Friday Night Photos Tariff Free Edition
Welcome to Friday Night Photos everyone. Your once a week break from the daily madness of the crazy world we live in. Post any photos, memes, music, or whatever else you find of interest that helps you escape the madness.
Happy pie day 3.14Good news, bad news. The good news. We got some much needed rain this week. The bad news. The rain clouds blocked the view of the lunar eclipse last night. Since we really need the rain it was a worthwhile tradeoff.
This month the bird watching group decided to change things up and instead of looking at local domestic birds we went to the zoo to look at the foreign imports. More good news. So far the president has not imposed any tariffs on these imports.
Toco Toucan-South America
Pompadour Cotinga (male)-South America
Violaceous Euphonia-Eastern (male)-South America
Green Honeycreeper (female)-South America
Black-spotted Barbet (male)-South America
Blue-headed Macaw-South America
Hamerkop-Sub Sahara Africa
Africa Spoonbill-Southern Africa
White-headed Buffalo Weaver- Eastern Africa
Red-billed Fire Finch (male)-Sub Sahara Africa
Comments
Amazing selection of avian entities
.
the piercing eye of the Pompadour
is very captivating. Enjoy the shots!
a stack of rocks for contemplation
good to hear the rains have returned
A mind that does not detest bad government is foolish.
Hi, Q
Cool image. Now I have something more interesting to contemplate than my navel.
We come from dust. We will return to dust.
That's why I don't dust. It my be someone I know.
Cheers
.
thanks for the Benefit
no doubt a favorite
A mind that does not detest bad government is foolish.
海神 Sea spirit
Love that stone stack, QMS.
語必忠信 行必正直
With the birds from so many different locations it must be
quite challenging for the zoo keepers to recreate their habitats. By means of your excellent images it appears that they were successful.
Hi, humphrey
The zoo puts a lot of time and work into creating the animal habitats. One of the walk through aviaries will be closed for the next two years while the do a complete makeover. The elephant habitat at the Safari Park will be opening later this year after a two plus year makeover.
We come from dust. We will return to dust.
That's why I don't dust. It my be someone I know.
Hi Social, and thanks
The birds are stunning. I’ve never seen a fuchsia-coloured bird before, in life or in images. I also really like the subtle colours of the Macaw. The Hamerkop takes the cake. Does s/he have a mane, or is it a long neck twisted closed?
I’m glad you got some needed rain. We are still waiting for some of its essential nourishment.
Hi, Janis
From Wikipedia. The shape of its head with a long bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, which has given this species its name after the Afrikaans word for hammerhead.
Hope you get some rain soon.
We come from dust. We will return to dust.
That's why I don't dust. It my be someone I know.
Thanks Social
The Hamerkop is quite a special bird ...
"The Hamerkop, scientifically known as Scopus umbretta, is the sole member of its genus and family, Scopidae."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamerkop
... with many interpretations of a spiritual nature
https://gwango.com/news/Hamerkop/#:~:text=Messing%20with%20a%20Hamerkop%....
Good evening everyone
Two different Limestone landscapes, and tree hugging ...
Enjoy the weekend
Cool looking limestone
How tall are those rock formations? The tree hugger looks like it could be a giant walking stick climbing up the tree.
We come from dust. We will return to dust.
That's why I don't dust. It my be someone I know.
The rock formations
are between 3-4 high, and the trees are far taller.
Funny that, about the walking stick. Now I'm smiling in addition to awe-ing.
Hi Janis
Hey J!
Hope all is well
Neat pics, what I can see of them. But the details are beyond my current vision impairment to comment. Will have to come back to this in a couple weeks...
In your reply below the rocks are 3=4 high.... Is that meters or feet?
happy trails
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
Hi d
HI D
I HOPE THIS IS CLEARER, AND YOUR EYES GO BACK TO NORMAL, OR BETTER SOON.
IT IS 3-4 METRES, 'UNGEFAHR' YARDS.
Hi pixelators
Hi all, Hey SP!
Great bird photos SP! Even if they are dern furriners.
Always loved the walk-in aviaries there. I should have a pic of a Toco taken there in '78! :+
There are a bunch of awesome Cotingas, they are a spectacular group. Hammerkop is awesome too.
Love Benefit and Stand Up in particular... my fav two Tull disks...
Awesome photos SP! Thanks!
happy trails all!
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
Hi, dystopian
I too love the walk-in aviaries. it's great being able to get close to the critters. They just started a makeover on the Owens aviary. Got to wait a couple of years before it's completed and open again. I was talking to another photographer when I was there Monday. He said it may take longer if they have problems getting the funding.
We come from dust. We will return to dust.
That's why I don't dust. It my be someone I know.
Hi again
I forgot to mention that I watched the last third of the lunar eclipse last night. The skies were clear, but the moon wasn’t visible to me until it rose over the ridge in the East. I don’t have the camera equipment to have captured it sharply. I did though vaguely capture it rising behind the mighty Kauris.
If your camera has a manual mode
you should be able to get sharp images of the moon. The moon reflects light from the sun so you need to set your shutter speed about the same as you would for a sunny day. Since the moon is over exposed in the image you posted you can either increase your shutter speed or stop down your aperture or a combination of both. The nice thing about digital cameras is you can review your shots in camera and make adjustments as needed.
We come from dust. We will return to dust.
That's why I don't dust. It my be someone I know.
Superb photographic paintings,
you guys!!
Sp, glad for your weather update. I was going to ask about it. We are going into Endless Summer mode. UGH!! Hubster is a Tullhead (same deal as a Deadhead, just different group). My 2 fave Tull LPs are Benefit (American edition) and Stand Up. I have both the original vinyl records. According to the Tullheads, Ian Anderson grew to hate "Teacher." Why? I sure don't know as it is a brilliant musical depiction of Jesus Christ. Hope all is well. jb, are you a native Kiwi as in born there? Anywho, Rec'd!! 
Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.
Hi, obf
We're getting to the end of the rainy season here. Normally I'd say by this time of year we probably wouldn't be getting much more rain, but with climate change it's anybody's guess.
We come from dust. We will return to dust.
That's why I don't dust. It my be someone I know.
Very late reply, obf
Thank you for your enjoyment and appreciation of FNP.
No, I am not a native of NZ. I am an American who has lived in NZ for 28 years.