature's tenacity, large, old Eastern Red Cedar trees can be seen scattered throughout the Urban Landscape in the Southeastern US.

They are artists themselves, their bark creating beautiful patterns and symbols.

The following photos are of cedar trunks hundreds of years old lining the streets or Urban riverbanks.

A welcome food source to birds and other wildlife, their aromatic berries are also considered to possess ethnobotanical and medicinal value.

Juniperus virginiana

Juniperus virginiana

Juniperus virginiana

Juniperus virginiana

Juniperus virginiana

Juniperus virginiana

Juniperus virginiana

Mother Dolphin and Calf, Downtown Jacksonville, St. Johns River

Dolphins love to swim up from the Atlantic Ocean into the St. Johns River flowing through the middle of Downtown Jacksonville.

Dolphins and other wildlife are why we must keep stormwater runoff and the river clean.

They surfaced to take a breath then they were gone.

So quickly.

Like time.

Dolphins, St. Johns River, Jacksonville

St. Johns River, Jacksonville

Araquém Alcântara: Collector of Worlds

Wildlife environment photographer Araquém Alcântara, on a cross-boundary momentum, turns his lens on urban nature.

Santos, São Paulo - Araquém Alcântara: Fotografias - More on Estadão

"I've had a resistance to urban environment. But not anymore. I've broken through it with persistence, effort and sweat; for I see myself as a collector of worlds."

Slideshow: Waters of Brazil - Araquém Alcântara - UOL Viagem

See more of Araquém's work on Brazilian biodiversity

Boneyard Beach, On the Outskirts of Town

Boneyard Beach is where all the dead Live Oak trees go. 

They then watch the sun rise across the Atlantic Ocean.

Boneyard Beach is on Big Talbot Island, just outside Jacksonville. 

Boneyard Beach has thick black outcroppings surrounded by white sands.

Not rock, but black clay.

The quiet waves splash on the shore.

The winds whistle through the white limbs.

Boneyard Beach is an urban mystery.

Dead Live Oaks, Boneyard Beach by Kevin Shea

Dead Live Oaks, Boneyard Beach by Kevin Shea

Dead Live Oaks, Boneyard Beach by Kevin Shea

Dead Live Oaks, Boneyard Beach by Kevin Shea

The Urban Redstart / Le Rougequeue urbain

Je ne vais pas très souvent en ville .. la campagne me va bien !

J'y ai fait un saut aujourd'hui - et le premier oiseau que j'ai croisé en dehors des ominiprésents pigeons à été ... un magnifique Rougequeue noir !

I'm not often in town .. the countryside fits me well!
I had to make a jump today - and the first bird that saw -  apart the omnipresent pigeons - was ... a beautiful Black Redstart !

Swimming in Oily Waters, True Urban Nature ?

I don't think I'd swim here. Some people were ignoring the oil coating the waters and swimming anyway. That's us Americans for you :)

Deepwater Horizon Fail, Drill Baby Drill

Thank the Automobile. 

Drill Baby Drill. Automobiles Fuels Demand For Drilling.

These photos were taken in Orange Beach, Alabama July 2010 after the Deepwater Horizon Rig failed.

Let us not forget.

Let us explore a greener future.

Walk.  Take a Bike, a Train, Use Solar, Conserve.

Think Urban Nature.

by Kevin Shea

by Kevin Shea

by Kevin Shea

by Kevin Shea

Pneumatophore (Fr) Cypress Knees (English) Taxodium distichum (Lin)

Cypress Knees, Suwanee River Rapids

Cypress knees or Pneumatophore are root extensions reaching into the air.

Popular to plant around Urban Core stormwater ponds in geographic locations with drought and innundation, Taxodium distichum grows well in both arid and soggy conditions.

No one really understands the knees' function or purpose.

I believe the cypress trees grow knees as a work of art.

The Urban Snowy Egret

The Snowy Egret, Egretta thula, is a migratory bird and has its breeding habitat in large inland and coastal wetlands, extending from Lower Great Lakes and Southwestern United States to South America - see map below:

wikimedia commons map -egret

In the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Snowy Egret plays an important role in the control of the populations of fish, crustaceans, insects and small reptiles - and why not also say: it adds more beauty and harmony to the landscape.

wikimedia commons - Egretta thula

Because this bird is so integrated to the urban scenery of the town, it has become one of the symbols of the Wonderful City.
The carioca (native of Rio) egret is a resident bird and does not migrate to other cities ...... but who would?

Check here the musings of a carioca citizen on native snowy egrets for O Globo (in Portuguese).

Urban trees / Arbres en ville

Trees provides considerable benefits to our cities !

Les arbres apportent des avantages considérables à nos villes !

Here are just a few  / En voici quelques-uns :

• A large beech tree can provide enough oxygen for the daily requirements of ten people / Un grand hêtre peut fournir assez d'oxygène pour les besoins quotidiens de dix personnes.

• Trees have a positive impact on the incidence of asthma, skin cancer and stress-related illness by filtering out polluted air, reducing smog formation, shading out solar radiation and by providing an attractive, calming setting for recreation. / Les arbres ont un impact positif sur l'asthme, cancer de la peau et les maladies liées au stress en filtrant l'air pollué, réduisant la formation de smog, protégeant du rayonnement solaire et en fournissant un cadre de vie agréable.

• Tree planting strengthens communities by providing people with an opportunity to work together for the benefit of the local environment. / Ils favorisent la vie sociale en offrant aux gens l'occasion de travailler ensemble pour le bénéfice de l'environnement local.

• Trees can save up to 10% of energy consumption through their moderation of the local climate / Les arbres peuvent économiser jusqu'à 10% de la consommation d'énergie grâce à leur incidence sur l'îlot de chaleur urbain

• Trees play a vital role in the urban ecosystem, by helping to support a great variety of wildlife. / Les arbres jouent un rôle essentiel dans l'écosystème urbain et aident à y conserver une biodiversité

• Trees reduce noise in cities by acting as a sound barrier. / Les arbres réduisent le bruit dans les villes en agissant comme une barrière sonore.

• Trees and green spaces significantly reduce the stress of urban living. / Les arbres et les espaces verts contribuent de manière significative à réduire le stress de la vie urbaine.

Read the detailed report on Trees for Cities

Tallahassee, Florida (State Capitol) Saves Wetlands & Attracts Migratory Birds

Michal Ford works in downtown Tallahassee for the Florida Supreme Court.  She is an avid photographer and keeps her camera ready because Tallahassee and Leon County have regulations preserving wetlands, waterbodies, lakes and streams.

Unlike many other Urban Core areas across the US, Tallahassee's many open waters are a welcome stopping point for birds during their annual migrations.  Here are a sampling of Michal's Urban bird photos, some taken within a short distance of Florida's tall State Capitol Building.

Hooded Mergansers

Photo One: Female (left) and male (right) Hooded Mergansers. Chapman Pond. January 4, 2011. Here's one for Chapman Pond: Hood Mergansers winter and breed at Chapman Pond near downtown Tallahassee, Florida. These two are part of a group of about 25. The group often dive at the same time and are quick and efficient feeders. Egrets are sometimes found near them as they can catch a quick meal of fish that the Mergansers chase their way. When startled or excited, the "hoods" transform their heads into a circular shape. The male's is quite impressive with its white stripe changing into a 3/4 circle. The female's is a reddish brown.

Lake Ella, Tallahassee, Florida

Photo Two:  Lake Ella. This one was taken with my old point and shoot camera, but I still like it. Lake Ella and Fred Drake Park are located in the heart of Tallahassee, Florida. The Lake is surrounded by a .6 mile, paved sidewalk that is very popular for walking and jogging. It also has picnic areas and a gazebo that overlooks the center of the lake. It is home to Muscovy Ducks, Mallards, Canada Geese, and several species of turtles. A very out-of-place American Bittern has even been seen here. The lake is as old as Tallahassee itself, and is used in the city's treatment of stormwater runoff.

Lake Killarney, Tallahassee, Florida

Photo Three: Lake Killarney: Lake Killarney is located between two popular neighborhoods just north of Tallahassee, Florida. It is home year-round to Canada Geese, egrets, herons, and kingfishers. It also hosts winter visitors such as White Ibis, Wood Storks, and Hooded Mergansers. Other birds that have been spotted in this popular neighborhood park include Bald Eagles, Red-Tailed Hawks, Red-Shouldered Hawks, Ospreys, and Killdeer. Early morning is the best time for birdwatching. Egrets, Great Blue Heron, and White Ibis. Lake Killarney. November 19, 2010.

Many thanks to Michal.  You may view more of her Urban Core bird photos on her Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/michal.ford  All rights reserved by Michal Ford.

Urban Armadillo, University of North Florida Nature Trail

The name Armadillo is derived from Spanish, meaning something like 'little armor'.

Armadillos, Dasypus novemcinctus, are placental mammals and are found mainly across South and North America.  Some species can grow up to 5' (1.5 M) and weigh up to 150 lbs (70 Kg).

Armadillos forage at primarily at night and population numbers are rising in the Urban Core.  The small animal can dig up lawns, gardens and flower beds in search of prey - usually grub worms (beetle larvae).

Armadillo, by Ruairi Songer

Interestingly, Armadillos can jump up to two meters straight up into the air when frightened.  Additionally, they roll up tightly into a ball when threatened by predators - with only their armor showing.

Armadillos can hold their breath for considerable time because of their slow metabolisms and will usually walk across the bottom of a stream or pond to get to the other side rather than attempt swimming.

The photo here was taken on a nature trail in the University of North Florida's (UNF) Campus.  UNF is located near downtown Jacksonville, Florida and has a large part of the campus set aside for nature.

The palmate leaves are Red Mpale, Acer rubrum leaves.  The green needles belong to the bald cypress tree, Taxodium distichum.

Photo taken by Ruairi Songer, Canon EOS Rebel.

Le hérisson, héraut de la biodiversité à Nantes

Photo : http://www.hebus.com

Dix ans après avoir étudié le comportement du renard en milieu urbain, la ville de Nantes s’est penchée sur celui du hérisson.
De novembre 2009 à novembre 2010, elle a conduit une étude de terrain pour mieux connaître les habitudes de vie et de déplacement de ce mammifère insectivore, en lien avec l’École vétérinaire de Nantes.
Considéré comme une « espèce parapluie », dans la mesure où sa présence garantit celle d’autres espèces comme la fouine ou l’écureuil, le hérisson d’Europe se révèle un bon indicateur de la biodiversité en ville.


Environ 50 hérissons ont ainsi été observés, dont la moitié ont été marqués. Les riverains de bonne volonté ont également participé à ce petit travail de recensement.
A condition que des "corridors écologiques" (jardins, bosquets, ...) lui permettent de se déplacer en zone urbaine ce petit animal s'accommode fort bien des zones résidentielles, même très urbanisées. Il y trouve même quelques avantages favorable comme des températures légèrement plus élevées en hiver... 

Hérisson des Villes contre Hérisson des Champs  

voici le premier bilan de "l'étude hérisson"

Cette étude montre bien l'importance du maintien de « corridors écologiques », privés ou publics, plus ou moins entretenus et de différentes tailles mais aussi la nécessité du jardinage écologique (chez les particuliers et les municipalités) !

Mycteria americana, Cocoa Beach Golf Course

Mycteria americana, Wood Stork

The majestic wood stork, Mycteria americana is a great bird.  Prehistoric in appearance, wood storks are an endangered species due to wetland habitat loss from real estate development.  However, as we most always see Nature respond and adapt, wood storks are acclimating to the Urban Infrastructure.  Seen here, the wood storks are taking advantage of the minnows, frogs and small fish prey on a golf course.

Faites respirer la ville !

 

The Green City philosophy is based on the concept that plants can bring social, economic and environmental benefits. And more. 

Plants reach right to the very heart of the matter – plants are key to our sense of well being, our sense of belonging to a place, to being at home. They are an antidote to our increasingly disjointed, and rootless lives.

Le groupement "The Green City" contient 5 pays : 

Les Pays-Bas, L'Angleterre, L'Allemagne, L'Italie et la France.

Voici donc pour commencer le Site français :

Cité verte : Faites respirer la ville ! 

Faire du végétal un enjeu d’intérêt général

"Cité Verte" est une démarche citoyenne, européenne, qui vise à faire de la cité, entendue comme lieu de vie, un espace de mieux vivre, où le végétal, l’aménagement du paysage et la nature en ville assurent aux citoyens des bienfaits en terme de qualité de vie, de bien-être, de développement du lien social et de protection environnementale. 

Urban Forestry Success, Treaty Oak, Quercus virginiana

Live Oak, Quercus virginiana Downtown Jacksonville, Florida

The 'Treaty Oak' is a live oak, Quercus virginiana and is growing on the banks of the St. Johns River in Downtown Jacksonville, Florida.

Though surrounded by tall urban buildings, the tree flourishes.

The tree's large limbs are supported with cables and lighting shields protects the oak from electrical storms.

Treaty Oak is one example of successful Urban Forestry.

Urban Forests. The Hippo Tree.

Trees experience much harsher living conditions in the city.  And they show resilience.

Smog, night light and noise levels, compacted soils, polluted runoff, bark wounds, power lines, pruning, and insects all make a Urban Forest tree's life a daily challenge.

The photos here are of a laurel oak, Quercus laurifolia, infected by a pest organism a long time ago and the immune response.

I call this tree the Hippo Tree.  The galls form the faces of a momma hippo, a father hippo and baby hippos.

The laurel oak is growing in a healthy manner and show no signs of stress caused by the galls.

Mother Nature is amazingly resilient.

La Petite Ceinture de Paris

La Petite Ceinture est une ancienne ligne de chemin de fer à double voie de trente-deux kilomètres de longueur mise en service en 1852. Elle faisait le tour de Paris à l’intérieur des boulevards des Maréchaux.

Complètement abandonnée au début des années 90 la nature y a depuis repris ses droits 

Un lieu ou la nature urbaine sauvage s'épanouit !

© All rights reserved by Mister Boubou

© All rights reserved by Mister Boubou

© All rights reserved by Mister Boubou

© All rights reserved by Mister Boubou

© All rights reserved by Mister Boubou

Des projets d'aménagements en promenade et piste cyclable sont en cours afin de valoriser cet endroit en plein Paris - en espérant que le côté nature sauvage y restera (un peu) préservé  :)

Avec mes remerciements pour son aimable autorisation au photographe Mister Boubou, auteur de ces magnifiques photos !