To say it’s no secret that I love The Beatles would be a gross understatement. But in the the year that I’ve been writing this blog, I don’t think I’ve ever named the reason…
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If you should have the good fortune to set eyes on a Bobolink, you will be looking at a magnificent flying machine. These members of the blackbird family have one of longest annual migrations of a…
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. ~ Proverbs 31:21 ~ "White...is not a mere absence of colour; it is a shining and affirmative thing, as fierce as red, as definite as black...God paints in many colours; but He never paints so gorgeously... as when He paints in white." ~ G. K. Chesterton ~
Using Canon EOS 60Da :)
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Sadly they no longer scream through the air but just to see a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird strategic reconnaissance aircraft up close is an impressive sight. The Blackbird is a big aircraft and there i…
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My garden seems to be used as a creche for baby Blackbirds. The parents return when they hear the noise the youngsters make when I go out with food. Two have already learnt that I go out there with food more often if they come to the conservatory and stare at me! :-)
While waiting to see if the Milford Road was open after the snow Tim & I filled in time at the Te Anau wildlife centre where the only "non-caged" wildlife was this baby blackbird sitting in the wet grass. So it was an opportunity to trial some exposures as I was trying to let go of the 400 ISO/Aperture priority automation I appear to have fallen trap to since I started photographing birds!
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About the Book Told from four intertwining points of view--two boys and two girls--this funny and poignant neighborhood story by the acclaimed author of "Blackbird Fly" celebrates bravery, being different, and finding one's inner bayani (hero). Illustrations. Book Synopsis Winner of the Newbery Medal"A charming, intriguingly plotted novel."--Washington PostNewbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly's Hello, Universe is a funny and poignant neighborhood story about unexpected friendships. Told from four intertwining points of view--two boys and two girls--the novel celebrates bravery, being different, and finding your inner bayani (hero). "Readers will be instantly engrossed in this relatable neighborhood adventure and its eclectic cast of misfits."--BooklistIn one day, four lives weave together in unexpected ways. Virgil Salinas is shy and kindhearted and feels out of place in his crazy-about-sports family. Valencia Somerset, who is deaf, is smart, brave, and secretly lonely, and she loves everything about nature. Kaori Tanaka is a self-proclaimed psychic, whose little sister, Gen, is always following her around. And Chet Bullens wishes the weird kids would just stop being so different so he can concentrate on basketball.They aren't friends, at least not until Chet pulls a prank that traps Virgil and his pet guinea pig at the bottom of a well. This disaster leads Kaori, Gen, and Valencia on an epic quest to find missing Virgil. Through luck, smarts, bravery, and a little help from the universe, a rescue is performed, a bully is put in his place, and friendship blooms. The acclaimed and award-winning author of Blackbird Fly and The Land of Forgotten Girls writes with an authentic, humorous, and irresistible tween voice that will appeal to fans of Thanhha Lai and Rita Williams-Garcia."Readers across the board will flock to this book that has something for nearly everyone--humor, bullying, self-acceptance, cross-generational relationships, and a smartly fateful ending."--School Library Journal Review Quotes "A charming, intriguingly plotted novel by Erin Entrada Kelly. ...As she skillfully intercuts these four narratives, Kelly builds suspense and fosters empathy for her characters...As the connections deepen, it seems that this "big, mysterious, fickle" universe might harbor friendship and self-awareness for each." -- Washington Post★ "Kelly's inventive story...is told from several supremely well-crafted perspectives. ...The short chapters, compelling characters, and age-appropriate suspense will hook young readers immediately. ...An original and resonant exploration of interconnectedness and friendship." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)★ "Four middle-schoolers' fates intertwine one summer in Kelly's touching tale of friendship. . . . Chapters alternate between the four kids' perspectives, infusing the story with their unique interests, backgrounds, beliefs, and doubts. ...Readers will be instantly engrossed in this relatable neighborhood adventure and its eclectic cast." -- Booklist (starred review)★ "Plucky protagonists and a deftly woven story will appeal to anyone who has ever felt a bit lost in the universe. Readers across the board will flock to this book that has something for nearly everyone--humor, bullying, self-acceptance, cross-generational relationships, and a smartly fateful ending." -- School Library Journal (starred review)★ "Kelly offers up a charming novel about a serendipitous friendship that forms among a trio of sixth graders after a bully's heartless act brings them together. ...Infused with humor and hope, this book deftly conveys messages of resilience and self-acceptance through simple acts of everyday courage." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)"Kelly creates rich and distinctive characters...through Kelly's playful, inventive plotting, Virgil, Valencia, Kaori and Chet all confront 'the universe' in their own way. In the process, Kelly gives this hope to young readers: we can each discover our inner hero and transform even our toughest struggles." -- Shelf Awareness"Told in alternating perspectives of the three kid-heroes and one villain...the children's inner lives are distinctive, and each rings true." -- Horn Book Magazine★ "Through Kelly's playful, inventive plotting, Virgil, Valencia, Kaori and Chet all confront 'the universe' in their own way. In the process, Kelly gives this hope to young readers: we can each discover our inner hero and transform even our toughest struggles by...reaching out to friends and loved ones." -- Shelf Awareness (starred review)"Folklore, fairy tales, astrology, mysticism and dreams all mingle together to create a wonderful, fantastical and unique world...there is so much for every reader contained within." -- BookPage"Fate seems to be trying to bring Valencia and Virgil together, according to Kaori, but it's sure not taking any sort of direct route. ...There's a touch of Snyder's classic The Egypt Game here, as a group of disparate youngsters make their own maybe-magic...and find surprising bonds." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"Fate--or something--works in surprising ways in this funny, empathetic look at connecting with others in a universe often harsh and inscrutable but, happily, just as often benevolent." -- Cleveland Plain Dealer"Suspenseful, quirky and heartwarming, Hello, Universe makes the world a little smaller, and we are better for that." -- NPR
