More Sunday Zoo Fun

The Salisbury Zoo is a very small park compared to many others. There is the MUCH larger Virginia Zoo in Norfolk, across the bay, which we have never visited. That’s a costly trip with a $17 toll on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, $10 per (senior) adult. We prefer this little zoo with a donation fee and money left for a dinner out.

Last weekend at the zoo we also saw — iguana, cavi and buffalo. . .Also ducks and turtles (color effects selected in camera)

Canada geese, sandhill cranes and a black crowned night heron

And a very sweet (and lone) deer, others may have been hiding.

These energetic little monkeys (tamarinds?) were watching all the humans . . .

Despite being caged, this was a very majestic American Bald Eagle (more color effects applied in camera).

Playing around with the color mode effects on my new camera camera yielded dramatic results without the need for post-editing.Here’s another zoo resident — a turkey — there were several these. I’ve heard about how Benjamin Franklin proposed naming this bird as the U.S. national bird. Since I was curious WHY, I  sleuthed online and learned that this notion was proposed in a letter Franklin wrote to his daughter, Sarah Bache, in January 1784. Sharing it here in case anyone else was also curious. The focus of the letter was a criticism of the Society of the Cincinnati (which used an eagle on its crest). It makes some interesting observations:

Others object to the Bald Eagle, as looking too much like a Dindon, or Turkey. For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk [Osprey]; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.

With all this Injustice, he is never in good Case but like those among Men who live by Sharping & Robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District. He is therefore by no means a proper Emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our Country...

I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For in Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America... He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.

Wishing ALL a restful & safe Labor Day weekend

FYI: This U.S. federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September was nationally recognized in 1894 to appease unionists after settlement of the Pullman Strike. Today, the holiday is viewed as a time for BBQs and end of summer vacations before back-to-school for many families. It’s also a BIG sales weekend; U.S. retailers claim it’s second to the holiday’s Black Friday sales.

Sunday Drive to the Zoo

Do you remember when years ago, folks took a Sunday drive? In many cases, it wasn’t even anywhere far; sometimes just to a nearby park area, without amusements or rides, just trees and maybe a lake.

Grenville and I used to do that too, and we’ve decided to start again. He posted here about Nick & Nora Nikon, our matching new cameras and how the Salisbury Zoo was last Sunday’s destination.

Here’s some colorful captures of mine starting with the first exhibit.Followed soon afterwards by my personal favorites — flamingoes.

There’s usually some horseplay flamingo play going on . . .

Right before naptime for nearly all . . .The macaws share the same enclosure with the flamingoes. (These are for blogger friend Tammy of Sweet Southern Happiness.)

And, they are dramatic with just a touch of selective (green) color.Shades of gray, black and browns displayed on the rheas.

And, the prairie dogs as well.We had a fun GREAT outing as we tried various camera settings. I have MORE zoo photos to share, but NOW it’s time to duck out.

Do you take Sunday drives — OR did you ever?

Presenting,,,, for the First Time........

Nora and Nick Nikon,,,, (imagine a drumroll please) (or do one if you like)

Nora and Nick Nikon's first appearance together.

Oh My, what a cute couple they make (gag) and so sweet they're holding lens caps (double gag).

OK OK OK ,,, enough of this foolishness. Yes here are the new cameras that Beatrice and I bought. I guess you could call them our Anniversary presents to ourselves.  The question is does this make us Nikonettes, Nikoners, Nikonophobes, Nikonokons??????

I have to admit i have done more reading of the manual for this camera then i've done for any camera. But this possible testosterone reducing venture has taught me more about this camera than any i've owned. Usually it was just keep it on AUTO, then point and shoot. But this time i'm exploring settings, scenes, modes, and effects. WOW what a lot to learn. I may even start taking some good photos soon.

One thing i have learned is that auto focus doesn't work so good when zooming out to 1000mm (yes you read that right) to get a closeup of a dragon fly that is about 3 feet from you. BUT with some persistence, and a very patient Blue Darner, I did get a nice picture of this beauty.

 Next time i'll try for a closeup of that cute face with those BIG green eyes.

Our test run this weekend was a safari to the Salisbury Md Zoological Park. Here are some of the folks that were watching me fumble around.

WHAT!!!

I'd go say Hello but its so comfy here.

Manny, Moe, and Jack?????

Do I have dirt on my  nose???

Just wash your face and come for lunch...

You Lookin' At Me???????

He can't possible get a close up at that distance...

If I sit real still they won't notice me till January.

Turkey???? What Turkey???? I didn't see a Turkey!!!!!

Which side do you think is my best?????

THE END!!!!!

Grenville

Blue and Yellow Experience of IKEA

We admit it, Grenville and I are IKEA “junkies” and we’ve shopped in NJ, CT, PA, MA, and MD stores. We furnished several rooms of the Frog & PenguINN with stuff from IKEA  including accessories.

The name is an acronym  with the letters comprised of the initials of the founder’s name (Ingvar Kamprad) the farm where he grew up (Elmtaryd), and his home parish (Agunnaryd) in Smaland, South Sweden). Who knew? and now we ALL do!

It’s ALSO the world’s largest furniture retailer (over 300 stores worldwide) with flat pack furniture, accessories, bathroom and kitchen items that are sold in retail stores worldwide.

If you ‘ve never been to IKEA, trust us it’s an experience you really need to have. You can always recognize the store by its bright blue and yellow store colors, just like the flag of Sweden. Once inside, getting around is easy – follow the arrows. They were going to use bread crumbs but some folks didn’t get it and kept eating them and getting lost. Weeks later they kept finding them throughout the store living in various furniture displays.




This Swedish company was founded in 1943, and pioneered flat-pack furniture at affordable prices and  compact styles, assembled by the purchaser (that’s you). In the 1940s, the company sold small home accessories throughout Sweden and expanded to furniture making sold by mail order. In 1963, the first store opened outside of Sweden, adding stores in Denmark and Norway and throughout Europe. US locations opened in 1985. Today, IKEA has a following of customers and has entered the pop culture.
To celebrate a very special occasion (more in tomorrow's postings) we  went on safari to the closest IKEA (College Park, MD) in search of a small wooden storage cube.
NOT only did we get the cube and new bedroom pillows, but we also had breakfast, lunch, and a twist cone – ALL for $5. (Whoops, we ate the cones before taking a picture.)