Canada Geese not Canadian Geese

For years I had referred to the geese in my area as Canadian Geese, which I discovered today is just plain wrong. They are Canada Geese. From my reading, their name means from Canada, but I suppose since geese don’t technically have nationalities and freely migrate without passports or birth certificates between the United States and Canada they are not “Canadian”. What has always been a bit of a mystery to me was there propensity to fly in a particular formation, often labeled the “V” formation. I knew it was supposed to make it easier for them to fly greater distances at reduced exertion, but I had no idea how effective it was. When a skein (not a gaggle, that’s when they are not flying) of 25 geese is in the “V” formation each bird reduces its drag by up to 65 percent and increase its range by 71 percent. Pretty impressive, especially thinking how we humans have difficulty forming a queue entering a movie theater.

A Skein of Canada Geese

Nikon D800  Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24mm f/9 ISO100 1/160 second

#TravelTuesday Venice

My honeymoon was in Italy a few years ago. My wife and I fell in love with Venice. The romance, the ambience, the gelato and of course the novelty of boats instead of cars. With it’s intricate system of causeways and bridges, Venice is a walkers paradise. There is also a thrill knowing that while visiting a city that is old and full of history the land itself may not be around much longer. The city floods several times each year and with much more frequency than in past centuries. Future generations may have their hands full reclaiming Italy’s gift from the sea.
Grand cathedrals, quaint niches, wonderful food, and friendly people await you in Venice. It is a beautiful place to visit. I must mention one thing I found a bit unnerving though. Often walking paths end abruptly at a canal. So be careful strolling after sunset, for some streets are not well lit, and a quick turn down a side street might have you swimming back to your hotel.

Venice

December Calendar

The Black Friday / Cyber Monday rush is behind us and now it’s the mad dash to Christmas. STOP! I realize it’s cliché to say we need to take time and enjoy the holidays but please... put aside the idiot drivers, the screaming kids, the crowded malls, the overpriced crap no one will use, and the abrasive customers /shoppers / relatives. Pledge to yourself that this Christmas you’ll look deep in your own soul and see what you need inside of you. Ask yourself what makes you crave to be alive. Find what makes the air sweeter and the water fresher and embrace it during this season of peace. For me, it’s the look of gentle kindness on my daughter’s face, and the warmth in my wife’s hand when we touch, and many other indescribable joys. Find what thrills you in the depths of your soul and embrace it at this wonderful time of year.

Nikon D5100 Nikkor 18-55mm @ 18mm f/3.5 ISO 250 .8 sec

Early Morning Willow

I think the willow tree is one of the most beautiful trees in all of creation. Its weeping branches fall gently to the ground, shading sunlight from the inner canopy. Shadows dance in the leaves when the wind blows softly but the willow appears firm and strong in a gale. The look of this regal tree can seem ancient. They are mentioned in the Bible and Shakespeare wrote of them. Often they appear in mystical tales. They are mentioned by J.K. Rowling in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Lloyd Alexander in The Castle of Llyr, and Old Man Willow appears in J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. In Disney’s Pocahontas the willow appears as the symbol of wisdom. I remember as a child darting beneath the branches playing hide and seek. Next time you see one, take a step back and imagine this sturdy mass of flowing grace looking out over creation for decades to come.

Early Morning Willow

Nikon D800 Nikkor 28-30mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 38mm f/6.3 ISO 100 5 image HDR