For the last decade, I have had the pleasure of looking after an elderly widow who lives across the way. Well, all except the horrible wear and tear on my Snapper mower around her gravel drive.

Mrs. Byrd has quite a "green thumb" and was as elated that I found her flowers beautiful enough to photograph as I was to do so. When I'd show her the pictures, she couldn't resist keeping her fingers off. I've no idea how many times she would exclaim, "Ain't my God good!"

Today, she has Alzheimers and will very soon need 24/7 care. But she still lives at home and they let her drive the roads. A concerned neighbor said something to me about it and I replied that she drives slowly enough and has driven all her life. Maybe she'll be okay...if she doesn't see something jump out that isn't there. He agreed.

Mrs. Byrd has asked me to look out for the elk that's been eating her pears...maybe I can get a picture of it.

...As we say in the American south: "Bless her heart."

So all my thanks and appreciation to Mrs. Byrd for the hundreds of exposures I've taken in her yard and the years of joy being a help to here, even if the "joy" wasn't much fun sometimes.

drive.

Mrs. Byrd has quite a "green thumb" and was as elated that I found her flowers beautiful enough to photograph as I was to do so. When I'd show her the pictures, she couldn't resist keeping her fingers off. I've no idea how many times she would exclaim, "Ain't my God good!"

Today, she has Alzheimers and will very soon need 24/7 care. But she still lives at home and they let her drive the roads. A concerned neighbor said something to me about it and I replied that she drives slowly enough and has driven all her life. Maybe she'll be okay...if she doesn't see something jump out that isn't there. He agreed.

Mrs. Byrd has asked me to look out for the elk that's been eating her pears...maybe I can get a picture of it.

...As we say in the American south: "Bless her heart."

So all my thanks and appreciation to Mrs. Byrd for the hundreds of exposures I've taken in her yard and the years of joy being a help to here, even if the "joy" wasn't much fun sometimes.

Images of mostly flowers with some other foliage

Animal photographs

Skies and Landscapes

Flying Feather Factories

Mostly macro insects and the like

About a week prior to my visit to Mobile, Alabama, there had been a serious storm which pretty well devastated the region's azelias. Mobile is known for being a city of azelias. Isn't it fun to take a trip somewhere for the purpose of photography only to be defeated by bad weather.

This particular day was overcast virtually all day. With a removeable handle-mount flash, shooting flower macros is best under a diffused sky. But scenics can be disappointing, especially if there is any sky included.

Here, you will see a few of the pictures I took that day.

trip somewhere for the purpose of photography only to be defeated by bad weather.

This particular day was overcast virtually all day. With a removeable handle-mount flash, shooting flower macros is best under a diffused sky. But scenics can be disappointing, especially if there is any sky included.

Here, you will see a few of the pictures I took that day.

A few architectural images

Air and ground transportation and equipment

Black and White

People

Just that: miscellaneous. :-)

Astronomical images

Since most people do not check out the My Videos link in member's area, this is to let you know I'll be putting up a few along. Click "My Videos" in the link collumn or this URL:

http://video.fotki.com/Certo/

URL:

http://video.fotki.com/Certo/

Images from and to the public domain

Words to encourage others.

This came public domain via email. I edited the text and pix.

DON'T CHEAT. READ THIS STORY FIRST! :-)

A couple from Montana were out riding on the range, he with his rifle and she, fortunately, with her camera. Their dogs always followed them. But on this outing, a Montana mountain lion decided that she wanted to stalk the dogs. You can see the dogs in the background watching the whole thing.

The hunter got off the mule with his rifle and decided to shoot in the air to scare away the lion, but before he could aim and get off a round, the cat charged the dogs. The mule, completely devoid of tolerance, charged the cat, inhibited the hunter's aim and the rest is amazing.

Just as the mountain lion approaced the dogs, the mule reached the cat, snatched her up by the tail and started whrling her around like a bull dog with a rag doll, repeatedly, banging the cat's head on the ground. Then he droped the feline and began biting her all over, inflicting multiple, mortal wounds. After that, he picked up the mountain lion, just like a mother cat would her kitten and the predator curled into submission. Realizing his victory, the ass (old English term) firmly planted his foot on the animal's neck and watched to see if she would move. Then, just like Samson did after he slew the lion on the way with his parents to Timnath, he ambled back over to his parents, in this case, owners and waited to continue the journey as if nothing had happened.

The Mrs. was able to get the following four shots with her, probably cell phone, camera.

fortunately, with her camera. Their dogs always followed them. But on this outing, a Montana mountain lion decided that she wanted to stalk the dogs. You can see the dogs in the background watching the whole thing.

The hunter got off the mule with his rifle and decided to shoot in the air to scare away the lion, but before he could aim and get off a round, the cat charged the dogs. The mule, completely devoid of tolerance, charged the cat, inhibited the hunter's aim and the rest is amazing.

Just as the mountain lion approaced the dogs, the mule reached the cat, snatched her up by the tail and started whrling her around like a bull dog with a rag doll, repeatedly, banging the cat's head on the ground. Then he droped the feline and began biting her all over, inflicting multiple, mortal wounds. After that, he picked up the mountain lion, just like a mother cat would her kitten and the predator curled into submission. Realizing his victory, the ass (old English term) firmly planted his foot on the animal's neck and watched to see if she would move. Then, just like Samson did after he slew the lion on the way with his parents to Timnath, he ambled back over to his parents, in this case, owners and waited to continue the journey as if nothing had happened.

The Mrs. was able to get the following four shots with her, probably cell phone, camera.

"Viewer Discretion is Advised" is added because of free speech issues and --possible-- sensitivity to points of disagreement. There will be NOTHING posted for slander or to antagonize. I support Fotki.com's restriction of such postings. These images are of signs I find in one way or another amusing. In some cases, I will offer why I think so; in others, I'll leave it to you. More sensitive will, or at least could be, those of church signs. I have no doubt that some few may deem me as arrogant or poking fun. However, I think most will agree that the signs are in some way amusing and that will be the total of the matter. This is part of what makes our diverse world and lives interesting and sometimes stimulating. I refuse to engage in doctrinal responses or deliberate on my personal views. The "Date taken" requirement for this album is non-applicable; the images have been taken and will be taken over a span of time.

Fotki.com's restriction of such postings. These images are of signs I find in one way or another amusing. In some cases, I will offer why I think so; in others, I'll leave it to you. More sensitive will, or at least could be, those of church signs. I have no doubt that some few may deem me as arrogant or poking fun. However, I think most will agree that the signs are in some way amusing and that will be the total of the matter. This is part of what makes our diverse world and lives interesting and sometimes stimulating. I refuse to engage in doctrinal responses or deliberate on my personal views. The "Date taken" requirement for this album is non-applicable; the images have been taken and will be taken over a span of time.