Having lived in Canada for almost 4 years, we were very impressed to spot our first moose last weekend, about an hour outside Calgary. I had to share it with you as it seemed suitably springlike!

Went to the zoo today to see if I could get a halfways decent picture of Splash a little River Hippo who is here on loan from the Granby Zoo.

The Granby Zoo is building a new habitat for their hippos and during that process was concerned about adequate space in their winter holding for this youngster, named “Alcide”, affectionately nicknamed “Splash” by Calgary Zoo keepers. The Calgary Zoo agreed to care for the hippo until this month when he will return to his brand new home on the 17th.

Here is "Splash" with his grandmother Sparky.


And just to keep this in the springtime realm here is one of some leaves just starting to come out. Also taken at the zoo this afternoon.



Cheers
Steve

It's spring and my spider plant is in full bloom!

Blossom explosion! The fragrance was intoxicating.

Cuteness overload! And Marge Simpson hair flowers.

Spring! I'm not going to let this thread die until summer. (sorry!)

The white things would look much better roasted and served with mint sauce!!!

:scared: Nasty, evil, uncaring mint sauce like-er! Think of the vegetation!!

Say what you like! Just don't be posting piccies of baby tofu burgers!

All living organisms deserve to die in order to feed Canadian Citizens and PRs!!! Animal, vegetable, insect, fungus they were all put here to feed us

Today's instalment!

And you are number one on the list!

Last night I had a "Spring in Canada" moment. At about 2:00am the dog had a fit of barking. I did nothing. A few minutes later I was dragged from bed to "come and look at this". There on the porch was a raccoon bigger than the dog, (the dog's 75lbs), eating from the green bin.

"Kill it !" I was commanded. I didn't want to shoot it because that's loud and it was late so I went out there, naked and tried to look big and fierce so as frighten it away. That works with people, but raccoons have no fear, it didn't run, it just ambled away. I'm not sure what a local person would have done, the one I beat to death with the shovel was nowhere that size and it was hard work, I don't know if I could kill a large one using hand tools. I suppose we need some sort of highly charged cattle prod, something that'll kill them without a lot of noise and without having to get very close.

You're lucky the raccoon didn't take a flying leap at your nether regions (similar scene in There's Something About Mary)

All of that went through my head but it seemed absurd to fetch light clothing to deal with a critter and I don't have body armour.

. You killed a local person?

Oh that's just plain cruel and inhumane; think about it from the raccoon’s point of view Craftybanshee.