Use to see heaps of Monarchs here as well when I was a kid...but sadly not now. Couldn't tell you the last time I saw one..a lucky find for you though.
Sadly, it's the same here. We used to see far more butterflies than we do now. I did see two monarchs last month flittering around at an outdoor memorial gathering for a friend who had recently passed away. They were beautiful.
We are starting to see more of the Monarchs around us. A lot of the people in our complex are planting different types of plants that draw them. A few weeks ago I posted a Monarch caterpillar before it morphed into the beautiful creature they are.
I know that Noah Webster found it necessary to make the spelling of words in the English language simpler for Americans who may have found the actual language too complicated, but I didn't think he extended it to numbers...
"We just don't like wasted letters, especially "u"."
Shona and I don't waste letters, we use them. My original comment was directed at the spelling of 4 as "for", so maybe that's going a bit overboard with your "wasted" letters, or should I have said "with yor wasted letters". Now with iphone texting, complete words are getting to be even less respected, so CUL8R.
Everyday English does use words from other languages, French, German, etc. "Centre" is one of many words with a similar ending, such as metre, theatre, etc.
English is a Germanic language, but it is estimated that somewhere between 30-45% of English vocabulary comes from French. A large percentage also comes from Latin.
I actually got dinged for spelling in an essay in high school for using that "u". That year, English class was all about English authors, so we'd been seeing that extra (to us) "u" all year. But when I spelled it that way in an essay without really thinking about it, my Shakespeare-loving English teacher took off a point for "misspelling" the word "honor/honour".
Having lived in TX, GA, LA, Ala during my growing up years, I learned the deep Southern dialect as my first language. When we moved to CA when I was 15 y/o I ran into into a whole new environment and language.
I spoke slowly, which seemed to annoy the people I was surrounded with at school, who endlessly told me to "spit it out", and "what does that mean", as they didn't understand the Southern terms. I also had a hard time understanding and following their conversations as they spoke so much faster and their dialect was so different. So I just became reluctant to talk around them for some time until I was able to grasp their different dialect and word terms.
When I moved back to N. Virginia for 4 years to do research on my Maternal Cherokee ancestry people there told me I spoke too fast. Ha Ha!
But when I spelled it that way in an essay without really thinking about it, my Shakespeare-loving English teacher took off a point for "misspelling" the word "honor/honour".
If your English teacher really WAS Shakespeare-loving, he/she should have commended your using British Englsh in your essay about English authors.
When I taught English to Chinese high school students here, some would use British English and others American English, because they came from different middle schools and originally learned English from different teachers who used either one or the other, so both had to be considered acceptable.
That's a really great treatment, Mac. The soft surround and sun glow really work. I haven't seen monarchs in years. Doesn't mean they aren't here, but I sure haven't noticed any.
I took this photo which appeared in Philadelphia's Center City Paper
In 1997, I represented a gentleman largely responsible for the creation of Boyz II Men. I'd have worked for free on that one as I got to spend an afternoon in their studio in Malvern, PA.
I've known, and occasionally represented, some great musicians over the years. I've been in the recording studio many times and it is one of my favorite activities.
I was in a recording studio one night before the pandemic with a good friend of mine who was Aretha Franklin's musical director for 40 years. He is a true musical genius and in his 80s now. As I was sitting there listening to him work with the engineer, editing and laying down tracks, as someone who has loved music my entire life all I could think was "it just doesn't get any better than this!".
You know that I have been very close friends with some of the greatest musicians ever.
I most certainly do and would love to have your experiences with them.
The two that I know and have left lasting impressions on me are Rita Coolidge and John Trudell. John was a poet, writer, singer and activist. As the FBI said about John in the 1970's, “He is extremely eloquent, therefore extremely dangerous.”
Rita sometimes powerful experiences in music to the devastating experiences in her personal life and once again a powerful singer and performer in her late 70's.
I always meant to ask you if you knew, Jesse Ed Davis, a great guitarist played with many of the greats including Eric Clapton?
Rite Coolidge was one of my very favorite singers. Her voice was wonderful. Her and Aretha Franklin were ones I never tired of listening to. Strong and powerful voices. I really miss them, and I still enjoy listening to some of their old songs.
Thanks shona. Yes, I thought it might be a proper posting since there is another Supermoon going on tonight. Overcast here at night this time of year, so we don't get to see it. so this image sort of makes up for our visual loss.
Was crystal clear here last night as I was wandering around out the front of the house about 11.30pm with the cat...a spectacular view of the moon and the Southern Cross star formation.
A koala was grunting down the road up a Gumtree...no sign of the owl that has been hanging around though...
Evening... typical the sky is misty tonight...just waiting for the cat to come in so thought I may as well take a happy snap...while I freeze my arse off..it's 8c out here.
Continuing with the B&W photos taken with my 35mm Canon F1 film SLR, and staying in the rural hippie area of Ontario where I spent a lot of weekend time before I got married, I am pointing out here the general area where the loggers' road last photo (which was next door to this current photo) was taken, being the area known among the many local hippies as the Killaloe area, located between Ottawa on the east and Algonquin Park on the west. This photo, known as The Barns, depicts the barns at the farm when I stayed most of the time. At my advice it had been purchased by a member of a music group and its manager who were clients and friends, but eventually the house burned down so the musician converted one of the barn buildings (the one on the left, I believe) into liveable space, but that was well after I no longer visited there.
I look forward to seeing it, Buzz. Hind sight on things that could have changed how our life turn out can be very interesting at times. It leaves a lot of 'what ifs' to think about at times.
Very good - it's a talent to look at a photo and be able to create a story from it. You should continue with that story. You could become a scriptwriter.
Derry (or Londonderry, if you prefer) has a number of murals about town remembering their history of sectarian violence. Here are 2 of them I managed to snap with my phone from the tour bus.
Crap. I guess I didn't read closely enough. I just assumed it would be on Netflix as soon as it was released. Looks like nobody knows when they'll get it. Hopefully it'll be soon.
I have no idea where else a person could stream it, in the U.S. anyway. Probably nowhere. Netflix distribution rights and all.
That in-coming front looks very intimidating indeed. That you only got an hours rain with it is a true blessing compared to what it is visually threatening. When I lived in TX in my early youth and we saw something like that in-coming we headed to the cellar pronto.
Success! The birdhouse I built this spring finally has chicks in it. Last Sunday I noticed that a pair of wrens have started bringing food to it, and yesterday I heard peeping inside.
After not seeing a house sparrow for weeks and thinking I was in the clear, a female suddenly took up residence in one of the empty bluebird houses. I haven't noticed any males yet, but she's built a nest.
Here's a rare sight – a bluebird exhibiting a behavior known as anting. I had to look it up, but apparently they'll sometimes spot ants on the ground, fly down and lay among them with their wings outspread, and let the ants swarm all over them. The ants are supposed to release formic acid when spooked, which has some kind of hygienic benefit for the bird. Repels mites or something.
Homemade bird fountain update... I switched the solar pump out for a regular plug-in pump (the solar one just sucked). I also installed a sprinkler nozzle and moved it over next to a bush. Here's a brown-headed cowbird checking it out. I've seen several birds drink from it, but I haven't caught any taking a bath yet. There are always little downy feathers in the water when I change it, so I guess I'm just missing them.
Somebody really wants in the garden, lol.
Fortunately, Polly often pulls guard duty while the gate is open.
Exhausted from all that laying around.
Last night's moon, a day past full. The surface detail on the right edge is so visible because the Earth's shadow has started to return (being past full) and has put it in relief.
I have a feeling there may be too much surface water around here for birds to care much about it (creeks, ponds, springs and such), but I'm hoping they'll get more interested in it as summer progresses and things dry out.
Then again, maybe they just need to find it and get used to it being there. I guess that takes time.
Trout for sure but much of this stream is only accessible by hiking into deep woods, or, on private property (which I resent, but certainly understand) In one way it pains me that some of the most exquisite places on earth are only accessible to the wealthy … "PRIVATE NATURE:" on the other hand, I am quite aware the Boobus americana will despoil and abuse even the most beautiful and spiritual places if allowed unmonitored, unrestricted access.
And the sign said "Long-haired freaky people Need not apply" So I tucked my hair up under my hat And I went in to ask him why He said, "You look like a fine upstandin' young man I think you'll do" So I took off my hat and said, "Imagine that Huh, me workin' for you" Whoa
Sign, sign Everywhere a sign Blockin' out the scenery Breakin' my mind Do this, don't do that Can't you read the sign?
And the sign said "Anybody caught trespassin' Will be shot on sight" So I jumped on the fence and I yelled at the house "Hey! What gives you the right To put up a fence to keep me out But to keep Mother Nature in? If God was here, he'd tell you to your face 'Man, you're some kind of sinner'"
Sign, sign Everywhere a sign Blockin' out the scenery Breakin' my mind Do this, don't do that Can't you read the sign?
Now, hey you, mister, can't you read? You got to have a shirt and tie to get a seat You can't even watch, no, you can't eat You ain't supposed to be here
The sign said, "You've got to have a membership card To get inside" Uh
And the sign said "Everybody welcome Come in, kneel down and pray" But when they passed around the plate at the end of it all I didn't have a penny to pay So I got me a pen and a paper And I made up my own little sign I said, "Thank you, Lord, for thinkin' 'bout me I'm alive and doin' fine" Woo!
Sign, sign Everywhere a sign Blockin' out the scenery Breakin' my mind Do this, don't do that Can't you read the sign?
shona, is the artwork that you responded to? I first posted this one and then changed it out to the one shown above. I tried to make the switch quickly, but, perhaps not quick enough. (smile) After I first posted the one of the Three Sister, the one here, I decided I wanted to add a bit more editing to the artwork and switched to the one above. So I am re-posting this one now as I don't want people folks to be confused.
I don't recall that it had that wood burl background before. If not, adding it makes a big difference, and if it did have that background before it is beautifully coordinated (before and now).
Thank you, Buzz. Yes, it is the same as before with the wood burl background. It is one of my early ones when I was using mostly wood burl backgrounds. I'm very glad you like it. I kept you in mind and how much you liked the wood burl background effect. (smile)
Hearing reports tonight that our beloved white Humpie Migaloo has been found dead washed up on a beach down Mallacoota...
If so will be an absolute tragedy...we have been tracking him since the 1990s as he swam up and down our East coast....each year we held our breath until he was sighted.
I truly hope the news is incorrect and the one that washed up on the beach is not Humpie Migaloo, but, a different one. If it turns out to be Humpie I will also be very unhappy.
It's still a pity to see a dead whale. My favourite Star Trek movie is The Voyage Home, where the Enterprise did a time travel back to our time when there were whales, because during the era of Star Trek (22nd century?) there were none left, and disaster was going to happen to Earth if they didn't import some whales via the starship to save the Earth.
Yes saw that movie...whale population has been steadily increasing here..heaps are coming into the harbour and out at the Cape...Blues, Humpies, Southern Rights and Orcas... never knew they were here till I saw photos.
Just the other day down Phillip Island some very rare type of Orcas were spotted in a large pod. Never been seen here before.
The only majour concern with Migaloo was the Japanese whalers have always threatened to kill him for scientific purposes!!
The Kooris sang a song for him for protection and as far as we know hopefully Migaloo is still around..
So glad to hear that it was not Migaloo, so hopefully, he is still roaming the open seas. Yet, as you say, it is truly sad that another whale has walked on.
I just got curious about how close I was to the era of Star Trek, which I had guessed to be 22nd century, so I checked it out and saw that I was a millenium off...
Jun 04,.2021 · The episode began on Stardate 41153.7, which matches the year 2364 on the real-world calendar when the episode supposedly takes place . The digit “4” represents the 24 …
Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do I'm half crazy all for the love of you It won't be a stylish marriage I can't afford a carriage But you'll look sweet upon the seat Of a bicycle built for two
Let's hear that story. Did you raise the crow chicks? If so they would have considered you to be their mother. Did you ever watch the movie "Fly Away Home"?
Hmmm hate the damn things.. unfortunately they are one of the most intelligent birds on this planet...
We have a saying here... Stone the bloody crows...had my way that's exactly what I would do...
They take over the area eat all the native bird chicks and drive out the adults. Sit on sheep's backs and peck out their eyes and the same with new born lambs...not my favourite bird I am afraid....
Not much to say really. They weren't that small. They would Purch on my hand and I would feed them. Tried to get them to flap their wings.
I had to go out of town for a couple of days and the people around couldn't take care of them (or wouldn't) and they died. I was only gone about two days.
I was sad and often thought I should have just left them alone.
The murder never seemed to hate me. They would just land by me and talk. One time they followed me across town to a friends house.
They didn't like other people though. One time my younger sister was walking to school and they followed her and divebombed her. She was mad at me and said it was embarrassing.
To many NA tribes the crow is a sign of good luck and to the Ojibwe it carriers a special meaning.
A Story about the Crow Andek
When Great Spirit was creating the flyers of creation, all the flyers had a great purpose. The Eagle was to be the people's messenger of prayers and thanks. The Hawk too was a messenger of the people's needs and good medicine. The Loon was the teacher of love and relationships. Andek (the Crow) however was without purpose.
He had no special color or the powerful wings of the Eagle. So, he flew around looking for a purpose like many people today are doing. Andek visited Mkwa (the Bear) and asked him to teach his ways. Mkwa did and eventually, Andek got bored and unsatisfied with Mkwa. For some reason the ways of the bear didn't fit with him, so Andek went off and sought a new way and hopefully would find purpose. The beaver, the loon, the wolf, the coyote, the fish, all of creation he learned from, but still Andek gained no purpose or satisfaction with life.
Then came the day when Andek heard Idiom (the Squirrel) crying in a hole of the oak. So he flew to Idiom and said, "Hi idiom , what troubles your heart today?"
Idiom looking poorly said to Andek, "I am sad and feeling drained about my life." Andek advised idiom to visit Mkwa (the Bear) for some medicine for his health and the Turtle to find his heart. So, both Andek and Idiom went to visit the Bear and Turtle and they were both great helpers to Idiom. The Turtle travels slow and is paced in all matters of life, he never misses a thing. Bear is chief of the medicine ways and he placed great healing upon Idiom. At last, Squirrel felt balanced and returned to his purpose with vigor and refreshed spirit.
Andek flew around the bush feeling great about what had happened. Then there was another cry in the woods. Always curious about such things, Andek went to investigate only to find Rabbit was crying in her borrow.
Andek asked the Rabit, "Waboose what troubles you today?"
"I wanna die" Waboose cried.
"What is it that has brought you to such ends?," aked Andek.
Waboose was crying about Wagoosh (the Fox) and how there is no peace with Wagoosh around. Andek carefully listened to everything Rabbit said. Quietly Andek advised his little friend that her purpose is found in her strong legs and long ears.
"Waboose, said Andek, "Surely you can listen very well and can tell when Wagoosh is coming and you can easily outrun Wagoosh."
Yes, Waboose thought to herself. I can and I will feel good about it too. "Thank you, Andek."
As time went on as it does, the word traveled all across the lands about the Crow who was born without purpose, so he thought, but found good purpose in helping others to either find or renew their purpose. From that day Andek travels throughout the land making friends with all creations by helping them find the right path.
Andek is our traveling companion always reminding us that work and dedication will show the way to the purpose we seek. We cannot find our purpose if we sit on the path. Crow teaches that you must meet life head-on and create good connections with those around you and work with spirit of friendship.
As Andek found out, you become your purpose by doing what feels good with good intentions. Walk a good path and you will be guaranteed to find your life's purpose.
Here mainly by European settlers Crows were regarded as a symbol of death...so people would throw sticks, stones etc at them.
But to the Kooris crows are regarded as cunning, intelligent and an old spirit and keeper of knowledge from times before...
We also have Currawongs look like Crows, but have white on their tails and wings and have a beautiful carolling call. They hate the Crows and there are constant fights between them...I barrack for the Currawongs...
Another great story as only you an tell it, Kavika. I have kept a copy of your many stories posted in the Anishinaabe group over the years, which I re-read often.
There are many crows here in our complex, and they are quite noisy in their own story telling. When I sit out on my patio I am always visited by a few of them that stay around my area. It is fun to listen to them tell their own stories. Yoda Girl kitty sits at the window while I'm outside and she chatters at them, telling them her own stories. She seems to enjoy them as well.
Still a great image. I hope you don't consider this an insult, but I was imagining that I would love to have a deck of playing cards with that design on the backs.
I set the camera up on it this morning and let it record video for about an hour unattended, so I wouldn't have to sit out there in the heat with a remote. After that I loaded the video into an editor and reviewed it at triple fast forward until I noticed anything on it, then I edited out the action parts and deleted the rest.
Not a lot of variety yet, but here's some of what I got (sorry about my neighbor's annoying roosters in the background)...
Thanks, Kav. It took a few weeks for them to find it, but it's turning out to be so much fun. I have the camera back out there right now. A few minutes ago I saw a bluebird on it. I can hardly wait to check the video, lol.
There were a bunch of robins out there this morning. All juveniles, too
I also have water in a seed tray on the ground next to the fountain pot. I decided on a close-up of just the fountain instead of trying to get both in a wider shot, but there were 3 robins bathing in it at once for a while. You can kind of hear them slapping the water off-screen in the last clip.
I'm amazed. I've had a regular masonry birdbath in the back yard for years, and it gets almost no action at all. Mostly just blue jays drinking from it, but not bathing. I guess the moving water of the fountain makes all the difference. Fun stuff, lol.
A truly interesting video, Dig. It is fun to watch our feathered friends enjoying the bird bath. And the beautiful Hummer is indeed an added treat. Well done!
I read that house sparrows have made their way pretty much around the world. I worry about them messing with my wrens. I didn't used to have them here.
Are they church bells in the background???
Nope. I don't live anywhere near a church with bells. Those are wind chimes hanging in a nearby tree.
It sure made me smile to watch the robin(s?) having such a great time in the bird bath. By the way, maybe it's the time of day, but this is the first time one of your videos played through for me smoothly without a stutter or a break.
A baby mockingbird in a bush on the side of our house. I'm pretty sure it is from the nest in the maple tree in our backyard. There were three babies there last week and none today.
Well, it was the day before yesterday actually … but who's counting?
That was sure quick!
Yup!
Evening
Use to see heaps of Monarchs here as well when I was a kid...but sadly not now. Couldn't tell you the last time I saw one..a lucky find for you though.
Sadly, it's the same here. We used to see far more butterflies than we do now. I did see two monarchs last month flittering around at an outdoor memorial gathering for a friend who had recently passed away. They were beautiful.
We are starting to see more of the Monarchs around us. A lot of the people in our complex are planting different types of plants that draw them. A few weeks ago I posted a Monarch caterpillar before it morphed into the beautiful creature they are.
I thought Monarchs needed the milkweed plant to reproduce. Or rather for their caterpillars to munch on.
We had a milkweed plant growing on our back fence years ago in MD.
Milkweed is great for Monarchs so is ava and a few others. My neighbor has some ava plants and he get hummingbird, monarchs and bee's.
I was wondering if it had anything to do with fewer numbers. I imagine most people don't want milkweed in their yards.
I know that Noah Webster found it necessary to make the spelling of words in the English language simpler for Americans who may have found the actual language too complicated, but I didn't think he extended it to numbers...
You're laboring under a misconception. We just don't like wasted letters, especially "u".
Labour. Harbour. Colour. Favour.
Labor. Harbor. Color. Favor.
See? Much better!
No matter what, that's a great photo of a Monarch butterfly.
Arvo G.
No no.. looks odd!!..you have to have "u"..just as we spell centre correctly..
Where did "U" mob go so wrong..🤣🤣
Shona and I don't waste letters, we use them. My original comment was directed at the spelling of 4 as "for", so maybe that's going a bit overboard with your "wasted" letters, or should I have said "with yor wasted letters". Now with iphone texting, complete words are getting to be even less respected, so CUL8R.
Hey shona.
Hmmm...
"Centre". That's the French spelling, which explains a whole lot.
Evening...Errrr no not quite..centre is old English spelling which is our heritage..
We speak and spell the Queen's English, well ummm sort of, hmmm maybe not, might have to get back to you on that one...
We sort of do speak our own lingo (language) which confuses the daylights out of some people though.
Everyday English does use words from other languages, French, German, etc. "Centre" is one of many words with a similar ending, such as metre, theatre, etc.
It's your Norman heritage. Thanks to William the Conqueror!
As for whether Australians speak and spell "the Queen's English", well... that would be subject to some debate.
English is a Germanic language, but it is estimated that somewhere between 30-45% of English vocabulary comes from French. A large percentage also comes from Latin.
The Ojibwe don't have much use for a ''u'' it isn't even in our alphabet.
f, l, q, r, u, v and x are not part of our alphabet either.
I actually got dinged for spelling in an essay in high school for using that "u". That year, English class was all about English authors, so we'd been seeing that extra (to us) "u" all year. But when I spelled it that way in an essay without really thinking about it, my Shakespeare-loving English teacher took off a point for "misspelling" the word "honor/honour".
That's interesting.
Your teacher gets an "F".
Having lived in TX, GA, LA, Ala during my growing up years, I learned the deep Southern dialect as my first language. When we moved to CA when I was 15 y/o I ran into into a whole new environment and language.
I spoke slowly, which seemed to annoy the people I was surrounded with at school, who endlessly told me to "spit it out", and "what does that mean", as they didn't understand the Southern terms. I also had a hard time understanding and following their conversations as they spoke so much faster and their dialect was so different. So I just became reluctant to talk around them for some time until I was able to grasp their different dialect and word terms.
When I moved back to N. Virginia for 4 years to do research on my Maternal Cherokee ancestry people there told me I spoke too fast. Ha Ha!
If your English teacher really WAS Shakespeare-loving, he/she should have commended your using British Englsh in your essay about English authors.
When I taught English to Chinese high school students here, some would use British English and others American English, because they came from different middle schools and originally learned English from different teachers who used either one or the other, so both had to be considered acceptable.
I spell it that way. Colour...
I get the squiggly red line every time.
For me, that's par for the course. How come Noah Webster missed the word "course"? Doesn't it sound the same as "horse"?
A magnificent photo of a beautiful butterfly and a radiant flower. Very well done, Mac.
That's a really great treatment, Mac. The soft surround and sun glow really work. I haven't seen monarchs in years. Doesn't mean they aren't here, but I sure haven't noticed any.
In the still of the night. Stone Creek, Ocala FL.
My One Degree of Separation R & B Group.
I took this photo which appeared in Philadelphia's Center City Paper
In 1997, I represented a gentleman largely responsible for the creation of Boyz II Men. I'd have worked for free on that one as I got to spend an afternoon in their studio in Malvern, PA.
I've known, and occasionally represented, some great musicians over the years. I've been in the recording studio many times and it is one of my favorite activities.
I was in a recording studio one night before the pandemic with a good friend of mine who was Aretha Franklin's musical director for 40 years. He is a true musical genius and in his 80s now. As I was sitting there listening to him work with the engineer, editing and laying down tracks, as someone who has loved music my entire life all I could think was "it just doesn't get any better than this!".
Having had similar experiences, I agree that they have been great memories.
That is a beautiful photo, Kavika. It's as if I can hear the frogs croaking and the crickets singing.
That is a truly amazing photo.
I've had a bit of exposure to some great musicians in my lifetime. I always like to hear about others and their experiences with great musicians.
The original group that sang ''In the Still of the Night''...The Five Satins.
So great.
You know that I have been very close friends with some of the greatest musicians ever.
I most certainly do and would love to have your experiences with them.
The two that I know and have left lasting impressions on me are Rita Coolidge and John Trudell. John was a poet, writer, singer and activist. As the FBI said about John in the 1970's, “He is extremely eloquent, therefore extremely dangerous.”
Rita sometimes powerful experiences in music to the devastating experiences in her personal life and once again a powerful singer and performer in her late 70's.
I always meant to ask you if you knew, Jesse Ed Davis, a great guitarist played with many of the greats including Eric Clapton?
I had amazing experiences.
I like Rita Coolidge a lot. Fantastic musician.
I'm not familiar with John Trudell. He sounds like an interesting person.
Rite Coolidge was one of my very favorite singers. Her voice was wonderful. Her and Aretha Franklin were ones I never tired of listening to. Strong and powerful voices. I really miss them, and I still enjoy listening to some of their old songs.
Rita cut a new album in 2019 and it was a hit, she is doing duo's with Keb' Mo' now.
I knew of Jesse Ed Davis, but I did not know him personally.
He was a great musician and died tragically so young.
Far more than interesting, G. One of a kind.
A long and twisting story of how I met Rita back in the day.
I am so glad she is still putting out the music, and the duos with Keb' Mo' are just great. She is truly one of a kind.
Sorry to be so late getting here, but, here is one for Thursday evening....
Stunning.
Thanks Buzz. Glad you like it.
Evening Raven...rather appropriate seeing it's a full moon at the moment... great picture...love moonlight scenes.
Thanks shona. Yes, I thought it might be a proper posting since there is another Supermoon going on tonight. Overcast here at night this time of year, so we don't get to see it. so this image sort of makes up for our visual loss.
Was crystal clear here last night as I was wandering around out the front of the house about 11.30pm with the cat...a spectacular view of the moon and the Southern Cross star formation.
A koala was grunting down the road up a Gumtree...no sign of the owl that has been hanging around though...
Evening... typical the sky is misty tonight...just waiting for the cat to come in so thought I may as well take a happy snap...while I freeze my arse off..it's 8c out here.
Thanks for the 'happy snap', shona. Shows me what I am missing out on here. (smile)
Continuing with the B&W photos taken with my 35mm Canon F1 film SLR, and staying in the rural hippie area of Ontario where I spent a lot of weekend time before I got married, I am pointing out here the general area where the loggers' road last photo (which was next door to this current photo) was taken, being the area known among the many local hippies as the Killaloe area, located between Ottawa on the east and Algonquin Park on the west. This photo, known as The Barns, depicts the barns at the farm when I stayed most of the time. At my advice it had been purchased by a member of a music group and its manager who were clients and friends, but eventually the house burned down so the musician converted one of the barn buildings (the one on the left, I believe) into liveable space, but that was well after I no longer visited there.
Excellent photo, Buzz. Looks like a very nice place to live.
Next weekend, a place there where I almost did live, but had I chosen to do that my life would have turned out to be a totally different story.
I look forward to seeing it, Buzz. Hind sight on things that could have changed how our life turn out can be very interesting at times. It leaves a lot of 'what ifs' to think about at times.
Nice composition.
That looks so Colonial. I love it.
Ok, that almost looks like the start of a horror movie.
Then the lost hikers stumbled upon what looked like an abandoned farm....
Very good - it's a talent to look at a photo and be able to create a story from it. You should continue with that story. You could become a scriptwriter.
... was that a chainsaw I heard?
Derry (or Londonderry, if you prefer) has a number of murals about town remembering their history of sectarian violence. Here are 2 of them I managed to snap with my phone from the tour bus.
Those are very interesting photos from your trip, EG.
At first I thought of Stephen King and Derry Maine.
I don't want to go there. They seem to have a lot of missing people in that town.
Have you watched Derry Girls on Netflix? It's a comedy and might not be your thing, but I got a kick out of it.
Derry Girls is hysterical.
It is.
Too short, though. I wish there was more.
There's a third season, but I haven't seen it yet.
Awesome! Had to look that up. It was just a couple of months ago. I didn't even realize.
I know what I'm watching this weekend. lol.
It's not on Netflix yet. If you know of another streaming app it's on, please let me know.
Crap. I guess I didn't read closely enough. I just assumed it would be on Netflix as soon as it was released. Looks like nobody knows when they'll get it. Hopefully it'll be soon.
I have no idea where else a person could stream it, in the U.S. anyway. Probably nowhere. Netflix distribution rights and all.
My wife likes it so I've watched it too. It has it's moments.
Netflix will have season 3 sometime this fall.
Great photos, EG. What dire reminders of their history.
Great photos of creative works of art. Such huge murals on the sides of buildings are poppiing up in many places.
We have a few around, but nothing with a message as powerful as these.
Looks like armageddon heading towards Stone Creek. Actually ended up being about an hour's rain.
Freaky. Those are fantastic storm cloud shots.
That in-coming front looks very intimidating indeed. That you only got an hours rain with it is a true blessing compared to what it is visually threatening. When I lived in TX in my early youth and we saw something like that in-coming we headed to the cellar pronto.
Like a sheep in wolf's clothing.
"Penang Fantasy"
© G. Gam
That's pretty cool, G. I love how the birds pop.
Thanks, Dig.
A beautiful photo, G. They birds really add to the photo along with the waterfall, which looks like it is actually flowing. A very impressive photo.
Thank you, Raven Wing.
Fantasy -> Fantastic. Should be entered into a contest.
Wow, thanks! Where do I sign up? Haha
Not here, because here everybody is a winner.
Success! The birdhouse I built this spring finally has chicks in it. Last Sunday I noticed that a pair of wrens have started bringing food to it, and yesterday I heard peeping inside.
After not seeing a house sparrow for weeks and thinking I was in the clear, a female suddenly took up residence in one of the empty bluebird houses. I haven't noticed any males yet, but she's built a nest.
Here's a rare sight – a bluebird exhibiting a behavior known as anting. I had to look it up, but apparently they'll sometimes spot ants on the ground, fly down and lay among them with their wings outspread, and let the ants swarm all over them. The ants are supposed to release formic acid when spooked, which has some kind of hygienic benefit for the bird. Repels mites or something.
Homemade bird fountain update... I switched the solar pump out for a regular plug-in pump (the solar one just sucked). I also installed a sprinkler nozzle and moved it over next to a bush. Here's a brown-headed cowbird checking it out. I've seen several birds drink from it, but I haven't caught any taking a bath yet. There are always little downy feathers in the water when I change it, so I guess I'm just missing them.
Somebody really wants in the garden, lol.
Fortunately, Polly often pulls guard duty while the gate is open.
Exhausted from all that laying around.
Last night's moon, a day past full. The surface detail on the right edge is so visible because the Earth's shadow has started to return (being past full) and has put it in relief.
Those are all most interesting photos, Dig. Glad that the new birdhouse has finally got an owner and their chicks. How they return next year.
Poor Polly looks totally spent from her garden guard duty. (grin)
That's a great photo of the moon, Dig. Very detailed, and creates a very mystical vision. Well done!
Thanks, RW.
These are great ! The rabbit staring into the garden is priceless.
You'll see birds bathing before too long, you may see some bees coming in for a drink too.
I have a feeling there may be too much surface water around here for birds to care much about it (creeks, ponds, springs and such), but I'm hoping they'll get more interested in it as summer progresses and things dry out.
Then again, maybe they just need to find it and get used to it being there. I guess that takes time.
You were right! Check out comment #25.
I really enjoyed going through that very entertaining and educational photo-essay. Keep up the superb work.
Thanks, Buzz.
Recently returned from a cruise. This is a mirrored image of the boat from the balcony.
Now that's cool.
WoW!, Hal. That's an amazing photo. Very interesting imagery. Well done!
That is truly an amazing concept and well executed. Well done Hal.
That is quite an outstanding image!
Fabulous.
A new one for Friday. Hope you like it.....
Harvesting The Corn
A lovely sister, beautifully dressed and bejewelled, holding in her hands one of The Three Sisters.
Thanks, Buzz. And you got it perfectly right. She is indeed the Sister of the Corn.
Foxglove Flowers
© A.Mac/A.G.
Beautiful and interesting little flowers, Mac. And their color is lovely.
A very unusual flower, so well depicted.
Early morning Stone Creek, Ocala FL.
That gets a blue ribbon.
Totally agree! Just awesome!
It's like living in a kaleidoscope with a change of fantastic sky images twice every 24 hours.
Every sunrise and sunset is a surprise one more beautiful than the next. Also during the day, we get some unbelievable cloud formations.
Mountain Streams are Among the most Special Places on Earth
© A. Mac/A.G.
I'll say!!! Trout?
Trout for sure but much of this stream is only accessible by hiking into deep woods, or, on private property (which I resent, but certainly understand) In one way it pains me that some of the most exquisite places on earth are only accessible to the wealthy … "PRIVATE NATURE:" on the other hand, I am quite aware the Boobus americana will despoil and abuse even the most beautiful and spiritual places if allowed unmonitored, unrestricted access.
Signs
"Long-haired freaky people
Need not apply"
So I tucked my hair up under my hat
And I went in to ask him why
He said, "You look like a fine upstandin' young man
I think you'll do"
So I took off my hat and said, "Imagine that
Huh, me workin' for you"
Whoa
Everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery
Breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that
Can't you read the sign?
"Anybody caught trespassin'
Will be shot on sight"
So I jumped on the fence and I yelled at the house
"Hey! What gives you the right
To put up a fence to keep me out
But to keep Mother Nature in?
If God was here, he'd tell you to your face
'Man, you're some kind of sinner'"
Everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery
Breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that
Can't you read the sign?
You got to have a shirt and tie to get a seat
You can't even watch, no, you can't eat
You ain't supposed to be here
To get inside"
Uh
"Everybody welcome
Come in, kneel down and pray"
But when they passed around the plate at the end of it all
I didn't have a penny to pay
So I got me a pen and a paper
And I made up my own little sign
I said, "Thank you, Lord, for thinkin' 'bout me
I'm alive and doin' fine"
Woo!
Everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery
Breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that
Can't you read the sign?
Everywhere a sign
Indeed they are, Mac. And that one is a real beauty.
This is an earlier one for Saturday.....
Evening Raven...first thoughts when I saw this...
Walking into the unknown, but with friends you are never alone...
Totally agree, shona. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
shona, is the artwork that you responded to? I first posted this one and then changed it out to the one shown above. I tried to make the switch quickly, but, perhaps not quick enough. (smile) After I first posted the one of the Three Sister, the one here, I decided I wanted to add a bit more editing to the artwork and switched to the one above. So I am re-posting this one now as I don't want people folks to be confused.
The Three Sisters
I wanted to say that three sisters is better than one, but actually both are better.
Thanks Buzz.
Yes that's the one..
Lol! Thanks shona.
Evening Raven.. have to remember us Aussies are always going to be a head of you mob over there...
Your today was our yesterday..so you will have to be quick to beat us..😃🐨🦘
I don't recall that it had that wood burl background before. If not, adding it makes a big difference, and if it did have that background before it is beautifully coordinated (before and now).
Thank you, Buzz. Yes, it is the same as before with the wood burl background. It is one of my early ones when I was using mostly wood burl backgrounds. I'm very glad you like it. I kept you in mind and how much you liked the wood burl background effect. (smile)
Evening...
Hearing reports tonight that our beloved white Humpie Migaloo has been found dead washed up on a beach down Mallacoota...
If so will be an absolute tragedy...we have been tracking him since the 1990s as he swam up and down our East coast....each year we held our breath until he was sighted.
You will be very sadly missed Migaloo..
🥀🥀🥀🐳🐳🐳
I truly hope the news is incorrect and the one that washed up on the beach is not Humpie Migaloo, but, a different one. If it turns out to be Humpie I will also be very unhappy.
I think that the only person who would be happy about that bad news would be Captain Ahab.
But then his life would have no meaning...
Aww. Maybe they can figure out what caused the death.
Morning... news has just come through here it's not Migaloo (white fella)🐳🐳🐳... phew...it's a female that has washed up, Migaloo is male.
Migaloo has not been spotted for two years as his tracking device has fallen off, bit with luck he is still sloshing around out at sea.
Still sad to see a dead whale though...they are now trying to determine why it's died..
It's still a pity to see a dead whale. My favourite Star Trek movie is The Voyage Home, where the Enterprise did a time travel back to our time when there were whales, because during the era of Star Trek (22nd century?) there were none left, and disaster was going to happen to Earth if they didn't import some whales via the starship to save the Earth.
Yes saw that movie...whale population has been steadily increasing here..heaps are coming into the harbour and out at the Cape...Blues, Humpies, Southern Rights and Orcas... never knew they were here till I saw photos.
Just the other day down Phillip Island some very rare type of Orcas were spotted in a large pod. Never been seen here before.
The only majour concern with Migaloo was the Japanese whalers have always threatened to kill him for scientific purposes!!
The Kooris sang a song for him for protection and as far as we know hopefully Migaloo is still around..
So glad to hear that it was not Migaloo, so hopefully, he is still roaming the open seas. Yet, as you say, it is truly sad that another whale has walked on.
I just got curious about how close I was to the era of Star Trek, which I had guessed to be 22nd century, so I checked it out and saw that I was a millenium off...
Star Trek: How Stardates Work - CBR
Jun 04,.2021 · The episode began on Stardate 41153.7, which matches the year 2364 on the real-world calendar when the episode supposedly takes place . The digit “4” represents the 24 …
This morning's sunrise. Stone Creek, Ocala FL.
Photo by the Stone Creek Photo Club.
I'll try my best to control my jealousy.
Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do
I'm half crazy all for the love of you
It won't be a stylish marriage
I can't afford a carriage
But you'll look sweet upon the seat
Of a bicycle built for two
Green thumb there Ender...brighten anyone's day...are they Calendulas??
I forget what they are.
They look like Zinnias.
I believe you are right. This is off the internet.
Thank you ..
A beautiful floral exhibit. Very nicely done!
Here's one to usher in Sunday.....
Spirit Birds Of Various Native American Tribes,
Wow stunning Raven...
Thanks, shona. I'm glad you like it.
It's a wonderful image, but I think that the last time I saw it, being the movie buff that I am, it made me think of this movie....
I had crows that followed me around for about two years after I tried to save two babies that fell out of a tree.
They don't forget.
Let's hear that story. Did you raise the crow chicks? If so they would have considered you to be their mother. Did you ever watch the movie "Fly Away Home"?
Hmmm hate the damn things.. unfortunately they are one of the most intelligent birds on this planet...
We have a saying here... Stone the bloody crows...had my way that's exactly what I would do...
They take over the area eat all the native bird chicks and drive out the adults. Sit on sheep's backs and peck out their eyes and the same with new born lambs...not my favourite bird I am afraid....
Not much to say really. They weren't that small. They would Purch on my hand and I would feed them. Tried to get them to flap their wings.
I had to go out of town for a couple of days and the people around couldn't take care of them (or wouldn't) and they died. I was only gone about two days.
I was sad and often thought I should have just left them alone.
The murder never seemed to hate me. They would just land by me and talk. One time they followed me across town to a friends house.
They didn't like other people though. One time my younger sister was walking to school and they followed her and divebombed her. She was mad at me and said it was embarrassing.
Just saw this pic looking through my phone.
A woman walking around Bay St Louis during a classic car festival.
Lol, I'd be afraid of them getting curious and flying off.
To many NA tribes the crow is a sign of good luck and to the Ojibwe it carriers a special meaning.
A Story about the Crow
Andek
When Great Spirit was creating the flyers of creation, all the flyers had a great purpose. The Eagle was to be the people's messenger of prayers and thanks. The Hawk too was a messenger of the people's needs and good medicine. The Loon was the teacher of love and relationships. Andek (the Crow) however was without purpose.
He had no special color or the powerful wings of the Eagle. So, he flew around looking for a purpose like many people today are doing. Andek visited Mkwa (the Bear) and asked him to teach his ways. Mkwa did and eventually, Andek got bored and unsatisfied with Mkwa. For some reason the ways of the bear didn't fit with him, so Andek went off and sought a new way and hopefully would find purpose. The beaver, the loon, the wolf, the coyote, the fish, all of creation he learned from, but still Andek gained no purpose or satisfaction with life.
Then came the day when Andek heard Idiom (the Squirrel) crying in a hole of the oak. So he flew to Idiom and said, "Hi idiom , what troubles your heart today?"
Idiom looking poorly said to Andek, "I am sad and feeling drained about my life." Andek advised idiom to visit Mkwa (the Bear) for some medicine for his health and the Turtle to find his heart. So, both Andek and Idiom went to visit the Bear and Turtle and they were both great helpers to Idiom. The Turtle travels slow and is paced in all matters of life, he never misses a thing. Bear is chief of the medicine ways and he placed great healing upon Idiom. At last, Squirrel felt balanced and returned to his purpose with vigor and refreshed spirit.
Andek flew around the bush feeling great about what had happened. Then there was another cry in the woods. Always curious about such things, Andek went to investigate only to find Rabbit was crying in her borrow.
Andek asked the Rabit, "Waboose what troubles you today?"
"I wanna die" Waboose cried.
"What is it that has brought you to such ends?," aked Andek.
Waboose was crying about Wagoosh (the Fox) and how there is no peace with Wagoosh around. Andek carefully listened to everything Rabbit said. Quietly Andek advised his little friend that her purpose is found in her strong legs and long ears.
"Waboose, said Andek, "Surely you can listen very well and can tell when Wagoosh is coming and you can easily outrun Wagoosh."
Yes, Waboose thought to herself. I can and I will feel good about it too. "Thank you, Andek."
As time went on as it does, the word traveled all across the lands about the Crow who was born without purpose, so he thought, but found good purpose in helping others to either find or renew their purpose. From that day Andek travels throughout the land making friends with all creations by helping them find the right path.
Andek is our traveling companion always reminding us that work and dedication will show the way to the purpose we seek. We cannot find our purpose if we sit on the path. Crow teaches that you must meet life head-on and create good connections with those around you and work with spirit of friendship.
As Andek found out, you become your purpose by doing what feels good with good intentions. Walk a good path and you will be guaranteed to find your life's purpose.
Great story Kav. Thanks.
indeed.
Another great story from NT's master storyteller.
A lesson to be learned by all, including Ojibwes.
Here mainly by European settlers Crows were regarded as a symbol of death...so people would throw sticks, stones etc at them.
But to the Kooris crows are regarded as cunning, intelligent and an old spirit and keeper of knowledge from times before...
We also have Currawongs look like Crows, but have white on their tails and wings and have a beautiful carolling call. They hate the Crows and there are constant fights between them...I barrack for the Currawongs...
Another great story as only you an tell it, Kavika. I have kept a copy of your many stories posted in the Anishinaabe group over the years, which I re-read often.
There are many crows here in our complex, and they are quite noisy in their own story telling. When I sit out on my patio I am always visited by a few of them that stay around my area. It is fun to listen to them tell their own stories. Yoda Girl kitty sits at the window while I'm outside and she chatters at them, telling them her own stories. She seems to enjoy them as well.
Actually, I didn't write this story, it comes from the great book of the Ojibwe myths and legends, Raven.
OK...but it is still a great story. Thanks for sharing it.
© A. Mac/A.G.
That is a wonderful story.
The fountain outside the main entrance of KAFB.
Damn car...
Think positively, Ender. Think of the car as an indicater of the size of the fountain. What is KAFB? My guess is Kansas Air Force Base - am I right?
Keesler Air Force Base.
The Biloxi Blues...
A great photo, Ender. That pool around the fountain looks very refreshing.
Another one for Sunday........
A Hopi Katchina Doll
Still a great image. I hope you don't consider this an insult, but I was imagining that I would love to have a deck of playing cards with that design on the backs.
Woohoo! Birds have discovered the fountain!
I set the camera up on it this morning and let it record video for about an hour unattended, so I wouldn't have to sit out there in the heat with a remote. After that I loaded the video into an editor and reviewed it at triple fast forward until I noticed anything on it, then I edited out the action parts and deleted the rest.
Not a lot of variety yet, but here's some of what I got (sorry about my neighbor's annoying roosters in the background)...
Great video, Dig.
Thanks, Kav. It took a few weeks for them to find it, but it's turning out to be so much fun. I have the camera back out there right now. A few minutes ago I saw a bluebird on it. I can hardly wait to check the video, lol.
the local robin family really seems to appreciate your efforts. catching the hummer was pretty cool too.
There were a bunch of robins out there this morning. All juveniles, too
I also have water in a seed tray on the ground next to the fountain pot. I decided on a close-up of just the fountain instead of trying to get both in a wider shot, but there were 3 robins bathing in it at once for a while. You can kind of hear them slapping the water off-screen in the last clip.
I'm amazed. I've had a regular masonry birdbath in the back yard for years, and it gets almost no action at all. Mostly just blue jays drinking from it, but not bathing. I guess the moving water of the fountain makes all the difference. Fun stuff, lol.
A truly interesting video, Dig. It is fun to watch our feathered friends enjoying the bird bath. And the beautiful Hummer is indeed an added treat. Well done!
Morning dig..you have spuggies (sparrows) over there as well..
Great set up for your birdbath...
Are they church bells in the background???
I read that house sparrows have made their way pretty much around the world. I worry about them messing with my wrens. I didn't used to have them here.
Nope. I don't live anywhere near a church with bells. Those are wind chimes hanging in a nearby tree.
It sure made me smile to watch the robin(s?) having such a great time in the bird bath. By the way, maybe it's the time of day, but this is the first time one of your videos played through for me smoothly without a stutter or a break.
I'm glad, Buzz. I'm enjoying it, too. I'm pretty sure they were different robins.
Hi hoomans, I've been at the shelter for three years and today I found my furever home, I've been adopted and I'm all smiles.
My new parents said they were going to change my name to Smiley, cuz that what I is.
Smiley is right! So glad you finally got a home!!!
Congrats to Smiley! Hope all works out well for him and his new parents.
Absolute happiness personified (or dogified?).
A baby mockingbird in a bush on the side of our house. I'm pretty sure it is from the nest in the maple tree in our backyard. There were three babies there last week and none today.
Don't take Lee Harper's novel title seriously.
All birds have a special place with NA's, so this one is perfectly safe with me.
That's a real cutie, Kavika. Good shot
Nice shot. Did you notice any adults tending it?
Will be wrapping this up soon. Thanks to all.