Celebrating the 24th anniversary today of the night I quit smoking. Not sure why the date still sticks in my mind but there it is. For what it's worth, I smoked Marlborough. Aside from the health risks, it's a rather expensive habit these days.
I offer a couple of images from my bike ride yesterday evening.
Whippoorwill Grove - Bush, LA - September 16, 2009
Crabapple Lane - Bush, LA - September 16, 2009
The QOTD is from the London Times. There is an amazing picture there that he took of a bat.
Quote of the Day
In all my time working as a wildlife photographer I don't think anyone has ever tried to do this. I am very pleased with the results.
Kim Taylor, Wildlife photographer
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "Drew Brees is a class act. Make no mistake, he wants nothing more than to destroy the Philadelphia Eagles defense on Sunday and give his franchise a huge win and a 2-0 start for this turn-around season for the Saints. But Brees also understands how hard it is to play through injuries in the NFL, and he wishes the best for McNabb."
I smoke for the children whose health care I help to subsidize, Rob. It's for the children! /sarcasm
Interesting shot of the bat. That article says something about the wings beating too fast to see. I wonder if that is different by species. Years ago I had a bat fly into a house I rented with two other guys. I remember seeing its wings flap as it sailed around the house until we trapped it. It looked like an escaped extra from a horror film.
Beautiful sunset, Rob.
Thanks for pointing out the photo of a bat. Amazing. We have bats around here, especially at this time of year. They come out at dusk, swooping this way and that, catching mosquitoes. You have to be really looking to see them - until it gets dark. Then, you can see their shadows from the street light on the house. Fascinating and a little unnerving, especially when I can see my own shadow on the house at the same time.
Gorgeous shot of Whippoorwill Grove and the clouds beyond.
September 17 for me is: Antietam (1862). Not that I was there personally.
There should be a lot of revenue for the children, Dave. I'd bet a pack of cigarettes doesn't cost much more to make now than it did 50 years ago and there's only a fraction of the marketing being used. It's all profit and taxes.
I think the issue for the photographer was the low light and their erratic nature. I've never seen bat wings frozen in flight like that. Add the other elements like the reflection and the gorgeous surroundings and you have a spectacular image. I just love it.
Thanks, Marie. We have bats here, too. I think they're pretty much everywhere. Thought of putting up a bat house once but they're rather expensive and I'm not sure they'd use it.
Thanks, Dan. Some days, I feel like I was at Antietam. The old part, not the bloody part. :) I have a few Civil War dates rattling around in the brain, too. Gettysburg (July 1), Appomattox (April 9), Lincoln's Assassination (April 14), and Fort Donelson (February 16). Helps when birthdays are involved. :)
Dad and I quit at 7 p.m. November 27th. For the life of me, I cannot remember the year.
That's on Black Friday this year, Mom. You can celebrate by buying me a big Christmas present. :)
Lovely sunset. Now that temps are getting cooler, I have to get my bike fixed (I think I need a new tube or tire, at least.)
Congrats on the non-smoking anniversary. Unfortunately I restarted a while back, when I learned I had to have surgery. Ironically, however, I've found that it's mellowed me right out. I was getting wayyyyyyy beyond "irritable" before & didn't really realize it.
I'd offer to help, Lana, but I'm the world's worst tire patcher. :) Best to just bring it to the bike shop and spend the $15. When the weather really cools off, I plan to get on the Trace out by you. Maybe we can finally meet up. :)
That first picture is stunning.
Thanks, Andrea.