by Bunnie Pasternak | Feb 26, 2023 | Uncategorized
I recently was on a Photo Adventure through the Hunt’s Photo Education group with Don Toothaker for a “Winter in Vermont.” I found myself once again out and about with a group of eight intrepid Hunt’s Adventure attendees with the weather down to minus 18 degrees Fahrenheit or less and at times with a wind chill factor that lowered the temperature even more. But because we prepared ourselves like “Ralphie” from Jean Shepard’s movie the “Christmas Story,” the photography flowed and we shared a lot of fun together in the field, at dinner each night, and during our image reviews.
These images are part of my “assignment” given to me to make sure that Don and everyone else knew that I was in Woodstock and Vermont. As a result, I got a lot of walking around town for a couple of hours, as well as I enjoyed the views and the people of the area. Woodstock to me is a wonderful New England town with just about everything people need in the way of living all year round. This past week on Boston’s “Chronicle” show (WCVB Channel 5), the show stopped in for a piece on Woodstock, including a short discussion about its local paper — the “Vermont Standard” — and its owner, which has been published regularly since 1898. It’s one of Woodstock’s major ways of keeping up with the local news.
One of the major stopping places is a local, large General Store, owned and operated by members of the F.H. Gillingham & Sons family, which has been opened since 1886 and has just about all you need. There are also shops of all sorts, including a great bookstore and galleries, along with hidden restaurants for the locals and tourists. Woodstock has three covered bridges in its area alone including the Middle Bridge downtown, and there are many more throughout Vermont to explore. Pretty amazing.
Hope you enjoy a visit one day — it’s only about 2 ½ hrs from the Boston area and even shorter depending on where you live in New England. Have fun and get out to preserve your own memories, wherever you go!
by Bunnie Pasternak | Feb 22, 2021 | Uncategorized
I recently came across a short article by Asher Elbein from Audubon’s Spring 2020 magazine (page 53, “Catch a Floof if You Can”) talking about lingo that has been popping up on the Internet for “cute bird photos.” After all, having cute bird photos should also be out there with all those “cute puppies,” “cute cats,” etc., etc. Interestingly, the new lingo making the rounds according to Elbein includes ” ‘birb’ for small, round, cute birds; ‘borb’ for those especially round; and ‘floof’ for a bird that is fluffed up.” Amazingly, you probably can find all forms right in your own backyard. Who knew there was such lingo to express what you were seeing all these years???
For instance, do you have a birdbath for the birds in your yard? I know it’s winter right now in New England, but birds still need fresh water, just like you and I do. The next time you see them trying to take a bath, splashing water everywhere — what do they look like after they’re done? A “birb,” a “borb”, or a “floof”? Some of them are definitely poofing or floofing up to dry out afterwards or even to stay warm. I saw a local Northern Cardinal all poofed up on a walk in Woburn a couple of weeks ago that caught me by surprise. Wow — my first recognized “borb” perhaps or was it really “floofing”? I’ll let you decide.
But, preening and poofing or even “floofing” happens for birds of all sizes. I recently was able to capture a Snowy Owl floofing, unknowingly, until I read the article. I just thought she was relaxing after preening and seemed pretty comfortable sitting on a sign post. While letting everyone know that where she was, no one should get any closer. And, if anyone moved, she gave them the evil, yellow eye that would stare the person down and they’d stopped moving. Afterward, her preening and “floofing” just went right on. What an opportunity to see this Arctic visitor right here in our own backyards. Let’s keep her and all her brethren safe, by giving all birds the needed space to protect them from harm and harassment of humans. And above all, given the opportunity, preserve those memories you create and share them. Enjoy!
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