The Rhino Family Tree is over 50 million years old, We are told, since We can’t count very well. But it is a grand old tree, and We feel it in our Rhino bones.

This diagram is to show you, like a tree grows, so have We, getting older and in many experimental ways, probably better. Each few million years Nature gives Us a selective makeover, but the core remains pure Rhino.

We just wanted to point it out for you… a wee reminder.

Today YIR features Vexillology, the study of Flags by experts and enthusiasts. We Rhinos are in that second group for sure. Our knowing nothing does not dim our enthusiasm.

We must take note of the Vexillographer (Zscout370, uploaded by Himasaram) who designed the flag for the International Federation of Vexillogical Associates. Our variant version is Rhino-centric, but you get the idea. Right?

Vexillomaniacs, Unite!

Today is the Autumn Equinox, which means something about warmer there, cooler here, sooner or later, depending. The Big Picture for Rhinos is the shifts that affect plants and hence, our Food. Some places, plants like the change, other places not so much.

Fall is pretty in some areas, so let Us enjoy that change, if We are at the right place at the right time.

The whole business is Natural, meaning We will never really understand the ramifications of Change. Sad but true. OR thank goodness it’s true. Or…

World Rhino Day has, We are told, a theme. This year’s theme is about keeping all five Rhino species going. It’s a tall order, primarily because of territorial pressure from native peoples.

Please wish Us well, and if you can, help Us. Many groups are trying to support Us.

We would appreciate it.

We Rhinos are often slightly embarrassed about ‘weight issues’. It is a petty matter to fuss about, but We have our kinks too. Sometimes, no matter how aggressively We eat, the pounds don’t add up.

Rhinos weigh more than a ton, often two, and as much as three. Yes, We are impressed too. But not every one of Us is destined to be The Biggest Rhino. So We aim for Big as Possible Rhino. We never get fat, We just get bigger- then do Mass Maintenance.

Much less stress, trust Us. Keep chewing; you’ll get there!

As you might expect, We Rhinos have little time for the demands of Fashion. True, We have undeniable Savoir Faire, but the persnickety detailing wears Us out.

We simply convey the Impression of Perfection without going overboard.

Today is ‘Talk Like a Pirate Day’, which is naturally good news. Not only does it affect our pronunciation, but it adds color to our vocabularies. Rhinos are all for it.

The Rhino attitude to Piracy is that, while We enjoy colorful behavior and derring-do, We were never meant for a life at sea. Our diet always has the trump card for Us, and vegetables at sea are usually missing. We would waste away.

Still, We heave anchor with ye, it being the top of the tide. Sadly, We can’t all be trapeze artists.

Rhinos have tried, but to date We have not come up with anything that provides greater sensory thrill than Mud. It protects our skin from the sun and insects and has a merry stench that speaks of the locale.And there We wallow, when We can.

Sometimes in the Wild there is no water, which is a key ingredient in Mud, right? So We celebrate double-time when We can.

Also, as has been pointed out, Better to wallow in Mud than to wallow in Self Pity.

Mr. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, a Dutch fabric merchant, discovered, all on his own, the secret world of Microbiology. He devised a microscope of his own, examining single drops of water to see who or what was in there.

This all made a splash in 1657 when he presented his findings to the scientific community, which rallied to the enormity of van Leeuwenhoek’s discovery. His only limit in ingenuity was his own active imagination and curiosity. He examined blood, and many other liquids, as well as studying fibres and veg. He kept careful notes, detailing his studies, which still exist in the Netherlands. He was also a gifted draftsman, illustrating his findings.

He wore a small moustache. Rhinos can’t grow them either. We draw them on, as needed.