Saturday, July 29, 2017

TWO DEER, A DOZEN BUZZARDS, DUCKS, BEES, A DRAGONFLY SILHOUETTE, BUTTERFLYS, INCOMING CANADA GEESE, AND A GREAT BLUE HERON ON IT’S KNEES WE SEES

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Sunlight tickling the tops of our pine trees at first light heralded in a mighty fine cool mid summer’s morn and I knew right away Pheebs and I would be out and gone shortly looking for a few photos for the day.

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THIS IS ONE OF TWO LITTLE FELLERS WHO DASHED ACROSS THE ROAD IN FRONT CATCHING ME OFF GUARD WITH A WRONG CAMERA SETTING SO IT’S A BIT BLURRED

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A LEISURELY SATURDAY MORNING STROLL DOWN A GRAVELY COUNTRY ROAD FOR THESE CANADA GEESE

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OH-OH LOOKS LIKE BUZZARD ALLEY UP THERE……ACTUALLY THEY ARE ALL DRYING THEIR WINGS AFTER AN OBVIOUSLY HEAVY OVERNIGHT DEW

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OH DEAR THE EYES ARE UPON US

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DO YOU SUPPOSE THEY SENSE I’M A SENIOR

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Had been a week or so since we were last in the Hullett Marsh area so that was our destination.  It was pleasantly cool enough to wear a light jacket but an hour later the jacket was off and laying on the back seat.  Pheebs and I tried a walk but I soon noticed the mosquitos were bothering Pheebs far more than me and she was distressed about it.  I did manage a few photos before we hastily retreated to the sanctuary of the Jeep.

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PEACEFUL MORNING IN THE MARSH

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I B ELIEVE THESE TO BE SOME KIND OF DUCKS

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THEY WERE A LONG WAY OFF SO THESE TELEPHOTO PICS ARE A BIT SHAKY

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Spent some time with my Smartypants phone today poking this, tapping that, swiping over here and swooping over there.  I did concentrate most of my time on the camera functions though.  Guess it was just natural I gravitated in that direction.  I did send Kelly a ‘Hey Wazzup’ text though.  Only took me about 147 pecks, 86 back spaces and about half an hour of my time to finally get those two words put together and sent.  After that little episode I consider myself very fortunate not to have any friends that feel the need to text me or me to text them.  But hey, at least I have the option now………..The following photos are several sequences of Canada Geese landing on water.  These long telephoto photos are not technically great but it does give you an idea of how geese come in with their landing gear down and full flaps deployed.

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LOOKS LIKE THAT FELLA ON THE LEFT IS DOING A BIT OF SIDESLIPPING

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With the Motorhome parked in the shade and some cooler temperatures upon us I got to work cleaning the rig’s generator.  A lot of desert dust packed in there.  Also cleaned up the ‘wet bay’ area where the taps, hoses, water and dump valves are all located.  Next I will haul the shop vac out and start on the bins.  A fair accumulation of desert sand to be vacuumed up.

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MONARCH BUTTERFLY

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A GREAT BLUE HERON DRYING IT’S WINGS IN A FARMER’S BEAN FIELD

DSC_2954In a few days we will be into August and it’s usually about this time I begin to think a bit about our upcoming winter travel plans but this year I am trying to keep a lid on it and not get myself all revved up about heading for the Southwest.  We have a couple medical dark horses standing in the wings this year.  We never really had to worry too much about that before.  It will probably be the middle of October or later before we know if we will be going anywhere this year.  It is simply one of life’s realities that with each aging year now our days of future travel become increasingly shaky and we are not under any elusion that our best days of RV travel lie ahead.  We know our best days are now behind us.  It’s not a negative or positive way of thinking it is simply a factual reality.  The march of time happens to everyone sooner or later regardless of who they are or how they think.  In the meantime we have our fingers crossed that we can make it once again to the great American Southwest this winter.  And many winters after this winter………:))

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GROANER’S CORNER:(( A nursery school teacher was delivering a station wagon full of kids home one day when a fire truck zoomed past. Sitting in the front seat of the fire truck was a Dalmatian dog. The children began discussing the dog's duties. "They use him to keep crowds back," said one youngster. "No," said another. "He's just for good luck." A third child brought the argument to a close with this comment: "They use the dogs," she said firmly, "to find the fire hydrants."

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What's the difference between getting a new husband and a new dog? A year after, the dog is still excited to see you.

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Mary Clancy goes up to Father McGuire after his Sunday morning service, and she's in tears. He says, "So what's bothering you, Mary my dear?" She says, "Oh, Father, I've got terrible news. My husband passed away last night." The priest says, "Oh, Mary, that's terrible. Tell me, Mary, did he have any last requests?"  She says, "That he did, Father." The priest says, "What did he ask, Mary? "  She says, "He said, 'Please Mary, put down that damn gun.' "

Knock knock.

Who’s there?

Lettuce.

Lettuce who?

Lettuce in, it’s cold out here!

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9 comments:

  1. Hi, Al. I agree with Flowergirl. However, sometimes we do get happy surprises. If you remember, we
    Were grounded from our trips to MN after back surgery. Many, many days of pain, and being stuck at home in TX heat. Well, guess what! after five years of no trips, we are just finishing a wonderful 2 weeks. Old Man's pain doctor really came through. Hard to believe a man who could barely walk a few months ago, has been happily hiking the trails of Superior. We are counting our blessings.
    Hopefully you and your girls will be heading out again in the fall.

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  2. Aren't the buzzards fascinating birds??? Love that you shared so many great pics here. The bees and butterflies are delicate beauties. Hopefully all the medical stuff works out and you can return to the Southwest in the Fall.

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  3. I too have fat fingers when it comes to those aspirin-sized letters on those postage stamp-sized keyboards Al. Beautiful photo journey this blog, and nice 300mm shots too. Poor Pheebs, as I hate them pesky little whiners-in-the-ear skeeters too.

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  4. Good luck with this medical issues, and we hoping all will be good here and we can head to the southwest this fall. Love watching the geese as they come in fir a landing.

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  5. I dislike getting old too but am so grateful for the opportunity. :)

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  6. Wonderful photos today, AL!!! Those buzzards seem to follow Dennis and me when we are on our morning walks...waiting for one of us to drop!!

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  7. I can see The scenario now Al sitting down in a comfortable chair. A crackling fire in the fireplace reading an the online Cracker Barrel menu
    An Miss Kelly staring out the window over the countryside or playing the peg board game,,, while THE Cracker Barrel waitresses waiting for his order
    And you know he's going to be all tickle pink and smiles when he takes a picture of the Cracker Barrel Today's luncheon special And manipulate the colors Or crop the edges
    You go Al your our kind of guy in the 21st-century

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  8. We'll have those medical issues sooner or later! Some are just sooner rather than later!

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