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@ An Apple For The Picking
Silver-linings begins his experience of Water!
An Apple For The Picking
A red apple, ready to eat, nature has washed it clean of dust and soon it will let go of its hold on the branch, let’s pluck it and eat it and enjoy the crisp taste of autumn on the way.

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@ Graceful Water Lily

Navy Flower Power Egg
The first painted eggs came from Mesopotamia, and because eggs were forbidden food during Lent, people painted eggs while Lent was being observed—after Lent, they would eat the eggs on Easter Day.

Beautifully decorated eggs “pysanka” are associated with Ukraine, and the oldest painted egg that was unearthed in northern Ukraine is dated to the end of the 17th century.

Graceful Water Lily
The Nymphaeaceae family (a very fitting name for these elegant water plants) offer the ideal finishing touches to a garden pond. Water lilies add practical features and also beauty to any pool. Fish use them to hide from predators, and as shady retreats from the hot summer sun. Plants growing in a pond help keep the water clean and aerated. These specimen is especially beautiful!

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@ Rain Tracks
“Let's just drink in this exhibit, shall we, Silver-linings?” suggested PetPet, sinking down on a convenient chair.
Silver-linings agreed it was well worth spending some time there!
Rain Tracks
Today is raining and the raindrops have gathered on the window pane. The drops are racing each other and chasing each other to see which drop can make it to the bottom of the window first. Dear pets, if you would like to play a game with these raindrops, choose one and follow it with your paw, or talon as it heads downward.

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@ Lake Baikal, Russia
"The Great Fire of 1666 started in London, on Pudding Lane, in a baker's shop. The baker believed he had put the fire out but in the middle of the night the fire grew and his house was in flames. Pudding Lane is still there today. If you want to visit it, Monument is the nearest tube station. The place where the fire started is also marked by a monument topped by a fiery gold ornament," said Silver-linings.
"It makes it sound like it's the only monument in London, Silver-linings!" chuckled Hot Stuff.
Lake Baikal, Russia
Lake Baikal, in southern Siberia, Russia. It is considered to be the oldest lake in the world, at 25 million years, and the deepest lake. It contains 20% of the world's total unfrozen freshwater reserve. A Unesco world heritage site. Beautiful in winter, a huge chunk of ice looking like a massive diamond.

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@ Frog on a Lily Pad
“What have you got in your rucksack, Honey?” asked Silver-linings. “It looks very full!”
“I’ve come prepared for anything, Silver-linings,” responded Honey. “There’s canvas deck shoes, tennis shoes, flip-flops, sandshoes, walking boots, sandals, loafers—you name it, I’ve got it!”
Frog on a Lily Pad
It's an endearing, iconic image—a frog on a lily pad! The lily leaves are attached to stems about four feet long connected to the plant growing on the bottom of the pond. These stems and the water's surface stability make the lily pads strong enough to carry a frog. It may look a peaceful scene, but the frog is in reality remaining motionless, waiting for unsuspecting prey!

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@ Victoria Falls, Zambezi River, Africa
"When was silver identified as an element?"
"Eek—no idea, shyla!"
"Don't worry, Silver-linings! It was as far back as 4000 BCE!"
Victoria Falls, Zambezi River, Africa
One of the world's largest waterfalls, with a width of 1708 m (5604 ft) Victoria Falls, on the Zambezi River, in southern Africa. In the Lozi language, Mosi-oa-Tunya, "The Smoke That Thunders"; In the Tonga language Shungu Namutitima, "Boiling Water") The Sotho language name Mosi-oa-Tunya is the name used most commonly.

David Livingston, a Scottish Missionary, was the first recorded European to set eyes on the falls in 1855. Livingstone named the falls Victoria after Queen Victoria, the World Heritage List officially recognizes both names. Mr. Livingstone also cited an older name, Seongo or Chongwe, which means "The Place of the Rainbow", as a result of the constant spray.

Victoria Falls, though not being the largest in width or height alone, combined these falls are indeed the world's largest sheet of falling water.

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@ Regal Swan
"Today's trivia question, Chelsey!" announced Silver-linings. "When were the first ever windmills built?"
"Oh, goodness! I've no idea, Silver-linings, but I imagine they're pretty old!" responded Chelsey.
Silver-linings grinned. "Windmills have been in use since 200 BCE. They were first developed in Persia and China."
Regal Swan
The mute swan, or Cygnus olor is a very large white waterbird with an orange bill. In the UK they are most commonly found in England, but to a lesser extent in Scotland and Wales. In cold weather, some mute swans arrive from Europe into eastern England.

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@ Many Waterfalls
"I'm going to buy that souvenir wind spinner, Munich," said Silver-linings. "It'll be a nice colourful addition to my garden!"
"That sounds like a lovely memento, Silver-linings!"
Many Waterfalls
Looking like so many mini waterfalls, the ocean surges, and retreats over a large flat rock. The sound must be wonderful, so soothing.

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@ Ripples On The Water
"At the time of the Great Fire of London in 1666 there was no fire brigade such as we have today. Men from the Navy used gunpowder to blow up houses in the path of the fire to halt its spread!"
"Goodness me, BLUEY! Drastic, or what? Did it work?" queried Silver-linings.
"It sort of worked—eventually! But it took some days, during which time a large part of London had been destroyed."
Ripples On The Water
Water rippling over the rocks below creates abstract patterns that shift and change.

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@ Tudor Rose
“What have you got in your rucksack, Smokey?” asked Silver-linings. “It looks very full!”
“I’ve come prepared for anything, Silver-linings,” responded Smokey. “There’s canvas deck shoes, tennis shoes, flip-flops, sandshoes, walking boots, sandals, loafers—you name it, I’ve got it!”
Tudor Rose
In the 15th century King Henry VII of England introduced the Tudor Rose, which combined the red rose of the House of Lancaster with the white rose of the House of York. The Tudor Rose was adopted as the national emblem of England, and was a symbol of peace and unity in the period following the long civil war.

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@ Leaf And Water Drops
"Did you know you can start a fire with ice, Silver-linings?" asked frosty.
"How on earth do you do that?" queried Silver-linings.
"Well, you need a disc of clear ice shaped into a lens, then use it as you would a magnifying glass to shine the sun's rays onto flammable material, such as dry grass."
Leaf And Water Drops
Magnifying a subject—as in this leaf and water drops—can produce some wonderful almost abstract art.

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@ Swimming With The Fish
"Did you know that kite flying and fire fighting featured at the 1900 Olympics in Paris, Moonabelle?"
"That's amazing, Silver-linings!"

Swimming With The Fish
Where do I want to be? Under the sea. The water is warm the fishes are darting around in colourful schools—nibbling a bit of plant here and there.

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@ Water Drops On Pine Needles
"It says here that 'fire' is from the Old English fȳr, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch vuur and German Feuer," remarked Silver-linings.
"That's interesting!" responded Firefly.
Water Drops On Pine Needles
Come along dear pets, we are going to take a walk amongst the trees. The rain has stopped and the air is fresh with the scent of pine all around, it will lift our spirits and refresh our minds.

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@ Rain Soaked Twig
“I could stay here in front of this image forever, Silver-linings,” said Chipilona. “This is an amazing place!”
“Well, you never know what lies ahead, Chipilona. I wouldn't be surprised if the next exhibit is even better!” said Silver-linings.
Rain Soaked Twig
Don't you just love the play of light on the foliage, with the foreground in sharp focus and the background grasses a soothing blur, and this twig weighed down by raindrops at dawn?

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@ Hello, Anyone Home
Oh look ... you won a pet!
Hello, Anyone Home
Raindrops bejewel the web of a spider. I wonder where the occupant of this web went when the rains came. A spider can’t hold an umbrella, so I hope it found a big leaf to hide under while waiting out the rain.

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@ Refreshing The Rose
Air pollution is measured with the Air Quality Index, or AQI. The lower the AQI, the cleaner the air is. However, if you are outside when the AQI is over 100, it’s about the same as breathing in exhaust from a car all day! Things that cause poor air quality are forest fires and cities with lots of car traffic. If the AQI is higher than 100 you shouldn’t spend too much time outside.
Refreshing The Rose
The dusty pink rose, is ready to unfurl, perhaps today when the sun shows its face, but for now, the rose has been washed of dust and refreshed.

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@ Playing With Waves
The fastest gust of wind ever recorded on Earth was 253 miles per hour.
Playing With Waves
Take your shoes and socks off, the sand is soft, and the water is warm as the waves gently roll in and out. Playing tag with the waves is a favourite pastime of many people and pets. A great way to cool off during the heat of the summer.

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@ Dewy Iris
"It says here that 'fire' is from the Old English fȳr, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch vuur and German Feuer," remarked Silver-linings.
"That's interesting!" responded Lucy.
Dewy Iris
A beautiful iris with dew-laden deep blue petals in an atmospheric close-up image.

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@ Tantalizing Cherry
"Orpheus, just look at this exhibit! Isn't it amazing?”
"It certainly is, Silver-linings! Perhaps they'll have it in postcard size in the gift shop!"
Tantalizing Cherry
Water drops on a ripe red cherry, how mouthwatering is that. But is this cherry for eating or is it a model for an artist? Don’t help yourself quite yet.

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@ Heron at Dawn
A natural gas vent in Iraq known as The Eternal Fire has been burning continuously for over 4000 years, and it has been mentioned by Herodotus, Plutarch and in the Old Testament Book of Daniel.
Heron at Dawn
This tall, almost prehistoric looking, grey heron stands like a statue on the edge of the pond, contemplating its next meal. Dawn is just breaking and the water is shrouded with mist.

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@ Canine Hydrotherapy!
Silver-linings was very happy to meet Frost here! They both swapped tales of their experiences of their tour of the art gallery wings so far!
Canine Hydrotherapy!
Most dogs love to swim! Those that take to aquatic frolics most readily will be dogs with a water-resistant coat, evenly distributed body weight and a large tail to act as a rudder!

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@ Ladybug Going For A Walk
"Did you know that kite flying and fire fighting featured at the 1900 Olympics in Paris, Viola?"
"That's amazing, Silver-linings!"

Ladybug Going For A Walk
Little ladybug taking a stroll on a leaf, it rained this morning and the ladybug stops to sip at a raindrop. Refreshed the ladybug will move on to do ladybug things.

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@ Teal & Purple Peacock Feather
"It says in our tour guide that 96.5% of water on Earth is in our oceans, covering 71% of the surface of our planet," remarked Silver-linings.
"That's amazing, Silver-linings!" responded Morenth.
Teal & Purple Peacock Feather
Birds waterproof their feathers with oils from the preening activity, which prevents water droplets sinking further into the feathers. Instead water forms into droplets which run off the feather. Feathers have a unique and highly complex structure and their arrangement with neighbouring feathers maintains their "waterproof" integrity.

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@ Water Drops On A Rose
The four elements were even used to described the four temperaments a person could have, and Hippocrates used the four elements to describe the four “humors” found in the body. These theories stated that the temperaments and humors needed to be in balance with each other in order for a person to be well both mentally and physically.
Water Drops On A Rose
A white rose in full bloom, sprinkled with drops of water. Did it rain early in the morning, or did a gardener come by with a watering can and drench the flowers before the sun came out?

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@ Plop, Water Drops
As Silver-linings's experience of "Water" comes to an end, he receives a wonderful gift!
Lotus Flower, Violet
For thousands of years, the Lotus flower had been used as a symbol of purity, beauty, and transcendence. The Lotus flower also represents connection. In Feng Shui the lotus is seen as an embodiment of the mandala, the petals have a center point that expands outward. Beautiful, delicate flowers that only grow in swamps. "All the wisdom is within us, so the 'jewel,' the 'treasure,' is in us—and we are the lotus flower," Anjie Cho

Plop, Water Drops
As the rain falls and lands on the water’s surface it creates craters and small pillars of water. It is endlessly fascinating to watch the raindrops fall.
Silver-linings has completed his exploration of "Water"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also explore the Elements!