A few photos from around my yard.

[Solly Mack]

Usual stuff - birds, bugs, and flowers

Duskywing (of some sort)



I placed all my hospital flowers outside for the bugs.





Cuz he's a pretty bird.

[NV Whino]

1. Oh my, that blue jay is just spectacular.

And, yay, you picked up the camera!

[Solly Mack]

2. Thanks, NV Whino.

I enjoy Bluejays. Just wish they weren't so mean.

I'm using a mono-pod. Neck can't take a strap and I'm appalling weak in the arms still.

[NV Whino]

3. I got a tripod from Costco a while back

One of the legs is removable and it becomes a monopod. Comes in handy for walks and such. And I realized today as I was using the tripod for the crows, that I had reassembled it backwards. It's extremely versatile, works backwards, too.

[Curmudgeoness]

5. Blue Jays are really beautiful birds.

I always say that if they were not so common, we would be in awe of a sighting instead of taking them for granted.

But as to that mean reputation, I have been watching birds for 30 years or more, and I have seen Mourning Doves chase Blue Jays away from my feeder more times than I can count.....so who is the meanest bird in the neighborhood????

[Blanks]

6. I'm still in awe of them (even if they are common) cardinals too. eom

[Historic NY]

9. Blue Jays and Cardinals chase each other around in my yard...

from tree to tree. It gets interesting if I am on the porch when they fly threw.

[awoke_in_2003]

15. I live in Texas

Cardinals are not all that common here. I feel a bit of joy when I see one. They are regal birds.

[NCarolinawoman]

12. Blue jays are the handsome swashbucklers of the bird world, IMO.

I really do enjoy them.

[Curmudgeoness]

13. Swashbucklers!

That is so appropriate.

And oh so handsome.

[Solly Mack]

21. Perfect description!

[Solly Mack]

20. I agree. If they weren't so common...because they are truly beautiful birds.

The BJs around my yard are kinda mean, sorry.

They mob the smaller birds and run them away from the feeding bins. One or two isn't a problem but when several come- they can be bullies.

[Scuba]

4. Great shots, thank you.

[Solly Mack]

22. Thanks, Scuba.

[Bonhomme Richard]

7. Nice. n/t

[Solly Mack]

23. Thanks!

[Mira]

8. Whoa Girl... you're doing yourself proud in many ways.

Never give up.
Now for the photos. They are just what the doctor ordered for you to occupy yourself with, I bet. My favorite is the first, because it makes me have to study the substrate he sits on and I still don't know what it is, and what is shadow, and what ain't...
and then I must say my other favorite is the last, because I would just kill for ever taking such a shot.
I'm glad you got such beautiful flowers at the hospital.
Stay strong.

[Solly Mack]

24. Hey Mira. Thanks.

It was odd...the birds didn't seem to mind me being out without being undercover.

I don't think they thought I was real.....with the gash on my neck and all.

[JEB]

10. Now that is some rootin' tootin' shootin'.

We get the Steller's Jay out west here. So smart and beautiful and audacious. Nice to get such a close shot of a Blue Jay. Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos.

[Solly Mack]

25. Thanks, JEB. I would love to see a Steller's Jay.

[NJCher]

11. terrific shots

Cher

[Solly Mack]

26. Thank you, Cher.

[Triana]

14. I love the hummingbird!

Nice photos - VERY nice!

[Solly Mack]

27. Thanks, Triana.

I love watching them. Trying to get a decent shot.

[awoke_in_2003]

16. Great pics, Solly..

be well.

[Solly Mack]

28. Thanks, awoke_in_2003

I'm hoping.

[CC]

17. Gorgeous!

Love them all! Second one almost looks like a painting. Good to see you're out and about.

[Solly Mack]

29. Thanks, CC.

I went all the way to the porch swing.

[CC]

33. You were still up and made it

out to the swing. Baby steps will get you there better than over doing it.

[Callalily]

18. ((((Solly)))) Very nice photos!

Glad to see that you are out-and-about!

[Solly Mack]

30. Hey Callalily

Thanks. Trying to get my arms able to hold a camera again. I'm still wobbly.

[panader0]

19. Great photos.

I didn't know you were sick (or hurt). Glad you are out.
So, (dumb question): Do you need to put the photos in photobucket and then onto DU? I am woefully ignorant on these things but would love to learn.

[Solly Mack]

31. Hey panader0

Yes. You need to put photos in photobucket or another such site and then on DU.

You upload to the file sharing site and then link back to DU.

[alfredo]

32. Beautiful hummingbird

[Solly Mack]

34. Thanks, alfredo.

I sit on a cushion and watch them at the window. They don't know it but they bring me joy.

[alfredo]

35. You'll be up and around soon. Until then experience the world as it passes by your window. So far

it appears there should be plenty to keep you occupied.

I'm glad you are sharing your joy.

[NCarolinawoman]

36. My two cents about that little butterfly....

Looks to be a skipper....

They flit around at low levels and they have this neat thing going on where they will often light on your finger if you hold it up to them..(similar to having a tame little parakeet flying up to you so he can use your finger as a perch.) If you move, the skipper will flit off but will often come right back if once again, you turn in his direction and hold your finger up. It's kind of like having a little pet butterfly for a moment in time.

Was so very VERY happy to see you posting these photos last evening.

[Solly Mack]

38. It is a Skipper. Some sort of Duskywing Skipper.

There are several kinds but I couldn't get more precise for the little fellow. I'm usually better at it but my mind just wasn't working well enough. He did have an orange stripe on his lower back. That might help.

I'm going to have to try the finger thing. That would be neat!!

Thanks, NCarolinawoman! I feel lost if I go too long without picking up a camera and I needed to do it.

[66 dmhlt]

37. I don't know if I've EVER seen colors this bright & sharp online. Thanks for sharing!

[Solly Mack]

39. Thank you, 66 dmhlt.

[Celebration]

40. Great photos, as usual!

Jealous of the hummingbird!

Blue jays are pretty but they sure are mean.

[Rebl]

41. That

is a great pic of the hummer! Yes jays can be mean at times, but they are good about (as well as crows) letting all the other birds know when there is a hawk flying around or a cat prowling the yard. They start screaming their warning and the crows take turns diving at hawks trying to get them to leave the area. Sometimes my husband puts peanuts out for the jays and they will take them and go hide them to eat later. One time last year we saw one get a peanut, fly down in the yard and it took a leaf and covered it up! So interesting to watch.

[Solly Mack]

42. Thanks, Celebration!

I finally got a photo of the yellow bellied sapsucker, btw.

In case you missed it...I started a thread about it a while back...wanting to show you.

Celebration: Remember that "damn bird"?

My arms still aren't strong enough to hold a camera well yet. Seems the nerve area in my neck that was cut plays a part in how my arms work. I'm starting PT soon to help with that.

[Celebration]

43. oh, awesome sapsucker photos!

I haven't seen any this year. I had that one encounter and now nada.

BTW, I went through a three week period where I could only access web by my iPhone and couldn't view photos well enough on it (or navigate DU with it) to be able to come here! Sorry I didn't see your thread!

I always get ideas from your animal photos. I remember being able to identify a cedar waxwing because of your photos.

Oh, physical therapy should help you a lot. In the meantime maybe you can use a tripod? Or someone here used a unipod and liked it, to rest the camera. I think you can get the kind that goes on a tabletop.

I hope the physical therapist combines some massage with exercises. Acupuncture might help some too.