It was another early morning around the RV. Once again, Al and his buddy were heading to the marina by 6:15 a.m. While I sat in bed enjoying my first cup of coffee, I contemplated how energetic I felt. I determined, not very!
While sipping my second cup of coffee, I read emails and glanced out the RV window checking for cloud conditions. It looked like another morning of ho-hum skies, eliminating any urgency to leave the comforts of the RV post-haste for a photo-op.
Finally around 8:30, I hopped in the truck and headed on over to one of my favorite areas to walk. I figured I might as well get in some exercise since the day won’t be about photography. But this gal never goes anywhere without her trusty camera slung around her neck. One never knows when a rare photo-op might present itself!
There’s a relatively new housing development being built not too far away from our RV park near Rockport, Texas.
This former home builder still likes being around new construction and enjoys checking out the latest trends in the housing industry. I even enjoy the smell of lumber! I know, weird 😏
Anyway, I love getting in daily strolls in this gated community. Most of the homeowners are only here occasionally … maybe on weekends or holidays. The houses are used primarily as second homes. Thus, I usually have the “boardwalk” (their label, not mine) to myself.
I parked the truck in my regular spot and took the path to the walkway. As I started down the boardwalk, I immediately gasped in awe and glee. The little ponds in the marshes were loaded with shorebirds. Thank goodness, I brought my camera. It was a gloomy, overcast morning and my camera seemed to have difficulty focusing. Perhaps, it was camera shake due to my excitement.
Vision versus reality
I was elated to have stumbled upon so many shorebirds. I did my best not to startle them, but the slightest movement on my part seemed to send them flying off to the next pond.
I slowly followed in their direction and my camera continued to work in overdrive.
Well over an hour later, it was time for me to leave. Oh, how I wanted to stay longer, but my teeth were floating from the coffee ingested earlier. As I approached the truck, I dug around in my bag for the keys. I couldn’t seem to find them. I entered the code on the keyless entry pad on the driver’s side door of the truck and began searching the vehicle floor, ignition, passenger seat and still no keys. It is so not like me to misplace my keys.
I began to wonder if the keys had somehow fallen out of my bag while I was retrieving a new camera battery. After all, there was a lot of excitement going on and while I dug in the bag for the battery, I kept my eyes on the birds and not my bag. My keys could have easily fallen out of the bag.
So it was back to the boardwalk to retrace my steps. Still no keys. Eek! I’m frazzled and really need to pee but the last time I used the construction porta-potty, I attracted a lot of attention from the workers … something I was hoping to avoid this go around. Plus, I was in no mood for jovial sparring.
“Check the truck again, Ingrid“, I said to myself. I tried punching in the code on the keypad but had a total space out. “Oh my gosh, I can’t remember the code!” 😱 Just then, one of the landscapers yelled something out to me. In a daze, I asked, “I’m sorry, what?” He repeats,
“Did you get some nice shots?” “Oh, yeah“, I responded, still frazzled. 
All I could think about was losing all the keys on my key chain. The truck key was one thing, but the other keys, holy sh*t, not easily replaced!!!
As I responded to the landscaper, something to the left of him caught my eye. Ah-hah! There was a lone construction porta-potty in the distance and after a quick visit, I was once again able to think clearly.
I still couldn’t remember the keyless entry code on the truck though. Talk about a total brain space. 🙄
Oh well, I shrugged and thought to myself … guess I’ll just have to walk back to the RV Park and get Al’s keys which he always leaves behind while boating. I thought about calling my friend and neighbor in the RV park, but I forgot to take my cell phone with me … grrr .. talk about a comedy of errors. So calling her wasn’t an option.
Well, I needed the exercise anyway considering I got sidetracked earlier by all those birds.
So it was off to the RV Park on foot. Along the way, I discovered the roosting grounds for Great Blue Herons and a delightful pond. Once again, I was sidetracked and found myself meandering through a grove of twisted oak trees all the while my brain kept saying, “Focus Ingrid focus … tend to business“.
I couldn’t help but get sidetracked, but soon logic took over and I was once again on my way to the RV Park.
But then …. the unique sound of the Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks stopped me in my tracks. These squeaky guys always make me smile and I can’t resist looking up to the skies when I hear them to catch a glimpse of their beautiful coloring. Little did I know, I was in for a treat. As I stood still trying to blend into the trunk of an oak tree, I watched them circle. Hundreds of whistling ducks landed not far from me. Then to top it off, a deer emerged from the brush.
Alas, after being sidetracked a couple of times, I finally made it to the RV to retrieve Al’s keys. I stuck my cell phone in my bag (just in case) and briskly returned to the truck. Well…. maybe briskly is an overstatement since there was a slight detour back through the oak trees and the heron nesting grounds. But I swear, it was brief 😉
By the time I returned back to the RV with the truck, Al was home. He and his buddy had a great morning out on the water. He had worked up an appetite and wanted to know, “What’s for lunch?” Twenty minutes later, we were sitting at the local restaurant dive up the road indulging in an awesome shrimp po-boy sandwich arguing over the code to the truck keypad. It seems I confused Al, as well as myself.
To wrap up the day... I had one of the most exciting bird photography mornings ever along with a very cool location discovery. My close proximity to the shorebirds is what lent to the thrill.
I lost my keys and later found my keys on the backseat floor. Don’t ask 😆
I ended up walking about four miles that day. I took hundreds of blurry photos. Therefore, I thought I had broken my camera. Oops! Can we say “user error”? Maybe! Ah-ah, camera fixed.
I confused my husband regarding the keyless entry code on the truck, but not to worry. The code was recalled in the wee morning hours the next day… I believe someone waking someone exclaiming, “I REMEMBER THE CODE” was involved.
Lost my keys. Found my keys. Walked four miles. Broke my camera. Fixed my camera. Communed with hundreds of birds. Confused my husband. Husband remains confused (living with me thirty plus years, confusion justified lol). What an exciting day. Ah, rarely a dull moment in the life of a full-time RVer. Love it!
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109 responses to “Comedy of Errors”
[…] still a comedy of errors behind the lens, and fully embrace my tried and true method of ‘point and pray’ style […]
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Wow is an understatement. I can relate to your getting frazzled when hundreds of birds are in one place. You certainly hit the jackpot! Im still jealous 🙂 Im not there.
Great photography!
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You were in my thoughts that morning and I know you would’ve run out of ‘film’ 😄. I continue to go back to that very spot in hopes of encountering a repeat of birds, but no luck. It’s all about timing, isn’t it?
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Lovely photos…my friend! You cease to amaze me! Miss you! We have been busy enjoying the desert! Escargot is starting to come to the forefront of my To Do List… But with you and Al of course. Text me when you are back in Phoenix.
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Awesome day..lovely pictures !
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Thank you … in the end, it was a great day!
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Amazing bird captures! I have those confusing days occasionally. 🙂
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It sure was an exciting morning filled with more photo-ops than a gal could hope for!
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What a lucky day you had!
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Certainly not the norm … such excitement is fun in small doses
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Haha! Good point. It’s funny, too, how when I read it, it’s easy to gloss over the stressful moments and only focus on those amazing pink birds!!!
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All is well that ends well, what a morning you had. Thanks for sharing this beautiful area with us.
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It was my pleasure sharing some of my favorite sites with you guys. I’m glad Dave managed to capture plenty of nice shots.
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Well, I found just reading your post really exhausting, but your photos are incredibly gorgeous. So glad you found your keys which weren’t really lost, just misplaced. 🙂
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That kind of excitement can be exhausting, yet exhilarating. It was such a relief to find those keys 🙂
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Oh Ingrid what a story! That was quite the hike but so many gorgeous photos. I crossed my legs through most of this on your behalf. 🙂
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Haha … thanks for helping me out considering I got to a point I was crossing everything – even the tall grass was starting to look inviting 😆 Fabulous morning!
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Doing all the cycling we do I’m an expert in the tall grass. 🙂
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Thanks for sharing your joy and excitement of your shore bird encounters, the photos are beautiful as usual. Thanks to for allowing us to laugh along with you on your crazy day. It looks like the Rockport area has changed a great deal since the 25+ years we were last there.
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Thanks Jeanette. Oh, I’m sure Rockport has changed a little, but it still maintains a small town charm. Mustang Island seems to be really building up though. Any thoughts of returning to the area once you hit the road fulltime?
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You managed to create a beautiful set of photos while rolling with the punches. A blue sky may have deterred from the magnificence of the birds. Love the white and pink.
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It’s a rare treat to encounter such a variety of birds in those kinds of number. I never tire of that pink or blue skies 😊
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I have yet to see a black bellied whistling duck in the wild, maybe next year when we are down that way!
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Whistling ducks are plentiful near our RV Park and flocks fly over our RV all the time. It’s been a good season for us along the coast.
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All in a hard days work and beautiful captures too 🙂 Happy Day – Enjoy!
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I sure worked up an appetite from that adventure 😆
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Hahahahahaha!!!! Sounds like quite an adventure. What a great find of those roosting Herons! I, too, am a real Geek when it comes to wildlife photography. I suggest you and Al find a couple other Rvers and take a summer to drive to Alaska..it is a once in a lifetime adventure…We did it once , but no RV. I could sure give you some hints of where to go..I took a video camera and a 35mm with zoom lens, no cell phones or cameras then…and then had to send 15 rolls of film in to get developed..You two would love it!!
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It was an eventful morning indeed. We have definitely discovered some amazing places in the lower 48 that we relish returning to. We’ll forgo the Alaska trip even though I know the sights would be wonderful. Al lived up there during his military days and doesn’t have a desire to put the rig through the rough roads, etc. or deal with the expense.
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How can I add anything to your numerous collection of great comments! Just WOW! Those bird shots are amazing! Also great key story! It reminds me of when my wife and I (also together over 30 years) rented a couple sleek red kayaks one recent summer. We were on a mirrored lake near sunset – she was ahead of me – a beautiful photo-op-… but as I opened the small hatch to get my camera, my keys suddenly popped out of the hatch and down, down, down into the lake. However I managed to hang on to the camera and not capsize the tippy kayak by not lunging for the airborn keys!
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Thank you and oh my gosh, keys overboard? I one time lost a lovely ruby bracelet that very way and instead of shedding tears (of course there were tears 😉) I joked “Somewhere down there is a beautifully bejeweled fish”. I guess life would be boring without entertaining mishaps.
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I like your attitude! So now I think there is an enterprising fish down there who can open my truck via the remote. btw, I only had one remote, but decided not to replace it for the price of $300!
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Hilarious story! Your bird photos made all the confusion worthwhile. I love the spoonbills….but your photo of the two Great Blue Herons is my favorite. What a great capture. And what a treat to see all of those Black-bellied Whistling Ducks! We really need to get ourselves back to Rockport.
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I have a few more GBH shots I can’t wait to share. Talk about perfect models! It has been a lovely season for us along the Texas Gulf Coast.
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Such great photos…some of the birds almost look like they are posing for you. 🙂
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Thank you – they have been very accommodating which is usually not the norm 🙂
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OMG…hilarious day…and amazing day…I am so jealous of all your shots. What are you doing to catch them in motion?
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I had a couple of great photographic days. Sometimes the birds enjoy gracing me with their lovely presence which is not the norm. I keep the camera set on ‘burst’ mode capturing 3 shots at a time in hopes one will turn out.
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Cool…I will try that! Thanks
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I’ve always believed that everything happens for a reason. Loved reading about your magical day and how the frustrating loss of keys allowed you to experience beauty in nature. I really love the Spoonbills and am always excited to see them, especially when I have my camera ready. So glad everything turned out well in the end.
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Couldn’t agree more. If I hadn’t been forced to walk back to camp, I doubt I’d a made these discoveries. Through trial and error, I’ve learned to keep the camera ready, always carry a back-up battery, and expect the unexpected. 🙂
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Loved your story Ingrid, it is amazing how out of our misadventures God can bless us with something special. I guess he knows we will appreciate it, so he makes sure we don’t miss the moment. I enjoyed your true life adventure, it is something each of can identify with, which helps us all see how normal we all are, in the midst of our madness:-)
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How very true! God sure smiled on me that day and I am grateful 😊
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OMG, Ingrid, I loved this post!! It could have been Rick and I all over, lol. What thrills you found while on your mission of the lost keys, WOW! It sounds like a ‘meant to be’ kind of day. Great sightings and awesome photos, love seeing the Whistling Ducks and the deer, how cool is that!! Your last photo of the center gull’s expression says it all, great ending. 🙂
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I love capturing images of birds with unique expressions or poses. Life would be dull without these mishap kind of days. Would love to share these special birding sites with you one day, and no long walking required…. unless you loose your keys 😄
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Looks like a lovely area of Texas.
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We enjoy it and will probably continue to visit each January. This year we extended our stay for the first time to include Feb.
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Sounds like an average day for me! Well, the confusion part anyway. Great story. Lovely birds!
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Thanks …. when’s the new addition arriving? You thought you were confused now, just wait 😆
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He has arrived! Ten weeks old today!
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Hence the “mom” brain. 😉
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How wonderful – congratulations 🎈 Ah yes, I remember that “mom” brain well. I do hope you’ll share your little nugget with us, but understand the desire for privacy. Sometimes social media can be a tough balancing act. Savor every moment!
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Thank you! Oh I’m sure I will post sooner or later especially after I start traveling with him. Are you by chance on Facebook?
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Yes I’m on Facebook = “Ingrid Elizabeth” and I also have an Instagram account, but have never used. I don’t take photos with my iPhone 5 thus making the process of sharing via Instagram a tad more involved.
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See if you can find me. Jenny (Collins) Schulte. There are a lot of Ingrid Elizabeth’s. 🙂
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Or instagram?
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Found you on FB … he is adorable. And BTW, we share a rare name … small world 🙂
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Thank you. Which name? Glad we found each other.
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I just sent you an email 🙂
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Fabulous! What a crazy but totally satisfying day! Again, some awesome pics! The color of those birds is so pretty! I’ve never heard of those black bellied whistling ducks but they were cool. And a deer to top it off! Whew! Life is good!!
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The ducks also have the most unique sound. Thus, I can always hear them, alerting me to get the camera ready. They fly super fast though and therefore a challenge to photograph. Crazy BUT fun day!
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Oh dear, I’m sorry you misplaced your keys temporarily, but I’m happy you had such a great time while you did! lol
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Once the keys were found, I enjoyed the day much more. Being stressed detracted the enjoyment and I’m glad it was only temporary ☺
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What a magnificent day with the birds!! Your photos are amazing! ps glad you found your keys!
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Thank you … appreciate the comment. I’ve enjoyed some fantastic days capturing the birds on film.
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Looks like it. We are in Texas, too. Loving the warm weather!
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The weather in Texas this winter has been great. Where are you?
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I am in Frisco, near DFW
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We are in Frisco , near Dallas. How about you?
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Wow! You have a great spot here with soooo much to photograph! Great shots, Ingrid!!
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Thanks Teri. Yep, plenty of wonderful photographic material around here!
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Makes me want to put it on the list of places to visit and photograph 🙂
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Well…that was quite a morning! Sometimes things happen for a reason. You were meant to walk back to the RV park so you got to see all those beautiful moments. All those spoonbills would have had me shaking and I’m not a birder. Great narrative and photos, Ingrid! Glad all worked out:)
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Thanks Pam and I too don’t consider myself a birder. Merely someone who likes taking pictures of pretty things and that would include those beautiful pink spoonbills. That has to be the prettiest pink ever and photographing them in flight was a thrill.
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You discovered a wonderful spot and were able to get some amazing shots and that’s all that counts. I’d say even with all the other stuff happening it was a good day!
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It did turn into a great day, but I’m not sure I’d feel the same way if I hadn’t found the keys. I did get some ok shots that day but took even better ones the next day. Thank goodness the birds hung around for an extra day. They haven’t been back since ☹
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What a great day and comedy of life. Glad the keys showed up and you got some great pics. By the way…what camera were you using that day as the pics are awesomely crystal clear.
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I use a bridge camera almost exclusively… Panasonic FZ200. I do have a tab next to my ‘about’ page titled ‘cameras’ where I share my equipment – cameras and processing. That model is now discontinued and replaced by the FZ300 or 330. Fun camera!
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You’ve got so many gorgeous photos in this post, it’s hard to pick a fave, but I think mine would be the small photo of the spoonbill in flight. It’s the perfect combination of pastels. Very fetching.
Never heard of black bellied whistling ducks, but it’s now something I have to see and hear.
We’re looking at record-breaking high temps for the next two days here in Green Valley. We should get about a ten-degree break from them at our perch up here in the Canyon. Sounds like a good time to porch-sit.
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At least it’s a ‘dry heat’ in Green Valley. We had 96% humidity this morning. Everything was dripping. I need to get back to the desert to dry out. But hey, my skin is dewy 😉
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Great variety of birds.
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The Texas Gulf Coast is known as a ‘birders paradise’ 🦆
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Glad you found the keys. It almost looks like it was meant to be for you to spend so much time with these amazing birds and to have to walk back and stumble on the beautiful duck and deer scene!
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Agree – if I hadn’t walked back to the RV, I never would’ve made the discoveries or seen the ducks. Some things happen for a reason and I’m sure glad that reason turned out well in the end!
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What a delightful post!! It had everything….adventure, beautiful birds along with gorgeous pictures and lots of humor!! Glad you remembered the code, found your keys ( I won’t ask), fixed your camera and found some beautiful birds to photograph!! Win-win!!
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Thank you and yes it turned into a win-win, but let there be no doubt, there was some serious stressing going on 😆
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Great post Ingrid! I thought you were done and I wondered if you had ever remembered the code for the truck, but no worry the blog went on 😊 And beautiful pictures!
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Thanks S. We like the story to end happy. My camera is getting one heck of a workout around here 📷
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Great stroll and fantastic pictures!
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I have been enjoying my time along the Texas coast very much. And the weather has been unbelievably mild this year!
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Losing keys & phones, cause for our anxiety levels to rise! Sounds like you were able to still get lost in nature & enjoy the day, regardless of the lost keys!
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The combination of stressful and exhilarating lead to one heck of an eventful morning … makes for good blog material 😁
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LOl….Love it, and I can soooooo relate. All ended well though, and that’s what counts.
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I think anyone who traipses around focusing on the view through a lens can relate to my morning 😉
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Sounds like a good day after all! Wonderful bird shots.
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Thank you and yes, it all worked out in the end 🙂
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If it isn’t one thing its always another….. 🙂
great sunset photo!
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Sunset? That was SUNRISE. I haven’t captured any sunset photos this year. It’s hard to get excited about sunsets around here considering they don’t come close to those desert sunsets.
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Whoops! Either way it’s a beauty!
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Whew, what a day! But you kept your humor, got in some walking, & captured some awesome moments on film.
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My sense of humor returned only AFTER the keys were found…. LOL!
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Sounds like quite a day! Despite your hundreds of blurry photos (makes me feel better 😜) you captured some jewels! Beautiful.
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My “point and prayer’ method of photography has me using the delete button quite a bit 😆
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Black bellied whistling ducks are beautiful! always enjoy your posts/photos 🙂
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Thanks … love the sound and look of those ducks. Their coloring is beautiful.
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Lol! What a fun post! Again the pics were amazing, even the blurry ones for the colors! So glad you found the keys and finally remembered the code! We have our fair share of similar moments. 😉
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It was such a relief when I finally found the keys and I figured out my shutter speed was too slow for the movement of the birds, thus lots of blurry photos. Crazy morning!
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I’m with you! Crazy things like that happen, then you wonder if you’re losing your mind! Lol
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What a great post! Unfortunately my confused days haven’t nearly as rewarding as yours was.
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Thanks ….not all of my confusing days turn out so well 😆
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