"wildlife" discovery

anyone who knows me well, probably knows that i get excited about random small things in life--especially "wild" animals. anytime i see a deer, i get so hyped up that if I wasn't so self-controlled, I'd probably jump up and down, scream, and point. Usually, though, I manage to keep it to a squeal and a point. Living in a different country gives one the opportunity to experience a variety of new "wild" animals which just makes my day!

Yesterday I saw a giant snail on the side of the road about 20 steps from Palmgarten.


Across the street was a stork!


Having just read an article on photographing animals in the wild and trying not to freak them out, I tried to be very careful when approaching these animals so as not to spook them or disturb their habitat. The stork was definitely spooked even though I tried to cross the street with "tai-chi like steps" as were recommended, but seeing as it wasn't a nesting site, I didn't really worry. However, how do you spook a snail, and if you did, would you know? You can't scare him away from his home because it goes with him wherever he goes...