I asked a rhetorical question this afternoon, wondering what bird would feature in this week’s lirralirra post. Little Miss 7 answered with, “Peregrine Falcon because they’re the fastest creature on the planet”.
She’s right. Peregrine Falcon’s are the fastest creatures on the planet. The fastest recorded dive was 389kmph (242 mph). That is incredible, absolutely astounding.
A dive at that speed could force air into their bodies with such pressure that it would damage their lungs. To enable them to breathe normally when diving they have small bony structures in their nostrils (nares). The structures are called nasal cones, nasal baffles or tubercles. A tubercle is visible in the photograph above. These structures inspired engineers to use the design to ensure smooth airflow in jet engines. Engineering designs that were inspired by the natural world are known as biomimicry, and include burr seeds inspiring velcro and kingfisher bills inspiring the front of high speed trains.
Early this week I completed my role as the first Australian judge for the respected FIAP/PSA Cheltenham International Photography Salon (UK) – what an honour it was to see so many exceptional images. It’s worth going to the pages of international salons and looking through their catalogues of accepted and awarded images.
Another role I’m excited about is to give a presentation at the Victorian Association of Photographic Societies’ annual convention. This year it will be held at the end of May, just across the NSW border. The convention covers many photographic genres and is always well worth a visit. Check this link if you’d be interested in joining us, and please find me and say g’day if you attend: https://www.vaps.org.au/convention.html
Oh, and my facebook page clicked over 11,000 followers this week – thank you everyone who visits me here or there.
Happy birding, Kim
~ Facebook page Kim Wormald – lirralirra – 11K+ followers
~ Facebook group Ethical Bird Photography
~ Etsy – prints via me at Kim Wormald lirralirra
