Weekender Sat-Sun Sept 28th & 29th, 2024

[Rich]

Greetings Friends! A beautiful day here in the Heartland. Not a cloud in the sky and no wind. I hope everyone is safe that were in the path of the hurricane.

Here are two of the new murals going up on the Palace. Theme is Seven Wonders of the World and National Landmarks. Can you figure these out?

[Man From Ironbark]

I'd guess Rio de Janeiro and Sydney.

Here is another from the land of parrots, which is probably the earliest name for Australia other than country, which is what the aborigines called it.

It is a grass parrot and like all grass parrots, there's a lot of green.



and then there's the crested pigeon.

[Dave]

Rich, those are ambitious scenes to render with corn.

I think MFI is right - my guesses were immediately: the huge Christ the Redeemer statue, and the famed Sydney Opera House.

Two fine looking birds, MFI.

[Luv2shoot]

Happy Sunday and blessings to all.
I has been a busy month with appointments for me and my husband.

Things are settling down now for a while but the good news is that I am scheduled for a RIGHT hip replacement on November 6th.  I know that I will be getting nervous as the date approaches, but right now I am relieved that my condition is severe enough to allow me to have this procedure.  I hope my husband is up for the challenge of taking care of me, hee hee.  I think he should start practicing now, don't you think?

I enjoyed your photos, Rich and Peter. 
Rich, it is always fun to view the cow palace murals develop as you share them with us.  Thanks for doing that.
Peter, those close-ups are wonderful.  You are lucky to have such beautiful subjects to capture in your backyard.

Anna Maria Island got hit pretty bad from the Hurricane.  We have been looking at photos on line and there is a lot of clean up and reconstruction to be done.  Here is  a photo from our last days on the island.  Sadly our time there is done. I will miss scenes like this.

[Dave]

Lorell, that's a lovely photo. High marks in all aspects.

I wish you a speedy recuperation from the surgery and hope it returns you to full and pain-free mobility.

While going through my photo archives for some favorites to put on my cell phone I came across this one taken in late 2022. Don't recall posing it back then but please forgive me if it is a duplicate post.

   

I like it because it's different than my usual style:

1) a different subject than I usually photograph
2) it's much higher key image than my usual COI against a dark background
3) I really like the colors: the lavender-gray shadows inside the egg shells vs the beiges elsewhere, and how the background transitions from a cool light blue-gray to a warm light rust color.

And I've added it to my "I should paint this but probably won't get around to it" folder, for the reasons above and because the knife-scarred cutting board looks ideal to try some dry-brush work.

[Rich]

Peter and Dave, you are correct and it does look a little mote detailed than usual.

Lovely birds Peter.

Lorell, You're welcome! Good to hear you are scheduled for surgery.
Will be sending good vibes!
That is too bad about the island. You will miss it!
A horrific storm. A beautiful beach scene. Perfectly composed.

Dave, that is an awesome photo.! Well composed and exposed!

Another 90F degree day today before a cold front comes though to give us some fall temps.

[Man From Ironbark]

Lovely photo there Lorell. Hope all goes will with your surgery.

Eggshells are nice Dave. I beliebe they would make an interesting painting.

I went for a walk before dawn to try and see the comet. It was almost too foggy to see the rising moon. Looks like I'll have to go for a drive before 4AM to get high enough to see the comet low on the horizon.

Hot weather Rich. Not looking forward to this summer. However, today's max will be 80.6˚F and it is fully a couple of months before summer starts.

Here's a couple of pigeons preening. Shot through a dirty window and a bush.

[Dave]

Thanks, gentlemen.

MFI, the softness of the background and foreground gives your a pleasant and soothing mood.

[Luv2shoot]

Dave, that is a nicely composed image with texture, shadows and highlights. Good job.

Peter, The dirty window shot created an artistic gem. I love it.

[Rich]

Peter, real life got in the way and you created a marvelous photo!