Reviews from

AmaZing Animals

Viewing comments for Chapter 21 "Amazing Animals - U"
The A-Z of animals and facts

43 total reviews 
Comment from Ric Myworld
Excellent
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I learn new information on everyone of these I read, but this one filled me in on a situation of over 200 miles of the California coast that I had no idea about. And I spend quite a lot of time there, but not nearly as much as I used to. Thanks for sharing another fine chapter. I wish I had a six.

 Comment Written 17-Aug-2020


reply by the author on 18-Aug-2020
    Thank you so much, Ric, for this lovely review. I think there is a lot happening in our world -- sea and land, that we are not aware of. I've learnt so much doing the research on my ABC animals. Thanks, my friend, your support is always so welcomed. (Don't worry about sixes, I'd miss your reviews more.) Have a lovely day! :)) Sandra xx
Comment from LisaMay
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

So very interesting!
Your poem sets the scene for more inquiry, then we get a wonderful compilation of this creature's features, lifestyle, habitat, and environmental concerns. I was particularly intrigued by mention of 'Aristotle's Lantern' and wondered how that name might have come about.

A correction:
along 217 miles of the Calorfornia coast. (California)

 Comment Written 17-Aug-2020


reply by the author on 18-Aug-2020
    Oh, thank goodness you spotted that, Lisa May! I've made the correction. :( Thank you so much for this lovely review, my friend.
    Aristotle's Lantern came about by Aristotle himself. He described that urchin in his book to be the shape of a lantern. From that time on, it became known as 'Aristotle's lantern'. Perhaps I should add that to mine!
    Thank you again, my friend. Have a lovely day. :)) Sandra xx
Comment from Robert Zimmerman
Excellent
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Hello Sandra.

You picked yourself a unique little critter for this subject. When I was a young boy growing up, my grandmother used to call the hobos that went through our town "Urchins." They never seem to get very close to water.

This took some work and it's very interesting. They never have to worry about me touching them. I don't even want to be around them.

They do remind me of a class of people that I know of: Politicians. They don't have brains or eyes either. They never think and they manage to keep their hands over their eyes most of the time.

Robert

 Comment Written 17-Aug-2020


reply by the author on 18-Aug-2020
    Thank you so much, Robert, for another fun review. You had me laughing again about the politicians, if you haven't heard ours, you should tune in, it's laughable what they are doing. They are all idiots, and they are destroying this country.
    You are the second one to mention the 'urchins'. I remember my mother used to say, 'you scruffy little urchins,' when my brother and I would come home from playing all day in the woods, or haystacks. Lol. She always smiled when she said it.

    Thank you for your continued support, my friend, I really appreciate it. Have a lovely day, my friend. :) Sandra xx
reply by Robert Zimmerman on 18-Aug-2020
    Hi Sandra.
    You're very welcome.

    I can tell you spent a lot of time on this piece. It is very informative and interesting.

    I do pay attention to politicians everywhere. It is a source for humor and satire. They are such good examples. What do you think happens to them when they get a little power?

    I know which "V" I would like to see but I will hold my tongue. (very rare behavior) 😁

    Robert


reply by the author on 18-Aug-2020
    I'm working on V now. You'll have to let me know if you guessed right. I've had one say a vole. Hmm. I do enjoy it when you all start thinking of what it will be. I'm finding this one very interesting. Not at all what I expected. That is a sort of clue! LOL. xx
reply by Robert Zimmerman on 18-Aug-2020
    I will let you know when you post. Vole is not what I was thinking. A vole reminds me of a fat mouse. 😁

    Robert
Comment from lyenochka
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Super job with this post, Sandra. Appreciate knowing the root of the name of the urchin. And I didn't know that the poor sea stars were endangered. I wonder if the purple sea urchins are edible? Maybe sushi eaters can help balance the overpopulation as they are with the lionfish which are overtaking the Florida waters. Loved this post and the gorgeous pictures!!

 Comment Written 17-Aug-2020


reply by the author on 18-Aug-2020
    I should have added that part about the purple sea urchins. Somehow, they are always at a level of starvation, that's how they can devastate the sea kelp forests. So, to answer your question on whether you can eat them, no, but only because they aren't worth the trouble as there is very little in them to eat, but they are used for fish bait, or compost. :))
    Yes, it's sad about the sea stars. I'd not heard of lionfish, so I've just Googled them. They are pretty, but deadly, I don't think I'd want them in our waters, either.
    Thank you so much, Helen, for another of your lovely reviews. I did find this one harder to do, but it was worth it in the end. I've also learned a lot about the sea temperatures rising everywhere since starting this book. We just don't realise what damage we've created. Have a lovely day, my friend. :)) Sandra xx
Comment from Pam (respa)
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

-Good artwork, poem, photos, and information, Sandra.
-This does sound like a complicated creature,
especially since it doesn't have a brain!
-Maybe that's where that expression
about not having one in your head came from!
-The picture of their mouth looks like
a doughnut with teeth. Maybe it was
the color, but that's what it reminded me of:)
-It is a shame about the sea stars.
-I'm glad you included the painting with
the information about it; it makes what
you are describing more vivid.
-It is a sad irony that the sea stars keep
the population down, but their population suffers,
then the sea urchins take over, but then they
could be on the endangered list.
-It would be nice to have that checks and
balances system back in nature.
-Well done, my friend.

 Comment Written 17-Aug-2020


reply by the author on 18-Aug-2020
    Good morning, Pam. I thought it looked like a doughnut, too! Lol. Yes, the sea star's mystery virus, added with the sea temperatures going up, has caused chaos in California. That painting is lovely, isn't it? When I saw it, I had to put it in the book.
    Thank you so very much for the six stars, my friend, and the lovely review. I really appreciated them both. Have a wonderful day! :)) Sandra xxxx
reply by Pam (respa) on 18-Aug-2020
    You are very welcome and deserving of the stars and review, Sandra. I am glad I wasn't the only one with the doughnut idea:) I didn't know the issue was mainly in CA. You have a great day, too.
Comment from Pantygynt
Excellent
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And I thought it would be the unicorn. Lol. When I went to the Caribbean with the RN we were warned about the toxic spines of the sea urchins. You did not go in the sea with bare feet. Only five more to go and V is next. The vole perhaps?

 Comment Written 17-Aug-2020


reply by the author on 18-Aug-2020
    I never went back into the sea after watching the first Jaws film!
    V for Vole? Hmm, I wonder! Lol. Thanks Jim, for reading this one. Have a lovely day. :)) Sandra xx
Comment from Marjon van Bruggen
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Seeing the last photos, of the opened urchins, I think I have eaten them 54 years ago when I was traveling and visited Crete, a big Greek isle. I was swimming there in the sea, near some fantastic rocks, where I met a man who "plucked" them off the rocks. He offered me one, after opening its belly with a very sharp knife. He said the yellow-orange colored inner part was to be eaten raw and was very special. I accepted to be polite, but to tell the truth, it was indeed delicious!
Now I know much more about the urchins, thanks to your (again!) very interesting chapter about these curious animals.

 Comment Written 17-Aug-2020


reply by the author on 18-Aug-2020
    Thank you so much, Marjon, for another lovely review, and for sharing your experience. You were brave accepting the raw inside to eat, I'm not sure I would have done. But, then I wouldn't have discovered how nice it tasted.There is a video on u-tube of a chef showing how to do it, and what each part was like inside. That was interesting. Thanks again, my friend. Have a lovely day. :)) Sandra xx
reply by Marjon van Bruggen on 18-Aug-2020
    Sandra, you are very welcome
Comment from Cindy Warren
Excellent
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I didn't know there were so many different kinds. Seems some have become a nuisance, and others are endangered. It's interesting how they got their name. I didn't know that, either. Good choice for U, probably the only one. LOL

 Comment Written 17-Aug-2020


reply by the author on 17-Aug-2020
    There are hundreds! I had to be quite careful with what I chose. When I start researching, I tend to go on for hours, days... I take my hat off to people who research for non fiction books all the time. I'm delighted you enjoyed reading about them. Thank you, my friend. :)) Sandra xx
Comment from aryr
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Totally amazing. I definitely learned a lot about sea urchins, you did very well with this one, Sandra. I knew absolutely nothing about sea urchins but I did like the comparison with the hedgehog, those I think are adorable. You provided so much interesting information. Great job, very much enjoyed, hugs and smiles and blessings. Nice picture, Graham.

 Comment Written 17-Aug-2020


reply by the author on 17-Aug-2020
    Aw, thank you so very much, Alie, for this lovely review. I'm so pleased you thought it was interesting. It was such a hard one to write. I'm sending you a big, warm hug! :)) Sandra xx
reply by aryr on 17-Aug-2020
    You are so very welcome Sandra, I can totally understand how hard it was, I can't wait to see what you do with the rest of the alphabet.
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Excellent
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What an informative choice for the letter u, Sandra. I enjoyed reading your chapter. It is filled with great facts. images, and general information. The urchin is one amazing little animal to live as it does. Your poem to introduce it is great.
Thanks for sharing.
Respectfully, Jan
he soaring growth of the gluttonous purple sea urchin have [ has ], in recent years,


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 Comment Written 17-Aug-2020


reply by the author on 17-Aug-2020
    Thank you so much, Jan, for another of your lovely reviews. I've made the correction, I'm so pleased to have you read my work, you are always so thorough and catch my nits! And, even more, I'm so pleased you enjoyed this one, it was the hardest to do. I have to keep them interesting enough for youngsters, and this one took some doing. I'm over the moon you enjoyed it. Sending you a warm hug, my friend. :)) Sandra xxx