This is Peregrine Falcon, the world’s fastest bird, capable of flying at speeds over 200 miles an hour (over 320kms/hr). After almost being wiped out nationwide by pesticide DDT, habitat destruction and more, Peregrine falcons are now adapting to the urban settings and share New Jersey’s best wildlife comeback stories in recent decades. Today, there are about 25-40 breeding pairs of Peregrine falcons here in New Jersey, USA. They are now mostly found living on high-rises, which resemble cliffs — their natural habitat.
In 2017 as part of the World Environment day, I started my ambitious Project ‘3 Lenses’ in a hope to document intriguing and fascinating stories of Wildlife, Wild Places and the incredible Human Journey from high in the Himalayas to the deepest jungles of Madagascar in Africa. This is my attempt to document places and species, some of which were unknown until only a few years ago; untold stories of enchanting little creatures to the greatest animals that walk our planet. This World Environment Day 2020 marks three years of this visual journey (series). Thank you for being part of this journey. Let us continue to explore the natural world in all its splendour and complexity. Join me Shravan Regret Iyer’s Project 3 Lenses on Instagram and Facebook. Also visit Regret Iyer Productions and shravanregretiyer.com for more immersive stories. @shravanregretiyer3lenses@regretiyerproductions@shravanregretiyer
The North American Millipede popularly known as the American Giant Millipede is the largest millipede in the Eastern North America. While most millipedes have fewer than 50 pairs of legs, the highest number of legs on record for an individual is 375 pairs. The longest recorded lifespan of this species is 11 years.
They prefer decaying wood, roots and leaves on the forest floor, and feed on bacteria and fungi.
They are important in their ecosystems as decomposers and stimulators of microbial activity.
An Eastern Gray Squirrel, native to the eastern North America. Eastern Gray Squirrels are scatter-hoarder and hoards food mostly seeds in numerous small catches for later recovery. When that happens, the seed may sprout. Meaning, more trees and more food 🙂 Scientists in Pennsylvania consider Eastern Gray Squirrels as a model organism for studying the close evolutionary interaction between plants and animals. One such research findings show how Oak trees and Squirrels have evolved to help each other!
The Great Blue Heron is the largest wading bird in New Jersey. With a wingspan of about 6 feet the Great Blue Herons can fly upto 35mph.
Though the Great Blue Heron’s population in North America is stable, it is still classified as a species of special concern here in New Jersey — as the wetland destruction has caused a decrease in Heron population from their historic numbers. In 2009 a total of 586 nests were counted in New Jersey.
A Great Blue Heron glides over on what appears to be a Common Snapping Turtle? at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refugee in New Jersey.
The Great Blue Heron is the largest wading bird in New Jersey. With a wingspan of about 73 inches or 6 feet the Great Blue Herons can fly upto 35mph.
Though the Great Blue Heron’s population in North America is stable, it is still classified as a species of special concern here in New Jersey — as the wetland destruction has caused a decrease in Heron population from their historic numbers. In 2009 a total of 586 nests were counted in New Jersey.