Herons Everywhere

Herons are large freshwater and coastal birds, with long legs and long necks and they can be found on all continents except for Antarctica  The size of herons varies across the different species, with the smallest measuring about 30 cm and the largest species can be up to 152cm tall.

Great Blue Heron Gallery Wrap Canvas by Bebops

Herons have very long necks which they are able to extend and retract and they are able to hold their necks in an S shape. While they are flying, a heron's neck is retracted, which is different to other long-necked birds, such as storks and cranes, who fly with their necks outstretched.

Horses and Ponies in Photographs

Ponies and horses are popular subjects for many photographers with a keen interest in animal photography. In a previous post, we featured horses in art and I think one of the reasons people like to photograph horses is similar to why artists like to draw and paint horses - they truly are beautiful animals!

Icelandic Horse Posters by SilkenPhotography
Check out Horse Posters online at zazzle

The posters featured here feature photographs of horses and ponies which have captured the true beauty of this magnificent animal. Each photograph captures its subject perfectly - either grazing, working or enjoying the wilderness around it.

Harris Hawks and More

Harris Hawks is a bird of prey which is found throughout North, Central and South America. They can also be found in Western Europe and Britain, but are not native to this area. Harris Hawks are popular species for people interested in falconry, so it thought that these birds have escaped from captivity and are now breeding in the wild.

Harris Hawk Poster by ingasi
See other Hawk Posters at zazzle

Harris Hawks are different to other species of birds of prey in that they hunt in a collective group, rather than hunt by themselves. It is thought that they have adapted to hunt this way due to the desert environment in which they live.

Jacon the Harris Hawk poster by SilkenPhotography
Find more hawk prints

The red tailed hawk is another hawk which is popular in falconry, particularly in the United States, where this bird of prey can be found. It is popular because not only is it common in the area, but is also very easy to train. This hawk is also one of three species which is often referred to in the US as chicken hawk.

Red tailed Hawk Poster by Bebops
Browse for more hawk posters on Zazzle

Beautiful Horses in Art

Horses have long been a favorite animal for many artists to draw - they are beautiful, majestic with sleek lines. They have played an important role in many cultures - for transport, for working the fields and for recreational pursuits - it's no wonder that they feature prominently in art.

Percheron Horse print by Linda_MN
Shop for Horse Posters & Prints online at Zazzle.com

The profile of a horse is a popular pose, showing its muscular frame in all its glory. Regal with wisps of hair from its mane makes the horse the perfect art model.

Print by nigellapicone
View more horse art at zazzle.com

Horses have also been a symbol of wealth and prosperity throughout history and in some cultures, horses have been an important factor in your social standing. Horses have long been a favorite of royalty throughout time and have been adorned and decorated to show the power and wealth of its owner.

TEE Horse Royalty Print by teepossible
Find more horse art posters

Horses also have a mystical sense about them and are often used in art as true beauties of nature - mythical, powerful and untamed.

Roam the Tide Posters by WildlyTame
Look at more Horse Posters at zazzle

Funny Hens

Hens - as in female chickens, rather than the Scottish word for females (even if often used in an affectionate way). Chickens are often used in humor and here is no different with a hen reading a book entitled, "How to Lay Eggs" with the message, "I love my chickens."

I Love My Chickens Funny Chicken Reading Book T Shirts by alinaspencil

Is a Hare a Rabbit in Disguise?

Are you like me and never knew the difference between a hare and a rabbit? I had always assumed it was a regional name - some parts of the world used hare and other used rabbit. Where I live, we only have rabbits and that is only because they were introduced at the time of colonization by the British and they are now quite a pest in the wild.

So what are the differences, if not only in name, between a hare and a rabbit? Can you tell by just looking at it whether it is one or the other?

Vintage Germany, Young Hare by Dürer (1502) poster by edsimoneit

Hares are usually larger than rabbits and have larger ears. They also usually have black markings on their fur, which rabbits do not have. Physically, these are the main differences between a hare and a rabbit, except for when they are born. Hares are born with their eyes open and already have their fur as they tend to live in nests above the ground. Alternatively, most rabbits are born hairless and are blind, due to the safety of being born in a burrow.

Black-Tailed Hare, John James Audubon Postcards by vintagetreasurechest

On a more scientific level, rabbits and hares belong to the same order, but that's about as close as they get, so I don't think we could even say they are second or third cousins, but very distantly related in the animal family tree. Hares have 48 chromosomes, whereas the rabbit has less with 44 chromosomes.

A juvenile Arctic hare feeds on spring flowers Posters by NationalGeographic

But when all is said and done, you could argue that the rabbit is far more popular than the hare - it is the Easter Bunny and we all know that is a bunny rabbit not a bunny hare. Nevermind the large array of bunnies for babies and the most famous bunny of all, Bugs Bunny. It seems the bunny rabbit has won the popularity stakes and is often used in art and here are just a few cute bunnies to prove the point!

H is for Hummingbirds

What do you know about hummingbirds? Today, we will share five simple facts about these sweet little birds.

Why are they called hummingbirds?
Simply they got their name due to the sound created when they beat their wings - it sounds like humming. Nothing scientific or too difficult about this one. Perhaps the person who first called them hummingbirds was also responsible for naming the red back spider or the brown snake?

On a more serious note, hummingbirds can beat their wings 60 to 200 times per second, which creates the humming sound, which is also known as a wing whistle.

Hummingbird on Zinnias Poster by Bebops

How small are hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds are one of the smallest birds in the world and can range in size from 5cm to 13 cm. In fact, the smallest bird in the world belongs to the hummingbird family and is known as the bee hummingbird which can be found in the forests of Cuba.

Hummingbird Mousepad by ingasi

Can they fly backwards? 
Yes they can! Hummingbirds are the only birds which can fly backwards and they can also hover mid-air. As mentioned previously they can beat their tiny wings a large number of times a second which means they have the ability to hover quite easily. They will often hover while they gather nectar from flowers as their main source of food.

Hummingbird and Flowers Postcard by funnaturephotography

Do hummingbirds hibernate? 
Hummingbirds have a very high metabolic rate, which allows them to beat their wings so quickly. However, at night they are able to lower their metabolic rate as they are at rest and they are also able to do this when food is not available. It is a hibernation-like state and it is known as torpor.

Blue Hummingbird Photo Posters by funnaturephotography

What do hummingbirds eat?
Well, I did actually answer that above so I actually gave you the answer before asking the question, but just in case you have forgotten already, they eat nectar and are known as nectarivores. They primarily take the nectar from flowers which are red, orange and bright pink - but they will take the nectar from flowers in other colors too. One way to attract hummingbirds to your garden if you live in an area where they are is to plant red colored flowers. Due to the need for energy to flap their little wings, they tend to consume at least half their weight in sugar each day - wow!

Tropical Hummingbird and Flower Posters by funnaturephotography
See other Hummingbird Posters at zazzle

Cute Giraffe Courier Bag

A sweet and fun mini messenger bag with an African black and white tall giraffe with an extra long neck. The front view of the bag works beautifully with long necks of the giraffes, looking as if the giraffe on the front is peering back at you.

Funny cute black tall Giraffe & hipster long neck Courier Bags
by _Angelique_

Giraffes Galore

Giraffes are the tallest terrestial animals currently inhabiting the earth and is found in many parts of Africa. Images of giraffes grazing the African savannahs come to mind when thinking of these large animals.

Giraffes are a favourite for both photographers and artists alike. Perhaps it's their appearance which can at times appear graceful and elegant, and at other times appear gangly and awkward.

Giraffes are a favourite for children (and adults) everywhere. Their distinctive looks make them a perfect candidate for the creation of cute illustrations and cartoons. Who could resist these cute giraffes below?

Fox Art - Red Fox

The red fox is the largest of all the foxes and is found throughout the northern hemisphere and some parts of the southern hemisphere, including Australia. The red fox is very capable of adapting to new environments which is evidenced by the geographical spread over which it can be found.

Red foxes feature in the mythology and folklore of a number of cultures, often with characteristics of being deceitful and full of tricks. Alternatively they can be loyal and faithful.

Spirit Of The Red Fox Art Poster/Print
by romanceworks

From the artist, romanceworks ~ Spirit of The Red Fox is from the 'Spirit Of The Wild' Dream Catcher series of original art by Carol Cavalaris. Red Fox, creature of quiet cunning, spirit of observation and silence. You teach us that looking and listening are sometimes more powerful than speaking. And when it is time to act, you are clever, quick, and agile, showing us how to use our instincts and knowing to get what we desire, while still living in balance and harmony with our surroundings and our inner power. This painting of two red foxes within a dream catcher, one hidden with the red-orange wildflowers and golden brush, listening and looking, and the other gazing intensely at us, makes a stunning and inspiring art poster or print for any decor

E is for Emu

Emus are the largest birds in Australia and are the second largest birds (in relation to height) in the world, second to the ostrich.

Emus are unable to fly but are able to run very quickly, are nomadic and are known to cover long distances in search of food.

They are very curious birds and will watch other animals and humans (I've even had one steal my lunch when on a picnic!).

The emu is on the Australian coat of arms and is a cultural icon and plays an important role in Aboriginal mythology.

Emu
by wildlifeart
See more Emu Posters

Eurasian Red Squirrel

The Eurasian red squirrel is a type of tree squirrel and as the name suggests is found throughout Eurasia and its coat is red in colour. For those of you familiar with the works of Beatrix Potter, you may know the character Squirrel Nutkin, who was a red squirrel.

The red squirrel mainly eats seeds from trees and is most active early in the morning and late fternoon and evening. During the day, it generally sleeps in its nests whch are built in the forks of trees.

Eurasian red squirrel
by EMangl

English Setters

The English Setter has been trained as a bird dog for over 400 years in England, which is known for its effectiveness in finding and pointing birds in open country.

Print: Two English Setters in Field
by VintagePets
Browse other English Setters Posters

The English Setter is well known for its intelligence and can be trained to do almost any task that other breeds can do, however herding is not one of those tasks. They are very energetic dogs and love to be around people.

Two English Setters by Arthur Wardle
by VintagePets
View more English Setters Mousepads