Ducks aplenty

Four views of a duck

What else can you say about a duck ?
I quacks !

THE TEASEL AND THE BEE

PLEASE ! DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR.
LOOK AT THE "TEASEL AND THE BEE" PICTURES IN THE LARGE FORMAT

The Teasel and the Bee

A Teasel stands there.
Quietly, minding its own business...

...when, wouldn't you know it,
a busy bee comes along
and, without having been invited,
settles down on the teasel
and begins to suck from the good old nectar

The Teasel, however, gets its revenche.
It spreads its pollen all over the bee
(see below)
and thereby forces the bee to insaminate
other Teasels.
Isn't this a form of sex?

Just look at the Pollen on the bee's knees.
Since the bee is still very youg, this act
could be seen as "Statutory Rape"

HOCHOSTERWITZ

The castle of Hochosterwitz, in Central South Carinthia was first mentioned in 1057. During the ensuing 500 years or so, many defence installations were added to this formidable structure, until, at last, it was defended by not less than 14 gates, some of which featured draw bridges, each of which could be defended individually.
A potential enemy would be engulfed by a hail of arrows, spears, boiling tar and by many other means of defence. There was only one way up - through the gates -.
No wonder, tha castle was never conquered; maybe because it was never attacked.

THE CASTLE OF "HOCHOSTERWITZ"

"Hochosterwitz", probably the most beautiful
of the many castles which dot the Carinthian countryside.

THE PICTURES SHOULD REALY BE VIEWED
IN THE LARGER FORMAT:

A view from the Castle upon the surrounding area.

Isolated from the rest of the castle:
the home of the hangman - executioner.
He was feared as the bringer of bad luck
and was only allowed withing the walls of the castle
"to do his job"

The Chapel and the Tree and the Roses

Many such chapels dot the countryside
of Carinthia.

They are reasonably well maintained
and often fresh flowers are placed inside.