Walked the dog and spotted the Swallows Flitting about. Dead noon clear day 58F.
Heat shimmer gave the AF schizoid embolisms. Had to try to capture Swallows on the wing using manual focus with the 600pF handheld. Managed a few. The one posted has a painterly effect without using Topaz.

The Flush was caused by an off-leash dog. The dog also caused the Sanderlings to launch and maneuver desperately.

Baby Killdeer-super cute! Head distortion ruined most of my shots:-( Luv how the flame' is clinging to the young bird.

Z9, 600pF.

Download and enjoy!

My wife and I took a two week camping birding trip to Eastern Oregon. From Ashland we stopped in Summer Lake, Malheur NWR, the Zumwalt Prairie, returning through Fort Rock, Cabin Lake and back to Summer Lake. We started on April 15, a little early for returning warblers and shorebirds in this part of the world though there were several migrants here and there. We did see nesting raptors, lots of ducks, and a goodly collection of passerines. I've posted pictures to three collections at mrtk.smugmug.com if you would like to see some of the photographically cooperative birds at these locations. Not all are what you would call artistic, but they reflect a little of what's around at the end of April. Here's a sample:

Our family recently toured Japan and were overwhelmed with the spirit and fun to be found everywhere. I will submit a few sets but here is the famous Dotonbori district in the Chuo Ward of Osaka City, which stands up against any place in the world for street food and tremendous fun. The streetscape consists of great morsels of food, wonderful restaurants, but most of all a wild array of storefront signs. So here are just a few! Lots of comfort food but maybe some dishes that challenge the American palate.

Manhattan is an island. The northern section of it is called Inwood. The number one train runs elevated north and south through that section. The first photograph, for clarification, shows what it's like to drive under that el on 10th Avenue.
There are businesses on both sides of the street in some areas and in others, it's residential.
A few of the businesses are run out of trucks, such as food and clothing. In the second photograph, where the road narrows just north of 204th St, one of the businessman is running his automotive repair business from a truck, behind him. Cars line up, waiting alongside of parked cars, to be serviced.
Both of these were taken through the windshield while my wife was behind the wheel.