In the lush Pantanal wetlands of Brazil, a striated heron perches on a Victoria water lily. This water bird, also known as the mangrove heron, is over 40 centimetres tall. It is a master of patience, waiting to ambush its prey. It uses clever tactics, such as dropping feathers or insects to lure fish. Common in the wetlands of South America, the striated heron is also found in North America, Australia, Africa, Asia, New Guinea and the Pacific islands. The Victoria, or giant water lily, belongs to the genus of aquatic herbs, including species like Victoria amazonica and Victoria boliviana, which can boast leaves more than 3 metres in diameter. The Pantanal, the world"s largest tropical wetland, is a sanctuary for wildlife and offers an extraordinary glimpse into the natural world.
Striated heron on a Victoria water lily, Pantanal, Brazil
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
Pumpkin field, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
-
Diamond Beach, Iceland
-
Burrowing owl chicks
-
Chital, Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
-
Skyscrapers in Manhattan
-
Boreal owl
-
Our forgotten forests
-
Wait, mountain – you shall bear my castle!
-
Golconda Fort in Hyderabad, Telangana
-
Pride Month
-
A ghost on the mountain
-
Switzerland of India
-
International Literacy Day
-
An island crossroad of culture
-
Gespensterwald, Nienhagen, Germany
-
A bridge that holds up history
-
Honouring the valiant heroes
-
Castles in the Bavarian Alps
-
Starry, starry night
-
Colourful beehives, Italy
-
Southern tip of a northern isle
-
Eyes on the skies
-
Centuries of time in a Delicate Arch
-
The sun sets on the Valley of the Moon
-
Rabindra Jayanti
-
Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
-
Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve, Australia
-
Gandhi Jayanti
-
Medieval towers in Mestia, Upper Svaneti, Georgia
-
Agra Fort, Agra, Uttar Pradesh