2009-10-08 - Ruskin, Florida, United States. Andrew Meacham
The crowd hunkered in the dark as smells of cotton candy and peanuts filled the air. "And now, please welcome …" the ringmaster intoned over a drumroll before the payoff: "Ben Williams and Anna May!" The curtain opened, and in trotted an elephant carrying a blond man in a loincloth. "The crowd would scream," recalled Michael Christensen, a co-founder of Big Apple Circus, where Mr. Williams and his elephants performed. Mr. Williams was a star, and the act never failed. He was so attached to Ann...
2006-11-29 - Ruskin, Florida, United States. Buckles Woodcock and Ole Whitey
Apparently this was taken in Nashville the fall of 1938 when the Barnes-Sells-Floto show with RBBB Features played here. In the background is the old Broad Street viaduct and the flats are being unloaded out of sight to the right, in what we used to call the Kayne Avenue Yards. I had initially thought this an early 1940s pic but you pointed out that the heavily-loaded wagon sides suggested Barnes.
2006-11-25 - Ruskin, Florida, United States. Buckles Woodcock
This is a picture from my collection, taken the same day and presents a more detailed view of the show. Johnny: Just awesome, those photos of Bill Woodcock, Black Diamond and A.M. Cauble overland circus and amazing to me is this true story. Bear with me. A few years back I booked our family acts with a friend of mine who had a nice canopy type Wild West Show with bucking bulls, bronks, trick riding, etc.
2006-11-20 - Ruskin, Florida, United States. Buckles Woodcock
This is a picture , taken at the Rochester, Ind. Quarters, of a second act being trained later for Mrs. Beatty. The elephant chosen was "Anna May", namesake of the elephant that was in our family for so many years. Eddie Allen later told me that this number was really "touch and go" and in fact, at the dress rehearsel the night before the Cole Show's indoor opening in Chicago, "Anna May" unloaded the cats and made an exit right thru the side of the arena.
2006-11-18 - Ruskin, Florida, United States. Buckles Woodcock
For those of you astonished viewers who think I can identify these elephants from the rear, I must confess, my father wrote their names on the back of the picture:1. Blanche 2. Jean 3. Big Babe 4. Big Jenny 5. Louie 6. Little Babe 7. Tony 8. Katie 9. Nellie 10. Wilma 11. Tessie 12. Little Jenny 13. Carrie 14. Trilby.
2006-11-12 - Ruskin, Florida, United States. Buckles Woodcock
Standing room only at Jenda's funeral today and attended by the absolute cream of Sarasota circus society. This followed by an exquisite catered meal at the Club. The bombshell of this afternoon's soiree came when an announcement was made that the Kelly-Miller Circus had been purchased by none other than John Ringling North III, himself.
I received this very interesting material from Mr. Von Gilsa via Deutsche Post.
2006-10-17 - Ruskin, Florida, United States. Sue Lenz
These are pictures taken of my mother in the 1930's, the elephant she used to present was called "Rosie". After the family finished with the circus, she was sold to the Bristol Zoo where she gave elephant rides for many years. Mother also had a dog and pony act, as well as an act with geese.
2006-10-07 - Ruskin, Florida, United States. Buckles Woodcock
Hi Buckles, I saw on the Blog that some people thought we filmed those commercials on Blue Screen and added the girl after, let me assure you we did not. The shots were all done with the little girl right there and George was a little soldier. Here are some of the photos from the shoot. We filmed the beach scene up on Lake Huron and we had to swim George out to a platform and when they shot we had to duck under the water. Lake Huron is cold and it is deep too. Charlie
2006-09-01 - Ruskin, Florida, United States. Buckles Woodcock
Just received this from Dave Price. This picture is new to me.
2025-03-27 - Chiang Mai, Thailand.
In a united effort to prevent forest fires, a team of three elephants joined over 20 locals in constructing firebreaks in Chiang Mai’s Mae Taeng district on Wednesday. The initiative, led by Phra Kh...
2025-03-27 - Cholamunda, India.
A Wild tusker, known as Kasera Komban, was found dead in abandoned septic tank in Kerala Malappuram. The tusker used to be affectionately called "Kasera Komban" due to its remarkably long tusks, which...
2025-03-18 - Wichita, United States.
The Sedgwick County Zoo announced Monday that 29-year-old African elephant Simunye delivered a stillborn calf following a healthy, full-term pregnancy. This would have marked the first elephant born a...
2025-03-08 - Guwahati, India.
A female elephant calf took birth in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park. The newborn, named Gauri, is the offspring of an elephant named Phulmai, who resides within the protected area of Kaziranga.
2025-03-05 - Trichy, India.
A 60-year-old female elephant named Jaini, who was being cared for at the MR Palayam Government Elephant Rehabilitation Centre in Reserve Forest under the Trichy Forest Division, has passed away. The ...
2025-02-07 - Amboseli, Kenya.
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Paolo, one of Amboseli’s most famous and cherished elephants. At 46 years old, Paolo’s death marks the loss of a true giant, not only in size but ...
