Back to 2009

I love the Osborne Lights, but hate the crowds.  It's telling that this photo was taken on a side street, with Scott leaning on a trash can.  It's the only place we could go without being elbowed by a stranger or run over by a stroller! I'm pretty sure that 2009 was the first time we'd been back to see the lights since 2003.  I'm also pretty sure we'll be skipping it again this year.

PotD: Sword Not Included

Sometimes the jokes just write themselves...which is a good thing, because mine aren't very witty! 

Above is an actual vending machine from an actual women's room I visited today.  I decided to file this image on the blog, since yesterday I shared a picture of a weird ad on a tampon box (plus my own stellar commentary) on Facebook and didn't get one single "like."  Anyway, on to the bad jokes:

• For the unprepared knight
• "They were all out of scabbards...I hope this will work"
• (Sword not included)
• Now made with 0% absorbent steel!
• Won't clash with your chastity belt!
• Probably won't prevent stabbing, but at least no one will see you bleed!

These have gone from bad to worse.  It might be time for me to stop.  Got any others?

PotD: 3 Weeks?

WE HAVE AN EAGLE BABY!!!  Actually, we may have two little chickie-poos up there, but we've only seen what looks to be the back of the head of the second one. (not visible above)

As thrilled as I am to finally have proof of life up there, I'm slightly disappointed to find that it (they?) is probably already 3-4 weeks old.  I came up with that from photos from this entry (3 weeks) and this entry (4 weeks) on the CCB Eagle Nest Blog. Those photos were taken in 2010, but there are 3 new eggs in their nest this year.  I'm totally hooked!

I'm going to exercise self-control and not post all zillion photos I took this afternoon.  But I can't resist showing one more - with the possible second eaglet in the left side of the nest. 

(hat tip to Scott, who was the first to notice the chicks in the nest)

PotD: Bird Sex!

The sandhill cranes were out this morning, and I thought I'd try to replicate this picture, only with Elphie sitting in the doorway.  Unfortunately for me, the grill is further on the patio than usual, and got in my picture attempts.  But while I had the camera out, the bird closest to me flapped her wings wide. I lifted the camera to my eye to get a picture of the wingspan. The other bird jumped on her back. I snapped the picture. The second bird dismounted.

The whole thing took less than 30 seconds.  Scott missed it completely, though to his credit he did hustle back over when I said, "umm...I think they're mating!"  I actually Googled 'sandhill crane mating' to make sure that's what I had seen.  Yep - that's definitely bird sex.

Actually, it's been a big "circle of life" 24 hours here in the neighborhood, though all out-of-order.  On my way home last night, I stopped at the dumpster and snapped a picture of the eagle nest, complete with one bird peeking out the top.

And then around sunset, we spotted a sandhill crane family out front.  The colt is in the middle:

At this point, I think I'm done with wildlife photography for the weekend. But we're planning on heading out to enjoy the beautiful weather today, so who knows what we'll see?

PotD: Birds on a Wire

This photo was taken on Flamingo Crossings Blvd., where I have yet to see a flamingo!

PotD: "Sweet" Sunrise

Scott and I carpooled home last night, and therefore back in this morning. Since I'm not usually on that side of town at that time of day, I took the opportunity to snap the sunrise. Sadly, I think I missed the best colors by about 2 minutes. Stupid power lines!

On my way home this afternoon, on a road where the speed limit is a painful 20 MPH, I observed that Aerosmith's "Sweet Emotion" isn't nearly as cool going 20 in a Hyundai as it is going upside down in a roller coaster.

PotD: Best Laid Plans

I tucked my gate remote into my car visor, thinking it would be a convenient place to store it. Great plan, up until the sun was in my eyes, I flipped down the visor, and my remote flew out and dangled there in front of my face. And then I almost crashed because I was laughing so hard.

I should probably move that...

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PotD: Weather

It's been like this all day. Blah...
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PotD: stage parents

I know this is a terrible photo, and it's blurry and impossible to read, but trust me to paraphrase: "I have so many talents and so many extracurriculars that my mom obviously puts certain members of Jamie's family to shame!" It's the bio of one of the 4 boys who play Billy in this show.

And also: scrape together your pennies and go see Billy Elliot. OMG, I can't remember the last time I went into a musical knowing next to nothing about it and fell so completely in love with it.

Let's hope Act II is just as good!
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PotD: Birds (not) on a Wire

I set out to take a picture of the birds on the light poles that I see every morning. The fog and the location of the sun pulled the focus, but I still think it's a pretty neat shot.
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PotD: Shopping

I ordered the pair on the left. They're on clearance and only go up to a size 9. I bought them anyway. Fingers crossed that I can squeeze my fat calves into them...
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PotD: Impuse

World Market impulse buys are always cool. We got these for AP and self-rising flour. Keeping it on the counter is more ergonomic, since I'm a master baker now. They have smaller ones, too. Maybe for cornmeal?
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PotD: Summoned!

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PotD: Might Rain...

Glad I'm already home!

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POTD: lazy

I think the Scrubbing Bubbles are getting lazy. Power tools? I thought they were supposed to do the work for me...
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PotD: Rainy Day

The weather is gray and rainy. All you want to do is nap, but you can't find your favorite teddy bear. What do you do? Just follow Milo's lead and cuddle with yourself!

PotD: Chocolate Chip Snowmen

When cookies attack: these cookies joined together in the oven to form mutant four-tier snowmen of deliciousness. We dispatched them with a spatula and two hearty appetites.

PotD: Taken for a Walk

Who needs a collar and leash? Certainly not Elph - she'll take herself for a walk. No human required!

PotD: Let the Eagle Soar

This is actually a picture of the eagle landing.  With wings spread and one foot in the air, the only thing keeping this from being a really great picture is the fact that you can't see its head!  Here are some bonus photos:



PotD x 2

Below are two photos I missed posting earlier in the week:

Scott displays his "big catch" (which is actually a 6" baby hammerhead shark and a little trick photography)

A completely NOT trick shot of a Florida red-shouldered hawk