Wild Wonders of Europe

Wild Wonders of Europe showcases beautiful photo galleries sponsored by National Geographic which highlight the flora and fauna of Europe.

This is Marmots Feeding on Flowers by Grezgorz Lesniewski, from the Austria Galleries

International Garden Photographer of the Year

The finalists of the UK's International Garden Photographer of the Year award have just been announced.

Garden tiger moth close-up by Paul Keene

This picture of a garden tiger moth (Arctia caja) was taken in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. The caterpillars of this moth feed on nettles, so if you want these moths to be a feature in your garden, then keep a rough, uncultivated patch

(via Look at This)

The Most Dangerous Bird on Earth

The rainforest of the northeastern coast of Australia is home to the Southern Cassowary and as the third largest bird on the planet it is strange that its reputation is not greater. Certainly, it is a remarkable looking animal, almost like something out of ‘Jurassic Park' with its large casque (a horn like crest which indicates age and dominance) positioned, dinosaur-like on its forehead. Estimates vary but it is thought that only around 1500 of this mysterious and ancient creature still survive in the wild.

Considered dangerous because when the birds become frightened (they are naturally skittish) they can attack and do damage with their claws, one of which is almost five inches in length. Their inner toe in the medial position looks like a dagger. When panicked these birds have been known to kick - and sometimes kill - dogs and humans.

Urban myths abound about the birds being able to disembowel a man with their claws. The last record human death by cassowary was in 1926. The claws however cannot do this - though they can leave a nasty puncture wound up to two centimeters in diameter.

Source

(via Webphemera)