The “minor grossness” partially explains why I’ve been posting to Feathered Photography less often recently.
Occasionally I post a collection of recent photos that I don’t think quite deserve standalone status on Feathered Photography but collectively they should hold some interest for readers. Each of these photos was taken in northern Utah within the last nine days.
1/3200, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
An adult Bald Eagle that was too far away for a more conventional presentation but with the eagle perched on the tall rocky pillar I think the setting helps to make it an interesting image as almost a birdscape. These two photos were taken very soon after sunrise, thus the very warm light. I was hoping for takeoff and flight shots but that didn’t happen.
I wasn’t pleased with the twig seeming to stick out of the back of ‘his’ head so I…
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
drove a little further down the road in an attempt to remedy it. While I was moving, the darn bird turned on his perch and faced me. I prefer the side view that includes his tail.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Another uncooperative Bald Eagle later that same morning. This immature bird spent several minutes circling some large trees on the east side of the road where the morning sun caused him to be back lit.
Again and again his looping flight brought him right to the edge of the road but he refused to cross it, which would have given me much better light on the bird. It was frustrating because he was so close for so long and because I think he has such interesting coloration.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
You probably knew there’d be a singing Western Meadowlark in my collection, especially this time of year. I like the partial side light, the singing pose and Great Salt Lake in the upper background.
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
A female Great Horned Owl incubating her eggs (only females of this species incubate) in an old Red-tailed Hawk nest high on a cliff. I never did see the male.
My time spent with her was unusually memorable because there was a pair of calling Sandhill Cranes hidden in the vegetation very close behind my pickup. Their rattling calls were haunting and very loud as they echoed off the cliffs in front of me. It was sensory overload but I enjoyed it very much.
I’m sure readers have noticed that I’ve been posting to my blog less often than usual. Following is one of the primary reasons why.
This is what my left elbow looked like a week ago today. A few days before that I developed bursitis in that elbow so the bursa sac filled with fluid. Typically, elbow bursitis only causes swelling at the tip of the elbow but in my case there was so much fluid buildup, the bursa sac was grossly stretched and extended about a third of the way down my left arm.
At it’s worse the swelling looked like there were several chicken eggs laid end to end directly under my skin. The skin stretching made the hair on that part of my arm fall off (I’ve seen photos of the same condition in others where the same thing happened) and the age spots appeared to migrate to and concentrate at the margins of the swelling (don’t ask me to explain how THAT happens…).
The most common causes of bursitis are repetitive motions or positions that put pressure on the protective bursa around a joint. I know without question what caused my bursitis. While I’m sitting at my computer editing photos or writing my blog, I spend many hours each day with much of my upper body weight supported by my left elbow on my office chair’s arm rest. I know I shouldn’t do it (I had less severe bursitis in the same elbow about ten years ago, caused by the same bad habit) but while I’m concentrating on my work I forget and then eventually realize I’m doing it. By then the damage may already be done.
So I’ve been posting less often to keep me from aggravating my elbow so much.
In the last week or so I’ve had my elbow drained twice. The first time they were only able to drain about 1/4th of the fluid but three days ago they drained more than 70 cc’s of serous fluid (not pus, it isn’t infected) out of my bursa so now it looks much better, although there’s still significant swelling. If the swelling continues to go down, I’ll likely be in the clear. If not, I’ll have to see an orthopedist for possible surgery. Thankfully, the actual joint isn’t involved and my elbow bursitis has never been very painful. Often it is.
This experience has brought back strong and still vivid memories from seven decades ago, memories of eating dinner with my family on the Montana farm when I was a little kid. My mother was a stickler for table manners and she would repeatedly say to me during the same meal – “Ronnie, get your elbows off of the table!”.
I wish I’d taken her ‘advice’ (it was really an order) to heart. If I had, maybe I wouldn’t have this bad habit.
Ron(nie)
Notes:
- My elbow is wrapped most of the time in an attempt to keep the swelling down and I’m taking antibiotics to prevent potential infections caused by the draining process.
- Yes, I’ve tried using chairs without armrests but my bad back can’t take that for long.
- Several days ago I saw and heard my first Long-billed Curlew of the year on Antelope Island and two days ago swallows had reappeared at one of our local ponds (poor light, I couldn’t tell which species). So if the weather and my elbow cooperate, I fully expect to be out shooting more often and posting more photos.
“… the age spots appeared to migrate to and concentrate at the margins of the swelling …” My dermatologist is a little more forgiving, calling them “wisdom spots”!!!! I can live with that. Thanks as always for your wonderful posts.
I feel for you. I have bursitis in my hip which developed in my 30’s. My darling Grannilu said, “Congratulations. You are now one of us.” BAH
I really enjoyed this post Ron – both the varied and beautiful photos and the descriptions. I especially like the owl and eagle shots on cliffs. Thanks for posting in spite of the painful elbow. Take care of that bursitis and I hope it clears up quickly for you.
Enjoy your photos Ron. Even the ones that don’t meet your standards. I recently had my bursa swell,though not as severe as yours. I heard it called student elbow, but in your case instructors elbow. I used a compression sleeve and a piece of panty hose and half of a tennis ball to cushion my elbow. It looked odd,but worked. When I prop myself up in bed it cracks and causes discomfort.
A singing Meadowlark, a Bald Eagle on the beautiful lichen-covered rocks, a GHOw, and calling Sandhills — definitely a bonus day! ❤️
So sorry about your bursitis and glad it hasn’t been too painful. It’s not gross at all. (Maybe my anat/phys and sports medicine days made me immune to human yuckiness.) I think you need more Bourbon to help the healing. 😉
Wonderful captures.
A big shame about the grossness. I get bursitis in my hip and it is very painful – I am glad that yours wasn’t/isn’t.
And yes, we heard that order about elbows on the table too. In my case it is a lesson that has stuck.
Come to think of it EC, I don’t eat with my elbows on the table either. It’s been decades since I thought about whether I do or don’t. Thanks for the lesson, Mom.
Any day with meadowlarks is a good day. We rarely get them here on the Mendocino coast.
Your poor elbow! I’m sure you’ve already tried just about everything, but have you tried a standing desk?
“Any day with meadowlarks is a good day.”
I agree, Catherine.
I couldn’t tolerate a standing desk because of my bad back. My back has improved a lot but it hasn’t improved that much.
Good morning Ron. I love the pictures you posted once again. Even if they don’t meet your high standard so glad you post them anyway. It is hard to change habits, I sit too long and now have compression socks I need to use. Have a Happy Easter Season.
Trudy, I was a little worried I’d have to start using compression socks when I spent so much time sitting during my year+ long surgery recovery. Thankfully I didn’t. I hope yours help.
Nice post! Lucky you to have seen so many beautiful birds relatively near you – Lady Owl looks so cozy in her nest. The meadow lark picture is awesome! Thanks for sharing them with us despite your bad elbow. I hope you are able to find relief soon.
Thanks, Joanne. Most of those birds weren’t very close to me. I had to drive over 100 miles to get to some of them.
Ahhhh… I wasn’t quite aware of that. Well it makes sense… the wide open spaces!
Good morning Ron! There is a sock that you can get for the elbow but not sure if it would have the right tension you need, I am so sorry you have to deal with this Bursitis, you have had enough on your plate so hopefully you get better soon. As usual, I enjoy your post every morning before going to work. Love your Owl shots as I don’t see many around here. Take care Ron and the Canada Goose murder is etched in my brain, I guess I am too sensitive.
Thanks, Shirley. I think I owned one of those socks back in the day. Can’t remember why.
Very interesting post Ron. Found the photos to be excellent along with the explanations. Give me eagles anytime regardless of where and how presented. I have never seen a GHO perched in a location like this, but then they do take over abandoned nests. One year here they took over a Common Black Hawk’s nest thus causes that pair to start all over building a new nest. No bird including Bald Eagles ever takes back a nest from the Great Horned guys and gals. That elbow looks very uncomfortable. Hope there is some help for you and our medical experts can provide. And yes, fond memories of my late Mom and probably almost all moms exclaiming “Get your elbows off the table.”
Oh and PS – I really like the about 3rd year in flight even with the
less than perfect light.
Everett, posting three eagle photos in one post made me think of you, knowing how much you like them.
The GHO is ALWAYS a treat for me. 🙂 Eagles also attract me.
I have always leaned on my elbow on the desk with my chin on my hand and the thumb joints on my left hand is currently complaining about that……. 😉 Can change positions for a bit but automatically go back……… so I can appreciate that. “Get your elbows off the table” was part of my childhood also….. 😉 Hope it settles for you without surgery!
Think going to bifocals set that off! 😉
““Get your elbows off the table” was part of my childhood also.”
Maybe it was a Montana thing, Judy. Probably not…
On shot #2, for my taste, the backlighting makes the markings of
the bird just that much more interesting ! I think it’s a very powerful shot BECAUSE it has the quality of silhouette of the body but still
displays the very interesting pattern of the markings–( somewhat
like your problematic elbow ) ! I sure hope the latter resolves soon.
Glad you like that one, Kris. I do too but I’d have liked it more if the light had been better.
I find it interesting how many of our habits seem to be baked in, It seems changing those habits for new habits is often a challenge. May you heal quickly!
Thanks, Brett. My habits tend to be “baked in” to the point of being charred and nearly impossible to remove.
Thanks for the photos. Really like the the one of the owl. It evokes a feeling of steadfast maternal protective determination.
Your elbow situation reminds me of that old joke where the patient asks “Hey doc it hurts when I di this”, and the doctor replies, “Well don’t do that”.
I have a posture related habit when I sit in front of the computer that causes me grief. Yes when I tell myself ‘don’t do that’ I just seem to gravitate right back to it. Just the way it is I guess. Art has its price. Good luck and good health to you sir.
“Well don’t do that”.
Easier said than done, at least for me. And apparently for you too Michael.
Those GHOWs really know how to glare, eh? Hope your elbow gets better soon and that you can avoid surgery!
They sure do. Thanks for the good wishes, Cathy.
So sorry that your hobby has caused your bursitis. Take care of thyself! Get well soon!
I’m trying, Karl. I really am.