Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

The Martian takes no chances when it comes to Ministry of Mayhem security. His 'Eyes in the Skies' pilot program has been a resounding success, with drones world-wide spotting potential enemy incursions long before they can get near Ministry grounds.

Ministry engineers have carefully disguised the drones to blend in with their surroundings to avoid alarming anyone, and also to prevent suspicion as to their true purpose. You may, in fact, have seen these drones many times, and never raised an eyebrow.

In this evening shot, a group of drones is shown milling about, each awaiting tasking and their controller's instruction from the tower before moving to the runway for take-off.

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angler Loc: StHelens England

We have thousands of these drones at Martin mere Wetlands Wildfowl trust Randy and they are disguised as allsorts of birds and wildlife and I must admit they look very lifelike Excellent work as always Randy.

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

People won't believe this, but those drones are so realistic, I've had them leave white squishy substances on my head...you wouldn't believe what it does to raccoon fur ...great shot of those buggers!!

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I have taken photos of these a number of times, but I never suspected that they were actually drones--where have I been?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

My question is what is that white viscous substance they periodically eject?

Beautiful scene, Randy! Taken on one of your five-mile walks?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Beautiful

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

Nice shot Randy and enjoyed the news flash.

DragonsLady Loc: Los Alamos, NM

You're really reaching for it, Randy. I can't imagine why Martian would use water fowl for his drones. Next you'll be telling us that in early to mid summer he uses butterflies and moths. Seems like his feline subjects would be stalking and trying to catch the drones.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Drone exhaust???

ncribble Loc: Albuquerque, NM

I love you well chosen humor. Gracias

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Iwish you would get those damned drones (canada geese) off our hay field. (BTW do you laugh as hard as I when you hear a movie control tower telling the pilot that runway 41 is clear for landing). Like the picture

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Beautiful shot of this refueling stop for the forces!

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Thanks, Angler. Drone technology has become quite advanced. Some drones, like those displayed in this scene, are simple surveillance devices. Others, like those you may have seen at your wildfowl trust, are more complex, and are equipped not just to monitor, but can deliver small explosive packages. You (or your car) may, in fact, even have been the inadvertent victim of a practice bombing run. Pinpoint precision, or so the engineers and weapons experts claim. ; )

Glad you enjoyed this one, and thanks as always for the kind comments and visit, it's very much appreciated!

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Thanks, Bob. As I just mentioned to Angler, those white squishy substances are test (non-explosive) weapons packages, used for practice bombing runs by slightly more advanced drones than those pictured here. The group of drones shown here, to the left of the runway, are simple surveillance devices.

I wouldn't, however, put it past the design team to try a test drop from one of them. But from the data I've seen left lying around the Engineering Department at the Ministry, the guidance packages are made in China, prone to failure, and hardly ever accurate, with targeting mostly reserved for freshly washed cars.

Thanks for the laugh and your visit, always enjoyed and appreciated!

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Thanks, John. You may not be aware, but the last living bird went extinct several decades ago. Pollution, ozone depletion, and bad rap music have all been blamed for this environmental catastrophe. But it was felt at the highest levels that keeping this tragic event quiet was in the public's best interest. As such, the President, after closed consultations with the EPA, decided there was only a single course of action. He contacted the Ministry of Mayhem to ask for help in covering up the situation.

The Martian was only too happy to oblige, and immediately assigned the Ministry's Engineering Department to design, construct, and deploy life-like drones that would allay any suspicion of environmental disaster. Literally millions of these drones--in various life-like forms--were deployed across the globe, many of them capable of carrying guided weapons. You--or your car--may, in fact, already have been the victim of one of these special drones' practice bombing runs.

The initial deployment was, of course, carried out in secret and at night. But the program was so successful that it has continued to this day, with new designs, better guidance, and there are even rumors that the newest drones (I'm told these look like American Wood Ducks) may be equipped with highly advanced plasma weapons.

I'm swearing you to secrecy about all this, you know. Don't want to create a panic.

Thanks for stopping by and the laugh, always much appreciated!