Frog and Shoe

Naples, Italy ~ April 18, 2004

Naples National Archaeological Museum

It would be nice if I had recorded any information about this stone frog and what culture produced it, but I didn't. As I so often say, I will have to go back.

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Dragons on the Dormer

Banbury, England ~ February 16, 2010
See the rest of the facade

Originally built in 1537

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Old Pub Dog, 1595

Stratford-upon-Avon, England ~ February 17, 2010
Garrick Inn

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Little Foxes

London ~ February 20, 2010

Inside the Natural History Museum, South Kensington

Whether these are bat-eared foxes or fennec foxes (Vulpes zerda), I can't say. Bat-eared foxes live in the savannahs of Africa, while fennecs live on the northern rim of the Sahara desert. The cactus behind them looks to me like it comes from the American Southwest, but there are some forms of cacti in the fennec's range. I don't know of any American foxes with such big ears. The fennec is the smallest of the foxes.

This carving is among many that adorn the inside of the amazing building of the Natural History Museum in London, and will feature more in future posts. This carving is found on the newel post of the stairway leading to the second floor.

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Birds on a Crest

Oxford, England ~ February 18, 2009

This is one of a number of painted crests carved on the old wooden exterior doors of the Bodleian Library.

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Egyptian Ducks?

The Art Institute of Chicago ~ April 21, 2005

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Oregon Beaver

Astoria, Oregon ~ September 30, 2005

I found this very cool wood-burned driftwood at an estate sale here in Astoria. Somebody had more than average talent. It looks like an old engraving or a book illustration. The date above is when I took the photos, which was near the time I bought the piece. Unfortunately, I sold it on eBay, and it was probably one of the dumber things I've done; for what I got, I should have kept it. At least I have the photos.

There must be a story here, but I'll probably never know what it is. A pop-top hanger. Nice touch.

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