Blue (lagoon) Lobster?

This beautiful lobster was caught off the coast of Nova Scotia. It has a genetic defect that makes it so brilliantly blue. I say, bring on the genetic defects, if this is the result! I can't get over the incredible colour! Read more here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2013/06/09/ns-blue-lobster-caught.html

Milky Way

I believe it was David Letterman who said, "Every man, woman, and child enjoys a fine beverage." Add "25-year-old orangutan" to that list, Dave.

Spinning Seal

I think I know why this seal is spinning: he's trying to hypnotize the visitors, whom he hopes just happen to be carrying large barrels of sardines.  Watch the video and imagine that he's saying the following: "You are getting sleepy; you feel an overwhelming urge to throw your fish into the water. Don't resist. Give in to the urge. Toss your fish towards me." http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/ID/2379481363/

Spring Giddiness

This adorable photo by Italian photographer Andrea Zampatti captures perfectly how I would feel if spring would only bloom for me, as it has for this little dormouse. I think I'll be delirious with joy! But I can't imagine it will ever come this year as I look out on the FRESH and PLENTIFUL SNOW today. Yes, P.B.Shelley -- spring CAN be far behind!

Tightrope-Walking Raccoon

I never thought I would report that a raccoon in Toronto has been filmed tightrope-walking along the electrical and telephone wires high over the houses. When I lived in T.O., I was often amazed at their intelligence, but this really takes the cake! We have a lot to learn about animal intelligence -- and creativity.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/life-video/video-clever-toronto-raccoon-masters-tightrope-walking/article10954859/

Elephant-Seal Crossing?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2013/mar/20/elephant-seal-traffic-brazil-video
This hilarious video from Brazil shows a half-ton Elephant Seal going for a stroll in town. The narration is cute -- and comforting, as we're told that the seal was splashed with water during his stroll to keep him comfortable and healthy -- but I was surprised that the narrator does not see fit to mention a very surprising aspect of this incident. I mean, it is weird enough that a seal should show up downtown, but no one mentions that he's USING THE ZEBRA CROSSING!!!

Untamed Shrew UPDATED!

I came across a photo of this beautiful little creature from Africa today and just had to share it with you. It is the Elephant Shrew and I'm quite taken with it! I think it's just lovely in its strangeness, and its coat is an example of an expert dye-job if I've ever seen one! My mom put it best when she wrote, "It’s as though God said, 'I think I’ll make a rat -- no, a fox -- changed my mind, a tiny elephant! Oh, what the heck. I’ll just let them figure it out.'" They clearly haven't decided yet -- and I'm delighted they haven't!

UPDATE: ANW has just learned that there may be a new species of Elephant Shrew. Please see this link for more information: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/09/100920-science-animals-new-species-elephant-shrew-kenya/