Celebrating 72 trips 'round ole Sol today. For no particular reason, here are two photos of an Eastern ribbon #snake. Alexandria, Virginia, USA 24-July-2026. #herps #snakes #wildlifephotography
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Teach Honest History
@Cliftographer@mindly.social
mastodon 4.5.18Retired software engineer living in Virginia, USA, happily married, wildlife photography (mostly birds) is my main hobby. I support democracy and embrace diversity. I believe it is essential we teach honest history - the glorious & good as well as the ugly & evil. All photos mine except reposts
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Joined November 23, 2022
Ma and Pa osprey hanging out at the nest. That's Pa on the left and Ma on the right if my Googled osprey lore is correct. I suspect there may be some baby osprey down in the nest, but I never saw them. Alexandria, Virginia, USA 31-MAR-2026. #birds #birdphotography #naturephotography
"Plunging talons of death". Not something you ever want to see if you are a fish. Huntley Meadows Park, Alexandria, Virginia, USA 12-May-2026. #birds #osprey #birdphotography #naturephotography
For a moment's respite from the insanity, noise, and confusion of life, please gaze upon this eastern bluebird. Repeat as needed. Algonkian Regional Park, Sterling, Virginia, USA 7-Apr-2026. #birds #birdphotography #naturephotography
Ring-billed gull in flight, Burke Lake Park, Burke, Virginia, USA, 28FEB2026. #Nikon #Z8 with 500PF lens. This is an extreme crop, but all I've done is some minor adjustments in LrC + a little sharpening in Topaz. The light was very good. First time I've seen the red around the eyes and the red 'lips'. #birds #birdphotography #naturephotography
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@johnmwildlife Welcome John. There's a nice community of photographers here. I'm on the USA side of the Atlantic, but it seems to me there are more photographers here from your side. To get visibility adding hashtags is important. I generally add #birds #birdphotography and #naturephotography . Addding ALT text to your images is strongly encouraged. I'm adding in a photo of a double-crested cormorant drying its wings -- while swimming -- just so followers of those tags don't feel cheated!
If ever there is a day when I tire of seeing and photographing wood ducks, you can just shoot me because clearly my soul has already left my body. Lake Fairfax Park, Reston, Virginia, USA 24-MAR-2026. #birds #birdphotography #naturephotography
When they said "The South shall rise again" I never thought it would be the U.S. Supreme Court leading the charge. It sickens me to see how far the #USA has fallen and how rapidly it is regressing. #SCOTUS #politics #USApol #Louisiana
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@erin@mastodon.kvuzet.net I don't know you but you are a fellow human being and I hope you feel better soon. I take pictures of birds. Here's an osprey pic I took a few days ago, if that helps. #birds #birdphotography #naturephotography
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@nixCraft@mastodon.social Maybe they mean open in the sense of exploitable, as in lacking in defenses? Maybe I'm trying too hard to sanewash this knee-slapper.
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@handmade_ghost "Wow! It'a really bright out here. And scary." -- gosling
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@johnmwildlife@mastodon.social You are very welcome. Yes, this cormorant was floating by on a narrow river with a path right alongside, so that's close to an uncropped image. Look forward to seeing your work when you are able to post it.
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@Natasha_Jay@tech.lgbt Really good point. That word 'resilient' is being overused to the point where it's approaching 'thoughts and prayers' as an expression of perfunctory pseudo-sympathy.
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@SmartAsABrick@techhub.social I absolutely love my #Z8. I previously had a D600, D780, and when I got into wildlife a D500. I loved my D500, but the Z8 is next level - the AF with bird subject detection is that good. Eventually traded in my D500 for a 2nd Z8. Yes, there is a substantial learning curve, but there are excellent setup guides and other resources to help. Good news is the FTZ adapter works great so all your old lenses still work as well or better than they did on your DSLR. #Nikon #NikonZ8
When MAGA sends their #ICE agents, they aren’t sending their best. They are sending people with a history of violence and mental health problems. #MAINE #USAPOL https://apnews.com/article/ice-david-brouillette-johan-guerrero-maine-shooting-dbc30d6d59e2a95fb470afc188e125c6
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@nixCraft@mastodon.social That's the best nerdgasm I've had in a long time! Thanks for posting.