Perhaps the most impressive pooping performance I’ve ever seen from a bird. Plus, a report on the results of my recent cataract surgery.
Late yesterday afternoon I decided to make a quick visit to the Jordan River with the intention of finding out how things looked in my viewfinder with my ‘new eye’. I didn’t expect to find much when it comes to photo subjects but all I really needed was something with feathers.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I was pleasantly surprised to find this female Belted Kingfisher. She wasn’t particularly close but she was in reasonably good light and she didn’t fly off when I approached.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
When she cocked her tail like this I thought she might be about to take off after a fish, but instead she was about to get rid of what was left of a fish. Or ten of them.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Her tail-cocking was a preliminary to pooping.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
And a very impressive poop it was. I did a second take when I realized how long it was when I got home and looked at this photo on my big screen. At first glance it may look like just another twig or branch on the tree, but it’s all poop.
It’s now been almost exactly four days since I had cataract surgery on my right eye early Monday morning. I figure some of my readers might be curious about my results so following are some of my observations regarding any changes in my vision after surgery.
- Within a few hours after surgery I could already tell that colors were more vivid and things that had been tan before were now bright white. In fact, I realized that I hadn’t really seen white for a very long time. But that first day my eye was still traumatized and watering significantly so I couldn’t yet evaluate any change in the blurriness I’d been experiencing for years.
- By the next morning (Tuesday) it was obvious that the foggy blurriness in my right eye was gone. I’ll still need to use reading glasses for up close but even my near vision is significantly improved – to the point that it’s now better than the vision in my ‘good’ left eye. It’s been at least a couple of decades since I’ve been able to see this well.
- I can now read street signs from a distance that’s useful again and I drive with much more confidence. In the past I’ve pretty much ignored my pickup’s backup camera and screen because I couldn’t see the screen well enough to be useful. Suddenly, literally overnight, all that has changed.
- I’m embarrassed to admit how long it’s been since I’ve read an entire book. I’m really looking forward to getting back to reading books again.
- The print in Photoshop’s extensive drop-down menus is very small by necessity so when I’m processing photos I’ve had to squint and put my face close to the screen in order to read them. I no longer have to do that. And evaluating image sharpness is much easier.
- Since I bought the Canon R5, when I looked through the viewfinder everything was soft and blurry. I just assumed that was another quirk of mirrorless cameras. I was wrong. Yesterday the kingfisher in the photos above was as sharp as sharp could be in my viewfinder. A game changer for my photography.
I could go on but you get my point. My right eye is still sensitive to sudden changes in light intensity but that should go away within a few days. For me, cataract surgery has already given me a significant improvement in quality of life.
Last night while I was watching Part 1 of Ken Burn’s new documentary Leonardo da Vinci, I learned that Leonardo called the human eye “the window of the soul” and vision “the prince of the senses”. I have fresh appreciation for his observation.
Ron
Note: Sincere thanks to Diane Olson for providing moral support and transportation to and from surgery. I don’t know what I’d have done without you.
Wow!
Holy sh!+, that is one impressive pooperino! And even more impressive is how well you were able to see it! I couldn’t be happier for you regarding how well your surgery went!
I recall a recurring lady kingfisher from many years ago. While it’s too much to hope that it’s the same friend, perhaps this “sooper pooper” is one of her progeny.
“perhaps this “sooper pooper” is one of her progeny”
I wouldn’t be surprised in the least, Marty. It’s the same area of the Jordan River.
“Holy sh!+” indeed.
Your Kingfisher is like the Energizer Bunny of the bird world…keeps going, and going, and going….quite an accomplishment for her (and you, being there at just the right time). But the most important accomplishment is finally getting your eye(s) taken care of, so happy this first surgery was successful and you’re reclaiming all the big and little joys of good vision. Not the least of which is really seeing what’s in your viewfinder! 😉
Thanks, Chris. I was blown away by how sharp the kingfisher was in my viewfinder.
I think this may be one of the most impressive kingfisher photos I’ve ever seen.
i’m so glad the cataract surgery went so well. I know I was very impressed with how different things look to me again once I had mine done. I wish there was a solution for the other issues I have now but that’s a very different ballgame. Changes usually have occurred so slowly that you don’t realize how much you’ve been missing for years until after the surgery. Never relax and enjoy a good book.
Bad air on my part. I meant to say now grab a good book. I’m using the diction function on my iPad and it doesn’t always interpret what I say correctly but and I missed that when trying to correct it. Sorry.
Once again it made a mess. It’s not air, it’s error.
“Changes usually have occurred so slowly that you don’t realize how much you’ve been missing for years until after the surgery.”
That was me exactly, Dan. If I’d known I’d have had it done long ago.
Wonderful, wonderful news.
And now I am wondering whether you or the bird are feeling more relieved…
I am not at all surprised that you are now considering having your other eye done. Go for it.
“And now I am wondering whether you or the bird are feeling more relieved…”
That brought a chuckle, EC. I’d say it’s about a tossup.
Thank you for the update – such good news. A friend is having her first eye done today, so your report is very reassuring.
Ms. Kingfisher must have felt 50 percent lighter when she was done! Impressive poo, impressive capture! (And look, it’s WHITE 😄)
Carolyn, I hope your friend’s results are as good as mine.
Catchy title to today’s post. Never seen the phrase “pooping impressively” before. I was dubious until I saw the photos. Unreal.
Super happy for you on the new vision. What a quality of life changer. Really appreciate you giving us all an update.
Michael, glad to know that you think “pooping impressively” was appropriate for the situation. It certainly works for me.
So happy to hear that your results are so positive! I hope the procedure went smoothly and wasn’t too scary. My mom had both eyes done several months ago and what she described sounded a bit more intense than the LASIK I had done around the same time. Other than needing readers for up close, her vision is perfect and she’s been very happy with how things have settled over time – I wish the same for you!
“I hope the procedure went smoothly and wasn’t too scary.”
It wasn’t, Melanie. It was quick and painless. The worst part was having to stare at the intensely bright red and green dots during surgery. They were so bright it was uncomfortable. But the chemical “relaxer” they gave me helped a lot with the tension.
I just thought of something else that very much relates to this blog. 🙂 The day after her surgery, she texted me “I feel like I am a hawk soaring overhead, able to look down and see a tiny mouse on the ground!”
Good for your mom. I love her analogy.
I am happy that your eye surgery was successful and you will now be able to capture even more beauty. I hope that does sound goofy..
Take Care,
Kaye
Thank you, Kaye.
Burrdoo congratulates you on an impressive bird do shot. Delighted your cataract surgery is so beneficial, as was mine.
Thanks on both counts, Burrdoo. Your screen name now has new meaning… 🙂
That IS an impressive poop! 🙂
Glad the surgery was successful and you are pleased with the results. The light sensitivity has never completely resolved for me BUT not near the issue it was in the beginning. Joe, whose eyes weren’t done in a timely manner was amazed at what he had not seen in years and the colors amazed him. Mine were done much earlier so wasn’t as dramatic tho still great! ENJOY! 🙂
“The light sensitivity has never completely resolved for me.”
Judy, I see my surgeon again next Tuesday. If my sensitivity hasn’t resolved by then I’ll definitely be asking him about it. I could easily live with it but I’d rather not.
I am *SO HAPPY* to hear how well your cataract surgery went and how quickly your vision (including color vision) has improved. And that poop shot is indeed most impressive – that is one successful kingfisher.
“that is one successful kingfisher.”
There’s no question that she’s eating well… 🙂
Ron, you are the Leonardo da Vinci of Photographers. Excellent news regarding the procedure and a whole new life of vision for you. At almost 87 my ophthalmologist has not yet scheduled me for same, but I have a feeling he will at my next annual exam.
That poop shot is amazing. You could show that photo to a thousand people and maybe one or two would think that is poop and not just another slim branch.
Everett, when you have it done I hope your results are as impressive as mine.
I’m THRILLED to hear of the success of your surgery ! Mine
certainly gave me a new lease on life……all I can think of is all
of the artists and craftsmen of 100 years or more in the past who
spent so many years remaining in their lives, unable to fulfill their
callings because they could no longer see. Just
think ! Without the surgery, you might have missed capturing a world-class poop– yup– I thought it was another branch……
ga
Kris, I thought of those artists and craftsmen too, including while I was watching the Leonardo documentary. I wonder how well he could see in his later years.
Well enough to finish the Mona Lisa. . .
Good point.
Yay! So glad to hear the great report on your cataract surgery. You will be so happy you finally did it!!
P.S. I loved the DaVinci series. What an amazing human!
“I loved the DaVinci series. What an amazing human!”
Indeed. One of a kind. Thanks, Sue.
Yay! Glad you had such a successful procedure to the point of considering having the other eye done. Greatest poop shot ever!
Thanks, Brett.
Hurrah! So glad your sight is better…thats better for all of us who enjoy your photos and writing! Best wishes!! Mary
Thank you, Mary.
Excellent news on the success of your cataract surgery. I had that in both eyes a couple years ago, and had similar, amazing, improvements. I hope your recovery continues to go well.
And, yes, the poop is impressive!
Duane, my left eye already qualifies for cataract surgery (and insurance coverage) so suddenly I’m considering having that one done too.
Do it! You won’t look back (pun intended). I had both eyes done this past summer and it’s like having 25 year old eyes again. I decided to get them fixed when I could not determine if a plover at distance was a Killdeer or Semi-palmated. I could not make out the number of neck stripes while looking through 10X50 quality binoculars. (It was a Killdeer: I heard it call). Cheers.
That is some impressive poop! I did think the poop was a twig! Congrats on your successful surgery!
“I did think the poop was a twig!”
At first, so did I Kathleen.
The Kingfisher is a delight yet the best part of this post is the update on your vision following your cataract surgery. Good vision is a joy and a necessity. For you it is the path to your photography and your almost daily adventures. And we, as your followers, benefit immensely. Here’s hoping that the improvement to your vision continues.
“Good vision is a joy and a necessity.”
I didn’t realize how true that is. Thanks, Melanie.