WildCreatures

This deer is one of a herd of wild deer that live in a protected area in Northern Ontario. There is no hunting allowed and the animals wander in a quiet and remote forest where there are few humans. But the people that they do see are respectful and non threatening and it is not uncommon to get a close look at a deer grazing in the distance. Sitting quietly, and almost motionless will sometimes tempt the deer to wander very close to have a curious look. Dave has learned that sitting patiently and munching on an apple or a carrot will even bring the deer close enough to share. He will often toss apple slices or corn to the deer that are brave enough to come close. But he decided to see if they like watermelon. He sliced one open and munched away, hoping the sweet smell of the melon would be a tempting treat. This deer caught the aroma and boldly walked toward him. As he sat still, the deer inched closer and closer until it was able to stick its face right in. It was soon munching away happily as Dave held the watermelon for her. The other deer in the herd were not so bold so Dave sliced up the melon and spread it around on the grass before walking away. He looked back to see that all the deer were gathered around, enjoying the watermelon just as much as the first. While it is inadvisable to make wild animals accustomed to humans, this location is a bit of an exception as the deer can never be harmed as a result of forming a trust in people. And if you could sit and watch a wild deer savoring such a tasty treat, would you pass up the opportunity?

Born on a sunny day in May, on this beautiful farm in Millbrook, Ontario, Fiona the calf has entered the world just a few moments ago. She is taking it all in and looking around in bewilderment. She has never seen the blue sky, the green grass, or her loving mother's face. These are all new sights and her eyes are wide. But instinct somehow tells her that the large animal that is hovering over her protectively is her mother and will take care of her. Instinct also tells her that her belly is empty and that her mother can provide her with milk to satisfy her hunger. This little calf's first steps are adorably clumsy. She can barely get her legs under her and hardly has the balance to stand on them once she does get to her feet. She wobbles like a drunken sailor and manages to keep her balance as her mother licks and cleans her. Fiona doesn't waste much time in finding Edna's udder and latching on for a big drink. The first milk is the most important, as it provides Fiona with colostrum, and an essential supply of antibodies that will later keep Fiona healthy and free from infections. Life for Fiona will be a good one. She lives on what is known as an ethical farm. This is a small, family run operation where they refuse to produce veal. They look after the cows properly and place a much higher emphasis on herd health than on profit. Calves are not separated from their mothers and they even use a real bull, named Gus, instead of artificial insemination. They don't produce milk, so the calves get every drop that the mothers produce. The calves roam free and graze on fresh grass, until the weather and the snow force them to be kept in a warmer shelter. Life on this farm is as close as possible to what nature intended. Fiona will live a long and happy life here, as will Edna. Farms like these are not hard to find and consumers will be doing the cows and their community a favor by supporting those farmers who are doing things right.

Raven is a nine month old Great Dane puppy who is angry and curious at the same time when she sees a strange cluster of leaves on her driveway. Stirred by the wind moments before, the leaves had moved in a way that alarmed Raven and made her start barking and jumping around the small cluster. She circles them, barking, pouncing, leaping back and trying to decide if the leaves are something to play with or something to chase away. It's a mixed reaction between anger and curiosity as she darts in as if to bite the leaves or pick them up. She can't decide why they don't run in fear when she lets out a "woof" in her Great Dane voice. One rustle of the leaves from a gust of wind and she would have tucked her tail and jumped back. Great Danes are a fiercely loyal breed, but as enormous as they are, they are know for being extreme chickens. Great Danes are notorious for being afraid of ridiculous things and cowering during thunder storms. But anyone who has ever loved a Great Dane will tell you that they are one of the best breeds imaginable and that they are noble and brave when it comes to protecting their family.

Felix is a three week old foal with an incredible personality. Outgoing and playful, he enjoys bouncing around his pasture on sunny days. He enjoys it even more if he has someone to play with. His mother, Fling is a beautiful mare with a disposition to match. She trusts people and shows this as few mares would, by letting Felix's new friend, Dave sit on the ground and pet him like he was a big dog. Felix rolls over on his back, asks for a belly rub, and even snores and grunts like he's loving the attention. He makes quiet sounds that resemble purring. When the petting stops, he paws at the dirt, nudges Dave and pushes up against him, clearly wanting all the attention that he can get. This behaviour is unusual for a foal and Dave is delighted to have a chance like this. He was invited by Ali, to this beautiful farm where Felix and Fling live. Ali is as surprised by Felix's antics as Dave is and she sent Felix's owner a picture of what was going on. Understandably, the owner was also surprised to see her foal so relaxed with Dave. The most surprising part of all of this was Fling's reaction. She wandered casually around, eating hay and grazing on grass. Although she seemed to be keeping an eye on the two, she was perfectly content to see all of this happening. Of course, Dave was thrilled with how accepting she was and how she trusted him to do her baby no harm. Mother horses can be protective and it would be understandable if she showed displeasure with Dave leaning over Felix. It was helpful that Felix and Dave had enjoyed some play time together before this and Fling could see how much fun the two of them were having. This is one of those moments that would be difficult to describe and it was very fortunate that the interaction was caught on camera. It is a day that Dave will never forget. Spending time like this with animals is one of the most enjoyable ways to pass the time on a sunny day.

Hilton is a very lucky pig and the smile on his face shows that he knows it. Hilton belonged to a loving owner and lived in a wonderful home that he shared with his sister, Meeka. Hilton and Meeka were bought as tiny piglets that had been advertised as miniature pot bellied pigs. As it turns out, they grew much more quickly than expected into two very large pets. They soon became well over 100lbs and they became more of a handful than the owners could manage. They were people pigs now though and could not be placed on an ordinary farm. And they could not be kept indoors. The pigs faced a serious dilemma with no place to go. But there was one place where these beautiful and intelligent creatures would be welcomed with open arms. A woman named Lucy Davidson runs a pet boarding haven called Wagging Tails Pet Retreat in Millbrook, Ontario. The facility is part of a huge expanse of land and a farm where many different animals have found a home. Lucy is known far and wide for her huge heart and her history of caring for animals that had no place to go. She took one look at these pigs and knew that they would love life at her farm. Meeka and Hilton love their food, as all pigs do, and having been pets, they are used to people hand feeding them. They are gentle and careful and they wag their tails like happy dogs when they are given treats or shown love. Hilton is particularly fond of apples and he patiently waited while one was sliced for him. Hilton loves something else as much as snacks, and that's belly rubs. This wonderful farm is home to a donkey, horses, dogs, cats, pigs, and many other animals. Each of these animals is here because they have faced a struggle or challenge, but each one has found the best home an animal could ever want!

These golden retriever puppies are 5 weeks old. Check it out as they adorably climb over each other during nap time. Cuteness overload!

Jim is a veteran who fought heroically in World War II. He was wounded in battle three times. After the war, he came to Canada from England and he worked for many years. But he also started the Saint John Ambulance Therapy Dog Movement in Canada in the 1950s. An animal lover like no other, Jim helped many dog owners train their best friends so that they could provide joy and love to those in hospitals and nursing homes. Jim volunteered countless hours to this unselfish cause and he made a huge difference in the life of others. Jim inspired many to develop the human animal bod to the fullest and to help people heal through the magic of interaction with dogs. Jim was speaking with his friend, Dave about an experience he had with a lion cub that was being fostered in a nearby home. Jim looked at Dave's photographs and said with a dreamy look on his face "I'd love to touch a lion". Dave approached a local zoo and conservation centre and told them the story about this true hero and his dream to meet a lion. The zoo staff were touched by Jim's love for animals and his contribution to his country and to his community. They invited him to their facility and promised to give him a memorable experience. Dave had no idea what was in store for Jim, but he and his wife, Kristy brought Jim to the facility and introduced him to the staff. For a full two hours, Jim was introduced to lions, lion cubs, and a tiger cub and allowed to pet them and hold them. Tears rolled down his face, and down the faces of the people watching Jim as he interacted with the animals. They responded to him like he was an old friend, proving that animals sense a good person when they meet one. This lion in particular, gave Jim the warmest welcome by wrapping its huge paws around him in a heart warming hug. After Jim handed the cubs back and said goodbye to the zoo staff, they shook his hand and gave him a genuine thank you for his service and his contribution to their freedom. Jim was touched to be given such a gift as well as such a genuine display of respect and gratitude. More tears flowed as he told Dave and Kristy that this was a day that he would never forget. Kristy took pictures and had them enlarged the very same day so that Jim could have a photo album to show his friends at the retirement residence where he lived. Sadly, Jim became very ill a few months later. His last conversation with Dave and Kristy was of the day with the the lions and how memorable the meeting was. Hopefully, staff at the zoo understood what a generous gift they had given to one of the most deserving souls who ever lived.

This is Henry, a three day old calf who was born on a warm, spring day in Millbrook, Ontario. Check it out as he adorably follows his mom around the grounds hoping for some tasty milk. How cute is that?

Dave is a fan of cycling around on warm, summer days and he has his favourite routes. He also has his favourite spots to stop and they often involve a visit with a horse named Blaze. Dave often shares a granola bar, an apple, or some raisins with Blaze and he picks him some alfalfa and sweet grass that grows just outside the paddock. On this hot day, Dave had a bottle of apple juice and Blaze seemed to be very interested. He might have smelled the apple or he might have simply been inquisitive, but he got his mouth on the top of the bottle and decided that he liked what was in it. Dave thought this was pretty funny and he had an extra bottle, so sharing with his buddy wasn't a problem at all. By the time they were finished, Blaze had downed half the bottle. Horses don't have a mouth suited for cycling bottles, so a lot of the juice dribbled down his chin. But the portion that he did get seemed to really hit the spot. Dave continues to cycle past Blaze's pasture regularly and he always brings a treat, as well as an occasional slurp of juice. But Dave keeps that water bottle for Blaze to use each time. Although buddies don't mind sharing, it's a good idea to have a special water bottle just for your horse buddy to use.

Hawksbill sea turtles are critically endangered. Hunted to near extinction earlier this century for their ornate shells, their numbers dwindled drastically. They have begun to make a comeback after laws were passed, prohibiting the killing and the trade of these beautiful creatures. But they are still rare enough that to see one on the reef is a real treat for scuba divers. Kristy was diving in Papua New Guinea when she met this friendly little female who was looking among the coral for yellow sea sponges to eat. The turtle was particularly interested in Kristy and it began hanging around her and looking at her inquisitively. Understanding the little turtle's hopes, she pried some sea sponge out from between the rocks on the bottom. She then had this adorable and friendly little girl eating right out of her hand. Kristy is a seasoned scuba diver who has dived in many tropical locations and she has seen many amazing things, but this magical encounter with this turtle was one of her most memorable dives ever.

Sea lions are one of the most lovable and endearing of all the creatures in the Galapagos Islands. They inhabit almost all beaches and rocky shores on the islands. While the mothers are out at sea, hunting for octopus, eels, or fish to eat, the babies wait patiently on shore. The babies nurse from the mothers, feeding almost exclusively on milk until they are much larger and able to go into the ocean to find their own food. At this young age, they would be easy prey for sharks. They spend their time in the protection of the colony and they find time to play with the other juveniles. These two newborns are adorably clumsy and easily startled. As they waddle along the edge of the surf, a wave crashes over them and they run frantically for cover. The females will return from the ocean with full bellies and they begin calling their babies before they are even ashore. The hungry babies return the call and the two meet at the edge of the water. The mother will find a spot on the sand to sleep while her pup nurses. She will repeat this several times each day, needing to eat often to keep up with her baby's demand for milk. But sadly, some mothers do not return from the ocean, falling prey to a large shark. In those cases, the baby will starve as the other mothers will not adopt or care for the orphans. Nature can be harsh and beautiful at the same time. Most of the pups will grow strong over time and will complete the cycle, having pups of their own.

Jim is a veteran who fought heroically in World War II. He was wounded in battle three times. After the war, he came to Canada from England and he worked for many years. But he also started the Saint John Ambulance Therapy Dog Movement in Canada in the 1950s. An animal lover like no other, Jim helped many dog owners train their best friends so that they could provide joy and love to those in hospitals and nursing homes. Jim volunteered countless hours to this unselfish cause and he made a huge difference in the life of others. Jim inspired many to develop the human animal bod to the fullest and to help people heal through the magic of interaction with dogs. Jim was speaking with his friend, Dave about an experience he had with a lion cub that was being fostered in a nearby home. Jim looked at Dave's photographs and said with a dreamy look on his face "I'd love to touch a lion". Dave approached a local zoo and conservation centre and told them the story about this true hero and his dream to meet a lion. The zoo staff were touched by Jim's love for animals and his contribution to his country and to his community. They invited him to their facility and promised to give him a memorable experience. Dave had no idea what was in store for Jim, but he and his wife, Kristy brought Jim to the facility and introduced him to the staff. For a full two hours, Jim was introduced to lions, lion cubs, and a tiger cub and allowed to pet them and hold them. Tears rolled down his face, and down the faces of the people watching Jim as he interacted with the animals. They responded to him like he was an old friend, proving that animals sense a good person when they meet one. After Jim handed the cubs back and said goodbye to the zoo staff, they shook his hand and gave him a genuine thank you for his service and his contribution to their freedom. Jim was touched to be given such a gift as well as such a genuine display of respect and gratitude. More tears flowed as he told Dave and Kristy that this was a day that he would never forget. Kristy took pictures and had them enlarged the very same day so that Jim could have a photo album to show his friends at the retirement residence where he lived. Sadly, Jim became very ill a few months later. His last conversation with Dave and Kristy was of the day with the the lions and how memorable the meeting was. Hopefully, staff at the zoo understood what a generous gift they had given to one of the most deserving souls who ever lived. Jim received one last visit before he passed away in hospital at the age of 92. His last moments were spent with a therapy dog on his bed, cuddling with him. This was such a perfect circle to have a furry friend returning some of the love that Jim had so generously shared with animals and people all of his life. Jim is dearly missed by those who knew him. He was a true hero and a beautiful soul. Rest in peace, Jim.

This bull sea lion has all the swagger and confidence of a true boss of his beach. He is the dominant male in the colony and he knows he's got no competition. Before going off to the ocean, he sees one of his ladies waking up from a nap in the shade under a rock ledge and he waddles over to greet her with a big smooch on the lips. As if totally thrilled by this, she opens her mouth wide with an astonished look and seems to melt with delight. Her look resembles that of a teenage girl getting kissed by her date at the high school prom. Sea lions inhabit almost every beach and rocky shore in the Galapagos Islands. They are true characters, behaving almost like lovable canines. Even their faces resemble dogs. Sea lions are actually called "the dogs of the sea" and have been fascinating and entertaining tourists for years. But, as friendly as they appear, these are still wild animals, and people are required by law to keep a 2m (6 foot) distance at all times for their safety and for the safety of the animals.

Humpback whales frequent the waters of Tonga during the months of July to September. They come to the islands to breed and to give birth to their calves in a place of safety. There are no predators here and the whales can enjoy the peace and safety that this area provides. They feed throughout the rest of the year in colder waters where krill and shrimp are abundant, storing tons of fat as quickly as possible. They make the long journey to the South Pacific, living off their fat stores. They will not eat for several months when they are in the waters of the Kingdom of Tonga. These swimmers were in the water on a shallow reef when a pod of whales came crashing through. These are called heat runs and the six huge males were pursuing one female and competing for breeding rights. Full of hormones and energy, they bump and thrash each other in an attempt to impress her and to chase the other males away. It is a time of aggression and fierce competition. The swimmers were shocked to see the whales in water that was barely deep enough for them to pass through. Unable to move swiftly, humans are clumsy in comparison to these graceful giants. As two whales passed close by in front of the cameraman, another huge male appeared on his left, on a collision course with him. Braced for impact, he drew in his arms and legs and waited to be thrashed or smacked by the 100,000 pound animal. But amazingly, it turned sharply and slowed as it slid between the swimmer and the rough coral bottom. No doubt scraping against the coral, the whale slowed its tail movement and seemed to intentionally avoid hitting him. The powerful tail brushed gently against the swimmer twice as he waited for a devastating blow. After moving past the man, the whale began large tail strokes once again and rejoined the pod in the race for the female ahead. Several more whales passed in front for a total of seven. Humpbacks are one of the most intelligent animals on earth. They seem to understand how fragile humans are and they are gentle and tolerant of us when we are respectful of them. But this incident shows just how insightful and compassionate a humpback whale can be. A close up encounter with one of these magnificent creatures is incredibly memorable.

This is a critically endangered Hawksbill sea turtle that lives in the waters of Papua New Guinea. They are normally shy and reclusive creatures, preferring to avoid humans. They will swim away from most scuba divers and it is a rare treat to see one so close. But this young female was very curious about this scuba diver, particularly when he looked among the rocks and coral. Knowing that Hawksbills eat sponges and have a strong preference for the type that is yellow in colour, this diver dug some chunks out of the cracks between the rocks. The turtle caught on immediately that he had food that he was willing to share. Like a puppy begging for a snack, the sea turtle looked at the diver pleadingly and then grabbed onto the sponge with her beak. She braced herself with her fins on his hands to break chunks off the sponge. As if she were a well trained dog, she took obvious care to avoid biting his fingers. After the sponge was gone, the turtle was looking for more but the scuba diver did not have any. He showed her that his hands were empty but the turtle wanted to sniff and check carefully for herself. As she became more insistent, he petted her head and under her chin. She looked right into his eyes and followed his fingers, hoping for more. The reef that is home for this sea turtle was formed long ago when molten lava was forced up from the sea floor through cracks in the earth's crust deep below the surface. The rocks cooled and hardened and eventually, coral began to grow here. The coral provided a home for fish of all kinds, crabs, lobsters, octopus, and the occasional sea turtles. Scuba divers who explore these reefs find an abundance of colour and fascinating creatures. It is a world of indescribable beauty and the sights are different each time scuba divers enter the water.

This is Sophie, a beautiful little pup, born as part of a litter of nine fluffy puppies. Her mother, Stella is a beautiful Bernese Mountain dog with a lovely disposition. Her father, Dexter, is a strapping and handsome Maremma. They are the perfect parents to these nine gorgeous dogs with equally beautiful personalities. They are love children, born after Dexter and Stella found a quiet moment to run off into the woods and start a family. Their love tryst came just before they were scheduled for a little family planning surgery at the veterinary clinic. But their love could not wait and they managed to beat the clock. It was a blessing in disguise since their puppies are so adorably perfect. Dexter and Stella could not be more proud. They play with and care for them well. Stella nurses them daily and they are slowly being weaned off their mother's milk. In a few more weeks they will be brought to their carefully selected forever families. Until they leave, the puppies will continue to enjoy life on this wonderful farm. They have meadows to play in, a forest to explore, streams to traverse, and a few small animals to get acquainted with. Their life is as perfect as they are. All of this play time and exploring has worn little Sophie out and she flops down, exhausted in the grass. After a brief rest though, she is up and running. The nap that she needs will have to wait until her brothers and sisters are also ready to nap. A puppy's life is a busy one!

These baby sea lions were playing in the surf together while waiting for their mothers to return from the ocean. Sea lions inhabit almost all of the beaches and rocky shores in the Galapagos Islands. The colonies are made up of mothers who care for their babies and nurse them several times each day, the young sea lions, and at least one adult male, who watches over them all protectively. The adults go out into deep water several times each day to hunt for octopus and fish. When the mothers return, hungry pups like these two will hear their call and they will waddle eagerly after mom until she finds a spot in the sand to rest. They will nurse while their mother naps and then they too will nap. This will repeat daily until the pups are approximately two years of age. At that time, they will go off hunting for food themselves. Grown sea lions are extremely agile in the water and they are able to avoid predators quite easily. Only large sharks are capable of preying on a large sea lion. Their strong jaws and formidable teeth make them more than a match for most animals. They also benefit from protection of the rest of the sea lions as they spend time on the beach. These adorable babies are only a few weeks old. They are delightfully clumsy as they waddle and play at the edge of the water. They don't dare leave the protection of the shallows or the beach, but they spend their time having fun with each other and investigating anything of interest. When they spotted a GoPro camera left on the sand, they hurried right up to it for a close inspection and a sniff. They curiously looked around and nudged it before deciding that it was nothing to eat and nothing to play with. Sea lions are cute and cuddly at this age and they readily approach humans, wanting interaction. But touching a baby sea lion means certain death as the mother will abandon the baby if she smells a human scent on it. Approaching even an adult sea lion is strictly prohibited in the Galapagos Islands. They require that all visitors maintain a distance of at least 2m (6feet) for their own safety, as well as for the benefit of the wildlife. Guests who struggle with these rules are quickly, but gently reminded by the wildlife protection services or by the residents themselves. There are many good reasons not to interfere with nature, no matter how tempting it may be.

This little finch easily figured out who has a soft spot for birds. Check it out!

This tiny bird lives on a very remote island in the Galapagos. There are no lakes or rivers on the island and no reliable sources of fresh water. The rain that falls has nowhere to collect for any length of time, and the animals have adapted to the long, dry seasons. The islands here have been referred to as "Hell on earth" due to their arid conditions in the summer. They are also called "Islands Born of Fire" because they formed when pillars of molten lava were pushed upwards from the ocean floor, hardening into the land masses we see today. But the islands are also incredibly beautiful, and they are filled with some of the most unique and diverse wildlife on the planet. On this island, moisture from condensation can occasionally be found in small caves but even this is unreliable. So, when this tourist arrived on the island and hiked along the trails, he found that he had a small companion as he walked the trail along the top of a ridge and through some brush. The birds here have no predators and they rarely see humans. They have not learned to fear people. This little fellow hopped along on the ground and stopped occasionally to look at the man expectantly. After a few minutes, the tourist stopped and reached for his bottle of water that was strapped to the side of his backpack. He noticed that the bird became very interested in the bottle as he did this. It was then that the man realized the bird was thirsty and had somehow recognized the bottle as a source of water. He opened the top and crouched down. The bird eagerly stuck his beak in the bottle and took a few sips. The man poured some in a small indentation in the rock and also let the bird drink as much as he wanted from the bottle. Normally, interfering with wildlife, even with good intentions is very unwise. But in this case, the tourist could not resist the request made by a thirsty little bird. His pleading look and fearless nature melted the tourist's heart. He was also in disbelief that such a wild creature would seek water from a human. The bird watched the man for a few more moments before flying off to the trees.

Sea lions are among the most comical animals anywhere. The Galapagos Islands are home to thousands of them and they congregate on almost all beaches and rocky shores around the islands. They are enormous creatures, with the males weighing over 300 pounds when full grown. They have been named 'sea dogs' since the time they were first discovered by sailors who described them as being similar in appearance and behaviour to our canine friends. In Spanish, they are referred to as 'sea wolves'. With giant heads and enormous teeth, a male seal lion is a formidable creature and capable of defending his beach and his colony of females from almost any threat. Even humans keep a respectful distance from these bulls, even though they are not aggressive in most cases, if their space is respected. For decades, people and sea lions have been sharing the beach at La Loberia, aptly named as it translates to the wolf in Spanish. The sea lions are endearing and entertaining and they will engage in playful behaviour with each other. Occasionally, a struggle for dominance ensues between rival males, as it did in this case. Patrolling the edge of the water and barking constantly, this large bull spied another male on the sandy ridge that overlooked his colony. Without hesitation, he began charging up the hill to frighten the intruder away. Wisely, the younger male ran away swiftly and disappeared over a sand dune. The king of the beach was satisfied with this response and he turned to head back to the surf. But he realized that he had made his way almost to the top of the ridge, a long way from the water. Instead of waddling back clumsily, he plopped down on the sand and rolled like a giant caterpillar. He stopped briefly to sniff and kiss a female basking at the water's edge, then he rolled the rest of the way to the ocean. Only when he was a few steps away did he get up on his flippers and waddle into the shallows. As he did so, he passed a young couple that were taking pictures and the lady squealed and moved out of his way quickly. As if laughing, the sea lion barked his response and then headed out into the bay.

These are puppies that were born to a wonderful mother named Stella. She is a beautiful Bernese Mountain Dog with a very gentle disposition and a lovely face. Their father, Dexter is a strapping and handsome Maremma. Stella and Dexter escaped on a warm spring day and they found some time to be alone for long enough to begin a little family. A few months later, Stella gave birth to these nine fluffy puppies, and she could not have been happier. The puppies and their parents live on a farm in Ontario that borders a beautiful forest. The dogs have acres of meadow, woodlands, and streams to explore. Their owners are kind and loving people. It's no surprise that the puppies are also growing up to be beautiful and good natured. They spend their days sleeping, playing, exploring, and drinking milk. Very soon, they will all go to their carefully selected forever families. But for now, they are living the carefree life, doing what puppies do. These pups have found a log to climb on and a stuffed dog to play with. They adorably chew on branches, fall off the log, and fall over each other. They will play like this for hours until they run out of energy and they begin to get sleepy. Then they will nap almost anywhere they can get comfortable. Life with nine puppies like these is busy. They don't stop for long and they are hard to keep track of. Dexter and Stella are devoted parents who do their best to keep track of them all.

River is a puppy who has an appreciation for life and all the good things that come with it. She was thrilled to get outside after the first big winter snowfall. Confused at first by the fluffy white stuff on the ground, she quickly decided that she liked it a lot. She rolled happily on the ground and slid around like she was an otter in the mud. She looked happily at her owner as she did so. River loves the snow like few other dogs. She also learned that she could dig in the deeper drifts and pounce face first into the snow banks. River seems to understand that life is precious and that each moment should be lived to the fullest. She was brought to the emergency veterinary clinic when she was less than a year old. She had a complicated set of health problems and she was failing quickly. She came from a loving home and her owners were very devoted, but even the cost of diagnosing her illness was going to be overwhelming. The ongoing treatment that the veterinarian predicted was going to be more complicated and costly than any family could manage. Reluctantly, they faced the difficult decision that they needed to end River's suffering humanely. As the staff were preparing River for her last moments, the veterinary assistant, Serena, realized that she had fallen in love with this beautiful little soul. She knew that her expertise would help her manage River's medical needs. Her mother is also a veterinarian at another clinic and Serena made a quick phone call to see if the two of them could work together to save this dog from death. River was literally moments from her last breath when Serena told her family that there was a hope. They readily agreed to let Serena adopt River and give her a second chance. Although the cost is significant, and the care requires daily monitoring and frequent blood work, River has enjoyed a new chance. She doesn't miss any opportunity for fun and enjoyment and she cherishes Serena as if she knows how she was rescued from certain death. River continues to do well and to make the most of every moment.

This beautiful little bird has her hands full. She spends her entire day in search of food for her ravenous babies.With a basket nest woven out of grass, birch bark, animal fur, and grass, she has been working hard long before the babies even arrived. The nest itself is a marvel of architecture, hanging from a small tree branch above a path on a remote island in Northern Ontario. A family cottage is situated on the island and the cottagers were impressed with the beautiful nest. They kept a close watch and saw that the little wren soon had eggs in the nest. Soon after that, a little family was born and the mother bird hasn't rested since. The babies sleep soundly until the mother is heard flying in. Even a small movement of the branch wakes them up and their little beaks open wide in anticipation of a meal. This little bird brings back flying insects, caterpillars, and crawling insects of all kinds, then she stuffs them into the eager mouth of one of the babies. She must keep a careful count of which baby gets which snack, and she keeps them all fed equally by the end of the day. Within seconds of feeding a baby bird, she is off to get the next meal. The babies are asleep before she gets far but they will wake up in an instant when she returns. From sunrise to sunset, she barely rests. At night, she finds a comfortable position on top of them to keep them warm until the sun comes up. Then she repeats her foraging once again. This little bird seemed curious about the camera that was set up on the branch above the nest and she looks at it curiously for a few seconds before deciding that it is nothing to be concerned with.

Peacocks are the national bird of India. Massive creatures, with the most impressive plumage in the world, peacocks are a sight to behold. This peacock had found some food on the ground behind a large rock pile and he was gobbling up as much as he could.

Sally lightfoot crabs are famous for their vivid coloring and beautiful markings. They are a common sight on almost any beach or rocky shore is the tropics.