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| JohnP's Birds. | |
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| Topic Started: Sep 18 2016, 11:24 PM (2,512 Views) | |
| JohnP | Nov 19 2016, 08:51 PM Post #81 |
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Thank you Jan! I know this is not the place to write this but here goes. Even with a few health problems I needed something to do in my retirement and the bungalow I moved into in October 2015 was in need of EVERYTHING fixing and upgrading, it had been owned by an old lady who was blind and in poor health. Eleven years ago my marriage broke down after 34 years and I had no choice but to move out and rent a place to live, within ten weeks my brother committed suicide. Part of the problem with my marriage was due to the fact our son aged 27 at the time who lived with us suffers from bipolar disorder, my wife could cope with it just about and I couldn't so I left home. After renting for six and a half years and wasting my money I bought an active retired flat, even though I refitted the kitchen and decorated right through the flat I began to hate the place and was glad to leave after three and a half years. In the mean time my wife and I can't live without each other and we are best friends now and we decided to buy the bungalow between us for me to live in. I'm older than my wife so I will probably be gone before her but I'm happy to leave her with a nice little property to do what she want's with... she has keys and comes and goes and often I cook dinner for us both... she lives about 200 yards away. The bungalow she is living in now (my old home) I spent two years restoring starting in 1999 so that is starting to need things doing again, if I died tomorrow she would probably move here. I'm hoping to have all the work done here by late spring/early summer so I can just relax and enjoy the fruits of my labours and go take photos again. I take everyday as it comes and do some work everyday, at 70 years old it takes a little longer to get started in the morning and I don't go on into the evening now, those days are long gone. With my health not being what it was even two years ago I'm not letting the grass grow under my feet, it's quite amazing how much better the bungalow is now after just 13 months. Sorry I've gone on a bit... it must be the wine...
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| JohnP | Nov 19 2016, 09:30 PM Post #82 |
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Black-headed Gull.![]() |
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| dizzylizzy | Nov 19 2016, 10:05 PM Post #83 |
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Hi John... firstly let me say that we're all friends here, so of course you can tell us things that are affecting your life. I was very moved to read your sad account regarding your marriage break, and also the very sad way you lost your brother. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I tell you that we all understand completely, and wish you all the best with the work and plans that await your future Regarding your Black-headed Gull... it's absolutely crystal clear and beautiful! I also love the angle of flight which you've caught perfectly... |
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| JohnP | Nov 19 2016, 11:58 PM Post #84 |
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Thanks Dizzy! Another shot from my files. ![]() |
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| AnnB | Nov 20 2016, 10:41 AM Post #85 |
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It's good news that you and your wife have come to the perfect arrangement, after such a difficult time. I know I'd find it hard to live with anyone now. I love that Swan photo. |
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| Davebutterflyman | Nov 20 2016, 06:01 PM Post #86 |
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Some cracking photos John, love the splashing Mute Swan. I can only echo what everyone has said regarding all those issues that have been affecting your life, we are a very friendly and understanding bunch on here as well so you are in the right place. |
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| JohnP | Nov 20 2016, 06:11 PM Post #87 |
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Thanks Dave! I've had a good many downers throughout my life, it's a wonder I'm still here... but I am! |
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| JohnP | Nov 20 2016, 08:55 PM Post #88 |
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Sorry this is a lousy photo, I don't have a long enough lens. This is Bee Hummingbird - Endemic to Cuba and the worlds smallest bird.![]() |
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| Tabatha | Nov 20 2016, 10:20 PM Post #89 |
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Beautiful photos John. ![]() So sorry to hear how things have worked out for you. At least you are still on good terms with your ex wife. |
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| JohnP | Nov 23 2016, 08:08 PM Post #90 |
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Cuban Green Woodpeckers. These shots were taken on a trip to Cuba in March 2012. I had to be patient and let the woodpeckers get used to me and move closer very slowly over about 30 minutes. I don't have a big zoom lens, my 70-300mm was the lens I used. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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| Pam M | Nov 23 2016, 10:47 PM Post #91 |
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Beautiful photos John, great to hear life is on the up :sun: |
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| saxonaxe | Nov 23 2016, 11:22 PM Post #92 |
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I'm still catching up with all the different threads on the forum and I've just spent the best thirty odd minutes in a long time looking at your photos John. Just beautiful..the subjects all seem so alive, I swear that Swan splashed me..
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| JohnP | Nov 23 2016, 11:40 PM Post #93 |
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Blimey!!! I'm lost for words... I'm never had a compliment like that before... Thank you so much! Pam... thank you too! |
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| dizzylizzy | Nov 24 2016, 03:30 AM Post #94 |
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John... just seen the tiny Bee Hummingbird on the wire... such a dainty bird... lovely... and the crystal clear photos of the Cuban Green Woodpeckers are stunningly colourful... |
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| AnnB | Nov 24 2016, 08:49 AM Post #95 |
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Superb photos of the Woodpeckers, your patience paid off. |
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| JennyWren | Nov 24 2016, 08:53 AM Post #96 |
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I've just had a catch up John . I'm so sorry to hear what you've been through but happy that life is now looking up . I reiterate what Dizzy says ... you've lots of friends here and i love looking at your photos . That tiny bee hummingbird is a beauty as are those gorgeous green woodpeckers
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| JohnP | Nov 24 2016, 10:01 AM Post #97 |
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Thank dizzy, Ann & Jen! Jen... I'm not looking for sympathy believe me but my life has been a bit of a roller coaster, here are some of the worst things that have happened to me. I had measels when I was a toddler and my eyes turned inwards and I needed two operations to correct them, my sister died from polio in 1953 when I was seven, my mother died the day after my 12th birthday in 1958. I was involved in a motorcycle accident in 1966 (not my fault) and I suffered multiple fractures to my right leg with bones coming through the skin, 8 months in plaster followed by five surgical operations over the next 10 years... my leg is one inch shorter than the other. I had a bout of viral labyrinthitis in 2005 from which I still suffer from problems with my balance. My marriage broke down in 2005, as I said earlier my wife is my best friend now and I live in a bungalow we both own and she comes and goes as she wishes. my brother committed suicide in 2006 and I have a few health issues, bunions and slight angina plus a hernia, a benign tumour was removed from inside my mouth last June... I will stop now! ... I'm still alive and working on the bungalow a bit each day... that's all that matters and I hope to get my cameras out more next spring. ![]() |
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| JennyWren | Nov 24 2016, 10:12 AM Post #98 |
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i know you're no asking for sympathy John but there is a sort of relief , a comfort to talk about our problems and traumas ..... and nobody minds listening or commenting and most of all we love looking at your smashing photos ... keep taking them and posting them here on NUK ![]() I sound as though i'm selling NUK but very soon there will be the Christmas Challenge ..... an opportunity for more photos
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| JohnP | Nov 24 2016, 10:52 AM Post #99 |
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Thanks Jen! This is so cute. ![]() |
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| acey | Nov 24 2016, 12:53 PM Post #100 |
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Strewth John,sounds like you've had enough problems for a dozen folk,though you seem strong enough to take it all in your stride ,really hope things settle down for so you can continue taking cracking photographs ! |
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but very soon there will be the Christmas Challenge ..... an opportunity for more photos


9:16 AM Jul 11


