And a medical update. Let’s get the medical stuff out of the way first.
Medically, I’m in a holding pattern. It’s been 11 months since my last MRI on my back so my orthopedic surgeon wants a new one before surgery. The medical imaging centers around here are backed up so I’m waiting for them to call to make an appointment. But there’s no question I need surgery. When my surgeon saw the X-rays of my back, taken in his office last week, the first words out of his mouth were “Wow, your back is a mess.”
In the meantime I’m very grateful that my pain level has subsided to somewhere in the ‘tolerable’ range so at least I’m able to sleep. So far I haven’t taken any pain meds but I have them if I really need them. Hopefully I’ll get the appointment sometime this week.
OK, enough of that. I’m sick of thinking about it. But I figured I should bring my blog followers up to date.
It’s been something like two weeks since I’ve done any serious bird photography and yesterday morning I thought I could tolerate a few hours of sitting in my pickup so I finally got out again.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 640, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
While I was waiting for a few spring birds to show up at my shooting location this male Belted Kingfisher flew in to do a little fishing. He wasn’t close and the setting is about as busy as it gets but it was a kingfisher and I had a clear view of him so my goal was takeoff and flight shots.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 640, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I got several and this one is my favorite. I had to tone down a line of very bright specular highlights on the top of his wet bill but I like his flight posture, I have light in his eye, he’s sharp and almost miraculously there are no twigs in front of him.
It was good, very good, to get my bird photography juices flowing again.
Ron
Well, I certainly hope you can get off the pain train soon. That is pretty much what the surgeon said about my knees, but then went on to say that he couldn’t chance operating on them because of my heart, so hope you will have better luck.
As for your kingfishers. WoW! I am just so envious. I don’t think we have these here, or at least not where I can get to, but they are such a striking bird it almost makes my heart go pitter patter (in a good way).
Hi Ron, I could get you in tomorrow for your MRI. If you call 801-XXX-XXX I’ll be there scanning tomorrow. I did your MRI last time. Depends upon insurance authorization but we can get the girls working on it ok.
Absolutely FANTASTIC NEWS, Bobbi! HURRAH!!!
51 comments and counting. See what happens when you take a few days off? Of course, I had to read all of them. And your responses. Glad I’m not a bird photographer with a website or I’d never find time to… well, let’s just say I’m grateful for FP and just being a commenter.
I go to an ARNP on Thursday for my back (doctor’s booked up well into next month, not to mention the MRI folks). That will start the process. We’ll have to play “my back is worse than your back”. Sounds like a game for masochists.
Anyway, love the Kingfisher photo and the lesson in specular highlights. Didn’t they use to be called blowouts?
Lyle, I’m very sorry to learn that your back is as bad as it apparently is. That’s a brotherhood that I’m sure neither of us wants to be part of.
In my understanding “blowouts” (blown highlights) can be any bright color that is out of gamut. I believe specular highlights are more specific.
I wish you the best with your back!
Belted kingfishers are notoriously hard to catch in good detail. Good job.
Thanks, Howard.
I was THRILLED to see a post from you this morning. I hope, fervently, that you can have your MRI and the surgery quickly.
And I love the kingfisher brightened your day (and ours too). I do hope that you didn’t pay too high a price for your ‘couple of hours’ in the pick up.
EC, apparently the price wasn’t too high because I paid it again this morning. Thank you.
I am glad to hear it. And sending copious quantities of (cyber) hugs and hope your way.
Ron – thank you for the medical update, the link to Mark David’s site, and the photos of Kingfisher. You can’t help but feel Joy looking at a closeup of a kingfisher!
Echoing the other comments, it was good to see FP in the email list today, and wishing you all the best with the medical stuff!
“You can’t help but feel Joy looking at a closeup of a kingfisher”
Glad to know you feel that way, Carolyn. I certainly do.
My email box has been so terribly boring the last week, and I was thinking when I turned on my iPad how much I miss your daily posts & pics (and, of course, wondering how you’re faring). So it’s true delight to see you here this morning! And how kind of that Kingfisher to provide you with that uncluttered diving shot. 😎
Best of luck with getting things scheduled and finally squared away. Just don’t overdo it in the interim….
Chris, I’ve become much more careful about “overdoing” it in recent years. When you have regrets about what you’ve done to your bad back they’re REALLY regrets.
Words you never want to hear from someone in the medical field – “Wow, your _____ is a mess.” But it seems you already knew that. I’m happy you’re experiencing a small bit of relief and hope that continues. Best of luck for a quick MRI appointment. Take care.
Your first sentence hit the nail squarely on the head, Mark. I’ll be asking my surgeon for more detail about what he said the next time I see him. Even though I may already know more than I want to know…
Kingfishers have such a large head – the bird seems out of balance to me. Have never seen one in person. Welcome back (pun intended) and congrats on the great flight shot. 🙂
“Kingfishers have such a large head”
They sure do, Kathleen. I think they deserve the moniker “loggerhead” just as much as some of the shrikes.
That new camera sure takes nice pictures. Good to hear you could make it out in the wild to capture something. Kingfisher are pretty darn fast in flight. Nice to see a post from you. Best wishes and prayers for you.
Much appreciated, Trudy.
I’m glad your back is feeling a little better and hope you can get your MRI and surgery scheduled soon. Best wishes!
Thanks, Ken.
I’ve loved your Kingfisher photos in the past, Ron, and today’s in-flight photo is a beauty. I’m happy you got to do some photography and thanks for sharing.
I hope you can get the back issues taken care of and get back to the things you love. Having had relatively minor back issues in the past, I know how back pain can affect nearly everything you want to do. Hoping for a full and speedy recovery for you.
I appreciate your good wishes, Bill. Most anyone who’s experienced significant long term back pain understands.
Glad you were feeling well enough to get out yesterday and glad this plucky little fellow was there to greet you. I’m grinning widely on both accounts. 😀
Thanks for the link to Mark David’s site. I have a feeling that a digital photography rabbit hole awaits me.
I wish I could do more to help out than just send healing vibes and hope that there are a couple of cancellations so you can get your MRI and surgery soon. 💜
Marty, I felt well enough this morning to do it again. So I did. I’m excited to look at some of my photos. Hope I’m not disappointed.
Enjoy the rabbit hole!
You didn’t miss a step in capturing great photos of birds. Keep getting well!
Thank you, Kent.
Wonderful images. Hopefully you can manage some more outings, as it may take your mind of your medical challenge. All the best from The Netherlands, Hans
Thanks, Hans. I’m still hoping you make it to my neck of the woods again for one of the Outdoor Reatailers shows sometime in the near future. It’s been too long since we’ve crossed paths.
Happy to hear from you again and to know that pain is less strong.
Beautiful images you sent us today. The flight shot is awesome.
And thank you for the link, I found it most useful.
Take care of yourself and that everything goes for the best.
Good to know you found the link useful, Jorge. Thanks.
Excellent shots Ron – so glad you could get out while waiting for your imaging. I think the imaging folks are backed up just about everywhere. I know they are here.’
Hey, a little humor borrowing from our two most recent Presidents – Make Ron’s back great again and Bring back better Ron’s back.
Gotta admit, Everett. My name attached to your first Presidential quote made me twitch…
Don’t envy you having to have a MRI, and glad you are feeling a little better. Thanks for the link, I bookmarked it to go back and study. Beautiful images, missed them with my morning coffee.
Thank you, Jo.
So pleased to see your “byline” in my inbox list this AM! If nothing else,
eliciting a note of good hope, like Patricia’s, is positive reason to post,
whenever you’re up to it . I hear you when you say you want to reserve
your heavy-duty painkillers for times of real need, and that’s wise. And do you
also use OTC pain treatments, like naproxen, in the between-times– especially before trying to sleep ? Every little bit of sleep helps, while you’re awaiting
surgery– and may the line MOVE FAST !!
I’ll look into naproxen, Kris. You’re the second one to mention it.
Thanks for the back heath update. Pulling for you!
Love the Kingfisher photos. One of my favorite birds. The in-flight photo is great. They are rapid little things. Don’t know how you pulled that one off.
“Don’t know how you pulled that one off.”
Michael, the extra room in the frame of the R5 sure didn’t hurt.
Ron,
I’m so happy, you are finally going too get the surgery on your back. It’s been at least 2 years since we texted about my surgery. I must tell you…..it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. My pain kept me from doing the things I loved
Now! I can do everything!!!! Gardening, and carrying all my photo gear.
Hope you get yours soon, and it is as successful as mine.
Thoughts, and prayers!
Pat
Thanks for the encouragement, Patricia. I needed it.
I saw “yesterday’s “ in the title. My first thesis that I’d missed a post from you.
I love being able to see the soft blue-grey feathers under the wing.
Glad you are in less pain. Here’s to getting that MRI soon! Facilities are backed up here as well. Ugh
“Facilities are backed up here as well”
Now I’m wondering how long it will take me to get in for surgery after I have the MRI…
VERY pleasant surprise to have a Feathered Photography post in my in box this morning. Good news on both your back (that’s it’s giving you a bit of relief) and the Kingfisher! 🙂 Medical here is backed up “forever” also in all areas including oral surgeons – NOT amusing. 🙁 Wonderful capture of the Kingfisher in flight. 🙂
Hopefully they can get the MRI VERY soon as well as the surgery and that it’s helpful for you.
I believe I passed the B-Day you have coming up in Mar. – You’re a 47 model if I remember correctly? 😉
Yup, I’m a ’47 model, Judy. Good memory.
Love this Kingfisher and good news about your back! Bon courage.
Thanks, Mary.
Ignore this! I thought the first one hadn’t posted, for some reason.
Good to get an update! I was going to call you to find out how things are!! I hope you get that appt soon and get real healing started.
Birthdays coming up!! You’ll be my age soon, and then I’ll be older, again.
Geez, I’d forgotten about that upcoming birthday, Sue. For me it’s one best left forgotten…
I know the feeling. . .
So nice to see FP in my inbox! I’m glad you’re feeling a little relief. Fingers crossed for a great surgeon and a quick recovery.
Much appreciated, Diane.
Hi, Ron ,
While you’re waiting for surgery back treatment, if you haven’t already done so, please buy, read and act on the advice and exercises in the book, “Treat your own back” by Robin McKenzie.
It’s an inexpensive book, a thin book, and full of probably everything you’ll need to know about your back and how to make it feel better.
It has worked wonders for me and apparently it has for many other folks as well. His other three similarly-named books regarding the neck, the shoulder, and the knees have all been amazingly helpful for me and my 70 plus year-old body.
Glad to see you were able to get out yesterday and wish you well.
Thanks for the tip, Dennis. And for the good wishes.
They sure are neat birds, looking ready to party at anytime!
Thanks for keeping us updated and best of luck on an appointment this week
Thanks, Shane. The big favor you did for me last week is part of the reason I’ve been able to get through this so far without further aggravating my back. For that I’m very grateful.