and a couple of recent events that had the opposite effect.
Yesterday in the mountains this Cedar Waxwing landed a little too far away from me for quality shots while “he” was perched and I wasn’t particularly fond of the background but I thought I might have a chance for an interesting takeoff or flight shot so I kept my lens on him anyway.
For the novelty and the humor of the photo I got when he took off I’m glad I did.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a takeoff posture quite like this one from any species. With his entire body arched, feet trailing and both wings and tail up it reminds me of an attempt at an exaggerated swan dive (in the future I may think of such a dive as a “waxwing dive” instead of a swan dive…). I didn’t get any light in the eye but the image still cracks me up.
I don’t know what he was trying to accomplish with it but I hope it worked out for him.
Note: There’s actually a stream almost directly beneath this bird so who knows what his intention was…
1/6400, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
And then a little while later I caught this Least Chipmunk in what could only be called a rodential attempt at takeoff as he jumped in the air and turned on the post in one extremely quick and fluid motion. Fast shutter speeds pay off in situations like this but this was a little more than I needed.
When I first saw this photo my initial reaction was to wish all four feet were in the air instead of just three but now I’m not so sure. I think the chipmunk pushing off with its pivot foot gives the image a little more… oomph. I dunno, I’d like to see it both ways.
Now for a change in mood to the human “lowbrows” of the world. We’re about to meet three of them.
Admittedly my reaction to the first one was colored by my love of camping and public lands and my wish for access to as many wild and relatively pristine areas as possible. Even some private land owners allow camping as long as that access isn’t abused but “slob campers” can ruin it for everyone else.
This is an area of private land in one of our fairly remote canyons that has allowed camping for years (as evidenced by the fire ring) but last year the landowners apparently had enough and posted several signs like this one. The wording of the sign is punched out in thick metal to prevent damage from a fourth type of lowbrow that simply can’t resist blasting signs of all kinds to smithereens whenever they have a gun in their hands (or can reach one). Some of it is a little hard to read. It says:
- No trespassing No camping, Private property both sides of the road, No off-road travel any motorized vehicle, Violators will be prosecuted
But this clown was camped almost within arm’s reach of this sign and others like it (he was apparently still asleep in the tent). He could have camped in dispersed or developed sites on Forest Service land very close by but he had to camp here. I’m confident that this is the type of privileged and entitled person that forced the landowner to close his land to camping and other uses in the first place.
I’ve camped very close to this spot in the past but these same signs are now posted there also. We can all thank folks like this for that.
Sorry about the downer but I’m not through with lowbrows yet. Below we get two for the price of one.
Yesterday my good friend Jim DeWitt (Wickersham’s Conscience) posted a simply excellent piece on his own blog about the recently deceased David Koch. Jim is an attorney and he knows how to cut to the chase in these matters. I’m no fan of David Koch (or his brother who I think even less of) and I thought Jim’s summary of Koch’s “legacy” was so enlightening and well done I shared his post to my Facebook page.
Below is a screenshot of my post to FB. As you read the comments from Jerry Austin and my response to them keep in mind that this wasn’t posted to my “wildlife photography web site” as Jerry said it was (though there’d be nothing wrong with that either), instead it was posted to my own personal FB page.
I pulled no punches in my introduction to Jim’s article.
What can I say?
If Jerry Austin thinks he can dictate to me what I can and cannot post to either my personal FB page or to my blog he has another “think” coming. It’s my blog and my FB page. If he doesn’t like what he sees he should go elsewhere for his entertainment rather than making false accusations and publicly disparaging the quality of my work with his sophomoric petulance (both of which remind me of a particular politician, very possibly Jerry’s idol).
Anyone who posts to social media should expect this kind of thing occasionally but that doesn’t mean I have to roll over and take it. Apparently he’s unfollowed me on FB and unsubscribed from my blog but that should improve the overall quality of both lists.
Thanks for listening. I needed the catharsis.
Ron
Notes:
- The strict definition of “lowbrow” is “not highly intellectual or cultured”. That may or may not precisely fit one or more of the examples I’ve used here but I originally learned that term from a geologist (Terry, can’t remember his last name) I worked with at the Utah Museum of Natural History back in the late 70”s and early 80’s and he used it to refer to anyone who was illogical, unethical or unreasonable, especially when it involved environmental issues. I continue to follow Terry’s lead.
- That FB thread eventually developed (degenerated?) into an extensive “discussion” but my screenshot above only includes Jerry’s comments and my initial reaction to them because that’s all the room I had on my screen for the screenshot. If you’re on FB and you’re interested in seeing the rest of it here’s the link.
- Jim DeWitt’s original article on the “legacy” of David Koch truly is excellent in my opinion. Oops, I forgot to ask Jerry Austin for permission to include that link. So be it. As far as I’m concerned anything, and I do mean anything, that relates to environmental degradation and the political processes and individuals that are causing it is fair game for my blog. Or anything else for that matter.
It seems to me that the waxwing’s posture gives it the least air resistance while falling without going into a head-down position, allowing it to pick up airspeed for flight as quickly as possible, and with the least effort.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent with so many. I was a South high student in your wildlife class and loved every minute of it. I am thrilled to see that you are still here in Utah and doing amazing things! I love the diving cedar waxing picture. It made me laugh. He looks so delighted with himself.
Thanks for the kind comment about your memories, Juliannah. Those were good times for me also. On South High!
Ron, I tuned into your blog late and found that the photos of the cedar waxwing to be quite compelling. I also loved your chipmunk.
As for the rest of your post, I support you wholeheartedly and know that, since I know nothing about the topic, that I just pledge my support to your position, and that’s about it. I’m sorry not to know more about this but would like to learn more. Thank you, Ron
Thank you, Alice.
The Waxwing pose is hilarious — I can imagine him saying to his buddy, “Here, hold my beer!” before launching. 😉 Love the Chipmunk too, especially with all the lichen on the stump.
Drove back down from Northern CA today (that’s why I’m so late). Saw a rather rotund looking falcon sitting on a fencepost right next to the 580. It had the markings of a Peregrine, but looked a lot larger than our “neighborhood” one.
IMO, as this is your blog (and your FB page), you are allowed to include your opinions about any matters you wish. If others don’t like it, they don’t have to read your blog. I have NO respect for people who do the passive-aggressive “announcement” of why they won’t be coming back. If someone truly has an issue, that’s what private messages/emails are for. Otherwise, they are just butthurt flouncers.
Thanks, Marty. I think his nasty last response was just his juvenile way of trying to deflect the attention I drew to him for making the false accusation of me posting political stuff to my blog. Who knows…
No one, in my opinion, arcs or bends or just gets into posed positions like the waxwings. I love this fancy dive. gets a 10/10 from me. We have a federal election coming up in October so I am zipping my lip, reading enough to be informed and letting go of the rest, just to keep out of arguments and keep my sanity.
Jane, when it comes down to it I suspect the waxwing’s intention with that flight posture was to fall mostly downward rather than forward (for whatever reason). The puzzling part for me is why he didn’t do it in the more “normal way”, by aiming his powered flight in that direction. Maybe he wanted to descend more slowly, I dunno…
Your political strategy is probably a good one.
How typical of him to slander your talent. That’s an ad hominem attack of the way ray kind. I know you know this but it bears repeating. Stocks and stones!
Thanks for your support, Arwen.
SUCH a contrast in this post.
I loved (really loved) both images. The wazwing dive is a classic and if we had them here I would use the phrase. And may anyway.
Love the chippie pivot and twirl too.
As always I am envious of both their flexibility and grace.
Hiss and spit is the politest response I can make to the other half of the post. A loud and poison laced hiss and spit.
“SUCH a contrast in this post
That’s what Jim DeWitt said, EC. He likened it to vinegar and honey.
What a hoot. The Cedar Waxwing looks like he’s going for a major bellyflop. Squirrels are just amazing acrobats. Of course, I agree with you and everyone regarding Koch. Might be a Kochophile in the tent, but probably too ignorant to have heard of him.
Thanks, Lyle. I agree with your last statement.
Regarding the most excellent animal images today, it’s obviously all about sex.
There is a female Cedar Waxwing nearby and this guy just shouted “Hey, watch this!” as he launched himself from the twig knowing how impressed she shall be with his impeccable form.
Similarly, Chuckie Chimpmunk is showing off his one-pawed push-up technique for Charlene who just turned around and sauntered into the tall grass muttering “men, what idiots” to herself.
All I can say in summary of this wonderful blog post is “thank goodness for shutter speed when you need it”!
“it’s obviously all about sex”
Geez, why didn’t I think of that? I rarely miss anything where sex is involved, or at least I didn’t when I was younger… 🙂
Thanks for the smile, Wally.
I love the waxwing dive. Iv’e never seen that before.
Nor had I, April. How and why did he DO that!
I have no idea who Jerry Austin is. I’m sure he is an important public policy maker we should all respect, a man who loves chipmunks and learning. .In re that junior Koch, what a sucker he was for his older brother’s evil. “The evil that men do live after them, the good is oft interred with their bones.”
Without sarcasm, that is an excellent chipmunk shot. I often wonder about the time of day/ light you have where you roam – you often post that you shot at fast shutter, wide open lens like this one – 1/6400, f6.3, ISO 800 – is this hand held? Around here, that takes some doing. . .kudos to you.
Yup, Marc Antony got it right, didn’t he Martha.
Like most of my shots that one was taken from my pickup with my lens resting on my handy dandy “noodle”. Here in the intermountain west when we have bright light it’s often very bright and that shot was taken in the mountains where it would be even brighter. That photo was taken at 9:15 AM. But the other part of that equation is my fast f/4 lens.
Believe it or not my SS for that waxwing shot was 1/8000. The bright sky background contributed to that speed.
That second waxwing shot is incredible. I had no idea that they could ever take a pose like that, even for a very short time. The chipmunk looks very relaxed and casual as if it were deliberately standing on one foot.
If one cares about the environment, some political views can’t help but show from time to time. It’s a good thing and I fully support your actions and thoughts. Those who work against the environment need to be called on it and not be allowed to continue their destructive ways without a challenge. Unfortunately, it can be very frustrating. Your work provides education and shows us the world that people should care about. No need for constant political rants, but sometimes what is pent up has to come out. So be it. I agree with you 100%. The occasional expression of your views makes your blog more legitimate and gives it more force. Don’t ever stop being who you are just to placate fools, however powerful they may be. Thanks for sharing.
Your comment means a lot to me, Dan. I could go on but I’ll leave it at that…
Janet Johnson – you’re out’a here. If you can’t keep it civil and polite I won’t put up with it. Period.
Janet Johnson, since you persisted in your nastiness (it has absolutely nothing to do with you disagreeing with me about David Koch – folks disagree with me here fairly regularly but they know how to keep it civil – a very basic skill that has obviously escaped you) I’ve blacklisted you from commenting on my blog. Congratulations, in almost 10 years of blogging I believe you’re only the second person I’ve ever had to do that to.
I hope you’re proud of yourself.
Great stuff all around Ron. I saw WC’s post yesterday while traveling and I’m glad you put it out there.
Waxwing dive it is from now on.
I’m glad you liked both, Dave. Yup, I think “waxwing dive” will always come to my mind now… 🙂
Ron, my first thought about the waxwing was to wonder if the skinny stick he was on responded as he was accustomed when “he” took off. But he looks like a mature bird, and so should have a lot of experience with a variety of sticks. Then I thought about the arched backs and similar positions I see when ravens seem to be flying for the joy of it. Probably the thought that he’s intentionally heading for a low spot near the water is the better explanation
A problem with FB is that there’s usually no detailed explanation about what pissed someone off. Instead they often respond with a broadside (“most of your images were mundane at best”) rather than a careful explanation of what point they disagree with you. (“I’m a conservative and grateful to Dan Koch for funding our causes when few others could at that level.” [I’m not speaking for myself here.]) Of course, people can do the same thing in person, for example, snubbing you so you’re totally mystified as to whether they were just busy or had a gripe, and what the gripe was. In the long run, being assertive but not aggressive and inviting conversation is probably best for humans but it takes courage and sometimes backfires too.
Nancy, I thought Robyn Kemp in her comment below said it best about how differences like this should be handled by civil, reasonable folks when she said “But even if I didn’t agree, I can’t imagine trying to dictate what anyone posts on their own social media accounts.”
And Shoreacres provided the perfect corollary – “If you don’t like the program, change the channel.”
I have FB friends (some of them personal friends) who constantly post political stuff and especially religious memes that offend me but I don’t criticize them for doing it on their pages. They have every right. All I usually do, if anything, is block the sites where those articles or memes come from so I don’t see any of them in the future.
You make me grin. 😀
In a good way I hope…
Janet, every individual who donates money to politicians influences elections (or attempts to), whether it was a single dollar or many millions of them. I’ve done it myself. But that’s not the point. Read Jim’s article if you really want the point about Koch.
Love both of these, but the waxwing definitely takes the prize.
As it happens, I completely agree with your political opinions to the extent that you have shared them here. (I tend to stay off of Facebook, and people like this are a big part of why.) But even if I didn’t agree, I can’t imagine trying to dictate what anyone posts on their own social media accounts. Unfortunately, the world is full of entitled jerks.
Thanks, Robyn. And I agree completely with your last two sentences.
YES on the waxwing take off! 🙂 That is about the coolest take off I think I’ve ever seen! Too bad you didn’t photograph the license plate on that vehicle so, perhaps, the landowner could take some action against the “entitled” person…… 😉 As to Jerry Austin – there are certainly MANY out there like him that just like to put others down without knowing what the hell they’re talking about – like a certain President we currently have 🙁 The dish it out but can’t take it crowd. Glad you called him out on it! 😉 I’ll follow the link in a bit – LOVE your screenshot! 🙂 😉
Judy, I actually considered getting a different angle so I could photograph his plate. I wish I’d followed through…
I was just saying I enjoy your pictures, stories, but did not understand the Koch posting, that was all.
Ok, as far as I’m concerned it’s behind us.
Well, all I can say is that I agree with you, and will leave my anger for another day. Actions speak louder than words, and every image you show on your blog is an action and no one can take that from you! All the bullies and Koch’s be damned!
I personally am thankful I have the privilege of being a friend on your blog!
Thanks, Dick. Occasionally I just need the catharsis of writing about this kind of thing. Thankfully it doesn’t happen very often but when it does…
One of the most useful rules for living is “If you don’t like the program, change the channel.” Another good one is “My blog, my rules.” As for your waxwing and chipmunk, both seem in the process of living out that great old blues standard, “Rollin’ and Tumblin’.” They’re both delightful and unusual photos — and, yes, amusing.
I like both of your rules, Shoreacres. Thank you.
The first picture is so funny. Maybe a pond below the bird? lol..
Jean, there’s actually a stream directly below that waxwing. Maybe it really did dive into the water… 🙂
I must be missing something Ron, sorry if I offended you.
Maybe I’m the one that’s missing something. I thought you were being critical of the topics I chose to post today. Sorry if I misinterpreted, Steven.
Can we get back to the regular channel that is agreed by all to be outstanding.
Yes, when I choose to do so. Besides, most of this post is my “regular channel”. And Jerry Austin is an exception to your “agreed by all”.