... Debbi's Day Off

First of all, thank you so very much for the rather unexpected response to yesterday's foggy lake blip. I appreciate all the comments, stars and hearts more than you'll know.

I decided to take today off ...It is currently 2 pm and here's a summary of the day thus far...

8:15 Watched the sun peeking through the woods behind our house. Thought that might be the blip today

8:17 Noticed a house finch sitting on the deck. Something's wrong. Hm...looks like a bad case of eye disease. Grab towel and after 3 attempts, capture finch and put it in a carrier box. Call and leave message at Avian Rescue Center.

8:56 Giselle from Avian center calls back - heading to Wantage with finch...

9:15 See a bald eagle (Holy crap, a bald eagle!!!) from my car window. No place to pull over, plus need to get the finch to the rescue center. Sh**

9:30 Finch delivered. Also got to see Hope (the finch I rescued on 9/11) who is doing well but will not regain sight in her injured eye. She says to tell you all hello and thanks for the good thoughts.

9:45 Cannot believe my eyes - the eagle is STILL THERE, perched on a snag way the hell and gone across the field!!! Make hasty u-turn, find spot to pull off, grab Big Daddy and fire off about 60 shots. Then, I see the wings move - holy crap! It's taking off!!!!! Get more shots - hope for best. Maybe today's blip? (post note: YES, today's blip!)

10:12 Stop at fabulous organic shop for a Morning Glory Muffin, which is devoured in car.

10:14 Fortified, decide to go to Paulinskill Trail for a hike In case eagle shots don't turn out, maybe some blip opps here...

10:30 See a painted turtle on the trail and decide to take a close up - he isn't impressed.

10:32 Hear a strange noise. Crap, is it a bear? No, wait, it sounds like ... wait for it... wings! Look overhead (with Big Daddy) and see bunch of mute swans Take a bazillion pictures. Another blip back-up plan if eagle bites. Took a bunch more shots, just to be on the safe side, remembering to notch down the exposure value. Got a great close up Relaxing now, as I know I've definitely got something blipable.

11:00 Saw a Widow Skimmer dragon and a cabbage white butterfly Nice to see them so late in the year. All blip-worthy in case that darned eagle doesn't turn out.

11:05 What's this? Another turtle? Hm, let me pick it up and have a look. YIKES! Sucker tried to bite me! Put it down - quickly. Get on knees in mud and get a few shots. Warn woman ahead with dog that she'd best keep Fido away from the business end of that turtle.

11:15 Watch an adult swan give landing lessons to a gaggle of fascinated cygnets Not sure, but I think I heard one of them snicker. Darned kids.

12:02 Arrived back on Tallyho. Happy. Ready to download and sort the 282 photos that I took. Whew.

2:00 PM - have a fantastic Friday, blippers!