** Weekly X-Series Photo-Sharing Thread 19 MAY – 25 MAY**

Nice ones, Jerry. Good the weather is allowing you to go out AND the outbreak has allowed you some good imagery.

Bob

Many thanks, guys. This is an area that I hadn’t visited for quite some time, and with the significant decline we’re already seeing in the bird population, I felt fortunate to find anything. My last couple of visits to area wetlands were literally “no shows.” It’s discouraging… maybe even a bit scary.

Wow! I had no idea about the flu. I'm in S/W Oregon, so may see the impact. My Hummingbirds that wintered here have disappeared and the numerous resident Hawks are nowhere to be found. Now I am concerned!

I'm glad you got your beautiful Egret shots though.

Thanks. From what I've been able to tell the potential impact of Avian Flu on the bird population may already be quite severe. It's already quite obvious as the last couple of trips to one area I frequent resulted in literally no sightings... and that's the first time that has happened in years. It's depressing, and I can only hope that this will pass and that the population will survive and eventually thrive in the not-too-distant future. We still have a couple of hummingbirds that come around and frequent our feeders. Other birds seem to be far more scarce.

Scary for sure! It's been a huge problem for years now in Pennsylvania. Our ruffed grouse population is down so bad that there are very few left despite great cover and habitat. I won't hunt them anymore. Crows are probably down 90% more. Here, the avian flu spread to the wild population from the big chicken farming operations. Sad.

No sailing now that the boat has been safely recovered and prepared for towing back home. So, we hit the beach. Lots of wind again. Occasional peeks of sun. Bliss chasing a shore bird through the surf:

We set up this little tent downwind of the truck to protect the girls from the blowing sand on the beach:

Nancy with the dogs on a trackless beach:

Joy and Bliss in action. Score so far - birds: 10,000; dogs: 0.

The tiny Sony RX100 VII that I use for action shooting like this is literally on its very last legs. :-( The paint is mostly worn off, plus countless dings and dents. The lens is full of debris. I have to force the lens open and closed. The little doors that cover the various connection sockets have all fallen off. It doesn't owe me anything - has really earned its keep in very harsh environments - especially in the field out west. I'll buy another one exactly like it after we get home from this trip - maybe the best compliment you can give to a camera.

Greg

Wow... wasn't aware that this has been an ongoing issue for quite a while now. It's amazing how quickly this has spread and the obvious impact it is having. One has to imagine that the overall impact on the ecosystem will be significant if this isn't somehow brought under control. Thanks, Greg, for sharing your own experience on this. It's even worse than I had imagined.

Spiraling Down from the Sistine Chapel

At the end of the tour of the Chapel and Museum one needs to descend to the exit. In my life I have images of more dramatic staircases but this one is unique for the few people on it considering the vast numbers that crowd the area daily. I have many more images of the area and hope you won't tire of them,

Bob

Nope... keep 'em coming, Bob.

A few recent shots from my local moor :

Thanks for looking.

Regards,
Joe.

I like the above image along with your comment, *"Thanks for looking." * Are you talking about us or the owl? 😁

Bob

Seas and winds were wild today! Very glad we recovered the sailboat during the only brief break in the weather. I would NOT want to try to do that now!

Another effort to capture the "feel" of the Ocracoke lighthouse in a two-dimensional image:

Nancy and Bliss on the vast, empty beach

Our favorite sailor bar:

Greg

Greg, that's a wild first image and a good capture. Appreciate your posting here.

Bob

Thanks, Jerry

Love these. I too am into the old lenses. I also have the Helios 44 M4 and love it. Here are a few of my recent shots.
Two from the Canon nFD 50mm F1.8

Couple from the Helios 44 M4 58mm F2

Haha! - Both! :)

It took a couple of attempts before the owl complied with my request!

Regards,
Joe.

Nice sunset....

Bob

Thanks Bob.

Some additional info from our tour guide.

“This is the “Scala Momo” a spiral ramp that was the former entrance and exit to the Vatican museum.

Today it is an exit only for people who visit without a guided tour.”

It was built by architect Giuseppe Momo in 1932 .

A Crack in a Beautiful Ceiling

I wonder whether the powers that be in the Vatican will repair the crack? And if they do, who is going to re-"paint" the ceilings? Seems like an overwhelming task.

[quote="@BobsYourUncle"]
Spiraling Down from the Sistine Chapel

At the end of the tour of the Chapel and Museum one needs to descend to the exit. In my life I have images of more dramatic staircases but this one is unique for the few people on it considering the vast numbers that crowd the area daily. I have many more images of the area and hope you won't tire of them,

Bob

Tire of them? You’re kidding, right!? I love the vacation I’ve been in with your imagery. Keep on posting and be sure to start sharing your ‘possibles’ after you’ve done some post processing with them.

Once again, Bob, just gorgeous. Very much my favorite things to photograph when traveling through Europe. And once again... please keep 'em coming.