Tag: Djur

Today’s Memorable Moment

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This amazing animal knows nothing about zoos or fencing.

Orangutans are found only in Borneo and Sumatra, and Sarawak has the wild population of these intelligent ginger apes. I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to meet these wild animals in real life.
And I believe the quote below by Jane Goodall includes true facts.
Semenggoh Orangutan Rehabilitation Center.
Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia, December 2019.

“Chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans have been living for hundreds of thousands of years in their forest, living fantastic lives, never overpopulating, never destroying the forest. I would say that they have been in a way more successful than us as far as being in harmony with the environment.”
– Jane Goodall.

Fertilized Joy

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After four long weeks of waiting, it’s finally confirmed that my beloved basenji dog Fanny is expecting puppies. In the picture above she is only five months old, in July this year she turned three years old.Her mother in Sweden is called Drömma which means Dreaming. Dogs are pregnant for about 63 days or nine weeks. Today it has been 37 days since the first mating.
Although there is now a lot to prepare, plan and think of, I feel pure joy that I would love to share.

Xwejni Salt Pans – Part 2

Published on by Anita23 Comments

Here I’m again, among the Salt Pans in Gozo. Now much later in the afternoon and it’s a bit cooler.
As you can see in the first picture, the dried salt has now been collected in white bags.I wonder how big these caves really are and what might be inside, I guess tools and more sacks.Needless to say, someone taking a bike ride just before dusk.Others choose to fish.I’m curious about the salt, it looks like it hasn’t dried properly yet.
It looks like snow, wet snow.But it’s not snow, it’s too hot for that on this small island in the Mediterranean.
Now the sunset awaits…
🐕
In case you missed part one, you’ll find it here

Where am I?

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Looks like an exciting place, let’s go down and take a look.Like a moonscape in the middle of nowhere.
Where am I?I really enjoy to run freely along the cliffs, although it looks more like I jump on soft dunes.
It may not be easy to see me at first glance but look closely and you will find me.Now you probably think I’m curious about that cave but I actually need some shade, it’s very hot.Here I am, at Xwejni Salt Pans on Malta’s sister island Gozo, and yes, I’m in this picture too.

These salt pans have been in this region since Phoenician and Roman times,
and the tradition actually continues to be used even today.

Click here and you will learn more about salt harvesting in Gozo, it’s quite interesting. Many people probably think of salt as simply that white granular seasoning found in saltshakers on virtually every dining table.
But it’s far more than that..No, I’m not in this picture but you can see a black dot far away, it’s the car that took me here.
It feels like a long walk back in the heat, but it was well worth the experience.
🐕
More to come from my short vacation in Gozo.

Windblown

Published on by Anita18 Comments

Några bilder från en av många promenader i “skogen” tillsammans med fina Fanny.Menar du att vi ska gå hela den där långa vägen tillbaka till bilen? Det är faktiskt 30+!Ja, men vi går i skuggan, mellan träden så känns det inte så varmt.
Fast den där bilden är ju faktiskt från en annan skog.…och vi kan ta en och annan paus, ser kanske lite snårigt ut.Titta, matte lyckades fotografera en fågel!

(S)kottår.Kanske inte den bästa skogen om man vill hugga sig en gran till Julhelgen.Nu är vi framme, nästan, tror jag.
Äntligen! Vi har ju gått i flera timmar, nu vill jag hem.. …fast det verkar som att vi gått lite vilse. Ser du var bilen är?Åhh nej!!Kanske ska vi prova att gå åt det där hållet istället.
Äntligen hemma!
Tror matte blev lite snurrig, kanske fick hon en släng av värmeslag. Det här inlägget passar ju jättebra till Susan’s Trees on Tuesdays
…fast att tisdagen redan passerat verkar hon inte ha insett ännu.

Happy Birthday Fanny!

Published on by Anita29 Comments

💖Den 13:e juli 2020 fyllde min fina Fanny tre år!!💖
Fick dessvärre inte ihop något inlägg igår och gör därför ett nytt försök. Bilden ovanför har varit med förr men jag valde den för att den känns som en av de bästa bilderna jag tagit på henne, och jag har tagit väldigt många bilder sedan vi hämtade hem henne från Sverige oktober 2017.

Christina Acar målade av fotografiet på en mugg som jag idag använder som pennställ på mitt skrivbord.Basenji’s är inte så vanliga här på  Malta och jag får ofta frågan vad det är för ras.
Basenji är en av världens äldsta raser och härstammar från Afrika. Karaktäristiskt är rynkorna i pannan och den hårt rullade svansen. De har ett kattlikt beteende och tvättar sig själva. Deras främsta särdrag är oförmågan att skälla vilket beror på att deras struphuvud är annorlunda konstruerat. Varför vet man inte men vargen, som ju är hundens urfader, skäller inte heller. Fast tysta är de inte utan har sitt eget speciella sätt att utrycka sig på. Igår kväll hade vi pick nick i Ta Qali park där hon sprungit nästan varje dag sedan hon var valp.
Det var också där hon för första gången fick prova att springa utan koppel.

Nyss hemkommen till Malta i november 2017
På trappan till hennes första hem i Tibro hos Marianne Gustavsson.
Liten och vilsen.

Att titta på gamla bilder från när Fanny var valp är det nog bara jag själv som tycker är kul. Roligare kanske är att Fanny nu blivit så pass gammal att vi planerar valpar. ❤❤  Basenji’s löper bara en gång per år och en basenji kavaljer har vi redan hittat. Om allt går som jag hoppas på får hon möta Ricky till hösten.

Flowers, Quotes & Thoughts

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“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”
– Audrey Hepburn”
“Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field.”
— Peter Adams
“When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs.
When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.”
— Ansel Adams“I don’t trust words. I trust pictures.”
— Gilles Peress

That I like quotes is obviously no secret. I often use them when I myself cannot find the words. I don’t want to be anonymous but my blog isn’t intended as a diary, although I sometimes create posts about my everyday life. Still, publishing pictures without a single word reveals a certain personality of the person who took them.
Cee’s Photo Challenge Flower of The Day

Welcome to The Forest

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Welcome to the one and only forest. There are very few forests here in Malta but one that I often visit is il-Miżieb. It takes about 20 minutes by car via the coast road and of course, Fanny always comes alongThe woodland was planted in the early 1970’s and stretches for some two km between Xemxija and Manikata. Here you will find Aleppo pines and a generous sprinkling of the slower growing carob and olive trees.

There are plenty of walkways and narrow paths to choose from and the scenery often changes. Fanny and I usually try to explore new trails and there is no risk of getting lost as we are on a high ridge.

Blue markings like these arrows are often seen but I have no idea where we would end up if we followed them. But, when we see this magical being, we know that we are close to where we started.

Flowers of The Day

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When I look at above images, I realize that they would probably fit better in a theme called “Today’s insect”.

So here I show some wildflowers that are found here in Malta, without any visible insect.Finally, Fanny, in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by a stunningly flourishing scenery.

Susan’s Flower on Fridays 
Cee’s Photo Challenge Flower of The Day

The Year’s first..

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This is the year’s first dragonfly that I managed to capture with my camera a couple of days ago.
It sat on the stick only for a few seconds before it flew away and disappeared. Bye, bye..I also managed to photograph a few butterflies. This is quite common but rarely sits still.
Could it be an Green-veined White butterfly? It has green eyes.This is a colorful beauty and surely it gives you a sense of joy that at least now and then succeed in capture these unique little insects that are such an important part of our nature.

Tired of running very fast in search of rabbits in Majjstral Park.
Always waiting for me while I shoot.

Fanny is always my companion. She’s the best, she’s curious, awake and very funny. We have a heat wave here on the island, almost 30 degrees so now we are heading to Il-Majjistral Park where we can take a dip in the sea. Take care! ❤

Life is good…

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Life goes on as usual, I can still go out while my husband since three weeks now has to stay indoors. I go to the supermarket when needed and I take long walks with Fanny twice a day, otherwise I stay home as advised. I’m grateful to have my beloved dog as a companion when walking in nature.

Now in the spring you will find different flowers everywhere and thus a variety of colors while bees are looking for nectar. This flower is as small as my thumb nail.Despite prevailing circumstances, life is good…

A trip to Għajn Tuffieħa

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Għajn Tuffieħa / Riviera Bay is located on the north-west coast of Malta. Here you’ll find clay slopes and high cliffs on either side of the bay, red sand, crystal clear water and lots of narrow footpaths to hike on.Here I go with Fanny as it’s one of the few places where she can run freely. Ta Qali Park which is closer and where we normally go is completely closed and on the rocks along the sea at home dogs must be leashed.This man has chosen a clever way to keep the social distance imposed by the authorities.The scenery here is barren but offers several beautiful views. Singita Miracle Beach – Mgarr Għajn Tuffieħa – Malta / April 2020

 

Black & White Photography – 9

Published on by Anita23 Comments

This is the ninth time I join Susie’s fun photo black and white challenge.
In the past I have mostly photographed people, this time I choose pets, dogs and cats.“When I look into the eyes of an animal I don’t see an animal I see a living being, I see a friend, I feel a soul”
– Anthony Douglas Williams –“ If cats could talk they wouldn’t”
– Nan Porter –“Dogs eat – Cats dine”
– Ann Taylor –“Having a dog or a cat will open your heart. Reading a book will open your mind.
Having both a pet and a book… absolute heaven.
– Mark Rubenstein –“You can keep a dog but it is the Cat how keeps People because Cats find Humans useful domestic Animals”
– George Mikes –“Look at animals kindly, and they will see. Talk to animals gently, and they will listen”
– AD Williams – “All animals are born with innocence, curiosity and love”
– Anthony Douglas Williams –

Below are the images also in color for those who like to compare. And as always when it comes to quotes, we mustn’t take them too seriously, although some may be worth considering.

Susan’s Black and White on Wednesdays

Lens-Artists Challenge – Favorite Photos of 2019

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Artistic.
For the last Lens-Artists Photo Challenge of 2019, we will show some of our favorite photos that we have taken during the year that are close to end.Creative.
It’s always difficult to pick favorites but I like the way Patti divided her favorites into different categories, so I did the same, or almost the same.
Fun.

Here’s the proof, a smile says it all and means a lot. A smile is the shortest distance between two people.

Artwork created by nature.
A favorite image does not always mean that it must be perfect from a photographic point of view.
Pictures can convey feelings, evoke memories or special moments.
The true reality.
This orangutan lives in Borneo’s rainforests and belongs to a species threatened with extinction.Our valuable nature.
We must take care of our nature and its inhabitants which all have an impact on the survival of the earth.
“Cherish the natural world because you’re part of it and depend on it”
-David Attenborough –Lens-Artists Challenge #76 – Favorite Photos of 2019

Black & White Photography – 6

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The above pictures are from the square along Sarawak River in Kuching. Every afternoon, both young and old can be seen playing with each other, many of them blowing soap bubbles, just for fun.This skilled lady I saw in Valletta here in Malta the other day. Guess why she’s looking down.Concentration! She really knew how to handle her little puppet on a string.Back to the square in Kuching. This little girl seems to be looking for someone.

Finally, Fanny and I at home yesterday evening. Fanny did not like to wear a Santa hat, I can understand that. It’s much more fun to try to bite it into small pieces and so she did. It was cheap and it was Christmas Eve.

As usual, I also show my pictures in color. This time, I prefer to see all these images in color, except one. Guess which one..

Susan’s Black and White on Wednesdays

Back..

Published on by Anita21 Comments

…back to my daily life here in Malta after a couple of weeks in Sarawak, Malaysia. Today’s images are from yesterday’s visit to Ta Qali Park. Nature has changed, in some way, it feels more subdued. It’s winter now, not so many colorful flowers, besides the yellow ones that bloom all year round. These special plants are now seen growing in abundance among the green grass in the park.
They are small and resembles a kind of pitcher plant.I really like being in Sarawak, I wouldn’t mind living there year around. It’s a very special part of the world. But I know it doesn’t work to take my dog ​​to the other side of the earth.
It feels good to be with Fanny again…

The Power of Flowers & Color

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It feels like my last post was a bit too depressing so I decided to add some happy color in a new post instead. My colorful bougainvillea is still blooming on our terrace…

…and the color splash that is barely visible in the top image is the color of Fanny’s new coat.If dogs could smile she would do it and if dogs could talk she would tell that she is a happy one.

Spring is in the air

Published on by Anita41 Comments

Yesterday we went to Ta Qali Park. Usually we never go there on the weekends when the summer is over because there are too many people and you can’t have your dog without leash. But we were all alone.I haven’t been here for a while and was really surprised. It felt like spring even though we are in November! This beauty has a very special expression, perhaps it was also surprised that it felt like spring in the air.The sky was blue, the grass was green and there were lots of small yellow flowers.
Fanny was more than happy to run around in the greenery without a leash. At first I didn’t notice that there were two butterflies on the leaf! A spider with its catch of the day.I saw lots of different kinds of butterflies, dragonflies and other kinds of insects. But as usual, they are very active and difficult to capture with the camera. I’m glad I got this one.Ta’ Qali National Park, Malta

Pomegranates and Prickly Pears

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We spent another Sunday among pomegranates and prickly pears in Majjistral Nature Park. This time I had brought gloves so I could pick some of the prickly fruits. They taste pretty good, not too sweet.

The pomegranate kernels are not sweet at all but taste good mixed with yogurt and some honey.I found a small nest full of life……and a butterfly. There were plenty of them but I only managed to capture this one.Fanny was with us, as always. Here she rests after running around in the amazing surroundings of the park.And here she waits patiently between the rocks as we make our way up the last hill on the way up to the plateau where we have parked our car. The weather was fine, 25 degrees and another day of life is gone.

20 October 2019 Il-Majjistral Nature & History Park

Autumn Feeling

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Last Sunday we went to Il-Majjistral Nature Park here in Malta. We haven’t been here since last spring and it is always exciting to see how our nature changes, depending on the seasons. Now autumn is here.This is nothing to be found in the spring.

These thistles have completely changed colors. Once purple, now turned into soft autumn colors.Our nature is absolutely amazing! This picture speaks for itself. As always, Fanny was with us. She loves to run freely in the large nature park with all steep slopes. She has seen wild rabbits here, now sniffing and looking for them. Luckily she never catches any, they are too fast.

Sunshine’s Macro Monday.

The True Reality

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“There are some four million different kind of animals and plants in the world.
Four million different solutions to the problems of staying alive” – Sir David Attenborough –“Let us develop respect for all living thing. Let us try to replace violence and intolerance with understanding and compassion. And love” – Jane Goodall –“Ever since we arrived on this planet as a species, we’ve cut them down, dug them up, burnt them and poisoned them. Today we’re doing so on a greater scale than ever.”
– Sir David Attenborough –

“If we [humans] disappeared overnight, the world would probably be better off.”
– Sir David Attenborough –Most of these photographs are archive images from my travels on Borneo while some are taken here in Malta.

Dog life

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My lovely Fanny! Here she completely ignores me while looking for something exciting to play with.

She loves to play hide and seek in the hight grass.Exhausted after running very fast. She needs to run a lot to feel happy and satisfied, like all hunting dogs.Although she turns two in July she still acts like a puppy.
She knows that chewing on a slipper is totally forbidden!

Looks like Fanny whispers a secret in the other dog’s ear and then sniffs where there is nothing to find.Do not disturb me when I play with my best friend Kimbo. We are both of the same breed originally bred in Africa. We are very intelligent and tough dogs and are often nicknamed the “barkless dog”. Guess why…?  …because we belong to the very few breeds in the whole world that do not bark.
Other basenji may yodel or howl when they are excited but I’m very quiet.
Besides that I’m also playful, cuddly and I needs a lot of love, which I also give back.
💖💖💖💖💖

Same blue sky…

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As soon as we fly back to Spain, Fanny will come along.
The Mediterranean Sea has the same blue and clear water here as there.
It’s low season for tourists in April, same here as there.
Andalusia with its mile-long coastal strip and its warm climate while snow-covered mountains in the Sierra Nevada are seen behind. Not at all the same here as there.

Back in Malta, back to my longed-for Fanny and back to the fantastic world of bloggers. I’ve been in Andalusia, Spain, a lovely place. Same blue sky here as there but in other ways, so totally different.White houses everywhere and many narrow alleys to find in the small town of Frigiliana.A menu in both Spanish and English is perfect if you can’t speak Spanish and I don’t, yet.I love the atmosphere……and I love the colors!!

Spring is in the air…

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Back home and back to my usual routines here in Malta.

Last Saturday we spent the whole day in Majjistral National Park.It’s not often that I see mushrooms growing here in Malta, but here is one.

Snart blommar Mimosan / Soon the mimosa blooms.

The nature, the plants, everything are so different from what you find in the rainforest in Sarawak, Borneo. Very soon the mimosa blooms as seen in one of the image above. The very best about coming home is to be close to Fanny again. Away is good but home is best.

From Nightmare to Pure Joy

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Fanny may look a little “weird” here.
Like if she would say I’m sorry, sorry because she got out of her collar last night and escaped during an evening walk in Gzira with Charlene who will take care of Fanny when we are in Malaysia in February.

We were looking for her for hours, I was so worried. How could we find her, far away from home, in the dark and all traffic! It was absolutely terrible, until we saw her after several hours. She sat on the stairs outside our door, I couldn’t believe it was true. My beloved doggie had found her way back home by herself.
💖 💕 💖 💕

It was not Charlene’s fault that this happened, she´s great, cried a lot and couldn’t sleep for the whole night. Fanny is with here now to stay over the night so that she get used to her and her lovely home in Ħaż-Żebbuġ.

Gentle

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Fanny loves warmth. Today it has rained the whole day, it’s windy and only 9 degrees.
She refuses to go out for a walk and now she is sleeping close to the fireplace.She’s not so fond of cats, but likes to chase them.Tuesday Photo Challenge – Gentle

Let the New Year Begin…

Published on by Anita33 Comments

Yes, I know, we are all almost back to our everyday life again and it’s the third day of the New Year 2019. Some may have noticed that I let my blog rest during the festive season, that was without any special reason.Above, two typical images of Malta. Greenery all over the island and yellow flowers, even though it’s winter. And when you see the different colored balconies in the cluttered but yet charming surroundings, it’s easy to guess where you are.

From yesterdays visit to Il-Gżira Manoel / Manoel Island in Gzira. I also noticed that the mimosa trees got buds and they will soon bloom, in February.But, it feels colder than cold, especially when I walk with Fanny on the cliffs along the Mediterranean sea. Strong winds, 12 degrees but luckily the sun shines. The forecast says it will drop to 4 degrees at night!The new year has just begun and we know nothing about the future but it looks bright with lots of love and joy. Take care out there!!!
Anita & Fanny

More from Majjistral National Park…

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Colorful
A banana plant!
Some birds have eaten from a pomegranate
Evening twilight around 5pm.

These pictures are all from last Friday’s trip to Majjistral National Park. The paths are narrow along the steep slopes of dried clay down to the sea. Not a place to walk after heavy rain.But the scenery changes and Fanny is surrounded by greenery…

Very commmon throughout the year.
Not so common, a new plant for me, it’s acually a flower!

…while I photographing plants.

I was happy to find so many colorful flowers growing here on the island in late December.
Malta is a lovely little island to live on all year round, unless you long for snow and a white Christmas.

Majjistral National Park…

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Last Friday we went to Majjistral National Park in Il-Mellieħa. We haven’t been there since spring. It was 18 degrees, and a bit windy but it was really nice to walk on the cliffs again along the Mediterranean Sea.

Fanny really enjoyed running around freely in the green countryside.

I came home with more than hundreds of images in my camera.These were just a part of them, there will be more from the park in my next post.
Hope you enjoyed!

A New Friend…

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Fanny has found a new friend and they really enjoy playing with each other. There are very few of the breed Basenji here in Malta so it was lucky they met, that we met the owners of this beautiful one year old male.

Kimbo
Fanny

Fun in the sun as they run around in the green grass in Ta Qali park.
I feel warm in my heart when I see them so happy together……and now we are planning to buy another Basenji! It’s an amazing breed with a lovely personality!

Friday’s thoughts…

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It’s hard to believe that this creature will transform into a colorful moth. I’ve never seen such a big caterpillar. It’s about 15 cm/6 inches. Could be an Elephant Hawk-moth, Deilephila elpenor but I’m not sure.

 Now, that caterpillar was not yet colorful so here’s some sunshine from Ta Qali……where the grass was wet with dew.A spider’s web along with dew create a nice pattern. Nature is an amazing world to explore and we must all do what we can to preserve it. “We are in danger of destroying ourselves by our greed and stupidity. We cannot remain looking inwards at ourselves on a small and increasingly polluted and overcrowded planet.”
—Stephen Hawking

Food for thought can be that earth is home to millions of species, but just one dominates it.
Wish you all a lovely weekend!“If the bee disappears from the surface of the earth,
man would have no more than four years to live.”
—Albert Einstein

 

 

Ta’ Qali Park – After the rain

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A few weeks ago there was no greenery at all in Ta Qali National Park. After the summer heat it was very dry. Then the rainy season began and nature woke up again. Although it’s October and the winter season awaits, it feels almost like spring is here. Fanny can merrily run around in the high grass again, surrounded by yellow flowers.

In Malta you will not find colorful autumn leaves, but cones may also have autumn colors.I haven’t seen these beautiful flowers since last spring.

This is Malta in October.
In January it becomes colder before the real spring begins in February when the almond tree blossoms.
A pretty pleasant winter awaits.