EssAeEm
@essaeem.bsky.social
Connoisseur of the weird and wondrous, especially folklore, cartoons, theme parks, and puppets. I also run @gifs-of-puppets.bsky.social.
The Serengeti Plain at Busch Gardens in home to wide variety of African wildlife, including this eland grazing in the grass.
December 7, 2025 at 9:03 PM
The Serengeti Plain at Busch Gardens in home to wide variety of African wildlife, including this eland grazing in the grass.
As Walt Disney's brother Roy said at Magic Kingdom's dedication in 1971, “Walt Disney World is tribute to the philosophy & life of Walter Elias Disney & to the talents, the dedication, & the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney’s dream come true." Happy Birthday, Walt!
December 5, 2025 at 1:00 PM
As Walt Disney's brother Roy said at Magic Kingdom's dedication in 1971, “Walt Disney World is tribute to the philosophy & life of Walter Elias Disney & to the talents, the dedication, & the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney’s dream come true." Happy Birthday, Walt!
Today is the final day of the 2025 Sarasota Medieval Fair, so here's another photo from when I visited earlier this month. Since this year's theme was The Battle of Halidon Hill and I visited during Highlands Weekend, it seems fitting to spotlight the Scottish team from the Human Combat Chess match.
November 30, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Today is the final day of the 2025 Sarasota Medieval Fair, so here's another photo from when I visited earlier this month. Since this year's theme was The Battle of Halidon Hill and I visited during Highlands Weekend, it seems fitting to spotlight the Scottish team from the Human Combat Chess match.
If you see this, I IMPLORE you to post a picture from whatever device you're using without explanation.
November 29, 2025 at 2:31 AM
If you see this, I IMPLORE you to post a picture from whatever device you're using without explanation.
RIP Robert A.M. Stern. The celebrated architect, who passed away yesterday, left quite a mark on Disney over the years as the designer of the Roy E. Disney Animation Building in California and several resorts at Walt Disney World including the Yacht Club (pictured here), Beach Club, and Boardwalk.
November 28, 2025 at 9:14 PM
RIP Robert A.M. Stern. The celebrated architect, who passed away yesterday, left quite a mark on Disney over the years as the designer of the Roy E. Disney Animation Building in California and several resorts at Walt Disney World including the Yacht Club (pictured here), Beach Club, and Boardwalk.
A pirate treasure is rumored to be buried somewhere on Mississippi’s Deer Island, but it has never been found. According to local legend, this treasure is guarded by a headless skeleton who chases away anyone who gets too close to its hiding place. #PhantomsFriday
November 28, 2025 at 1:04 PM
A pirate treasure is rumored to be buried somewhere on Mississippi’s Deer Island, but it has never been found. According to local legend, this treasure is guarded by a headless skeleton who chases away anyone who gets too close to its hiding place. #PhantomsFriday
A legend from Guam’s Chamoru people tells of a giant fish who took massive bites out of the island's coast. To stop it from eating the rest of the island, a group of clever maidens sacrificed their magic hair and used it to weave a net that would be strong enough to hold the monster. #WyrdWednesday
November 26, 2025 at 12:42 PM
A legend from Guam’s Chamoru people tells of a giant fish who took massive bites out of the island's coast. To stop it from eating the rest of the island, a group of clever maidens sacrificed their magic hair and used it to weave a net that would be strong enough to hold the monster. #WyrdWednesday
Happy 15th Anniversary to Tangled! Disney's animated re-imagining of the classic fairy tale Rapunzel was first released into theaters on this date in 2010. Fans of Rapunzel visiting Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom can spot her in Mickey's Magical Friendship Faire on the Castle Forecourt Stage.
November 24, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Happy 15th Anniversary to Tangled! Disney's animated re-imagining of the classic fairy tale Rapunzel was first released into theaters on this date in 2010. Fans of Rapunzel visiting Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom can spot her in Mickey's Magical Friendship Faire on the Castle Forecourt Stage.
A little bit of autumn colors sneaking into the otherwise green Florida landscape.
November 23, 2025 at 9:37 PM
A little bit of autumn colors sneaking into the otherwise green Florida landscape.
In a folktale from the Isle of Man, a Manxman once sold his horse to what he thought was just a little man he met on the road but quickly became terrified upon witnessing the horse and its fairy buyer suddenly sink down into the earth and disappear once the deal was done. #FolkloreSunday
November 23, 2025 at 1:11 PM
In a folktale from the Isle of Man, a Manxman once sold his horse to what he thought was just a little man he met on the road but quickly became terrified upon witnessing the horse and its fairy buyer suddenly sink down into the earth and disappear once the deal was done. #FolkloreSunday
Happy 30th Anniversary, Toy Story! The groundbreaking movie, which was both the first computer animated feature film and Pixar's feature debut, was released into theaters on this date in 1995. 30 years later, Walt Disney World guests can visit an entire Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
November 22, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Happy 30th Anniversary, Toy Story! The groundbreaking movie, which was both the first computer animated feature film and Pixar's feature debut, was released into theaters on this date in 1995. 30 years later, Walt Disney World guests can visit an entire Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Florida's Tampa Theatre is a historic 1920s movie palace that is said to be haunted by multiple ghosts including its long-time projectionist. One of his successors reported the feeling of being poked in the shoulder by an invisible hand whenever it was time to change the movie reels. #PhantomsFriday
November 21, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Florida's Tampa Theatre is a historic 1920s movie palace that is said to be haunted by multiple ghosts including its long-time projectionist. One of his successors reported the feeling of being poked in the shoulder by an invisible hand whenever it was time to change the movie reels. #PhantomsFriday
According to Hawaiian folklore, Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes, is accompanied by a white dog. Because of this, a white dog being sighted near one of Hawaii’s volcanoes is considered a warning from Madame Pele that an eruption will soon follow. #WyrdWednesday
November 19, 2025 at 1:15 PM
According to Hawaiian folklore, Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes, is accompanied by a white dog. Because of this, a white dog being sighted near one of Hawaii’s volcanoes is considered a warning from Madame Pele that an eruption will soon follow. #WyrdWednesday
Happy Birthday, Mickey Mouse!
November 18, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Happy Birthday, Mickey Mouse!
Visited the Sarasota Medieval Fair for the first time over the weekend and enjoyed it a lot! From jousting and combat to music and comedy, there was great entertainment around every corner, including a few familiar faces I knew from other festivals that it was nice to see again.
November 16, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Visited the Sarasota Medieval Fair for the first time over the weekend and enjoyed it a lot! From jousting and combat to music and comedy, there was great entertainment around every corner, including a few familiar faces I knew from other festivals that it was nice to see again.
"A Piskey’s laugh is a gay little laugh, and as unfettered as the song of a lark, and anybody hearing it is bound to feel happy and gay, no matter how wisht he happens to be before."
-Enys Tregarthen, ‘The Little Cake-bird’ from ‘North Cornwall Fairies and Legends’ #BookWormSat
🎨: Johnny Gruelle
-Enys Tregarthen, ‘The Little Cake-bird’ from ‘North Cornwall Fairies and Legends’ #BookWormSat
🎨: Johnny Gruelle
November 15, 2025 at 12:09 PM
"A Piskey’s laugh is a gay little laugh, and as unfettered as the song of a lark, and anybody hearing it is bound to feel happy and gay, no matter how wisht he happens to be before."
-Enys Tregarthen, ‘The Little Cake-bird’ from ‘North Cornwall Fairies and Legends’ #BookWormSat
🎨: Johnny Gruelle
-Enys Tregarthen, ‘The Little Cake-bird’ from ‘North Cornwall Fairies and Legends’ #BookWormSat
🎨: Johnny Gruelle
In a tale recorded in James Bowker's 'Goblin Tales of Lancashire,' a young man named Giles became so infatuated with the phantom of a beautiful woman he encounters while crossing Fair Snape Fell late one night that his obsession with seeing her again led to a tragic end. #PhantomsFriday
November 14, 2025 at 12:32 PM
In a tale recorded in James Bowker's 'Goblin Tales of Lancashire,' a young man named Giles became so infatuated with the phantom of a beautiful woman he encounters while crossing Fair Snape Fell late one night that his obsession with seeing her again led to a tragic end. #PhantomsFriday
Couldn't help but pause to enjoy this view of Copper Creek Falls last time I visited Disney's Wilderness Lodge.
November 13, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Couldn't help but pause to enjoy this view of Copper Creek Falls last time I visited Disney's Wilderness Lodge.
In a Chinese fable, a proud fox mocked a crab for his slowness, so the crab suggested that they run a race. Unbeknownst to his opponent, the clever crab grabbed hold of the fox’s tail at the race's start so no matter how fast the fox ran, he always heard the crab right behind him. #FolkloreThursday
November 13, 2025 at 12:11 PM
In a Chinese fable, a proud fox mocked a crab for his slowness, so the crab suggested that they run a race. Unbeknownst to his opponent, the clever crab grabbed hold of the fox’s tail at the race's start so no matter how fast the fox ran, he always heard the crab right behind him. #FolkloreThursday
The ballad of Thomas the Rhymer begins with Thomas encountering a woman so beautiful that he addresses her as the Queen of Heaven. However, she corrects him by identifying herself as the Queen of Elfland before taking Thomas away to her realm for seven years. #WyrdWednesday
🎨: H. M. Brock
🎨: H. M. Brock
November 12, 2025 at 12:00 PM
The ballad of Thomas the Rhymer begins with Thomas encountering a woman so beautiful that he addresses her as the Queen of Heaven. However, she corrects him by identifying herself as the Queen of Elfland before taking Thomas away to her realm for seven years. #WyrdWednesday
🎨: H. M. Brock
🎨: H. M. Brock
C'est magnifique! Here's a view of the château at EPCOT's Canada pavilion towering over the treeline as seen from across World Showcase Lagoon.
November 9, 2025 at 9:06 PM
C'est magnifique! Here's a view of the château at EPCOT's Canada pavilion towering over the treeline as seen from across World Showcase Lagoon.
"Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize!"
Concept art of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion attraction by Marc Davis for #PhantomsFriday.
Concept art of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion attraction by Marc Davis for #PhantomsFriday.
November 7, 2025 at 12:26 PM
"Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize!"
Concept art of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion attraction by Marc Davis for #PhantomsFriday.
Concept art of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion attraction by Marc Davis for #PhantomsFriday.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay recently announced that Rose, their geriatric lioness, has been retired from public view ahead of construction to expand the park's lion habitat. I'm glad I got to see her one last time when I visited last month, and here's wishing Rose a pleasant retirement.
November 6, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay recently announced that Rose, their geriatric lioness, has been retired from public view ahead of construction to expand the park's lion habitat. I'm glad I got to see her one last time when I visited last month, and here's wishing Rose a pleasant retirement.
In a story from Herman Hofberg's 'Swedish Fairy Tales,' a ship's crew was skeptical of the package that a giant named Puke had given them to deliver to the church in Lofta and instead threw it overboard onto a nearby island, which immediately burst into flames. #WyrdWednesday
November 5, 2025 at 12:15 PM
In a story from Herman Hofberg's 'Swedish Fairy Tales,' a ship's crew was skeptical of the package that a giant named Puke had given them to deliver to the church in Lofta and instead threw it overboard onto a nearby island, which immediately burst into flames. #WyrdWednesday
Miguel from Pixar's 'Coco' leads the way during the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. #DiaDeLosMuertos
November 2, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Miguel from Pixar's 'Coco' leads the way during the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. #DiaDeLosMuertos