Animal Magic: Astounding Victorian Taxidermy

I first read an article about Victorian hobby taxidermist Walter Potter and his crazy animal dioramas when I went to the Christmas All Tomorrow's Parties in 2007. It was so incredible that we taped up the article in our chalet, and now, after not thinking of it the other sixty-something times I posted on this blog, I bring a selection of fine scenes to you. Note: according to the Guardian article that I read, all the animals were discovered to be already dearly departed before Potter used them.







First two pictures from show.me.uk, last one from boingboing,net. Google image this fellow and you will find all kinds of even crazier stuff!!! Seriously, there are cat weddings, pig bands, and bird funeral processions that I either couldn't find or wouldn't fit on the page. Google image away!

Ladies and gentlemen...allow me to introduce...the binturong!

And the animal of the week for February 22-28 is...the binturong!! Hailing from the rainforests of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, the binturong enjoys hanging out in tree canopies, watching old movies, and having a prehensile tail. Also commonly referred to as a "bearcat," "Asian bearcat", or "Palawan bearcat," this fuzzy little dude has been known to make chuckle-like sounds when pleased, and wail if annoyed.

Me and my giant rat

Two years ago, this "unknown giant rat" was discovered--like many great previously undiscovered creatures--in Indonesia. From the Fox News article:

"The giant rat is about five times the size of a typical city rat," said Kristofer Helgen, a scientist with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. "With no fear of humans, it apparently came into the camp several times during the trip."

Eesh. Giant AND friendly. But...lovable? I think Blingee.com can make that happen!!!


Glitter Graphics






Ahhhh!! BEST FRIENDS??? Totally adorable. Lean on me, lil' buddy, lean on me.

Kittens Inspired By Kittens...the remix

It was only a matter of time. After the phenomenal success of 2006's Leprechaun in Alabama newsclip Chopped and Screwed remix, we as Americans expect every popular YouTube video to have an appropriately catchy remix to play after we've exhausted the hilarity of the original video. And I couldn't think of anything to post today, so I just searched for "Kittens Inspired by Kittens" again, and found this hot techno remix! This one's a banga-langa!

That video of a little girl narrating a book about kittens that everybody's been telling me about

It is FANTASTIC!

"Brainstorm!

Magic!"

And the song in the middle just adds so much. I love this kid. Someone get her a book deal, ayyyyyyyy-yoooo!!!

Foxes on a trampoline!!

This next video comes courtesy of my BFF Sarah. IT IS AMAZING. Who knew foxes would enjoy hanging out on a trampoline so much, and that we in turn would gain so much enjoyment from their happiness? Truly it is beautiful when nature meets a suburban backyard.

Click link to watch totally awesome video