Butterflies (Transformation Is Beautiful)

Dear Friends:

I really love butterflies (not the Michael Jackson song, even though that is great too). I personally refer to them as “flying flowers.” It amazes me that mother nature could fashion something so dainty and wondrous. Yet, what appeals to me most about Butterflies is the phenomenon of transformation. Butterflies are born into the world as caterpillars. During this portion of their lives (the larval stage) they munch on leaves and do nothing else. But, when the time comes, they seal themselves within a cocoon and emerge as something so much more spectacular.

Butterflies, when you think about it, are a wonderful metaphor for life. As human beings we’re always metamorphing into something new all of the time. Sometimes we don’t like what we are, who we are, or where we are. Yet, we are in that situation nevertheless. But the wonderful thing is that nothing is permanent. The only time you stop growing and changing is when you die. Like the caterpillar we ALL eventually become something wonderful.

When I think about who I was only two years ago its so difficult for me to fathom. Yet, the experiences that I endured was food for my personal growth.

Presently, you maybe disgusted by: who, what, and where you are right now; but, give it some time. You will be who and what you were born to be, just like the caterpillar that becomes a flying flower.

With Love…

Sincerely,

Toddy English.

Impossibly Adorable…

It’s a Fennec Fox. People have been domesticating them for a few years now and they make wonderful pets. They are too cute! I want one (or two).

Toddy English.

Obligatory Cuteness Day…

Dear Friends:

Okay, so it isn’t a gorgeous guy (at the moment). However, how can you NOT love cute bunny rabbits? These pictures are seriously making me consider adopting a bunny. Too cute! No wonder they breed like rabbits. They are so cute they can’t possibly resist one another!

A Day In The Life of Sir Ashton Winston Churchill

Dear friends:

In my next life I want to be a cat. All Sir Ashton Winston Churchill does is eat and sleep, everyday. And if I don’t bring him his food on time he will yell until I do. I thought Lincoln freed the slaves? Apparently my cat is unaware of this.

Sincerely,

ToddyEnglish

Animals on Parade: My Fabu Day at The Zoo…

Dear Friends:

These are pictures of my Zoo trip a few days ago. Me and a couple of friends went and got some really great pics of the animals. I had a fabulous time. I haven’t been to the Zoo since I was ten. Needless to say I was running amuk like all of the four and five year olds.

Anyway, most of the animals were asleep…But I managed to get great shots of the ones that were awake. I’m just bummed that they didn’t have any Thomson Gazelles (my favorite animals)…bleah. However, they did have my second favorite animal…Zebras (she even posed for me. Her little boyfriend was asleep)!  As a matter of fact all of the beautiful hoofed mammals (Bongo, Okapi, Giraffes, and Eland) were out. I love the herbivores, absolutely gorgeous. I did manage a shot of the The king of Beasts (Lions) and the haughty Prince of Speed (Cheetah, my favorite big cat) themselves. However, lions are nocturnal and sleep 18 hours a day. The cheetahs were just bored. One woman had the audacity to peep into the enclosure and say, “Here kitty kitty…” “Here kitty kitty” to a Cheetah? The fastest animal on land? Are you fucking kidding me? But alas I digress.

It was fun. Check out the pics yo. There are also some cute pics of a little baby bongo and Giraffe. Support your local Zoo. They do so much to bring about awareness of endangered species.

 

 

 

My Animal of The Day: Impala (not the car)

Okay, so far all of my animals of the day have been herbivores. I can’t help it. I just think they are so beautiful and graceful. However, carnivorous creatures will be coming up shortly, trust…

For now today’s creature is another favorite of mine, The Impala. When people go on Safari in Kruger National Park (I wanna go there someday) they say visitors will see so many Impala they’ll get bored. But I can never find myself getting bored watching Impala. They are magnificent. Gregarious like other herbivores Impala are herd animals (large numbers help lessen the chances of predation).

While not nearly as fleet as  the Tommy gazelle Impala are pretty fast (able to attain speeds in excess of 40 mph). Furthermore, they are wonderful high jumpers (able to take single leaps of up to 20 feet in the air).

They are handsome animals. The does (females) are small, with no horns, and the males are slightly larger with magnificent lyre shaped antlers.

Here is some video footage of Impala.

Fleeing danger…Impala are fantastic runners.

 

 

 

My Animal of The Day: Zebras!

The animal of the day is my second favorite (next to the Thomson’s Gazelle) animal in the world, Zebras (Or as I like to refer to them as, Tiger Horses).

Zebras, I believe, are some of the most splendid creatures in existence. I think they are absolutely gorgeous with their striped patterns and strong, yet swift and agile, bodies. Furthermore, I love their vociferous nature. They are very social animals (being that they are herd animals), and each Zebra has his or her own unique personality.

Did you know that every Zebra’s stripes are as distinct as human fingerprints? This is a necessity, particularly for the young. Zebra colts have to memorize their mother’s specific stripe pattern (a process called “imprinting”) in order to survive. Zebra mares have no adoption system and therefore lost colts may starve, or fall to predation, if they cannot recognize their mother.

With the exception of lions adult Zebras don’t have any major predators. Zebra colts are the most vulnerable to: big cats, Wild Dogs, and Hyenas. However, in the majority of cases adult Zebra males come to their defense. Furthermore, in spite of their enormous size (Burchell’s or plains Zebras can weigh between eight or nine hundred pounds…With Grevy’s Zebras being even larger) Zebras are extraordinarily fast, capable of maintaining flight speeds in excess of 40 mph.

Did you also know that Zebra males have phallus over 18 inches long? Just thought you all would like to know.

Did you also know that Zebras can kick ten times harder than a normal horse. So, whatever you do don’t piss one off…

Anyway, not only do I love Zebras from a purely aesthetic standpoint but I also respect them. They are so brave. Zebras will literally go to war with predators for their survival. And the kinship bonds between family groups of Zebras is endearing. They really are  great.

Cheers!

Animal of The Day: Thomson’s “Tommy” Gazelle

The very first animal in the spotlight is my all-time favorite (although it is very difficult for me to pick a favorite animal), the Thomson’s “Tommy” Gazelle.  They are so adorable. I love their big bright eyes, their cute faces, striped tawny patterns, wagging tails, and the phenomenal speed and agility they possess.

Tommy Gazelles are the most common Gazelles found on the continent of Africa. They number in the hundreds of thousands and are adapted to living life on the open plains. They are herbivorous (plant eating), highly social, herd animals, that feed on low lying grasses and shrubs. They often congregate with larger herbivores such as: Zebra, Wildebeest, Impala, and Grant’s Gazelles, due to the fact that the larger plant eaters eat the leafy top plants while Tommies devour the fresh short grass on the bottom.

Tommies generally weigh between 30-50 pounds, with males being slightly bigger than females. Males also have large beautifully arched horns (used during intra-specific conflict, with other males, for territorial/mating rights). Females generally have no horns (or mere spikes, for maternal defense of their fawns). 

Being that Tommies are small herbivores they are susceptible to predation from a menagerie of ravenous predators ranging from: Cheetah, Lions, African Hunting Dogs, Crocodiles, Leopards, and Hyenas. However, Tommies are not without their own defenses. Tommies have extraordinarily acute senses enabling them to spot a stalking predator before it even gets close enough to strike. Furthermore, there is strength in numbers. Tommies congregate in large herds, thus employing hundreds of eyes, ears, and noses to keep watch.

Once spotted good luck catching a Tommie…Tommies can take off running at speeds of 55 mph. Moreover, they can endure at 40 mph for up to 35 minutes (still capable of outrunning most predators). Although they are not as fast as their preeminent predator, the Cheetah (capable of sprinting at 70 mph), the wily little gazelle escapes more often than not. Due to the fact that Tommies are extremely agile and have more stamina they often juke young and unsuspecting cheetah.

Furthermore, the Tommy’s grace in high speed flight is almost lyrical. Even though the Tommy in question is fleeing for his or her life it’s almost miraculous to watch. They are such powerful and magnificent runners.

I love these little creatures because of their tenacity to survive and thrive. They dwell in a world full of dangers and perils; yet, they manage to proliferate to the point of becoming common. Their will to live is what makes them fantastic to me. And did I also mention that they are adorable and graceful? I would love to have some as pets.

A young female escapes a Cheetah…

Run Tommy Run!

 

 

New Category: Animal of The Day

Dear Friends:

I’ve decided to implement a new category on my humble little blog. Instead of Word of The Day (which I’ll definitely continue) I’m going to have an “Animal of The Day” category as well.

For those that don’t know…I love animals. Not only do I love our four legged friends but I’m also an avid supporter of animal rights(I occasionally donate money to PETA as well). Animals, be they: mammalian, reptillian, or avian are all worthy of love and respect. They not only inspire me with their natural beauty and grace but they also teach me…Just watching Ashton Winston Churchill aka “Big Poppa”(my big ole cat) walk around the house, as if he’s seeing everything for the first time, is a lesson in and of itself (never become too jaded) for me.

So, from now on I am going to exhibit an Animal of The day. I’ll post a picture and give you some basic (and not so basic) information on the featured animal, possibly accompanied by a youtube video. Many of the animals I’ll be featuring are on the endangered species list (like Polar Bears) and, I believe, the more we know about them the more we’ll realize how valuable they all are to our natural world…and act on their behalf.

Plus, I just love animals…heh.

Cheers!

Toddy English.