
The Swift Hunter: Cheetahs in Myths and Cultural Stories
The Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) Swift and sleek, the cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth, capable of bursts that reach astonishing speeds across the open plains.
Come and join me on a captivating journey into the realm of wildlife-inspired folktales! In the “Tails, Feathers, and Tales” section, you’ll find stories and pictures that bring the fascinating myths and legends about our beloved animals to life.
The Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) Swift and sleek, the cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth, capable of bursts that reach astonishing speeds across the open plains.
The Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) Elegant and towering, the giraffe is one of Africa’s most distinctive creatures. With its long neck, patterned coat, and gentle stride, it rises
The Zebra (Equus quagga) Striking and elusive, the zebra is one of the most recognisable creatures of the African plains. Its bold black and white stripes have
African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) African elephants, the largest land animals on earth, have inspired awe and reverence for countless generations. Their towering presence, vast ears, and sweeping
The Lion (Panthera leo) Majestic and commanding, the lion is perhaps the most storied creature of the African plains. Known as the “king of beasts”, it has
The White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) Massive and resilient, the white rhinoceros is one of the most iconic creatures of the African savannah. Its broad mouth, built for
The Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela) With a broad-winged silhouette and a piercing, high-pitched call that echoes across forests, the crested serpent eagle is both striking and
The Red Kite (Milvus milvus) With russet wings, a deeply forked tail, and a buoyant flight that tilts and glides on the air, the red kite is
The Badger (Meles meles) Stocky, striped, and stubborn, the badger is a creature of the twilight. Emerging from its earthworks at dusk, it moves with a steady
The Bear (Ursus arctos) With a hulking frame, shaggy coat, and strength that seems carved from the mountains, the bear has long stood as a symbol of
The Wolf (Canis lupus) With piercing eyes and a coat that shifts from shadow-grey to pale silver, the wolf embodies fear and fascination. Moving in silence across
The White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) With long crimson legs and a snow-white body trimmed in black, the white stork walks the edges of myth and meadow alike.
The Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii) Darting along riversides, car parks and village greens with a flick of its tail and a flash of monochrome feathers, the
The Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) Carrying the song of morning across open paddocks and leafy streets, the Australian magpie is as much a presence of sound as
The Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris) Hovering above open paddocks with wings poised and eyes fixed, the black-shouldered kite holds a stillness that defies the wind. Its white
The Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) With its rose-pink breast, soft grey wings and unmistakable squawk, the galah cuts a playful figure across the Australian sky. Common and colourful,
The Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) Across the red sands and saltbush plains of Australia, the emu strides with quiet purpose. With powerful legs and a gaze like stone,
The Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) With a flash of white and a crest like sunshine, the sulphur-crested cockatoo makes itself known long before it is seen. Its
The Kangaroo (Macropus spp.) Bounding across the open plains, resting beneath the shade of eucalypts, the kangaroo is one of the most recognisable creatures on Earth. Its
The Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) Perched on high branches, with feathers fluffed in the morning light, the kookaburra watches the waking world below. Its unmistakable call, part cackle,
The Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) From the eucalyptus forests of Queensland to the coastal woodlands of Victoria, the koala rests not only in the trees of Australia but
The Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) From the arid landscapes of North Africa to the rocky hills of southern Europe, from ancient Egyptian temples to Mediterranean shepherds’ tales,
The Brown Fish Owl (Ketupa zeylonensis) From the ancient riverbanks of India to the forested temple groves of Sri Lanka, from Himalayan foothills to the deep wetlands
The Little Owl (Athene noctua) From the sun-drenched olive groves of Greece to the quiet hedgerows of rural England, from ancient Mediterranean myths to European farming traditions,
The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) From the windswept highlands of Scotland to the vast steppes of Central Asia, from Native American lore to the alpine peaks of
The Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) From the mangrove-laden deltas of Bangladesh to the sacred rivers of India, from African wetlands to the paddy fields of Asia, Little
The Sea Lion (Otariidae) From the misty shores of the Pacific Northwest to the sun-drenched coasts of Peru, sea lions swim through centuries of indigenous storytelling. More
The Hummingbird (Trochilidae) Darting through the rich tapestry of indigenous folklore across the Americas, the hummingbird flutters as a potent symbol of joy, persistence, and divine connection,
The European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Hopping through centuries of European folklore, the rabbit has left an unforgettable mark on cultural imagination, transforming from a humble countryside creature
The Barn Owl (Tyto alba) Perched silently in old barns and church towers, the Barn Owl (Tyto alba) has haunted the British countryside for centuries, its ghostly
The Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) Perched atop church spires or strutting across village greens, the Jackdaw cuts a familiar figure in the British landscape. With its slate-grey plumage
The Greenfinch (Chloris chloris) Perched on feeders or darting between hedgerows, the European Greenfinch cuts a distinctive figure in British gardens. With its olive-green body and flashes
The Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) With its rosy breast and blue-grey cap, the Chaffinch has been a familiar sight in British gardens and woodlands for centuries. This charming
The European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) Flitting through gardens and woodlands, their wings a flutter of gold and black, European Goldfinches bring a dash of living colour to
Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) Strutting through autumn fields, their copper feathers gleaming in the low sun, pheasants have long been more than mere game birds. These dazzling creatures,
Crows (Corvus spp.) Perched atop weathered fenceposts or cawing from gnarled branches, crows have long been a fixture of our landscapes and our imaginations. These ebony-feathered birds,
Nuthatches (Sitta europaea) In the dappled light of woodlands across Europe and North America, a small, agile bird can often be seen spiralling headfirst down tree trunks.
Bullfinches (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) In the quiet of a winter morning, a flash of crimson catches your eye. A bullfinch, plump and proud, perches on a snow-laden branch.
Eurasian Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) As you stroll along a windswept beach, you might spot a distinctive black and white bird with a bright orange beak probing the
Buzzards As you gaze skyward on a warm summer’s day, you might spot a large bird gliding effortlessly on thermal currents. Chances are, you’re watching a buzzard.
Magpies (Pica pica) As you stroll through a park on a crisp autumn morning, a flash of black and white catches your eye. Perched on a nearby
Crocodiles From the banks of the Nile to the heart of ancient civilisations, crocodiles have long been revered and feared in equal measure. These formidable reptiles, with
Peacocks (Pavo cristatus) From the pages of ancient texts to the canvases of Renaissance art, the peacock has captivated the hearts and minds of people across cultures
The Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) Kingfishers have long captured the imagination of people around the world, not only for their stunning plumage but also for the myriad
Seals Seals have long captivated the human imagination; their soulful eyes and graceful movements in water inspire scientific curiosity and rich folklore. These marine mammals have left
The Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) The Starling, a bird with a rich history and cultural significance, has captured the hearts and minds of people for centuries. Sacred
Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) In 1876, grey squirrels from North America were introduced to England as an ornamental species intended to beautify the grounds of stately homes.
Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) Asian elephants, the gentle giants of the East, have long been revered and celebrated in various cultures and traditions across the continent. These
The Fox (Vulpes vulpes) With their striking appearance and elusive nature, foxes have captured the imagination of people around the world for centuries. These intelligent animals have
The Otter (Lutra lutra) These charming semi-aquatic mammals have captured the hearts of people around the world with their playful antics and endearing characteristics. With thirteen different
The Blackbird (Turdus merula) The blackbird, a creature cloaked in iridescent black plumage, has long been associated with the energies of mysticism and magic. This unassuming bird,
The Robin (Erithacus rubecula) The Robin, a charming bird with a striking red breast and inquisitive gaze, has captured the hearts of many across the United Kingdom.
The Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) With their striking plumage, raucous calls and bold personalities, Eurasian Jays (Garrulus glandarius) have captured the imagination of storytellers across Europe and
The Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) With their graceful flight, piercing calls and keen hunting abilities, common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) have fascinated observers across Europe, Asia and Africa