Red Wing vs Red Flag

Here's the scene that met me as I neared the end of our long farm lane on my walk this morning:
This redwing blackbird seems to be seriously contemplating the red flag of the mailbox! Maybe he's thinking, "Hm-m......let's see.......its black and red like me.......but it doesn't sing like me........so what in the heck is it???? Do I need to be concerned that it will compete with me for a girlfriend???"

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Husband and I had an appointment at the bank this morning, to sign our lives away on a new farm note, necessary because Father-in-Law is now deceased. As we prepared to leave the house, I spied my camera on the kitchen counter and feeling the sudden urge to take it along, tossed it into my purse.

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In the banker's office a short time later, we three were exchanging the usual pleasantries before getting down to business. On his big, cluttered desk was a framed photo of a local farm, so I simply asked, "Did you take that photo?" Well, that started an avalanche........he nodded and his face lit up as he explained how much he enjoys his photography hobby! Then, I told him of my similar interest, and that I've been trying to take my camera along wherever I go........and, that, in fact, it was in my purse as we spoke! He mused on how the snow can provide amazing effects in photos, and so I pulled my camera out and showed him my train and river shots from the snowy morning last week. He wondered right away if he could submit some of them for the Iowa Bankers Association calendar contest. I said, "Sure, why not". So he downloaded them onto his computer.

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Anyway, it was great fun to converse with someone else who is excited about amateur photography. The banker likes to hunt, and he remarked that he always takes his camera along, just in case some intriguing scene comes into view. He's a kindred spirit! Poor Husband, he just sat there agape at our animated conversation, probably regretting that he'd brought me along!

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This afternoon, the banker emailed me and said that after our conversation this morning, he's feeling renewed inspiration to get out there with his camera, wherever he can, to take pictures. He's a really nice guy......we've known him for years........but, I'd never known before this morning that he enjoys photography.

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So here's today's life lesson: Don't ever ignore that urge to take your camera with you......or to comment on someone's photo!!!