Zombie Ant
This is a real life zombie, a tropical ant species infected by a cordycep fungus. The fungus infects the ant, who then walks around like a zombie until it finds the perfect perch to die on. The ant usually bites the base of a leaf and dies, the fungus then sprouting out a storma, eventually casting a spray of spores in that area to infect the next line of victims. Photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser in Costa Rica while on assignment for the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History.
Read MoreBlack Skimmer (Rynchops niger)
One of the most unique and unmistakable North American birds, the Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) is an incredible waterbird with a massive bill used to scoop fish from the water while in flight. Watching a Black Skimmer feeding, using the length of the bill’s lower mandible to penetrate the water’s surface to snag prey, can seem rather surreal. Evolution and adaptation can certainly be unexpected and staggeringly effective. In this case this bird was playing with a leaf! Perhaps it was good foraging practice during this warm Florida vacation.
Read MoreKatydid in Costa Rica
Here’s a lovely Katydid that RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser photographed in Costa Rica yesterday, perfectly posed with its evolutionary inspiration, for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project.
Read MoreCosta Rican Leaf Katydid (Mimetica mortuifolia)
This Costa Rican Leaf Katydid (Mimetica mortuifolia) by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser for the Meet Your Neighbours global diversity project certainly lives up to its name. Sean says that he has found a few individuals of this species and they all look different. He liked this one in particular with it mimicking the signs of decay on a live leaf.
Read MoreTufted Titmouse digging in leaf litter
Can you identify this bird with its back to us? The Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) does not have legs and feet specifically designed to scratch at the earth that many sparrows possess. Even if it did they would have a tough time getting through these layers of leaves. This bird was ripping away with its bill, leaf by leaf, sifting through them to find some food. It was an organized, frantic and impressively strong leaf tossing frenzy. Good hunting, little one!
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