This diver caught an adorable moment on video when a wild grey seal swam up and hugged him underwater. Ben Burville says he has been scuba diving in that area of the North Sea for nearly 20 years, and has become very familiar with the local seals as a result. pic.twitter.com/HtXOcAnPdU
2.3. Family Photographs…4 . Amalfi shore.5. Hmmm. Got anything else to eat?6. Bulgarian Glass Lizard7. Any ideas where this is?8. It’s my birthday cake.9. Amazing they are still around at this time of year.10. No, it’s not me again. It’s a different me. I’m the better looking one, don’t you think?And before you answer that it might be as well to remember how sharp my beak is!!!11. River Avon at Tewksbury.12. Wanna play?13. Little Ballo woods, Angus. A good 5 mile walk for Munguin, who likes to be carried after the first 5 steps.14. Ammonite on the beach at Lyme Regis.15. Gaborone, Botswana. Home of that famous detective, Ma Ramotswe.16. Did you have a hard day at the hunt, darling?17. 3,200 year old olive tree.18. I heard Munguin was looking for a shower?19. Well, there you are, Danny. Not all Swiss cows have fancy costumes to wear… at least some us us only wear them on Sundays to go to the church.20. Say what? Hancock? Not Haddock? Cod dammit… Colour me shocked!!!!
Geckos stick to surfaces using tiny hairs on their toes 🦎
24.25. You got extras today because Munguin was in a good mood… We’ve all been to that Orangutan’s birthday party and , well, I think we all ate too much. My tummy’s a bit full!
Anyway, Munguin says he would like to thank: Derek, Kay, John, AndiMac, Dave, Panda Paws, Quokka and probably someone else I’ve left out.
I was on Arran, many years ago, when I spotted some seals on the beach. I decided to try to get closer, maybe even grab a photo, so I crept stealthily, downwind, from boulder to boulder. When I figured I was close enough, I stood up to take the shot. I didn’t know there was a seal on the other side of my boulder. I don’t know who got the bigger fright – the seal scrabbling over the shingle to the sea or me flailing about trying not to fall or drop the camera!
In South Queensferry, between the Forth bridge and the Hound Point Oil Terminus, I was walking the dogs. Like all terriers they were surrounding me, dashing off to see or smell something interesting then racing back to see all was well, then back off again. My “big” dog, Gizmo, suddenly stopped his ears forward staring intently at the seal who was staring right back at him. For about ten seconds they stood, just staring at each other until Sweetie, give a huge yelp of delight and led the charge towards it. It just slid into the water and disappeared.
I’ve always wondered what went on in Gizmo’s mind that day. Fight, flee or, um, make friends…
LOL Tris……Very sensible cows! Exactly what we would expect of Swiss livestock. 😉
Even with Wiki justification, I’m still suspicious of that “legless lizard” story. Sounds like snake-inspired public relations spin to me.
Looks like a snake…..slithers like a snake……..etc, etc…. 🙂
I loved the Amalfi rocks beautiful. The videos were excellent. However we have enough problems with plastic in the Oceans without throwing plastic into the lava fields…
Very apt caption for the one I sent in and no I’m not telling you which one that was. Re No 16 – it’s the lionesses that hunt – the boys just sit around primping the manes…
Tris……The flowing lava, roiling sea, and clouds of steam make for a great tourist attraction. The boats show up as soon as a new lava flow gets to the ocean. One recent eruption of Kīlauea (it’s on the Big Island of Hawaii…..the island actually named “Hawaii”) lasted for 35 years. From 1983 to 2018 Wiki says.
LOL…..Yes, and I don’t understand how the volcano officials decided such a thing anyway. Surely, the lava flows during an eruption come and go, and they talk about a “different” eruption starting soon after 2018. So it’s a mystery that only the volcano scientists understand I guess. 🙂
Anyway, the Hawaiian volcanoes are great tourist attractions. The lava flows freely, and they don’t blow up like other types of volcanoes.
He might have visited Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. Wiki: “The park encompasses two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world’s most massive shield volcano.”
When you have a tourist attraction of that magnitude, you designate a national park around it.
On the OS maps and Google Streetview, I’ve looked at all the harbours in the East Neuk, all the way west to Charlestown but can’t find one that fits. But it must be in that area. You wid think.
/kipling5-5ac2205818ba010036e274fe.jpg)
MUNGUIN'S NEW REPUBLIC 
My two most intimate wildlife experiences were with seals.
First at the mouth of the River Eden (Fife).
And then where the Devon meets the Forth at Cambus.
It is no wonder (to me at least) that there are legends of selkies.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well, you should probably tell us more about your experiences…
Did you get cuddles?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No cuddles, we weren’t close enough for that.
The seals were in the water, I was on the shore.
But I could sense that they were trying to communicate with me.
I have never sensed such intelligence in any other wild animal, although I have had many close encounters with deer, hares and birds.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a totally lovely experience, DonDon.
I love the sense of communication you get with any animal, even walking along beside sheep or cows is magical, the way the stare at you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was on Arran, many years ago, when I spotted some seals on the beach. I decided to try to get closer, maybe even grab a photo, so I crept stealthily, downwind, from boulder to boulder. When I figured I was close enough, I stood up to take the shot. I didn’t know there was a seal on the other side of my boulder. I don’t know who got the bigger fright – the seal scrabbling over the shingle to the sea or me flailing about trying not to fall or drop the camera!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Awww, so close to a cuddle!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
In South Queensferry, between the Forth bridge and the Hound Point Oil Terminus, I was walking the dogs. Like all terriers they were surrounding me, dashing off to see or smell something interesting then racing back to see all was well, then back off again. My “big” dog, Gizmo, suddenly stopped his ears forward staring intently at the seal who was staring right back at him. For about ten seconds they stood, just staring at each other until Sweetie, give a huge yelp of delight and led the charge towards it. It just slid into the water and disappeared.
I’ve always wondered what went on in Gizmo’s mind that day. Fight, flee or, um, make friends…
LikeLiked by 2 people
He he he…
Probably make friends.
Nice story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pretty colored rocks! Amazing iceberg video!
#6…..I’m thinking that Bulgarian lizards look a lot like snakes. I really wonder about that lizard story.
#19……Thanks! Amazing to see a Swiss cow not in costume. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Swiss cows have to work Monday – Friday, same as you or me.
They only get all dressed up for high days and holidays!!!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slender_glass_lizard
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL Tris……Very sensible cows! Exactly what we would expect of Swiss livestock. 😉
Even with Wiki justification, I’m still suspicious of that “legless lizard” story. Sounds like snake-inspired public relations spin to me.
Looks like a snake…..slithers like a snake……..etc, etc…. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, I guess it’s either a snake or a politician…
One of the two?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes…..masters of spin! Both of them. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved the Amalfi rocks beautiful. The videos were excellent. However we have enough problems with plastic in the Oceans without throwing plastic into the lava fields…
Very apt caption for the one I sent in and no I’m not telling you which one that was. Re No 16 – it’s the lionesses that hunt – the boys just sit around primping the manes…
Very much a balm for the soul.
LikeLiked by 2 people
If you got long hair like they have, you can’t expect to just wake up and trot out looking fabulous.
There’s a lot of work keeping that looking good… I wouldn’t wonder a couple of visits to the maindresser a week. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
PP……Nice comment! As noted previously, I like “balm.” Balm is a much underused word in internet discourse.
You have to be especially careful what you put in Hawaiian lava. It builds new real estate and then gets to the ocean pretty fast.
LikeLike
My… I just hope the wee sea creatures know to stay away from it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tris……The flowing lava, roiling sea, and clouds of steam make for a great tourist attraction. The boats show up as soon as a new lava flow gets to the ocean. One recent eruption of Kīlauea (it’s on the Big Island of Hawaii…..the island actually named “Hawaii”) lasted for 35 years. From 1983 to 2018 Wiki says.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C4%ABlauea
LikeLike
LOL Danny. Must have been a bit of a shock to the tourist trade when that 35 year eruption stopped!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL…..Yes, and I don’t understand how the volcano officials decided such a thing anyway. Surely, the lava flows during an eruption come and go, and they talk about a “different” eruption starting soon after 2018. So it’s a mystery that only the volcano scientists understand I guess. 🙂
Anyway, the Hawaiian volcanoes are great tourist attractions. The lava flows freely, and they don’t blow up like other types of volcanoes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Next time I see my neighbour, I’ll ask him if he has any good volcano stories. He did a course in Hawaii before coming to Scotland.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He might have visited Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. Wiki: “The park encompasses two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world’s most massive shield volcano.”
When you have a tourist attraction of that magnitude, you designate a national park around it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawai%CA%BBi_Volcanoes_National_Park
LikeLiked by 1 person
Also, I imagine, if you are from Indiana, you go see it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely! I’m pretty sure they don’t have volcanoes in Indiana. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing pic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed! Lava flows create new real estate, but lava doesn’t respect highways, power lines, and existing housing developments.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bloody inconsiderate, I say.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Volcanoes got no respect! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Is No7 Dysart in Fife?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It looks like Crail Harbour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like it but isn’t either Dysart or Crail.
LikeLiked by 1 person
On the OS maps and Google Streetview, I’ve looked at all the harbours in the East Neuk, all the way west to Charlestown but can’t find one that fits. But it must be in that area. You wid think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dave’s gonna have to tell us!!!!
LikeLike
Two boats are KY registered which is Kirkcaldy.
Is it Kirkcaldy?
LikeLiked by 1 person
DAVE help.
LikeLike
Which harbour was it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think he’s holding out on us…
LikeLike
A mother fox collecting her babies.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Bohemain Catsody
LikeLiked by 3 people
Oh… it won’t play!
LikeLike
Oh that was brilliant. Freddie Mercury himself would be proud of it. Cats – cute little monsters 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was magic, Marcia.
LikeLike
Gosh this is amazing. There are 4 cats in this picture – it’s not 1984 reference there really are 4 of them. Took me a while to find one of them…
LikeLiked by 1 person
But not all cats are black.
LikeLiked by 2 people
No at all black, but some are very well camouflaged!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Took me a while….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
https://www.thenational.scot/politics/19651421.real-scottish-politics-hypocrisy-queen-princes-exposed/?ref=twtrec
Off topic.
LikeLike