Wow - thanks for the great response to my bat image. 😎

Here are two sets of two images, showing how the bats were catching insects in flight.

They use a flap of skin on their tail to scoop up the flying insects, and then bring this forwards, and up to their head, to allow them to eat the caught insect.

All while continuing to fly around.

Images captured with a Canon R5 and RF100-500mm.

Common Pipistrelle bat.

Happy International Bat Appreciation Day!

Bats are incredible creatures — the only mammals capable of true flight! They are important parts of ecosystems throughout the world, and act as nocturnal pollinators. They deserve our respect and appreciation!

(Image from Bat Conservation International)

#bat #bats #internationalBatAppreciationDay

Migratory paths of the waved albatross in the Galapagos.

#rayshader adventures, an #rstats tale

The turnstones of St Ives #birdsofmastodon

These sweet little dudes are somewhat tame here, feeding inches away from people sitting on benches along the sea front. Not sure that they do this anywhere else. Definitely big scavengers who will grab anything available.
Not my favourite sandpiper (which is ringed plover obviously) but definitely a close second