The Other End of the Bird Size Spectrum

My last blog post included a photo of a hummingbird that hangs around our yard. Yesterday, another species of bird visited.  A VULTURE... This guy was at the other end of the size spectrum from the hummingbird.

Out here in California they are usually referred to as "turkey vultures" or "turkey buzzards." No matter what you call them, they are huge and we don't usually see them this closely.  Our daughter and her family had just left our house when she called and said there was one in the street eating a dead rabbit (sorry Mr. Bunny). I grabbed my camera and ran outside. Here is what I saw...

Sorry about the dead bunny. Notice that the vulture has no feathers on it's head. That is an evolutionary adaption as a result of spending much time with it's head inside dead animals. Yuck! (I'm sure you all knew that.

It's easy to see why these guys soar so effortlessly and for so long. Their wingspan can be as large as 6-8 feet.

Other than the head, it's a beautiful bird.

His feathers were about 10 beautiful shades of brown.

When you look at an extreme closeup of it's face, it actually looked pretty cute!

OOPS!

(meet little Miss Emma Pearl)

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Weekend Reflection - Hummingbird Sunset

We have a hummingbird feeder just outside of our kitchen window. Just inside the window is a kitchen table where we usually sit in the mornings. This little bird is so used to us that she lands just a couple of feet from us and eats. Last year she made a nest on a bead that is part of a hanging wind chime (see below, the nest is in the center). It is also just outside the window, but out of the photo.  She has gotten used to us and comes back year after year.

Weekend Reflections by other photographers at Newtown Area Photo.

Yesterday's News

Rose petals

Baby's breath

Fallen from the trash

Lead crystal vase

Worthless treasure 

Laying on top of

Yesterday's news

My love lies in the alley

Ground into the pavement

By a trashman's boot

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I first posted this poem about 18 months ago when I had just a few followers. It received only two comments  (thanks Tim and Sarah)

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Weekend Reflections - No Fishing

One of those photo opportunities that doesn't come along very often. 

No Fishing

(he is clearly fishing)

Weekend Reflections by other photographers at Newtown Area Photo.

Laguna (north of Broadway)

A while back I did a couple of posts about Laguna Beach. One was related to before and after a MAJOR storm. The other was some general photos of the beach area south of Broadway, in the middle of town. At that time I said I'd do a post of the beach area north of Broadway.  Here are a few photos of that area. This is about two miles (as the crow flies) from our house. (any closer and we couldn't afford to live there)

Tropical Laguna Beach, last week in mid winter (sorry folks)



 Bird Rocks



A house in a very nice spot

   

 American White Pelicans

One of the very nice private coves

 Million dollar condos on the beach

Out for a sail (with no sail!)

 Looks more like the South Pacific than Southern California

Another Tropical looking cove

Another bird rock

When Hopeful Evening Takes The Day

From my mind's eye
I cannot chase

The soft gentle image
 Of that classic face

When hopeful evening
 Takes the day

Red brown hair
Catches moonlight
Every ray

Set reservations aside
Let fate rule tomorrow

Let me for a life time
Your sweet love borrow
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Happy Valentine's day my love...

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Also, Happy Valentine's Day to all my lovely blogging friends out there!

This one is for you...

Weekend Reflections - Skirmish Line

please enlarge for best viewing

Weekend Reflections by other photographers at Newtown Area Photo.

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Everything is Nothing!

Ingmar Bergman (movie director, producer and writer) said "Everything in life is worth as much as a belch, the only difference being that a belch is more satisfying."

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One day several years ago, my granddaughter Tay (at the age of 3-ish) was very mad about something and screamed, "EVERYTHING IS NOTHING!"

That girl just may grow up to make great movies full of bleakness and despair...

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New Glasses

I'm not sure when it happened, but when I need things, I usually think about Costco first.  Between their physical stores and their web site, you can pretty much buy anything.  As long as you don’t mind buying large amounts, or multiples of many items, it’s a great place to shop. 

I recently noticed that my eye glasses seemed to not be working as well as they should, so I made an appointment at my local Costco optometry department.

When it came time for my appointment, I discovered that the examination and testing was done exactly the same as anywhere else. The optometrist even had a diploma on the wall!  There were no major surprises, but my prescription did have to be adjusted.  They told me it would take about a week for my new glasses to arrive and that they would call me.

Five days later I was notified that my glasses were ready. I went back to Costco to have them adjusted for fit. I loved them! Now I'm hoping that my prescription doesn’t change before I've had a chance to use all eight pairs...

Only folks who frequent Costco got that... (I hope)

I wonder how much food purchased at Costco ultimately gets thrown away because it gets too old before it can all be eaten. Do we really need to buy a 55 gallon drum of mayonnaise?  Can we really use a case of anything? How about a 42 inch flat screen television multi-pack? 

Weekend Reflections - You Tell Me

Before you ask, yes I rescued him and put him in the sun to warm up.

I'm not sure what it was, but I know it wasn't a rat.

Weekend Reflections by other photographers at Newtown Area Photo.

Hot Mess Chronicles

Some of you might remember a post from last year relating to whether or not I’d ever worn women’s clothing.   The post was basically the story of the what, when and why, relating to my “cross dressing” incident.  Cake Betch at “The Hot Mess Chronicles” has taken my story and added her zany illustrations to it.  Even if I have to say so myself, her pictures make a good story great.  I’m so happy and pleased with what she has done with it.

I’m sure that very few of you have been exposed to this lady yet. That is too bad, because she is FUNNY and her illustrations are creative and hilarious. Please go over to her blog right now and check out my vastly improved post.   She is pretty new to blogging and I’m sure that many of you will like what she does so much, that you may even follow her.  You can thank me later for the referral (cash or check).  Please leave a comment there after you go see it (if you do), so I know what you think of it.   Thanks my friends…

May I now introduce you all to...

Cake Betch

Just to show you that I'm not exaggerating as to the talents of this lady, she has already been featured on The Sassy Curmudgeon ( by Una LaMarche). I'm sure you all know who she is. If not, just take my word that Una is one of the funniest people on this planet (or any other).