cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
17048
Showing Seiko a Clean Pair of Heels
As we started on the Seiko Walk this morning we were not expecting to find activity 10 feet from the car. But we saw an example of an old idiomatic expression:
Just a few yards from us, a rabbit burst out of a bush and immediately showed us a clean pair of heels!
NOTE: In 1859 Charles Dickens wrote: "No, gentlemen; [he won't fight] he'll always show 'em a clean pair of heels very early in the scuffle, and sneak away..."
In contrast, every day when we get home after our Seiko walk, we have a literal expression: This is a dirty set of heels; I have to clean them before I enter the house.
With that English & History Lesson out of the way, we continued our walk southwards from the area we visited in the Pocket Watch in Paradise Marsh episode, to the southern side of the Sweetwater River and the Wildlife Refuge.
You can see it and few more of our recent walking locations on this map.
We weren't early and the sky wasn't cloudy, so not much for me to report or show about the sunrise, sorry.
We watched a cormorant for a moment,
before he ducked out of sight. Ducked. Get it? Ok, I know cormorants aren't ducks but the idiom fit the occasion.
To the east of us is the Interstate 5 and Highway 54 interchange.
The water is very high again this morning and our path was submerged in places.
At those points we had to retreat to the abandoned railway line. I think the British would say "disused railway line".
The railway trestles are sufficient for crossing the water but require a sharp eye and careful pace. The odd sleeper (cross bar) is missing, and a few are rotted, burnt or tipsy.
The big white egrets and herons are pretty much to themselves, apparently preferring conditions not attractive to smaller birds.
Many of the smaller ones were working the shoreline about a hundred yards to the west.
These well-camouflaged birds seemed to alternate between foraging and grooming. Eat, preen, eat, preen. Never staying still.
The sun arrived and things got much brighter as we reached the second trestle crossing.
There seem to be many square miles of marshland here,
at the National Wildlife Refuge.
at the National Wildlife Refuge.
In the distance is the Silver Strand again.
Something spooked the birds but then they settled right back down where they were before.
This group of 9 European Starlings were hopping sideways, back and forth over each other on the wire, swapping places. Except the lonely one at the end.
Something spooked the birds but then they settled right back down where they were before.
This group of 9 European Starlings were hopping sideways, back and forth over each other on the wire, swapping places. Except the lonely one at the end.
We'd never seen such an obvious display of pecking order.
I am wearing a 6309 that I revived from my spare parts bin; it tells me it's about time to head for the truck. Yes, the date is sitting in the middle of two numerals. That's because the date ring in the movement is intended for a watch case with the crown at 3 rather than 4 as on this case. I need to hunt down the right date ring but for now, I am happy this 40-year old watch is running nicely.
The tide is very high - high enough to baptize any unwary riders going through here.
Gordy Shields was a customer and friend of mine at our Schwinn shop, back in the Seventies. I didn't know him as activist or advocate; he was just Gordy.
My wife's great eyesight located this dog, and she put him into a better location as soon as I had taken his picture.
Her eagle eyes also spotted the "clean heels" bunny again as we neared the marina on our way homeward.
I couldn't see it with my bare eyes - but I found it in the viewfinder, and the camera spotted the difference between brush and rabbit.
Thanks for reading.
CazaleaHer eagle eyes also spotted the "clean heels" bunny again as we neared the marina on our way homeward.
I couldn't see it with my bare eyes - but I found it in the viewfinder, and the camera spotted the difference between brush and rabbit.
Thanks for reading.
More posts:
Showing Seiko a Clean Pair of Heels
As we started on the Seiko Walk this morning we were not expecting to find activity 10 feet from the car. But we saw an example of an old idiomatic expression : Just a few yards from us, a rabbit burst out of a bush and immediately showed us a clean pair ...
It's showing 7 seconds a day fast, about 240 degrees amplitude
I didn't try to regulate it - the movement was in a plastic case with plastic-handle stem, so I think it was new or rebuilt. It might be a bit dry though. I'll use it for a few days and see how it's doing.
Thank you for taking in us in an other beautiful walk!
I really enjoyed it. You are a great photographer. So many beautiful compositions to dwell on.
Thanks for a great hiking report again.
Very much appreciate your posts on this. It’s like peeking into your daily life which is unique and inspiring. The photos again are great. Love the ones with the railroad tracks in them. They give depth. The other one I like is the one where the birds are...
Yes the bird photos are fun
I was thinking this morning that I really am not carrying much in the way of photo equipment compared to some birders I know - just my camera, a spare battery, and iPhone. No big lenses or monopod (my wife serves as a camera rest when necessary!) And we a...
Same here
I do the same; we dont hide out in a shelter for hours waiting for a specific bird. I just carry the camera with 1 lens attached and the other lens in my pocket. Switch them if needed. In future this willbe a bit easier sincve ive ordered a mirrorlkess ca...
