"swamp creatures"

#12577873

23 July 2025

A man prepares clothing for the effigy of ''Ghantakarna'' while marking 'Gathemangal' in Bhaktapur, Nepal, on July 23, 2025. This festival, also known as Ghantakarna Chaturdasi, falls on Trayodashi (the third day) of the month of Shrawan (July/August) and is celebrated in memory of the mythical demon Ghantakarna's death. According to legends, the demon Ghantakarna terrorizes villagers by stealing children and women from the village and demands money and other gifts as ransom for their release. His body is painted in red, blue, and black, and he wears a pair of bells on his ears. He looks very scary, and every time he moves, the bells jingle. He gets his name from the bells on his ears, with Ghanta meaning 'bell' and Karna meaning 'ears'. The fear of the dreadful monster keeps people inside their homes most of the time. Even during the planting season, they do not dare to leave their homes. However, one day, a large number of frogs come to the village and begin to croak near Ghantakarna's place. He becomes furious, but the frogs do not stop. They croak even louder, and when he tries to catch them, they jump into the water. He also jumps into the water without realizing that it is a swamp and soon starts to drown. The frogs swarm around his head, and he drowns to death. In this way, the frogs save the village and the villagers from the demon. Effigies built at the turnings and roadways of the locality are later dragged and burned to ashes in areas far from residential areas, mostly at crossroads. This festival is also celebrated as a symbol of cleanliness, as the garbage inside and outside the house is cleaned and disposed of systematically. This festival is celebrated by cleaning the garbage, calling it a ghost to get rid of it, as it does not pay attention to sanitation during the planting period, and various insects cause grief at this time.

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#12510336

28 June 2025

An alligator swims with a fish in its mouth at Lake Apopka in Florida. This powerful reptile is a skilled hunter and often ambushes prey in the shallow waters.

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#12510337

28 June 2025

An alligator swims with a fish in its mouth at Lake Apopka in Florida. This powerful reptile is a skilled hunter and often ambushes prey in the shallow waters.

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#12510338

28 June 2025

An alligator swims through the wetlands of Lake Apopka in Florida, a prime habitat for native wildlife and bird species. This powerful reptile is a skilled hunter and often ambushes prey in the shallow waters.

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#12510339

28 June 2025

A baby alligator is seen at Lake Apopka in Florida. The young reptile glides silently through the wetland, blending into its natural surroundings.

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#10548120

25 September 2023

Nutria spotted in Lake Kerkini at a dead tree branch over water lilies next to flamingo birds and Great egret. The nutria, Myocastor coypus, also known as the coypu, a large herbivorous semiaquatic rodent. The genus name Myocastor derives from the two Ancient Greek words mûs -rat and kástōr - beaver, literally, therefore, the name Myocastor means 'mouse beaver' while nutria comes from Spanish word nutria meaning otter. This species is included since 2016 in the EU list of Invasive Alien Species of European Union concern implying that this species cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, or intentionally released into the environment in the whole of the European Union. Lake Kerkini is an artificial reservoir in Macedonia, Greece that was created in 1932, it is one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway route. Lake Kerkini is now one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway Kerkini lake is listed as a Ramsar site, a wetland designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention because of the rich biodiverse nature with the intense wildlife both for protected and non species. Kerkini, Greece on September 2023

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#10548106

25 September 2023

Nutria spotted in Lake Kerkini at a dead tree branch over water lilies next to flamingo birds and Great egret. The nutria, Myocastor coypus, also known as the coypu, a large herbivorous semiaquatic rodent. The genus name Myocastor derives from the two Ancient Greek words mûs -rat and kástōr - beaver, literally, therefore, the name Myocastor means 'mouse beaver' while nutria comes from Spanish word nutria meaning otter. This species is included since 2016 in the EU list of Invasive Alien Species of European Union concern implying that this species cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, or intentionally released into the environment in the whole of the European Union. Lake Kerkini is an artificial reservoir in Macedonia, Greece that was created in 1932, it is one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway route. Lake Kerkini is now one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway Kerkini lake is listed as a Ramsar site, a wetland designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention because of the rich biodiverse nature with the intense wildlife both for protected and non species. Kerkini, Greece on September 2023

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#10548108

25 September 2023

Nutria spotted in Lake Kerkini at a dead tree branch over water lilies next to flamingo birds and Great egret. The nutria, Myocastor coypus, also known as the coypu, a large herbivorous semiaquatic rodent. The genus name Myocastor derives from the two Ancient Greek words mûs -rat and kástōr - beaver, literally, therefore, the name Myocastor means 'mouse beaver' while nutria comes from Spanish word nutria meaning otter. This species is included since 2016 in the EU list of Invasive Alien Species of European Union concern implying that this species cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, or intentionally released into the environment in the whole of the European Union. Lake Kerkini is an artificial reservoir in Macedonia, Greece that was created in 1932, it is one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway route. Lake Kerkini is now one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway Kerkini lake is listed as a Ramsar site, a wetland designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention because of the rich biodiverse nature with the intense wildlife both for protected and non species. Kerkini, Greece on September 2023

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#10548110

25 September 2023

Nutria spotted in Lake Kerkini at a dead tree branch over water lilies next to flamingo birds and Great egret. The nutria, Myocastor coypus, also known as the coypu, a large herbivorous semiaquatic rodent. The genus name Myocastor derives from the two Ancient Greek words mûs -rat and kástōr - beaver, literally, therefore, the name Myocastor means 'mouse beaver' while nutria comes from Spanish word nutria meaning otter. This species is included since 2016 in the EU list of Invasive Alien Species of European Union concern implying that this species cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, or intentionally released into the environment in the whole of the European Union. Lake Kerkini is an artificial reservoir in Macedonia, Greece that was created in 1932, it is one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway route. Lake Kerkini is now one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway Kerkini lake is listed as a Ramsar site, a wetland designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention because of the rich biodiverse nature with the intense wildlife both for protected and non species. Kerkini, Greece on September 2023

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#10548112

25 September 2023

Nutria spotted in Lake Kerkini at a dead tree branch over water lilies next to flamingo birds and Great egret. The nutria, Myocastor coypus, also known as the coypu, a large herbivorous semiaquatic rodent. The genus name Myocastor derives from the two Ancient Greek words mûs -rat and kástōr - beaver, literally, therefore, the name Myocastor means 'mouse beaver' while nutria comes from Spanish word nutria meaning otter. This species is included since 2016 in the EU list of Invasive Alien Species of European Union concern implying that this species cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, or intentionally released into the environment in the whole of the European Union. Lake Kerkini is an artificial reservoir in Macedonia, Greece that was created in 1932, it is one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway route. Lake Kerkini is now one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway Kerkini lake is listed as a Ramsar site, a wetland designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention because of the rich biodiverse nature with the intense wildlife both for protected and non species. Kerkini, Greece on September 2023

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#10548114

25 September 2023

Nutria spotted in Lake Kerkini at a dead tree branch over water lilies next to flamingo birds and Great egret. The nutria, Myocastor coypus, also known as the coypu, a large herbivorous semiaquatic rodent. The genus name Myocastor derives from the two Ancient Greek words mûs -rat and kástōr - beaver, literally, therefore, the name Myocastor means 'mouse beaver' while nutria comes from Spanish word nutria meaning otter. This species is included since 2016 in the EU list of Invasive Alien Species of European Union concern implying that this species cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, or intentionally released into the environment in the whole of the European Union. Lake Kerkini is an artificial reservoir in Macedonia, Greece that was created in 1932, it is one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway route. Lake Kerkini is now one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway Kerkini lake is listed as a Ramsar site, a wetland designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention because of the rich biodiverse nature with the intense wildlife both for protected and non species. Kerkini, Greece on September 2023

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#10548116

25 September 2023

Nutria spotted in Lake Kerkini at a dead tree branch over water lilies next to flamingo birds and Great egret. The nutria, Myocastor coypus, also known as the coypu, a large herbivorous semiaquatic rodent. The genus name Myocastor derives from the two Ancient Greek words mûs -rat and kástōr - beaver, literally, therefore, the name Myocastor means 'mouse beaver' while nutria comes from Spanish word nutria meaning otter. This species is included since 2016 in the EU list of Invasive Alien Species of European Union concern implying that this species cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, or intentionally released into the environment in the whole of the European Union. Lake Kerkini is an artificial reservoir in Macedonia, Greece that was created in 1932, it is one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway route. Lake Kerkini is now one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway Kerkini lake is listed as a Ramsar site, a wetland designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention because of the rich biodiverse nature with the intense wildlife both for protected and non species. Kerkini, Greece on September 2023

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#10548118

25 September 2023

Nutria spotted in Lake Kerkini at a dead tree branch over water lilies next to flamingo birds and Great egret. The nutria, Myocastor coypus, also known as the coypu, a large herbivorous semiaquatic rodent. The genus name Myocastor derives from the two Ancient Greek words mûs -rat and kástōr - beaver, literally, therefore, the name Myocastor means 'mouse beaver' while nutria comes from Spanish word nutria meaning otter. This species is included since 2016 in the EU list of Invasive Alien Species of European Union concern implying that this species cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, or intentionally released into the environment in the whole of the European Union. Lake Kerkini is an artificial reservoir in Macedonia, Greece that was created in 1932, it is one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway route. Lake Kerkini is now one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway Kerkini lake is listed as a Ramsar site, a wetland designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention because of the rich biodiverse nature with the intense wildlife both for protected and non species. Kerkini, Greece on September 2023

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#10548096

25 September 2023

Nutria spotted in Lake Kerkini at a dead tree branch over water lilies next to flamingo birds and Great egret. The nutria, Myocastor coypus, also known as the coypu, a large herbivorous semiaquatic rodent. The genus name Myocastor derives from the two Ancient Greek words mûs -rat and kástōr - beaver, literally, therefore, the name Myocastor means 'mouse beaver' while nutria comes from Spanish word nutria meaning otter. This species is included since 2016 in the EU list of Invasive Alien Species of European Union concern implying that this species cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, or intentionally released into the environment in the whole of the European Union. Lake Kerkini is an artificial reservoir in Macedonia, Greece that was created in 1932, it is one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway route. Lake Kerkini is now one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway Kerkini lake is listed as a Ramsar site, a wetland designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention because of the rich biodiverse nature with the intense wildlife both for protected and non species. Kerkini, Greece on September 2023

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#10548098

25 September 2023

Nutria spotted in Lake Kerkini at a dead tree branch over water lilies next to flamingo birds and Great egret. The nutria, Myocastor coypus, also known as the coypu, a large herbivorous semiaquatic rodent. The genus name Myocastor derives from the two Ancient Greek words mûs -rat and kástōr - beaver, literally, therefore, the name Myocastor means 'mouse beaver' while nutria comes from Spanish word nutria meaning otter. This species is included since 2016 in the EU list of Invasive Alien Species of European Union concern implying that this species cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, or intentionally released into the environment in the whole of the European Union. Lake Kerkini is an artificial reservoir in Macedonia, Greece that was created in 1932, it is one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway route. Lake Kerkini is now one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway Kerkini lake is listed as a Ramsar site, a wetland designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention because of the rich biodiverse nature with the intense wildlife both for protected and non species. Kerkini, Greece on September 2023

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#10548100

25 September 2023

Nutria spotted in Lake Kerkini at a dead tree branch over water lilies next to flamingo birds and Great egret. The nutria, Myocastor coypus, also known as the coypu, a large herbivorous semiaquatic rodent. The genus name Myocastor derives from the two Ancient Greek words mûs -rat and kástōr - beaver, literally, therefore, the name Myocastor means 'mouse beaver' while nutria comes from Spanish word nutria meaning otter. This species is included since 2016 in the EU list of Invasive Alien Species of European Union concern implying that this species cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, or intentionally released into the environment in the whole of the European Union. Lake Kerkini is an artificial reservoir in Macedonia, Greece that was created in 1932, it is one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway route. Lake Kerkini is now one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway Kerkini lake is listed as a Ramsar site, a wetland designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention because of the rich biodiverse nature with the intense wildlife both for protected and non species. Kerkini, Greece on September 2023

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