Animals Are 'Fine'

If you want to define animal groups, how many do you know? There is obviously a finite number, but I'm not sure if the list below is final. For now at least, I have confined them to what is seen below. I think the list is ultrafine. How many have you heard of?

Asinine: Donkeys or asses 

Cervine: Deer 

Corvine: Crows or ravens 

Delphine: Dolphins 

Elephantine: Elephants 

Equine: Horse

Caprine: Goats 

Leonine: Lions 

Leporine: Rabbits or hares 

Lupine: Wolves 

Murine: Mice, rats, or rodents 

Ophidian (Serpentine): Snakes 

Piscine: Fish 

Sciurine: Squirrels 

Ursine: Bears 

Vulpine: Foxes

There were some I'd never heard of. 

If you can add ot the list, I'll refine it. 

If We Could Sing To The Animals

Animals seem to be affected by music. Studies suggest that playing calming music to cows, such as classical or a soft beat style of music, can increase milk volume by relaxing them. 

Humans are emotionally affected by music in a way we perhaps don't fully understand. Types of music affect people differently but music that we enjoy releases dopamine that lifts us up. I wonder why animals seem to like it? 

As mentioned, softer music is the sort they are attracted to. The video below shows animals being drawn to music and to the musician. It must give the performer a warm feeling to get that reaction. 

Australian Wildlife Series - Spotted Burrowing Frog

This is one of a series of posters I have had for some time. Each article will reveal one poster at a time. The drawings are from Stanley and Kay Breeden and they were sponsored by BHP. This is #12.

Australian Wildlife Series - Koala

This is one of a series of posters I have had for some time. Each article will reveal one poster at a time. The drawings are from Stanley and Kay Breeden and they were sponsored by BHP. This is #11.

Australian Wildlife Series - Hooded Dotterel

This is one of a series of posters I have had for some time. Each article will reveal one poster at a time. The drawings are from Stanley and Kay Breeden and they were sponsored by BHP. This is #10.

Australian Wildlife Series - Herbert River Possum

This is one of a series of posters I have had for some time. Each article will reveal one poster at a time. The drawings are from Stanley and Kay Breeden and they were sponsored by BHP. This is #9.

Australian Wildlife Series - Grey Headed Robin

This is one of a series of posters I have had for some time. Each article will reveal one poster at a time. The drawings are from Stanley and Kay Breeden and they were sponsored by BHP. This is #8.

Australian Wildlife Series - Frilled Dragon

This is one of a series of posters I have had for some time. Each article will reveal one poster at a time. The drawings are from Stanley and Kay Breeden and they were sponsored by BHP. This is #7.

Australian Wildlife Series - Eastern Grey Kangaroo

This is one of a series of posters I have had for some time. Each article will reveal one poster at a time. The drawings are from Stanley and Kay Breeden and they were sponsored by BHP. This is #6.

Australian Wildlife Series - Crimson Chat

This is one of a series of posters I have had for some time. Each article will reveal one poster at a time. The drawings are from Stanley and Kay Breeden and they were sponsored by BHP. This is #5.

Australian Wildlife Series - Common Brushtail Possum

This is one of a series of posters I have had for some time. Each article will reveal one poster at a time. The drawings are from Stanley and Kay Breeden and they were sponsored by BHP. This is #4.

Australian Wildlife Series - Brown Tree Snake

This is one of a series of posters I have had for some time. Each article will reveal one poster at a time. The drawings are from Stanley and Kay Breeden and they were sponsored by BHP. This is #2.

Australian Wildlife Series - Black-Winged Stilt

This is one of a series of posters I have had for some time. Each article will reveal one poster at a time. The drawings are from Stanley and Kay Breeden and they were sponsored by BHP. This is #1.

The Crafty Seal

This seal was trying and trying to get on to a boat moored by a floating salmon farm. After several attempts, it made it. See the sequence below, captured by yours truly.

Yet another attempt

Just about there!

If I just wriggle a little bit more

Finally on deck

I need to find a suitable spot to sunbathe

Ah, I think I've found it 

Now for a snooze

Cat Trap

I was sitting in my car in a residential street when I saw a tabby cat walking along the road near a small wall. Crouching behind the end of the wall was a black cat waiting for the other cat to arrive. I wondered if this was a game these two felines played or was something more serious.

When the tabby reached the corner, the black cat leapt out and challenged the wandering moggy. There was a standoff for a little while, as you see in the picture below. I decided to end the confrontation by getting out of the car and approaching them. The tabby ran across the road and the black cat chased it part of the way before returning to its property.

My camera on my ipad doesn't like darker settings so the picture isn't very good but it does capture the tense situation. Cats are very territorial and will aggressively defend their patch.

Literate Dogs?

Can dogs read? Of course not. However, either someone thinks they do or hopes the owner acts before the dirty deed is done.

What does that small sign say?

Birds Of A Feather

They say birds of a feather (or type) gather together. Well seeing as it wasn't roosting time, I'm not sure why so many wanted to get together on the top of this tree at the same time. It was a case of standing room only. Others were hovering around but having to go away with insufficient room to land.

Messages From The Dog

Blaming your wind on me... not funny... not funny at all!!!

Yelling at me for barking... I'M A DOG!

Taking me for a walk, then not letting me check stuff out. Exactly whose walk is this anyway?

Tricks involving balancing food on my nose... stop it!

Any haircut that involves bows or ribbons... now you know why we chew your stuff up when you're not home.

The sleight of hand, fake fetch throw. You fooled a dog! Wow, what a proud moment for the top of the food chain.

Taking me to the vet for "the big snip", then acting surprised when I freak out every time we go back!


Getting upset when I sniff the crotches of your guests. Sorry, but I haven't quite mastered that handshake thing yet!

Dog sweaters. Hello ???... Haven't you noticed the fur?

We both know who's boss here!!! You Don't See Me Picking Up Your Poop Do You?

Hedgehog Visit

It is an introduced animal to New Zealand and some feel as they are not indigenous, then they shouldn't be here. They are claimed to affect native species adversely. Are species proven to be at risk due to hedgehogs? The same people claim the Himalayan tahr decimates Mt Cook Lilies when it actually seems to spread them. The same outfit doesn't seem to mind killing native species with extremely toxic 1080 aerial poisoning drops. The organisation is called DOC and the mentality they exhibit makes me doubt anything they say.

So unlike the trapping method suggested by DOC, I welcome them into my garden. Here's one that happened to find some fat we put out for the birds. Rather shyly, it curled up when we came out. They are welcome anytime.

Horsing Around