Friday Photography - Heron Yoga

Good evening all. Wishing you a peaceful and flexible weekend.

A Great Blue Heron performance …

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mimi's picture

of the Great Blue Heron is what I wished to could have done the last two weeks. The heat and drought here were horrible and we literally waited hourly for rain. So, plunging into a little lake like the one on your photos would have been paradise. We are even blessed, because on my parents land we still have a working well and we could water the plants. Today was the first day when temperatures dropped into the twenty plus Celsius degrees. The days before we had 33 to 36 degree Celsius. Next week it will go up again.

Hopefully you have not such crazy weather over in your parts of the world. Wishing you a nice little breeze and light rain shower and a climate in which you can't bake your cookies on your car's hood.

Be well and have a nice weekend yourself. Smile

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janis b's picture

@mimi

Even though I'm presently in Florida at my mom's, I am aware of the equally intolerable heat in Germany. Auckland, where I am not at the moment is half that hot. Set up the sprinkler next week to feed your garden and cool yourself. I might consider making Pfannkuchen on the hood of the car using Spelt ; ).

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Unabashed Liberal's picture

OT, and the cool photos of the GBH. Along with being dog lovers, we're very much bird lovers. We're grateful that our White-Faced Cockatiel is still hanging in there. I can't quite make out the date on his band, but, we've had him 26 years, now, so he's at least that old.

Might be back with another photo that I've thought about posting, but, for now, I'll leave you Guys with a couple of screenshots from the LCC (Luthern Church Charities) Comfort Dog Twitter feed. Here's their sweet and pretty girl, 'Katie.' Wink

Katie - LCC #2 Free Form - JPEG.JPG

Apparently, there are scores of them nationwide. Here's a diagram of the ones they deployed to the Santa Fe High School (TX) after the tragic shooting.

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Aren't they cuties? Pleasantry

If I have to be absent, I always try to lurk/catch the excellent photography that you Guys so graciously share with our Community--it's such a treat!

Hope you and yours are doing well. Have a nice weekend.

Mollie/Blue Onyx (reverting to former handle)

"Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong."
~~W. R. Purche

"In a World where you can be anything--be kind."
~~LCC Comfort Dogs

For a little snark,

No Labels -- "Civility's our Name; Austerity's our Game."

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Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.

janis b's picture

@Unabashed Liberal

I hope you're finding ample comfort among your friends of all feathers and furs. I've missed you.

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Unabashed Liberal's picture

@janis b @janis b

know that I can look to you for words of kindness, empathy, and encouragement. Appreciate it more than you know!

Smile

Mollie/Blue Onyx (reverting to former handle)

"Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong."
~~W. R. Purche

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Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.

janis b's picture

@Unabashed Liberal

It's what we all need most. Thank you for yours.

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magiamma's picture

@Unabashed Liberal
lol, I almost wrote Blue Heron. Beautiful face that doggie has. Thanks for posting.

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Unabashed Liberal's picture

@magiamma

blame you if you're experiencing a tad of confusion, since my (static) blogging user name is UL, and my signature line contains two more options!

Biggrin

Glad you liked Katie's photo. I've come to like and admire this breed a lot, since I ran across their Twitter Account. Enjoy many of their inspirational quotes, and appreciate their good deeds in regards to giving comfort to folks who are grieving and traumatized. Undeniably, they're a 'happy-looking' bunch of dogs.

Have a nice weekend . . .

Mollie/Blue Onyx (reverting to former handle)

"Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong."
~~W. R. Purche

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janis b's picture

@Unabashed Liberal

genuine love that dogs have to offer is so precious, possibly even especially so for those who are grieving. No words necessary, just the simple fact of being there.

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Unabashed Liberal's picture

@janis b @janis b

experienced. Mr M and I have experienced a great deal of loss--human and pet--over the past four decades, as most folks do over that long of a period of time. But, the most recent one was one of the most difficult, partly, I believe, because we didn't have a doggie companion (left) to comfort us.

It is incredible, what a difference that makes. And, I suspect, one of the reasons that I came to so greatly appreciate the LLC Comfort Dogs, and their mission.

Thanks for making that point, Janis.

Mollie/Blue Onyx (reverting to former handle)

"Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong."
~~W. R. Purche

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janis b's picture

@Unabashed Liberal

I’m sorry for the losses you and Mr. M have endured. Mr. B must be sorely missed. I hope that one day you will have another dog to love and be loved by. Your contribution to the mission of comfort dogs will be widely appreciated by many in need. Doggie hospice work is a beautiful thing. All the best to you Mollie and Mr. B, always.

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Unabashed Liberal's picture

@janis b

made much contribution, thus far, but, we're considering a (breed of) pup that could easily be trained as a comfort or therapy dog. If all goes well, we'll have our 'new addition' by Christmas.

Pleasantry

Blue Onyx

"Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong."
~~W. R. Purche

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boriscleto's picture

Cayuga Bird Club does walks in the restricted area at Knox-Marsellus / Puddler's marsh most weekends this time of year.

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" In the beginning, the universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry, and is generally considered to have been a bad move. -- Douglas Adams, The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy "

magiamma's picture

@boriscleto
the wildlife tour! Wonderful photos.I like the Robin. It looks like a young 'un.

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boriscleto's picture

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" In the beginning, the universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry, and is generally considered to have been a bad move. -- Douglas Adams, The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy "

boriscleto's picture

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There is an airstrip right next to the marsh.
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" In the beginning, the universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry, and is generally considered to have been a bad move. -- Douglas Adams, The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy "

boriscleto's picture

The only resident flock of Sandhill cranes in upstate NY AFAIK.

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We also have resident Trumpeter swans
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" In the beginning, the universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry, and is generally considered to have been a bad move. -- Douglas Adams, The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy "

boriscleto's picture

The highlight of the day (for me) was the juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Heron. Rare to see them this far inland (unlike Black-crowned Night Heron)
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There was also a female Ruff (very rare) but my photos are like Bigfoot photos. And all you can see is her butt and legs anyway...

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" In the beginning, the universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry, and is generally considered to have been a bad move. -- Douglas Adams, The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy "

boriscleto's picture

The worst part is that after you walk in you have to walk back out...

When I stopped for a breather
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This Robin looks like I felt by that point
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" In the beginning, the universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry, and is generally considered to have been a bad move. -- Douglas Adams, The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy "

janis b's picture

@boriscleto

for all the beauty in flight!

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Socialprogressive's picture

Nice shots of the GBH. That third shot is the first time I've seen one submerged like that.

Some shots from the Imperial Beach surf dog contest.

Checking out the competition.
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Shredding that wave.
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Getting last minute instructions from the coach.
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Trying to remember the coach's instructions.
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The Hotdog. There's always one.
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The Hotdog making his move on the wave.
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A boy and his dog.
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A boy and his other dog.
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I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.

janis b's picture

@Socialprogressive

What a trip, both your photos and titles. I didn't realise that there were other hot dogs beside dachshunds. that must have been fun to watch.

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Socialprogressive's picture

@janis b
The contest was lots of fun to watch and photograph. A hotdog is another term for a showoff. Wiener dog is the other name for a Dachshund.

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I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.

QMS's picture

@Socialprogressive look like they are just starting to get off on some psychedelic trip. Perhaps it's their masters living vicariously?

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question everything

Socialprogressive's picture

@QMS
I don't know about a psychedelic trip, but the dogs were having lots of fun.

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Unabashed Liberal's picture

@Socialprogressive

photos!

Probably a dumb question, but is that a serious surfing contest, or just a bunch of friends having fun? Either way, it's an event that I definitely would've enjoyed.

Wink

Have a good one!

Mollie/Blue Onyx (reverting to former handle)

"Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong."
~~W. R. Purche

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Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.

Socialprogressive's picture

@Unabashed Liberal
Yes this was a real surf contest with timed heats and judges scoring the rides.

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I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.

magiamma's picture

@Socialprogressive
Those doggies are too funny. Wet dogs just don't look happy though I am sure they are I have seen some body surfing the waves on 'my' beach and loving it. Thanks for sharing.

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Socialprogressive's picture

@magiamma
Even thought the dogs don't look happy they seemed to be having a great time.

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snoopydawg's picture

@Socialprogressive

My springer spaniel Bodega loved water. Every winter the golf course I lived by would retain huge pockets of water after it rained and Bo would do laps around them. I'd watch her eyes light up when she saw that I was taking her to play in them.

Bo and Bailey

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Bo in 'her' pond checking to make sure that there weren't any golf balls in before she took off.

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Here she is doing her laps. She went zipping around the pond for 20 minutes before she took a break.

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Can't you just feel how much fun she was having?

Thanks for hosting tonight, Janis. Did that pelican lose its balance and fall in?

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Was Humpty Dumpty pushed?

janis b's picture

@snoopydawg

It appeared to make a sudden break, beak-first into the water for a potential appetiser. From what I could see it was unsuccessful.

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Unabashed Liberal's picture

@snoopydawg

Pleasantry

Thanks for posting. There's no question about it, Springers are one of the most delightful breeds out there--not that I'm prejudiced, or anything. Wink

You have a nice weekend!

Mollie/Blue Onyx (reverting to former handle)

"Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong."
~~W. R. Purche

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snoopydawg's picture

@Unabashed Liberal

and two lab/springers. Bo forgot to go to the doggie class where they learn how fun it is to go for car rides. I would either have to carry her out to the car or drag her out. But first I had to get her out from under my bed. 99.9% of the car rides were to go somewhere fun, but she just hated the ride. She would shake the whole time I was driving. She has the biggest grin on her face in the bottom picture.

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Socialprogressive's picture

@snoopydawg
Nice looking dogs.
I used to live by a golf course. Every time it rained the 6th fairway would turn into a lake.

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QMS's picture

passed out on a bird house. It's a little hard to see, but this squirrel was so hot, it just did a spread eagle belly flop on the roof of this bird house (in the shade). Stayed there for about an hour until it's organs cooled off. Silly critters.

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question everything

janis b's picture

@QMS

Maybe you need to attach a platform of steel to a tree to accomodate the squirrels during this heat ; ).

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janis b's picture

@janis b

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QMS's picture

@janis b Now you've got me wondering. Did the birds install central air without me knowing?

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question everything

janis b's picture

@QMS

Nice to know the animal kingdom are taking care of their own.

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magiamma's picture

@QMS
Squirrel... look... over there...

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QMS's picture

@magiamma run by a gerbil or chipmunk. They charge the squirrelly bob's a couple nuts an hour. Capitalist rodents!

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question everything

janis b's picture

@QMS

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divineorder's picture

Love herons. jb and I lived on our little houseboat on a lake the last three years we taught HS. Great Blue Herons occasionally walked the docks day and night. It was always fascinating to look out the window and be surprised to see one slow lurching by.

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A truth of the nuclear age/climate change: we can no longer have endless war and survive on this planet. Oh sh*t.

janis b's picture

@divineorder

Lurching gracefully definitely describes their movement.

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I few years ago I saw a bird that looked like that from the window of the Chicago Metra commuter train. But it was powder blue all over. The startling blue plumage was what caught my attention. It was BIG! And obviously fishing in the shallow pond.
I thought that it was a Blue Heron.

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I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.

janis b's picture

@The Voice In the Wilderness

when I tried to identify birds in Florida where I saw it. It is exceptionally tall and proud looking. The blue was somewhat camouflaged by the reflections of the light from the water.

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janis b's picture

@The Voice In the Wilderness @The Voice In the Wilderness

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magiamma's picture

Busy week. Love all the bird pics. This is getting to be a nature blog I think. Good relief from, yeah, that stuff...
Farmers market flowers
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Monterey Alley
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@magiamma

I like alleys and architecture too!

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magiamma's picture

Thanks for hosting. How's Florida? Love the Blue Heron bathing. When we moved in to our house here we had herons nesting in the eucalyptus trees near by. The first time I heard them I thought someone was being attacked. Horrisonant. They are truly amazing birds.

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@magiamma

it's bearable, thanks to the ocean and pool water which is only slightly cooler. My amazing, almost 90 year old mom helps too.

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snoopydawg's picture

@janis b

Is it winter in New Zealand now? If so don't you play in the snow? It's the only way to enjoy it.

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Was Humpty Dumpty pushed?

janis b's picture

@snoopydawg

with a possible interlude in the Northeast.

By the time I get home it will be well into Spring in Auckland, which never sees snow.

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Daenerys's picture

This week's theme seems to be wading birds. I got to see two whooping cranes the other day:


They were pretty far away, so these are kind of Bigfoot photos, heh. It's something though. Someone who saw them closer than I did said they were raised in captivity and released in Wisconsin; they've been hanging out in the sw area of the twin cities this week. Hubby and I drove 2 hours to see them, but I think it was worth it as they are so rare, only about 500 in the wild still.

Cheers!

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This shit is bananas.

dystopian's picture

Janis, love your Great Blue Heron series, and that is what it is. BC, outstanding stuff! I love the dragonfly flight shot. Nice Whooping Cranes D. and mmm, it would terrible if this turned into a nature photo blog of sorts... Wink

Male Painted Bunting, because you can't get too much of them.
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mama Wolf Spider with a back full of spiderlings
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juvenile female Cooper's Hawk at our birdbath
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Red-tailed Pennant
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Thanks all for all the great posts all week...

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We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein

snoopydawg's picture

@dystopian

Where did you take it?

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dystopian's picture

@snoopydawg Thanks S.D. Taken from my porch. Painted Buntings are found across the S.E. U.S. from Texas to Florida, mostly as a migratory breeder, a few winter in FL, but most of the population leaves the U.S. in winter for parts warmer to the south. Small numbers move each fall to the southwest chasing the monsoons and the bug and seed crop of "second spring". Females are uniform dull green, it doesn't pay to stand out when on a nest. They have already left the breeding grounds here in TX and are done for the season, all but gone.

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We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein

janis b's picture

@dystopian

for your appreciation, and for all the interesting wildlife photos, especially the wolf spider carrying her babies.

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smiley7's picture

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janis b's picture

@smiley7

Figures you would enjoy the performance; ). The stage lighting wasn't bad either!

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smiley7's picture

@janis b
know how you caught those three scenes, an all day affair, i presume. Drop dead gorgeous, my friend. Hope you are well and thanks to you and all our c99 photographers bringing weekly beauty, art and good conversation into our lives; who needs a space force when we have Friday Nights? Smile

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janis b's picture

@smiley7

Dare I admit that the entire performance was recorded in a brief half hour of observation? I was lucky to be there at that time. Timing is everything in theatre and life, no?

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orlbucfan's picture

I look for this diary every week. Rec'd!!

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Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.

janis b's picture

@orlbucfan

I'm happy you enjoy Friday photography.

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