• Avian,  Camera Equipment,  fountain pens,  meadowlark,  Photography

    A Quick Look at 2021

    Thought I would mention the purchases I made this past year. One was the purchase of a nice pair of the Nikon Prostaff S3 8×42 binoculars. Just love them and I feel one the better purchases I made. I’m learning a lot about the birds in this area. Another was purchasing the Fujifilm XF 70-300mm lens. I have not owned a lens of this focal length for a long time. Loving it! So this year included several more bird photos than I normally would not have made. This image is one of my favoritest images of one of my favoritest songbirds, the Western Meadowlark, so I needed to post it again. And finally was the purchase of another Pelikan fountain pen the Marbled Petrol. I’m a sucker for fountain pens!

    I discovered another natural area to explore called the McMurry Natural Area.

    I have tried to post on a regular basis quality images and decent content. Sometimes I do well and other times I struggle but I put it out there. I’ve also continued to write haiku, even though I’ve slacked of the past few weeks. I also still venture to coffee shops to socialize, read and journal. Probably will do the same in 2022 also.

    I am also extremely grateful for my family. I’ve watched wonderful growth in them as they mature into adults. They are growing up along with me. I am also grateful for the friends I have in my life. They have supported me when I needed to talk, work through my feelings and they have allowed me to do the same for them.

    There is more. Maybe later. Have a great day and stay warm!

  • Avian

    Photobombed

    My brother-in-law has a new hummingbird feeder. As the morning sun rose I stepped over to catch a starburst breaking the roofline along with the feeder and got photobombed.

    My sister and I arrived home about 6:45 pm last night. I had a wonderful time with family, filled with laughter and way too much food. But isn’t that what normally happens during the Thanksgiving holiday. Once again reminded of how much dislike I have for air travel. Have a great Tuesday!

  • Avian,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises

    Lovely

    I had one of the best nights of sleep in awhile. My Fitbit said I had 74% of light sleep where the norm is 40-60%. Anyway I headed to Pineridge Natural Area with hopes of red and pink skies. I was pleasantly gifted with a beautiful eastern sky and warm temperatures. My car said 48 degrees at home and 61 degrees at the natural area, a distance of 4 miles. I was joined by this nice 2-point mule deer and a couple of his friends. They seemed more interested in grazing and staying alert than watching the colors. Earlier I could hear the who-who-hoo of an owl somewhere in the darkness. Lovely.

    I will be offline for a few days as I’m heading to Phoenix to spend an early Thanksgiving with my dad and sisters. This will be our first holiday without mom. Probably good for all of us be together. I leave on Wednesday and return on Monday. Hold down the fort for me. 😂

  • Avian

    Social Distancing

    Snowy Egrets

    Had time to watch these fisherman yesterday afternoon at Timnath Reservoir in the east bay area. Lovely, graceful birds.They seem to be aware of the social distancing guidelines.

  • Avian,  natural areas,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    Afternoon Walk

    I had a quiet walk at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area yesterday evening. It was a hot and muggy day so I was sweaty by the time I returned to the car. May have to take my monthly shower a week earlier than scheduled.

    It was also very quiet. In the hour I was there I only heard one meadowlark, far off in the pasture, a half dozen red-winged blackbirds chattering in a tree and this mourning dove, who was mourning.

  • Avian,  quotes

    Silhouette

    It is preoccupation with possessions,– more than anything else —  that prevents us from living freely and nobly. 

    Bertrand Russell

    Wonder if the freedom from possessions is why birds enjoy singing, everyday.