Tag Archives: photography

Grackles in the Garden

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The grackles in our garden are very mischievous, making themselves the jesters of our tiny backyard jungle.

This grackle enjoys throwing maple seeds into the air while hunting for tasty treats

The less active grackles prefer to stroll through the grass looking for easy snacks.

This leisurely technique may not seem as exciting as the seed tossing method…

However, searching through the grass does yield nom noms such as stale cereal

To freshen up stale cereal, this grackle decides that it would be much better after being dipped in the bird bath

The grackles discover that the bird bath is great for other uses, not just softening up old cereal.

The bird bath is also a great place to take a bath, but be warned, others will want to join in…

One must be very fast about enjoying the bird bath

As soon as this grackle became distracted with his bath another bird decides to sneak into the picture

Still unaware of his rival, this water baby splashes about in pure joy

Splish splash, splish splash

Wait for it…

Then the intruding grackle makes his presence known!

What will the bathing beauty do, will he flee in fear or stand up for his right to enjoy his bath in peace?

While the rival grackle is intimidating is his puffed up stance, our water lover is not trembling in fear

He uses his large wingspan to out puff the interloper

In the end, our water-loving grackle was able to hold on to his prize position at the bird bath!

Avoiding Post-Vacation Blues

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Avoiding Post-Vacation Blues: Advice from a Purple Hippo

When returning from an amazing vacation  there is always the fear that post-vacation blues will hit the newly returned traveler. To avoid this gloomy mood, I will be posting several tips that are sure to brighten your mood and keep you excited about your vacation, even after it has concluded.

One of the best ways to extend your vacation experience is to bring back customs that you learned while on your travels. For a tiny hippo, such as myself, discovering new flavors are a big part of traveling. When I return from a vacation I try to bring home some new flavor ideas to recreate in my own humble kitchen. Once I have mastered the new food techniques at home I like to share them at a special occasion with friends and family. The perfect occasion for trying new foods is, of course, the picnic!

Here is my homemade ploughman’s sandwich with a lovely picnic spread

While traveling in the United Kingdom I fell in love with the ploughman’s platter, and more specifically with ploughman’s sandwiches. These scrumptious sandwiches are made with a hearty bread, an aged cheese, butter (all sandwiches in the UK seem to have butter on them), and spicy and tangy chutney. The chutney is key to this sandwich, without it you just have a plain cheese sandwich.

Recreating foods that you enjoyed during your vacation and then making a bit of an event out of them, such as a picnic, is a great way to bring your trip home with you. This post-travel tip allows you to bring your vacation home with you while avoiding corny souvenirs that have no personal connection to you.

Follow the link to my spicy apple chutney to spread onto your own ploughman’s sandwiches and stay tuned for homemade scones with fresh clotted cream.

Click here to see more of my Travel Tips.

Travel Tip #9: How to get the Most Out of Every Day

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Travel Tip #9: Advice from a Purple Hippo

Whether sightseeing in the country or city there are several things that you need to do in order to be able to appreciate your trip.

First, make sure to take lots of breaks, you are going to be walking for miles each day, so take it easy.

These umbrella like plants at Kew Gardens provide an excellent shady spot in which to take a quick break

Be sure to stay well hydrated, this is very important. If you overheat you will become very grumpy, so drink plenty of cool water.

The fountain in the Queen’s Garden at Kew Gardens is a great place to have some refreshing water

If you can catch a ride with a local, do so. Locals can give you a more authentic perspective into what daily life is really like at your destination.

This colorful camel was able to show me around the British Museum, a place he has called home for several years

Most importantly, be sure to relax, a stressed explorer is not a happy explorer. Be sure to smell the flowers and enjoy the experience, no matter what it brings.

Stop and smell the Azaleas, but be sure not to eat too many of them, people will notice

Hopefully these tips will help you make the most out of every day of your vacation. Be sure to enjoy yourself and take lots of breaks.

Click here to see more of my Travel Tips.

Loch Slapin, Isle of Skye

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Loch Slapin on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, is an exquisite place to escape from it all. We suggest exploring the coastline around dusk to be able to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of this area of the Island.

Bla Bheinn and Clach Glas mountains on the opposite side of Loch Slapin

Loch Slapin, an ideal retreat

The sun slipping behind the mountains, across from Loch Slapin

This lovely view is just a short drive from the ruins of Cill Chriosd, on the road from Broadford village to Elgol.

Tiny Hippo in the Silver Galleries at the Victoria and Albert Museum

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There are tons of great things to see when visiting the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The silver galleries beautifully house an exquisite collection of silver. The most spectacular way to enter the galleries is by the Ceramic Staircase which provide a glimpse into the original designs of the museum and the founding desire to focus on design as well as craft.

The Ceramic Staircase is a remarkable entrance to the Silver Galleries

The Ceramic Staircase is as functional as it is fanciful, and no one minds if a tiny hippo slides down the banister; in fact, a small crowd formed while this hippo slid gleefully down the railing

Once you reach the Silver Galleries be sure to note the two Minton ceramic clad columns that were reconstructed after a discovery of some of the original tiles in the museum’s basement.

Minton ceramic column in the Silver Galleries

There are many strange and delightful trinkets on display in the Silver Galleries.

These sharp bird scissors are just one of the many whimsical things that live in the silver gallery

There are a wide variety of miniature silver pieces in the collection, many of which were designed for children.

While children may have been the intended users of these pieces, one should not negate the ways in which a tiny hippo could take advantage of them, if only someone would open the case for him

There are a number of hands on activities in the Silver Galleries.

Playing hide and seek in the silver steins is a favorite game for any hippo visiting the galleries

There is also a great activity where you can make your own hallmark, just like those found on real silver.

One can first view real hallmarks through magnifier glass on the works displayed in the galleries before trying to create a hallmark

Here is the process for creating your own hallmark.

Place the silvery disc under the press, be sure to center it evenly

Apply all your force on the lever

Retrieve your treasure, it is your badge of honor for a wonderful visit to the Silver Galleries at the Victoria and Albert Museum

The Silver Galleries at the Victoria and Albert Museum provide a wonderful display of imagination and creativity. I would highly recommend a trip to this museum and a playful exploration of the Silver Galleries, located on the third floor.