Finally the whole ticket for Head and Vice Bird are active as we near the close of the polls tomorrow. These two Sandhill Cranes were shot flying around our campsite in Fairbanks. We stayed at the end of a private air strip at the invitation of the owner whom we met at breakfast a couple of weeks earlier. It seemed to botther these two that we were using thier private patch of grass. But they never flew far. It ia also appropriate that I am showing a couple today as Cindy and I are at a wedding this afternoon.
Bird Week IX - Campaign /
The polls are not showing well for our next candidate. This Greater Yellowlegs is on the shy side and not very good at campaigning. We see him here on the podium but not addressing the audience. I really like the way the reeds to the right of the bird match the colorful legs.
Bird Week IX - Campaign /
Although small in stature, this beautiful Yellow Warbler is clearly a fan favorite for Head Bird. Just the bright, cheerful song alone would put him in contention.
Bird Week IX - Campaign /
Clearly leading a contingent of his followers in the race for Head Bird is this Eider and company flying past an ice berg in the Gulf of Alaska taken from the deck of the Lulu Belle. I am proud of this photo as panning is not a skill I can count on but here got most of the birds pretty sharp as they flew the opposite direction of the boat. This was an outstanding trip and would love to do that same tour again. Amazing guide, elegant boat and stunning scenery everywhere you looked.
Bird Week IX - Campaign /
Our next candidate for Head Bird is this Sandhill Crane. He was spotted flying over a nature preserve in Kenai, AK. I really like the shades of color captured in this photo.
Bird Week IX - Campaign /
Do I hear the bells pealing across the land? Is that distant roar shouts of jubilation from the populace? Are new holidays being declared? Well, maybe not but the long-awaited Bird Week IX is finally here. Hard to believe we have not had one at TLT since February of 2020, that is Pre-Pandemic for those keeping track. We are past due for certain. So let us commence.
Our first candidate for Head Bird for the season is a newly edited and previously unpublished Tufted Puffin (though another one of the puffin has been seen before). This little bird prefers the cold waters of the northern Pacific and was captured in Alaska’s Kachemak Bay south of Homer. I imagine you know that a group of crows is a “murder,” hawks, a kettle, eagles a congregation and doves a cote. So do you know what four puffins are called? KISS:)
Sunday Afternoon Run /
Sunday after church and dinner is apparently the time for some fun on the farm. We watched families playing games together, lots of courting buggies on the roads or out enjoying a picnic. Here this farmer is letting his horse run while he guides it from the seat on a sulky, a light, two-wheeled, single seat cart often used in racing. They both were in high spirits.
“I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.” Philippians 3:12b NLT
Last of the Art Museum Flowers /
Once again there are sculptures in the view both to the left of the photo. I look forward to seeing what they plant next year, this year was a beautiful mixture.
Bonus - Flight 93 Memorial /
I visited here with my grandson on the way to Pittsburgh for the Vintage Gran Prix a few years ago. We did not know the route we chose took us right past this memorial. The cranes in one photo are where the visitor center is today. A sobering place.
People placed lots of remembrances along the wall.
Spending Time /
I try often to learn something new each year. It does not always go well. My pie baking ended with one pie. Other initiatives fell apart for lots of reasons. But some projects stick. Usually I do variations of what I already like, for example, I want to learn portraits next year. One of this year’s projects was to try and carve something. They are taking over even after I have given half of them away. Or perhaps forced them on people too kind to refuse:) And I find I enjoy this, no screen and working on projects that are completed in a couple of days. So, I am striving for improvements and better painting. But it has been fun. All of these are 1” by 1” by 3“ basswood to start. Several I have had to adjust as the instructor on YouTube might be using a different size but I don’t have a saw and did not want to invest in one if the carving turned out like the pie baking. So with more than 32 projects complete, I am striving for one new one each week until January. Then I might buy a saw.
Another Perspective /
This is yet another view of the magnificent Mount Denali. We were quite fortunate to see it unclouded three different times - this is about as close as we came about 38 miles away. It still dominated the view.
Lights On /
An Amish family buggy emerges from the morning fog.
Lovely /
I went off to a pond to try and photograph some birds but they were all smarter than me and stayed resting in the shade while I stood on the hot boardwalk waiting for them to fly around. So, no birds but I did shoot the flower in the marsh. I like the simplicity of the photo. It was 20 or thirty yards away.
Have a Good Labor Day /
While we celebrate the labor that makes this country work, we do so with a day off. But not likely if you are a hard working farmer. Their days are set by the most critical time for planting and harvesting. Along with the important tasks that must be done - the cows don’t take a day off from being milked and the weeds don’t decide not to grow. So on Labor Day let’s be grateful for the people who are really responsible for the food we enjoy at the last picnic of the summer season.
Strong and Steady /
This bull moose was photographed along the Savage River in Alaska. I watched him systematically make his way across the stream while feeding most of the way but always alert.
“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10 NLT
Nighttime Stroll (3 photos) /
These shots were taken on Beale Street in Memphis. Music was heard from several bars and restaurants and more than one street corner.
Well That's Sure Different /
Sitting in our friend’s yard having a socially distanced carry in lunch I was struck by the convergence of lines and colors and angles.
School Days /
September is here even if today is supposed to be blisteringly hot, it still is a promise of cooler weather soon. This is one of many Amish school houses that dot the countryside in Lancaster, PA. The schools serve a very small number of local children who bike, walk or scooter to the building in all sorts of weather. The structures are very similar and all have a fence enclosing the property since the tragic shooting of school children a few years ago. I noted that most of them were also painted the same shade of yellow/brown. That was not always the case. You can see the outhouses on each property and usually a well. Also note the terribly dangerous playground equipment - those risk-taking daring Amish.
One More /
This is a second shot of General Warren’s statue on Little Round Top in Gettysburg. If you follow the site a few days ago I showed a photo that where I tried to emulate the cover of an old book with a different view of General Warren. I could not resist this one even though it was not my original idea. Here we see the moon just over Warren’s field glasses. It was a very pleasant night on the hill.
Photos, Meh - Day, Excellent (3 photos) /
Last Tuesday it was hot, as in slightly below the melting temperature of steel. And it was humid, scuba gear was required to cross a street. I was in Roanoke Rapids, 90 miles from Raleigh to meet Dennis Mook and to photograph what we could find. On this day we did not find much. It was not a great day for photography, light was bright, the bugs were bitting and I think I mentioned the heat. Neither of us got a super photograph, or all least Dennis said he did not. I am not disparaging his craft he may go one to win accolades with his shots. I can say for sure mine were not compelling yet I am still posting them. Because the day was still fun. It was great to get out, it being 2020 and all. I aways learn a bit from Dennis and this day was not exception. And we took photos, always fun and the challenge on that day was to take something. Also, I learned post shooting a lot about the neat railroad history of the tiny town of Weldon were we shot most of the photos. So, even if you don’t capture the best image of your year, even if it is not the best conditions, get out and enjoy the hobby, avocation, craft or whatever level of taking pictures describes your efforts. Enjoy today.
This fisherwoman liked red, I think. Her chair, her cooler, the ribbon on her hat and even the bobber at the end of her second line, were all red.
Top detail of an old overgrown mill
Home to five railroads at one time, Weldon was the South’s first rail hub city. This station built in 1912 served two railroads and the upper track had a stairway and separate covered waiting area.