Gedichte Blog

Giant rat found in Johannesburg.
Suppose this will once again start heavy discussions concerning false or true as I've already experienced with my blog entry concerning Herkules the largest dog. This picture of the large rat in Johannesburg was sent to me and after doing some research, stumbled upon some interesting information. Yak - just the idea of this large rat crossing my way makes me shiver from head to toe!!

"I was having a braai and related my encounter ten years ago with a giant rat. I was working on the optics in the tunnels under the runways at Johannesburg International Airport as a network engineer. To me it looked like the size of a dog, not a Rhodesian Ridgeback but a Miniature Schnauzer. Everyone had a good laugh, and said it was a fishing story especially when I stated that after my initial shock I was even more paranoid about encountering the snake that eats rats of this size! I resorted to Google to prove my point. I discovered the giant African pouch rat. Some common (Norway) rats even grow to a size of 2.4 pounds! I think someone imported a large rat as a pet which then escaped and found a home in the tunnels."
- By ronaldxbartels -

The day of the giant rat

(Wikipedia) The Gambian Pouch Rat can grow to be as big as a raccoon and can weigh up to 4 kg. It has very poor eyesight and so depends on its senses of smell and hearing. Its name comes from the large, hamster-like pouches in its cheeks. It is not a true rat, but is part of a uniquely African branch of muroid rodents. In its native Africa, this rat lives in colonies of up to twenty, usually in forests and thickets, but also commonly in termite mounds. It is omnivorous, feeding on vegetables, insects, crabs, snails, and other items, but apparently preferring palm fruits and palm kernels. The Gambian Pouch Rat reaches sexual maturity at 5-7 months of age. It has up to four litters every nine months with up to six offspring in each litter. Males are territorial and tend to be aggressive when they encounter one another, otherwise this rodent is extremely friendly and has become popular as an exotic pet. It is intelligent, social and can be very gentle if handled from an early age. In Africa, it is routinely eaten as bushmeat. It (and other mammals) are referred to by the pidgin name of "beef".

von unicorn003 in Bilder - Interessantes um 10:38 | Kommentare (0) | Trackbacks (0)

At times nature can be cruel but there is also a raw beauty, and even a certain justice manifested within that cruelty.
The crocodile, one of the oldest and ultimate predators, normally considered the 'apex predator', can still fall victim to implemented 'team work' strategy, made possible due to the tight knit social structure and survival of the pack mentality bred into the canines.
See the remarkable photograph attached, courtesy of Nature Magazine. Note that the Alpha dog has a muzzle hold on the croc' preventing it from breathing, while another dog has a hold on the tail to keep it from thrashing. The third dog attacks the soft underbelly of the croc'.

NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH

von unicorn003 in Bilder - Tiere & Natur um 10:35 | Kommentare (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Good Day All
I am in the process of winding down the estate of my late gardener Petrus who passed away on a neighboring property last week. Amongst his personal possessions was a 8 mega pixel digital camera, the photo quality is outstanding. Enclosed is the last picture which the late Petrus took with his camera.
Kind Regards

von unicorn003 in Bilder - Lustig um 21:06 | Kommentare (0) | Trackbacks (0)

$1072418003000000-00

One quadrillion seventy two trillion four hundred and eighteen billion and tree million dollars only--

 

I am sure, some of us would have a problem with the Zeros - or mind you, a Zero more or less does not matter!

von unicorn003 in Bilder - Lustig um 14:56 | Kommentare (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Safest pub in South Africa (4 Police officers)


Admin lady at pension and welfare office.
Note poster in the background - "Basic Conditions of Employment Act"
You just gotta love this country!!

These pictures are proof of the fact, that Social Service in South Africa is the best in the world!!

Hierdie is 'n ware weergawe van HOEKOM dienslewering in SA die beste ter wereld is!!

Diese Bilder zeugen dafür, dass die Dienstleistung in Südafrika spitzenklasse auf der Welt ist!!

von unicorn003 in Bilder - Lustig um 13:53 | Kommentare (0) | Trackbacks (0)

von unicorn003 in Videos - Lustig um 20:07 | Kommentare (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Zu meiner größten Freude, durfte ich gestern Abend das Balzverhalten 2er Igel beobachten, filmen und fotografieren. Ach wie schön, wenn die Natur uns manchmal seine Geheimnisse offenbart! Ich kann solches natürlich dann auch sehr genießen. Leider kam es nicht bis zur Kopulation. Die Umwerbung bis zur Kopulation kann angeblich mehrere Nächte dauern und Untersuchungen haben ergeben, dass weniger als 10 Prozent der Umwerbung in einer Kopulation endet. Ich lag dort im Gestrüpp mit Käfern und Spinnen die auf mich herumkrabbelten. Sie wurden durch das Licht angezogen und nachdem ja die fetten Zecken auf den Igeln nicht zu übersehen waren, fühlte ich mich irgendwann nicht mehr ganz wohl dort im Gestrüpp. Ruckartige Bewegungen damit ich das krabbelnde Geziefer loswerden kann, konnte ich natürlich nicht machen aus Angst die Igel damit zu verscheuchen. Die Igel haben sich vom Licht nicht stören lassen und zeitweise kamen sie mir zu nahe an der Kamera und musste ich meine Hand etwas zurück ziehen. Daher ließ ich sie dann doch lieber in Ruhe mit der Hoffnung bald Kleine zur Gesicht zu bekommen.

Männchen erwachen vor den Weibchen aus dem Winterschlaf. Sie beginnen sofort nach dem Erwachen mit der Nahrungsaufnahme, um an Gewicht zuzulegen. Etwa 3 bis 4 Wochen nach den Männchen tauchen die Weibchen aus dem Winterschlaf auf. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt erweitern die Männchen ihr Streifrevier auf der Suche nach einer potentiellen Partnerin. Daher konnte ich mittlerweile erkennen, dass der etwas dickere Igel das Männchen war und das ständig schnaubende Igel das Weibchen. Wenn sich ein Männchen einem Weibchen nähert, reagiert dieses meist sehr aggressiv wie ersichtlich in meinen Aufnahmen. Dies drückt sich durch Senken des Kopfes und lautes Schnauben aus.Schön zu beobachten war, wie das Männchen immer wieder sein Köpfchen vor Demut senkte.  Das Männchen umkreist das Weibchen und stößt dabei hochfrequentierte Töne aus. Zwischendurch versucht das Männchen immer wieder aufzureiten. Dies gelingt jedoch nur selten. Nur wenn das Weibchen ein Männchen akzeptiert, gelingt die Kopulation, die für Säuger in der typischen Aufreitposition erfolgt. Das Weibchen legt ihre Stachel flach an den Körper und den Bauch auf den Boden, um dem Männchen das Eindringen zu erleichtern. Während des Aufreitens hält sich das Männchen mit den Zähnen an den Stacheln des Weibchens im Schulterbereich fest.

 
Die meisten Menschen wissen gar nicht, wie schön die Welt ist, und wie viel Pracht in den kleinsten Dingen, in irgend einer Pflanze, einem Stein, einer Baumrinde oder einem Birkenblatt sich offenbart.
- Rainer Maria Rilke -

 
Ich bin für die Rechte der Tiere genauso wie für die Menschenrechte. Denn das erst macht den ganzen Menschen aus.
- Abraham Lincoln -

 
Mit allen Kreaturen bin ich in schönster Seelenharmonie. Wir sind verwandt, ich fühle es innig, und eben darum liebe ich sie
- Wilhelm Busch -

 
Die Mitteilungsmöglichkeit des Menschen ist gewaltig, doch das meiste, was er sagt, ist hohl und falsch. Die Sprache der Tiere ist begrenzt, aber was sie damit zum Ausdruck bringen, ist wichtig und nützlich. Jede kleine Ehrlichkeit ist besser als eine große Lüge
- Leonardo da Vinci -

 
Alles, was gegen die Natur ist, hat auf Dauer keinen Bestand.
- Charles Darwin -

 
Wunder stehen nicht im Gegensatz zur Natur, sondern nur im Gegensatz zu dem, was wir über die Natur wissen
- Augustinus -

 
Der Spiegel der Natur ist der klarste Spiegel! Ihn muss man schauen, an ihm sich ergötzen.
- Fjodor M. Dostojewski -

 
Die Hochzeit der Seele mit der Natur macht den Verstand fruchtbar und erzeugt die Phantasie.
- Henry David Thoreau -

 
Der untrüglichste Gradmesser für die Herzensbildung eines Volkes und eines Menschen ist, wie sie die Tiere betrachten und behandeln.
- Berthold Auerbach -

 
Jedes Naturgesetz, das sich dem Beobachter offenbart, lässt auf ein höheres, noch unerkanntes schließen.
- Alexander von Humboldt -

 
Liebe zur Natur ist die einzige Liebe, die menschliche Hoffnungen nicht enttäuscht.
- Honoré de Balzac -

 
Einen Lehrer gibt es, wenn wir ihn verstehen – es ist die Natur.
- Heinrich von Kleist -

 
Dass uns der Anblick der Tiere so ergötzt, beruht hauptsächlich darauf, dass es uns freut, unser eigenes Wesen so vereinfacht vor uns zu sehen.
- Arthur Schopenhauer -

von unicorn003 in Videos - Tiere & Natur um 12:16 | Kommentar (1) | Trackbacks (0)

von unicorn003 in Videos - Lustig um 15:47 | Kommentare (0) | Trackbacks (0)

von unicorn003 in Videos - Interessantes um 13:18 | Kommentare (0) | Trackbacks (0)

von unicorn003 in Videos - Interessantes um 00:49 | Kommentar (1) | Trackbacks (0)

von unicorn003 in Videos - Interessantes um 00:54 | Kommentare (0) | Trackbacks (0)

von unicorn003 in Videos - Lustig um 14:54 | Kommentare (0) | Trackbacks (0)

- Picture: Brakpan Seafood platter -

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the Motor Registration office, was asked by the counter clerk to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

'What I mean is,' explained the counter clerk, 'do you have a job or are you just a ...?'

'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman. 'I'm a Mum.'

'We don't list 'Mum' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,' said the clerk emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Medicare office. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, 'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.'

'What is your occupation?' she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out.
'I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.'

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest, 'just what you do in your field?'

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply,
'I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't)
In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)
and already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?)
and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and
indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mum.'

Motherhood!

What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers 'Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations' and great grandmothers 'Executive Senior Research Associates?'
I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts 'Associate Research Assistants.'

von unicorn003 in Bilder - Lustig um 10:25 | Kommentare (0) | Trackbacks (0)

von unicorn003 in Videos - Interessantes um 23:00 | Kommentare (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Today is World Tibet Day - I would like to congratulate HH The Dalai Lama for his 73rd birthday!

Join 506,486 People from 111 Countries on 7.Aug.2008 9.p.m. (Local Time Zone) in
LIGHT A CANDLE for TIBET!

Act NOW! ONLY 31 days left.

Candle in My Window - for Tibet

This will be our opening ceremony for the Olympic Games. And it will begin darkness falls in India on Thursday, Aug 7th 2008.

A GLOBAL VOTE FOR FREEDOM
In about 7 weeks, on the night before the Olympic flame will be lit in Beijing, at least 100 million people all over the world will light a candle for a free Tibet. That aggregate flame will be brighter and will call for freedom in Tibet and in any other place in the world.
That is at least the vision of the organizers of "Candle in My Window for Tibet". They tagged this world event: "Our opening ceremony of the Olympic Games".
Mr. Califa has recently volunteered to assist the organizers in carrying their message: "Take part in our Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games. Light a candle for Tibet.
We will light a candle for Tibet because Tibet has become a symbol of freedom.
It is a symbol that represents the natural right of any human being for self determination, freedom of thought, conscience, belief and religion.
Freedom is the most important value for us working for this movement.
The Olympic Games in Beijing is a unique opportunity to focus the world's attention on the annulment of those rights in Tibet and in many other places in the world.
Lighting a candle represents solidarity with the people of Tibet.
"Enlightenment" by Jamie Williams

Each candle lit window is one more prayer of hope for the world to witness.
This will be our opening ceremony for the Olympic Games. And it will begin darkness falls in India on Thursday, Aug 7th 2008.
In this way we will ensure that our millions and millions of candles are seen and noticed throughout all the time zones of the world.

We are going to create a unique moment when so many millions who otherwise would do very little or nothing for Tibet, or any other cause, would actually do something spiritual and meaningful. And do it together. Our modest objective is to reach 100 million people.

The media, I have no doubt, will pick on the story soon, which will bring more participants, which will bring more coverage, and will raise awareness for the Tibetan Cause. It's a virtuous circle.

Join the event - click on link below:
Candle in My Window - for Tibet

von unicorn003 in Bilder - Interessantes um 23:42 | Kommentare (0) | Trackbacks (0)

This is the craziest thing I've seen in a long time.
For those of you in the 21st century (e.g. blackberry owners), you'll need to look at this on a pc. You also have to get out of your seat and walk away from your computer. People may think you're crazy.
But it's well worth it.
When you look at this picture in a closer look you see its Albert Einstein. But if you stand 15 feet away, it will become Marilyn Monroe.
Give it a try!

von unicorn003 in Bilder - Interessantes um 13:28 | Kommentare (0) | Trackbacks (0)