I was successful at getting the Mayans to postpone the end of the world to 3012. Of course, just like the government, that means I kicked the problem down the road. We’ll let our great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandchildren deal with it.
Meanwhile, enjoy some more pictures of wildlife that make the San Diego Zoo their home. I hope I’m not boring you with San Diego Zoo pictures. If I am, well, bear with me; it’s my favorite place to go to get away from it all and relax for a couple of hours.
I’m not sure I would want to run around all my life with three-foot spikes sticking out of my head, but maybe next Halloween I’ll try it.
Several decades ago I worked as a copywriter/editor/proofer for the University Press, the College of Science, and the Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University. That’s when I overcame my fear of the possessive S, as in Ross’s Goose above.
There are a couple of general rules that you can follow which are good in 99% of the cases. First, if you pronounce the possessive S, then use the apostrophe S. Since I pronounce Ross’s as Ross-es, I spell it with the apostrophe S. A couple of well-known exceptions are Jesus and Texas. Even though you pronounce the possessive S, you don’t use the S after the apostrophe (Jesus’, not Jesus’s, and Texas’, not Texas’s).
Another exception is that you don’t use the ending S if the following word begins with an S. For example, if that were Ross’ Snow Goose, the S that would normally be after the apostrophe gets left off. Too many Ses (S’s?) in a row would make you think of, what? A snake.
Mr. Ring-necked Duck looks like he has a little attitude. I promised him that none of my blog readers would make fun of him, so be sure to LIKE him.
These next two birds might not actually make their homes at the San Diego Zoo because they are free to come and go, visiting the wonderful San Diego area at will. However, if you could make your home at the San Diego Zoo, where you would get regular feedings and have people oooh and aaah over you, well, wouldn’t you?………:)
I’ve always known the Great Egret by that name but recently I read a blog from a blogger in Florida who called it a Great White Heron, which is also one of its common names.
The Visayan Warty Pig is a juvenile, so it does not have a single wart yet.
Once you see an adult, you’ll truly believe that there are faces that only a mother could love.
Here, let me show you one:
The hippopotamus is a young one, born on January 26, 2011, which happens to be my wise old grandmother‘s birthday. She would have been exactly 100 years old, so I have a special fondness for that little hippo.
Looking for real estate services in San Diego County?
I can highly recommend
James Frimmer, Realtor
Century 21 Award, DRE #01458572
If you’re looking for a home inspector,
I recommend Russel Ray — that’s me!
Sorry ring-necked duck, I like the Smew better than you.
LikeLike
Now you’ve gone and hurt ring-necked duck’s feelings………….lol
LikeLike
😦 but I really like you, just not as much as Smew. I know, it’s mean to play favourites. I will behave better next time.
LikeLike
So glad you were able to postpone the end of the world for us, Russell. Now I get to open my Christmas presents. 🙂 Love the photos. That Warty Hog has the cutest face ever. 😀 Have a great weekend.
LikeLike
Fantastic photos and I LOVE the ring-necked duck!
LikeLike
Great photos and advice on the correct usage of ‘s and s’.
LikeLike
My son glanced at my screen while I was looking at the ring-necked duck. Without knowing the title of your post, he laughed and said it looked like it wanted to take over the world!
LikeLike
lol……..We kind of innocent (and smart!) when we’re young.
LikeLike
Amazing photos! I also enjoyed the grammar lesson. One of my biggest pet peeves is when an apostrophe is used in a plural word – for instance, “potatoe’s for sale”. I even see it on commercial signage sometimes and it drives me nuts! Of course, I do live in the Ozarks so that might explain it 🙂
LikeLike
Having been born in Texas, graduated from Texas A&M University, and to many A&M-Arkansas football games in Little Rock and Fayetteville, I’m familiar with Ozark English……….lol
LikeLike
I think being close to nature & its inhabitants resonates in our soul…with concrete & glass surrounding us so much of the time it ‘blocks’ our inner need for that connection. Love the photos as always. Glad we have a few more years on the planet!
LikeLike
lots of very nice animal and bird photos.
LikeLike
awesome
LikeLike
Great photos, and I love the explanation about the mysterious S!
LikeLike
What!? You mean the world didn’t end? Why didn’t someone tell me? Now I have to figure out what to make for supper.
LikeLike
I like all the ducks, everyone has their own beauty 🙂
LikeLike
Love it! And great way to explain the proper use and placement of the possessive s 🙂
LikeLike
You got great shots Russel, I could sit and watch the birds in that little pond all day long.
LikeLike
wonderful pics
thanks for putting off the end of the world for us
LikeLike
My pleasure!
LikeLike
wooo i and mykid like animals~
LikeLike
aw I like the warty pig!
LikeLike
The heron looks like a caricature of a disgruntled professor.
LikeLike