365

It’s Time For The Christmas Ball To Drop

December 7, 2015 — 10 Comments

Christmas ornament

F/5.3, 1.3, ISO 100.

Day 341 / 365

Why did the Christmas tree go to the barber?

It needed to be trimmed.

Interesting Fact: The first decorated trees were adorned with apples, white candy canes and pastries in the shapes of stars, hearts and flowers. Glass baubles were first made in Lauscha, Germany, by Hans Greiner (1550-1609) who produced garlands of glass beads and tin figures that could be hung on trees. The popularity of these decorations grew into the production of glass figures made by highly skilled artisans with clay molds. The artisans heated a glass tube over a flame, then inserted the tube into a clay mold, blowing the heated glass to expand into the shape of the mold. The original ornaments were only in the shape of fruits and nuts. After the glass cooled, a silver nitrate solution was swirled into it, a silvering technique developed in the 1850s by Justus von Liebig. After the nitrate solution dried, the ornament was hand-painted and topped with a cap and hook. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_ornament )

Christmas Tree Surprise Honeycomb Hideout

December 6, 2015 — 17 Comments

Beehive

F/8.0, 1/250, ISO 200.

Day 340 / 365

What does the bee Santa Claus say?

Ho hum hum!

Interesting Fact: Bees were kept in man-made hives in Egypt in antiquity.[5] The walls of the Egyptian sun temple of Nyuserre Ini from the 5th Dynasty, dated earlier than 2422 BC, depict workers blowing smoke into hives as they remove honeycombs.[6] Inscriptions detailing the production of honey are found on the tomb of Pabasa from the 26th Dynasty (c. 650 BC), and describe honey stored in jars, and cylindrical hives. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beehive )

Don’t Wait For The Perfect Moment. Take The Moment And Make It Perfect.

December 5, 2015 — 21 Comments

Belted Kingfisher

F/10.0, 1/400, ISO 400.

Belted Kingfisher    

Day 339 / 365

A guy calls his boss and says “I can’t come to work today

The boss asks why and the guy says “It’s my eyes.”

“What’s wrong with your eyes?” asks the boss.

“I just can’t see myself coming to work, so I’m going fishing instead….”

Interesting Fact: As nestlings, Belted Kingfishers have acidic stomachs that help them digest bones, fish scales, and arthropod shells. But by the time they leave the nest, their stomach chemistry apparently changes, and they begin regurgitating pellets which accumulate on the ground around fishing and roosting perches. Scientists can dissect these pellets to learn about the kingfisher’s diet without harming or even observing any wild birds. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Belted_Kingfisher/lifehistory )

Just Because Something Isn’t Happening For You Right Now, Doesn’t Mean That It Will Never Happen

December 4, 2015 — 10 Comments

bikes frames

F/5.6, 1/60, ISO 320.

Day 338 / 365

Do you know what is the hardest part of learning to ride a bike?

The pavement.

Interesting Fact: There are several early but unverified claims for the invention of bicycle-like machines. The earliest comes from a sketch said to be from 1493 and attributed to Gian Giacomo Caprotti, a pupil of Leonardo da Vinci. In 1998 Hans-Erhard Lessing described this as a purposeful fraud.[1][2] However, the authenticity of the bicycle sketch is still vigorously maintained by followers of Prof. Augusto Marinoni, a lexicographer and philologist, who was entrusted by the Commissione Vinciana of Rome with the transcription of da Vinci’s Codex Atlanticus. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_bicycle )

Roses Are Red Violets Are Blue I Will Post This And You Will Read It Too

December 3, 2015 — 8 Comments

rose petals

F/ 5.6, 1/60, ISO 400.

Day 337 / 365

Why couldn’t the flower ride its bike?

It lost its petals.

Interesting Fact: The rose hip, usually from R. canina, is used as a minor source of Vitamin C. The fruits of many species have significant levels of vitamins and have been used as a food supplement. Many roses have been used in herbal and folk medicines. Rosa chinensis has long been used in Chinese traditional medicine. This and other species have been used for stomach problems, and are being investigated for controlling cancer growth. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose#Medicine )

A Cookie A Day Keeps The Sadness Away

December 2, 2015 — 31 Comments

hot chocolate and cookies

F/5.6, 3.0, ISO 64.

Day 336 / 365

When should you take a cookie to the doctor?

When it feels crummy.

Interesting Fact:

An early Classic period (460-480 AD) Mayan tomb from the site of Rio Azul, Guatemala, had vessels with the Maya glyph for cacao on them with residue of a chocolate drink.  To make the chocolate drink, which was served cold, the Maya ground cocoa seeds into a paste and mixed it with water, cornmeal, chili peppers, and other ingredients.[4] They then poured the drink back and forth from a cup to a pot until a thick foam developed. Chocolate was available to Maya of all social classes, although the wealthy drank chocolate from elaborately decorated vessels. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_chocolate )

 

Money Does Not Grow On Trees?!

December 1, 2015 — 24 Comments

money tree

F/ 5.6, 1/60, ISO 250.

Day 335 / 365

Why doesn’t money grow on trees?

Because the banks control all of the branches

Interesting Fact: A money tree plant is a special type of bonsai tree. The design originated in Taiwan in the 1980s, and it was quickly picked up by many other Asian nations. Areas with large Asian populations frequently have these plants for sale, because they are supposed to bring good luck and fortune. It is particularly associated with China, and the plant is often given out at Chinese New Year complete with red banners and other lucky decorations. ( http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-money-tree-plant.htm )

Lights Camera Action!

November 30, 2015 — 7 Comments

Lights Camera Action

F/18.0, 1/60, ISO 250.

Day 334 / 365

How many film directors does it take to change a light bulb?

Just one, but he wants to do it thirty-two times and when he’s done, everyone says that his last light bulb was much better.

Interesting Fact: According to its charter, the Bell & Howell Company was incorporated on February 17, 1907. It was duly recorded in the Cook County Record Book eight days later. The first meeting of stockholders took place in the office of Attorney W. G. Strong on February 19 at 10 a. m. The first board of directors was chosen for a term of one year: Donald Joseph Bell, chairman; Albert Summers Howell, secretary; and Marguerite V. Bell (wife of Donald Bell), vice chairman. Austin Delaney was the President of Bell and Howell in Canada in the 1960s and 70’s. He moved with his family from England. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_%26_Howell )

This is Maverick, I feel the need… …the need for speed!

November 29, 2015 — 15 Comments

Red-tailed Hawk

F/ 6.3, 1/800, ISO 800.

Red-tailed Hawk

Day 333 / 365

Why did the Hawk cross the road?

To eat the chicken!

Interesting Fact: Red-tailed Hawks have been seen hunting as a pair, guarding opposite sides of the same tree to catch tree squirrels. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-tailed_Hawk/lifehistory )

 

Keep Your Head Up!

November 28, 2015 — 9 Comments

Carolina Wren

F/6.3, 1/800, ISO 800.

Carolina Wren

Day 332 / 365

What is a parrot’s favorite game?

Hide and Speak!

Interesting Fact: Unlike other wren species in its genus, only the male Carolina Wren sings the loud song. In other species, such as the Stripe-breasted Wren of Central America, both members of a pair sing together. The male and female sing different parts, and usually interweave their songs such that they sound like a single bird singing. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Carolina_Wren/lifehistory )