Pinkish sky and swans
Random 51. On some winter mornings when the sky to the south is ALMOST totally obscured by clouds over Lake Ontario, the light has a pink, coral, or yellow cast. It's probably pollution...but it's pretty, especially when the landscape is mostly whites, browns and greys.
2. Hooray for honest car mechanics! Last week our car was stuck in PARK in a local grocery store parking lot. Our long-time mechanic drove my husband to where the car was stuck, determined the problem was a burnt-out fuse, and charged us for a couple of fuses and his time. A dishonest mechanic could have claimed the car needed a new transmission.
3. I bought a small bunch of tulips last week. Did you know that you can keep them upright in a vase by pricking their stems with a pin just below the flower?
4. The Monarch butterfly population has declined from between 80 and 90% since 1996. The main culprit appears to be the herbicide that kills milkweed, the Monarch's main food source. Recently the presidents of the U.S. and Mexico and the prime minister of Canada agreed at a NAFTA (North America Free Trade Agreement) meeting to study the situation - the Monarch is a symbol of cooperation amongst the three countries. I hope cooperation on the monarch decline is not too late.
5. I'm reading a collection of short stories by Russian author Anton Chekhov. If you're looking for stories with happy endings, these are NOT for you. Chekhov's stories tend to be open ended in that you have the feeling much has happened before the first chapter and that the characters live on once the story is finished. If you are curious about what life was like for Russians during the last two decades of the 20th-century (a few years before the Russian Revolution and communism), Chekhov's works are goldmines.
I am linking to Sky Watch Friday HERE.
I am joining Random 5 Friday Here
Gorgeous subtle colours, and well done to the mechanic!
ReplyDeletePretty capture of the scene and swans. I am always happy to hear there is an honest mechanic out there. Have a happy day!
ReplyDeletewhat a perfect setting for your photo with the swans
ReplyDeleteGorgeous colors in that sky. I'm glad your car trouble was a small issue. I'm still wondering about mine but have to get the a/c fixed first before carrying the car in for a look see. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteYou must wait for spring!
ReplyDeleteGreetings
Elisa, in Argentina
Yep, I've enjoyed Chekhov stories, too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful composition.
ReplyDeleteIt has been awhile since I read work by Chekhov.
Such delicate and subtle colours and your photo seems to hold a story within it; I love photos like this.
ReplyDeleteChekhov? I have to be in the right mood for his stories but I enjoy the challenge hid stories present.
An honest mechanic is worth their weight in gold!
Beautiful pic. Chekov's stories are a little too open ended for me but very well written. I had no idea about the Monarch butterfly's decline. That is shocking!
ReplyDeleteYay for honest car mechanics! Who would have thought of a fuse? I'm glad the governments of NA are trying to do something to preserve the Monarchs. I believe one blogger mentioned that milkweed has been taken off the noxious weed list in Canada which should really help eventually. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThe swans seem content even with a human close by. Thanks for the tulip tip - news to me.
ReplyDeleteDarla
glad to know there are honest mechanics left and sad about the butterflies....
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your random 5 and always on the lookout for good books, and not necessarily ones with happy endings. Will check these out. hOping for spring soon!
ReplyDeletesoft sky - and i'm happy for #2!
ReplyDeleteI like the pinkish sky and the four swans a-swimming. Will try the tulip trick. MB
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy it when the clouds have a little bit of color. Nice pink hue and good capture!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful winter scene, although I hope things will warm up for you soon! I can imagine you are ready for some spring. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely shot.
ReplyDeleteI have heard they are taking the milkweed off the noxious week list here. It would certainly help from this end. Great shot of the lake.
ReplyDeletesoft, beautiful color in that sky!!
ReplyDeletei love seeing the swans, we see them in the winter here!!
I hate to hear about the decline of the monarchs! Everything on this earth has a purpose and I wish those who try to eradicate certain plants would think about the consequences!
ReplyDeleteGreat skies and swans. Glad to hear about your long-time honest mechanic. And sad to hear about the Monarch butterfly. I should do some research on its fate in South Africa, and check its status there. Have a great weekend. Greetings, Jo
ReplyDeleteGreat skies and swans. Glad to hear about your long-time honest mechanic. And sad to hear about the Monarch butterfly. I should do some research on its fate in South Africa, and check its status there. Have a great weekend. Greetings, Jo
ReplyDeleteI Loved reading your facts and yes I did know that about the Tulips.Loved the swans and colour in the shot.
ReplyDeleteMan, that looks like cold water. A real testimony to down.
ReplyDeleteWe need to let the milkweed thrive and not pull it out as a weed!
ReplyDeleteOne of your best photos.
ReplyDeleteI need to go prick my tulips then. And I love Chekhov!
Great sky shot for SWF ~ serene colors ~ xxx
ReplyDeleteartmusedog and carol
www.acreativeharbor.com
crocuses are popping up! ^_^
Beautiful picture. I do hope we can save the monarch.
ReplyDeleteNeat shot, and I love that sky color! Thanks for the tulip trick. I'll have to try it.
ReplyDeleteI like Anton Chekhov's stories and this photo is amazing. I would be beautiful in black and white.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful capture.
ReplyDeleteI saw a monarch in Arizona this week - shame it was just the one.
ReplyDeleteAm now trying to keep awake due to jet lag!
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Love a good mechanic, once you have found one you never let them go.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to have an honest mechanic for sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip about the tulips.
Oh the poor Monarchs we use no pesticides on our farm and I let the milkweeds grow:)
Russia certainly has an interesting history and stories. Hug B
Thanks for the Tulip tip good to know and keep that mechanic he sounds good, have a great weekend...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shot -- calm and quiet feel. I have a great mechanic, too. Thanks for the tulip tip. The Monarch and the bees -- so sad and a bad omen for life on earth. I haven't read Chekov for ages. Happy Friday!
ReplyDeleteyay for the honest mechanic! hang on to him! so sad about the butterflies :( great tip on the tulips!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pink sky on a cold winter morning. Don't you wonder how the swans can survive in that cold water.
ReplyDeleteHooray for an honest mechanic! I'm going to have to try the tulip trick. I hope the Monarchs can be saved.
Have a great weekend.
I didn't know the swans stayed around for the winter. Great shot with that pale pink sky! I learned the prick the stem trick when I was a florist! It does work! I am so upset about the butterfly and bee issues. I am involved with the Ontario's Save The Bees campaign to ban neonicotinoids.
ReplyDeleteI could have used that tulip trick last week. xo
ReplyDeletewhat a gorgeous light there are! Combined with the swans it is stunning.
ReplyDeleteYour photo is pleasing, with the tones of the sky and the elegant swans. And a person to enjoy the surroundings. Very nice composition!
ReplyDeleteI did not know that about tulips. I tend to not buy them as they don't seem to last long. I enjoy them at the store. Beautiful sunrise. I notice them every day driving to work. Telephone poles and wires ruin the view so I don't stop and photograph.
ReplyDeleteHemingway is also someone whom you won't find a happy ending.
ReplyDelete