Schlagwort: Birds

  • Wonders of Oceania Birdlife Ready to be Discovered

    Wonders of Oceania Birdlife Ready to be Discovered

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Hi, this is Krzysiek, one of the founders of the Monster Couch studio. I would like to tell you about the just released Wingspan: Oceania Expansion. A continuation of the Wingspan game, which we hope you will love as much as we do.

    However, let’s start with what is Wingspan. It’s a digital board game full of birds for one-to-five players. You get to play with your nature reserve composed of three habitats – forest, grassland, and wetland. Your task is to attract the most interesting birds with unusual powers, which will help you score points, achieve various goals, and, consequently, win. You can play solo against AI, with friends on your couch, or with strangers online. All is done to the accompaniment of serene, tranquil music to give you a calming experience.

    WSO screenshot

    We wanted to combine the competitive side of the game with a relaxing experience, and an opportunity to learn about birds. To give you access to the colorful birdlife world we’ve implemented recordings of real bird sounds. Each card is accompanied by an interesting fact that will expand your knowledge of these remarkable creatures. We have also divided the entire board according to habitats. You can experience your gameplay on three layers created with eye-pleasing backgrounds hand-painted by our artists.

    Wingspan: Oceania Expansion develops all these features of the base version of the game and takes the gameplay to a new level. Look what you will encounter in the enchanting world of Oceania birds.

    Welcome New Feathered Friends

    So far, in Wingspan and its European Expansion DLC, we have been able to experience birds from the North American and European regions. The next addition will introduce nearly a hundred new birds from Oceania. Many of them have a completely new type of power, changing the balance of gameplay.

    WSO screenshot

    Try Nectar to Sweeten Your Day

    A brand new type of food will diversify the diet of Wingspan birds. Nectar becomes a resource useful for playing bird cards, and spending it earns you extra points at the end of each round. In Oceania, sweet snacks are worth having.

    WSO screenshot

    Varied Player Boards

    Wingspan: Oceania Expansion introduces new mechanics to the game, which requires adapting the player board to new decisions and challenges. We introduced a feature that enables you to reset some of your resources. Refresh the card tray or roll your bird feeder dice whenever you need. With a revamped player board you can also get more food dice and bird cards than before. You don’t have to focus on laying eggs as before. All these changes diversify available strategies and take the metagame in new directions.

    WSO screenshot

    Immerse Yourself in the Relaxing, Picturesque Landscapes of Oceania

    Wingspan: Oceania Expansion stays true to its commitment to being a relaxing, aesthetically pleasing experience. Hear a new soundtrack in the game that will put you in a state of bliss. New backgrounds will take you to paradise places such as green jungle, or a sandy beach.

    WSO screenshot

    Finally, I would like to invite you to join our flock of players on Discord. There you can learn a lot about the game and strategies, and find friends to play together. discord.gg/wingspan

    If you want to know what we’re up to, you can also follow our social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram Thank you for your time and see you in the skies!

    Xbox Live

    WINGSPAN

    Monster Couch

    66

    $19.99

    Xbox One X Enhanced

    You are bird enthusiasts—researchers, bird watchers, ornithologists, and collectors—seeking to discover and attract the best birds to your network of wildlife preserves. Each bird extends a chain of powerful combinations in one of your habitats. Each habitat focuses on a key aspect of the growth of your preserves. In Wingspan up to 5 players compete to build up their nature preserves in a limited number of turns. Each beautiful bird that you add to your preserve makes you better at laying eggs, drawing cards, or gathering food. Many of the 170 unique birds have powers that echo real life: your hawks will hunt, your pelicans will fish, and your geese will form a flock.

    Website: LINK

  • The Nest Box: DIY Springwatch with Raspberry Pi

    The Nest Box: DIY Springwatch with Raspberry Pi

    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    Last week, lots and lots of you shared your Raspberry Pi builds with us on social media using the hashtag #IUseMyRaspberryPiFor. Jay Wainwright from Liverpool noticed the conversation and got in touch to tell us about The Nest Box, which uses Raspberry Pi to bring impressively high-quality images and video from British bird boxes to your Facebook feed.

    Jay runs a small network of livestreaming nest box cameras, with three currently sited and another three in the pipeline; excitingly, the new ones will include a kestrel box and a barn owl box! During the spring, all the cameras stream live to The Nest Box’s Facebook page, which has steadily built a solid following of several thousand wildlife fans.

    A pair of blue tits feeds their chicks in a woolly nest

    The Nest Box’s setup uses a Raspberry Pi and Camera Module, along with a Raspberry Pi PoE HAT to provide both power and internet connectivity, so there’s only one cable connection to weatherproof. There’s also a custom HAT that Jay has designed to control LED lights and to govern the Raspberry Pi Camera Module’s IR filter, ensuring high-quality images both during the day and at night. To top it all off, he has written some Python code to record visitors to the nest boxes and go into live streaming mode whenever the action is happening.

    As we can see from this nest box design for swifts, shown on the project’s crowdfunding profile, plenty of thought has evidently been put into the design of the boxes so that they provide tempting quarters for their feathered occupants while also accommodating all the electronic components.

    Follow The Nest Box on Facebook to add British birds into your social media mix — whatever you’ve got now, I’ll bet all tomorrow’s coffees that it’ll be an improvement. And if you’re using Raspberry Pi for a wildlife project, or you’ve got plans along those lines, let us know in the comments.

    Website: LINK

  • This Artist Combines Funny Titles With His Bird Paintings, And You’ll Be Surprised How Relatable They Are

    This Artist Combines Funny Titles With His Bird Paintings, And You’ll Be Surprised How Relatable They Are

    Reading Time: 8 minutes

    Matt Adrian is perhaps best known as the man behind ‘MincingMockingbird’, a humorous collection of fun and delightful art for your home and life. The reoccurring theme of his work is birds, a subject the artist captures in lush acrylics, with tones of the paintings varying from cute to strange and sinister. However, the key aspect of Adrian’s work is not the detailed feathers or subtle body brushstrokes, but the genius juxtaposition of pieces and their titles. As Matt Adrian himself explains, the titles put together with his work are meant to compare “the purity of nature with the banality of modern human existence”.

    Based in Los Angeles and Joshua Tree, California, Matt Adrian has created many pieces dedicated to birds, ranging from the daily, almost mundane ones we see, to their more exotic and colorful cousins. Throughout the years, he has published a number of books, each focusing on a different series of bird art.

    Creeping from the corner of the canvas, or standing bold stretched across the paintings, the many feathered subjects naturally draw attention, whereas the titles add personality and shift our pre-existing idea of the piece.

    More info: Matt Adrian

    THE DREADFULLY DELIGHTFUL EXISTENCE OF SEMI-SPECTRAL THINGS

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    DEFIANTLY EFFERVESCENT IN THE FACE OF THE SIXTH EXTINCTION

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    MOM DRAGGING ME TO HER TOPLESS MAID APPOINTMENTS AFFORDED ME A FASCINATING GLIMPSE INTO THE WORLD OF MOPES AND SH*THEELS

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    A FINANCIALLY UNSTABLE MESS, BUT AT THE LIQUOR STORE THEY CALL ME MA’AM

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    STRESS EATING AS SELF-EXPRESSION

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    A SUDDEN POINT OF CONVERGENCE

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    THE BOY DETECTIVE WHO GAVE UP SOLVING NEIGHBORHOOD CASES TO SIT AND PLAY VIDEO GAMES IN A CLOUD OF HIS OWN STINK

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    IT HAD SEEMED SUCH INNOCENT PLEASURE

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    COUP DE GRACE AS A PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    FAIRY STORIES AND LEGENDARY TALES TOLD IN THE DARKEST OF DYSTOPIAN NIGHTS, ON THE SHORE OF A RISING SEA

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    HAD I BUT HANDS TO PUT ABOUT YOUR THROAT

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    KEEN-BRAINED AND PATIENT

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    PROLONGING REVENGE THROUGH REINCARNATION

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    I WILL PUT YOU DOWN AS A SOFT MAYBE

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    IF YOU CLONE ME, MY FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS WILL BE TO KILL YOU ALL

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    THE EXHIBITION OF UNNATURAL INSTINCTS AMIDST THE DEATH THROES OF DEMOCRACY

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    PURIFYING ANGEL OF THE DECOMPOSING CARCASS

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    WHEN I WAS INVITED BACK TO HIS PLACE, I THOUGHT IT WAS FOR MORE THAN A TOUR OF HIS FOR-PROFIT FERRET HOSPICE

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    CHASING THAT HALLUCINOGENIC HIGH UNIQUE TO EXPIRED MEXICAN INSECTICIDES

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    I TOLD HER NOT TO WORRY ABOUT MONEY, THAT WE WOULD MAKE IT SOMEHOW, BUT IF SHE EXPECTED ME TO TAKE A SACK LUNCH TO WORK IT WAS OVER, GODDAMMIT

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    MIXING A SEANCE WITH CHARADES SEEMED LIKE A FUN IDEA BUT OH CHRIST WHAT HAVE WE DONE?

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    SOVEREIGNTY BESTOWED BY A SUBLIME AND ANCIENT PROCESS

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    STARTING TO RETHINK MY WELL-INTENTIONED EFFORT TO STRIKE UP A CULTURAL CONVERSATION WITH THE CAPS LOCK CROWD

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    HIGH, WIDE AND HANDSOME

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    WITNESS TO MELANCHOLY SPECTACLES IN THE LAND OF THE RISE OF MAN

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    EXISTENCE TASTES SWEETEST BETWEEN THE HAMMER AND THE ANVIL

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    GRANDPA USED TO WHIP QUARTERS AT ME AND SCREAM “PULL THEM OUT OF YOUR EAR YOURSELF”

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    BENEATH MY SKETCHY AND STILTED NARRATIVE IS A LONGING FOR LONELINESS

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    IN THE BEGINNING, WE CALLED IT LOVE

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    MOMENTS WHEN MY GAZE GOES VACANT

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    THEY SAY YOU SHOULD NEVER MEET YOUR HEROES, YET HERE I AM AT HALF PAST FOUR IN THE MORNING, HOLDING A TASER AND ZIP TIE HANDCUFFS

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    AN UNEXPECTED AND EXTREMELY HEATED ARGUMENT WITH HER AMAZON ECHO REGARDING FLUSHABLE WET WIPES HAD LEFT HER SHAKEN AND UNNERVED

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    WRITING NOVELS SOLELY FOR THE DEDICATION PAGE DRAMA

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    OVERDRESSED AND UNDERAPPRECIATED

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    BEING DIGESTED WITHIN TOOTHED WHALES IS FOR SUCKERS

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    INAPPROPRIATE AND UNSETTLING STORIES FOR THE SWIFT SILENCING OF A PRECOCIOUS CHILD

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    THE 56-ACRE NO-KILL SANCTUARY FOR OPRAH’S EX-ASSISTANTS

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    TRICKERY AND DARK MAGIC

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    I OFTEN FALL PREY TO THE POPULAR FALLACY KNOWN AS POSITIVE THINKING

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    I HAVE HEARD MY PRAISES SUNG IN SCREAMS

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    INSTRUMENTS OF DEFENSE AND ATTACK

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    IN THE LEAF LITTER, SOMETHING TRIES TO HIDE ITS OWN HEARTBEAT

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    THE DE-EXTINCTION MUSEUM OF BIOLOGICAL RESURRECTION

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    JAYWALKER ON THE STREET, DIAGONAL SLEEPER IN THE SHEETS

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    SHE NEVER LOOKED LOVELIER THAN WHEN STUMBLING UP TO A LATE NIGHT DRIVE THRU AND STARTING AN ALTERCATION

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    SHE DRUNKENLY APPROACHED ME IN A BAR, ASKED IF I WOULD “DO HER A RUDENESS”—AND YOUR MOTHER AND I HAVE BEEN TOGETHER EVER SINCE

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    OH MY GOD DAMN

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    TENDING THE WEEDS IN A WATERY GARDEN

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    THREATS AND VIOLENCE

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    HERO WAS PERHAPS TOO STRONG A WORD, BUT I HAD BORNE THE BRUNT OF A DITCHWEED BLUNT

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    THE FACT THAT SOMETIMES MEAT GETS CAUGHT IN THE GEARS OF THE GRAND MACHINERY WAS A SMALL CONSOLATION

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    I ASSUMED BETTING ON UNDERGROUND AMISH BUGGY RACES WOULD BE HARMLESS ENOUGH, BUT I HIT A LOSING STREAK AND NOW I’M IN DEEP WITH THE CHINBEARDS

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    DAKOTA HAS RECENTLY PROCLAIMED THAT SHE IS A REINCARNATED 15TH CENTURY SERIAL KILLER, SO I’M CANCELING ALL SCHEDULED PLAYDATES UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

    Image credits: Matt Adrian

    Website: LINK

  • I Make Camouflage Birdhouses To Keep The City Birds Out Of Sight

    I Make Camouflage Birdhouses To Keep The City Birds Out Of Sight

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    I’ve make hard to spot birdhouses as part of my ongoing street art project Happy City Birds.

    I made all the houses from recycled plywood and painted them using different techniques to make them blend in with their surroundings.

    More info: thomasdambo.com

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    I make camouflage birdhouses to keep the city birds out of sight

    Website: LINK

  • Flying Birds Always Aroused My Admiration, Which Is Why I Want To Illustrate Them

    Flying Birds Always Aroused My Admiration, Which Is Why I Want To Illustrate Them

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Each bird flies differently. Eagles majestically soar, the flight of a Hoopoe is like a butterfly flight, it looks like it’s swimming in the air. The flight of the hummingbird is like a small helicopter, hovers in the air and even flies in the reverse direction.

    Birds is an infinite treasure of inspiration for me, that’s why, for a few years, I can not stop painting them and admire them. Binoculars, a brush, beautiful weather and a bird that I can observe and paint, for me, is full of happiness.

    You can also see my previous watercolor birds here and here.

    More info: karolinakijak.com

    White-tailed Eagle

    Grey Heron

    Barn swallow

    Mute swans

    White stork

    Barn swallow #2

    Raven

    Grey Heron #2

    Kingfisher #1

    Kingfisher #2

    Kingfisher #3

    Kingfisher #4

    Hummingbirds

    Barn Owl

    Hummingbird

    Pink Flamingos

    barn swallow #3

    barn swallow #4

    barn swallow #5

    Robin

    European Goldfinch

    Hoopoe

    Kingfisher on branch

    Hummingbird

    Magpie

    Kingfisher

    Kingfisher

    Goldcrest

    Kingfisher

    Website: LINK