You can’t hide your lion eyes
We were watching David Attenborough last week on the TV. This particular program was about lions. When the camera zoomed in on the lion’s eyes, hubby commented that Casey (our dog) has the same coloured eyes as a lion. At that point he started singing (hubby, not David Attenborough)
¸.•*¨*•.♪♫♫♪¸.•*¨*•.♪♫♫♪ You can’t hide your lion eyes ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸
If the kids (now adults) were there they would have groaned and said, “dad’s joke”. Now every time I look at Casey that song comes into my head.
Last year I blogged about Casey when I took a photograph and noticed my reflection in her eyes. I won’t bore you with the same pictures again, but if you’d like a memory jog they are in my Interesting Reflections post.
My main character in the novel Let Sleeping Gods Lie is obsessed with eyes. They say we insert a bit of ourselves into each of our characters, so I guess my eye obsession is revealed through this particular character. I wrote Let Sleeping Gods Lie soon after my hubby was assaulted and lost his left eye. I’m yet to write a blog post about that awful time, but the words will come one day.
Last week I tried (in vain) to get a picture of Green Ant eyes, but the bodies are far more interesting than those beady little eyes. Here’s my attempt:
I couldn’t get any closer because these little critters are savage and move fast. Their nests are made by sticking leaves together and they are highly defensive and will attack in numbers. I found myself doing the green ant dance to get them off me several times! The great thing about green ants is that they keep the birds away from the fruit.
You can also eat green ants (the abdomen). They are a good source of vitamin C, traditionally used by Aboriginal people. They have quite a refreshing citrus taste, so if you’re ever lost in the Australian bush…. (ahem – let’s hope not)
The next eye I captured was of a snake. I’m not telling you how I got this one and where it actually was in case my mother is reading. Hey mum – I’m safe! LOL
I made it smaller than my other pictures to lessen the shock value. If you want a big shock close-up, just click on it. It’s just a friendly python 😯
Now I know what people mean when they say you’re giving me snake eyes.
I tried to get pictures of butterfly eyes, but they wouldn’t stay still like the snake.
Then I saw these two finches who refused to make eye contact with each other.
A male and female – lover’s tiff I imagine.
I received a message from WordPress last week.
Happy Three Year Blogging Anniversary!
I’ll skip away now singing…
¸.•*¨*•.♪♫♫♪¸.•*¨*•.♪♫♫♪ Happy Anniversary Baby ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸
Have a great week!
I remember the post about your dogs eyes. And your husband was assaulted?? That’s terrible and worse that he lost an eye! Oh my! I can see how hard that would be to write about!
I’ve had chocolate covered ants, can’t say they tasted anything but like chocolate. Have you tried your green ants? They act like our fire ants do over in the states. We don’t have them yet in Canada, but in Texas I was always on the lookout for them! They do sting like fire!
Happy Blog anniversary! 🙂
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I have tried green ant once and it was okay, but I’m not keen on killing things so I never tried it again (I may if I’m lost in the bush and desperate) 😉 We have fire ants here and they’re horrible. The green ants will sting, but they’re not nearly as painful as fire ants.
Yes – hubby was assaulted in an unprovoked and cowardly attack on the street twenty years ago. He lost his left eye and the entire family was devastated. It still makes me angry to think about it (even though his attacker went to jail) so it’s difficult to write about without using savage language. Maybe I could write something one day for STMND.
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That would be a good story for STMND. And maybe getting it out will lesson some of the anger. Maybe. Only you will know when or if you want to tell the tale. Sounds awful! Big hugs!
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Nice pics! 🙂 Happy anniversary. I always enjoy your blog posts.
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Thank you, Fen 😀
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Yikes! I had to go back to the butterflies after seeing the snake eye! Happy Anniversary!
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I had to make that snake’s eye small because the enlarged version is pretty scary! It even scares me. I was getting ready for a skype job interview when I spotted it. Luckily I maintained my nerve and the interview went well LOL 😀
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Oh my gosh! It’s a good thing he didn’t make his appearance during the interview. Good luck with the job!
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Thank you – I should know today sometime. Fingers and toes crossed 😀
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I found out I got the job, Jill! Wow, I’m so excited. It’s working from home writing content for web-sites. I’m absolutely wrapped 😀
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Congratulations, Dianne! I’m so happy for you!
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I just love these photos, especially those butterflies. Eyes certainly make for a fascinating topic. I’m sorry about your hubby’s eye. I can see why it might be a focus. I will pass on did you say green ants?
Happy three years!! Congrats!
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The butterflies were beautiful, Amy, but they were flitting about so quickly I could only shoot randomly like a machine gun trying to get a shot! Thanks so much for the congrats xxxxx
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They sound like fire ants here in Florida. I’ve done a little dance more than once. I had to dance over to a faucet one time to wash them off.
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Haaaaa! I’ve done that as well. I’m just glad no one was around with a movie camera! 😀
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And I’m so sorry about the attack on your husband…
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That’s okay and thank you. He survived it and has adapted really well xxxx
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I celebrate WordPress anniversaries everyday because I have met so many wonderful people….you are at the top of the list! The “eyes” have it. 🙂
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YAY – I love ‘the eyes have it’. Thank you, Susan 😀
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These pictures are great. Well, except for the snake. Me no likey snakes. So needless to say I didn’t click on it. And like your mother, I don’t want to know where the thing was that allowed you to take its picture. Shudder.
That’s terrible about your husband. So sorry to hear it.
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I like snakes only from a distance, Carrie. But I don’t like them when they’re on the ground (they say the really poisonous ones don’t climb – I hope they’re right!).
Hubby’s good now. It was a bad time, but we’re very resilient people (luckily) 😉
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Happy Blogoversary 🙂 A nice but spooky coincidence is that I have a thing for eyes too. Many years ago now… my year 11 & 12 HSC artworks were 3 huge paintings of eyes. My stepmother hated them so I kept one, just in the unlikely case she ever outstays her brief welcome it’s ready to hang 😉
I’m gradually getting over my terror of snakes, and learning recently that the non-venomous ones have round eyes meant I had to check your slithery buddy out… I got a little shiver but didn’t run screaming from the screen so I’m doing ok.
Lovely pics. Love the butterflies.
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I would love to see your artwork one day 🙂 I used to draw and strangely enough I put pen to paper last week and began sketching eyes. I really want to get back into sketching again, but I fear I may have lost the knack.
Snakes are okay if they can climb (apparently). So that’s what I look for. If a snake is in a tree or in the roof of the house it’s of the non-venomous variety. But I’ve never been game enough to test the theory! I like the idea of the round eyes for non-venomous snakes 😀
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Holy crap, Dianne! I had no idea that happened to your husband. That’s quite a story and an experience that made your love even stronger when you endured it together, I’m sure.
I’m gonna pass on that ant hors d’oeuvre, but I adore the butterfly and birdie pix at the end. So neat!
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Oh yeah – that time was absolutely horrific. My eyes water when I think about it!
Come on, you’ve got to try the ant – even once LOL. I did once and I wouldn’t again 😀
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What a devastating event for your husband and you and your family. I can’t EVEN. When you are able, I’m sure we will all want to read the story of how it happened, but I can imagine you will have to feel that you are ready to write about it before attempting.
I did click on the snake and you are RIGHT, the eye was a shock. Yikes.
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I couldn’t put the full picture of the snake up there because it’s SO clear and all-encompassing! I actually didn’t see the eye until I took the picture with a flash and it nearly scared me to death. It was watching me lol 😉
Hubby’s assault was very traumatic for all of us. Justice prevailed, but he is left with the scars and blindness for the rest of his life so I guess no amount of punishment for the offender was ever good enough for me. Hubby has come to terms with it, so I guess I have to as well at some time in my life xxx
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Oh, Dianne, I imagine I would feel the same way. What a terrible trauma. I feel heartache for all of you. Your husband sounds like an extremely brave and forgiving person!!!
It does sound like the snake was watching you. Is he a dangerous snake? I don’t know anything about pythons!
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He wasn’t always this forgiving. I think it comes with time 😉
The python isn’t dangerous. Most snakes that can climb are okay (that’s what I’m told). I’m sure if i went to grab it, it may bite me, but I would be in more danger of getting an infection or blood poisoning from the bite than actual venom. The really venomous snakes usually stay on the ground and hide under leaves and logs. You wouldn’t want to accidentally step on one of these ones! But I think it’s just safe to stay away from any snake – yikes xxxx
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Hi Dianne,
I zoomed into your python pic and it was both surprising and so striking! Your character sounds interesting, and I love that you gave us so many cool shots of eyes.
Are any of your books available in print? Which one would you recommend for a first time reader?
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That python is just something else! It even gave me a fright when the flash went off because I didn’t see it’s eye watching me in the shadow of it’s body – YIKES!
My books are available on Lulu, Naomi. I’m not sure which one to recommend because they are all quite different so it depends what you like. Mystery with psychic detective – Wolf Pear. Religious fanatics and families – Let Sleeping Gods Lie. Philosophical story – The Eleventh Question. Ancient civilizations and hidden history – The Everything Theory. Ghost hunter mystery – Soul’s Child.
There are reviews on Amazon that might help you decide.
Whichever you choose, I really hope you enjoy it 😀
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Thanks, Dianne. I will read the reviews and see which one to take on my next trip, although I am leaning toward ancient civilizations and hidden history–my passion.
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Good choice! 🙂
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Its those bird and snake eyes that fascinate me…
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Absolutely, Rob. I thought of you when I named this post. I knew you’d like it. Thank you so much for the the shout-out on your blog. xxxxx
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I’m putting a link to it here 😀
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That snake photo is giving me the creeps. I don’t do snakes. When we lived in Darwin, a cyclone came through and blew all the green ants out of their nests, which made them extremely unhappy. The ground was covered with them and they were very cross.
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That would be very scary, Carol. I don’t like cyclones and green ants all over the ground would be a nightmare. The snake gave me a big fright and what’s worse is it’s now ‘lost’ somewhere in the ceiling of the house – good grief, I hope it stays there 😦
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It was quite an amazing site, because it was as if the ground was moving.
I hope you find that snake soon.
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These are beautiful photos, Dianne! You are a much better photographer than you give yourself credit for.
I’m shocked to hear this about your husband. That definitely isn’t something you should have to hold in, but I certainly understand not having the words right away when something is devastating like that.
I’m hosting in July for 2 weeks over at STMND if you want to get it all off of your chest, like Jackie suggested above. There’s still 2 open slots. It would be a Tuesday or Thursday. If that’s too soon, you can still use the Share Your Story page to submit at any time, and whoever is in charge that week should get right back to you.
*hugs*, *hugs*, & more *hugs*
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I absolutely love STMND and this would be a great avenue to share this story. I’m just not sure when I will do it yet. This assault happened a few years ago, but I still can’t bring myself to write about it and I’m not sure why -maybe it’s because I prefer to write allegories to soften the edges of any message I give. This is a very stark and vicious story.
I’m so flattered that you love my photos. I’m still learning. In fact last night someone was telling me how to breathe when I take pics! There’s a lot to it (particularly if the subject is a snake!) 😀
I love your hugs! Got them 😀
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Well, you know I’m here when/if you’re ready.
As for snakes…oh boy that photo is creepy! (But beautiful) I would’ve had a heart attack but you know this already. Haha! Even looking at that photo gives me shivers. It looks SO enormous. 😳
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I did enlarge your snake eye Dianne and it is beautiful what amazing colours and patterns. Took a trip back to gaze into Casey’s eyes they are pretty amazing too. Big congratulations on the job and the 3 years of blogging, my how time flies by. Incidentally what is STMND? I have not come across that before. I have sucked an ants back side too when we went with a guide into the Daintree on one of our trips, it does taste lemony but only tried one…
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STMND is Stories That Must Not Die. It is a wordpress blog run by several bloggers where people can go and tell stories about things that have happened to them (anonymously if they wish). I don’t know if you’ve heard of Rarasaur, but she is a wonderful blogger who was sent to prison last year and she also features on there. It’s worth a look.
I’m so glad the snake eye didn’t shock you, it’s an amazing creature. When I first saw it I thought it was two snakes wrapped together because of the different colours and size. You’re like me with the ants – I only did it once and that was enough for me 😀
I’m very excited about the job. It’s working from home writing content for govt websites. wow!The perfect job 😀
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Writing and working from home is perfect, just an extension of what you have been doing for years. They must’ve been stoked when they got your application. I will take a look at that blog, sounds interesting reading.
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When I do my first article I’ll let you know 🙂
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I’ll watch for it…
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Congrats on the skype interview and resulting web-job!
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It’s fantastic, Nancy. Living in a rural area it’s so hard to get a job that matches my skills. Now I can do it all from home! I’ll be working with a govt rep and writing content for govt and non-for-profit websites about disability. Over the moon and back! 😀
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Cool pictures. That snake one is crazy! I was thinking of you the other day while watching my quail family and wishing you could capture them for me. They’d just be blurry blobs if I tried to go out there and photograph them. They’re so skittish. Every time I try to go outside to watch them, they scurry off and hide under some bush.
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Your little quails sound so cute, Char! You might have sit sit there and wait for them to come out and then try and get a shot. The finches here are like that. It was only when the two of them sat still for two seconds and I had camera already in hand that I managed to capture them 😀
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Now I have that song in my head (I remember reading that there was a Japanese word for getting a particular song stuck in your head, but, of course, I forgot what the word was). I love following your train of thought and looking at all your photos of eyes. It makes me realize how alike we all are in the animal kingdom in a way.
Congratulations on three years of blogging! It’s been three years for me too; funny to think we started at the same time!
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Oh, Letizia – I’ve had that song stuck in my head for a week! It’s SO annoying. It’s called an ear worm here and it really feels like it 😀
Well done on your three years as well. We’ve been blogging buddies for a while now – blogging sisters 😀
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🙂
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The snake is gorgeous!!! I love the photo of it peeking at you 🙂
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It was amazing. It’s still around somewhere, but i don’t mind because I think it’s eating mice in my ceiling 😀
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Great shots, especially of those finches. Fantastic colours!!
So lovely to hear from you; glad you are blogging again! 😉
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It’s great to see you, Anna! It’s been ages but we’ve both been busy (for good reasons) 😉
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Indeed! I read back through your blog; congrats on your daughter’s wedding, for starters! Looks like you’ve been busy with nature photography as well. Love your pics!
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That snake picture is brilliant! You could sell something with that… I’m just not sure what!
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Maybe I could sell hidden cameras or something. LOL. I’m so glad you like it and it didn’t scare you, Allen 😀
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You take me from revulsion to laughter in just a few short steps. You are made of stern stuff, Dianne, as well as writing so vividly. A colourful background! Meant in the nicest way possible 🙂 And I so love that lover’s tiff 🙂
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I just couldn’t leave the snake out of this post after what it put me through! LOL You had to suffer with me 😀 I’m so glad this post ended on a good note 😉
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EEE-jut! I forgot to say ‘happy anniversary’ so I had to come all the way back down here. Serves me right! 🙂
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Thank you! 😀
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I’ll definitely pass on the green ants meal. 😯 What a great photo of the snake’s eye! Thanks for the laughs. The two finches are so hilarious and just remind us of how ridiculous we can be when we waste precious time by being uppity. 😕 Happy third blogiversary to you. I always love reading your posts. xx
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I was thinking about you this morning and wondering if you’d come back from your holidays yet. I was about to call the wordpress police to see if you were okay 😀 Great to see you back 😉
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Thanks for missing me, Dianne. We arrived at my MiL’s in England yesterday, and have a week of visiting friends and family here before returning to our home in Florida on 4th July. It’s difficult to find time to blog at the moment. 😕 xx
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Blogging does take a fair bit of time. Enjoy – and snap a few good shots! 😀
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I love the birds and butterflies. The snake and ants maybe not so much. 😉 I was stung or bitten (whatever they do) by a fire ant in Mexico. I couldn’t believe the pain or how quickly my knee swelled up! Never again, I hope!
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These ants don’t sting as bad as fire ants – yikes, I’d hate to be bitten (or stung) by one of those little blighters! Green ants (as far as I know) have no poison so it just feels like those little nippers are trying to pinch the skin. Thank goodness for that because they’re everywhere here 😀
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Wow – I’ve never seen anything like that snake eye or those butterflies! I’m glad to hear you weren’t bitten or stung or attacked in any other way!
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Sometimes I feel like Indiana Jones living here, Sheila! There are dangers everywhere, but the the lifestyle and weather is amazingly good (luckily!) 😉
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That’s terrible, what happened to your husband. I’m glad he is well and able to adapt.
I saw plenty of these green ants while in Oz. I stayed at a campsite in Port Douglas that had large, permanently standing tents you could rent. The one I stayed in was tied to a tree that was a veritable super-highway and super-city of green ants. I had to be super-careful going in and out of the tent to not walk into the rope as the ants would fall off and end up inside the tent.
I did some reading on green ants and discovered that they evolved away from delivering their acid via a bite and instead, when threatened, will spit acid from their mouths. I watched of video of a swarm of them doing this and it was a substantial amount of acid flying around.
Which was why I was very careful indeed going in and out of that tent!
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You are a brave soul Dianne, to get up close and personal with snakes and such for capturing their eyes! Your photos and clever writing are very appreciated though so thanks for that. Happy 3 year blog…versary too! 🙂
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Hello Dianne, it’s been long since I visited your blog. Stunning pics, I love the birds’ tiff:-). Good to hear that you’re keeping well and Happy Blogging Anniversary.
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Thank you so much, Cocoa 😀 It’s great to see you here xxxx
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Beautiful photos, Diane. And Happy Blogging Anniversary!
P.S. – I did *not* enlarge the snake picture. 🙂
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I’m glad you didn’t enlarge that snake pic, Maddie – it’s really quite scary 😉
Thank you so much for the congrats xxxxx
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Of course I’m the brave one who clicked on the snake photo. What an awesome shot! Really a beautiful snake, I love the colors. Not sure I could eat an ant abdomen, so I’ll take your word that it has a refreshing citrus taste!
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You’ve very brave indeed for clicking on that snake shot, Kate – it certainly is an eye full 😀 That snake is now in my ceiling space eating mice and keeping the bats out. I’m going to name it one day but don’t know if it’s male or female (and am not going to get close enough to find out) 😀
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Dianne Im sorry to hear about your husband. Those images are stunning. I especially love the butterfly capture. very hard to capture. I had to look twice at the snake image. Amazing pics thanks for sharing. Happy anniversary.
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Thanks so much, Kath. The butterfly capture was very difficult indeed. I almost had to machine-gun the camera! LOL I’m really glad you like the pics 😉
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Casey’s blue eyes are beautiful! You take great pics, Dianne! Kudos to hubby – love that song! 🙂
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Thanks, Billy Ray. he continued the song with “you’re heading to the cheetah side of town”. Good grief – he loves playing with words more than I do! LOL 😀
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Fun photos! Congratulations on three years of blogging and hope you have many more safe photo encounters with the bugs and beasts that live in your part of the world.
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Thank you so much. Margie! 😀
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Congrats on your blogging anniversary, Dianne. The snake and butterfly pics are awesome.
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Thank you, my dear one! I’m really glad you like the pics 😀
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Gorgeous pictures. Natures unending effort to get sight right.
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I’m just at 3 years also. Congrats to us!!! (Smiling…) I am now going to be singing the Lying/Lion song the rest of the day. Thank you..(she says, sarcastically). Fun post, although how horrid about your husband. I think I better read your book! The Ides (eyes) say it all.
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We’re blogging sisters, Pam! Three years old (which I think is pretty good in blogging years). Sorry I put that song in your head, but it’s driving me nuts so I just had to share it (LOL)
I’m glad you liked the Youtube clip. I had loads of making making them all 😀
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Amazing pictures, as always. Thank you for making the python picture small. That was kind of you, since that picture is creepy as all get out!
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That snake was just TOO SCARY to put in full view. It still gives me a fright when I see it 😉 I’m so glad you like the pics xxx
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Dianne,
Happy WordPress Anniversary, my favorite Australian author friend! Three years is a long time to be this creative! I salute you – I love to read your thoughts and reflections on life as you see it…this post was another interesting one about the eyes…The ayes or eyes have it when the final vote is cast.
I didn’t know that your husband was assaulted and am horrified to learn it. I truly can’t imagine how I would handle something so traumatic in my family. I fear not well – but I am glad you both survived.
Warmest wishes for many more years of staying connected through cyberspace!
Sheila
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Thanks so much, Sheila 😀 The three years blogging has been so cool because I’ve made a load of friends (like you and your wonderful pack). Cheers to our future adventures together! 😀
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Eyes say so much about what is going on behind them. Villains often say they want to see the light leave their victims’ eyes. We can judge so much by the look in someone’s eyes. What a great post!
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That’s so true, Renee. I have an eye obsession and you can tell so much about someone through their eyes. They really are the windows to the soul! 😉
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Happy Anniversary Diane! What happened to your hubby is awful and as you say, devastating and I am so sorry to hear about what happened to him, but I do hope you will find the words however violent or angry Diane and that you will share this story with us. I too am an eyes person and can’t understand people who don’t take note of another person’s eye colour. I may be a little obsessed. LOVE the finches! what a great pic! LOL!
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Thank you so much, Yolanda. I’m sure I’ll share that story one day, but even for a writer the words don’t come easily xxx
I’m so glad you like the finches – I see human traits in them all the time. Their body language is classic! 😀
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So sorry to hear about your husband’s attack, that would have been awful, and even all these years later, you would still have the anger. Ah the snake. Cheeky blighter!
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That snake is very cheeky. It didn’t budge but when I took the pic and zoomed in I realised it was watching me. Yikes!
I need to deal with the anger. I know it’s not good for the body and soul, but I’m getting there xxxx
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Love that snake shot, Dianne! Been missing you for some time and then you came back and I still missed you somehow… Guess I need to clean out my emails. 🙂
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Great to see you, Lynda! And it’s great to be back 😀
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I’m obviously waaaay behind, but I still have hope I’ll actually get caught up. I know, hahahaha 🙂 Anyway, that is interesting about the eye-fascination and how that was the basis for that character in your book. You’re brave to try to get pics of the green ants… I think I would have just let them be. I’ll take your word for it on the citrus taste 🙂
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Those green ants are very feisty little critters indeed! 😀
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