Cold today, only in the mid-50s in the afternoon. All day long, the chickadees have been picking off the peanuts and sunflower seeds, with one female eating as if she had a big brood back at the nest. She tears off bits of the bread pieces, downing it on the spot instead of flying off like the others. When she finds a bigger seed, she wedges it between her claws, and hammers at it with her beak.

Just when I’m lulled into thinking all is peaceful, a big form comes out of nowhere and slams into the window in front of me. When I dash out, all I can see are two doves flying away, one making comforting sounds to the other. Maybe due to not hitting the window head on, but rather coming around from the side, it didn’t knock itself out. Which is great, but I didn’t get to take close-up photos. Dang.

For such a small bird, it made a very loud thump on the window. It didn’t seem to be moving as it lay on the ground. When I picked it up, it stretched out a wing stiffly. Oh no, I thought, a broken wing. Its tiny feet couldn’t get a grip in my palm so I set it in some veronica. And then of course, my main instincts kicked in, and I went inside for the tripod.

I managed to get a few shots taken. Suddenly, the eyes brightened, the heartrate quickened, and it went straight up in the oak tree. What a recovery!

After supper, it was still 90°. But it looked as if we were going to have pink clouds at sunset. I’m never ready for these things. Tried to leap out of my chair, but stuck to it again, thanks to the temps and suddenly, it seemed, high humidity. No time for a tripod, the mosquitoes would have cheered had that been a possibility. I brushed a few off my arm, and took some quick shots at high speed with the lens that’s really not meant for this.

Of course it was dark. But for a few seconds, the western sky looked like the cover of my copy of Dante, minus a couple of small details.

Where The Wild Things Are, to the kids gathered for the annual Easter Egg Roll. While it wasn’t the favorite choice in our household, it got picked enough times that I could read it in my sleep, and probably did more than once. And to think those were my younger, energetic days.

In case you missed it, here’s the trailer for the upcoming movie, which looks very promising.

It was 90° at suppertime last night. No Netflix movies left. Need distraction badly. I grabbed The Bourne Identity, and we cheered at all the memorable scenes of the first 45 min. (I had to do some work in anticipation of the even hotter temps today.) The park bench cops, the climbing down the building, the intruder in the apartment. Then I got to thinking, could there be another Bourne in the works?

Apparently so. Although just when it begins shooting is still up in the air.

Family members know that I leave the room during ultra-violent movie scenes. Ditto torture. While I had read that Brosnan’s singing was not the high point of the film, I was not prepared for the depth and breadth of badness.

Having been a fan since Remington Steele days, I was willing to throw him some slack. But after enduring his first number, I did indeed leave and put up the supper dishes and leftovers, and wiped down counters, etc. during the second. Little did I know he was to be brought back again and again.

And to think that Meryl Streep gazed upon him with adoration during his singing. Such a great actress.

If you missed the movie, you can catch my drift during the first minutes of this video.

Last week I bought this camera. I’ve had my eye on it since it came out last year, but the planets, moons, constellations and animal intestines had to be lined up just so.

Sunday, I got an email telling me that I needed to call and verify. It being Easter, there was no answer, even though I was assured there would be. Calls this morning were mostly spent on hold listening to old Enya tracks, and after the sixth or seventh try, there was actual human contact. After making sure the address was correct, the salesman and I had a little chat:

He: So, do you have any questions for me?
Me: Uh, no.
He: Well, I’ll have to tell you what most buyers of this camera ask. They want to know how long the battery lasts. I can tell you it has a very short life.
Me: Okay.
He: We’re running this deal where you can get one for ($xxx) or you can get our special promotion of two for ($xxx).
Me: I just want the camera, thanks.
He: This promotion runs out soon. You sure?
Me: Yes.
He: Tell you what, I’ll give you the two for the one price. How about that? Comes with its own charger.
Me (thinking): Uh, no, I don’t think so.
He: Okay, then. Now you know it only comes with the store warranty.
Me: How much is the manufacturer’s warranty?
He: ($xxx).
Me: Actually, I’m still looking at how much I spent just for the camera, so not now.
He: Okay, you play a tough game. I’ll throw in the manufacturer’s warranty plus the two batteries for ($xxx).
Me: No, this is something I need to think over.
He: Well if you are budget-minded, this is a great deal since you aren’t paying for any shipping.
Me (having never paid four figures for a camera before): No, I don’t think so.
He: You think I’m coming on too strong? I’m not, this is such a great deal.
Me: Just the camera, thanks.

Note to self: next time, back to Adorama or B&H.

The dark-eyed juncos are waiting for me when I come out here in the morning. I have to put a cover on the feeder at night to keep the varmints at bay. Most days I fix my oatmeal first, but it’s obvious they are impatient and all but lined up. Now I see why.

The juvenile screeches and follows the parents all over the yard. This is one of two, the other is not as demanding, and doesn’t feel the need to puff up its feathers.

My photo setup is not quite there yet, I’m working on it. Dark, gloomy day, constantly moving subjects fluffing and unfluffing. Beaks eating at high speeds.

At last, something to cheer me up:

It’s never too early to start lining up options for carving the pumpkins. For all you BSG fans out there, what better way to display your carving plus soldering plus LED skills. The drawing is not too intricate, but I’d need help with the other stuff.