Tiny Hippo Goes Hunting

Posted on October 21, 2013 by Rin

Tiny Hippos are always on the lookout for interesting new types of fauna. We love the excitement of the hunt, plants are the most stealthy of all game, so silent. While I was visiting Governor Dodge State Park, in Wisconsin, I discovered some great specimens.

I started my exploration at Stephens Falls Trail

Stephen Falls is a mossy waterfall that is so very peaceful

First off, a relaxing nap with some lovely ferns was in order

I found this unique Walking Fern that was very difficult to track, I had to don some camouflage so as to not startle it

Yet, this tiny fern was not afraid of a wee hippo like me

Hmm… These berries look so good, but mom always told me not to eat mystery berries and I am not sure what these are. Does that mean they are mysterious?

If you look closely, you will find all sorts of tiny mushroom friends in the forest

These little fellas are Gem Studded Puffball mushrooms, must be very valuable

You must always keep an eye out for wee mushrooms, they are around every turn

While must mushrooms are very shy, this group was just bursting to meet me

Lost Canyon Trail follows a small stream and as all Tiny Hippos know, streams are the best places to find fabulous fauna

Like this Field Horsetail, a silly, ancient plant, that thinks it looks like a field of horse tails

When dealing with streams, one must be prepared to cross them

Easy does it…

Always be careful not to crush the fauna you are seeking

There was no way I would accidentally tread on this big boy

These mushrooms looked like stairs, but remember, no trampling the fungi

Sometimes, the best way to view them is to climb a nearby branch

I like these mushrooms, they look like turkey tails

While on your adventure, don’t forget to look up once and a while, enjoy the view

Small streams always bring me peace

I hope you get a chance to go fauna exploring this fall. I know that I had a wonderful time and I am sure you will too.

Sunset on the Mississippi

Posted on September 24, 2013 by Rin

I took these sunset pictures from an outlook at Mississippi Palisades State Park.

Mississippi Palisades at sunset

Mississippi Palisades Sunset with Railroad

Mississippi Palisades with railroad tracks

Campbell Center

Posted on September 22, 2013 by Rin

Recently, I took a week-long course at the Campbell Center for Historic Preservation Studies in Mount Carrol, Illinois. Not only was the course highly informative, I also had a blast exploring the early 20th century campus. One evening we were able to go into the old gymnasium that hadn’t been used since the seventies.

The gym is not very exciting from the outside but wait until you see inside!

The old pool in the basement of the gym is in remarkably good condition, don’t worry about the mold in the corners, it adds character

The bathrooms were not so well-preserved

The dilapidated bathroom stalls

I am not sure what this room was used for, maybe it was a locker room?

The basketball court, complete with basketball

There was even a theater at the end of the basketball court, painted on the wall were the names of the crew of “The Silver Whistle” performed in 1959

This was taken from a small room overlooking the basketball court

A Ping Pong table in the room overlooking the basketball court

This was the old shower room

I took this picture by sticking my arm around the corner because I could not walk into this room due to all the rubble

I was not able to explore all of the rooms because the light was fading quickly, I pretty much just shot these last two photos on the fly while I was finding my way out of the gym

One last glimpse of the old gym

I loved being able to explore this old building, what a rare treat!

Exploring the Old Basketball Court

The George Peabody Library, Baltimore, Maryland

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Rin

The George Peabody Library is a beautiful library that is a must see for any bibliophile in the Baltimore, Maryland area. The library, designed by architect Edmund G. Lind, was opened in 1878.

The stacks of the library are impressive and awe-inspiring

Five tiers of balconies surround the reading area of the library

The cathedral-like space is heightened with the giant skylight that stretches the width of the room

The public is not allowed to go upstairs into the stacks, but there is plenty to entertain the curios on the first floor

George Peabody Library Card Catalog and a Tiny Hippo

You can browse the card catalog, they didn’t seem to have any books on Tiny Hippos, though

George Peabody Library Tables with Tiny Hippo

There are plenty of study tables that can be used for research purposes

I found this strange Magic Lantern device, is it bigger on the inside, perhaps?

We had a great time in the beautiful George Peabody Library

Baltimore Sculptures

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Rin

While visiting Baltimore I made sure to take sometime to see the bronze sculptures that grace the parks around the Washington Monument in the neighborhood of Mount Vernon (at the intersection of North Charles Street and Mount Vernon Place).