Friday Photography - Winter Solstice

Good evening all. We’re only two moons away from the shortest day of the year. Even though the heart of winter will be the next two months, the days will be growing longer.

I hope all are well.

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dystopian's picture

Hi Janis! Greetings photogs and photo appreciators. Hope all are doing well as can be expected!

Beautiful photos Janis! As always. I really like that first one. The contrast, and on both, of 'full' dark to 'full' white, within each image is great. Love it, great range.

And us nortenos get our longest day, hot and sticky where I am, we can't wait for the days to start getting shorter. The low Monday a.m. they say will be 75F here. I know others have it much worse in the southwest U.S. The hottest couple months are ahead for us.

How come every year one ages the temperature comfort zone decreases? I am so old I would fine with it being about 55-75F all the time.

Everyone have a good one! I'll try to sneak by later with a pic or two, have work to do.

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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

Thank you for your appreciation and comments. I think your question is a really good one. I think beside being physiological the climate is less steady, challenging our ability to acclimate.

I hope you’ll be as comfortable as possible. Maybe you need a human size bird bath ; ).

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Socialprogressive's picture

@dystopian

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When I offer to wash your back in the shower, all you have to say is yes or no.
Not all this "who are you, and how did you get in here?" nonsense.

dystopian's picture

Just in case... I'll toss this up... the only species of bird in which the entire known breeding range is withing the borders of the state of Texas, the Golden-cheeked Warbler. It is found 3-4 months of the year on the Edwards Plateau of central Texas. Its range is identical to that of the Ashe Juniper, with which the female makes a cedar chest nest from the peeling bark of mature trees. It is the logo of Travis Audubon Society (Austin).

This is a male tenderizing a caterpillar before it fed it to a just-fledged juvenile. Mrs. Dysto and I saw about 5 family groups weekend before last on a trail at Lost Maples SNA. Was great to see a good number of young out of the nest this year.
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This is the peeling bark of a mature Ashe Juniper which they use to make the cup nest, which I presume being a cedar chest is good for keeping bugs off the young.
ashejunipr.jpg

Everyone have good one!

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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

That's a wonderful photo of the warbler preparing a meal. And the juniper bark strips look like they’d make a beautiful woven basket.

Enjoy the weekend.

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Socialprogressive's picture

@dystopian

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When I offer to wash your back in the shower, all you have to say is yes or no.
Not all this "who are you, and how did you get in here?" nonsense.

enhydra lutris's picture

@dystopian

and a great bird - lucky you. Interesting bark too, no doubt worse that its bite.

be well and have a good one

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

dystopian's picture

@enhydra lutris ROFL EL! That trees bark is worse than its bite! I will be using this when I guide folks to see the warbler now. GREAT one! Thanks!

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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

A8448A77-01AC-4093-A7ED-7053B8E13CAE.jpeg

How it’s going.

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8 months and just the sweetest little dawg. We did good.

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janis b's picture

@snoopydawg

It's nice to see you both again. I think dogs must grow at least as quickly as babies. I can hardly believe the almost daily growth of my granddaughter. You sound like a very happy and proud mom.

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Socialprogressive's picture

@snoopydawg

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When I offer to wash your back in the shower, all you have to say is yes or no.
Not all this "who are you, and how did you get in here?" nonsense.

enhydra lutris's picture

@snoopydawg

be well and have a good one

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

snoopydawg's picture

@janis b

Yes I am very proud of both Sam and me. I’ll admit that I was afraid to bring her home because I didn’t know if I was ready yet or I’d do a good job raising her. 2 months was very soon for me to get another one, but I think Sam felt my deep pain and decided to help me with it. She has been sweet and gentle with me from the beginning except for my hands belong in her mouth still. But she rarely jumps on me and still loves to snuggle. Can’t ask more than that huh?

For some reason I thought of you when I saw the squirrel video. It’s in the EBs. Too fun.

@Socialprogressive

Thanks! Great shots of the hawk. I forgot what camera you use? Crystal clear.

@enhydra lutris

Thank you too and great shot. I have one just like it, but I can’t post it just yet. Sam is very long and when she stands up she is probably close to 5 feet. Tilt her head up and she reaches my chin. I’ve never had a dawg that jumps straight up in the air like she does. She gets air. Anyone have one that did? It’s hilarious to see her just do it. Boing boing boing…boing. I laugh a lot.

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vtcc73's picture

@snoopydawg We finally had to put down Sammy. We almost didn't bring him to Cuenca with us due to advancing arthritis and declining health. Coming here bought him a new lease on life, renewed health, and over three more years that finally became too much to bear. Sam was almost 17. That's ancient for a Pit.

Sammy 640x480.jpg

Sammy, January 2012, when a six pound Siamese was holding his bed hostage. He thought turnabout was fair play.

Jax joined the pack about a month later. He's 8 months old now. Sam was the best dog we ever had. Jax is likely to be his equal in many ways. He's wicked smart and learns really fast.

Jax.jpg

Don't let the calm demeanor fool you. He's Damien in buckskin. He's also Kevin's (my best buddy ever and also the best and smartest dog we've ever had) nemesis and play thing. Both lost weight. Jax's was puppy fat. Kevin's was from being almost 11 and a long time not having his favorite partner for a rousing game of cheetah catches and murders gazelle.

Kevin's new toy - small.jpg

Today was the second day of the first of two shows in 2021 at Ecuagenera in Gualaceo. Here's small part of the haul in the atrium acclimate and to await decisions on where in the yard they'll go.

june 2021 orchid show - small.jpg

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"Ah, but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now..."

dystopian's picture

@snoopydawg good work on the dog Snoopy!

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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

Socialprogressive's picture

Although our days will be getting shorter instead of longer, like you, it will be a few months before we see lower temps.

Some juvenile red-shouldered hawks that were in the area recently.
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When I offer to wash your back in the shower, all you have to say is yes or no.
Not all this "who are you, and how did you get in here?" nonsense.

janis b's picture

@Socialprogressive

How beautifully you've captured the perfectly camouflaged hawk. Wonderful, thank you.

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enhydra lutris's picture

@Socialprogressive

Especially liked the last one, trouble on its way.

be well and have a good one

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

dystopian's picture

@Socialprogressive Awesome shots SP! Great photos! Hawks are great subjects. Here in TX where they were shot for 150 years they are very nervous of people in most places. When you slow-roll down a country road the hawks will stay sitting on the pole until you drop below 10-15 mph. Look like you are stopping and they bolt.

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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

enhydra lutris's picture

upon us, traditionally 6/21, but every year is different. This year, for us up here, it is 8:30 pm (20:30 hrs) pacific time on June 20, which my wife and I will be celebrating in Yosemite.

In anticipation, I decided to put up a couple of favorites from long ago:

Mirror Lake 11/12/2004:

IMG_0081

half dome moon 11/18/2010:
halfdome-moon1

be well and have a good one

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

Socialprogressive's picture

@enhydra lutris
Gorgeous shot of half dome.

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When I offer to wash your back in the shower, all you have to say is yes or no.
Not all this "who are you, and how did you get in here?" nonsense.

enhydra lutris's picture

@Socialprogressive

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

janis b's picture

@enhydra lutris

Half Dome in all its majestic glory, and the mirror lake photo with the rock in the water creates such an interesting illusion.

Have a wonderful time in Yosemite. I look forward to seeing what you experience.

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enhydra lutris's picture

@janis b

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

dystopian's picture

@enhydra lutris GREAT Yosemite pix EL! Beautiful! I love Mirror Lake, what a beautiful place. Last time I was there it was too windy, no mirror. I have been on top of Half Dome, one of the trails up the backside. I opted out of going up the front. Wink Pretty nice views from there. Glacier Pt is good for that too. Check the dead branches on trees bordering Tuolome and McGurk Meadows for Great Grays. Dusk and dawn best. Those of course are both up 'on top', not down in valley.

Have a GREAT trip!

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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

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enhydra lutris's picture

@janis b

the colors, the forms, the patterns or the light. Love it

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

dystopian's picture

@janis b whooda thunk? What great color contrast! Beautiful pic Janis. That hot pink and lime green combo was all the rage here in the 1980's.

thanks Janis! Have a good weekend!

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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

orlbucfan's picture

Thank you all for the great, positive diary and comments! Smile
Rec’d!

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Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.

orlbucfan's picture

@orlbucfan

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Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.