Friday Night Photos Winter White Sale Edition

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 5:00pm

Happy Friday everyone. I hope everybody is doing well. Post any photos, memes, or music you like

Happy Winter Solstice. The first day of winter has brought moderate temps and rain showers with it. We have now had at least one day with rain every month this year. I've lived in San Diego since 1977 and I don't recall that ever happening before. It's not uncommon to get a day of rain during one of the summer months, but to get rain every month during the summer is out of the norm.
Stay warm and dry and have a happy holiday season.

Winter means snow and while other areas of the country have snow right now, this Snowy Egret and its friends are the closest thing we have to snow right now.

Snowy Egret.

Great Egret.

White Pelican. Bombs Away

Ruffled Feathers

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Submitted by QMS on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 6:43pm

the day is more beautiful

with your Snow White birds! Thanks SP!

especially like the ruffled egret?
looks pissed it didn't get the present it wanted

Here, we have been getting more of these Snowy Owls in the winter months around here.

Cheers!

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 7:14pm

Hi, QMS.

@QMS
What a beautiful Owl. That's cool you get to see them in your area.
Thanks for the RC. He's one fine guitarist.

—

I woke up this morning determined to drink less, eat right, and exercise.
But that was four hours ago when I was younger and full of hope.

Submitted by QMS on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 7:27pm

Yeah, that's a male juvenile in the pic

@Socialprogressive

Most of the mature ones we see around here are more white. And big!
When they spread their wings, it looks ominous. Look-out rodents,
wabbits and squirrels. See them mostly on fence posts.

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 7:37pm

I hear owls hooting in the trees

@QMS
late at night from time to time but I have yet to see one in the daylight hours.

—

I woke up this morning determined to drink less, eat right, and exercise.
But that was four hours ago when I was younger and full of hope.

Submitted by janis b on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 8:24pm

Hi Q

@QMS

Thanks for the snowy owl and funky music.

So, birds get pissed too ; )

Submitted by QMS on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 7:10pm

Just put up the feeders

All the usual characters have arrived. I like the Juncos. AKA Snowbirds. Not yet here.

The dark eyed junco has a cute nickname: snowbird! This is because a junco bird seems to bring snowy winter weather on its wings as it migrates. In the colder months they travel in flocks of 15 to 25 from northern evergreen forests to backyards all over the U.S.

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 7:29pm

I've seen a Dark-eyed Junco once

@QMS
It was in my backyard. Thankfully it didn't bring the snow with it.
Thanks for the VM. Do guys grow sideburns like that anymore?

—

I woke up this morning determined to drink less, eat right, and exercise.
But that was four hours ago when I was younger and full of hope.

Submitted by QMS on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 7:37pm

when we oldsters face shaving as a project in the mirror

@Socialprogressive

the skin gets thin, so it is better to raise goatees, burnsides and mustachios.
Saves on blades and time
less blood loss too!

Submitted by janis b on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 8:45pm

What a sweet bird

@QMS

and wonderful musician.

2023 NZ Silver Scroll winner ...

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 9:04pm

Thanks for the Beths, Janis

@janis b
I hope they have continued success in the future.

—

I woke up this morning determined to drink less, eat right, and exercise.
But that was four hours ago when I was younger and full of hope.

Submitted by janis b on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 9:10pm

Here's an appropriate one from five years ago

@Socialprogressive

Submitted by dystopian on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 7:49pm

Hi pixelators

Hi all, Hey SP!

GREAT white bird photos SP! White plays havoc on exposures... and can be quite tricky. Of course with the auto features nowdays, things take care of themselves, mostly. Try shooting a swan in the snow. Awesome photos! Always loved that song...

Hey Capt., nice Snowy Owl. Yeah man, can be about SIX FEET of wingspan. Mass. gets Snowy Owl most winters, and usually a few further south. They irrupt in big numbers on an eleven year cycle coinciding with the cycle of the Lemming, a key prey. Most that get further south are immatures. A satellite tagged bird spent a winter out on the pack ice on I think Lake Erie, going to the open water to pick off a duck whenever it was hungry! We got to see them a lot the winter we spent in Mass., with weekly visits to Plum Island which is at Parker River NWR, by Newburyport. Furthest north Barrier Island on the Atlantic seaboard. Awesome place.

Since SP has the birds covered... here is a building. I think ms d took this out the window of our car. Socorro, New Mexico, May 1989. My bird notes would have the date. LOL.

Hope all are well, and having good ones!

—

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

Submitted by janis b on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 8:46pm

Hi d!

@dystopian

I bet the swan in the snow looks like an angel ; )

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 9:21pm

I find it's easier for me

@dystopian
to get good exposure on white birds in the sun than it is to get good feather detail on white birds in the shade.
Can't remember the last time I had a cigar. I know it cost more than 5¢.

—

I woke up this morning determined to drink less, eat right, and exercise.
But that was four hours ago when I was younger and full of hope.

Submitted by dystopian on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 11:01pm

@Socialprogressive Hi SP,

@Socialprogressive Hi SP,

Two thoughts... First, what I like best for colors, and white things, is a high thin layer of cirrus clouds. The sort that create the 'ground glass' effect. Cuts the edge off the glare, but gives colors punch at the same time. The other thing used to be, black and white. I loved shooting gull plumages in black and white. Take away the color aspect, and that too can help make the whites show better.

Anyway, you did great!

—

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

Submitted by dystopian on Sat, 12/23/2023 - 9:33am

one more thing

@dystopian P.S. SP,

don't know why I didn't think of it, save being in a hurry...

Another great trick for getting better exposure of white birds, or any bright scene (snow), is to under-expose the images by 1/3 or 1/2 an f-stop. This works great and I so routinely do it, I don't think of it.

again, ya done great on these!

—

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

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Sat, 12/23/2023 - 9:58am

I usually

@dystopian
shoot white birds at a minimum of one stop under to keep from blowing out the white.

—

I woke up this morning determined to drink less, eat right, and exercise.
But that was four hours ago when I was younger and full of hope.

Submitted by janis b on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 8:14pm

Hi Social

Your bird portraits are always so beautifully revealing of their personal appearance and character. This group provides such a contrast in birds. There’s the tall, slender, more ethereal egrets, and the solid, dive-bombing pelicans!

Thank you Social, and enjoy the holidays, rain or shine ; ).

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 9:23pm

Thank you, Janis

@janis b
It's always fun this time of year when all the migratory birds are in town.

—

I woke up this morning determined to drink less, eat right, and exercise.
But that was four hours ago when I was younger and full of hope.

Submitted by snoopydawg on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 8:15pm

Great shots!

I certainly prefer your pictures of birds over insects…not being critical. It’s just that insects and bugs creep me out.

Q- great picture of the owl too. Boy I’d love to see one in person.

A few of my favorite sunset pictures

All time favorite from Patrick’s Point up by the Redwoods. I sat on this cliff every night for hours watching the sunsets.

—

Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

Voting is like driving with a toy steering wheel.

Submitted by QMS on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 8:28pm

nice shots

@snoopydawg

the clouds really make the sunsets striking

Submitted by janis b on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 8:48pm

Beautiful sunsets snoopy

@snoopydawg

I wish you and Sam holiday fun and cheer!

Submitted by janis b on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 9:18pm

So you don't miss it snoopy

@snoopydawg

I'm posting this video here again. I think you'll enjoy it for its sentiments and originality.

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 9:30pm

Hi, snoopy

@snoopydawg
Beautiful sunsets. I get the don't like bugs thing. One of the members of the camera club I'm in says my bug photos creep her out, too.

—

I woke up this morning determined to drink less, eat right, and exercise.
But that was four hours ago when I was younger and full of hope.

Submitted by dystopian on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 11:03pm

Beautiful photos SD!

@snoopydawg great sunset photos SD!

n/t

—

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

Submitted by janis b on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 8:21pm

Hi all

Just in time for Christmas, the Pohutakawa trees are in full bloom. Even their star-shaped seed head adds to the spirit of the holiday.

Wishing you all well, and a stress-free, satisfying holiday.

Submitted by QMS on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 8:46pm

wow, that tree looks old

@janis b

seems to have more trunk than branches
sorta like us oldsters

the green stars are wondrous!

Submitted by janis b on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 8:59pm

That tree looked ancient already 27 years ago

@QMS

It's right down the road on the local domaine. It loves to grow by the harbours edge and on its cliffs. It holds everything together. It produces lots of young from its roots and seeds.

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 9:53pm

Nice little boogie

@janis b
I see Carlos still has hair then. I wonder how old that is?

—

I woke up this morning determined to drink less, eat right, and exercise.
But that was four hours ago when I was younger and full of hope.

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 9:42pm

Fleetwood Mac was at it's best

@QMS
when Peter Green was in the band. The music world lost a great one when he died.

—

I woke up this morning determined to drink less, eat right, and exercise.
But that was four hours ago when I was younger and full of hope.

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 9:36pm

Hi, Janis

@janis b
What a unique looking tree. I bet it looks spectacular when it's all in red.
Have a happy holiday as well.

—

I woke up this morning determined to drink less, eat right, and exercise.
But that was four hours ago when I was younger and full of hope.

Submitted by janis b on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 9:47pm

I guess it makes sense

@Socialprogressive

that it is the younger trees that have more profuse blossoms.

Submitted by janis b on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 10:02pm

...

@janis b

Submitted by dystopian on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 11:06pm

Hi Janis

@janis b Howdy Janis!

That is a mighty majestic tree ya got there! Beautiful! Spectacular. None of our big big trees flower in colors here. We have a thing called Green, or Pearl Milkweed Vine, which bears a striking resemblance to the seed pods there.

neat pics! Thanks!

be well!

—

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

Submitted by janis b on Fri, 12/22/2023 - 11:18pm

Hi dystopian

@dystopian

Our Swan Plants, similar to milkweed, and source of food for Monarchs have similar flowers. In star-like form they look strikingly similar to the seed head of the Pohutakawa. I had not noticed that before. Stars forms are quite special ; ).