Believe it or not, the mystical and fairytale-like forest portrayed in these beautiful photos actually exists – it’s called Hallerbos (or Halle Forest in Dutch), and it’s located in Belgium.


The reason this forest looks like it’s been lifted right out of a fairytale is its dense carpet of blue flowers, called Bluebell. These flowers thrive and bloom in spring and early summer, and it is their characteristic explosion of blue and violet that gives bluebell forests like this one their name.

The beautiful nature filled with spring blooms attract visitors (and photographers) to Hallerbos and to other forests like it in droves. Foggy conditions are especially good for photographers, giving the woods a mysterious and ghostly atmosphere.

Dense super bloom of bluebells on the forest floors are usually an indicator that the forest in question is very old. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the trees in the area are old, only that the area has consistently remained wooded for at least 300-400 years. Scroll down below to witness the beauty of our mother nature!

Image credits: Kilian Schönberger
Image credits: Walter Spoor
Image credits: Guy Lambrechts
Image credits: Jimmy De Taeye

Image credits: Kilian Schönberger

Image credits: Matthias Locker

Image credits: Ramon Stijnen

Image credits: josnas

Image credits: gvriend

Image credits: Mathijs Frenken

Image credits: Kilian Schönberger

Image credits: Bart Ceuppens

Image credits: Robert Delpeut


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You’ve probably heard of cow hugging or even goat cuddling as forms of therapy these days. People online are raging about places that offer cow hugging sessions with clean, fluffy animals as a way to relieve stress and boost one’s mood.

Well, owning a heavy cow as a pet is pretty impractical (except if it’s a mini cow), but cows aren’t the only animals so fluffy you’d want to sleep on them.

These incredible Valais Blacknose (Ovis aries) sheep would have you thinking you’re staring at stuffed animals – only to see them move, blink, or go Baa! These wooly creatures are a special breed of sheep, originating from the Valais region of Switzerland. They are dual-purpose livestock farmed for their meat and incredible wool. Outside of Valais and its surrounding regions, it’s difficult to find pure breed Blacknose sheep.


These cute animals have coarse wools, spiral horns, and are so-named for their black faces. Generally, sheep aren’t given some much thought by farmyard guests. They come off as really… dumb (for lack of a better word), and people seem to prefer interacting with goats and cows. When most people hear the word ‘sheep’, here’s all they can imagine:


These lovely animals have been around since the year 1400, roaming the mountains of Switzerland and adapting to impossibly cold weather – hence, their thick wool coats. They are groomed for their wool during the summer when the temperatures are moderate, but they need the wool coats for the terribly cold weather in the Swiss Alps during winter.


The wool on this breed of sheep is so coarse and thick that it’s not normally used for clothing. Yarn spun from the fiber is better suited for making carpets, rugs, foot mats and wall hangings.


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It appears that humans aren’t the only species feeling the economic impact of the COVID-19 global crisis. 

These tiny kittens showed proof of great compassion and loyalty, as they sheltered and comforted their ailing sister.

The three stray kittens, two tabbies and one white, had been left all alone somewhere in Naples. And one of them was in distress; the white little kitten was feeling ill and was shivering on the rough ground.

Her siblings knew they couldn’t do much for her, but they tried their best to keep her safe.

By wrapping their bodies around her, they hoped to comfort and protect her.

Naples Cat Alliance
When Megan Sorbara, president of Naples Cat Alliance, first saw the kittens, they were lying curled up in a little ball with the white cat securely nestled in-between her siblings.

Sorbara had received a tip that there were three kittens in need of help, and when she found the trio she was touched by the sight of the two siblings protecting their poor, shivering sister.

Naples Cat Alliance
Sorbara took the kittens with her to Naples Cat Alliance and got them the love and care they needed.

She named the two tabby kittens Pistachio and Praline and the white one Coconut.

Sorbara had been out for ice cream when she got wind of the three siblings in need, so she thought it was fitting.

Naples Cat Alliance
It was discovered that Pistachio and Praline had been right to be concerned about Coconut;

Coconut could barely walk by herself and her head was tilted in an unnatural position.

Naples Cat Alliance
It appeared as if Coconut was suffering from neurological damage, but Sorbara hoped that she could help her improve.

She began giving Coconut daily massages in the hopes that it could improve her condition.


Sorbara wasn’t the only one looking out for Coconut. Even though they were now safe and well-taken care of, Praline and Pistachio continued to cuddle and comfort their sister.

They would constantly nap curled up around her, pleased to know she was safe and sound.

Naples Cat Alliance
And after growing stronger, Coconut made another valuable friend; Sorbara’s pup Bitsy.

Bitsy loves kittens and fell head over heels for the little trio – especially Coconut.


Coconut and Bitsy quickly became friends and started cuddling and sleeping together.

And hanging out with Bitsy has been great for Coconut’s rehabilitation.


“It’s really good for Coconut. It helps her stretch and move and climb and things like that, which are good for her muscles.” Sorbara explained in an interview with The Dodo.



Naples Cat Alliance
While the kittens were getting used to their new life and getting cosy with Bitsy, the rescue group was also concerned with finding their mother.

They were searching the area for her, trying their best to reunite her with her kittens.

Naples Cat Alliance
The kittens’ mother was a difficult kitty to get a hold of. She was wary of the rescue group and kept her distance for a long time.

She’d seen them capture other cats and wasn’t sure they meant well.

Naples Cat Alliance
But eventually, they managed to capture the elusive mommy, who was relieved to find that they actually had her best interests in mind.

She was overjoyed to finally be reunited with her beloved babies that she’d missed so much.

Naples Cat Alliance
And things just kept getting better. Coconut’s condition was steadily improving and eventually, she made a full recovery.

The sweet kitten could play and tussle just as well as her sisters, and her mother – now named Vanilla Bean – was so proud of them all.

Now, all three kittens have found their forever home with Sorbara.

She ended up adopting the sweet trio herself, and the siblings have grown up happily and healthily together.

Thanks to Sorbara and Naples Cat Alliance, these sweet kittens are happier than they’ve ever been, and they have a long, beautiful life together ahead of them.

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