I haven’t much to share today in the way of my photography, as I am in the process of corralling some great images by exceptional guest photographers. As I usually do under these circumstances, I just grabbed a few pix from wherever I found them.

As we move into the season for those pesky sorts of insects, I am always grateful that I am not a wild animal. We have sprays, clothing, and houses to escape what bites. A deer just has to live with it. I think I did present her with something else to think about for a few moments.

I show a lot of dragonfly photos on this blog, but all too often I neglect their little cousins the damselflies. The top picture is a Black-winged Damselfly, also called an Ebony Jewel-wing (a great name), and I am not sure of the second. There are a lot of little blue damselflies in the world.

I made this image of a Bull Frog many years ago just as the morning sun illuminated him. Bull Frogs are not really colored this bright warm color without the aid of the rising/setting sun.  He contrasts brilliantly with the blue water.

I love woodpeckers but my only three species adequately captured in pictures are the Downy, Hairy and Red-bellied (below). I have made some barely acceptable images of Golden-fronted and Red-headed Woodpeckers, and some throw away shots of a Pileated, but I don’t count them. Today, between incredible I Pod bird calls, and “bird ranches”, I can assure you I would have more types of all kinds of birds, although I might have a little less fun along the way.

There is no place I’d rather spend a summer’s day than high in the mountains. Below are two of my favorite locations. Both are in the Colorado Rockies. The top image is The Maroon Bells and Maroon Lake, and the second is Turquoise Lake. It’s funny but reflective shots of beautiful landmarks work well whether the reflections are exact reversals of the scene, or impressionistic in their nature.

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Opinion

In the 1970s an American president attempted to thwart democracy prior to an election. He continued to show us his contempt for this representative republic as he denied the truth and tried to cover it up. That president resigned office because members of his own party had the courage to tell him that he will either leave willingly, or leave under the conviction of an impeachment.  At the time I gave those members of his party very little credit. After all they only did what they should do. By today’s standards they are American heroes. I certainly see no heroes on the horizon to remedy today’s assault on democracy.

Americans have been complaining for decades about having a “two party system”.  The future of America is at its lowest point since before the American Revolution as we move closer to a totalitarian system. Having a system with only two ruling parties, often meant we weren’t happy with what was accomplished, and just as often, there was no legislation at all to be had. That system with all its flaws still carried out democracy. Every American had a say though their vote. Sometimes no legislation is better than bad legislation. When legislation doesn’t exist, that can be remedied immediately. When bad legislation is passed, it is often with us for a long, long time. At least decades, sometimes for eternity. Today’s American system of governance looks more like that of Stalin or Chairman Mao than the America we all knew.

America with all of its problems has been successful for over 200 years because of our original intent (including moral intent) , and our willingness to carry it out. No matter our disagreements, we never fully abandoned our system of equal power. At this point, no matter how our future elections turn out, what is happening today will bruise or break our representative republic.  For those of you who sit silently because it’s your guy that’s doing this, remember, America is a fickle place.  Those other guys will indeed someday once again occupy the residence on Pennsylvania Ave. When they do, they will undoubtably remember these times.  They will assuredly practice politics as a monarchy just as they have witnessed over the past several years.  I am sure that we can count on those who sit silently today, to remain silent when the “other guys” are in office.  Sarcasm. If I am still writing this blog when that happens, you have a right to expect me to comment on that style of governance in a similar fashion that I have this time.

People love saying that our founding fathers are rolling over in their graves. I think they have packed their bags and left town in shame.

While this blog is not a democracy, other opinions are always welcome.

God Bless,                                                                                                                                       Wayne

“An elective despotism was not the government we fought for; but one in which the powers of government should be so divided and balanced among the several bodies of magistracy as that no one could transcend their legal limits without being effectually checked and restrained by the others.” James Madison

“America is like a healthy body and its resistance is threefold: its patriotism, its morality, and its spiritual life. If we can undermine these three areas, America will collapse from within.” Joseph Stalin