Time was in this land, just having a job was special. Minimum wage was appreciated. People worked 3 jobs to get by and didn't complain because they were able to find 3 jobs. People worked for less than minimum wage just to stay off the doles. Now, working is a waste of time unless it fits into the 9-5 scheduling, doesn't give us full benefits and it has to pay enough to support a family of 4 because no one is going to put in time with 2 jobs to feed themselves when they government subsidies will do it for them. Liberal or conservative... people are people and they all have a tendency to think more of themselves than they deserve.
They also have equal length talons for the best and most deadly grip on prey - they are the fishing birds of history. No other bird of prey has exactly equal length talons for fishing. Great shot.
Stupendous clarity in photo and weather conditions. San Francisco can be difficult. There are only so many points to shoot from and millions of photos of this one subject. With that in mind, I think you did an excellent job and this is not one of the views overdone by others.
re the hummingbirds... I discovered with close observation over an extended period of time that if you provide a source of nectar (feeder or flower) they have a very good schedule for feeding. For example, they like my aloe vera when it blooms and they make a circuit from nest and back that will include my blooms...and they will return every 20 minutes like clock work throughout the feeding time of day. Spend time observing their return patterns and until they leave to complete their migration, or they find another nesting sight, the pattern will give you a guide for when to photograph them.
i think it might because men finally learned how to read and some are even learning how to follow directions too.........
my mother always said, "god does not make mistakes and he is the ultimate decorator. If you see the colors together in nature, it is ok to wear those colors together." I don't think she would approve of the new stuff that pairs pink and orange, but somewhere in some remote part of the world, there maybe a flower like that and that's what I tell people when they point out my skirt, blouse and shoes don't match. I have no explanation for wearing checks, stripes and poke-a-dots at the same time, tho. :-)
I don't like their political agenda much but I have found I can get my insurance for house and car at a great rate through them. I also get a nice discount (unmatched elsewhere as far as I know) on a rental car. I'm sure there are other programs with discounts attached to their name, and like you, their magazine goes in the trash (wonder if I can sign up for "email only delivery?), but AARP is a very recognized name and I know what I do get from them has worked for me. If you find better places, go for it. That's what being a SR. is all about...finding the best deal and one that helps live on a fixed income.
I can appreciate why LEDs are better, however, I priced them at several stores and the cheapest I found was a 4-pack for $30. Individually is ever more. I need 20 bulbs for indoors (let's not even talk garage) and I live in a bad neighborhood so I need 5 outdoor spots too. Living on little money and with my financial status not available for "upgrade," I'm sort of left "in the dark." Same as this TV stuff. Took me years to afford a color TV bigger than a 13-inch and only a year after I got one, the government told me to go buy a converter box or a new TV. I seem to be spending money to replace things that aren't broke. BTW I found out that my old outdoor spotlight fixtures won't even accept the new base on the new lighting so I'm looking at replacing the outside fixtures too.
I think it's milk weed. Very nice.
PayPal is always best. I've sold everything from rare books and paintings to used kitchen items using PayPal and it has a guarantee attached to it to protect both the buyer and seller. Get the money up front and mail.
Sometimes we have to do what is necessary and right and that is not always what our hearts tell us is kind or compassionate. Compassion is a feeling. Necessary and right are forms of fact. I can feel sorrow that I had to put my dog to sleep when he was sick. but the decision to do so was necessary and right. You need to learn to mature enough to separate the two. BTW, Catholics will tell you we suffer the sins of our parents - Adam and Eve. So the idea that children suffer the mistakes of the parents is something that is not new and never will be.
personally, I like the b/w. The distraction of wisps of hair in her face are less distracting in b/w for me. Skin tone and smoothness also seems more flattering.
I was 10 when I left and I don't remember this area as much as I do Rocky River Valley where I took horseback riding lessons and picnicked with family and relatives (guess it's known now as the Emerald Necklace), but I was born at Lakewood Hospital. Lived in Olmstead Falls, Bay Village and Westlake before moving to Texas. Nice photo!
A lab test is only too expensive if it is done for no reason and too often. If it saves a life, if it gives peace of mind, it is worth the price. I have always been aggressive when dealing with cancer screening. At my age, a person can lose too many too soon...it makes any discomfort, a bit of time out of my life, and a week without meat in order to pay for lab work worth every bit. I can't let anyone take my cancer screening from me - mammos or paps. I want to live - unfortunately, that comes with a price.