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	<title>QEII Country Park &#8211; IMS Photography</title>
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	<link>https://ims.photography</link>
	<description>Ian Malpass-Scott</description>
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		<title>Common Blue Damselfly</title>
		<link>https://ims.photography/2021/06/15/common-blue-damselfly/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ian Malpass-Scott]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jun 2021 18:29:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Insecta]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[damselfly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northumberland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[QEII Country Park]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ims.photography/?p=7272</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Enallagma cyathigerum]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A common blue damselfly at Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, England</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enallagma_cyathigerum" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wikipedia</a>:</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Enallagma cyathigerum (common blue damselfly or common bluet) is a species found mainly between latitudes 40°N and 72°N; It is widely distributed in the Palearctic, common in all European countries (including Portugal, Spain, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Poland, etc.) and in Asia in Turkey, Iran, Russia, and South Korea.[1] The species reaches a length of 29–36 mm (1.1–1.4 in) with wings 18–20 mm (0.71–0.79 in) long. Damselflies are an important link between the health of the aquatic ecosystem and its response to climate change. The closely related Nearctic species Enallagma annexum (northern bluet) was at one time considered to be synonymous with it.</p>



<p class="has-background wp-block-paragraph" style="background-color:#abb7c23d"><strong>Image Details</strong> <br>Date: 15 June 2021<br>Camera body: Nikon D50<br>Lens: Tamron 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.0-5.6<br>Focal Length: 300mm<br>Aperture:<strong> </strong>ƒ/5.6<br>Shutter Speed: 1/1,000s<br>ISO: 280<br>Licence: <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International</a></p>
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			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Black-headed Gulls</title>
		<link>https://ims.photography/2021/06/15/black-headed-gulls-3/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ian Malpass-Scott]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jun 2021 18:22:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Sea birds]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[black-headed gull]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northumberland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[QEII Country Park]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ims.photography/?p=6945</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Chroicocephalus ridibundus]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Blank-headed gulls at Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, England</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">From&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-headed_gull" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wikipedia</a></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) is a small gull that breeds in much of the Palearctic in Europe and Asia, and also locally in smaller numbers in coastal eastern Canada. Most of the population is migratory and winters further south, but many also remain in the milder areas of northwestern Europe. It was formerly sometimes cited as “common black-headed gull” to distinguish it from “great black-headed gull” (an old name for Pallas’s gull).</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The genus name Chroicocephalus is from the Ancient Greek words khroizo, “to colour”, and kephale, “head”. The specific name ridibundus is Latin for “laughing”.</p>



<p class="has-background wp-block-paragraph" style="background-color:#abb7c23d"><strong>Image Details</strong> <br>Date: 15 June 2021<br>Camera body:&nbsp;Nikon D50<br>Lens:&nbsp;Tamron 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.0-5.6<br>Focal Length:&nbsp;300mm<br>Aperture:<strong>&nbsp;</strong>ƒ/5.6<br>Shutter Speed:&nbsp;1/1,000s<br>ISO:&nbsp;200<br>Licensing: <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International</a></p>
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			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cygnets</title>
		<link>https://ims.photography/2021/06/15/black-headed-gulls-4/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ian Malpass-Scott]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jun 2021 18:22:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Water fowl]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cygnet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mute swan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northumberland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[QEII Country Park]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ims.photography/?p=6947</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Cygnus olor]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Cygnets at Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, England</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">From&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mute_swan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wikipedia</a></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The mute swan (Cygnus olor) is a species of swan and a member of the waterfowl family Anatidae. It is native to much of Eurasia and (as a rare winter visitor) the far north of Africa. It is an introduced species in North America, home to the largest populations outside of its native range, with additional smaller introductions in Australasia and Southern Africa. The name “mute” derives from it being less vocal than other swan species. Measuring 125 to 160 cm (49 to 63 in) in length, this large swan is wholly white in plumage, with an orange beak bordered with black. It is recognisable by its pronounced knob atop the beak, which is larger in males.</p>



<p class="has-background wp-block-paragraph" style="background-color:#abb7c23d"><strong>Image Details</strong> <br>Date: 15 June 2021<br>Camera body: Nikon D50<br>Lens: Tamron 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.0-5.6<br>Focal Length: 300mm<br>Aperture:<strong> </strong>ƒ/5.6<br>Shutter Speed: 1/1,000s<br>ISO: 320<br>Licensing: <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International</a></p>
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			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cygnets</title>
		<link>https://ims.photography/2021/06/15/cygnets-2/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ian Malpass-Scott]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jun 2021 18:22:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Water fowl]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cygnet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mute swan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northumberland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[QEII Country Park]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ims.photography/?p=6952</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Cygnus olor]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Cygnets at Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, England</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">From&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mute_swan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wikipedia</a></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The mute swan (Cygnus olor) is a species of swan and a member of the waterfowl family Anatidae. It is native to much of Eurasia and (as a rare winter visitor) the far north of Africa. It is an introduced species in North America, home to the largest populations outside of its native range, with additional smaller introductions in Australasia and Southern Africa. The name “mute” derives from it being less vocal than other swan species. Measuring 125 to 160 cm (49 to 63 in) in length, this large swan is wholly white in plumage, with an orange beak bordered with black. It is recognisable by its pronounced knob atop the beak, which is larger in males.</p>



<p class="has-background wp-block-paragraph" style="background-color:#abb7c23d"><strong>Image Details</strong> <br>Date: 15 June 2021<br>Camera body: Nikon D50<br>Lens: Tamron 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.0-5.6<br>Focal Length: 300mm<br>Aperture:<strong> </strong>ƒ/5.6<br>Shutter Speed: 1/1,000s<br>ISO: 200<br>Licensing: <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International</a></p>
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			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Mallard Ducklings</title>
		<link>https://ims.photography/2021/06/15/mallard-ducklings/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ian Malpass-Scott]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jun 2021 18:22:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Water fowl]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[duck]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[duckling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mallard]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northumberland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[QEII Country Park]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ims.photography/?p=6954</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Anas platyrhynchos]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mallard ducklings at Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, England</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">From&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mallard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wikipedia</a></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The mallard (/ˈmælɑːrd, ˈmælərd/) or wild duck (Anas platyrhynchos) is a dabbling duck that breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa. It has been introduced to New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, the Falkland Islands, and South Africa. Belonging to the subfamily Anatinae of the waterfowl family Anatidae, mallards live in wetlands, eat water plants and small animals, and are social animals preferring to congregate in groups or flocks of varying sizes.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Males (drakes) have green heads, while the females (hens) have mainly brown-speckled plumage. Both sexes have an area of white-bordered black or iridescent purple or blue feathers called a speculum on their wings; males especially tend to have blue speculum feathers. The mallard is 50–65 cm (20–26 in) long, of which the body makes up around two-thirds the length. The wingspan is 81–98 cm (32–39 in) and the bill is 4.4 to 6.1 cm (1.7 to 2.4 in) long. It is often slightly heavier than most other dabbling ducks, weighing 0.7–1.6 kg (1.5–3.5 lb).</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The female lays 8 to 13 creamy white to greenish-buff spotless eggs, on alternate days. Incubation takes 27 to 28 days and fledging takes 50 to 60 days. The ducklings are precocial and fully capable of swimming as soon as they hatch.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The non-migratory mallard interbreeds with indigenous wild ducks of closely related species through genetic pollution by producing fertile offspring. Complete hybridisation of various species of wild duck gene pools could result in the extinction of many indigenous waterfowl. This species is the main ancestor of most breeds of domestic duck, and its naturally evolved wild gene pool has been genetically polluted by the domestic and feral mallard populations.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The mallard is considered to be a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and, unlike many waterfowl, are considered an invasive species in some regions. It is a very adaptable species, being able to live and even thrive in urban areas which may have supported more localised, sensitive species of waterfowl before development.</p>



<p class="has-background wp-block-paragraph" style="background-color:#abb7c23d"><strong>Image Details</strong> <br>Date: 15 June 2021<br>Camera body: Nikon D50<br>Lens: Tamron 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.0-5.6<br>Focal Length: 300mm<br>Aperture:<strong> </strong>ƒ/5.6<br>Shutter Speed: 1/800s<br>ISO: 400<br>Licensing: <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International</a></p>
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			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Common Carder Bumblebee</title>
		<link>https://ims.photography/2021/06/15/common-carder-bumblebee/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ian Malpass-Scott]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jun 2021 18:22:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Insecta]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bee]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northumberland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[QEII Country Park]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ims.photography/?p=6957</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Bombus pascuorum]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Common carder bumblebee at Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, England</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombus_pascuorum" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wikipedia</a></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Bombus pascuorum, the common carder bee, is a species of bumblebee present in most of Europe in a wide variety of habitats such as meadows, pastures, waste ground, ditches and embankments, roads, and field margins, as well as gardens and parks in urban areas and forests and forest edges. It is similar in appearance to Bombus muscorum, and is replacing that species in northern Britain. </p>



<p class="has-background wp-block-paragraph" style="background-color:#abb7c23d"><strong>Image Details</strong> <br>Date: 15 June 2021<br>Camera body: Nikon D50<br>Lens: Tamron 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.0-5.6<br>Focal Length: 300mm<br>Aperture:<strong> </strong>ƒ/5.6<br>Shutter Speed: 1/640s<br>ISO: 400<br>Licensing: <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International</a></p>
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