When Marty Essen travels to photograph wildlife, he often finds that nature gives him a little more than he bargained for.

And if you can imagine a front end loader lifting gravel and then dumping it on shore,

that's what the hippo did to us.

Coming up, Marty explains why he really likes the kinds of critters that make some people cringe.

Like, did you know that the saliva from vampire bats in

Belize has special properties to help treat hemophiliacs? Here you have a

little creature that some people might want to wipe off the face of the planet that is actually

saving lives of humans all over the world.

And friends from both sides of the border in Northern Ireland take listener calls to

help plan a vacation to the Emerald Isle.

They'll also let us in on what you're likely to hear the Irish talking about in the pubs.

What is the first time in my lifetime that people are beginning to talk about a United Ireland

in a positive way and a way that it could happen.

It's just ahead on travel with Rick Steve's.

The scenery is green as far as the eye can see and the land is filled with stories from centuries

past as if they happen just last month and the people you'll meet they're eager for friendly conversation. It's easy to understand why

Ireland is such a favorite vacation destination. In just a bit on today's

travel with Rick Steve's, tour guides from some of Ireland's Northern Counties will take your calls at 877

33 7425 to help you plan a family vacation to their Emerald Isle home.

Wildlife photographer Mardiesen likes to learn the stories of the birds and animals

who live in the places where he camps out.

Sometimes it gets him into situations that you can only laugh about after you return home.

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