In general, male birds are much more colourful than females. The bright colours of male birds serve to attract mates, since bright coloration signals strength and vigour. On the other hand, since females typically bear the brunt of incubating eggs and raising young, their more drab, earth-toned feathers help them blend better into their surroundings to avoid predators.



This general evolutionary paradigm is illustrated here in this set of wood duck images. (Please click on image to view full size.) Whilst adult wood duck males have stunning multicolored iridescent plumage and red eyes, with a distinctive white flare down the neck, the wood duck females have a more drab, brownish colour that blends well with their surroundings, making them less easy to spot.





For other posts about ducks in this group, please view:



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Porcupines are large rodents with coats of sharp spines, or quills, that serve to protect them from predators. Shown here are New World porcupines, specifically from Alaska and Montana. New World porcupines live in wooded areas and can climb trees, where some species spend their entire lives.

Muskoxen with newborns, at the remote, unspoilt, mountainous Brooks Range in Alaska. (Click on image to view full size.)

Mangroves flanking the Amazon River, within the Amazon rainforest.

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The common brushtail possum, and the Southern cassowary — quirky animals that can be found in the wild in Queensland, Australia.

A duckling, and a green tree frog, taking a rest on water lilies. (Click on image to view full size.)

Eurasian red squirrels in snowy forests during winter.



For other posts about squirrels in this group please view:



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Though sea anemones may resemble marine plants, they are actually considered to be animals, akin to jellyfish and corals. Whilst firmly affixed to the seabed, they utilise their motile, stinging tentacles to paralyse unwary, small fish, which they then ingest. Some small fish however, such as clownfish and cardinalfish (both of which are featured in today's set of images), have developed interesting mechanisms that effectively neutralise the sea anemones' sting, enabling them to live tranquilly amongst the sea anemones' tentacles, thereby acquiring in this way sanctuary from their predators.

Common rhododendrons and azaleas in full bloom, as seen in parks in Europe and North America.