REPTILES. etc.

All of these photo`s were taken at The Tropical Butterfly, Wildlife and Falconry centre in North Anston, near Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England.

BEARDED DRAGON.

( Pogona Vitticeps ) They are medium sized lizards which are generally 12 - 24 inches in length from their head to the tip of their tail.The bearded dragons head  is triangular shaped and contains rows of spikes that resemble thorns. Beneath their head, the dragon will have rows of spiked scales which when puffed up resemble a beard, these scales can also change colours, turning darker when breeding. The bearded dragon is supported by four stout legs and they  have well muscled flat bodies with a row of spikes that run down each side of the abdomen. Their tail is generally half the length of their body. They are naturally found in Australia`s desert regions. Their habitats include woodlands, Savannah's and deserts.

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DUMERIL`S BOA.

( Boa Dumerili ) are medium sized snakes, very stocky in build and calm in temperament. Dumeril`s Boas are clad in a variety of colours - peaches, tans, browns, greys, greens and red. They come from the drier south western regions of Madagascar where rainfall is minimal. They rarely attempt to bite. They range in size from 3 to 6 feet long. They are slow growing snakes that take 3 to 5 years to fully mature. They will eat just about anything they can --- mammals, birds even lizards.

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AFRICAN BULLFROG.

( Pyxicephalus Adspersus ) it is found in Angola and Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It`s natural habitats are dry savanna, moist savanna, tropical shrubland, freshwater lakes, marshes, canals and ditches. This is a large frog, males weigh 3.1 pounds though they can exceed 4.4 pounds, females are half the size. This frog is carnivorous and a voracious eater, eating insects, small rodents, reptiles, small birds and other amphibians. African Bullfrogs also bite when provoked, it is one of three frog species that have teeth. Humans have been bitten when picking up these frogs.

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GREY-BANDED KINGSNAKE.

( Lampropeltis alterna ) is found in the desert region of Western Texas, Southern New Mexico and Northern Chihuahua. They are moderately sized snakes and can grow up to 4 feet in length. They have a relatively wide head and large eyes with round pupils. They are a common species but nocturnal and quite secretive. They generally have a calm disposition and are not prone to defencive reactions, like biting. They feed on snakes, lizards, rodents and frogs.

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IGUANA.

is a herbivorous lizard native to tropical areas of Mexico, central America and several islands in Polynesia such as Fiji, Tonga and the Caribbean. Iguanas can reach from 5 to 6 feet long including their tail. They have great vision and can see movement at long distances.

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JUNGLE NYMPH.

( Heteropteryx Dilatata ) is the heaviest of all Stick Insects. It is very large, brightly green in colour, females can live up to 2 years. It occurs naturally in Malaysia. Males are brown with beige in colour. Both sexes have small spikes on their head and body. This species is quite during the day but active during the night.

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MADAGASCAR COCKROACH.

( Gromphadorhina Portentosa ) also known as the hissing cockroach. It is one of the largest species of cockroach, reaching 2 to 3 inches at maturity. They come from the island of Madagascar off the African mainland, where they can be found in rotting logs. They are wingless, excellent climbers and can scale smooth glass. The hands you see in this photograph are the hands of the keeper, although i did hold one for a few minutes until it decided to run up my arm.

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PINK TONGUED SKINK.

It is a relatively large lizard of up to 45cm and has a slender body with a long slender and slightly prehensile tail. They occur in Australia. Their range is from Springwood, NSW, along the eastern coastal country and eastern ranges to the Cairns region. They inhabit wet forests and rainforest's as well as moist areas in woodlands. They shelter beneath leaf litter, hollow logs and crevices of rocks and trees. The lizards main diet consists of snails and slugs.

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RED - EARED TURTLES.

( Trachemys Scripta Elegans ) is a semi aquatic turtle. It is native to the southern United States and northern Mexico. The red - eared turtle originated from the area around the Mississippi river and the gulf of Mexico. They live in areas of calm water where they are able to leave the water easily by climbing onto rocks or tree trunks. They are excellent swimmers. Many individuals are often found sunbathing together in a group or even on top of each other. Aquatic plants are the adults main food.

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SPECTACLED CAIMEN.

( Caiman Crocodilus ) is found in much of central and south America. It lives in a range of lowland, wetland and Riverine habitat types and can tolerate salt water as well as fresh. It is a small to mid - sized Crocodilian. They eat a variety of invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans and mollusks. Larger Caimens eat fish and water snails.

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STANDING`S DAY GECKO.

( Phelsuma Standing ) this Gecko is endemic to the Zombitse - Vohibasia National Park in the southwest of Madagascar. It is among the largest living species of Day Gecko`s. It feeds on insects and nectar.

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TARANTULA.

they comprise a group of hairy and very large Arachnids. Most species of Tarantulas are not dangerous to humans. Tarantulas range in size from as small as a fingernail to as large as a dinner plate when their legs are fully extended. Most species of North American Tarantulas are brown. Their natural habitats are savanna, grasslands such as pampas, rainforests, deserts, scrubland, mountains and forests. I photographed this Tarantula while my daughter was holding it.

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VEILED CHAMELEON.

It is found in the mountain regions of Yeman, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Like most Chameleons it is a specialized tree dweller. It has a flattened body meant to mimic a leaf and feet specially designed for grasping limbs and branches. Its prehensile tail acts as a fifth appendage and aids in climbing. Its eyes work independently of one another, allowing it to look in front of and behind itself at the same time. Their main diet consists of insects and will occasionally consume the leaves, blossoms and fruit of various plants.

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BOSTON. ( England.)

Boston is a town and small port in Lincolnshire, on the east coast of England. Boston's most notable landmark is St Botolph`s Church ( which I shall be showing in a later blog ). The largest Parish church in England. Residents of Boston are known as Bostonians.

CUSTOM HOUSE QUAY.

( formerly known as Packhouse Quay ) was a hive of maritime activity , lined with sailing ships, before Boston dock was built in 1882. Vessels plied to-and-fro. The quay being the closest to the centres of commerce; The Custom House, the Corporation building and the market place. A wealth of different cargoes were unloaded for the surrounding warehouses.

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CHURCH KEYS BUILDING.

One of the oldest buildings in Boston.

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FYDELL HOUSE.

Dubbed Boston`s grandest house it was built circa 1700 and sold in 1726 to its namesake William Fydell, a prosperous wine merchant and importer of cloth. It is a fine example of domestic architecture of the period and has many of the original features.

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BOSTON GUILDHALL.

was built in the 1390s for the guild of St Mary whose members comprised some of Boston`s wealthiest and most influential merchants. Upon the dissolution of the religious guilds by Henry VIII, the guildhall subsequently became the first town hall; also serving as a court and gaol, as well as occasional other uses including warehousing. The Pilgrim Fathers were tried and held in the guildhall in 1607 for trying to leave the country without the consent of the crown, before ultimately reaching Leiden in Holland and then sailing on the Mayflower to the New World in 1620. The courtroom and cells are still to be seen in the guildhall.

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ASSEMBLY ROOMS.

Built in 1822.

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BOSTON LIBRARY.

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SESSIONS HOUSE.

This Tudor Gothic style building was built in 1842 and the quarter sessions were held there.

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CUSTOMS HOUSE.

Displays the Royal Coat of Arms and is believed to be one of the oldest customs houses in the country.

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PESCOD HALL. 

This building is the remains of the home of a wealthy merchant family. The original building dates back to circa 1450 A.D. The doors on each side opened into the great hall which was demolished about 1600, when the window was inserted. The building was restored 1973/74.

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SHODFRIARS HALL.

is the most substantial timber-framed building in Boston of three storeys, although little is left of the original structure following major restoration in 1874. The original building probably 15th century, was of the highest standard and would seem on the evidence of the continuous ground floor arcade to have been a guildhall, on the scale of the famous guildhall at Thaxted in Essex. The building has been used for many purposes down the years, including a theatre. It was here that the renowned musical hall star of the 1930s and 40s, Arthur Lucan - better known as Old Mother Riley - made his first appearance in the early 20th century. Today, Shodfriars Hall houses commercial businesses.

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LOCOMOTIVES ( part one ).

BRITISH RAIL CLASS 77.

Also known as class EM2, is a class of 1.5kv dc, co - co locomotives. They were built by Metropolitan - Vickers in 1953 - 1954 for use over the Woodhead line between Manchester and Sheffield, England. Power type - Electric, total produced -7, length - 59 feet, weight - 102.5 tons, maximum speed - 90mph.

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50160  DAISY.

One of the oldest 101 vehicles in preservation being released into traffic in 1956. After leading an uneventful career the vehicle gained celebrity status when it was painted in 1994 into green livery along with 59539 and 50164 ( also both preserved ), gaining the name Daisy. 50160 was preserved along with its green partner 50164 rather than being split after withdrawal in December 2003. I photographed Daisy at the Midland Railway Butterley.

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0 - 4 - 0 FIRELESS LOCOMOTIVE BOOTS NO 2.

This most unusual locomotive is one of a pair which was used to shunt wagons within the works of the Boots Company in Beeston, Nottingham, England. It was built in 1935 by Andrew Barcley & Sons at their Caledonia works, Kilmarnock,Scotland , to their works number AB2008. What appears to be the boiler is in fact a large steam reservoir. This was filled by connecting it to an external steam supply at a pressure of 160psi for a period  of two and a half hours. This enabled the locomotive to carry out shunting duties for several hours before returning to the steam supply for a recharge. The design of locomotive was used extensively in works where there was a danger of fire or explosion being ignited by sparks or cinders which are often emitted from a conventional steam locomotive. It was also very economical to operate where steam supply was already available. Unlike a normal steam locomotive the cylinders on this engine are positioned under the cab, rather than at the front.

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D6586.

The British Rail class 33 also known as the BRCW type 3 or Crompton is a class of bo-bo diesel - electric locomotives ordered in 1957 and built for the Southern region of British Railways between 1960 and 1962. A total of 98 class 33s were built by the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company ( BRCW ) and were known as Cromptons after Crompton Parkinson electrical equipment installed in them. The original ( 1957 ) number sequence was D6500 - D6597 ).

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LMS PRINCESS CORONATION CLASS 6233 DUCHESS OF SUTHERLAND.

On 11th June 2002, the restored Duchess was the first steam locomotive to haul the Royal Train for 35 years, transporting Queen Elizabeth II on a tour to North Wales, from Holyhead to Llandudno junction as part of her Golden Jubilee. The trip also marked the 160th anniversary of the first royal train in 1842.

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STRATFORD 1840 - 2001: - 31271.

British Rail class 31. I photographed this locomotive at Swanwick.

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This vehicle I am not certain off, but I believe it had something to do with track maintenance.

I photographed it at Swanwick.

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D1048 WESTERN LADY.

British Rail class 52. D1048 Western Lady was built at BR`s Crewe works in 1962. Wheel configuration C-C, weight - 108 tons, length - 68 feet, maximum speed - 90 mph, engine - 2x Maybach MD665, 1350 hp each, tractive effort - 72600 lbs., braking system - vacuum, number built - 74.

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BIRDS OF PREY.

BLACK KITE.

( Milvus Migrans ) is a medium sized bird of prey. It is thought to be the worlds most abundant species of accipitridae. Black Kites are opportunistic hunters and are more likely to scavenge. They spend a lot of time soaring and gliding in thermals in search of food. Easy to identify in flight due to their angled wings and distinctive forked tail.

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BROWN WOOD OWL.

( Strix Leptogrammica ) is about 45 - 57cm tall. This species is very nocturnal. It feeds mainly on small mammels, birds and reptiles. It nests in a hole in a tree or on a forked trunk, lays two eggs.

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FERRUGINOUS PYGMY OWL.

(Glaucidium Brasillianum ) is a small owl that breeds in South - Central Arizona in the United States, South through Mexico and Central America, to South America into Bolivia and Argentina. This species are active during dawn and dusk, but often hunts by day. It hunts a variety of birds, lizards and insects.

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GREAT GREY OWL.

( Strix Nebulosa ) is a very large owl, it is distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. There wingspan can exceed 60 inches. These birds wait, listen and watch for prey, then swoop down. They have excellent hearing. Small rodents and voles are their most important food source.

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HARRIS HAWK.

( Parabuteo Unicinctus ) is a medium - large bird, that breeds from the southwestern United States south to Chile and central Argentina. The Harris Hawk hunts in packs consisting of family groups, while most other raptors hunt alone.

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LANNER FALCON.

( Falco Biarmicus ) is a medium sized bird of prey that breeds in Africa, southeast Europe and just into Asia. Sexes are similar. The Lanner  Falcon is a bird of open country and savanna. It usually hunts by horizontal pursuit, rather than the Peregrine Falcons swoop from a height, and takes mainly bird prey in flight. It lays 3 - 4 eggs on a cliff ledge nest, or occasionally in an old stick nest in a tree.

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RUPPELL`S GRIFFON VULTURE.

( Gyps Rueppelli ) is a large vulture that occurs throughout the Sahel region of central Africa. Ruppells vulture is considered to be the highest - flying bird, with confirmed evidence of a flight at an altitude of 37,000 feet above sea level. Adult birds have a wingspan of seven and a half to eight and a half feet and a weight that ranges from 14 to 16 pounds. Both genders look alike.

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SNOWY OWL.

( Bubo Scandiacus ) the Snowy Owl is typically found in the northern circumpolar region. This species of owl nests on the ground, building a scrape on top of a mound or boulder. A site with good visibility is chosen. ( a scrape is a small hollow ). Breeding occurs in May to June, eggs range from 3 to 11 eggs, which are laid singly, approximately every other day over the course of several days. They hatch approximately five weeks after laying, the young are cared for by both parents.

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SPOTTED EAGLE OWL.

( Bubo Africanus ) is a medium - sized species of owl, one of the smallest of the eagle owls. It`s prey consists of small mammels, birds, insects, frogs and reptiles. It often swallows quite large prey whole, with much head - jerking. Prey to large to swallow, it will tear in the normal rapture fashion. Spotted Eagle - Owls mate for life.

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TURKEY VULTURE.

( Cathartes Aura ) the Turkey Vulture is a scavenger and feeds almost exclusively on carrion. It finds its food using its keen eyes and good sense of smell. It roosts in large community groups. It nests in caves, hollow trees or thickets. Each year it generally raises two chicks, which it feeds by regurgitation. It has very few natural predators, in the United States the vulture receives legal protection.

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