Slide Three: “Birdbath”

On my way to Ukazoo I have stopped in Savannah, GA, home of the musically renown Savannah’s World-Famous Crabettes, that include the talents of one member who plays a mean slide whistle and trombone kazoo.

While wandering the neighborhoods I came upon the front yard of a stately residence that was host to the LXIV National Bird Olympics. I took this picture of the Free Style diving event that was in progress. After having watched a few dives, I felt that on this particular dive, I disagreed with the judges, and in my opinion was at least a 9.5. After a few short but very informative lessons from some fine feathered bystanders about “Beak Angle” “Wing Tilt” “Tail Feather Spread” and the all important “Branch Bounce Vibration”, I realized I lacked the required Birds Eye view needed to offer a truly educated opinion. I stayed a while longer and witnessed some fabulous dives but after watching all the diving activity I became a little famished and all they had for sale at the local booths were no less then 22 different varieties of seed. Nothing against seed, mind you, but I left to find something a little more substantial.

Tomorrow morning I head for the Gulf Coast.

Art notes:

All images and text are copyright Craig L Haupt

Slide Two: At the Beach

This shot was taken of a little fellow named Sherman (as he was introduced when I met him and his family) getting ready to test the water at Ocracoke, North Carolina. Even though his older brothers and sisters as well as several other kids, who were already in the water, were urging Sherman to join them, he was reluctant to go in. Being more content with playing in the sand, Sherman was not overly fond of cold water and even more afraid of any alligators that might be lurking in the shallow depths of the ocean.

His parents, on several occasions, pointed out that alligators do not live in the ocean and besides, they assured him, they haven’t seen any since they arrived.

The fact that his family had only been there for only 3 days now, and recalling a story they told about finding him in a Cabbage patch as a baby, didn’t offer Sherman any great reassurance on the absence of alligators. So after testing the water, he went back to building his sandcastle. Too cold seemed to be a good enough reason and repeatedly denied to his brothers and sisters that alligators had anything to do with it.

I’m going to head out now, it’s late and besides I thought I just heard a few swishes in the water behind me.

Art notes:

All images and text are copyright Craig L Haupt