First time touching a jelly.
This photo was taken last year, before everything in the world became covered with a randomly-deadly virus.
Why can’t we ever discover a novel virus that grants long life, critical thinking, or kindness?
Surprise
Gooseberry Falls
I also like waterfalls. Expect a lot of photos like this, too.
There are, of course, goblins hiding behind every fall, waiting for someone to venture just a bit too close.
Contemplation
I like photos of people looking out over the water.
Since I’ll be doing local traveling with people to lakes this summer, expect a lot more like this.
If you think it’s boring, try to spot the lake monsters under the waves.
Ropes Course
This is not Iona’s Beach. This is a ropes course. You can tell the difference because there are ropes here, not rocks.
Though, really, a rocks course would be rather more challenging.
Iona’s Beach
The water sure is pretty.
Pretty damn cold, that is. I have been informed that it is so cold as to be unswimmable. I have always had my cameras with me, so I have not tested the claim personally.
Perhaps this summer when the temperature hovers in the 90’s.
Iona’s Beach
When visiting Iona’s Beach, you have to make your sand castles in a different way.
Iona’s Beach
This is a beach on the North Shore that, unlike every other beach I have seen, is entirely covered in large round rocks of similar colour and size. It is absolutely amazing … though perhaps not as comfortable to rest on as beaches where the grains of sand are somewhat smaller.
I do not know who Iona is/was.
Red Panda
While red pandas appreciate self-referential humor they do not think this caption is funny.
Crane
Crane operators hang flags at the top to get a decent sense of wind speed and direction. Not all cranes need them, though.
Zebra
This horse assures you that stripes are really quite fashionable, that everyone is wearing them now, and would really appreciate it if you could give him a ride to the city and away from the vicinity of the prison.
Southern White Rhino
It is erroneous to say “science doesn’t support re-opening this early”. Science simply suggests that opening this early will cause a large number of otherwise unnecessary* deaths and a likely shortened and more painful lifespan for some of the survivors.
Politically, this needs to be balanced against other critical factors, like the availability of haircuts** and stock market indices. So it’s really a heads vs tails sort of thing.
* Don’t get me started on the concept of “necessary deaths”.
Gibbon
Gibbon reviewing the federal pandemic response plans.
(This photo can be used at any point in 2020.)
Black Widow
She was so looking forward to the movie and is deeply bothered at it being postponed by a quarter of her lifespan.
Black Bear
Seems like this year’s hibernation is lasting forever.
Bald Eagles
As a representative of the USA, this eagle would really like to see people getting back to work.
Also, did you know that while eagles do hunt, they are also carrion eaters?
Bear
Zoos in some cities have a lot of public art, some designed for the zoo, some left over from city-wide art competitions.
I just wanted to mention that, for those of us still trapped in quarantine (or about to be re-trapped after the coming COVID spike hits in some states (looking at you, Georgia)), you can make your own public art and put it in your home. Then, when you’re bored, you can box it all up and ship it to a friend to hide throughout their house while you get a box from theirs. All sorts of fun can be had.
(Just be sure to either let the box sit long enough for any latent viruses to degrade, or disinfect it as you unpack.)
Catalina Island Rattlesnake
When he was young, this rattlesnake traded his soul in exchange for power.
Today, as a member of congress, he believes that – since everyone is going to die of something anyway – they might as well pick the most painful and isolated method possible, and do it quickly so he can buy a third boat.
Cardinal Tetra
When I was young, I was told that the american cardinal was named after the tendency of roman catholic cardinals to wear bright red.
I look at this fish and am suddenly doubting my knowledge of history.
Jellies?
Jellies in one tank. Plastic bags in the other.
A very effective presentation on why sea turtles are dying.
Frog eggs
No flash was allowed in this aquarium, but flashlights work fine on eggs and I have a really hard time believing that frog eggs are sensitive to light in that way.