Go Blue - A Meme

What's going on? you ask. I know, it looks a little weird. So if you didn't get an e-mail from me, here's what's going on:

My friend Kris had - what I thought - was an inspired idea, and I promised I would spread the word. I hope you will, too.

Let’s all go BLUE for the next week, between now and Election Day, and particularly on Election Day - especially if you live in a heretofore RED or "battleground" state! Like Florida. Or Virginia. Or Ohio (my actual original home state - Go Buckeyes!) Very simple, and doesn’t cost you a dime – wear the color BLUE everyday at work and at play, to indicate our desire for CHANGE.

It’s subtle, requires no conversation (unless someone actually notices and says something like, "Hey! You’ve been wearing blue all week - forget to do your laundry?"), no banner-waving - just a quiet statement that you demand CHANGE. It's kind of a grassroots thing. Maybe folks will notice and will feel encouraged, empowered. Maybe I'm delusional.

Coincidentally, I’m wearing a blue shirt today, so I’m off to a flying start. Join me and spread the word by e-mail and blog. I’ll be blogging about it for the duration on Flamingo Musings and however possible on Flamingo Fotos, in fact, I'm turning my blogs BLUE for the next week, until Election Day.

Think of it as a meme. Come on - tag yourself. Let's turn the States BLUE! Join me?

Spot-Breasted Orioles!

Well! It's certainly been a banner birdwatching weekend around the ol' imaginary Flamingo Pond! And I haven't even been able to sit out to watch for birds all weekend because of all the rain we've had.

The good news? The rain is bringing with it our first "cold" front of the season - high 70's during the day, 60's at night, clear skies and low humidity (go ahead and laugh, all you Northerners). The bad news? The fabulous weather is arriving just in time to go back to work! :-( This had better not be a trend. Last winter, the weather was glorious all during the work week and rained nearly every weekend. It sucked, actually.

Where was I? Oh, yeah -- during the avian lunch rush this afternoon, three Spot-breasted Orioles showed up to snack on the balloon vine that I let run amok on the side-yard fence!

This one appears to be the "baby" - he's just starting to get his black throat feathers in.

This one's the adult - or nearly so, anyway.

They finally came close enough for me to get a couple of shots! Yaaaayyy! Geez, I really have to clean these glass doors...

Don't forget to click on the images to get a way better look!

Winter's Coming!

Do you know how I know Winter's coming (and all the way down here, it ain't as simple as leaves turning color or a special quality to the sunlight, etc.)?



She's baaaaack! My little female Painted Bunting has returned to my feeders!

Isn't it funny how you tend to refer to them in the possessive? Here we have a truly wild and free creature, who, because she likes to visit my yard for the occasional meal in autumn and winter, has become mine. Just like the Gray Catbird who we've named "Catbert". Probably isn't even the same catbird, or perhaps one of several but we only ever see one at a time. Silly.

Okay, this isn't a current photo, but I'll get one soon, now that I know she's here.

But I'm overjoyed because - this week alone - I've seen the Painted Bunting, Catbert, and a couple of the Turkey Vultures (fly-overs, of course). That can only mean one thing: Winter's Coming! And down here, it just doesn't get any better than that.

PhotoHunt: Scary

The PhotoHunt theme this week is "Scary".

Well, it could be scary - if you were the driver of that small black car parked illegally so the driver could use the ATM across the street. Right? C'mon, back me up, here.

Okay, it's a stretch... wouldn't be the first time... :-)

Hah!

If I had a category for "fantasy", this would be there:

Squirrel-Be-Gone Vista Feeder

*	Large capacity wild bird feeder holds more bird seed so you refill less often
*	Brushed nickel feeder looks fresh and stylish in any garden or yard
*	Deters squirrels and other pests with weight-sensitive bar

Stylish and stunning, this brushed nickel wild bird feeder looks modern and sophisticated in any backyard. Hopper-style Squirrel-Be-Gone Vista Feeder holds 7-1/2 quarts (approximately 9 lbs) of seed, which means less refilling for you! Features an adjustable, weight-sensitive feeding bar to limit seed access for pesky, larger birds and squirrels. When squirrels hop onto the feeding bar, the bar drops to protect the seed. Also features a tight-locking lid to keep seed fresh and pests out.

This is how it really works:


Sure, I could adjust the bar to make it more sensitive, but then the parrots and multiple birds would close it off. As it is, only one parrot at a time can use it - 2 will shut it down. >Sigh!<

I surrender.

PhotoHunt: Family

The PhotoHunt theme this week is "Family".


This is a Family group of red-masked parakeets (or cherry-headed conures, if you prefer). Truthfully, I don't know where Mom(s) and Dad(s) were, but these are mostly maturing juveniles. They're beginning to get the red around the beaks and you can see where they're beginning to molt a bit and get in some red feathers here and there.

Over the last couple of years, I've only ever seen them here in small groups of anywhere between 2 and 6. This is ridiculous! Here's your challenge: How many parrots do you see? Go ahead and click on the photo!

Altogether, including the ones on the other feeders and that I could see on the power lines and/or trees, I counted 24! And that's just what I could see! I have never had so many at once, ever. I'd say they're a Family - brothers from a different mother, sisters from a different mister.

I love these guys - parrots make me smile. You just can't help yourself. :-)

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Speaking of helping yourself... Please click here to donate free mammograms to women in need. It costs you nothing but a few seconds of your time, and you could help save lives. Remember, your click counts double this month, and The Breast Cancer Site's premier sponsor will donate 200 additional mammograms if the site gathers enough clicks to fund 500. But it takes 45,000 clicks to earn one mammogram, people, so click everyday, especially this month, and tell all your friends and family!

PhotoHunt: Lazy

The PhotoHunt theme this week is "Lazy".

"It's Caturday. Buzz off."

JJ on her "daddy divan". Or is it Daddy under his furry blankie?

Of course, feel free to click on the image to enjoy JJ in all her plushness. :-)

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Have you clicked to donate free mammograms today? Your clicks count double this month, so every one counts for two!

PhotoHunt: Sad

The PhotoHunt theme this week is "Sad".

An angry, mentally-ill homeless man argues with a tree.

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But on another, less Sad, note:
As you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So while I have your attention, I'd like you to click on this graphic. The link will take you to The Breast Cancer Site, where by clicking on the pink button, you will help donate free mammograms for women in need. This is totally for real. It doesn't cost you a penny. This is how it works: The Breast Cancer Site is sponsored by a number of different companies who donate free mammograms to indigent women based on the number of clicks on that little pink button. The sponsors gain exposure because you see their logos and might be interested enough to check them out. But you don't have to. All you have to do is click and then go on your way.

During the month of October, if they get enough clicks to earn 500 mammograms, their premier sponsor, Bare Necessities, will donate an additional 200 mammograms. But it takes 45,000 clicks to earn one mammogram, people. So everyone's help is needed. Your click will be counted only once a day, so please click every day. While you're there, you'll notice other tabs at the top of the page where you can click to benefit childhood literacy, rainforest preservation, shelter animals, fight hunger, and more. All at no cost to you. You can click through every tab on the site in under 60 seconds. That's all it takes. Unless you decide to shop. :-) Please click and help save lives. And tell your friends. Thank you!

Okay, I'm getting off my soapbox... for now. :-)