“The greatest threat to our planet is
the belief that someone else will save it.”
Robert Swann
“Mother Earth” By Karliene:
“The future of humanity and indeed
all life on Earth depends on us.”
David Attenborough
“Carnival of the Animals: VII” by Saint-Saëns (courtesy of Anna Vidyaykina)
Halloween being just around the corner, my thoughts have turned to bonfires and to the atmospheric darkness of autumn nights, and then to bats. If you should venture out after dark and hear some spooky sounds, you may find this will put your mind at ease (courtesy of AV Productions):
“Berceuse” by Gabriel Fauré (courtesy of Adagio Trio):
One October a few years ago, extreme climate changes which occurred in many places on Earth resulted in the catastrophic deaths of thousands of bats in Queensland, Australia. Not able to withstand temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius high, the bats plummeted to the ground. The volunteers from an animal rescue centre rushed to save as many babies as possible. Trish Wimberley, the wonderful woman who set up the Wildlife Trauma Centre, brought up bat babies, thus not only saving the next generation of these important mammals but also providing a unique study into their intelligence, self-awareness and their ability to connect with their carer.
Courtesy of Adam Cox:
The fact that they are so very cute also helps to raise our determination to insist that governments worldwide start taking our concerns seriously, and stop industrialisation everywhere and anywhere (Amazon forest fires) and building on the green belt here (UK), among many other places in other countries. When we destroy Earth, it will be too late to then realise that we can’t eat money or cement.
Courtesy of Wakaleo:
Some fortunate little bats!
Courtesy of The Dodo:
Courtesy of GeoBeats Animals:
“The Truth About Bats” (courtesy of Wandering Path Productions):
The folklore of many countries includes bats. Sometimes their flesh was used as a cure for various ailments, sometimes as part of witchcraft ceremonies, as in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Then there is the malicious association with Count Dracula, and a more accurate one as a weather prediction – bats flying early in the evening mean a good next day ahead. The name originated from Scandinavia but was also associated with a ‘flying mouse’ as in German – Fledermaus. Now we know that appearance is misleading since bats are genetically closer to humans than to mice.
Lewis Carroll wrote in Alice in Wonderland, one of my favourite childhood books:
“Twinkle, twinkle, little bat!
How I wonder what you’re at!
Up above the world you fly,
Like a teatray in the sky.”
Courtesy of Jiipygmi;
Apart from birds, bats are the only warm-blooded creatures that manage to take to the air. There are two groups of bats: those who feed on fruit and flowers and those who eat insects. The bats in the former group use smell to locate food, but insect-eating bats use echolocation. They fold their wings like vellum umbrellas, and they can see in the dark, despite having quite poor vision, because they can navigate safely by emitting high-pitched sound-squeaks that ‘bounce’ off anything in their way. There are many types of bats, and all of them are fascinating. Their flying ability allows them the freedom of travel. In Australia, the only creature that came from the outside was a bat, and the forensic examination of the fossil of one bat proved that it arrived millions of years ago from France.
How bats hunt (courtesy of BBC Earth):
To some people, bats seem ugly because of their hairy faces, leathery wings with elongated fingers and bodies that closely resemble those of mice. To me, they are not only beautiful but extraordinarily well-designed. The skin membrane between the fingers allows them to fly, and the folded wings provide safety when they sleep upside-down, hanging by their claws. On the ground, they are clumsy because their knees bend backwards which makes walking difficult. All bats have a good set of teeth and large ears, useful for echolocation. There are 950 species of bats in the world but in Britain, there are just: Pipistrelle, Horseshoe Bat, Brown Long-eared Bat, Natterer’s Bat and Noctule Bat and a few others. The female nurses her baby while flying, an amazing achievement as the baby is a quarter of her weight. Females only start breeding after they are several years old and they have an unusual system of delayed fertilisation. If they are not in tip-top condition in the spring, they can prevent fertilisation by keeping sperm separated from the eggs after mating. Bats live a surprisingly long life, about 30 years or more.
All about bats! (courtesy of WildlifeWatchUK):
Bat Sense (courtesy of Nature Video):
The 11th-century market town where I live nestles alongside the Grand Canal. In summer, just after dusk, you can see groups of low-flying bats busy hunting for insects that are plentiful above the waterways. A small bat can devour 3000 insects in one night. It is necessary for the bats to gain as much fat as possible to be safe during the harsh winter months. After feasting as much as possible in autumn, when cold weather arrives and insects become scarce, bats hibernate. They like cool places like caves, abandoned mine shafts, barns or even attics of old houses and churches, as long as the places are quiet with a stable temperature and no draughts.
The woman who lives with 500 bats (courtesy of Beastly):
To me, these enchanting nocturnal creatures symbolise the countryside, longevity, continuity and peace. They even feature on the family crests of two heraldic families: the Wakefields and the Heyworths. At Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, there is even a beautiful carving of a flying bat on the staircase. Bats in Britain are now fully protected, Just as well because the continuing loss of their habitat and the changing climate poses a threat to the future of these fascinating creatures. Long may they prosper.
“Hedwig’s Theme” by John Williams (courtesy of Taylor Davis):
Here is my picture of some of my friends, bat included.
“Scarborough Fair” by Celtic Borders (courtesy of Brian Horton):
As we are close to Hallowe’en, which itself originates from the Celtic festival Samhain which marked the end of harvest and the start of wintertime, it is fitting to reflect on new beginnings and renewal, and to remember and honour those loved ones who have passed on.
“Saturn” by Sleeping At Last:
naturetails 
Thank you, Layla, for your beautiful comments! Your words are greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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You are welcome!
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It’s truly heartwarming to hear about the efforts of Trish Wimberley and the volunteers who save the creatures with kind heart. Bats are fascinating creatures indeed. This remarkable story you wrote really serves as a reminder of how wonderfully the connection of all species on our planet is desinged and defined. Also it’s importance of conservation efforts. Another great post dearest Joanna.
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Thank you, Dearest Suma, for your exceptional comments! With your perception, you have highlighted what is important in my post!
Thank you again, Dearest Suma, and I greatly appreciate your words of wisdom!
Joanna
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Thank you, Dearest Suma, for your perceptive comments! I replied already, but thank you once again!
Joanna x
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You are more than welcome dearest Joanna ❤🙏🙏
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Thank you!
Joanna x
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What an interesting post, Joanna. I love the story of the bats. They are very cute creatures. Without them we would have a lot more mosquitoes and night flying insects.
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Thank you, Dwight , for your lovely comments! Your reflections are greatly appreciated.
Joanna
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You are most welcome!
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Wonderful post and title!! We do have to do our part and there is an illusion it will just clear up on its own! 💕thank you for sharing this!
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Thank you, Cindy, for your kind comment! Your wise thoughts are much appreciated!
Joanna
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It’s always my pleasure Joanna! Thank you for a wonderful education!~💕
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Thank you, Cindy, for being so very kind!
Joanna x
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This is such a fascinating story Joanna. Interestingly, on Sunday, I watched a report on CBS about this millionaire who built a manmade bat cave on his property. What a beautiful job you have done about discussing these creatures that people were influenced to fear. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you, Kym, for your additional, most interesting comments! You are such a great asset to blogging community! I loved your fascinating story about the poison apple tree!
Thank you again, Kym, your words are deeply appreciated!
Joanna xx
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Oh my dear friend, you are absolutely welcome. I appreciate your kind words and your educational contributions you give us so generously each week. My sincere thanks go out to you my dear Maggie. I appreciate you my friend. 🥰💖😊
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Thank you, Kym! xx
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Yet another great post ,Joanna on the fascinating creatures: the bats ! It was splendid description on the efforts towards its conservation ! Thanks for sharing such a unique article 🙏
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Thank you so much, Dhirendra, for your wonderful comments! Your words are greatly appreciated!
Namaste
Joanna
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My pleasure as always Joanna! 🤗💖😍
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Thank you so much 😀
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You are more than welcome, Dhirendra!
Joanna
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🙏
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Thanks a lot for sharing an interesting post, Joanna.
I’ve loved everything in it, starting from the brilliant title 🦇🦇🦇
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Thank you, Luisa, for your wonderful comments! All greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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It’s well deserved praise, dear Joanna! 🙂
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Thank you, Dear Luisa, you are very kind!
Joanna x
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You’re so welcome Joanna! 💓💕
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Thank you, Cindy! xxx
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I always learn something from your posts – often several things. The wrapped up baby bats look sweet but I’m sorry they ended up needing help.
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Thank you, Susan, for your wonderful comments! Yes, I would also prefer them and koala bear to live peacefully without needing help, but the climate change is happening…
For the few weeks, I am not publishing my posts because I have a pile of legal papers to deal with for my civil court case. I will be back shortly!
Joanna
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Oh gosh – that sounds daunting. Good luck!
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Thank you, but it is just a the complicated divorce, I finally will free myself from the verbal abuse!
Joanna
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So cute, those little baby bats in a row!
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Thank you so much, Chen Song Ping, for your lovely comment! Your words are very much appreciated!
Joanna
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When we visited Cairns in 2014, we developed a new appreciation of the flying fox bats. We also learned not to park a car under their roosting trees. On New Years Eve, we were awaiting the fireworks display when on the first boom, the bats all took off and flew over us in a giant cloud. Happy Tuesday Joanna. Allan
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Thank you, Allan, for your lovely comments! I know from your writing that you understand and love nature, so your thoughts are greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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