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@ An Apple For The Picking
Tripper begins her experience of Water!
An Apple For The Picking
A red apple, ready to eat, nature has washed it clean of dust and soon it will let go of its hold on the branch, let’s pluck it and eat it and enjoy the crisp taste of autumn on the way.

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@ Graceful Water Lily

Purple Flower Power Egg
My pets are in awe of these beautiful eggs—they would love to try to paint their own one year. Easter and spring are times of joy as the earth awakens, plants are pushing forth from the soil, and the days are becoming warmer. Many baby animals are born in the spring, and life is burgeoning. May these eggs bring you joy and be a reminder of the earth renewing itself.

Graceful Water Lily
The Nymphaeaceae family (a very fitting name for these elegant water plants) offer the ideal finishing touches to a garden pond. Water lilies add practical features and also beauty to any pool. Fish use them to hide from predators, and as shady retreats from the hot summer sun. Plants growing in a pond help keep the water clean and aerated. These specimen is especially beautiful!

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@ Rain Tracks
"Today's trivia question, Bill!" announced Tripper. "When were the first ever windmills built?"
"Oh, goodness! I've no idea, Tripper, but I imagine they're pretty old!" responded Bill.
Tripper grinned. "Windmills have been in use since 200 BCE. They were first developed in Persia and China."
Rain Tracks
Today is raining and the raindrops have gathered on the window pane. The drops are racing each other and chasing each other to see which drop can make it to the bottom of the window first. Dear pets, if you would like to play a game with these raindrops, choose one and follow it with your paw, or talon as it heads downward.

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@ Lake Baikal, Russia
The idea that four elements – earth, water, air, and fire – made up all matter was the cornerstone of philosophy, science and medicine for two thousand years.
Lake Baikal, Russia
Lake Baikal, in southern Siberia, Russia. It is considered to be the oldest lake in the world, at 25 million years, and the deepest lake. It contains 20% of the world's total unfrozen freshwater reserve. A Unesco world heritage site. Beautiful in winter, a huge chunk of ice looking like a massive diamond.

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@ Frog on a Lily Pad
"This is an extremely varied set of exhibits, Tripper!" remarked Ms Stinkerbelle. "We're going from really cosy pictures of pets to amazing scenic landscapes!"
Frog on a Lily Pad
It's an endearing, iconic image—a frog on a lily pad! The lily leaves are attached to stems about four feet long connected to the plant growing on the bottom of the pond. These stems and the water's surface stability make the lily pads strong enough to carry a frog. It may look a peaceful scene, but the frog is in reality remaining motionless, waiting for unsuspecting prey!

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@ Victoria Falls, Zambezi River, Africa
"It says in our tour guide that 96.5% of water on Earth is in our oceans, covering 71% of the surface of our planet," remarked Tripper.
"That's amazing, Tripper!" responded Midnight Blue.
Victoria Falls, Zambezi River, Africa
One of the world's largest waterfalls, with a width of 1708 m (5604 ft) Victoria Falls, on the Zambezi River, in southern Africa. In the Lozi language, Mosi-oa-Tunya, "The Smoke That Thunders"; In the Tonga language Shungu Namutitima, "Boiling Water") The Sotho language name Mosi-oa-Tunya is the name used most commonly.

David Livingston, a Scottish Missionary, was the first recorded European to set eyes on the falls in 1855. Livingstone named the falls Victoria after Queen Victoria, the World Heritage List officially recognizes both names. Mr. Livingstone also cited an older name, Seongo or Chongwe, which means "The Place of the Rainbow", as a result of the constant spray.

Victoria Falls, though not being the largest in width or height alone, combined these falls are indeed the world's largest sheet of falling water.

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@ Regal Swan
"Wind direction is given by the direction from which the wind comes," said Tripper.
"That makes sense!" replied Selene.
Regal Swan
The mute swan, or Cygnus olor is a very large white waterbird with an orange bill. In the UK they are most commonly found in England, but to a lesser extent in Scotland and Wales. In cold weather, some mute swans arrive from Europe into eastern England.

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@ Many Waterfalls
"The Great Fire of 1666 started in London, on Pudding Lane, in a baker's shop. The baker believed he had put the fire out but in the middle of the night the fire grew and his house was in flames. Pudding Lane is still there today. If you want to visit it, Monument is the nearest tube station. The place where the fire started is also marked by a monument topped by a fiery gold ornament," said Tripper.
"It makes it sound like it's the only monument in London, Tripper!" chuckled Hoots.
Many Waterfalls
Looking like so many mini waterfalls, the ocean surges, and retreats over a large flat rock. The sound must be wonderful, so soothing.

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@ Ripples On The Water
"Why do we get sea breezes, Tripper?" queried Saphira.
Tripper looked baffled. "I don't know, Saphira! We just do!"
Saphira read out from the brochure: " 'Sea breezes occur because heat from the sun takes longer to warm the sea than the land, creating a difference in air pressure.' So—there it is."
Ripples On The Water
Water rippling over the rocks below creates abstract patterns that shift and change.

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@ Tudor Rose
The four elements were even used to described the four temperaments a person could have, and Hippocrates used the four elements to describe the four “humors” found in the body. These theories stated that the temperaments and humors needed to be in balance with each other in order for a person to be well both mentally and physically.
Tudor Rose
In the 15th century King Henry VII of England introduced the Tudor Rose, which combined the red rose of the House of Lancaster with the white rose of the House of York. The Tudor Rose was adopted as the national emblem of England, and was a symbol of peace and unity in the period following the long civil war.

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@ Leaf And Water Drops
"Did you read what it said under that exhibit earlier, Bunty Bondette?" asked Tripper. "It stated that early windmills' sails turned anti-clockwise but later makers shifted mainly to clockwise."
"Wow, Tripper! It's one of those things I'd never have thought about!"

Leaf And Water Drops
Magnifying a subject—as in this leaf and water drops—can produce some wonderful almost abstract art.

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@ Swimming With The Fish
The fastest gust of wind ever recorded on Earth was 253 miles per hour.
Swimming With The Fish
Where do I want to be? Under the sea. The water is warm the fishes are darting around in colourful schools—nibbling a bit of plant here and there.

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@ Water Drops On Pine Needles
"After the Great Fire of London in 1666, businessmen started house insurance companies. They had to be careful because if another fire started they could lose a lot of money. To get around this, they ended up hiring their own fire brigade just in case a fire did start! This is when the first brigade started."
"It sounds a bit hit-and-miss, Tripper!" remarked Likey.
"It was, yes. Any of the insurance companies' fire brigades weren't allowed to put out a fire of a house which was insured with a different company!"
"They'd just watch it burn, then, Tripper?"
"Well—I guess that was how it went, Likey, yes!"
Water Drops On Pine Needles
Come along dear pets, we are going to take a walk amongst the trees. The rain has stopped and the air is fresh with the scent of pine all around, it will lift our spirits and refresh our minds.

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@ Rain Soaked Twig
A gale is officially defined as a wind of between 32 and 63 miles per hour. A wind blowing from 4 to 31mph is a breeze.
Rain Soaked Twig
Don't you just love the play of light on the foliage, with the foreground in sharp focus and the background grasses a soothing blur, and this twig weighed down by raindrops at dawn?

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@ Hello, Anyone Home
Oh look ... you won a pet!
Hello, Anyone Home
Raindrops bejewel the web of a spider. I wonder where the occupant of this web went when the rains came. A spider can’t hold an umbrella, so I hope it found a big leaf to hide under while waiting out the rain.

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@ Refreshing The Rose
"It's turned a bit hot, Tripper. They must have put the heating on! I'm going to take my scarf off," said Icicle.
"Good scheme! I'll do the same," said Tripper.
Refreshing The Rose
The dusty pink rose, is ready to unfurl, perhaps today when the sun shows its face, but for now, the rose has been washed of dust and refreshed.

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@ Playing With Waves
"Did you know you can start a fire with ice, Tripper?" asked princess ♥ sparkles.
"How on earth do you do that?" queried Tripper.
"Well, you need a disc of clear ice shaped into a lens, then use it as you would a magnifying glass to shine the sun's rays onto flammable material, such as dry grass."
Playing With Waves
Take your shoes and socks off, the sand is soft, and the water is warm as the waves gently roll in and out. Playing tag with the waves is a favourite pastime of many people and pets. A great way to cool off during the heat of the summer.

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@ Dewy Iris
In Greek mythology, the Anemoi were four wind gods, causing wind from the four compass points.
Dewy Iris
A beautiful iris with dew-laden deep blue petals in an atmospheric close-up image.

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@ Tantalizing Cherry
“You know what, Tripper?” said Minx. “Seeing all these amazing photographs makes me want to take up photography myself!”
“Sounds like a great idea!" replied Tripper. "There’s an evening class you can join when we get back!"
Tantalizing Cherry
Water drops on a ripe red cherry, how mouthwatering is that. But is this cherry for eating or is it a model for an artist? Don’t help yourself quite yet.

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@ Heron at Dawn
Ray Bradbury wrote a book called The Fireman, but the editors found the name boring. They called a local fire station to ask at what temperature book paper would burn at. The firemen put Bradbury on hold, burnt a book, and reported that the temperature it burnt at was 451° Fahrenheit. The rest, as they say, is history.
Heron at Dawn
This tall, almost prehistoric looking, grey heron stands like a statue on the edge of the pond, contemplating its next meal. Dawn is just breaking and the water is shrouded with mist.

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@ Canine Hydrotherapy!
"There's a fun project in our brochure on how to make a weather vane from an ice cream container lid, scissors, a marker pen, a skewer, a straw and a pin," remarked Tripper.
"Cool!" responded Choose a name. "We could make a start when we get back to our hotel tonight."
Canine Hydrotherapy!
Most dogs love to swim! Those that take to aquatic frolics most readily will be dogs with a water-resistant coat, evenly distributed body weight and a large tail to act as a rudder!

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@ Ladybug Going For A Walk
The fastest gust of wind ever recorded on Earth was 253 miles per hour.
Ladybug Going For A Walk
Little ladybug taking a stroll on a leaf, it rained this morning and the ladybug stops to sip at a raindrop. Refreshed the ladybug will move on to do ladybug things.

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@ Teal & Purple Peacock Feather
“If there's time at the end of the day when we get back to our accommodation, I might do some initial sketches for a watercolour painting from the postcard I bought in the gift shop," Bindy said, offering Tripper a toffee from the bag and then unwrapping one for herself.
“That sounds like a good plan, Bindy!" said Tripper. "Very relaxing, and your painting will be a great souvenir of our trip through the Elements!"
Teal & Purple Peacock Feather
Birds waterproof their feathers with oils from the preening activity, which prevents water droplets sinking further into the feathers. Instead water forms into droplets which run off the feather. Feathers have a unique and highly complex structure and their arrangement with neighbouring feathers maintains their "waterproof" integrity.

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@ Water Drops On A Rose
"Wow! It says here in our brochure that there’s a bush called dictamnus albus which emits a flammable, oily substance which can be lit on fire, without burning the bush itself," remarked Tripper.
"Wow indeedy!" responded merlin.
Water Drops On A Rose
A white rose in full bloom, sprinkled with drops of water. Did it rain early in the morning, or did a gardener come by with a watering can and drench the flowers before the sun came out?

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@ Plop, Water Drops
As Tripper's experience of "Water" comes to an end, she receives a wonderful gift!
Lotus Flower, Violet
For thousands of years, the Lotus flower had been used as a symbol of purity, beauty, and transcendence. The Lotus flower also represents connection. In Feng Shui the lotus is seen as an embodiment of the mandala, the petals have a center point that expands outward. Beautiful, delicate flowers that only grow in swamps. "All the wisdom is within us, so the 'jewel,' the 'treasure,' is in us—and we are the lotus flower," Anjie Cho

Plop, Water Drops
As the rain falls and lands on the water’s surface it creates craters and small pillars of water. It is endlessly fascinating to watch the raindrops fall.
Tripper has completed her exploration of "Water"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also explore the Elements!