the wondrous

i am camera-less for the next couple of days, so i am going to showcase a few of my favourite sites that inspire me. after seeing the splendid lunar eclipse last night, i thought it fitting to introduce you to a website that embraces all that is wondrous and curious in the world. it's called the proceedings of the athanasius kircher society. there is a cornucopia of fanciful and marvellous things to discover here, including the museum of food anomalies and the fish powered vehicle.


through the kircher society i found these images by photogapher victor shrager. he photographed of over 100 species of birds in the hands of an ornithologist. check out the bird hand book


also found were the enchanting sculptures of arthur ganson. you have to see the sculptures in action to actually appreciate them, so check out the walking artichoke petal or machine with 23 scraps of paper. who knew that moving inanimate objects could ignite child-like wonder and imagination?


another notable find was this blog paleo-future a look into the future that never was. this image by albert robida from 1882 shows folks going to the opera in the year 2000. if only!


finally i rediscovered the bizarre taxidermy work of walter potter. this fellow potter was certainly a little potty, but i am still fascinated by these odd whimsical tableaux