For a number of reasons, including the family reunion photo show that’s looming ever- larger on my horizon; preparations for a visit from Squiddy, Mr. G, and The Elf; cabin renovation prior to their arrival; and a recent shoulder injury that’s going to require corrective surgery, I am going to have far less time to devote to this website, and especially to acknowledging and commenting on the wonderful offerings that you, my followers, continue to post. I hope to let you know occasionally that I’m still kicking around, but it will probably be late July before I’m able to give you your proper due again. Please bear with me and rest assured that I’ll be looking at your posts, even though I probably won’t even have time to leave a “Like.”
Meanwhile, here’s something to help to tide you (and me) over until I can be back with you as I’ve become so comfortably accustomed. As a sequel to my last post, later in my hike, after communing with the woodpeckers, I chanced upon these two wonderful Canada geese sheltering near the forest edge with (only) four goslings. They left their shelter and waddled away from me, and I was careful not to cause them any extra alarm, following them only with my telephoto lens until they disappeared over the hill in the direction of the nearby wetland.
Please be patient with me until I can return—I am not over the hill yet!
krikitarts 
Oh I hope your surgery goes well! You and I have some similarities…I’ll probably be gone for a good month in August when I have my second knee replacement. You have my prayers for a speedy and full recovery! Hugs and honk honk!
I’m sorry to hear about the shoulder injury, Gary,
Here’s hoping you’ve got a great surgeon and you have a speedy recovery. Nothing like arm or shoulder injuries to put a ‘damper’ on your activities for a while.
Great shots of the Canada Geese. Since Blog Following, they’ve become a favourite of mine. Shame we don’t get them in Oz. I daresay time will fly quickly with family visiting.
Take care and have a nice break from ‘Yard Work’ for a while too.
Good luck with the shoulder Gary, I hope they manage to fix it for you.
BTW, lovely shots of the goose clan.
Oh no!! Feel better soon Gary. We will be patiently waiting for your return. And good luck with the surgery and the family reunion :).
Good luck with your surgery, rest up and feel better soon.
Hi, Gary – sorry to hear about your injury – all good wishes from me, old son! And I like the Canadas – they’re here too, and have greatly increased, but strictly on a non-native basis – although there are a few records of what appear to be vagrants from the Nearctic. And don’t worry about not being around – we’ll all still be here when you’re back. All the best for the surgery! Adrian
Be well soon, body and spirit! Love the geese in their afternoon stroll and can just imagine the conversation of the parents about the younguns.
Busy time for you. Very best of luck for the surgery and see you when you get back :)
Take care of yourself, Gary. All the best with the surgery. See you in a while :-)
Best wishes on your surgery, Gary. See you when you get back. You are in my thoughts and prayers…
My sincere thanks to all of you who have sent your kind wishes for surgical success. The repair procedure is scheduled for July 25, and the rehab should take about four months after that. I will be in occasional touch and will be keeping the artistic part of my mind active by following your offerings. Keep watching for that shadowy figure at the edge of your peripheral vision, stage left–it’s me!