For me few subjects take precedence over birds but I’m overwhelmed by yesterday’s senseless and tragic events and can’t take my mind off of them. I had a personal and very important post planned for this morning but after a mostly sleepless night spent worrying about our national future I don’t have the mental frame of mind required to do justice to writing the text.
Writing about one thing while thinking about another simply doesn’t work.
One of the many things that makes me angry about our political climate in recent years is the hijacking of traditional symbols of overt patriotism by right wing political extremists. I consider myself to be at least as patriotic as the next person but I’m reluctant to display the flag that I love for the perverted symbolism it has acquired in many quarters.
But I’ll be damned if I’ll let them have our national bird, the Bald Eagle.
This isn’t the place to rehash the sordid history of the last four years that inspired yesterday’s tragic events nor the American President who deliberately instigated them. But I couldn’t fully ignore them either. Not today.
If some readers have different views that’s their right but I won’t entertain them in the comments to this post. This is my opportunity to vent, one of the perks of having my own blog. I may lose some blog followers over this edition of Feathered Photography but if that’s the case, so be it.
After today I’ll move on and return to an apolitical Feathered Photography but today I decided the elephant in the room couldn’t, and shouldn’t, be ignored.
Ron
PS – This morning just before 2 AM when I finally gave up on trying to sleep and sat at my computer to write this post I did see a couple of encouraging signs in the news. I now have at least some hope that all of us will be able to sleep better in the near future but I believe it’s still touch and go.
Thank you for writing this post, Ron Dudley.
I came to your blog a year or so ago, reading about the Bald Eagles and making IDs of juveniles. Apropos that today’s post with the Eagle is my first comment to you. The American Flag was co-opted years ago, hence John Prine’s song- “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore”. I cried when this horrible President was elected four years ago. I can’t wait for him to be gone and hopefully pays the price of his damage to our country.
We as a country have a long way to go to heal.
Keep taking great photos. I enjoy seeing birds that are west of the Rockies, not seen here in SC.
Thank you. It was cathartic to read everyones’ posts. May we and the earth find healing.
I am very sad about this violence that erupted and hope that these people suffer the consequences. I fear it will happen here because of extremist views of a few. I heard Mr T speak today and denounce the violence, and thought if there is anything predictable about him, it is his unpredictibility. Love the eagle.
You sure won’t lose me: I couldn’t agree with you more – he needs to go.
Thank you for your spectacular images!!!
You should never feel compelled to apologize when matters as serious as what we’ve witnessed in our government the last few years continue to play out largely unchecked. Because Donald Trump has NEVER been held to account for his lifetime of lying, mis-deeds and abuse of the law he felt entitled to do exactly what he did yesterday knowing there would be no consequences for him or his immediate family members who joined him in inciting the mob.
They, unlike most real Americans and patriots–the 160 million who trusted that voting was our legitimate voice–will have the option of moving to a palatial, well-guarded estate (lifetime Secret Service on our tax dime) in some other part of the world when the dust settles here.
I seriously doubt that any Trump will ever serve a minute inconvenienced by a court appearance let alone any time behind bars.
That you have felt the responsibility to write about this publicly and on a site very much NOT dedicated to political issues is exactly the model of courage I believe we need much more of in this moment and not less.
More of us who are dismayed and appalled by the squalid depths to which the entire Trump family and their Congressional apologists have dragged this country must speak up–now–and especially in places where such discussion is usually politely and up to this moment, appropriately, put aside.
Six US Senators must also be held responsible for yesterday’s seditious attack on our American system where their unpatriotic acts–justified by high sounding but hollow words–were carried out inside the very halls being assailed by the Trumps’ mob.
They are:
John Kennedy of Louisiana
Josh Hawley of Missouri
Ted Cruz of Texas
Tommy Tuberville of Alabama
Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi
Roger Marshall of Kansas.
Obviously they, like their pal in the White House, clearly need schooling on the meaning of “public service”. ALL are as culpable as the small man they so admire.
Write them. Email them. Call their home state and DC offices. Send your good wishes for their lives outside of public life.
Thank you, Ron, thank you, thank you…ALWAYS for the wonderful bird images…and your heartfelt sentiments in ANY unpleasant time.
As well as the 130+ members of the House!
Let the recalls begin!
Agree whole-heartedly with the sentiments expresses by others here. I can almost see the Capitol from my MD residence, so the sights and sounds were especially sickening to me. Thank goodness for the serenity of nature, (with no thanks to POTUS’s attempts to subvert that too). Let us all enjoy the photographs – yours, and our feeble attempts to emulate what we see on your blog. Stay safe and healthy.
Ron,
I have to say that’s one of the best eagle shots I’ve seen. Nearly brings tears to my eyes to think about it as a symbol for our country and how our country has been so desecrated over the last 4-5 years and especially yesterday. I appreciate your comments more than you can imagine and have always loved your sense of humor. We’ll get through this but we must be vocal and speak out our feelings and beliefs. Taking “well-meaning” actions wins the race. Thanks
I never tire of this bald eagle image!
My sentiments exactly. Yesterday’s events were ugly. Your eagle shot is amazing as always!
The 🦅 and the 🇺🇸 shall be reclaimed on Jan. 20 when we are finally, fully rid of the Orange Menace in the White House. I never uttered his name with the title and I never will, even with “ex” in front of it.
I’m about out of words of horror, anger and outrage after yesterday’s travesty, but I’m hopeful we are now on a path to redemption from these last four hellish years of cult politics.
I can’t utter his name with the title either….
Thank you, Ron. Very well said. And thank you for the stunning bald eagle.
Thank you to everyone who has left a comment so far.
I’ve read them all, many of them more than once. I figure I’ve already had my say so I’m not replying to each comment but it’s nice to know I have company in my misery (although I sure as hell wish none of had to be in this dark place).
I needed this today. All of it. The eagle photo, your post, and the supportive, like-minded comments. I’ve been “grieving” today, still shell-shocked by what I saw and heard yesterday afternoon and well into the wee hours of the morning. The majesty and symbolism of the Bald Eagle lifted my spirits ever so slightly today. Thank you for your beautiful photographs and blog in a year (this feels like December 37th, doesn’t it?) that hasn’t had many things to smile about. I appreciate and admire you.
Very well-stated, Ron. As always. Like Louise, I stayed up until Pence banged the gavel after every Elector had been counted and after Amy Klobuchar read into the official Congressional minutes that Biden is our next president and Harris our next VP. I have barely watched any political TV (or any news really) for the past 4 years, yet I was determined to make it through.
I cannot think of any more compelling reason to get rid of the Electoral College than the shit show we witnessed yesterday. (And that includes two elections within my lifetime in which the person who won the popular vote did not end up in the White House. Why should my vote have less impact on the outcome than someone’s in another state and why should some votes in a particular state have no effect on the outcome just because a few more people in that state voted the other way?)
I ache for what our country was before these last four years when I ached for what it was before the Koch brothers and before them, Newt Gingrich. The worst part of yesterday is that I know that the violent bat-shit craziness is only beginning. Hillary was right — they ARE a basket of deplorables.
At least Georgia has its first Black senator and its first Jewish senator. Ever.
I agree with you 100%. I have never been able to call him “President”. He is the current occupant of the White House and now needs to occupy a prison cell. I too hope that one day I can again have pride in our flag, but now it sickens me as I see it on the back of a monster pickup with a confederate flag alongside of it. I hate politics and long ago decided I could most effectively help people to care about our planet and its occupants through education. I hope to get back to that but yesterday’s events caused great stress and fury at those who enabled it. You need have no apologies about todays blog. Let’s grab that small glimmer of hope and see if we can expand it to bring a better future.
Dear Ron, thank you. I am so overcome with emotions, still, that i find it very difficult to write coherently at this time. I agree with everything you said. I applaud you for saying it. Yesterday i wanted to put up a handmade sign on our garage, near where we fly the flag, that said “We believe in Democracy” But i can’t do that for fear of vandalism and anonymous threats from some of those who live around us. Even before Donald Trump was elected – 2 years before – we placed yard signs for Democratic candidates, and when we woke up the next day we found signs had been run over with a large-tired vehicle, probably a pick-up truck. At that time we decided that about the only thing we could do was fly the US flag, and we have done that ever since. Today, I am ashamed to say that I live in Missouri. From here on out the one thing i’ll be working diligently for is the removal of the electoral vote system, so that at some point each vote will truly count.
I watched til the final vote last night – it was like watching a slow motion train wreck but I couldn’t look away. There were moments of hope – like Kelly Loeffler’s speech (though waiting til she lost her own election before decrying Trump seemed a bit self-serving) – but my jaw dropped at some of the comments from so many allegedly intelligent and educated Congress people clearly buying into the election fraud conspiracy, even while giving lip-service to disapproval of the violence that it had fomented. I can only hope that Trump’s coattails are permanently singed so no one can attempt to ride them again. And, hello? NOW Twitter and Facebook shut down his accounts? Two little, too late. Ok – off soapbox! Thank you for your lovely photos, Ron – birds have provided me solace throughout the last year.
From the other side of the world I watched (and been watching for the last four years) in horror and in rage. Your Voldemont President and his enablers are dangerous.
I do hope that a new era is dawning. So very much.
#Domesticterrorists will not win. It’s a small thing but I’ll never say his name again. This isn’t about Republicans or Democrats or even undecided. It’s about an attempted coup for incited by a sitting president. The Commander-in-Chief has brought shame and dishonor to America. He leaves a shattered country in his wake. Article 25 must be invoked. Too bad it can’t be invoked for his entire family.
Obviously I am mad. And outraged. I’ll stop now. But first, thank you, professor. Your lessons are always good ones.
From one Viet Nam vet to another….. Well said. I stand with you now as I did in Nam.
I’m not sure if I’m more angry about the assault on the capitol or elated that we have a new president and senate majority leader. I see that Eagle about to grasp onto a more civil, ethical, and honorable future. Or perhaps just dinner.
I’m vacillating between heartsick and furious! Two questions keep rolling through my mind: Are we great yet? Are we winning yet?
There was a time when I could have, and even did vote for a Republican (once). But now, I wouldn’t even consider it. Sorry Everett and thank you for your service. My view is that the conservative agenda is just meanspirited throughout, and while I appreciate that they’re ALL lying politicians, I like the Democrats’ pretty little lies much better. I’m also a fan of social justice that’s moving ahead slowly, but still moving forward.
One other question is I can’t help thinking what would have happened if this were the BLM folks? I fear THAT would have ended in a bloody massacre!
I’m quite sure you are right about that.
Thank you Ron. I was a Radio news broadcaster for 39 years. What happened yesterday was a culmination of the last five years of listening to Trumps lies. He demanded loyalty, not to the country, but to him…or else. The ‘else’ happened yesterday after the President told his supporters to go to the Capitol building and show strength. All because he couldn’t stand be a loser. It may not be over yet. I will hope and pray that it is.
For me these last year’s have been disheartening to the extreme. I had hoped all our leaders would stand up for decency and to see them endorse hatred instead has made me so very sad. That they have been so worried about their own political future as to not stand up against a would be tyrant has each day made me sadder. I hope we can enter a new era but it is as if the monster in our midst has awakened. For me one of the worst images yesterday was the man carrying a confederate flag into the capitol. Another insurrection.
Yes and thank you for so much!
Well said Ron! Keep up the great work! Hopefully a shared love of nature will help people find common ground.
Ron – an excellent and appropriate photo and post for today. The majestic bald eagle, in the 1780s, became the centerpiece of our new nation’s official seal and for two and a half centuries has been synonymous with the virtues upon which this country was built.
When I see a bald eagle I think of strength, dignity, courage, truth, wisdom, and honor. When I see an eagle I feel proud and thankful. What I saw yesterday left me speechless, angry, and embarrassed for our country.
As you mentioned, in this morning’s early hours there are hopeful signs. I hope and pray we all can earnestly start down the road to heal the extreme divisiveness that exists among us.
Practically nothing on this green earth renders me speechless– but the events
of yesterday certainly did. I can only hope that those politicians who thought
that they could benefit by —and control—the power of a truly dangerous man by cosseting his
whims have at least enough honesty to reexamine their OWN culpability in
“winking” 4 years of increasingly clear signals of chaos to come. My hope
is for moral–if not legal– accountability in time to come for those who,
through craft and graft, are almost equally responsible for the denouement
we witnessed yesterday. Thanks for the platform, Ron.
Thank you, Ron. Well said.
My sentiments exactly!
Thanks, Ron. We need now to turn back to preserving and protecting the “others,” the species around us whose safety has been compromised these last four years.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
My heart goes out to our neighbors to the south, we Canucks will never turn our backs on you! I worked twenty years in health care and can’t figure out if what has happened in America is evil or early onset of the dreaded “A” ??? Hugs to you Ron and all who are feeling as you are!
I stand with you Ron !! You will not lose me over your post !
Got my blood pressure up for sure! 😡 “Fine folks” figured they could control 45 and his minions and this is the result – infuriating and horrifying. Of course, some of the minions are now OMG and backtracking – MT senator Daines among them. I won’t forget. It was totally predictable and feel many were in denial about that allowing it to get totally out of control tho perhaps that was needed to get folks to “wake up”.
This is my favorite Ron Dudley photo and a few weeks back I asked him if he would display it again. He told me that he planned to and I am happy that he has. I am sorry though that Ron has brought politics into his Feathered blog, but it is his so he of course can do as he wishes.
I am a very patriotic American, a Conservative Republican, an 82 year old veteran, and one who has never nor will ever fail to stand for our National Anthem nor fail to support our great country.
Yesterday’s events were painful to see and an embarrassment to all those on my side of the aisle. The President of course has to bear a huge part of the responsibility for what happened because of his failure to really be forthright in condemning any form of violence from his supporters. I believe this horrific display yesterday will finish off any chance Mr. Trump had of making another run in 2024.
I support the condemnation from all of you who are on the left as long as there is no hypocrisy and that I am certain that you condemn with equal outrage the violence of the last year or so caused by those from the far left in Portland, Seattle, Minneapolis, New York City, my home down of Philadelphia, and all the others.
If we can put politics and hatred behind us and go back to birds and nature then I will continue to be a strong supporter of Ron and FP and all of you who so appreciate this blog.
Violence on ANY side for political aims is abhorrent to me.
Ron, it was a scary afternoon and evening for everyone who cares about living in a democratic republic. I’m glad this episode is over and I hope the fact that it happened will mean that fewer politicians and other people with power and influence will entertain these kinds of dangerous manipulations. I have seen both encouraging and discouraging signs late last night after Congress resumed its session. I’m still hopeful for the next two years at least.
The horror of yesterday triggered some to come into the sunshine of truth. I am more hopeful this morning than yesterday that our country will survive and rise.
I agree with you Ron and fully appreciate Sharon’s comments. As I read her words I thought briefly…’how did she know exactly how I feel?’ I have found myself ‘unfriending’ so many people that I’ve begun to wonder if facebook is even worth it…hate spews out in places I least expect. Everytime I see that fist of trump pumped in the air, my mind seems to see the fingers extended by a man in a country far away and I shudder and fear for ours. Now seeing that ‘false symbol’ of authority used by other members of the party, I fear for those of my family that are much younger wondering what their lives may hold…
I pray someone gets the courage to respond appropriately to yesterday’s events.
Amen.
I appreciate what Sharon has written and I fully agree with everything she says. I believe that everyone needs to be very clear where they stand with regard to yesterday’s events, and those Republicans who oppose sedition need to categorically make their feelings public and act accordingly.
Hi Ron,
I couldn’t agree more with your sentiments. Coming from the UK I would agree that our elected politicians should look to the benefit of the people and the country. Their partisan ideas and the wish to be re-elected should not be their only focus.
I understand your plight. I’ve never had so many sleepless nights over worry for the future of our Nation as I have had in the last four years. I’ve worried about the future of our planet for years but the sustained worry about our fractured society and our identity as Americans has been new these four years. I am heartbroken over the hate, anger, and normalized cruelty. I am heartbroken by the celebration of ignorance and incivility. I have buried myself (as best I can) in my creative projects and am doing my very best to turn to kindness and decency in my own walk through this life.
Well said, Sharon. Extremely well said.
Thanks for the fellow feeling and the beautiful bald eagle. And the hope.