Thursday, August 5, 2010

(Day 217) Santa's new helper

It seems a little strange to be thinking about Christmas in August, especially in the subtropics, where the beach-side temperature was just a few degrees below scorching. I was lulled into a false sense of security regarding over-exposure to the sun, due to the brisk breeze coming in off the water - the breeze accounting for the few degrees below scorching. After jumping up and down in the waves with my granddaughters for the better part of the day (I'm still experiencing the motion of waves as I sit and write this), I discovered - too late - that my skin had taken on that freshly-cooked lobster hue.

So, as I took shelter under our sun umbrella on the beach, and feeling like I was still sitting in the direct sun, I noticed a few of our feathered friends waiting patiently for a handout (no, we didn't give them anything). I took out the camera and found that one in particular had some resemblance to the most famous of Santa's helpers. I'm sure Santa can always use a little extra help during his busy season.

(70-200mm  f8  1/1000 sec  ISO200 - both shots)

can you spot him ?















how about now ?

32 comments:

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Yep,that will work.For a moment I thought you were talking about yourself,with that new red look.:)
Blessings,Ruth

Teté M. Jorge said...

Very interesting what you wrote ... and beautiful photos!

Kisses.

Anonymous said...

That is too funny!!! Never seen that before.

I admit, I was a bit confused too! ; )

['ô ] Avery

darlin said...

Wonderful close up, I didn't get it until I looked at the second photo, now that's cute! I hope that you aren't in too much pain, sounds like you're having the time of your life, right on!

Lisa said...

They are wonderful. I find it hard to get birds. I too go a bit of a tan...burn on my holiday while out on a lake for an afternoon. Sounds like a wonderful time with you grandbabies.

Chad said...

It's been so hot here I wish for a little of Santas wonderland. A little. You've had some very nice bird shot lately. I was just commenting to Scott tonight how much I liked the one you posted a few days ago.

Biana said...

Nice use of DOF! And is it me or does your seagulls look particularly smaller?They also look less mean than the seagulls I shot. The seagulls here are huge, creepy and aggressive and seem like they could poke your eyes out at any time, haha. I love your seagull shots!

Goed weekend daar in Florida!! Geniet van je vakantie:)

Glen Webber (Wildlife Photography) said...

Great Gull photos! Very nice.

Rick said...

@Ruth's Photo Blog - LOL; fortunately my nose was spared, but I can understand the temporary confusion. I glow so much I think I could still see with the lights turned off tonight :(

Rick said...

@teca - thank you teca; have a lovely weekend!

Beijos.

Rick said...

@Photog Ave - I'd never noticed before either. I'm assuming these are seagulls but they could be terns, or some other bird that likes to hang out at the beach.

Rick said...

@darlin - thanks Darlene! I think I'm gonna pull through, but I'll have to take it easy for a few days. Yep - having a blast with our oldest daughter and her 2 girls joining us here for a week!

Rick said...

@Lisa RedWillow - thanks Lisa for stopping by and your comments. I was lucky that these decided to sit still for a few minutes.

Rick said...

@Chad - Scott provided a little ( a lot of ?) winter relief earlier today. Thanks for your kind words - you were probably referring to the egret I 'captured' fishing a few days ago.

Rick said...

@Biana - yes, yours sure looked nastier !! ;-) Maybe the fish are bigger and better there so your gulls grow bigger ;-) I'm not even sure these are seagulls - I just figured all these birds hanging out there were.

Bedankt Biana - ook een fijn weekend!

My name is Riet said...

Zo rood als een kreeft nou Rick? Maar je had wel plezier en dat is toch belangrijk.Mooie foto's heb je weer. Fijne dag!

marty said...

it's funny how you write - the sun isn't
always our friend !!
the shots of the birds are really gorgeous !
bisous Rick !!

Unknown said...

Both wild life photos are astonishingly well done - I sound like a French Chef de Cuisine - LOL

It is an amazing place where you live :-)

Greetz,

Joseph

chasity said...

wow...great eye there rick.
i was just sure you were going to be the one with a very shiny nose.

hope a cool breeze blows through~
chas

MedaM said...

I enjoyed your writing and this wonderful photo.

Scott Law said...

I've noticed around here that quite a few of those have the red tip on their beaks. Very interesting. Hope your redness goes away soon. I remember a trip to Hawaii and a day snorkeling - I can practically still feel it.

Pearl said...

I wondered what Rudolph did in the off-season!

Pearl

Costea Andrea Mihai said...

:) they are very cute!! bravo!

Rick said...

@Riet - rood en heet! :( Een beetje te veel zon, maar 't gaat wel over. En ja, we hebben veel plezier gehad. Dank je wel Riet, en een fijn weekend!

Rick said...

@marty - thank you marty; today I kept my shirt on all day, even in the water! Have a wonderful weekend. Bisous!!

Rick said...

@CarreraCaballo - LOL, you cracked me up with that one Joseph. I was also 'well done' ;-)

Yes, it is amazing here. Thanks for dropping by.

Rick said...

@chasity - I have one of those too, and would have posted that but the bird's was redder ;-)

We had a breeze today, but I don't think I'd call 94 a 'cool breeze'.

Rick said...

@MedaM - thank you; I hope you enjoy a nice weekend.

Rick said...

@Scott - yes, I thought it was an interesting feature - hadn't really noticed it before (and I'm not even sure they were seagulls).

You'd think I'd learn - I also got a bad burn in Hawaii after spending a day in the water; and I had been so careful down here.

Rick said...

@Pearl - ha ha - he masquerades as a seagull !

Thanks for dropping by.

Rick said...

@Costea Andrea Mihai - thanks Costea! Enjoy your weekend.

Rick said...

@Glen Webber (Wildlife Photography) - thanks Glen; I checked out your site - awesome photos you have there.

Thanks for stopping by and commenting.