#wildlife

#wildlife

On a midsummer trip to Ireland, I saw dolphins in the Irish Sea, sunset by the Liffey, and misty views of the Galtee Mountains. The half-hour train journey to Cobh (cove), through Cork's island-studded harbour, was especially lovely. As the railway crossed Lough Mahon, home to thousands of seabirds, there was water on both sides of the train. I watched oystercatchers, egrets, godwits and common terns, which nest on floating pontoons.

I'm waiting to turn down the road toward my hotel. The cars in front of me have slowed nearly to a standstill, but not for the standard traffic jam: a group of elk is grazing in the grassy patch at the street corner. People idle by, rolling down their windows to take pictures, making sure to give these unofficial locals a wide berth. In the background, the snow-capped Rocky Mountains rise dramatically behind the town.

Hillcrest Park opens at dawn and closes at 10 p.m., but for me, it has never been just a set of hours on a sign. I have walked this park in every light and season. Morning walks before the neighborhood stirs. Afternoon strolls when working from home. Evening circuits after dinner on weekdays. Weekend doubles, morning and evening both. And those in-between moments when restlessness or boredom sends me out the door once more. I know this place intimately.

A stag that has been on the loose in a residential area of Ennis, Co Clare has raised concerns among locals after he evaded a series of capture attempts from gardaí and local wildlife services. The stag is believed to have originally lived in the Lee's Road area of Ennis. However, he has now moved closer towards the town centre and poses a risk to motorists, local dog warden Frankie Coote has said.

Wildlife photography already carries immense power, but in monochrome it transforms into something raw and dramatic. The 2024 Monochrome Photography Awards showcased 37 breathtaking wildlife shots, proving black-and-white can rival or even surpass color. From roaring lions to towering elephants, sharp-winged birds, and tiny creatures full of attitude, each image tells a vivid story through light and shadow. Stripped of color, every texture and detail stands out with striking clarity, deepening the mood and amplifying the drama.

I'm glad we're starting to look at historical figures through the lens of neurodivergence (Documentary explores whether JMW Turner may have been neurodivergent, 10 November). But why give JMW Turner the benefit of 21st-century advances in neuroscience and not afford the same courtesy to his mother, Mary, who was believed to have had a psychiatric disorder and would fly into a dangerous temper? This language could have come straight from the admission papers that got her committed to a mental asylum. Jill Metcalfe Bottens, Switzerland

We love London. That won't come as a surprise - Time Out has been chronicling the best of the city for decades - but even we can admit that sometimes you need some time away. Life in London is nonstop, so every so often it's essential to escape into nature, and the city parks just won't do it. We recently published a list of the very best walking routes which are within daytripping distance of the capital,

The Nikon 2025 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have unveiled their finalists, and the results are hilariously delightful. With 40 uproarious images, 3 curated portfolios, and 10 laugh-out-loud videos, this year's entries showcase nature's unexpected comedic flair. From expressive lions to penguins mid-blunder, the contest celebrates the quirky charm of animals while highlighting the skill and timing of wildlife photographers. Beyond the laughs, the awards carry a meaningful message about conservation and the importance of protecting these fascinating creatures.

"It was surreal," Raifman recalled to SFGATE. "It's something I've certainly never seen. And I mean, most people will never see it. We all collectively did a double take."

Three days into my walk along the Rhins of Galloway coast path and I was on love-hate terms with this new long-distance trail. Unruly and at times cruel, it forced me to hurdle fences, wade through bracken up to my midriff and teased me with disappearing paths and wayward waymarks. But then, after I'd yelled profanities into the wind (there were no other hikers around to hear me), this raffishly handsome route would come over all sweetness and light.

Meet the author and the illustrator, find out about a terrific new book, ask questions and hear directly from the source, and get personalized signed books! Bookshop West Portal is excited to celebrate the publication of Ocean Beach: Fog, Flora, and Fauna. San Francisco locals, author and scientist Eddy Rubin and illustrator Greg Wright, joined forces to create a wonderful portrait of our neighborhood shores in this work of art that shares the story of how the beach came to be.

The grasses have now dried and turned golden, the air filled with the scents of fall. Eszter stops, "A moose!" Down in the willows along the creek, a single moose munches on the plants. We are far enough away to pleasantly observe the stoic creature in its home, a lovely spot in a high meadow tucked between mountains with no one else around except for us.

"It's kind of crazy," said Joseph Soriano of Mill Valley.

Petrified Forest National Park is best known for its 200-million-plus-year-old plant and animal fossils from the Triassic Period, or the "Dawn of the Dinosaurs." It's a collection that includes the eponymous petrified logs, which were formed after trees were buried in an ancient river system; minerals then absorbed into the wood and replaced the organic material. The structures we see today are made up of nearly solid quartz, and the impurities within the quartz (like iron and carbon) result in a display of stunning colors.

Peacocks and turkeys can live together amicably, but they likely are more companions than amorous partners, as their genetic differences prevent offspring.

Squirrel fibromatosis may look terrifying, but it's a common skin disease among gray squirrels in the US. It's caused by the leporipoxvirus and is spread through direct contact between healthy squirrels and the lesions or saliva of infected squirrels.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported that four divers were cited for illegally taking hundreds of spiny lobsters, most of which were undersized, from a Los Angeles beach.

Throughout Sri Lanka's tropical landscapes, myths and legends capture the essence of the island with ancient cities, diverse wildlife, and idyllic beaches, making it a traveler's paradise.

In Colorado, rabbits with bizarre, spike-like growths on their faces have been identified, resulting from a viral infection known as cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CTRV).

Lake Ouachita in Arkansas features incredibly clean, clear water, and is surrounded by Ouachita National Forest, showcasing a wild and rugged beauty.

New York wildlife includes more than just pigeons and park squirrels, with notable species like Central Park coyotes, who have been in the city since the 1930s.

During mating season, which begins in August and can last until December, male tarantulas leave their burrows in search of a mate.

A young bird of prey learning to hunt has a varied diet, which can include small rodents like squirrels, particularly when food is scarce.

The Old Forge Inn is often referred to as the most remote pub in mainland Britain, known for live music sessions that accompany a flowing whisky atmosphere.

The elephant seals at Ano Nuevo State Park are a major attraction during winter as they come ashore to mate and raise their young. This beach offers sightings of other wildlife including whales and sea birds year-round.

"Goose the water monitor has been spotted in Little Pond area on Wilsonville Rd and Thompson Rd area. These types of lizards are known to travel, climb trees, and seek out water."

The first bald eagle chicks in recent Oakland history have been spotted near Piedmont's Mountain View Cemetery, marking a significant moment for local wildlife preservation efforts.