Hans Roenau: 08/01/2010

Here, once again, is proof positive that I don't know my boyds! All I know about the one on my picture is that it is a Gull. Probably a juvenile. I took the picture at the Ponds this morning. What was surprising is that it was the only Gull to be seen anywhere. Was it lost? Was it a maverick? Was it rejected by its peers because of bad breath? Who knows.

And may I remind you again that my bird-pictures have less to do with being audubonish, and more to do with photography per se.

Swallows

I took the attached picture of Swallows at the Ponds this morning. It's not often that these birds hold still long enough to get their picture taken. Swallows rank high on my love-for-birds list.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Blue Angel

Just imagine my surprise when none other than Marlene Dietrich stopped by my garret for a photo-shoot this afternoon.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Rip City Riders

On Sunday Bill K and I went to the Sonoma Air Show. Bill graciously agreed to be the designated driver, enabling me to take pix. Ahead of us were the Rip City Riders, and you've never seen a better behaved group of bikers. I thought they presented a beautiful picture. (I actually sent the club a picture).

Monday, August 23, 2010

California Vole

You just never know what you'll find. The other day I went out loaded for Bluebirds. A California Vole saw me and insisted I take her/his picture. Taking a drink from the bird-bath. Of course I obliged. These gals/guys live in fear of hawks.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Sparrow

Yesterday I was invited to the Sonoma home of my friend, Spaulding , and his partner, Tony. Hearing of my interest in birds, Spaulding introduced me to his two baby House Sparrows. He had found them lying on the ground, outside the house. Spaulding said they were a couple of "tiny pink things" when he picked them up. He has been nursing them ever since. They live in separate cages and are quite tame. Unfortunately there is something wrong with their tails and to date they cannot fly. Here's a picture of one of the little birdies.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Tipula abdominalis

I know that some of you could barely contain yourself, so here, finally as promised, is the Tipula abdominalis, also know as Crane Fly. As discovered by your favorite photographer in his stairwell. It is NOT as Mosquito Hawk. I know that not everyone is fond of insects but ya gotta learn to separate the wheat from the chaff.

There exists a mistaken assumption that Crane Flies are predatory. The reality of the situation is quite different, for they take sustenance only from flower nectar - if they eat at all. They cannot bite so although they are huge (this one was over 2" long + legs), you have no need to fear them. Tipula abdominalis is often attracted to lights at night.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Feeding Time

The Tipula abdominalis must wait, this is better.

The interaction between juvenile and adult Bluebirds is fascinating and touching. There's a lot going on that most folks are not aware of.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

"Feed Me!"

I was all set to send out a picture of a Tipula abdominalis this morning. But the fickle finger of fate decided otherwise.

Yesterday, my friend, Gary, entrusted me with taking care of his beloved Bluebirds - mealworms (ugh!) and all. Despite being a confirmed vegetarian, I figured that I could not interfere with the hard-wired needs of birds. So here we see Junior, less than a foot from the troth, making demands on his mom.

Tipula abdominalis probably tomorrow.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Landscape

No title would do this scene justice!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Cooper's Hawk

My Senior Advisor on Winged, Bipedal, Endothermic, Egg-laying Vertebrate Affairs, informs me that the bird I photographed at the Ponds yesterday, is an Immature Cooper's Hawk. Now you know.

Monday, August 16, 2010

The Bath

This Bluebird, unfazed by the coooold summer, had just enjoyed a lengthy bath. Yesterday at McInnis Park in San Rafael.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Another Day, Another Spider Web

I just love spider webs!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Hail Fellow Well Met

I met this fellow at the Fairfax Coffee Roastery this morning, and together we listened to a guy playing the guitar and singing. He was right friendly, with an outgoing personality.

Auguste Rodin Hand

Hand by Auguste Rodin (1840 - 1917) at the Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. And I took the liberty of rotating my picture 90 degrees to the left to make it seem as if it was stretched out for a handshake.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Graffiti

After something of a respite from graffiti it returns to my Daily E-mail. This one, taken a couple of days ago, on 25th near Clement, in San Francisco. I like it, though I must confess to being a typical NIMBY (Not On My Vehicle)!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

More Bluebirds

Don't jump to conclusions! Daddy Bluebird is not being a pig. He is merely gathering up mealworms to feed the babies three trees away as junior looks on.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Lucy and Albee

Next to my two granddaughters, Albee and Lucy are my very favorite kids. I cannot find words to describe how cute I think they are. Therefore the picture (One picture speaks a thousand words).

The mushy stuff having been said, I now turn to pondering whether mine was a life wasted. Did I miss my calling? Should I have pursued a career of children photographer? Is it too late now?

Monday, August 9, 2010

Composition

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Idioms

A skein of Canada Geese flying over a flock of Red-winged Blackbirds, also in flight. So different.

I'm unsuccessfully searching for an idiom that describes what I saw. I thought of "different strokes for different folks", " marching to a different drummer", and "another kettle of fish". But none of these fit the bill. Suggestions gratefully accepted.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Red-winged Blackbirds

Red-winged Blackbirds at the Ponds yesterday.

Red-winged Blackbirds

Red-winged Blackbirds at the Ponds yesterday.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Pelican

This Pelican, strutting her/his stuff, reminded me of the Packard swan hood ornament of the 40's and 50's. As observed at the Ponds this morning.

Pelican

This Pelican, strutting her/his stuff, reminded me of the Packard swan hood ornament of the 40's and 50's. As observed at the Ponds this morning.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

That's A Lotta Bull!

Bull detail at the Sonoma County Fair. Makes you wonder where some of the art world greats get their inspiration!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Carapace Face

Carapace portrait of Rodolfo Belletini, famous winemaker of the Papa Valley.

Don't feel bad, I didn't know the word Carapace either and had to consult my Senior Adviser of Linguini Affairs.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Bumble-Bee

A few days ago I sent out a picture of a Honey-Bee. Today's picture is of a Bumble-Bee. I snapped it yesterday at the Ponds.

Let me call your attention to the yellow pollen basket or corbicula which is part of the tibia on the hind legs. It is a polished concavity surrounded by a fringe of hairs, into which the pollen is placed.

Allegedly Einstein said that without bees to pollinate our food crops, humans would die off in just 4 years. Not to worry, I just read that he was wrong, we would die off in 7 years!

SPEED LIMIT 10 MPH

That'll slow the Canada Geese down as they come in for a landing at the Sewage Ponds!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Barn Swallow

Photographers learn early on that Swallows don't pose for photographs. That's why I get excited every time I do happen to get a picture. I took the attached one at the Ponds this morning. There, under a bridge near the parking lot, a colony of swallows is nesting in mud-based, cup-shaped nests.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Monday, August 30, 2010

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Friday, August 27, 2010