Twas the Night Before Creative Arts Three-Day Weekend ~ But I posted the Article Anyway
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© A. Mac/A.G.
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Happy holiday to all; yes, politically correct.
And to you too brother... a very good New Years as well...
The bird atop the article is a Red-bellied Woodpecker female. The "Winter in America photo" - a White-throated Sparrow.
King parrot
Pink Robin
Galah
King Fisher
Blue Wren
Kookaburras..Great snake catchers..
Flame Robin
Blue Wren
Pelican
Merry Christmas to you all, from the Land Down Under...
Not everything here eats, stings or bites you...
All these birds live in my area and I see them regularly...I did not take any of these photos..
The Kookaburras have a fantastic laugh and are brilliant snake catches. They grab the snakes, fly up to the power lines and then drop them..Once dead and pulverised, they are eaten with great gusto....
No matter where you are, I hope you have a lovely Christmas and health, wealth and happiness always...
You as well Shona.
Wow! Those are absolutely beautiful birds.
With that, to all a good night...
(not my images)
Anoon Nowhere...
Good night...sleep well...
The winters in northern Minnesota are long and very very cold. To the Ojibwe this is the season for storytelling an art that has been passed on for untold generations.
Here is one by Tara Pringle (Oijbwe)
'Twas the Night Before Ojibwe Christmas
'Twas the night before Niibaa-anama’egiizhigad, when all through the wiigiwaam
Not an awakaan was stirring, not even a waawaabiganoojiinh;
The moccasins were hung by the smoke hole with care,
In hopes that Miigiwe Miskwaa Gichi Inini soon would be there;
The abinoojiinhyag were nestled all snug in their nibaaganan,
While visions of ziinzibaakwad danced in their nishttigwaan;
And nimaama in her moshwens, and I in my makadewindibe,
Had just settled down for a long biiboon zhiibaangwashi,
.
When outside the wiigiwaam there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the nibaagan to see what was the matter.
Away to the waasechigan I flew like inaabiwin,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the gibiiga’iganiigin. The dibik-giizis on the breast of onaaband
Gave a shine like duct tape to objects zazagaamagad,
When, what to my wondering nishkiizhigoon should appear,
.
But a miniature toboggan, and eight tiny waawaaskeshi,
With a little old driver, so lively and wajepii,
I knew in a moment it must be Miigiwe Miskwaa Gichi Inini.
More rapid than migiziwag his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and biibaagi, and izhi-wiinde by name;
"Now, Bimibatoo! now, Niimi! now, Babaamishimo and Moozhikwe!
On, Anang! on Zaagi! on, Animikii and Wawaasese!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wiigiwaam!
Now Bimibide! Ipide! Ombibidemagad!"
.
As dry leaves that before the wiindigoo fly,
When they meet with BIA, mount to the sky,
So up to the apakwaan the coursers they flew,
With the tobaggon full of toys, and Miigiwe Miskwaa Gichi Inini too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the apakwaan
The prancing and pawing of each little inzid.
As I drew in my iniji, and was turning around,
Down the chimney Miigiwe Miskwaa Gichi Inini came with a bound.
.
He was dressed all in gipagawe, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with bingwiand and soot;
A bundle of toys he mangiwane on his back,
And he looked like a adaawewinini just opening his pack.
His ishkiinzigoon -- how they twinkled! his inowan how merry!
His miskwanowan were like roses, his nose like a choke-cherry!
His droll little indoon was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as gichimookamaan;
.
The stump of a opwaagan he held tight in his wiibidaakaajiganan ,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a miskwaanzigan;
He was full up on frybread with little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a wiigwaasinaagan of jelly.
He was chubby and wiinin, a right jolly old elf,
And I giimoodaapi when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his ishkiinzigoon and a twist of his mangindibe,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to gotaaji;
.
He ojibwemo not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the moccasins; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his ibinaakwaanininj aside of his nose,
And wewebikweni, up the smoke hole he rose;
He sprang to his toboggan, to his waawaaskeshi gave a whistle,
And away they all onjinizhimo like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him biibaagi, ere he drove out of sight,
.
"Happy Niibaa-anama’egiizhigad to all,
And to all baamaapii."
Very Beautiful Kav, thank you... It's a wonderful story/song.... (recited to "The Night before Christmas")
Merry Christmas sis... (and a very happy new year as well)
Thank you, NWM. and the same to you and yours.
I'm sure this article was not meant to be "for the birds" but in fact appears to be "about the birds". So when someone tells a creative story about birds, it can either be "for the birds" or "about the birds" and in this case it will be about A very rare and never before seen special bird, the Foo Bird. And it's also about photographers, which makes it even more relevant. This was one of my late best friend's favourite stories to tell.
In Search of the Foo Bird.
Three photographers set out into the deepest darkest jungle of Africa where they set up a camp and with their cameras went out in search of the elusive Foo Bird, never before seen by man, which they heard could be found only in this one area of the world.
They walked for hours, slashing the thick vines and foliage in their way, crossed a shallow river, and after another long time heard a very faint bird call: "Foo....Foo..." They started to run, excited, hoping to get the only photos of that rare specimen to sell to National Geographic and Audubon Magazine. The call got a little louder "Foo....Foo...". We're getting close, they thought, and so as to not scare the bird quietly approached a huge tree in which, THERE IT WAS!!! - the ultra-rare elusive never before seen Foo Bird. Foo...Foo...it cried.
Under the tree they removed their hats to see better and pointed their cameras upward, and at that very moment that they clicked their cameras' shutters the Foo Bird unloaded a huge load of shit that splattered on all their heads. No matter, they took their photos and raced back to the river where two of them washed the shit out of their hair, but the third decided he'd wait till they got to the camp. As they were walking back, a huge python slithered out of a tree and devoured one of the men who had washed his hair, camera and all, saw the man who still had shit in his hair, screamed as no python had ever done before, and slithered as fast as it could away from him. A little farther they went, and a huge tiger pounced on and devoured the other man who had washed his hair, looked up and saw the man who had not washed his hair, roared in terror and jumped straight up in the air with legs pumping to get away as fast as the tiger could run. The third man, the one who did not wash his hair, walked safely back to the campsite, packed up and went home to gain his fame and fortune from his photograph of the Foo Bird.
What is the moral of this story? You will find out after I have posted my photos. If you know the answer or try to guess it, please wait until I post it a little later.
Lessen learned....if you want to walk around safely in a dangerous world, nothing will protect you like Foo Poo. (big grin)
If you know the answer or try to guess it, please wait until I post it a little later.
Anyway, that isn't the answer.
No problem, Buzz. I knew it wasn't the answer...it was meant just in fun. Sorry if I muddied your quiz with my stupid attempt at humor.
It wasn't stupid - it was actually a good answer, but just not the right one.
Thanks, Buzz. I am just feeling giddy seeing it is now Christmas Eve.
Actually I have a better idea. If you want to know the moral of the story, send me a PN asking me and I will answer you with it, trusting that you will not tell anybody else nor post what it is.
Nah...I'll wait along with everyone else for the surprise answer. It sounds like it will be lots of fun. (smile)
Christmas Eve has arrived....
How adorable is that! A Merry Christmas and happy New Year, shona!
And to you Raven and big pats for Yoda...
My doctor actually took in a little stray ginger kitty the other day..
She has called it Yoda...Small world...
I have let Yoda know that she now has a namesake in the land of Oz. She looks very happy at that thought. (grin)
Since they came out with the Baby Yoda, the name has become pretty popular again.
And yes, it is indeed a small world. (smile)
A Merry Christmas to you Shona.
A kangaroo in snow at Smokers Flat, Namadgi National Park. Photo by Peter Meusburger.
PS. yes it does snow in Australia, I've taken my grandkids skiing in the Great Dividing Range and the Blue Mountains.
Christmas morning here....cool and over cast. Glad I am not in Perth..43oC there today...just a tad warm.
Merry Christmas to you and your family...enjoy the day and all that it brings...🎄🎄🎄
That is hot hot hot. Not unusual in WA it can get unbearable at times.
Surely this is the time to post Christmas photos, so I will post the only ones I have, even though you've seen them before. They were taken in the huge new department store / mall across the road from where we live 2 or 3 years ago. There is at least one member of NT (although we almost never see him posting on this group) who refuses to believe that Christians are allowed to celebrate Christmas in China.
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.
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All beautiful photos, Buzz.
Sunrise Christmas Eve Day, Stone Creek Ocala, FL.
Do you think that cloud formation means something - like is it pointing at something?
Gitchi Manitou (the great mystery) uses its talent to decorate the sky for us Anishinaabe which all people enjoy.
It is what you wish it to be, Buzz.
Looks more like a Chinese symbol than an English one. I'll ask my wife.
Looks like a Hummingbird.
It is what you want it to be, Mac.
Now that you said it, I see it, standing on a branch. Little Red Riding Hood would say to it: "My, what a long beak you have."
A beautiful morning sunrise, Kavika. And I agree with Mac, the clouds do look like a Hummingbird. The bright morning star looks like its eye. Amazing!
It is quite stunning and your observation of the sun looking like an eye is very cool
Thanks, Kavika. I truly love how Father Sky finds wonderful ways to create beautiful and surprising images that we will recognize and relate to..
Some years ago, while in Colorado, Larry Crehore and I got to hang out in person; Larry passed a couple of years ago … he was a special friend and I miss him, especially the times I head down to a lake in the Poconos and I would phone him and tease him …
"Larry, if you can get on a plane and get here before sunset, we'll get you a Pennsylvania fishing license and catch some fish before the sun goes down. The call was always made about an hour before sunset.
The photo below was taken on that visit to Colorado.
Peace, Larry, my friend.
© A. Mac/A.G.
My Friend, Larry Crehore
Beautiful photo, and a truly awesome tribute to Larry.
R.I.P. Larry.
what lake is that amac?
Mary's Lake on the Peak to Peak Highway.
I miss Larry, a lot. He was Navajo and his daughter married an Anishinaabe and they live on Madeline Island.
Another photo from the time I visited Larry.
© A. Mac/A.G.
All things must pass, and friends as well. How/s the fishing in winter?
© A. Mac/A.G.
Since you asked, when I was much younger, still had some hair, & was badass enough to ice fish (before I went to fly fishing and catch and release), i did all right through the ice. But I'm no longer that guy from the 1960's, and, the winters have been too warm to trust the ice, which, at a minimum, has to be at least 4 inches thick.
But, you asked, and there I am with your answer.
Hey, you were a pretty good-looking guy back then.
He still is imo.
I’m blushing, also looking in the mirror and asking “what happened”.
But thank you both.
Do I dare post a more recent photo.
Ditto!
My Friday artwork....
Ah, I've not seen that one before - good job. Made me think of a Manglehorn photo of a bear catching a fish at a waterfall. The cycle of life.
Thanks, Buzz. It's a new artwork.
Ohhh the memories!
Okay herders, what is the most unusual thing you ever asked for on XMas day. Mine was when I was 15, I asked for two things only...a buck knife and a stopwatch.
Even as a young child I never asked for anything for Christmas. The only gift I ever wanted was the love of my family. For me, there is no greater gift.
Nobody asked. Maybe everyone already knows. Okay, the moral of the Foo bird story is...If the Foo shits, wear it.
I cheated...I googled it...😁😁
OMG. I never realized it was on the internet. No wonder nobody bothered with it - it's old news. Okay, no more jokes.
Evening... Merry Christmas Buzz..nah go for it...
It was really starting to give me brain fade, so thought stuff it I will google it..
They did say you can find out anything on the internet...
Well it nearly into Boxing Day here, Christmas has come and gone ..and I am dragging the eye balls so will say good night...
Yes, Christmas day is almost over here and in around 10 or 11 hours I'll be closing my Christmas movie quiz, so have a happy, healthy, prosperous new year, Shona1.
Snapped this little guy late this afternoon as the sun was low in the sky.
One to carry us into Christmas Day.....
Is she wearing bison fur? A gift from her companion?
That is ''White Buffalo Calf Women'' of the Lakota Nation I believe.
Yes it is. Thank you, Kavika.
Hoping everyone has a joyful Christmas Day.....
As I've just told Shona1 whose Christmas if pretty well over, you have a happy, healthy, prosperous new year, full of beautiful creative art like the one that flows like the one just above this message.
Thank you for your very kind words, Buzz. And I hope your new year will be filled with many blessings.
Saturday, in the park … I don't think it's the 4th of July.
© A. Mac/A.G.
Can't open the video but I DO like the picture. White snow, blue shadows, something man-made + great composition = perfection.
Sunset Christmas eve, Stone Creek, Ocala FL.
That is a really beautiful sunset. Such warm and calming colors. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Heading to Sunday.
© A. Mac/A.G.
That really is a beauty, Mac.
"Did you ever stand and shiver, just because you were looking at a river" (912 Greens, by Ramblin' Jack Elliott)
Christmas Day, Stone Creek Ocala, FL.
The Hooded mergansers were out in full force celebrating Christmas and 75 degree weather.
It's an invasion.
Christmas Eve, Stone Creek Ocala FL. looking out over one of the pastures that surround Stone Creek.
This photo appeared in our local newspaper and was taken by a resident of Stone Creek.
That photo in incomparable - I'm sure there will never again be a sky like that.
Morning..could call that one.
Fire in the sky...
What a truly unusual, yet, mesmerizing sun rise. It looks like it is changing from the night gloom to the bright new day in a left to right vision. Great photo, and thanks for sharing it with us.
A belated Merry Christmas to everyone.
Today's sunrise (the day after Christmas), and the moon in another part of the sky. Taken about two hours ago.
Both are truly very beautiful photos, Dig. From the first glow of the morning sun, to the Ying and Yang of the midnight moon.
Both superb photos.
© A. Mac/A.G.
Such a beautiful photo, Mac. A snow filled forest, and a river runs through it. (smile)
Where you are winter sure can be beautiful, and you certainly capture it well.
I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!
Had a wonderful Christmas, I hope you did as well, Pink.
Is that a painting of yours?
I had a very nice Christmas and I'm glad you did too, Kavika.
Yes, that is a painting I did. I'm using it as a Christmas card.
Same to you and G. A very charming Christmas card. A touch of peace and calm of the night before Christmas.
Thank you Raven Wing
It's no big deal where we are, but at least it was restful and decorated.
Seems that a snowy egret wants to frolic with the little guys. Stone Creek, Ocala FL. (photo by the local resident)
Great photo. Which proves that not only birds of the same feather like to frolic together. (smile)
Suddenly Sunday is here...another earlier one....
In 1424, an Italian artist named Filippo Brunelleschi devised single point linear perspective. If he were alive today, he’d look at your image and say, “That’s exactly what I hoped my invention would helped create!”
A true masterpiece, RW; maybe at some point, with your consent, I will overprint a diagram showing how powerful your composition is.
Thank you, Mac. Please feel free to do so and share it with us in the Creative Arts.
When I look at that fantastic image of a dancer, it makes me sorry that I never witnessed such a dance while spending most of my life in North America.
I wish I could remember all of the wonderful dancers from the 4 different Tribes that once danced each month in the nearby pavilion when we lived in Pawhuska, OK when I was a young girl. Each of the 4 Tribes had their own regalia, even though some of their dances were very similar. Even the women would do dances of their own, and the children as well.
For me, it was like being in a fantasy world during their performances. A time that I will never forget.
That is an awesome artwork RW.
Thank you Pink.
The turtles are ganging up on the Heron. Hey, your in our territory, get out of here...
Stone Creek Ocala, FL.
Great photo. Those turtles look like they mean business in defending their territory. However, the Heron does not look too worried about them. That looks like it is intended as an easy ramp out of the water for the turtles, so no wonder they are determined to defend it.
He's not too worried about these little guys but we do have the Florida softshell turtle and the can reach 24 inches across the shell and can be quite aggressive.
With the flip of its beak, or foot, it can those little ones on their backs. But, with the bigger turtles that would not be so easy. I am sure the Heron is well aware of size of the little ones and their ability to attack it or cause any harm.
I have seen a soft-shell turtle up close, and they are indeed quite aggressive.
And our lakes have plenty of the softshell turtles.
their species name “ferox” means ferocious). Escorting a softshell off of a road can be difficult. The plastron (underside of the shell) is minimal, giving them the flexibility to reach back and bite the hands that are helping them. They give Snapping Turtles a run for their money.
Reminds me that I should not rush to help one of them without heavy gloves. (grin)
Now THAT is a very unusual picture.
One more for today....
That appears to be the native rendition of Atlas holding up the world, in the case of the native, supporting three spirit guides, the wolf, the thunderbird and is that a bear in the middle? It appears to be a very meaningful image - what should we know about it?
It is a Shaman conducting a Spiritual ceremony with three Spirit Guides. The Wolf, the Bear and the Eagle.
Going to keep the article open a while longer; I want to post the iconography of the Spirit Guides so that anyone interested can know the deep meaning of RW’s work.
The wolf offers some of the most striking animal meanings in the realm of spirit animals. The power of the wolf brings forth instinct, intelligence, appetite for freedom, and awareness of the importance of social connections. This animal can also symbolize fear of being threatened and lack of trust. When the wolf shows up in your life, pay attention to what your intuition is telling you.
Bear meaning and symbolism include strength, courage and protection, nobility, patience, playfulness, and other admirable traits.
Chief of all the winged creatures, an eagle is symbolic of power and of man’s association with the divine.
It is important to understand the eagle symbolism because it helps us find the drive within ourselves to push further and reach higher.
Thanks to all!
Happy New Year.