Hunting Lions …... in Venice!. I went to Venice tor the first time in 1954 with my parents driving ‘down’ from Frankfurt/Main, Germany. The second time,

Hunting Lions …

... in Venice!

• I went to Venice tor the first time in 1954 with my parents driving ‘down’ from Frankfurt/Main, Germany. The second time, in 1970, I took my wife Ally, and in 1982 a third time, with our Australian friends Roger and Patsy.

• I always hunted lions there and am still amazed that I seem to be the only one on this chase.

• Now, retired, I’d like to share with you:

- THE LIONS I SHOT IN VENICE -

• The largest family of lions in the world:

• Door Lions

• Leo knockeratus minor

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’

• Another quite common species is the

• Balcony Lion

• Leo balconus supportus• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’

• Balcony lions often congregate in clans with females under the balcony. These do the heavy lifting and carry the load while the males watch from above. See how they position themselves on the corners of the guard rails for the overview – similar to human behavioral patterns.

• Let us now turn our attention to some the rarer species:

• Badge Lions

• Leo regalia aristocrata

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’

• Canon Lions

• Leo fumaris explosivus

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’

• The Ancient Lions

• Leo antiqua voracifera

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’

• Let us now turn our attention to some the rarer species:

• The Beaked Lions

• Leo os aviaris

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’

• An even rarer species are:

• The Bell Lions

• Leo sonus campanilis

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’• This is the only species which expects you to

pull their tongue and who will reward you for the favour!

• Let us now look at a more common species especially thriving in Venice:

• The Book Lions

• Leo biblis importans

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’• Read up about the History of Venice and discover the

secret of the book yourself.

• Another common species in Venice:

• Bridge Lions

• Leo via pontus aquaticus

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’

• Let us forget about the lions in Venice for a moment and stroll around the canals and piazzi. The main inhabitants of the city are of course humans, followed by pigeons, rats and cats. Among them, mysteriously, the lions prosper and most visitors will not realise how numerous they are.

• Let us turn into the backstreets and backcanals as most of you know the common tourist spots by now.

• Did you see the ‘micro lions’ in the last picture? If not, go back to discover the alley-cats.

• It is so easy to walk past the most obvious.

• The Micro Lion• Leo ludens aggressorius• Commonly called cats.

The Micro Lions

• If you are in Venice take time and visit some of the other islands. A must is Murano, famous for its artistic glass making. If you leave from the central porto it’s a wonderful trip which might net you a few more lions on the way.

• Just outside the Glass Museum in Murano you’ll find:

• The Corporate Lion

• Leo ars decorativa

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’ Well, yes, I could have grouped him with the book lions,

but I leave the finer points to the experts. The same applies for my Latin classifications. Take them with a grain of salt and smile.

• Let us now walk back to the centre and find a few more species, some very rare, some not yet in danger.

Look closely:

There are two bell lions right in front of

you.

You must concentrate if you want to hunt

these creatures successfully.

Everyone will have photographed this wonderful species on top of the column, or?

• A more common species which has been introduced to many countries:

• The Column Lion

• Leo columnus erectus

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’

A column lion is adapted to living at the base.

This fellow must have

a really good

coiffeur.

One of the rarest species:

• The Gutter Lion

• Leo aqua ductis

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’

• And another rare species:

• The Fountain Lion

• Leo aqua regurgitatis

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’

• After a short walk back to Piazza San Marco we find the brilliantly coloured:

• Gable Lions

• Leo fastigium altis

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’

• A quite thriving species who have adapted to a specialized function and flanking doors or gates are :

• The Guard Lions

• Leo domus protectus

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’

Here in a private setting on the way to the arsenale.

Guarding the arsenale are a few slightly bigger cats.

• This plentiful species graces many walls in the city and is sometimes referred to as your common garden variety:

• Wall Lions

• Leo domus ornamentus externa

• Subspecies: ‘Venetianis’

The plaque underneath makes you aware of the penal code article No. 663, which prohibits you from sticking your pamphlet on the wall.

Often the lions will look down on you and you

would not know they are even there.

I hope next time you are in Venice you’ll spot them

everywhere. I wish you good hunting – it

is great fun and sharpens your mind.

All photos Dieter Hauptmann (SCCC Australia) c 2010. Vivaldi’s concerto

for 2 mandolins played by Dieter with the ATARI chamber orchestra under

the direction of Sir Rightclick Mousse. For more of my works type

hauptmannbalalaika in youtube. I hope I could bring a smile to your face -

that would be nice.

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