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Friday, June 30, 2017

The Half Year Eve



Today, June thirtieth in the year 2017, marks the end of the half-year for 2017. Therefore, I call it The Half Year Eve. Tomorrow, will be July first in the year 2017, and, I see it as an opportunity to assess what I hope to accomplish in this calendar year.

However, at this moment, my duties are dedicated to helping an injured pigeon that I discovered in my rooftop garden last night.

At the time, I wasn't able to assess his injuries, as it was too dark. Additionally, he kept trying to hide behind my large planters.

Therefore, I was unable to lure him into a container in order to transport him to The Wild Bird Fund (WBF) because it was too dark. Moreover, at that hour of the night, The WBF is not open.

However, I was able to reach Tina Pina (AKA Mother Pigeon), by phone, and she advised me as to what to do if I saw the creature this morning.

When I went into my garden this morning, I was relieved to spot him, and to know that he had made it through the night. But I could tell the pigeon was not feeling well, and I literally gave him the shirt off my back; for I took the shirt I was wearing as a jacket off, and wrapped it around him so that I could pick him up, and put him in an over-sized brownbag (as seen in the photographs atop this entry), in order to be able to take him to The WBF when they open today.

Upon placing him in the bag, and adding a container of water and some food, I discovered that he had gotten his foot or wing caught in some wire contraption. I don't know how he managed that, as I have nothing like that around, but there he was caught in a wire.

I attempted to free him from this, but I stopped as I was afraid I might cause more damage to this sweet pigeon, who had gotten himself into quite a fix!

Hopefully, I'll be able to get him to The WBF, and, hopefully they will be able to free him from the wire contraption, as well as treat any injuries which might have resulted.

He is vacillates between being subdued and feisty, as I write this blog posting. But, I'm confident that if he survives the situation, his half year resolution will be to stay away from wire contraptions.

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Tuesday's Truths Week Forty-Six: Cormorant's Antics Attract Attention!



If you follow me on Blogger, then you know that for a number of weeks now, (ever since the date of June 19th 2016), I've published a series every Tuesday which is called Tuesday's Truths. This is week forty-six of my Tuesday's Truths postings.

In this entry, I'm sharing some interesting truths re the bird type known as a Double-crested Cormorant, the bird variety seen on the right side of both images atop this entry. I took the pictures this past Friday when I walked through Central Park with someone who was visiting NYC from the west coast.

Saturday, June 17, 2017

Happy Anniversary To The Statute of Liberty! (She arrived in NYC 1885)


"On this day (June the seventeenth) in 1885, the dismantled Statue of Liberty, a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of America, arrives in New York Harbor after being shipped across the Atlantic Ocean in 350 individual pieces packed in more than 200 cases," proclaims a page in a web-site titled THIS DAY IN HISTORY. The Statue of Liberty is often called Lady Liberty.

A number of years ago, I came upon a driftwood sculpture (at Long Beach), that was rendered in her likeness by an anonymous artist. This work of art is featured in  the image atop this entry.

Over my years of living in Manhattan, I have seen The Statue of Liberty countless times. Most of my vantage points have been from my this borough, as I have lived here for over thirty-five years.

However, I've seen her several times when I've been on from various boat trips. I've also seen her from other places. The photographs directly below show how looks from a vantage point of Red Hook (in Brooklyn) as well as from a vantage point on Governors Island (respectively).



Moreover, in my home, I have a figurine depicting Lady Liberty. She can be seen in the next image.


I got her at More & More Antiques (M&M), a shop located on NYC's Upper Westside.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Thursday's Tandem-Cycling Tale: A NYC Sunset (Ride 4 for 2017)




The last time I tandem cycled with my captain, ZW, was this past Thursday evening, June 8th. We rode up the greenway from an entrance in the West Village area, to The Little Red Lighthouse and surrounding picnic area. We usually do longer rides, but the air quality was very poor that evening, so we kept it short.

In any event, one of he sightings from our picnic spot was a lone kayaker, making her way south down the Hudson River. She is featured in the images atop this entry.

Because the distance to and from The Little Red Lighthouse, when starting out from the West Village, is a rather short ride for us (see map by clicking here), we finished early enough to park the tandem,


and watch the sunset from the vantage point near to where we began that evening's ride. The following is a set of images of what we saw while the sunset on June 8th, 2017.

Looking southwest (a view that includes The Freedom Tower):


Looking southeast (a view that includes a lone boat on the river and some Jersey buildings):


Looking north (a view that includes a docked-until-an-alarn-rings  FDNY "boat-style fire engine):


Looking west: (a view that included a helicopter making numerous circles and loops around a specific area in New Jersey):





And yet another westward view:


And, just incase you in doubt that we were looking westward, a prominent glaring W, acts as a compass:



That's it, dear reader, re my coverage of tandem tales for ride four. Stay tuned.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Wednesday's Wisdom: Observing the Little Things


A few days ago (June 9th 2017), I posted a clip of Connie Chung interviewing Marlon Brando (in 1989) on my personal FB Page. During the interview, Ms. Chung asked Marlon Brando what he had been doing since he "left" the acting profession.

His answer? "I've spent hours and hours watching ants going up and down my sink, picking up the crumbs, finding where they come in from - they come in to get away from the cold weather..."

I can't say I've spent hours and hours watching ants in my home, but, I have observed them interacting with strawflowers (AKA Helichrysum bracteatum )which grow in my rooftop garden.

An example of this can be seen in the first photograph atop this blog entry. This particular image is included in both the digital,


and softcover,


version of Words In Our Beak Volume One.

The book makes a great Fathers Day gift, and that holiday, will occur in just a few days from now (Sunday, June 18th)!

In any event, while Brando has confessed to spending hours and hours watching ants, I admit that I've spent hour and hours watching a fledging (who is a European starling) making discoveries in my garden (as seen in pictures directly below).




European starlings are merely introduced in Words In Our Beak Volume One, however, much detail re them will be discussed in a subsequent volume. Stay tuned.

ADDENDUM FALL 2018: 

The non-hardcover version (or versions)  of Volume One within the Words In Our Beak book series that are mentioned in this entry may only remain available for a limited time, but hardcover versions of Volume One, Two and Three can now be found wherever books are sold. Please click here to go to my blog post that provides details as to where you can get these books.

MY BOOK SERIES

Additionally, I have rendered some images from these books into other formats and they are available via Fine Art America (FAA). Some of my other photographs (Black & White Collection, Kaleidoscopic Images and the famous Mandarin duck who visited NYC) can also be found on my FAA pages.

Wednesday's Wisdom: Honor The U.S.A.'s Flag


Yesterday, June the 13th, I had hoped to make a day trip to The Fire Island Lighthouse. It is can be seen within the image atop this entry, where an American flag is flying to the lighthouse's left; and, where seagulls, are flying to that flag's left.

I've been to this lighthouse (located within the town of Kismet, on Fire Island), on a number of occasions. And yesterday seemed to be a good time to visit it, as real feel temperatures were in the low hundred degree range. Before nine o'clock in the morning, the actual temperature had reached ninety-six degrees in Central Park!

There are a number of ways to get to The Fire Island Lighthouse. One of them is to take a train (subway) to Penn Station and connect with an LIRR (Long Island Railroad) train to Bayshore, then from there take a taxi to a ferry, which drops passengers off at various towns on Fire Island.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Yet Another Tuesday's Truth for Week NO. 45! (It's Saint Anthony's Feast Day!)


I don't want this Tuesday to pass, without my giving much thanks to Saint Anthony, on his feast day of June 13th. I have a small statue of him on a shelf above my desk, which can be seen in close-up format, in the first image accompanying this entry.

Another Tuesday's Truth for Week Forty-Five (Eudora's debut & exit from PEANUTS)


Earlier today, in an entry for my Tuesday's Truths series here on Blogger, I posted an entry which included a You Tube Clip dedicated to the memory of Matthew Garber. He died exactly forty years ago today: June 13, 1977.

Eudora first appeared in PEANUTS in a strip published thirty-nine years ago today on June 13, 1978 (a copy of the strip is posted atop this entry).

You never know when this might come up in conversation, and, now, in the event that it does, you'll know the non-fake news re this beloved PEANUTS character. For your information, dear reader, Eudora's last appearance was exactly nine years after her debut on June 13, 1987.

Tuesday's Truths Week Forty-Five: Anniversary (40th) of Matthew Garber's Death


Welcome to week forty-fifth of my Tuesday's Truths series, with a post dedicated to Matthew Garber who died forty years ago today. Garber had major roles in three films as child: The Three Lives of ThomasinaThe Gnome-Mobile, and, Mary Poppins. All three times he appeared alongside actress Karen Dotrice.

They can be seen together in the image atop this entry, which you may recognize, dear reader, as I featured it within an entry here on Blogger, published in 2012.

For today's post, I'm including a tribute to Matthew Garber that I found on You Tube

Monday, June 12, 2017

This BUD's for YOU! (It's Red Rose Day)


Today is Red Rose Day (according to Holiday Insights AKA HI). HI states that Red Rose Day is always celebrated on June 12th.

Furthermore, HI proclaims this day is the "time to enjoy and appreciate America's favorite flower.....the red rose."

In bygone years, I've had red roses in my rooftop garden, which is where I took the photograph (that is now part of My Fauna-Flora-Insect-Themed Cards) that is atop this blog entry. This series of cards is comprised of images which can be found in Cam's book, Words In Our Beak Volume One.


The book, and/or the postcards make a great Fathers Day (which, is this coming Sunday) gift! As of this posting, the only way to purchase my book is via the publisher; MagCloud.

My postcards are available at More & More Antiques on the UWS of New York City.


Sunday, June 11, 2017

Soon It Will Be Father's Day 2017!




The photographs atop this entry are of Peanut, a fledging who is a girl, bonding with her father, Mac.

She was named Peanut, because she loves eating peanuts! Moreover, she is featured (as are her siblings) in her mother's (Cam, pictured below),


book, Words In Our Beak, Volume One.


Peanut certainly appreciates spending time with her father! Therefore, when she learned, that in one week's time, on the eighteenth of June, humans will be honoring Father's Day, she asked me to suggest to those who still have their fathers, or their grandfathers, that they give them Cam's book as a gift!

ADDENDUM FALL 2018: 

The non-hardcover version (or versions)  of Volume One within the Words In Our Beak book series that are mentioned in this entry may only remain available for a limited time, but hardcover versions of Volume One, Two and Three can now be found wherever books are sold. Please click here to go to my blog post that provides details as to where you can get these books.

MY BOOK SERIES

Additionally, I have rendered some images from these books into other formats and they are available via Fine Art America (FAA). Some of my other photographs (Black & White Collection, Kaleidoscopic Images and the famous Mandarin duck who visited NYC) can also be found on my FAA pages.

Thursday, June 8, 2017

Here's Some More of Thursday's Testimony (Not Comey's; It's Still The Little Things)


Earlier today, I published a post here on Blogger that's titled Wednesday's Wisdom + Thursday's Testimony (It's The Little Things)

My reasoning for giving it this title is that I started writing the aforementioned post on Wednesday, which is the day I do my Wednesday's Wisdom series, but, I didn't publish it until today. Now, before the day's out, I'd like to share with you another testimony, which has nothing to do with the testimony James Comey gave today.

The additional testimony that I'm offering here (as part of my Thursday's Testimony series) is for the birds, and, the bird type which I'm dedicating this entry to is known as a Canadian Goose, seen in the image atop this entry.

I took the photograph last night when I was in Central Park, having a picnic with a few acquaintances. What a joy it was to see the adult Canadian Geese spending quality time with their goslings.

Neither of the goslings' parents were on their cell phone talking or texting; rather, their entire focus was on their young ones, as they made their way down a path that is near to the lake in Central Park.

Both parents just kept their eye on the birdie, as evidenced in the next set of photos.




They seemed like such a happy family out for a late spring evening stroll! And the parents took such pride in showing their off-spring out to the public as they strutted down the path!

Wednesday's Wisdom + Thursday's Testimony (It's The Little Things)


This past Friday, June 2nd 2017, I came upon some people who were hanging out upon a stoop  of a one family brownstone that is located on the UWS of NYC.

They were engaged in conversation, enjoying pizza. Seeing them take such pleasure in the activity of eating pizza, while hanging out on a stoop during a Friday evening in NYC, gave me pleasure; and, I told them so.

I rarely take photos of people, but regretted not having my camera with me. Upon my telling them this, one of the stoop sitters, who referred to himself as Josiah Kargbo, took a picture with his cell phone, and emailed it to me. Kargbo's image is featured atop this blog entry.

The couple (N&J) who owns the brownstone are folks who I know on a little more than a "hi-how-you-fine-thanks" status; and in all the years I've passed their building, I've never seen them sitting on their stoop to watch passersby. However, I have seen a number of persons of all shapes and sizes, of all genders, of all races, and, of all ages, hanging out on this stoop.

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Another Tuesday's Truth for Week Forty-Four (It's N'tl Gardening Exercise Day)


Earlier today in an entry for my Tuesday's Truths series, I posted a poem in honor of D-Day, which occurred on June 6th, 1944. And, now, before I let this Tuesday pass, I want to state another truth:

Today (according to Holiday Insights AKA HI), is National Gardening Exercise Day. Re this event, HI states: "Everyone knows gardening is therapeutic.  It's good for the mind, body, and soul. Gardening Exercise Day gives us an opportunity to go out and burn off calories and have fun doing it. National Gardening Exercise Day is intended to recognize the important physical health benefits of gardening.

In reality, gardening is exercise. Experts say the various activities and tasks of gardening ultimately uses all of the major muscle groups. In addition, strenuous gardening activities such as raking, hoeing, and digging is both aerobic and muscle strengthening."

Furthermore, HI suggests that on this particular holiday, one "go out and exercise with, and among, (their) plants." 

Going out into my rooftop garden, to exercise with, and among my plants may not be an option for me today as it is raining heavily in NYC. However, rainfall, is not a deterrent for doing some exercising in my indoor succulent garden. Humpty Dumpty, seen in the photo atop this entry, is exercising in it by climbing the wall adjacent to my succulent garden.

Tuesday's Truths: The Forty-Fourth Week (Remembering D-Day)


Hello! Welcome to week forty-four of my Tuesday's Truths series, with a post dedicated to D-Day. I've posted a web-image above, and a poem (below), The Hour Is Go, by Francis J. Turner, as a way of paying homage to this historical day.

One's eyes close tight and families fade,
When going to war which evil men made
Though anxious and frightened,wedon't let it show,
For the day is approaching ,when the Airborne must go.

Each day now rolls past ,we wait just the same,
But D-Day is near ,and for this we all came.
The hour grows near,each man feels it inside,
And soon we'll be falling ,with nowhere to hide.

Our eyes are now down and the chatter the same,
Each weapon now loaded ,no longer a game,
The hour grows near; each man feels it inside,
And soon we'll be falling, with nowhere to hide.

Our eyes are now down and the chatter the same,
Each weapon now loaded, no longer a game.
Eagles gather round and bow your heads low,
Europe awaits and the hour is go.

Planes rumble past as we wait for our turn,
To fly over waters we have yet to each earn.
Checked buckles and straps, left nothing to chance,
The Jumpmaster stands, calls "Welcome to France".

Flak turns to fire in the blackest of night,
Too low, too fast, can't jump from this height.
There's no turning back, the risk has been taken,
Free fall into hell, paratrooper's forsaken.

Eagles hold tight, scattered prayers to survive,
We'll hit the ground soon, whether dead or alive.
As feet touch the ground, each soldiers turns on,
Confusion and fear are beaten and gone.

The enemy is close and sad they don't know
The Airborne is here, it's time they must go.
The hour is now, Hitler's had his last chance
On St. Michael's wings, we're taking back France.

Monday, June 5, 2017

World Environment Day 2017


Today is World Environment Day (WED). WED, according to Holiday Insights (HI), is a holiday that "was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972." HI explains that WED's mission is to focus "attention on important environmental issues." 

Recycling is one of those issues, hence, I chose to include the Mutts comic strip that is atop this posting. Moreover, in last Monday's blog post, I discussed composting as a way to recycle.

Be that as it may, HI proclaims that The United Nations describes WED in this manner: "World Environment Day is commemorated each year on June 5th. It is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action." 

HI goes on to describe WED's agenda stating that "each year, a theme is selected," For example, the theme for 2006 was "'Deserts and Desertification' The slogan (was): 'Don't Desert Drylands!'  Each year, a different city is selected to host World Environment Day celebrations. Algiers, Algeria was selected for 2006." 

Wiki explains that WED's theme for 2017 is "'Connecting People to Nature – in the city and on the land, from the poles to the equator.' The host nation is Canada."

In any event, back in 2011, I wrote about WED here on Blogger, and, if you'd like to reference that post, please click here.

Saturday, June 3, 2017

June 3rd 2017



The photographs atop this blog entry features Super, a Northern Flicker, who I helped rescue a little over a year ago. In this image he is being held by a rehabber at The Wild Bird Fund (WBF) in NYC.

You might recognize these particular pictures, dear reader, as I featured them in a prior entry here on Blogger, in which I discussed how I participated in his rescue. And if you followed this creature's story, which I chronicled in a number of posts on Blogger, you might remember that he eventually had to be euthanized (at The Raptor Trust, where he had been transferred to for treatment).