Kgalagadi Sightings

The Kgalagadi Wildlife Reserve came into being from the merging of two adjacent wildlife destinations located in South Africa and Botswana and this space is packed with images typical of what you'd expect from Africa. Dusty savanna. Thorn trees that look almost alien. And lions. Plenty of lions. You can see lion cubs - small as kittens or confident teenagers - out on a stroll with mom. A sleepy pride enjoying naptime in the middle of the road. Or a trio on patrol inspecting the facilities of their human guests. But there are other species as intriguing. Curious desert foxes. A drowsy owl peeking out of the tree hollow. That super-athlete, the solitary cheetah, caught in a quiet moment. An eagle captured mid-flight. A female leopard, up close and personal. A puffadder, playing hide and seek with its surroundings. African wildcats that will look surprisingly familiar to cat lovers. Some of the photographs are truly stunning. Come here to dream about your own African odyssey. 

Members: 224.1k, at the time of writing.

Trigger warnings: None. (While I should mention that any sites featuring wild predators might contain disturbing images, I saw no violent images on my brief visit).

Go here to visit or join.

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Miniature Masterminds

Hands up if you can appreciate the work and dedication that goes into crafting the small things.  Shoes and accessories that look perfect enough to be real. A street view diorama. Flowers. A sewing corner in a dollhouse. Thumbnail-sized corn-on-the-cob. One jaw-dropping ensemble recreates the nine settings of a mystery board game. A miniature mermaid resides in a glass jar. A collection of tiny paintings. A collection of over a hundred paper plates. Small-scale knitted coverlets. A miniature arcade with pinball machines and console games. An inch-high canine figure. Fruit and confectionery that looks good enough to eat. If you've always wanted to tackle one of those adorable DIY miniature home kits on Amazon, here's where you draw inspiration. But that's not required. Only - I imagine - steady fingers, a stout heart, and a generous dash of imagination. 

Members: 84.6k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None

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Ladies of Steampunk

Their confidence is contagious. They are fiercely positive about their self-image. Because self is a construct, a fusion between history and fantasy, with props like classic motor vehicles and steam locomotives - putting the steam into steampunk, as it were. The visual tone ranges from spicy to quirky. Expect hats and parasols. Goggles and gears. Top hats and high tea. Parasols and petticoats. Whimsical fairy wings. Fans and feathers. Most of the accessories are beautifully made. Most posts are from photo shoots and steam punk events.

Members: 38.5k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

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Friendly Horse Questions

One of the greatest benefits of social media communities, is the way it lends access to shared wisdom. Take horse ownership for example. You might think you know the basics, you might even have a few textbooks on your shelf, but then your mare throws you a curved ball. And it might seem too trivial (and expensive) to raise with your vet. You don't know whether to be concerned or not. For Friendly horse-related questions, this group might have your back. A fair number of questions concern correctly aging a new purchase - which means dental shots. There are also weight gain tips for rescue horses or workouts for plump ponies. Find confidence in how to raise issues with your farrier or vet. Get advice on how to restore an old saddle, which wound spray to buy and strategies for combating thrush. I liked the current cover image (but obviously this might be subject to change). 

Members: 106.3k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: There might be medical questions.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Slow Stitch With Perfect Imperfection

Mistakes happen. Accidents can be salvaged. All it takes is a pinch of creativity. There is an energetic thread that runs from square to square, drawing the eye to follow needle paths that seem both intuitive and meditative. We are talking embellishments that brighten up everyday garments. Garments redesigned to carry a personal signature of the wearer. Threads that draw disparate elements together. Mending hacks that become wearable art. Challenges and solutions, woven together. Follow works in progress until they become upcycled masterpieces. In this group it is possible to find beauty and innovation in the simplest things. 

Members: 6.8k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Urban Watercolor Sketchers

Some sketches are vibrantly alive with the chaos of random crowds of city dwellers. Others capture moments of stillness and repose. There's a quick watercolor impression of a fellow urban sketcher. He'll be gone in a moment, and his work might show up in a future post. Another post shares a moment from a sketchers' meet-up. What else can you expect? A street scene in Rajasthan. A street market get-together. A canal bridge in Mandurah. A church tower in Palermo. The old Coal Exchange in Cardiff. A visit to Givenchy following the footsteps of Monet. Scenes from Indonesia, Mexico and the Azores. The countryside in Tuscany. Toronto. Iceland. Styles vary and here and there, you'll find conversations about technique or art materials. 

Members: 17.4k, at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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Tori's Painting Club

As a watercolorist specializing in pet portraits and wildlife studies, Tori Ratcliffe has developed a distinctive and very accessible style of painting. From her website, she sells colorful and quirky cards, prints and other merchandise featuring her artwork. But that's not all. With her easy, beginner friendly tutorials, she offers guidance to anyone who wants to try a little painting for themselves. And that's what the Facebook group is all about. It's a platform for students following her online tutorials to share their own work. Although it's a small group, there are many posts per day. Not all of the featured pieces are exact replicas of Tori's example studies. Some have taken her style lessons as a starting point for experimenting with their own subject matter, immortalizing beloved pets for themselves or as gifts. The paintings are charming and the community is positive and supporting. 

Members: 1.2k, at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None

Go here to visit or join

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