This picture is meant to be an artistic expression rather than an ornithological presentation. I just love the patterns and designs birds in flight create. Forgive me if I stumble over my own words. Fortunately Spell Check passed what I wrote.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Winchester
On Saturday I took pictures for the Mill Valley Herald of a Dog Show at the Whole Foods Market in Mill Valley. My absolute favorite was a Yorkie by the name of Winchester, shown on my attached picture. He reminded me of another Yorkie, Bogie, who sadly passed away a few months ago. There's something very human about this breed, and I always think they understand what we're saying and what's going on around them.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Boyd
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
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
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
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
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!
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.
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