Gecko Wisdom

This tiny Hawaiian gecko is memorable for more than his part in a fantastic photo. I think he teaches us a good lesson for 2012, something we can take to heart and try to apply to our own lives: we are all perfectly suited to our natural environments, and we shouldn't try to modify it to match some unnatural vision of what humans should be. Let nature lead you, as William Wordsworth wrote, and you'll find your truest self.

Meerly Christmas

I know it's a little perverse to make animals appear to be enjoying religious holidays, but I can't resist the antics of meerkats at any time of the year! The keepers at Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling, England, moved some traditional Christmas decorations into the meerkat enclosure and the results were, predictably, adorable! Apparently the little ones looked at their beautiful reflections in the tree ornaments all afternoon. Check out the full slideshow!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2011/dec/15/meerkats-christmas-scottish-safari-park#/?picture=383376864&index=3

Nose Dive!

Look out, wee mousy! This fox is going to come down hard into the snow and find you in your tiny, frozen hiding spot. What are the leaping foxes in our lives that we, mouse-like, don't see coming for us until it's too late?

Philosopher Panda

"And what if all of animated nature

Be but organic harps diversely framed,

That tremble into thought, as o'er them sweeps

Plastic and vast, one intellectual breeze,

At once the Soul of each, and God of All?",

he mused while gazing into the foliage.

Here comes the bride!

So, so funny. This is a genuinely frightening Hallowe'en costume. Imagine being the poor groom who throws up the veil to find that he's married to this "lovely lady"!

Kanellos, the Greek Protest Dog

This stray dog in Athens has been "on the frontlines" of all of the protests against austerity in the Greek city. You can see him in action in this video:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2011/oct/05/greece-protest-dog-kanellos-video

What I want to know is, how does he know so consistently who's side he's on? He acts like he hates the police and wants to help the protesters. It's weird!

Buddies in Bad Times

Need I say more? If you ever doubted that monkeys are hugely intelligent and feel anguish and comfort in ways that are almost human, then look into this guy's eyes and change your mind.