I had a review of this set ready to go early in the week, but lost track of time and never posted it. Thanks to WhiteLightning Wolf for letting me tag onto this post.
My review is a little different, as I also include Latin names, sizes/scales, and comparison discussion with other figures of each species (if any exist):
Species: great blue heron,
Ardea herodiasSize/Scale: Height 5.5 cm; scale approximately 1:23
Other figures of this species: K&M International made one for their River Nature Tube, but good luck in finding that figure.
Overall impression: I was most excited for this figure, as it was my favorite bird growing up in Arizona (largest bird I grew up with, and a rare treat in the Sonoran Desert). Fairly well sculpted, although the legs are a bit thick (probably needed to prevent breakage). Fine detail and paint are great! I will keep it, but crossing my fingers Safari will release a Wings of the World version that is a little bigger.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Species: Canada goose,
Branta canadensisSize/Scale: Height 5.2 cm; approximate scale 1:17 on average
Other figures of this species: New Ray made a set of four for a Wildlife Series, some of which were repurposed for hunting-themed set. AAA also made a Canada goose.
Overall impression: Fantastic. A little small, but it looks good on the shelf with other waterfowl. Detail and texture are really nice. The paint job is pretty good, although the feet blend into the base. Although a little small, this figure replaces a New Ray figure in my Synoptic Collection.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Species: American herring gull,
Larus argentatus smithsonianusSize/Scale: Height 4.0 cm; approximate scale 1:14 for a female, 1:15 for a male (birds are hard to calculate scale as they are measured in length when stretched out)
Other figures of this species: None, this figure is unique!
Overall impression: Wonderful little bird with good detail. Like the Canada goose, the color of the base is the same as the feet.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Species: Canada lynx,
Lynx canadensisSize/Scale: Length 5.5 cm, scale 1:16
Other figures of this species: Safari Ltd also has a standard-sized figure in their North American Wildlife line. Other lynx figures may or may not be attributable to this species.
Overall impression: This is probably the weakest sculpt. It looks flattened from side-to-side, quite noticeably so. The paint may be a bit simple too, but the face looks good for a figure of this size. This is the only figure I am not retaining, only because I am content with the NAW figure, which is more the size I want anyway.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Species: little brown bat,
Myotis lucifigusSize/Scale: Wingspan 8.5 cm; scale approximately 1:6
Other figures of this species: Safari Ltd had previously made this species for their Incredible Creatures line, and K&M International made one for their River Otter Nature Tube.
Overall impression: Wonderful. The fine detail is amazing. The face is well-sculpted and well-painted, and wrinkles on the wings are sculpted. The matte finish gives the impression of a furry critter.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Species: common mudpuppy,
Necturus maculosusSize/Scale: Lenght 8.0 cm; scale 1:2.5 for a sexually mature adult
Other figures of this species: Safari Ltd (Tennessee Aquarium Collection) and Play Visions (Salamanders)
Overall impression: Very nice detail, especially in the gills. Better than the PV figure of comparable size. Hard to tell, but just like the Cave Dwellers TOOB olm, it might have an extra toe on each hind foot.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Species: dragonfly; community based identification of Hine's emerald dragonfly,
Somatochlora hineana.
Size/Scale: Wingspan 6.0 cm; scale 1:1.5
Other figures of this species: None, this figure is unique if you accept the community-based ID (courtesy of sphyrna18, that I concur with)
Overall impression: A new species of insect! Count me in! Interesting, this is the one figure Safari Ltd did not market at the species level. However, given the color and that the theme of the set is the Great Lakes, this really is the best option.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Species: Lake Erie water snake,
Nerodia sipedon insularumSize/Scale: Lenght of figure 6.5 cm; stretched out it would be longer. Assuming it streches out to about 9.0 cm, the scale would be 1:15 (but if you want an exact scale, you can measure down the midline yourself if you get the figure)
Other figures of this species: None, it is unique (at least as a subspecies)
Overall impression: Very nice detail and paint, maybe a bit small, but still worth keeping. Most of my reptiles are smaller figures anyway, so it should fit nicely with many of my other snakes.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Species: lake sturgeon,
Acipenser fulvescensSize/Scale: Length 9.0 cm; scale 1:25 for a larger specimen
Other figures of this species: Replica Toy Fish...and this Safari figure is BETTER (in my opinion)
Overall impression: When I first bought this set, the determining factor on whether or not I kept it would be how the size and sculpt compared with the RTF figure. With regards to size, it is pretty much exactly the same; with regards to sculpt it's better! So, this figure debunks the RTF figure for my Synoptic Collection.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Species: yellow perch,
Perca flavescensSize/Scale: Length 7.5 cm; scale 1:4.6 on average (average length of actual fish 10-25 cm)
Other figures of this species: Replica Toy Fish
Overall impression: Another winner. I tell you, whoever sculpted these two fish needs to specialize in them and make a Fishes TOOB! I don't have the RTF version of this species, but based on online pics, again the Safari figure is better.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
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