#Spotted Nutcracker

[uwmspeccoll]

A Corvidae Feathursday

Here are some more wood-engraved birds -- both black and white and hand-colored --by British author and wood engraver Eric Fitch Daglish (1892-1966) from his 1948 publication Birds of the British Isles, published in London by J. M. Dent & Sons in 1948 in a limited edition of 1500 copies. Today we display all the corvids from this volume, from top to bottom:

Common Raven (Corvus corax)

Western Jackdaw (Coloeus monedula)

Red-billed Chough (pronounced "chuf"; Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax)

Spotted Nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes) 

Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica)

Rook (Corvus frugilegus)

 Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)

 Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)

Read more about this book plus view a hand-colored engraving of a Hoopoe here.

View more Feathursday posts.

[birdblues]

Spotted Nutcracker

[corvid-language-library]

I was curious about the etymology of 'chocobo' and I have to say this is not what I was expecting

[thebusylilbee]

never heard of Nucifraga caryocatactes aka the Spotted Nutcracker until today :

this is a corvid who essentially feeds on the seeds of pines, especially the Pinus Cembra also known as the Swiss Pine. They can handle more than 6000 hiding spots at the same time ! This one, unlike its cousin the Jay, doesn't even need markings to find the hiding spots, the visual factor is not part of its memorization process. They can create their hiding spots more than 20km away from where they found the food and still find it again many months later.

France Culture just released a podcast series on corvids in France !!! fuck yeah I know what im doing in the next hours !!!

[isas-bathbombs]

You deserve questions too sammy!

For example, which barbie movie is your favorite?

OH MY GOD IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS QUESTION

i have a few favs this is so hard 😭 in general its always been barbie fairy secret, mariposa and the fairy princess, princess charm school, and pink shoes.

whats urs??

[antiqueanimals]

The Child's Picture Scrap Book. Containing Upwards of Four Hundred Illustrations by John Gilbert, J. D. Watson, Wolf, Coleman, etc. 1865.

Internet Archive

[chronicparagon]

[Small headcanon: Harmony adores ballet. She never got the chance to learn it but would love to see performances if she could. “The Nutcracker” is one she really wants to see.]

[twomothsholdinghands]

I swear a fnaf-type game set in Yankee Candle Village could slap so hard. Uncanny animatronic men and reindeer chasing you through room after room of kitschy home decor. Combine the nostalgia of childhood with white women jumpscares

[ndostairlyrium]

From the OC shop asks: Their pet has caused destruction. Who puts the pet in jail? Who defends the pet?

For as many of your ships as you'd like!

Hi!!! Thanks for asking 💛

El Memo

Oh dear, so, I'm going for all of them lol

Ela & Alistair; She defends the dog, because he's a good boy and he defended Ferelden when times were dire. Alistair would blame the dog for a mess he himself would make << he'd gladly put him into jail too

Barbara & Fenris; The dog did nothing wrong. Destruction was necessary.

Ankh & Cullen; It depends on which pet has caused it (they have 5, horsies included).

Cullen is firmer when educating pets and jail is an option, unless it's Cornelia (Ankh's red hart). Cornelia is rather smart and if she causes destruction there's a good reason behind it (no there isn't, he excuses her because she's fierce). He would explain to her what's wrong, she gets it (yes she does. Will she listen? No.)

Ankh is more on the "eh" side, like, she doesn't care if they do a mess, they're animals, just let them be. But! She does hate the damn crow, and it's reciprocated. Cage it is! Until he frees himself.

[senkayro]

technically an assassin protag will be a rook and crow simultaneously

that's the post

you get DOUBLE the bird symbolism babyyy

[courcgecus]

In mouse world, the Mouse King is pure strength build judging down magic users.

[canonrenaissance]

CR • Christmas Tree Farm

[jagalart]

Corvids

A set of stickers commissioned by the awesome @kyrjaa, who let me print and sell these in the future! Thank you again for this wonderful opportunity, I had so much fun with these <3

The set includes all corvids living in our part of Europe except for one - I need to draw Spotted nutcracker sometime as well :D

[beingjellybeans]

Experience the fairy-tale town of Leavenworth, Washington: a complete travel guide

Leavenworth is a beautiful small town located in the Cascade Mountains in Washington State. Known for its Bavarian-style architecture, the town attracts visitors year-round for its charming ambiance, scenic landscapes, and outdoor recreational activities. It is also a testament to the power of community collaboration and creativity, as what was once a town in decline after its logging industry…

[thehoneybeestings]

Enemies to Lovers with Dancer!Vi x Dancer!Reader

Word Count: 1.8K

Content/Warnings: enemies to lovers, modern!au, dancer!vi au, dancer!reader, suggestive, fem reader (gn pronouns used, though), probably some dance discrepancies because i'm not a dancer myself

A/N: I had so much fun writing this; Vi and reader are so sassy like can y'all just fuck it out already... anyway, hope you guys enjoy!

Love, Bee ୨ৎ

୨ৎ The day your mom took you to your local dance company's performance of The Nutcracker was the day your love for dance began

୨ৎ At 7, you could hardly tell the difference between The Royal Ballet and Piltover Springs Dance School; and to say you were in awe was the understatement of the century

୨ৎ The glittering tutus, the leaps and twirls; you were sure you'd just discovered what you wanted to be when you grew up: A Ballerina

୨ৎ And here you were now; not quite a Royal Ballerina, but, you'd just gotten cast as The Sugar Plum Fairy in the very same annual performance of The Nutcracker you'd seen 11 years ago

୨ৎ You were beaming, trying your best to contain your excitement as the director of the school read out the rest of the cast list, until...

୨ৎ "For the first time in Piltover Springs Dance School history, our board was left completely at a loss when attempting to choose between our two top contenders for Star Senior. For this reason, we unanimously agreed that this year's Senior Showcase will feature both students. We’ve decided on a contemporary duet, and for this piece, we've chosen Y/n Y/l/n, and Violet Lanes. Round of applause for this year's Star Seniors!"

୨ৎ Your smile drops as quickly as it had appeared on your face just minutes ago

୨ৎ What. The. Hell.

୨ৎ You'd been pushing yourself beyond measure to earn this distinction, and if you were being honest, you'd rather not have earned it all than be the first student in the school's history forced to share it; and nevertheless, with Violet Lanes

୨ৎ As much you loved dance, you hated Violet; who was now more commonly referred to as Vi, courtesy of the nickname her first dance teacher gave to her

୨ৎShe’d been taking Hip-Hop lessons at the school for as long as you'd been taking Ballet lessons, and by the time you both started taking the same contemporary dance class in the 6th grade, your instructors had already started placing bets on which one of you it would be to earn the Star Senior distinction

୨ৎ You wonder if maybe you and Vi could've become friends if it weren't for how fiercely competitive you both were

୨ৎ But, alas: the two of you were nothing if not fiercely competitive, and oh how ironic it was that you'd now share the distinction that had driven you two so far apart

୨ৎ Clearly, Ekko was loving the irony

୨ৎ "Alright, alright, Star Senior! I can't wait for this one..." he'd say, rubbing his hands together with a shit-eating grin on his face

୨ৎ "I'm so pissed," you'd laugh incredulously, shoving pointe shoes into your bag, "I’d even let Caitlyn have my goddamn spot instead!”

୨ৎ "Ouch,"

୨ৎ You'd recognize the voice behind you anywhere

୨ৎ "If we're gonna be spending this much time together, you might wanna learn to love me, sugar plum.”

୨ৎ You turn to see Vi holding out a piece of paper- the schedule for the upcoming dance season- and your eyes scan for the following dates and times:

୨ৎ Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri- Company Rehearsal: The Nutcracker; 5:30-7:00 PM

୨ৎ Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri- Senior Showcase Rehearsal; 7:15-8:00 PM

୨ৎ You double, triple, quadruple check that you’re seeing this right

୨ৎ "Every day...?" you whisper, mostly to yourself

୨ৎ "Every day. Short sessions, so we can't really afford not to meet every day."

୨ৎ You look up to find that she's sucking her teeth, trying her best not to crack a satisfied smile at the irritation on your face, and anger pierces through you like a lightning bolt

୨ৎ “You're such a dick,” you seethe, eyes narrowed

୨ৎ She just rolls her own in response, unphased as usual; you'd never been able to get a rise out of her the way she could get one out of you, and that just pissed you off even more

୨ৎ “Look,” she sighs, “I don't want to do this stupid ass duet any more than you do, and I sure as hell didn't bust my ass for this distinction so that I could share it, so let's just get the show over with, and then we never have to see each other again. Cool?”

୨ৎ And you admit- for the first time ever, and certainly not out loud- that she's right; you just needed to get through the next eight months, and then you'd never have to see Violet Lanes again…

୨ৎ But why didn't that feel as good to think about as you thought it would? 

୨ৎ When 7:15 PM rolls around the next evening, you're already spent from your first day of rehearsals for The Nutcracker

୨ৎ You're hot, sweaty, and tired; and when you walk in a minute late to see Vi checking the imaginary watch on her hand, you know the next few months are going to test your patience like nothing has before

୨ৎ “Don’t piss me off,” you spit, shaking your head as you hold a hand out to her

୨ৎ Vi quirks an eyebrow and chuckles through her nose. "Hello to you too, sugar plum."

୨ৎ You scoff at the stupid nickname before you both turn to the instructor, whose eyebrows are raised as he wonders what the hell he's just gotten himself into

୨ৎ The two of you barely speak to each other during your rehearsals; you're just there to learn the moves, and frankly, try not to end each session at each other’s throats

୨ৎ The latter is a bit of a challenge for the two of you, surprising no one, but what does surprise you is the undeniable chemistry you and Vi have as dance partners

୨ৎ You two are quick to learn every move, and even quicker to learn each other; you sync effortlessly… 

୨ৎ Until, the lift

୨ৎ You could not-for the life of you- get the damn lift down

୨ৎ In fact, it takes an entire week of rehearsals to get halfway there, and even then, it's nowhere near performance-ready

୨ৎ "We might have to scratch the lift and come up with something else," your instructor muses, scratching his chin and looking down at his notebook for other ideas

୨ৎ And Vi is quick to notice the way your face falls in response to his words

୨ৎ To know you was to know someone who demanded perfection from themselves, and it was evident that the idea of not being able to handle something as simple as a lift was going to eat at you

୨ৎ And so, she asks you to stay late that day… a proposal you immediately reject, because,

୨ৎ “I don’t need extra practice, and I certainly don’t need to spend more time with you.”

୨ৎ “Y/n,” she’d deadpan, hands on her hips, “Cut the shit. This is why we can’t get the lift down. You freeze up as soon as you get halfway in the air, and when you hesitate, I hesitate, and then I start to drop you, and all of this because you hate me so much that you can’t even relax into a lift you learned to do when you were 15.”

୨ৎ You huff out a laugh, raising your eyebrows and crossing your arms

୨ৎ “Seriously?” You challenge, “Well… maybe you’re just not strong enough to-”

୨ৎ She quirks an eyebrow and gives you a knowing smirk

୨ৎ Yeah… you kinda figured that one wouldn’t work

୨ৎ “Okay… well, I actually learned to do that lift when I was 13, so it’s been a while since-”

୨ৎ “Y/n,” she interrupts, her voice much more stern than the first time your name left her lips 

୨ৎ “What?!” you seethe, now kicking yourself for getting so damn flustered

୨ৎ Vi takes a step forward, and for the first time in your 7-year-long rivalry, her expression softens as she speaks to you

୨ৎ And something blossoms in your belly; something much too close to butterflies for your liking…

୨ৎ “What we’re doing… it’s not working anymore.”

୨ৎ You look up at her through your eyelashes, a pout on your face

୨ৎ You know she’s right

୨ৎ “The break-up speech usually happens after we date, for the record,” you mumble

୨ৎ And she can’t help but laugh, and you can’t help but crack a smile, and have her eyes always crinkled up like that when she laughs?

୨ৎ “C’mon, you know what I mean. You don’t have to like me… but you’ve at least gotta trust me. Just enough for me to hold you in the air for like, three seconds,” she chuckles, “can you do that?”

୨ৎ You stare at her; pensive, hesitant

୨ৎ “I can try.”

୨ৎ “Okay,” she breathes out with a smile, “Then let’s try.”

୨ৎ She presses play on her phone, the same 10-second interval that you’ve heard countless times now begins playing, and you go for the lift; better this time, but she can feel that you’re still unsure 

୨ৎ “Damn it,” you spit as she places you back onto your feet

୨ৎ But this time, her hands don’t leave your hips

୨ৎ “Hey,” she calls out with a squeeze to your sides, “Relax. It’s okay, you’re doing good. I’ve got you, I promise.” 

୨ৎ She’s never talked to you like this before

୨ৎ Had her voice always sounded so sweet? 

୨ৎ Where did that scar on her lip come from?

୨ৎ When did she get this close to you?

୨ৎ “You good?” 

୨ৎ Your eyes snap up to meet hers, and what a pretty shade of blue, and you don’t even mean to lick your lips, and- 

୨ৎ “No fucking way,” she smirks, “you’re checking me out right now?” 

୨ৎ You’re quick to push off of her, immediately denying such claims

୨ৎ “No! What are you talking about? I’m not-”

୨ৎ “Dude, you so are; you just bit your lip!”

୨ৎ “I did not-” you break with a chuckle, closing your eyes. “I was not checking you out.”

୨ৎ“Look at you! Lying through your teeth! It was so obvious, Y/n, I swear to-”

୨ৎ “Are you gonna keep stating the obvious then? Or are you gonna do something about it?”

୨ৎ And oh, did she.

୨ৎ Right there in the studio. 

୨ৎ (And all those mirrors… really makes you think…)

୨ৎ Anyhow... it's safe to say that the next day, your instructor was pleasantly surprised to find that the lift was suddenly no longer an issue

୨ৎ You have your first costume fitting the next week

୨ৎ Your tutu was baby pink, covered in glitter and Swarovski crystals, and stuck straight out from your hips; it was exactly what you dreamed of wearing when you saw The Nutcracker for the first time

୨ৎ You'd beam at yourself in the mirror before turning to Ekko, who was already in his Nutcracker costume

୨ৎ "How do I look?" You'd ask

୨ৎ "Holy shit,"

୨ৎ You and Ekko would turn to the voice you'd recognize anywhere; and there stood a head of hot-pink hair, leaning against the doorframe of the ballet studio, chewing on a granola bar

୨ৎ "You look like a fucking cupcake."

୨ৎ Ekko would let out a bark of laughter, and you'd roll your eyes

୨ৎ "I'm a Sugar Plum Fairy," you'd correct, annoyance lacing your tone

୨ৎ "The Sugar Plum Fairy, lest I not forget," Vi would tease

୨ৎ And Ekko would think he was going crazy when he sees Vi shoot you a wink, and you smile back

୨ৎ “Pretty,” Vi would muse before strolling off into the hallway

୨ৎ Okay, now he was sure he was going crazy

୨ৎ “Wait… Y/n, is that a hickey on your neck?!”

End ୨ৎ

──˚₊•୨ৎ•‧₊˚──

P.S. - so do y'all want a full-length dance studio smut scene or...

[strawb3heart]

All I want for Christmas || Charles Leclerc

summary: Surprising Charles with the gift he had dreamed of getting since he was a little kid

warning: kinda short (as always, sorry 😭)

This was the sixth year that Charles and you spend hours decorating the apartment, full with lights and little ornaments to make it all look good. But this year, something was different, well, not something, someone.

It took months for Charles to convince you to adopt a puppy, until three weeks later, willow appeared in yours and your fiancé's life. And now, you were more than happy with your, now, son.

"Can you imagine him destroying his Christmas sweater?" Charles said while you just laughed knowing that he would probably do that "Let's just hope this young man doesn't pee on any furniture" you said finishing to unpack the nutcracker you both bought in Germany two years ago.

"You need help with that, mon amour?" Leclerc said as you were struggling to put it in the right place. You just nodded giving him the space he needed.

When you both finished decorating, the music seemed to have turned into a happier mood. While Charles was entertained playing with Willow, your thoughts seemed to drain to another topic, the christmas gift you had gotten him.

Where'd all the time go? You have known Charles since you were kids, practically babies. And, since you had met him, he had told you about his dream as a little kid, he had always wanted a white piano. He now had a classic black piano but you knew his last-long dream was to have the white one.

So, when you spotted a white piano while christmas shopping, you knew you would surprise him.

Hiding the piano was not an easy job but you managed to limit the access he had to the guest room, where it was hidden.

Now, you had the only task of getting Charles to follow you to the guest room, which wasn't particularly hard.

"Mon cœur, can I take this off already?" He asked referring to the scarf he had around his sight. "Yes, love, we are settled" You said while holding Willow to give him space.

"Are you kidding me?" Was the first thing he said after taking the scarf off "Mon Dieu, love, this is... wow. " his smile was as bright as the moon while admiring the piano.

It felt surreal to him "You remembered" his face lit up while starring at you and walking to hug you. "Of course I remembered" you smiled back at him

"I truly love you. This meant the world to me" he said while you both were hugging, having willow in the middle between the two of you. "I love our little family, thanks so much for this, for everything" he added

"You'll always have us by your side, amour, it's a promise"

hope you liked this little blurb, I know i always write really short drafts but I promise trying to write more luvs. <33

requests are always opened 🌷