I Swear To GOD I've Tried...

  

 

Link to MaddowBlog

 

"Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud.

 His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University."

 

~Mitt Romney

 

I swear to god that I have tried to tune out all the noise, including Donald Trump, who is mostly wind, but today he hit a new low in politicizing the plane crash that occurred in Washington D.C. and I just can't sit quiet! He's such a jackass. He took the oath of office a little over 10 days ago, and in the time he has done a lot of damage across government, but to imply that the crash happened because of DEI and democrats, with NO PROOF, is not just stupid, it is beyond cruel to the victims, families of the victims, and their friends. It sometimes take years to fully investigate the cause of the crash. YEARS! So truly, save me your conspiracy theories! I am trying so hard to not sit here with deep anger, and deep sadness, but I find myself failing magnificently. I should be posting a photo of a glorious bird, but instead Ellipsis is filing another example of yet another deep low Donald Trump has reached and how it affects a little fish like me. I am already tired.

Tomorrow I will post something of beauty.

I promise.

 

UPDATE...

 

 

By the way, this happened in the week before the crash.

 

 

 

 

I Went On A Winter Walk In My Wheelchair

 

Cosumnes River Wetlands Walk

Galt, California

January 15th, 2025

 

 

“At this season of the year, darkness

 is a more insistent thing than cold.

 The days are short as any dream.” 

 
~E.B. White

 

  Essays of E.B. White

 

I am slowly finding the beauty of winter. I will never be a winter person, my arthritis and scoliosis won't allow it, but I forgot how interesting shadows can be. I can see more birds because the leaves have all fallen from the trees, although I will post tomorrow about a truly beautiful leaf I found on the Consumes River Wetlands Walk. Winter brings new sounds from the sky. I am up to 69 birds in the file for 2025. That's roughly half of what I go all last year, and I will probably add more tomorrow, when I go to Monterey! I am looking forward to real life for a while. I will be back to posting about politics at some point, but for now, there is winter in the real world.

 

 

 

And Your Point?

 

“Legal plunder has two roots: One of them,

 as I have said before, is in human greed; 

the other is in false philanthropy.” 

 
~Frédéric Bastiat,

  The Law

 

This happened 10 days ago, and today he becomes president. It doesn't matter, I have given up. I have no more shits to give. If America is this damn stupid, why the actual fuck should I try to change their mind? How dare I! Today, rather than face his disgusting inauguration, I am off to find some new birds for the file, and afterwards enjoy a lovely dinner out with my husband. In other words, I am not going to give him the power I did the last time around. I am going to enjoy my life as much as possible. Oh, I am sure I will vent my anxieties from time to time, but for the most part, I am choosing to be happy!

 

I am really going to try to be a whole person.

 

Sigh. God I miss, Dylan.

 

 

Happy New Year, 2025

 

Yes, I'm back, and with plenty to say, but just not today. Today I am off to do some birding, as this is the first day of our birding adventure for the year. So, see you tomorrow, when I will get the whole thing caught up. The thing I refer to as, LIFE, then and now.

 

See you then. 

 

Happy New Year!

 

Juat A Leaf

 

“Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence.
Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance.
Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence.
Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance.” 

~Yoko Ono 

 

Just a leaf today. I am working on the spare room project, but I wanted to share this beauty I found recently. I was noticing today, that the trees are already filling up with green leaves! And hey, it's already February 1st! Another month ahead of us. At least it's a short one, even if we have an extra day this year. I hope that extra day will be a kind one. We'll see.

 

 

A Sunset, In 5 Acts

 

“The first stab of love is like a sunset,

 a blaze of color -- oranges, pearly pinks, vibrant purples...” 

~Anna Godbersen,

  The Luxe

 

This is all one sunset, just taken over 30 minutes or so, and from different angles throughout the Cosumnes River Preserve in Galt, California. A beautiful winter sunset in the valley, there is nothing quite like it!

 

Hi, I'm The Joe

“What's your name,' Coraline asked the cat.

 'Look, I'm Coraline. Okay?'
'Cats don't have names,' it said.
'No?' said Coraline.
'No,' said the cat. 'Now you people have names. That's because you don't know who you are. We know who we are, so we don't need names.” 

~Neil Gaiman,

  Coraline  

 

All my cats came with their names. Elvis was Elvis... right from the start. Not only did he bear a strange resemblance to Elvis Presley, but women swooned over that cat, every single time. He dripped charm! Hendrix was a cool, velvet cat, and he loved music. Mostly Steppenwolf, but mostly anything from the 1960's. He has been comfortable in his own skin, asserting himself as the alpha of the house, without being cruel about it. He is a chill 1960's kinda child. Dylan likes to sing loud, whining every morning at dawn. Every. Single. Morning! I love the little guy, and I wouldn't change him for the world, but I am usually just going to sleep at dawn! Finally, my pal Joey... my love bug. He is also just himself. He presented his name to us, the day we picked him up. He is our Joey Ramon. Cool. Quirky. Full of life and the zoomies. If you are a fan of the Ramones, you know they were quite manic when they were at their most entertaining. My Joe is a little foodie. He loves pizza and Italian food in general, but like he came from Queens, New York! It's very strange, and a lot of fun to watch him go crazy over pizza. We only give him a small taste, and never, ever pork products, but he will sit in your lap the whole time you eat the cheese and sauce. When he doesn't get more than the taste, he will stare at you eye to eye, which is an odd thing to do. Most cats try to not look you in the eye. It's instinctual. So you see, cats do actually come with names. And nicknames too for that matter, just like my boys.

 

Elvis... Mr. Man

Hendrix... Bubba

Dylan... Dillybean

Joey... Joey The Pez

 

Mostly we just call them our little babies. I know I have done a similar post like this before, but every so often they just fill my heart so completely that I have to brag on just how awesome my cats are!

 

 

Snowy Egret Then And Now

 

“Beauty of whatever kind, in its supreme development,

 invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears.” 

~Edgar Allan Poe 

 

The Snowy Egret is my favorite bird, and here I bet you thought the Sandhill crane held that status! No, it's this gorgeous egret. It has been since I photographed my very first one, in the autumn of 2007, long before I took up birding. They are smallish egrets, and fairly common around the areas I tend to frequent when searching for birds, but they always catch my photographers eye, especially in winter. I always photograph them when I see them now, almost as good luck. And don't you just love those big yellow feet?

November 28th 2007

A Woman Who Stares At Ducks

 

“I once taught a duck how to swim.

 I'm such a good coach that in no time at all it learned how to fly.” 

~Jarod Kintz

  Eggs, they’re not just for breakfast

 

As uninspired as I have been feeling lately, I found a lot of happiness in photographing this gorgeous Bufflehead duck, at the Clifton Court Forebay. There was still a shocking lack of birds, but I still managed to photograph two new birds. The Shrike and the Song sparrow. That brings the total for January to 80! Not too shabby. The Shrike photo is blurry, so hopefully I will get a chance to redo that at some time later this year. I have seen one at the forebay on other occasions, so I am pretty sure it will happen. It's something to look forward to. Sigh. This lack of inspiration will pass, I just need to get there. 

 

By the way, this also happened yesterday...

 

The Oscar Nominations were announced.

 

Biggest snub... Margot Robbie. But Ryan Gosling was surely nominated. In case you didn't know, he played Ken. Don't get me wrong, I like Ryan Gosling very much, but holy HELL! I won't give anything away, but that whole dynamic sure drives home the whole point of the movie! If you haven't seen, Barbie, go watch it. You will enjoy it, I promise! See the full list of nominees here. All I have to say is, FUCK THE OSCARS!

 

 

 

And also, this happened...

 

Sigh...

 

 

Don't Wanna

 

“The world is beautiful and dangerous, and joyful and sad, and ungrateful and giving, and full of so, so many things. The world is new and it is old. It is big and it is small. The world is fierce and it is kind, and we, every one of us, are in it.” 

  ~Mark Twain & Philip Stead 

 

Don't wanna. Nothing is really wrong, in fact I am doing worlds better than I was last Autumn, and it's not that I am uninspired, not at all, but I am feeling quiet, so this is the post. Just a photograph of a beautiful Black-necked stilt. My quiet mood will pass, but until it does expect a picture, and fewer words in my post. That's a good thing I think. It leaves more time to enjoy the birds. Don't you just love their long pink legs? They make me want to buy tights in the same color!

 

 

 

 

 

B/W 2024 #3

 

“There are no facts, only interpretations.” 

~Friedrich Nietzsche 

 

I went to the archives for this one. I just didn't do anything this past week that inspired me, so I thought maybe I missed an opportunity in the past, and yes I had. We visited Alameda a couple years ago, in search of some nifty little shorebirds and ducks. Well, we weren't very lucky about finding the birds, but we did find a magnificent view of San Francisco and the bay, and in the case of this photograph, Mount Tamalpias peeking out of the fog that was surrounding the bay! I think the black and white gives it a haunting feel. Not scary necessarily but rather in terms of history. That view has been there forever. Just think about how many folks stood in the spot I did, and appreciated the natural beauty in front of them. 

 

One of them might have been my dad, who worked his whole career in Alameda, at the Navel Air Station. He and I both enjoyed a love fort the bay, and the mountains surrounding the Bay Area. Mount Tam is just one of the mountains that inspires me, and it does in almost every way! We have been to the top only once, so I think this summer would be a good time to maybe do some photos of the gorgeous views that go on forever, and of course a sunset over San Francisco would absolutely fill my heart. In fact, Mount Diablo, Mount Hamilton in Santa Clara County, Mount Lassen, all the way up in Lassen County, and finally gorgeous Mount Shasta, might also be a fun way to shake up the subjects a bit. And in that there are birds everywhere, well, that just makes for one beautiful day! Black and White or color is just beside the point!

 

 Elevations

 

Mount Tamalpias... 2,571

Mount Diablo... 3,849

Mount Hamilton... 4,265

Mount Shasta... 14,179

I hope I can move beyond my fears and go. I really want to break out of the box of reluctance and travel anxiety I live in. I want to experience new things, especially when my love of birds and photography calls me at the same time.

 

 

Autumn, But Winter Also

 

“It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust

 of brown sugar and cinnamon.” 

~Sarah Addison Allen,

  First Frost

 

 I know, I know, I have used that quote, perhaps more than once, during the last autumn season, but what can I say, it applies! And it should come as no surprise that if there is autumn to be found, I will be there, camera in hand. And I am happy! But, oh my, the beauty of winter when you live on the delta! I love all the shadows and reflections, the boats also. It's so great when there is something of both seasons to focus on and appreciate at the same time. I wish I had seen the beauty of Smith Canal sooner. I posted photos from the canal a while back, and I hope to combine some birding with canal photos this spring. Spring isn't my favorite time of year, but I like blossoms and flowers, so perhaps I will be a bit more open minded about turning them into subjects for my photography. Hey, letting my imagination lead the way is how I found the amazing spider, Boris, and also the fun of the Mexican Free-tailed bat of summer. 

Winter On The Delta

Smith Canal 

Louis Park/Pixie Woods

Stockton, Ca

Jan 18th 2024

 

“I love to watch the fine mist of the night come on,
The windows and the stars illumined, one by one,
The rivers of dark smoke pour upward lazily,
And the moon rise and turn them silver. I shall see
The springs, the summers, and the autumns slowly pass;
And when old Winter puts his blank face to the glass,
I shall close all my shutters, pull the curtains tight,
And build me stately palaces by candlelight.”

 
~Charles Baudelaire

  Les Fleurs du Mal 

 

 
 

 

Lighting And Timing

 

Sandhill Crane

Woodbridge road

Lodi, California

 

“For me, the subject of the picture is always

 more important than the picture.” 

~Diane Arbus 

 

Sandhill crane always inspire me to search for the beauty in the world, and despite the vile cruelty in the world, natural beauty eclipses it. They are becoming my favorite subject. So far I have never seen them, when they weren't photogenic, not all birds are like that. The crane will be on their way soon, and I will miss them very much, because photographing them has taught me a lot about lighting and timing. I will miss their beauty, but I will especially miss hearing their call, but September will bring them back home, as we usher in the autumn season. Its all only two seasons away. It's a long time away, but I have plenty of subjects to keep me busy while I wait for their return. And hey, I spotted a couple of them that were banded, so hopefully I will get to photograph the same group in the fall!

Sierra Snow

 “Snow falling soundlessly in the middle of the night

 will always fill my heart with sweet clarity” 

~Novala Takemoto,

  Missin' (Novel)

 

I never get tired of looking at the snow on the Sierras. I can stand in the valley, my favorite spots are Woodbridge road, in Lodi, and Desmond road, in Galt, and just marvel at the beauty of the hills covered in the color of snow. Like I said a while back, the San Joaquin Valley isn't home, and it will never be as beautiful or as exciting as San Francisco, but it has some unique beauty that I am really glad I got to see and appreciate in my lifetime.

 

 

B/W 2024 #1

“The most colorful thing in the world is black and white, it contains all colors and at the same time excludes all.”

 
~Vikrmn,

  10 Alone  

 

 I did almost no black and white photography last year, so I think this year I am going to try to do at least one b/w photo a week. This photo was taken last week, at the Stockton Rural Cemetery. I was there because cemeteries are excellent places to look for birds, and it was rainy and foggy and I was wanting to find an owl. I did not find an owl, but it was a perfect day for doing a little moody photography. This cemetery has inspired me many times, but the other day was really stunning. I promise my next black and white photo will be a little more uplifting. I wonder what it will be?

 

 

2024's Cedar Waxwing

 

“In order to see birds it is necessary to become a part of the silence.”

 
~Robert Lynd 

 

I quit X about 10 days ago, and what I have learned in that short amount of time is simple... I was ready to turn off the noise. Social media, overall, has been good for me. I have met amazing people, shared my photos, got to know celebrities I've admired and just generally felt more connected to fellow democrats and those who share my values. It has made me feel less alone. 2024 is a different beast. I will share my opinions, particularly as we move closer to November, and I am hoping to volunteer for my local political chapter, but when it comes to the sounds I want whispering in my ear, I am ready to just hear my birds, and not the head noise Donald Trump causes. Yesterday, as an example, I heard a small group of Cedar waxing land in a tree above me. I heard them, and knew what they were, without looking up! They make a cool little high-pitched sound. Sreeee or  seeeeew. It's fairly easy to miss if you aren't into birds, but if you are, their sound is unmistakable, as is their beauty. I think they are one of my absolute favorites at this point. And as I mentioned in a post last year, sometimes they fly around drunk, which is amusing to watch, bu I can't help buy also feel bad for the bird, like the time I watched one fly beak first into a drive. It wasn't harmed, it flew off dazed but determined to be on it's way. Like all of us I guess. We all walk around dazed these days, but in my case I am determined to be on my way. It's healthy.

#74 for 2024