This is a shot of the flora and fauna of the Talak River basin, in the area of Taru City. The Talak River is one of the largest rivers on the face of the planet Balaam and it's home to some very interesting animals and plants. The riverine biosphere now is home to several artificial species, as well as genetically enhanced survivors of the environmental calamity that Balaam is suffering through. Left to right: Plant: Greater Claw of Heaven--leaves when dried and ground are spicey like cinnamon. Can grow to huge size. The bark is soft and fuzzy. Plant: Base of the Talpus Palm (more further down) Animal in water:Treefisher--artificial species. This mid-sized, eight-limbed carnivore typically eats fish, eggs and birds. It is an efficient amphibian and brachiating tree-climber. It will even eat the odd monkey if it can catch it. Plant behind Treefisher: Bal Iris--This violet-pink bulb flower is aromatic and oftimes used as an affirmation of love amongst the Balaamese. Tree: Swamp-Oak--These are short, fast growing trees with tough, mossy bark and hard-wood interiors. Used in furniture and bowl-making. Animal on tree: Moderaan Stag-crab--artificial species. Efficient scavenger in trees, land, or underwater. Their meat is white and flakey and generally very good. They can grow quite large. Fish: Devil Fish (also called the Blood-fish)--This animal is attracted to blood in the water. Oftimes they will use their sharp beak to cut holes in animals to drink their blood. In a blood frenzy, they can be as agressive as Terran Pirahanas. Plant behind Fish:Nagan Faux Flowers--These plants attract pollenators with colored like petals. The have pollen and give off a sweet odour, but give nothing to the bees and butterflies they attract. They are very long lived plants, lasting to thirty of forty years. Plant: Fuzz Pods--They act and look identical to Terran Cat-tail reeds. Bird: Horned Egret (also called Violet Banded Bandit)--These two meter tall birds are fish-eaters and can wade in the afternoon poisonous stinging algae in the Talak river, due to their tough, armored legs. They are not above snatching a tasty morsel from other fishers. Plant behind bird: Jolla Bean Bush--Jolla Beans when chewed give a caffien rush, but is useful as a laxative if you eat the beans. Ground and baked, they are used in a drink called Hot Jolla. Baked, they lose their laxative properties, and can be used in candies and cakes as a substitute for choclate. Animal: Volug (Balaamese Snapping Turtle) These agressive fish-eaters are capable of biting through boots and severing hand or feet if they get thier razor sharp beak on them. Having the strongest jaw pressure on Balaam, all fear these riverine hazards. Plant behind Volug: Turig-yam--This barbed plant is a staple of most human diets on Balaam. They have flesh similiar to yams (once you get through their thorns and thick hide). This flesh can be baked, ground, stewed and treated many differnt ways to eat. The flowers have a spicy, peppery scent. Tree behin Turig-yam: Talpus Palm--source of Talpus figs. This common fruit is wide-spread and used in many common dishes. Tree far right background: Tarig Tree--These giants sometimes reach up to 100 meters in hieght. Genetically robust and a source of most hard-wood. A favorite amongst nesting birds due to the high foliage, and straight naked trunk that makes predators easy to spot on. Media is Poser 6. This piece is dedicated to KittenKiss! She uploaded a ton of stock-textures to that gallery at DA and I had to use a bunch! Some of the plants' basic were put together by Transpond, which there is not much left of now. The bug on the tree is from 'Cool-to-be-evil' (I think). I don't care whether anyone looks or not at this piece. I wanted to experiment and just put a bunch of the critters I put together, and plants I did in one piece for my own edification. Enjoy! ^__^