You only see what you know (Goethe)
The Lipizzaner horses are most famous for performances at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. The origin of their name is somewhat less well-known. It refers to the Lipica Stud Farm in present-day Slovenia. This stud farm is open for visits. [German]
While cycling through the Neusiedler See – Seewinkel National Park, we met several White Baroque Donkeys. On that hot summer day we all enjoyed the shadow of a small forest.
While walking along the lapidarium of the City Museum in Villach (Stadtmuseum Villach), I came across this dog who obviously loved to be among all these ancient pieces. Many of them reminds us of the Roman settlement Santicum.
I am a sucker for wrought ironwork. On a walk through Graz, I discovered this image of a praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) as a decoration on a house entrance. What might have been the motivation for this work of art? [German]
I came across these two struggling oryxes while walking through the Salzburg Zoo. I loved the symmetry of their horns in the depicted situation. You find the Salzburg Zoo next to a big rock. That way, guests see the animals in a rugged setting.
While exploring the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Realm World Heritage Site, a Doric domed building may attract your attention. Then, you have found the former mausoleum of the Dukes of Anhalt in Dessau-Roßlau. [German]
This fabulous breed of pigeons lives within the walls of Wartburg Castle in Eisenach. According to legend, this breed was part of the dowry Elisabeth of Hungary brought to the castle after her wedding with Louis IV, Landgrave of Thuringia.
In earlier times German miners used to have a small garden for vegetable and animals behind their homes. While strolling around a mining settlement next to the colliery Zeche Zollern I came across this special breed of chickens. In German they are called Sundheimer.
In Schlierbach, I met the Shropshire sheep the first time. These sheep are known for loving grass but not nibbling at trees. So they are ideal for keeping grass short in fruit farms and Christmas tree plantations. Best lawnmower ever.
In Schlierbach I had the chance to speak with the founder of SPES who is also a local organic farmer. While visiting his farm next to my hotel I came across these free running piglets. Well, the operative word is running! As you can see it was pretty difficult to get my camera ready on time.
Cute! A cat observing people in front of an ice cream shop in my native town Graz, Austria. I wonder what it is thinking right at that moment. Any ideas?
A trip through Burgenland wouldn’t be complete without taking photos of storks. One can see their nests on many roofs in the easternmost state of Austria. Coincidentally, I found the nest with the most storks on top of a house that bore the name Burgenland.