Image 1/25

@ An Apple For The Picking
Professor begins his 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.

Image 2/25

@ Graceful Water Lily

Navy Flower Power Egg
The first painted eggs came from Mesopotamia, and because eggs were forbidden food during Lent, people painted eggs while Lent was being observed—after Lent, they would eat the eggs on Easter Day.

Beautifully decorated eggs “pysanka” are associated with Ukraine, and the oldest painted egg that was unearthed in northern Ukraine is dated to the end of the 17th century.

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!

Image 3/25

@ Rain Tracks
"Did you know you can start a fire with ice, Professor?" asked Fino.
"How on earth do you do that?" queried Professor.
"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."
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.

Image 4/25

@ Lake Baikal, Russia
"Wind speed is measured with a device called an anemometer. There's a project here for making an anemometer, Professor. We could try it out tonight when we get back to the accommodation."
"Goodness, Mekmek! Isn't it terribly technical and scientific to do that?" queried Professor.
Mekmek studied the diagram helpfully provided in the brochure. "Nah. It seems to be made of empty yoghurt cartons and stuff. We'll give it a go!"
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.

Image 5/25

@ Frog on a Lily Pad
“You know what, Professor?” said Rory. “Seeing all these amazing photographs makes me want to take up photography myself!”
“Sounds like a great idea!" replied Professor. "There’s an evening class you can join when we get back!"
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!

Image 6/25

@ Victoria Falls, Zambezi River, Africa
The doldrums is a wind-free area around the equator where sailing ships used to get stuck for weeks. Hence the phrase ‘in the doldrums’.
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.

Image 7/25

@ Regal Swan
"The Great Fire of London in 1666 gave rise to many changes, you know, Professor," remarked Noelle. "Many streets were widened across London. New building regulations meant that instead of wood, brick had to be used for all houses."
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.

Image 8/25

@ Many Waterfalls
"Do you know how matches came to be invented, Elvis?" queried Professor.
"No, how, Professor?"
"An English apothecary, John Walker, used a stick to stir a pot containing antimony sulphide, potassium chlorate & sulphur and some of the mixture stuck to the end of the stick. When he tried to scrape the lump, it easily caught fire and this led to the birth of friction matches. This was in 1827."
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.

Image 9/25

@ Ripples On The Water
"It's turned a bit hot, Professor. They must have put the heating on! I'm going to take my scarf off," said Mystique.
"Good scheme! I'll do the same," said Professor.
Ripples On The Water
Water rippling over the rocks below creates abstract patterns that shift and change.

Image 10/25

@ Tudor Rose
Professor and Debbie were entranced on reaching this exhibit and eagerly posed for a picture standing on either side!
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.

Image 11/25

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

Image 12/25

@ Swimming With The Fish
“I could stay here in front of this image forever, Professor,” said George. “This is an amazing place!”
“Well, you never know what lies ahead, George. I wouldn't be surprised if the next exhibit is even better!” said Professor.
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.

Image 13/25

@ Water Drops On Pine Needles
In Greek mythology, the Anemoi were four wind gods, causing wind from the four compass points.
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.

Image 14/25

@ Rain Soaked Twig
"Did you know that kite flying and fire fighting featured at the 1900 Olympics in Paris, Darkling?"
"That's amazing, Professor!"

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?

Image 15/25

@ 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.

Image 16/25

@ Refreshing The Rose
"It says here that 'fire' is from the Old English fȳr, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch vuur and German Feuer," remarked Professor.
"That's interesting!" responded Talyia Aline.
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.

Image 17/25

@ Playing With Waves
The fastest gust of wind ever recorded on Earth was 253 miles per hour.
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.

Image 18/25

@ Dewy Iris
"Did you know that kite flying and fire fighting featured at the 1900 Olympics in Paris, Bella?"
"That's amazing, Professor!"

Dewy Iris
A beautiful iris with dew-laden deep blue petals in an atmospheric close-up image.

Image 19/25

@ Tantalizing Cherry
The air in Earth’s atmosphere is made up of approximately 78 percent nitrogen and 21 percent oxygen. Air also has small amounts of lots of other gases, too, such as carbon dioxide, neon, and hydrogen.
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.

Image 20/25

@ Heron at Dawn
"Wind speed is measured with a device called an anemometer. There's a project here for making an anemometer, Professor. We could try it out tonight when we get back to the accommodation."
"Goodness, Moonabelle! Isn't it terribly technical and scientific to do that?" queried Professor.
Moonabelle studied the diagram helpfully provided in the brochure. "Nah. It seems to be made of empty yoghurt cartons and stuff. We'll give it a go!"
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.

Image 21/25

@ Canine Hydrotherapy!
"It says here that 'fire' is from the Old English fȳr, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch vuur and German Feuer," remarked Professor.
"That's interesting!" responded Minerva.
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!

Image 22/25

@ Ladybug Going For A Walk
"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 Professor.
"Cool!" responded Flapke. "We could make a start when we get back to our hotel tonight."
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.

Image 23/25

@ Teal & Purple Peacock Feather
“Oh hello, Professor!” cried Choose a name. “Didn’t we bump into each other at the Fiat racetrack in Turin last July? This is quite the change of scene, isn't it!”
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.

Image 24/25

@ Water Drops On A Rose
"Depending on their strength, winds can be known as a breeze, gale, storm or hurricane. Wind is caused by differences in air pressure. Air rushes from high pressure areas to lower ones," remarked Professor.
"Mm-hmm?" responded ceefa.
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?

Image 25/25

@ Plop, Water Drops
As Professor's experience of "Water" comes to an end, he 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.
Professor has completed his exploration of "Water"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also explore the Elements!