The red-eyed tree frog is one of those animals that looks exactly like something a child would draw if asked to invent a frog: absurdly round orange eyes, vivid green body, striped flanks, adhesive toe pads for gripping wet leaves. Evolution produced something so visually maximalist it looks designed. These photos do it justice.
The Red Eyed Tree frog, otherwise known asΒ Agalychnis callidrya, is a strange and charismatic fellow. Here is a collection of beautiful photos, via 500px:
Owls are known for their incredible eyesight, with vision far superior to humans, allowing them to track prey in the dark.
But Zeus, a blind screech owl, stands out with his extraordinary, galaxy-like eyes. Despite his blindness, Zeus survived into adulthood before being rescued by a wildlife learning center.
Now, heβs the star of the facility, captivating visitors with his cosmic gaze and inspiring awe from all who come to see him.
Zeus has lived in the Wildlife Learning Center in California for many years.
(Via Bored Panda)
Paul Fuentes Design consists of Paul and partnerΒ Ilse de Jong. Together, they make magical imagery that imbues a sense of fun and humor, while also remaining highly stylish.
They have two distinct collections of imagery, @paulfuentes_design and @paulfuentes_photo.
One focuses more on “funny creations with everyday objects into surreal, and colourful compositions”. The other revolves around “California vibes, classic cars, mid-century architecture, and wild animals chilling by the pool.”
Both of them have a great surrealist vibe, taking you out of the ordinary, and into a visual menagerie.
Images used with artist’s permission.Β
That’s the obvious takeaway from today’s announcement from the US Department of Fish and Wildlife, which announced 22 new species that are officially extinct, never to be seen alive again.
Among the most prominent is the Ivory-billed woodpecker, a large and charismatic bird, that people claimed to still spot in the marshlands of Arkansas and Louisiana. It’s now officially gone for good.
The list may seem obscure and insignificant to the casual observer, with a number of species of birds and mollusks that aren’t easily recognizable. Β But the pace and volume of extinct and endangered species is so great, it’s impossible to not be concerned. The more diversity the earth loses, the more strain gets put on the entire ecosystem.
Below are some images of the animals that were named to the recent extinction list, which has a 30 day comment period.
“Around the globe, some 902 species have been documented as extinct. The actual number is thought to be much higher because some are never formally identified, and many scientists warn the earth is in an βextinction crisisβ with flora and fauna now disappearing at 1,000 times the historical rate.”
Β Β – AP
Ivory-billed woodpeckers filmed in Louisiana in 1935, when the birds were already rare. Despite pleas from conservationists and wildlife officials, the area was later logged by the Chicago Mill and Lumber Company.
A Kauai Oβo filmed some time in the 1970s or β80s.
These vintage photos have a dated, faded feel to them, and showcase a family exploring an equally dated and vintage theme park in Michigan, known as The Prehistoric Forest.
Created by James Q. Sidwell, a former dinosaur exhibit designer, the attraction was decidedly low-budget and charmingly corny, but has a nostalgia-factor nonetheless. We especially love the children’s expressions throughout, where they often look hopelessly bored by the anatomically…..goofy dinos.
We’ve heard the attraction now is just a closed down overgrown forest, with the odd dinosaur carcass lying about. However these photos transport us back to a simpler, more charming time.
Self taught visual artist Andreas Lie is based in Norway, and has made a name for himself through stunning double exposure photography. We love his work so much, we have prints of it hanging in our home. There’s something magical to see wildlife depicted in this animal+landscape perspective. There’s a calming stillness in the work that feels really peaceful. Prints and more available on Society6.
Andreas HΓ€ggkvistΒ is a Swedish artist who creates wondrous and surreal animal art, bringing attention to endangered species.
Combining animals in colorful and warm digital collages, the work is beautiful on its own, and more powerful with the intent behind it. Considered a World Wildlife Fund Ambassador, helping to educate people about endangered species, even through surrealist work. Each of his posts come with a description of the animals featured, and ways in which they are under threat. Follow his work on Instagram at @Andy.okay
We’re sadly entering a new age of animal extinction, this one part of the epoch called the Anthropocene, which is primarily caused by us – humans.
As we grapple with the huge issues of climate change and resource scarcity, we also are starting to lose animal species at an alarming rate.
Researched and designed byΒ BraΔa Burazeri, Duck Knees, and NeoMam Studios, this beautiful illustrated collection shows which species is most endangered in each of the USA’s 50 states. It’s an exhaustive and also tragic list, with animals ranging from the smallest mouse, to the biggest whale. Each lovingly illustrated animal is accompanied by an informative blurb about their habitat, and their remaining numbers. Via Behance:
Lighthearted and mostly absurd in nature, the surrealism by Australia-based artist Phonsay Phothisomphane captures the imagination.
From elephants bathing in a tiny downtown puddle to stingrays drifting softly over hilltops, the scenes add a bit of magic to everyday life. Via BoredPanda:
French design groupΒ Les CrΓ©atonautesΒ have a clever sense of creativity, creating visual mashups that feel both natural and absurd. A turtle with the shell of a pineapple, and a parakeet with the head of a roaring tiger are just a few examples. Via Fubiz:
Jonas Loose has a hilarious collection of animal mashups that push concepts into surrealist territory. The long, slinky neck of a flamingo becomes an ice cream cone, and an owl’s mottled feathers become the textured exterior of a pineapple, complete with ‘head dress’. We appreciate the creativity and sense of humor in the work, giving a little levity to an otherwise stressful day.
20 year old French artistΒ Julien Tabet has a collection of fantastical animals that are in some form of transformation or surrealist pose, from Zebras using their stripes to take flight, to an enormous buck whose antlers form a chandelier. Via BP:
We all know that climate change is real, is happening, and that we as humans are responsible. What you might not know, however, are the species that are already being severely affected by rising temperatures, melting sea ice, and deforestation and habitat loss. Some of the most iconic animals on our planet are on a course for extinction, in the next few decades. These aren’t strange, unheard of animals. These are some of the big, obvious, gorgeous creatures that we learn about as children, and have been a beautiful part of our planet for millennia.
Does this list make you sick to your stomach? Does it bother you that your children or grandchildren may never know some of these beautiful, intelligent, special animals? Β It surely should. We know the stakes, we know the culprits, we knowΒ how to clean up our planet and protect the habitats that wild animals depend on. It’s a question of willpower, of bravery, and of heart. Which side of history do you want to be on?
Thanks to the World Wildlife Foundation for their photographs, and the great work they’re doing to bring attention to these species, and what efforts are being done to protect them. Hint- they need your help.
So fun and adorable that we immediately had to snag one off of Etsy, Lidiya Marinchuk’s hand-painted creatures are made of cotton, with detailed and precise designs that show great personality. Based in the Ukraine, her items are available for purchase, and sure to bring you smiles.
Detlef Knapp takes breathtaking photos, mostly of animals, focusing intensely on close-ups, macros, and detail. He also takes some liberties with textures, adding subtle filters to make them seem almost dreamlike. Of his vast library of images, here are some choice shots of frogs, lizards and snakes.
Andrew Fox has some clever animals made from calligraphy forms. Via Behance:
