tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23736012394646351702024-03-05T15:33:24.451-05:00Beasts in a Populous CityZoo Stories from a Marine Biologist in DCOlivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.comBlogger731125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-30457459958269704782015-06-01T21:48:00.000-04:002015-06-01T21:48:33.884-04:00About the Journey<br />
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<i>“It’s all about the journey,” people say, and I find that deeply irritating. But this February I took a day trip from San Jose to Monterey, and the bus ride along Route 101 was, astonishingly enough, an experience in itself. </i> <br />
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The very light is revelatory. As I gaze out the window, I feel as if I am somehow both consuming the view and serving as a conduit for it—that it is flowing through me with such intensity I have no room for other thoughts or ideas—that I have been possessed by my own eyes, my vision.<br />
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The area is a landscape of curves and rises, folds and dimples and divots and creases and bulges—a <i>soft</i> landscape, smoothed in its lines as if blurred or melted.<br />
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In the midst of the hypnotic curves there are sudden surprises: the patch of yellow flowers bright as spilled paint; cows scattered along a hill, the sun turning two of them brick red among their dark fellows; an egret perched at the very top of a tree like a figurehead.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePdJLDb38a9z5ZJ2id_9Wlm1SvxQ8hfUIWi7OybhAt716nHnnrgYwYcW_xgCa-VViVvP6zgp5c_6RuzkzkdLw9B4XXcbPst4B90zFBuj4I81nKIbpwu-A6jBNsjp2szNRGhPQzNitAw/s1600/About+the+Journey+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePdJLDb38a9z5ZJ2id_9Wlm1SvxQ8hfUIWi7OybhAt716nHnnrgYwYcW_xgCa-VViVvP6zgp5c_6RuzkzkdLw9B4XXcbPst4B90zFBuj4I81nKIbpwu-A6jBNsjp2szNRGhPQzNitAw/s400/About+the+Journey+03.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The light here becomes it owns character, with different moods that alter the landscape and create waves of drama as cloud shadows vaster than whales drift over the fields. Behind them, thin sunbeams spotlight and make majestic a single tree, a ridge, a row of artichokes whose spiked leaves appear burnished.<br />
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In the tilled fields rich shades of sienna and brown lie in row upon row, as if an artist had taken all her earth-toned pastels and stroked one after another, in wide lines, across a page. Their richness and variety is never-ending.<br />
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For a while we pass through low, low clouds, not as pervasive as fog—more confined—but so close that they seem personal, intimate, choosing to cover this particular field, this precise portion of road. And yet their cover is imperfect, so the sun is able to come through in radiant fibers, as if it has been strained through a fine mesh. It too seems closer and more tangible, made of threads of light, reaching down to a shadowed landscape.<br />
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The trees have their own personalities. The live oaks stretch sideways: broad, majestic, mysterious. The eucalyptus are sprung from an impressionist’s brush: long trunks made of streaks of white and grey and red, slashes of leaves shivering. Sometimes a row of saplings, pale and slim as soldiers, line the side of the road like solemn guardians. Sometimes a scrub of tangled branches, live oaks and brush and who knows what, form a low forest in the space before the fields: a small secret grove carpeted with russet leaves, in which the practice of ancient rites by ancient, unseen people seems entirely possible.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtPbN1JJZKi4WHxe1AYKAvr6pYJYHhmlQ64NIeuNSvVTwE3iBghJyYiKjb-LC1E5IyrZczA-rcgBQgw5avCfyEtGkoHYMVYmuWzs5U8RXwuUZQV0zGP2W2btXPx5MOlfjnh9PTjsvHw/s1600/About+the+Journey+06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtPbN1JJZKi4WHxe1AYKAvr6pYJYHhmlQ64NIeuNSvVTwE3iBghJyYiKjb-LC1E5IyrZczA-rcgBQgw5avCfyEtGkoHYMVYmuWzs5U8RXwuUZQV0zGP2W2btXPx5MOlfjnh9PTjsvHw/s400/About+the+Journey+06.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Near the coast the land changes: now there are great sweeps of gold and silver dunes, banded with beach plants in deep green and bright green and strips of rusty orange. The sand of them is tempting in the way of pristine snow—it draws you—you want to touch.<br />
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And finally, glimpsed in snatches from behind the dunes, the sea: layers of color and clarity that make the stomach drop. No other colors are the sea’s colors, no other smell the sea’s—which rushes in with an energizing chill and zest, a tang of brine that scours away all dullness and lethargy and lures us, addicts to our fix, to this, the land’s—and journey’s—end.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pfnAFOWQn4_INgYOowkk-1-y99wcOMZwoJLtOJQqbFmJvGb3zhD9H8g4qhB9mWD4msjHrphJ5fXHxyMZejOLJj5Xqbhrum8gFTFGq-9NLNExw7aKLnxVJzV_Jf8EgcLarPPr03qYpQ/s1600/About+the+Journey+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pfnAFOWQn4_INgYOowkk-1-y99wcOMZwoJLtOJQqbFmJvGb3zhD9H8g4qhB9mWD4msjHrphJ5fXHxyMZejOLJj5Xqbhrum8gFTFGq-9NLNExw7aKLnxVJzV_Jf8EgcLarPPr03qYpQ/s400/About+the+Journey+05.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div><br />
Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-19314271841807631272015-05-29T11:10:00.003-04:002015-05-29T11:13:25.500-04:00On Horseshoe Crab Mating: a haiku<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6rWkCGEvERUDXoXoNnKicK_x4lsKzvY6Jumpg3wABgBOfur5xt0KW8tFNZMORWCWOe33XrDBzLrhwgVb1-KxQvjn4pUCknw33KHOx_0w3l-nWC8YVxzCXR591XUH68ueOV6ukiQluA/s1600/HSWeekend06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6rWkCGEvERUDXoXoNnKicK_x4lsKzvY6Jumpg3wABgBOfur5xt0KW8tFNZMORWCWOe33XrDBzLrhwgVb1-KxQvjn4pUCknw33KHOx_0w3l-nWC8YVxzCXR591XUH68ueOV6ukiQluA/s400/HSWeekend06.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<b style="font-family: 'book antiqua';">One suitor clasping:</b><br />
<div align="justify"><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><b>"Love is to cling!" One sidles:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><b>"In subtlety, love."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: book antiqua;">For more on the mating behavior of horseshoe crabs, <a href="http://beastsinapopulouscity.blogspot.com/2012/05/gripping-tale-strong-embraces-and.html" target="window"><u>check out this post</u></a>--and stay tuned for more about our most recent feats of horseshoe-crab voyeurism.</span><br />
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<div align="center"><span style="font-size: 85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></div></div>Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-1747753379948524162015-02-27T07:00:00.000-05:002015-02-27T07:00:11.801-05:00Friday Fuschia<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMAuEphDIQodylRASMaeqZ5KNiMI5pyV4ocK4ZZsgayGebDhic5IoQj8jXgpyhxdZmpTckDmRylXZ6fLGvekdjVQJ01nCbufrgqy16VWgQ5LoXbGl1P2lP2-zx-KNTE4IJucx_VIo1Q/s1600/fuschia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMAuEphDIQodylRASMaeqZ5KNiMI5pyV4ocK4ZZsgayGebDhic5IoQj8jXgpyhxdZmpTckDmRylXZ6fLGvekdjVQJ01nCbufrgqy16VWgQ5LoXbGl1P2lP2-zx-KNTE4IJucx_VIo1Q/s400/fuschia.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family:book antiqua"><div align="justify"><br />
No flamingos today but some other pink animals to brighten the start of your weekend.<br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div>1Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-7779760424174829382015-02-14T20:06:00.001-05:002015-02-14T20:06:48.051-05:00Love is in the air (or on the leaf)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiCmVj9pmsxGM7Ws0Q3uNBMhaY8r098oMuYUBGOg93uolHxKZgzLj9FIqwUfn0EsXbMfKcJss5dRs8yIMCOumfQUJ4VqJ2aNVMnycJzUCIZ4yLn-IdEpsz0IfcRAk-FtsyV1uE4Kxeg/s1600/valentine's%2Bday%2Bflies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiCmVj9pmsxGM7Ws0Q3uNBMhaY8r098oMuYUBGOg93uolHxKZgzLj9FIqwUfn0EsXbMfKcJss5dRs8yIMCOumfQUJ4VqJ2aNVMnycJzUCIZ4yLn-IdEpsz0IfcRAk-FtsyV1uE4Kxeg/s400/valentine's%2Bday%2Bflies.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family:book antiqua"><div align="justify">I was photographing oxeye daisies in bloom (because I'm visiting California, where the plants laugh at winter!) when I came across this couple enjoying Valentine's Day.<br />
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May I wish that all of you, in your own ways, also enjoy the day.<br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div><br />
Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-42091703885112588742015-01-30T11:09:00.001-05:002015-01-30T11:09:13.928-05:00Robins Take Over the Universe!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZaI4mXjZJ-1SbnH4UlsboO8_s6PWcGNj6LCKIQ3zLWgwuHceRQu0oWOt6pYSHgzVGe929-GAF0eXalJZRfq6V9mTctDBNPgyVpFkGLNi8iw5KDHbRHJZqgZ5Gy0oPnwRvHcMsQ-hRQ/s1600/robins+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZaI4mXjZJ-1SbnH4UlsboO8_s6PWcGNj6LCKIQ3zLWgwuHceRQu0oWOt6pYSHgzVGe929-GAF0eXalJZRfq6V9mTctDBNPgyVpFkGLNi8iw5KDHbRHJZqgZ5Gy0oPnwRvHcMsQ-hRQ/s400/robins+.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family:book antiqua"><div align="justify">Or at least our little portion of it.<br />
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I was walking to work this morning when I heard a near-deafening cacophony of cheeping and chirping, an overwhelming waterfall of bird sounds.<br />
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To my astonishment, I saw a <i>cloud</i> of robins rising from and perching in a holly tree ripe with berries. There were simply too many birds for the holly to support them, so many more were perched on the bare branches of nearby trees or the ledges of houses.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkSzMQtr8lEXEpbtTEisKKxkz4gXYFTcwav8nO9Saza3aVwdtLTNvqRlFoEvBlqq-9PcnY6s6Gm7JXlsFtSC4g9hhZnwuWKrbqBLbOqI1Ty6UVFluFyyE7P56vlUg1VNOP8LVD7bduw/s1600/robins+circled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkSzMQtr8lEXEpbtTEisKKxkz4gXYFTcwav8nO9Saza3aVwdtLTNvqRlFoEvBlqq-9PcnY6s6Gm7JXlsFtSC4g9hhZnwuWKrbqBLbOqI1Ty6UVFluFyyE7P56vlUg1VNOP8LVD7bduw/s400/robins+circled.jpg" /></a></div><div align=center>[because this is a poor-quality phone photo I've circled the visible robins--more are too blurred by their motion to be seen. I count at least 80.]</div><br />
I’ve seen vast murmurations of starlings forming and reforming patterns in the air like plumes of smoke, huge clusters of cedar waxwings gorging themselves silly on wild cherries, bushes dense with sparrows like feathered fruit. I have never seen this many robins in one place, and I’m a little worried.<br />
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Does it presage some disturbing, bitter shift in the weather? An extra-long winter during which we’ll all need as many berries as we can eat? Or…the beginning of a vast avian conspiracy to overcome the globe?<br />
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Only time will tell.<br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div>Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-6003988107608207072014-12-05T07:30:00.000-05:002014-12-05T07:30:01.265-05:00Flamingo Friday: Angles<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqI7cmzQmdMMvughJDjIy1fIAQK-CsaIzRYzo-5BRJopp14G3NQsOiiiNx1Og-zD67dV0ND1Ekhryg8nJIQzqn9ZniqL2BYAuecloREqRjGZQrCWUBB5PXf6ff6t7qLCWMPOVJYsGmEw/s1600/ff+-+angles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqI7cmzQmdMMvughJDjIy1fIAQK-CsaIzRYzo-5BRJopp14G3NQsOiiiNx1Og-zD67dV0ND1Ekhryg8nJIQzqn9ZniqL2BYAuecloREqRjGZQrCWUBB5PXf6ff6t7qLCWMPOVJYsGmEw/s400/ff+-+angles.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family:book antiqua"><div align="justify"><br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div>Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-9423431330070035602014-12-04T14:20:00.000-05:002014-12-04T14:20:10.464-05:00Crow Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsDu_cjV0OG5hLq3xyY5EMgjlvIk6xuYLfDVAmtPkrdf6yad0JlPfhJFkj1RYpy-3f7MqhDYuUkSiqDxec2O3WiuKShidOsA-83rUup7gHGVIkje_JrVJ9vrKNjmu9rd5sCdNGSuKRQ/s1600/crow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsDu_cjV0OG5hLq3xyY5EMgjlvIk6xuYLfDVAmtPkrdf6yad0JlPfhJFkj1RYpy-3f7MqhDYuUkSiqDxec2O3WiuKShidOsA-83rUup7gHGVIkje_JrVJ9vrKNjmu9rd5sCdNGSuKRQ/s400/crow2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family:book antiqua"><div align="justify"><br />
The apartment building next to our condo is one floor shorter than our own. Our windows look down on its roof, which is in such a sad state that deep puddles collect during any rain and remain for days afterwards.<br />
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This is a shame for the buildings’ tenants but a boon for birds. Almost every morning starlings gather on the roof to drink from and bathe in the puddles. One afternoon I saw a whole flock of robins doing the same, their bellies in the falling light as russet as autumn leaves. <br />
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Today I saw a crow bending to the surface of a puddle and was able to get a couple of pictures.<br />
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The pictures weren’t terrific, but they did let me see that the crow, unlike the other avian visitors, wasn’t just drinking: it was dipping a piece of something—bread, popcorn, or some other scavenged food—in the water, presumably to soften it before eating it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineqLNoqQ2L4pe__jIfGFB17_E2hsMfkD5ZCTGG6NbF5jLD1RVqCMgo0viHvRNSpKcWrEN1oYUH9d_GPqjMOAi2gvJDMeA0hyphenhypheneNhmVynjCL0vkDNW-YGafX2Qkb8uFpFVHW3ailj7GzQ/s1600/crow+days+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineqLNoqQ2L4pe__jIfGFB17_E2hsMfkD5ZCTGG6NbF5jLD1RVqCMgo0viHvRNSpKcWrEN1oYUH9d_GPqjMOAi2gvJDMeA0hyphenhypheneNhmVynjCL0vkDNW-YGafX2Qkb8uFpFVHW3ailj7GzQ/s400/crow+days+1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Crows are smart.<br />
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They’re also fascinating. I love the way they move, the calls they make, and the challenge they present to photographers. This time I was at least able to capture more of its plumage than unyielding blackness—this time I was able to see the beautiful pattern on its back, almost like iridescent scales, and the metallic charcoal color of its beak.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrDZf-TNM5BG1ldmML6pjQWj2zgkVBSvQyStUt6dcgeQll-RmfasMy2L-sgK-3YgAnsfwPLKNIaaU8nQ2MUsaP_raKVGyeA-a-9GeYBTiMkIuEVE8Va_HroYEpONjBnRHD_FhI18pSg/s1600/crow+days+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrDZf-TNM5BG1ldmML6pjQWj2zgkVBSvQyStUt6dcgeQll-RmfasMy2L-sgK-3YgAnsfwPLKNIaaU8nQ2MUsaP_raKVGyeA-a-9GeYBTiMkIuEVE8Va_HroYEpONjBnRHD_FhI18pSg/s400/crow+days+2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
It was the only crow I saw, but I’m sure I heard more of them. I regularly see a murder of five flying from tree to tree or harrying a red-tailed hawk. Once I counted 20 of them flying by, to what destination I couldn’t say.<br />
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If I had a lot more time, I would make it a year’s project to just photograph and draw crows. I don’t think I would get tired of them.<br />
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What animal do you think you could devote a year to?<br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div>Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-27620794151245489412014-11-21T07:10:00.000-05:002014-11-21T07:10:00.109-05:00Flamingo Friday: Shy<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oh682e6TdErpDCYXZV2onZO7KOqKeEOBvMvPoSn0igl7VPR8EWYM0ynxRsEVywNqN6U0vorrISbOQzXRDURlLey6337QRYIkrspE9RjrpRpfSNfruQKyLg1c5KMHAg4bz_HT_IeeWQ/s1600/ff+-+shy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oh682e6TdErpDCYXZV2onZO7KOqKeEOBvMvPoSn0igl7VPR8EWYM0ynxRsEVywNqN6U0vorrISbOQzXRDURlLey6337QRYIkrspE9RjrpRpfSNfruQKyLg1c5KMHAg4bz_HT_IeeWQ/s400/ff+-+shy+2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family:book antiqua"><div align="justify"><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div>Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-77228878192723306432014-11-20T20:23:00.001-05:002014-11-21T15:28:12.723-05:00Full Moon Sinking<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLCEU4EdquL916tP0OSIQbcE3GnmrIom_-Ahnc8fsMl9sXqH2LPz0mRpto97ta9fGMjXfM_gqUSUrXrn41kG85ywa8w69j1608tfYIDvq3xsAOXocz_WBZcccfKjhi-Gsg3p6utd4hg/s1600/morning+moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLCEU4EdquL916tP0OSIQbcE3GnmrIom_-Ahnc8fsMl9sXqH2LPz0mRpto97ta9fGMjXfM_gqUSUrXrn41kG85ywa8w69j1608tfYIDvq3xsAOXocz_WBZcccfKjhi-Gsg3p6utd4hg/s400/morning+moon.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family:book antiqua"><div align="justify"><br />
The moon set into the sunrise, and as the light grew stronger the moon dipped towards the horizon, growing larger yet ever more insubstantial, like a sphere made of gauze stretched thinner and thinner.<br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div>Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-11070163230515687222014-11-14T06:58:00.000-05:002014-11-14T06:58:00.362-05:00Flamingo Friday: Bring your beak OVER here...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxUDOxjZe79zuOAPRii6HNxujPbYG_CThoUnDJkJMb8VUlKU6sCrAhWZ3m4JnPx3_RG7WFOVdDm4ZltsMyjO0ri6RONaxjSSmOgWWhxbuzwwbWeApp_oXzG0T2MxFv2fX_hrEovSN-g/s1600/ff+-+bring+your+beak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxUDOxjZe79zuOAPRii6HNxujPbYG_CThoUnDJkJMb8VUlKU6sCrAhWZ3m4JnPx3_RG7WFOVdDm4ZltsMyjO0ri6RONaxjSSmOgWWhxbuzwwbWeApp_oXzG0T2MxFv2fX_hrEovSN-g/s400/ff+-+bring+your+beak.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family:book antiqua"><div align="justify"><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div>Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-41457728197233878932014-11-13T21:16:00.003-05:002014-11-13T21:16:52.375-05:00One Good Shot: Happiness<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DW5a9Vm80Hv9Y7iXQQ90SLh0DVTtWPF6MOAhhmhTNZrJPKbey9Ac5902HBxOU2eT1lXBof2zVBHurfaMDMV1Qa67OgxtDKwdiVoZCUzSOmeEuZwjycqdfgUIZqdRtmbX8yWLSewMYQ/s1600/happiness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DW5a9Vm80Hv9Y7iXQQ90SLh0DVTtWPF6MOAhhmhTNZrJPKbey9Ac5902HBxOU2eT1lXBof2zVBHurfaMDMV1Qa67OgxtDKwdiVoZCUzSOmeEuZwjycqdfgUIZqdRtmbX8yWLSewMYQ/s400/happiness.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family:book antiqua"><div align="justify"><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div>Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-68607578217106204312014-11-07T07:07:00.000-05:002014-11-07T07:07:00.277-05:00Flamingo Friday: A fading rose<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YFuLpn4hOvnr4MDtU5PrbAN3kxddX2MeJ5IyiDS6NXThkV6YejYEV4AaDRMmHp0Gnj5MXIJYS5d4TIEcMSgrz7CvwF_hbR2ohcyHuXV9JcLfAb86OiDPDRAsqRTnXym768PCapicSA/s1600/ff+-+fading+rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YFuLpn4hOvnr4MDtU5PrbAN3kxddX2MeJ5IyiDS6NXThkV6YejYEV4AaDRMmHp0Gnj5MXIJYS5d4TIEcMSgrz7CvwF_hbR2ohcyHuXV9JcLfAb86OiDPDRAsqRTnXym768PCapicSA/s400/ff+-+fading+rose.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family:book antiqua"><div align="justify"><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div>Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-20927926648258456972014-11-06T21:36:00.000-05:002014-11-06T21:36:02.792-05:00The Natural World<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVYih1o4Gox60xeEmSilAh6fiCSHBtZFvcCYalHNNI4KPS0yhIZUpF95OivcBnl3Wg32X0fluvC8Ig1EU5FLljy1o_yechrLUbx-pePvaqrwEqPWMulFPUP-R3HZRIg5XkxJTRvvCLw/s1600/not+a+nightingale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVYih1o4Gox60xeEmSilAh6fiCSHBtZFvcCYalHNNI4KPS0yhIZUpF95OivcBnl3Wg32X0fluvC8Ig1EU5FLljy1o_yechrLUbx-pePvaqrwEqPWMulFPUP-R3HZRIg5XkxJTRvvCLw/s400/not+a+nightingale.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"></span><br />
<div align="justify"><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: book antiqua;">A post I wrote for my Tumblr site about being (admittedly briefly) shaken out of my post-election misery. <a href="http://sensingwonder.tumblr.com/post/101925760002/the-natural-world" target=window>Read it here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div>Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-63695377822975265112014-10-31T06:08:00.000-04:002014-10-31T06:08:00.398-04:00Flamingo Friday: Bashful<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr37HXhUQpiyP7BEIN3bUjsyqh-7pzAsZrVpR4I0RYESLgdbHC9BL0zJreMExNMQXRcsk4dFtjVIoS4RomckgsYbyHf30zUBMymU12zqzEW18w89vRXzDS_tl42wkXDM5-TR0dkncFmQ/s1600/ff+-+bashful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr37HXhUQpiyP7BEIN3bUjsyqh-7pzAsZrVpR4I0RYESLgdbHC9BL0zJreMExNMQXRcsk4dFtjVIoS4RomckgsYbyHf30zUBMymU12zqzEW18w89vRXzDS_tl42wkXDM5-TR0dkncFmQ/s400/ff+-+bashful.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family:book antiqua"><div align="justify"><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div>Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-44249377588933740742014-10-24T06:55:00.000-04:002014-10-24T06:55:00.211-04:00Flamingo Friday: Fine feathers<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yrPDp-0ASzAoM9vvAAFxLHn3q-8Tze9yU3dk82-rfmpK2jqdpIKB0uhygOLeCP2FUqfP_0MQe-tB-Cq9Kr_duyvnONIIoVep6y5IHcb_GzYjVxWe3gHoig-zNHG2aNc_m4nxBvEPBA/s1600/ff+-+fine+feathers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yrPDp-0ASzAoM9vvAAFxLHn3q-8Tze9yU3dk82-rfmpK2jqdpIKB0uhygOLeCP2FUqfP_0MQe-tB-Cq9Kr_duyvnONIIoVep6y5IHcb_GzYjVxWe3gHoig-zNHG2aNc_m4nxBvEPBA/s400/ff+-+fine+feathers.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family:book antiqua"><div align="justify"><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div>Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-64563942886383996982014-10-23T20:28:00.001-04:002014-10-23T20:28:34.693-04:00Creepy crawly<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbxHK5e9xzwNe7EujpGtOTta4VEM-TOueHwqOIx1DX8mALbAYaphV9DOKREO0V6D76OUIDwCNrCCnlwiQq6g4H1CJkObXAuBRWyIIZNS_EZPWX6HCXECm77EKd3sF7Lx8Cl_84dVqLg/s1600/creepy+crawly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbxHK5e9xzwNe7EujpGtOTta4VEM-TOueHwqOIx1DX8mALbAYaphV9DOKREO0V6D76OUIDwCNrCCnlwiQq6g4H1CJkObXAuBRWyIIZNS_EZPWX6HCXECm77EKd3sF7Lx8Cl_84dVqLg/s400/creepy+crawly.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family:book antiqua"><div align="justify"><br />
I spotted this bright beetle in the courtyard of my building today and made use of my new fisheye lens to take some close-ups. It was only later that I discovered that it's an oil beetle, also known as a "blister" beetle because, when threatened, it can release a chemical so irritating that it causes skin to blister.<br />
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Luckily, it didn't find my lens or me to be a threat. It must have known I was planning on taking photos from flattering angles.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1337OiWCWn63yeyDuD4zJN1Pew0R8WlZKqpIc9gp0-J6J8VhUu5JvDyfwYoC1OCRHHGVVbdOGW0lyA9m5YGUQ6K3VBEhsr22AcJsCSEnRYa9CSJogiQ6iKo-khKIHXfmACtI9X08FJQ/s1600/creepy+crawly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1337OiWCWn63yeyDuD4zJN1Pew0R8WlZKqpIc9gp0-J6J8VhUu5JvDyfwYoC1OCRHHGVVbdOGW0lyA9m5YGUQ6K3VBEhsr22AcJsCSEnRYa9CSJogiQ6iKo-khKIHXfmACtI9X08FJQ/s400/creepy+crawly.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div>Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-45715791343067368652014-10-17T07:30:00.000-04:002014-10-17T07:30:02.406-04:00Flaming Friday: White bows<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-e-MzVrrnuvpxNHwr7a7SM8CgalA5ZuSNocz7XFWfbyQ0ZJTsJmqL4ZI1Noid9RhzCOcDEoste4v5y9UHgO-SqHvpWkRNRg64emMhVqD3iwfY9bF-60ve46Rt7E_P36Ztq6zGdcd8oA/s1600/ff+-+bowing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-e-MzVrrnuvpxNHwr7a7SM8CgalA5ZuSNocz7XFWfbyQ0ZJTsJmqL4ZI1Noid9RhzCOcDEoste4v5y9UHgO-SqHvpWkRNRg64emMhVqD3iwfY9bF-60ve46Rt7E_P36Ztq6zGdcd8oA/s400/ff+-+bowing.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family:book antiqua"><div align="justify"><br />
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<br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div>Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-72113159853744561432014-10-16T22:18:00.000-04:002014-10-16T22:18:14.547-04:00It's Oscar Wilde's birthday!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkKGbBpFfX-fD2k3LXjA-BYTB_-TqSN3Q97kKwkkUb84Q7XhhIkpQB0PLTX5536AzKy7aQ5r3jRhmsNvcwBaB3lUrrhfTHYEYpvqOfX5SEM_Ec3ccbTknBYey3w5CauQDYosxUgwRwA/s1600/OW+birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkKGbBpFfX-fD2k3LXjA-BYTB_-TqSN3Q97kKwkkUb84Q7XhhIkpQB0PLTX5536AzKy7aQ5r3jRhmsNvcwBaB3lUrrhfTHYEYpvqOfX5SEM_Ec3ccbTknBYey3w5CauQDYosxUgwRwA/s400/OW+birthday.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family:book antiqua"><div align="justify"><br />
In honor of the excellent writer and wit, I give you one of my favorite of his quotes:<br />
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"Only the shallow know themselves."<br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div>Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-75094137248075466012014-10-10T08:03:00.000-04:002014-10-10T08:03:00.128-04:00Flamingo Friday: Anger yoga<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3LWEthU6VNXqK0UUljT2PWax32jW92US2vYPAHgKbxjYa4A8fXULGUVw1OoTd8nNo9FBeCj_IQsgSc3N_nkmgcxMk4rI8ZiwrGgczVLCF4RF5-wVUDUOrn0O4WuSmPRBcRKEAPRVhA/s1600/ff+-+anger+yoga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3LWEthU6VNXqK0UUljT2PWax32jW92US2vYPAHgKbxjYa4A8fXULGUVw1OoTd8nNo9FBeCj_IQsgSc3N_nkmgcxMk4rI8ZiwrGgczVLCF4RF5-wVUDUOrn0O4WuSmPRBcRKEAPRVhA/s400/ff+-+anger+yoga.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family:book antiqua"><div align="justify"><br />
This bird may be mad, but look how flexible it is!<br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div>Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-56339934691341694682014-10-08T20:48:00.000-04:002014-10-08T20:48:06.118-04:00The Big Orr-Orrs<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNHfezYtVbc8jQj703i78In4qxtDBxZI3Pte74VIkI60hnGZVDTP7gLam_iM6s7MUoa9iXJNWKN_wM9uoz2LGaJgwEIAXxcISHYqkyaOMaR3eCIHbK2HfyEP9uZk_mggO78MyqtbAMg/s1600/challenge+7+-+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNHfezYtVbc8jQj703i78In4qxtDBxZI3Pte74VIkI60hnGZVDTP7gLam_iM6s7MUoa9iXJNWKN_wM9uoz2LGaJgwEIAXxcISHYqkyaOMaR3eCIHbK2HfyEP9uZk_mggO78MyqtbAMg/s400/challenge+7+-+face.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"></span><br />
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;">I can't claim I came up with this term myself as the descriptor for seals, sea lions, and other noisy pinnipeds--Annie gets the credit for that--but I have enthusiastically adopted it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;">That's why I was especially pleased to encounter such a noisy pack of sea lions last December when I was in San Francisco. I don't think the video clip below is worth much aesthetically, but it gives a great sense of just how noisy these guys are.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><br /></span>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz22IjrFX_PRlkU6qvWsSFAbHaaPOll45FaLSIexHh9rC-br58q6TSo9R1Uyg7v-MXiSfCul6oS9c8WUcnhzA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: book antiqua;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div>
Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-18152144435579886182014-10-03T08:22:00.000-04:002014-10-03T08:22:00.031-04:00Flaming Friday: So many necks<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCkq6P2c6lhZGWXCowHfU1_EBgIOL_rarpus8EL0-jDckLFijaemKRaRIlKHH52s5O9s-ZuOr402NDnHM0McdjS6fmmSdCmBbjes-tmcoKtNw4SsOK4NLLxzAoaXw4oKsq6dVsPVFOA/s1600/ff+-+necks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCkq6P2c6lhZGWXCowHfU1_EBgIOL_rarpus8EL0-jDckLFijaemKRaRIlKHH52s5O9s-ZuOr402NDnHM0McdjS6fmmSdCmBbjes-tmcoKtNw4SsOK4NLLxzAoaXw4oKsq6dVsPVFOA/s400/ff+-+necks.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family:book antiqua"><div align="justify"><br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div>Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-71871788097092533612014-09-26T09:09:00.000-04:002014-09-26T09:09:42.059-04:00Flamingo Friday: Pretty much how I'm feeling<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXjIuAHMZM-jyc1QnqWk17hM-pomS47A6sbztXJJSK_8Bvc3dcx_LJYoG9nI8Sg4naDivCcoJZV3-FVWOCxsm1bnf8niRGla3YzFa_jNUMpt6QB0E32PgzVmOeV-wn7EPzn2ig1x5dw/s1600/ff+-+how+i'm%2Bfeeling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXjIuAHMZM-jyc1QnqWk17hM-pomS47A6sbztXJJSK_8Bvc3dcx_LJYoG9nI8Sg4naDivCcoJZV3-FVWOCxsm1bnf8niRGla3YzFa_jNUMpt6QB0E32PgzVmOeV-wn7EPzn2ig1x5dw/s400/ff+-+how+i'm%2Bfeeling.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family:book antiqua"><div align="justify"><br />
(But in my case without the feathers.)<br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div>Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-82860289590547428192014-09-12T07:07:00.000-04:002014-09-12T07:07:00.115-04:00Flamingo Friday: Distortion<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFA-yD4SVSaW-_pCSCt5pOHObja99WoDdpEx4HQaUUcvCx2ahhOcFf3fj8XvfFXGQj4wakRInCZmeny-KaWpvdLYgKXbQdBEr93k8pNVyWvmOcMvFiwesNEnE-OmXStZopIubupiux-w/s1600/ff+-+distortion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFA-yD4SVSaW-_pCSCt5pOHObja99WoDdpEx4HQaUUcvCx2ahhOcFf3fj8XvfFXGQj4wakRInCZmeny-KaWpvdLYgKXbQdBEr93k8pNVyWvmOcMvFiwesNEnE-OmXStZopIubupiux-w/s400/ff+-+distortion.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family:book antiqua"><div align="justify"><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div>Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-24828158102916357842014-08-29T07:00:00.000-04:002014-08-29T07:00:03.897-04:00Flamingo Friday: Foodie<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEw5zJSgSfRiOAlPOE9kq6mluKZ1catbIvjD8frOWkXWVA0mhZbZThWtIfOAYW_EcL4Q33CUefvmQEcxlYaKkt_gMIZduHA3N3V9DGRGs4wOsDMNJ8CXDgxtFJvivZX1pnCtZP4v5oFA/s1600/ff+-+foodie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEw5zJSgSfRiOAlPOE9kq6mluKZ1catbIvjD8frOWkXWVA0mhZbZThWtIfOAYW_EcL4Q33CUefvmQEcxlYaKkt_gMIZduHA3N3V9DGRGs4wOsDMNJ8CXDgxtFJvivZX1pnCtZP4v5oFA/s400/ff+-+foodie.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family:book antiqua"><div align="justify"><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div>Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2373601239464635170.post-59298882832580697062014-08-27T15:35:00.001-04:002014-08-27T15:35:41.940-04:00One Good Shot: bowing<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTPZc3dLLW8RHJ8Pyt7I6la63fimAJqaqFhLQFhdRY0dNYYgxQPEhFsm5LkLV7Y-W7t1kyGmSWVSToZ3LBB2Mm7o7Qwn5QRo6wC4Ofht5Smit1yYGB0qDOXZxo0f7eXHk6nvQj0UJUg/s1600/wasp+bowing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTPZc3dLLW8RHJ8Pyt7I6la63fimAJqaqFhLQFhdRY0dNYYgxQPEhFsm5LkLV7Y-W7t1kyGmSWVSToZ3LBB2Mm7o7Qwn5QRo6wC4Ofht5Smit1yYGB0qDOXZxo0f7eXHk6nvQj0UJUg/s400/wasp+bowing.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family:book antiqua"><div align="justify"><br />
The wasp curved into the flower as trying to become a part of it.<br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}</span></span></div>Olivia V. Ambrogiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009379233200729384noreply@blogger.com1