I think this is either a Eurasian moorhen or a dusky moorhen, probably the latter. They belong to the rail family.
The photo was taken by friends on the east coast of Australia.
Category Archives: Animals
Irish Wolfhound
This gentle dog was visiting at the mall last week. I’ve whited out his owner’s face for the sake of his anonymity.
I had never seen an Irish wolfhound up close like this, much less touched one, but this fellow didn’t mind at all that I touched his nose when we said hello.
I was amazed at his size, easily standing as high as his owner’s waist, and weighing over 200 lbs.
Irish wolfhounds were bred to guard against wolves in Ireland several hundred years ago. Although they must have been aggressive and tough to kill wolves, they are generally quite calm and gentle. They are not bred to be guard dogs, lacking enough aggression for this job.
Still, if you would be the owner of an Irish wolfhound, it would be advisable to train your dog early, before he gets too big to say no to.
Another thing I’ve learned about them is that Irish wolfhounds are susceptible to a heart condition called cardiomyopathy, so they do not usually have a long lifespan. Six to ten years seems to be the average lifespan.
It was a real treat to be able to meet this very large dog. He was seven years old, and very mild mannered. As I went home from having met this dog, I kept thinking, “It must cost a small fortune to feed this dog, but I’m sure he would earn his keep by being such a loving companion.”
Christmas Dinner on the Beach
Merry Christmas, everyone.
May we all be kind to each other.
The eagles are setting an example here.
Two eagles who dined on the beach
Were watched by a crow out of reach,
Said one to the other,
Save some for our brother,
Ensuring a morsel for each.
King of the Beach
Today’s and tomorrow’s photos/limericks are both about eagles, but each of the eagles has different views about sharing.
An eagle devouring a clam
Told all nearby seagulls to scram,
“I’ll share it,” he said,
“If you bring me some bread,
And possibly throw in some jam.”
Tree Treats
A squirrel who spent time on his knees
Was praying for gifts, if you please,
He started to eat
The fir cones as a treat,
And ended up eating the trees.
Antler Ride
I heard the bells ring Christmas Day
As joyfully I chewed away,
The reindeer said, “WHO
On my antlers does chew?”
“I’m guilty,” was all I could say.
“I’m leaving,” the reindeer announced,
“Come down or you’ll surely get bounced.”
“No, I can hang on,
For the time that we’re gone,”
I foolishly squeaked and pronounced.
I shivered and held on so tight,
This trip might just cause me a fright,
The wind whistled past,
We were going so fast,
“Merry Christmas to all and goodnight.”
The Competition
Three chickens who constantly cackle
Keep eyeing the guy with the hackle,
But cock-of-the-walk,
Says, “There’s way too much talk,
The brown hen’s the one I would tackle.”
Black Bear
A black bear who paced on the shore,
Had breakfast, but said he’d like more,
The man in the boat,
Just continued to float,
Avoiding the blood and the gore.
Laughing Kookaburra
See the disrupted feathers on the kookaburra’s breast. Doesn’t it look like a face with two eyes and a ripply mouthline?
There once was a bird who could laugh,
His jokes were much funnier by half,
Than any wild creature
The forest could feature,
He thought life was simply a gaff.
Wallaby
Willoughby Woo was a wallaby
Whose kangaroo friends called him “Wannabe,”
He’d pretend to be cool,
But they called him a fool.
It’s not what a wallaby oughtta be.
“Now listen, my friend, Joey Roo,
I’m certain we’re cousins, we two,
Though different in name,
We are clearly the same,
And you see that I’m handsome like you.”
wordsfromanneli 