cog-nito:

There are three main types of building materials in the natural world. Some require little in the way of processing, but others need to be changed before being used for construction. Animals can be very specific about the materials they use in their wonderful architecture, like choosing only specific colors. Here are some examples to follow the three main types of materials and structures.

Provided by the environment: 

1. Paper wasps (Hymenoptera) chew matter from dead wood to make a paper pulp, which they mix with saliva, and is then used to construct their nests. It’s especially handy since the nest is resistant to water.
2. Male featherfin cichlids (Cyathopharynx furcifer) dump sand into a nest, which is used as a podium for displaying himself to potential mates. 
3. Mute swans (Cygnus olor) gather reeds and other vegetation to build their nests.  

Provided by the animal: 

1. Silkmoth caterpillars (Bombyx mori) spin a cocoon of silk around themselves for pupation. Spiders also use silk, but for constructing webs.
2. Termites (Blattodea) mix saliva with mud to create the exterior of their termite mounds.
3. Cave swiftlets (Collocalia linchi) also use saliva to build nests.

Provided by another animal:

1. Hermit crabs (Paguroidea)take over the empty shells of marine mollusks. The crab moves into larger shells with growth.
2. The elf owl (Micrathene whitneyi) nests in old woodpecker holes in the stems of cacti.
3. Birdhouses are included in this mix, too- they provide homes for wildlife, such as purple martins (Progne subis).

Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

listirpoika:

Oh yeah, and I finished this the other day.
It’s gonna be hangin’ in the school art show (along with a few others) later this month <3

I love watercolor, though all those feathers got a bit tedious after a while. :P

liars-and-secrets:

The Secret World of Arrietty

lostsplendor:

Winter Cape by (via FM908)

fairy-wren:

velvet-purple coronet

(photos by gastoncC and andy jones)

“On one afternoon, I saw them.”

theboomeraang:

The original sources of bending