Image 1/25

@ Lost Umbrella
Ruby begins her experience of Wind!
Lost Umbrella
Did you lose an umbrella? I know where they go. The wind calls out, the leaves are cavorting already in the air, and the umbrellas want to join them. Waiting for the perfect moment when the wind swoops down and up, the umbrellas catch this drift and sail into the air to play and dance with the leaves.

Image 2/25

@ Let's Go Fly A Kite!

Yellow Daisy 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.

Let's Go Fly A Kite!
You don’t need to carry a brush for cleaning chimneys or have a bottomless bag to enjoy flying a kite. All you need is a steady wind—not too fierce—and some bit of paper or cloth over a light frame, with a string attached.

Image 3/25

@ Grass Flags
"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 Ruby.
"That's amazing, Ruby!" responded MooDonna.
Grass Flags
Feathery fronds of grass, like little flags, wave in the breeze.

Image 4/25

@ Tilting at Windmills
In Greek mythology, the Anemoi were four wind gods, causing wind from the four compass points.
Tilting at Windmills
We are in Don Quixote territory here, in Spain's Castilla–La Mancha region. The area is dotted with numerous vineyards, castles and windmills—and mountain ranges!

Image 5/25

@ Drifting Around On The Water
"What two elements is water made up of, Ruby?" asked Redington.
"That's easy: hydrogen and oxygen!"
"Correct, Ruby! Two parts of hydrogen to one part oxygen, making the element name H2O."
Drifting Around On The Water
All the pets are clamouring to see their duck and geese pals. We gather up some bags of seeds and enjoy a leisurely walk to the pond. Spending time outdoors is always so relaxing.

Image 6/25

@ Turning Somersaults
"Wind direction is given by the direction from which the wind comes," said Ruby.
"That makes sense!" replied Pneuma.
Turning Somersaults
Racing across the miles, dashing for the shore, tentacles of water, reaching forward, trying to grasp what is just out of reach.

Image 7/25

@ Touchdown
When humans and animals breathe, we give off an odorless gas called carbon dioxide, or CO2. Plants use this gas, along with sunlight, to make food—and oxygen too! This process is called photosynthesis.
Touchdown
Sucking up and flinging out, the storm has unleashed its power and sends a column of twisting, churning air downward to rip across the landscape.

Image 8/25

@ Children Of The Dandelion
The strongest winds in the solar system are on Saturn where they reach speeds of over 1,100mph.
Children Of The Dandelion
Each seed has its own propeller that will allow the wind to carry it whirling and dancing across the land until the wind abates and the seed drops to find its new home.

Image 9/25

@ Flag, Great Britain
"Did you know you can start a fire with ice, Ruby?" asked Starla.
"How on earth do you do that?" queried Ruby.
"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."
Flag, Great Britain
A flag of Great Britain, fluttering in the breeze. Flags represent an idea or an ideal. Countries, businesses, sports, religions, railways, and clubs all use a flag to represent themselves. Flags are also used in semaphores to convey a message across a distance.

Image 10/25

@ The Power Of Water
"I'm going to buy that souvenir wind spinner, HappyCheerling," said Ruby. "It'll be a nice colourful addition to my garden!"
"That sounds like a lovely memento, Ruby!"
The Power Of Water
The tide roars in, and tons of water will crash to the shore bringing sand, rocks, and treasures.

Image 11/25

@ Translucent Blue
“What have you got in your rucksack, Choose a name?” asked Ruby. “It looks very full!”
“I’ve come prepared for anything, Ruby,” responded Choose a name. “There’s canvas deck shoes, tennis shoes, flip-flops, sandshoes, walking boots, sandals, loafers—you name it, I’ve got it!”
Translucent Blue
The sun is beaming down, the day is warm, and the water is crystal clear and looks so inviting. So let us jump right in and make some waves of our own.

Image 12/25

@ Swelling Seas
Ruby and Dorlinger shook paws, said “How do you do?” and posed for a souvenir photo. “Why am I always on the left?” grumbled Ruby. “Let’s change sides.”
“No,” said Dorlinger. “This is my best side.”
Swelling Seas
The ocean is always in motion—the water swells—then subsides. Let’s go for a boat ride, and the waves can toss us hither and yon—hope you don’t get seasick.

Image 13/25

@ Golden Evening
“Let's just drink in this exhibit, shall we, Ruby?” suggested MooBerry, sinking down on a convenient chair.
Ruby agreed it was well worth spending some time there!
Golden Evening
At day's end, the wind gently pushes the grasses down as it sweeps across the field—as if to say— time for sleep.

Image 14/25

@ Pink and White Tulips
"When was silver identified as an element?"
"Eek—no idea, Debbie!"
"Don't worry, Ruby! It was as far back as 4000 BCE!"
Pink and White Tulips
These tulips, swaying in the breeze, make a fine display in the Netherlands.

Image 15/25

@ So Much Snow
Oh look ... you won a pet!
So Much Snow
A snowy ribbon of road—snowy fields on either side—if walked will lead straight to the source, the snow clouds.

Image 16/25

@ Dutch Weathervane
"A trivia question for you, precious!" announced Ruby. "Who is the largest consumer of fireworks in the United States?"
precious pondered. "I don't know, Ruby, who is it?"
"It's Walt Disney World. The park launches the fireworks with compressed air instead of gunpowder to reduce fumes and gain better height and timing."
Dutch Weathervane
This ornate weathervane in the Netherlands features a splendid full masted ship, and depending on wind direction, will point to noord, zuid, oost or west!

Image 17/25

@ Dancing Dandelion Fluff
"When was silver identified as an element?"
"Eek—no idea, Katrice!"
"Don't worry, Ruby! It was as far back as 4000 BCE!"
Dancing Dandelion Fluff
Oh, to be a dandelion seed swept along on currents of air sailing along on a journey that will end at an unknown destination.

Image 18/25

@ Breezy Fields
"Today's trivia question, Chica!" announced Ruby. "When were the first ever windmills built?"
"Oh, goodness! I've no idea, Ruby, but I imagine they're pretty old!" responded Chica.
Ruby grinned. "Windmills have been in use since 200 BCE. They were first developed in Persia and China."
Breezy Fields
Let’s run through the field as the grasses bend to the wind and the clouds race each other across the sky.

Image 19/25

@ Swirling Snow
"What two elements is water made up of, Ruby?" asked Nutsy Mouse.
"That's easy: hydrogen and oxygen!"
"Correct, Ruby! Two parts of hydrogen to one part oxygen, making the element name H2O."
Swirling Snow
The wind kicks up the snow, swirling and twirling around until—not only the land but—the very air is saturated—with white mist.

Image 20/25

@ Poppies, Red and Cornflowers, Blue
"Did you read what it said under that exhibit earlier, Whoot?" asked Ruby. "It stated that early windmills' sails turned anti-clockwise but later makers shifted mainly to clockwise."
"Wow, Ruby! It's one of those things I'd never have thought about!"

Poppies, Red and Cornflowers, Blue
These meadow flowers make a colourful sight as they are blown by the passing wind!

Image 21/25

@ Hot Air Balloon Flight
"The Great Fire of London in 1666 gave rise to many changes, you know, Ruby," remarked Shamika. "Many streets were widened across London. New building regulations meant that instead of wood, brick had to be used for all houses."
Hot Air Balloon Flight
Take off at dawn and glide gracefully through the countryside in a colourful hot air balloon as the sun rises over rolling hills, chocolate box villages and a patchwork of fields. Enjoy the perfect 360-degree view from 2000 feet in the air in the early morning, the perfect time to soak up spectacular landscapes for as far as the eye can see. It's an experience that will be remembered for a lifetime. It is truly the best way to see the countryside—from the sky!

Image 22/25

@ Ruffled Waters
"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 Ruby.
"Cool!" responded Dorlinger. "We could make a start when we get back to our hotel tonight."
Ruffled Waters
The blue, ruffled waters of this outdoor swimming pool look very inviting! Who's for a dip before breakfast?

Image 23/25

@ Rural Windmills
"Hey, this is interesting, Ruby!" declared Dong Dong. "It says here that if the entire world’s water were fit into a 4 litre jug, the fresh water available for humans and pets would equal only about one tablespoon."
Ruby fidgeted with the corner of her brochure. "I'm not sure I follow, Dong Dong!"
"It's a proportion thing, Ruby. Nearly 97% of the world’s water is salty or otherwise undrinkable. Another 2% is locked in ice caps and glaciers. That leaves just 1% for all of our needs!"
Rural Windmills
What a peaceful early morning scene in the misty dawn, with the dew still on the silver grass.

Image 24/25

@ The Star Spangled Banner
"Did you know that fire can only burn on Earth, Ruby?" asked Marsha.
"I guess I hadn't really thought about it, Marsha! Why is that, then?"
"It says here that fire can exist on no known planet, other than Earth itself. This is because the rest of the planets in our Galaxy don’t have enough oxygen to support the burning of a flame."
The Star Spangled Banner
... what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming.

Image 25/25

@ Florida Storm
As Ruby's experience of "Wind" comes to an end, she receives a wonderful gift!
Short Tree, Violet
Gorgeous violet-leafed tree. Perhaps it grows in the fairy forest, or maybe the wizard worked some magic. If you can get seeds from this tree, you may have luck growing it in your garden.

Florida Storm
This is no mere wind! This is a hurricane! Stay safe indoors, all pets, you don't want to risk getting blown out to sea!
Ruby has completed her exploration of "Wind"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also explore the Elements!