Old World Christmas

The Story Behind Ravens are some of the most intelligent birds and are able to mimic many sounds. Because of this they are considered wise and to possess powers of prophesy. In the Bible, ravens fed...

The Story Behind Sometimes referred to as a sea parrot, the puffin spends six to eight months of the year on the open sea. Under water they use their wings to swim while guiding themselves with their...

Mouth-blown hand painted Christmas ornament.

In the song The Twelve Days of Christmas, Two Turtle Doves symbolize the Old and New Testaments. Years ago, the song served as a secret means of teaching English Catholics the basics of their faith,...

The chicken coop, or hen house is a safety zone for chickens. It provides an indoor protected area for chickens to sleep, lay eggs and nest. Chicken coops can be simple structures or extravagant...

The Story Behind At first glance, the white crowned sparrow appears to be a plain, unimpressive bird. But, look closely and you'll find that this bird has remarkable markings on its head and bill...

The Story Behind The origin of the Spring Chicken phrase is factual; farmers found chickens born in the spring brought better prices than old chickens that survived the winter. Chickens are vital to...

The Story Behind Considered by many to be the most beautiful ducks, the brilliantly plumed male Wood Duck and the less showy female make a distinctive whistling sound. These shy, retiring water fowl...

The Story Behind Hopping along the way to spread Christmas cheer, this mom and her Joey are ready for Christmas. One of Santa s first stops is the home of kangaroos, Australia. Let s hope this little...

The Story Behind Bearded dragons are desert lizards that have become part of many families as wonderful pets. They are friendly reptiles who often wave their arms in a way that looks like they are...

The Story Behind The Corgi is one of the oldest dog breeds and is used for herding. After a long day of rounding up the herd, it's no wonder this Corgi has plopped onto its bed. Loyal, fun-loving,...

The sleepy doodle dog has played the day away and is not settling in for a winters rest. Doodle dogs are popular for a host of reasons: intelligence, trainability, allergy-friendliness, and of course...

Shh! This sleepy golden retriever has settled into slumber after a day of running, chasing and fun. Golden retrievers selflessly give humans their unconditional love and attention. Often serving as...

The Story Behind Chimpanzees are a fan favorite for their likeness to human children. They spend their days in groups, acting up, playing, chatting and eating. Chimpanzees are incredibly smart...

The Story Behind Did you know that Koalas have fingerprints just like humans? In fact, scientists struggle to identify the fingerprints left on this candy cane as koala or human. One thing is for...

Mouth-blown hand painted Christmas ornament.

The Story Behind The Great Pyrenees is a confident yet gentle and affectionate giant. While territorial and protective of its flock or family when necessary, its gentle demeanor is filled with...

The Story Behind This adorable creature is hardly playing possum as she snuggles a beautiful blossom. Opossums are well-known for their involuntary behavior of mimicking the look and smell of a dead...

The Story Behind Iguanas live in tropical lands such as Central and South America and the Caribbean. This lizard is easily recognized for its dewlap, the row of spines running along its back to the...

The Story Behind Pigs are considered by many to bring prosperity and good luck. This cheerful little piglet is dressed in a Christmas red stocking cap and scarf and is doing her best to stay warm...