I finally got the camera out

[CC]

and took a few pictures. Nothing fancy, tree buds and birds. Still need to get better at walking to really go anywhere and be able to hold the camera. I also need warmer and better weather.

Trees starting to bud out finally. Maple in the backyard.




"I blend in so well she'll never find me if I hold still." thinks the house finch.




Never mind, I'm hungry.





Some of my winter visitors, the mourning doves.











"Can't a sparrow eat in peace?"

[mth44sc]

1. I for one

am pleased no end to find you back at the working end of a shutter!

I'm sure the warmer weather is just around the corner.

Nice to see ya haven't lost a step !

[CC]

2. Thank you., though there were lots of missed or

messed up shots. Course it was the bird feeder started the whole nightmare. lol I think I will be using a tripod more often than not since I am still wobbly when on my feet for any amount of time. It can also be used as a cane/walking stick.

[Mira]

3. CC - I have not been around too long (around here that is) and don't know you yet.

But in looking at what you just posted I know I love you already.
Caption on two made me laugh out loud, while the photo is enchanting.
Please do what you can to post more, I will be looking for your work.
And before I quit rhapsodizing, let me comment on the magnificent light.....

[CC]

5. Hi Mira and a late welcome

to the group from me. I would be one of the greedy ones that believes there is no such thing as posting enough photos, so no way anyone could ever post too many. I have been enjoying your photos a lot even if I have been on the quiet side. As the weather improves I am hoping to get out some and get back to enjoying the world. I owe someone (can't remember who) photos of white reindeer (really fallow deer) soon as I can get to them.

I was stupid and broke both feet last Sept. and have been laid up. Between being stuck and then winter I was grumpy so decided to not take my mood out on others. Your photos were a big part of me retaining my sanity.

[Mira]

8. Many thoughts on your reply. First, your welcome is so sincere it made me

choke up a bit. How could you praise my photos, after I just saw yours, is a sincere question.
BUT
if you broke both feet, and were in a great and gross painful funk, I can actually understand that what I have been posting, mostly things that are monuments to just living, were entertaining at times. And it made me feel that there was some value in my contributions.

I had a mishap with the right foot in August. Just before I was to leave to see my brother on a transatlantic flight, who was dying from smoking. I was in a boot to keep it immobile and could not fathom the trip, and delayed it for a week.
My right foot prevented my seeing him again and I arrived just in time for the funeral.

After that, I had a bike wreck. The bike fell on me and turned my right arm indigo (no lasting damage) and smashed my left foot, while my right foot was not even near OK.
So all of a sudden I had both feet out in a way that allowed hobbling, and only with ace bandages supporting me, I got around.I have not walked faster than my 84 year old mother since August.

I have no clue how you must have suffered with two broken feet, I told you my tale because I understand your disaster a bit better than most, I think.

I also went to the website.
You are the mother, I assume.
I weep, I can't begin to imagine the pain.
Like I said, I love you already.

[CC]

14. Do not sell yourself short, you have

some great photos and a very good eye. Also don't sell that point and shoot short, they can do some beautiful captures and art. Doesn't matter what kind of camera it is a person always has to learn what it can do and can't do, then work around the can't and take advantage and exploit what it can do. I have an acquaintance that collects cheap russian cameras from the past and uses these light leaking film cameras to take beautiful pieces of art for gallery shows. I also enjoy your well thought out comments. We probably need more of the well thought out critiques but I will admit to being terrible at it myself so it isn't happening from me.

Sorry to hear you injured your feet and arm and even worse missed seeing your brother. No way would I have tried to fly so hard as it was you probably did the right things health wise. Did they give you any physical therapy? Most of it is pretty easy and can done at home. If not I can always pass a long some foot exercises that seem to really help. I did get lucky and was allowed a TENS unit to use here. It helps with pain. The gory details of my stupidity are here. I was sentenced to a wheelchair until Jan. then sentenced to crutches and no more than 10% weight bearing on the left heel until Feb 12th. It is no wonder all my muscles are gone along with my balance. Won't even talk about weight gain from the DH that thinks food is love. He tried though so will give him that.

Yes I am the mom. I never know what to say to people beyond a thank you for looking and even more caring. The missing stays but you do heal and learn to live and even laugh again if you let yourself. Anyhow, thank you.

[Mira]

22. Well, I found this and I read everything, including what happened

to you and how.
What an incredible ordeal, words fail me. And this happened in September and you have been disabled and still are to a huge degree. I'm imagining this.
What is a TENS unit?
I have to just breathe deeply contemplating your bravery and your good spirits. Everything you said interests me greatly, and I like your kind words about me and my efforts.
But right now I'm mostly grateful that I got off so easy in comparison.

[JeffR]

4. Hey, CC. Good to "see" ya.

Those last two shots are brilliant.

Sorry to hear you're still having problems, but even if you're mostly confined to home, you're still bringin' it. Well done!

[CC]

6. More just a lack of

use so have to rebuild muscle, tendons and ligaments thing now. Oh and break down scar tissue. I hate winter and cold plus this year seemed to be more gray than the last few so just waiting for warmth, light and green. Then I figure walking here and there to get a photo or ten will be part of my therapy for both the mind and body.

The last two were pure luck and birds finally deciding it was safe to head for the food. You have helped with my sanity both your photos and the DUzys so a big thank you and hug being sent your way.

[JeffR]

7. Hey, here's a hug back atcha

[Tindalos]

9. Welcome back, CC

It's good to hear you are up and about again. I remember you posting that you hurt your feet and I really feel for you. I broke my foot 2 winters ago and remember how painful and frustrating it was not to be able to do even the simplest things. Hopefully you'll regain your strength quickly and soon be back to normal. And yes, I admit that is a totally selfish hope on my part because I love your photos and want you to post more. These are gorgeous and your captions made me laugh. I hope you have a speedy recovery and that the weather improves soon so you can get out more.

[blueraven95]

10. Hey CC, glad to see you are back!

I was just going to check on you via PM.


I love the pictures, particularly the third one - it's so dynamic.

[CC]

15. Life and all its interruptions

plus the shaky standing keeps me away. Terry goes back to work April 20th so trying to get back to some form of normal. Back to zoo keeper on my own then so need to be a bit faster on the feet.
Spring is on it way though I would suggest May as a time to visit if you are still thinking about it. Warmer but not too hot and maybe I will be able to walk a bit more. Though enough things close to roads and water if the walking is still slow.

[blueraven95]

19. I'll have to think about when I can do it

things are so busy here and will be for the next couple of months.

Hopefully I can find a time to visit in May.

[CC]

20. The offer is open and

summer may be hot but it is still pretty. It is just winter that is dreary and ugly, unless it snows. Hope things are just busy enough to keep things moving but not so bad that you stress trying to keep up.

[blueraven95]

21. I appreciate the offer.

I'll definitely let you know.


Things are busy, but right now, they are manageable. I'm not sure if it will stay that way into May.

[glinda]

11. Wow! Love them! The Morning Doves pics are great. They are all nice!

We are in the middle of a snowstorm right now and I have filled the feeders 3X already. Good for you for getting the camera out.

[CC]

16. Thank you.

I am mean to my wild birds. I was told to decide on a certain amount of food there get a day or week and only give them that much. It had something to do with them eating a 40 lb bag in 2 days when I first started feeding them. We are up to 5 pair of mourning doves hanging out here now. Though they are getting a bit testy with each other as they start nesting.

[Blue_In_AK]

12. Great to see you back, CC.

These are beautiful shots. I wish I could do so well, but our birds are the bane of my existence. We have a zillion redpolls and an occasional chickadee at our bird feeder, but they're in such constant movement that every shot I take is just a blur.

[CC]

17. The Redpolls sound as difficult

as the Caroline chickadees. Had one yelling at me today in the front yard. Not even two feet away. I turn and look at it it stays and yells away. I put the camera up it keeps yelling. Get the camera in focus, go to hit the shutter and poof he is gone. The finches, sparrows and doves are getting used to me so only take flight if I move too fast or open the door.


Hoping you get to leave to see Blue in CA on time. Hoping everything goes smoothly for her and all stay/are healthy. Be sure to take lots of pictures and share them with us. Give my congrats to the new parents along with only one piece of advice. Tell them to take the time to just enjoy the new baby and each other.

[NV Whino]

13. Glad to see you back with a camera in your hand

Love that camouflage shot of the finch. The rest too.

[CC]

18. Thank you.

You too were a sanity saver. It won't be long until I will hear hundreds of bird in that tree and not be able to see any of them. Sometimes the singing can be deafening.