Photography Club

[Fahrenheit451]

We have a bunch of feral cats at our place as well. As soon as they see you they run for the hills.

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

Took a trip down memory lane in my photo albums tonight and happened upon these handmade wooden stands that my ex-husband crafted for me (along with most of the dust they had collected). I've long since paid them forward to someone else who highly admired them. They were made to specifically hold two Native American figurines I had been given.

He was an incredibly talented wood worker, most especially with a scroll saw, but could do just about anything with wood. I remember it being his favorite form of therapeutic release, other than alcohol and his Harley. I'll never innerstand all he saw and endured as a green beret medic in the marine corps, but I hope he was able to find more moments of peace within as the years passed.

I realize much of the hurt he caused me was likely rooted in the hurt he experienced at various times of his life. I received mostly mental and emotional abuse from him, unlike others in the past that were physical, sexual, and extremely violent. No one deserves to be abused in any form.

Grateful we both realized it was time to sever ties before damage was done that could never be reversed. Even more grateful I can recognize the beautiful parts of our connection rather than just the painful ones....may he rest in peace, finally....

 

[Fahrenheit451]

So it’s almost minus 30 (Celsius) outside right now and rather depressing. So to make me feel better I found another nice picture of a bluebird in my files.

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

Are those little beauties indigo buntings, @Fahrenheit451 ?

 

[blackemerald1]

Hey everyone, this is my service dog. She arrives in Feb.. Just cropped her down & thought I'd share. :)

 

[ladee]

What a beauty @blackemerald1 !!!! Can hardly wait for more pictures of her!

 

[Fahrenheit451]

Holy cow Blackemerald. She’s gorgeous.

 

[Fahrenheit451]

Are those little beauties indigo buntings

Its a male Mountain Bluebird. I’ve built a number of birdhouses for them to use in the spring. As a result we get quite a few during nesting season. Here’s a couple more.

 

[Fahrenheit451]

Let’s go with a bird on the other end of the food chain today. :)
This big guy was fishing when I happened to see him last summer. He didn’t really pay much attention to me as he was focused on all the small salmon around.

 

[LuckiLee]

Beautiful shot ^^^ @Fahrenheit451. You take some great pictures!!

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

Soaked up some intermittent sun, unusual winter warmth, mountain stream sounds meditation, and tree hugs today...feeling renewed and pretty damn grateful...

My favorite hugged one and listener along the way...

As soon as I left the wooded area, a little visitor flew in and landed on the wire fencing we have protecting a dwarf peach tree we planted last year...the Eastern bluebird...not quite as vividly blue as the mountain version, especially from the belly view...lol....but still brings with it much happiness ? ...and what great timing they have...

 

[Fahrenheit451]

This is a picture that is incredibly special to me. We were on a training exercise doing a simulated tanker fire. The drill is to approach the fire with two lines set in a fog pattern to protect us from the incredible heat. When we got close enough the "team lead" in the middle (which is me) reaches down and shuts off a valve supplying the fuel to the fire. We were about 3 feet away when we lost water pressure. So now we are all in the fire. My hands which were on the front firefighters shoulders instantly started to burn. As did our gear, helmets and masks. To everyones credit and training not one firefighter turned and ran, we all backed away as a unit. Pretty much everyone got burnt to some degree but nothing permanent. When they talk about "Firefighter Brotherhood" this was it.
Makes me proud.

<Mod Edit, photo removed>