NF Trees and Bushes

Remains ...

Andrea

Through My Lens

Maesa Elephant Camp in Chiang Mai

They start their day by getting a bath and some rubbies from their handlers

Then it is time to perform (earn their keep, as the saying goes).

They parade around the arena ...

then demonstrate ways that they help their handlers get on and off.

Some fun with a Hula Hoop ...

Ha!  I took your hat ...

Okay, you can have it back ...

And of course, the elephants paint pictures

They hold the brush just long enough for one stroke then the handler takes it to put paint on it.  

Then they paint ...

Each Elephant painted a different picture ...

The final product :)

Trust ...

Thank you for coming ...

And, while you are here can you tip my handler?

After the show we rode through a mountain trail on the back of an elephant ...

What it looks like from up there ...

On the trail we passed where the elephants were housed ...

They were clean and well kept and had plenty of shade ...

The elephants were given food along the way, several times ...

We passed a Mother and her 12 day old baby ...

The kids were waiting for us when we got back.  It was surely and interesting experience ...

I am aware that there is a great deal of concern that the elephants that are trained are abused.  I don't  condone abuse of any kind and though I am sure it goes on, it doesn't necessarily go on in every camp.    We watched closely for signs of abuse and saw none and as tourism is the main economic endeavor in Thailand and the elephant is a major player in their culture it seems only natural that they would be part of the tourist industry.   If this offends any of you, I apologize ...

Andrea

Feline Art Friday

Cat Eye

click to enlarge ...

Andrea

(also liked to ...)

Good Fences

Wat Phra Tat Doi Suthep

Fence surrounding the gold Chedi

The bells on the fence are donated by people who visit the temple.  You can ring the bells to let Buddha know that you have arrived at the temple.  When enough bells are donated they are taken by the monks, melted down and made into a new Buddha statue.  

Andrea

The Creative Playroom

KaleidoBird

Andrea

NF Trees and Bushes

Scorched Earth

Andrea

Wild Bird Wednesday

The Word is Out!

WBW's 200th Post!

 Did you hear the news?

 No ... What?

Stewart is posting his 200th WBW today !

Hey, I had better go spread the word ...

I told the guys hanging out in the trees ...

Thanks for stopping by ... pass it on to anyone you see ...

We should do something for Stewart ... I wonder if I have anything in the house I could throw together ...

What's all the fuss?

Someone did something for 200 weeks in a row and they're celebrating ...

Has he posted yet?

I don't see anything ...

Here he comes now ... Surprise !


Can you imagine doing the same thing every week for 200 weeks ... he must be very tired :)

Thanks Stewart for being a spokesperson for the bird world  and for hosting WBW for all of us!

Andrea