Weekend Walk Report: “Do or do not, there is no try.”

 You know what? Screw you Yoda. This weekend, Saturday, February 17th and Sunday (today) the 18th, I tried. I tried to both get decent walks in and I tried to find some subject matter to take pictures of. Ya see, legendary Jedi Master Yoda, effort is not irrelevant. "Do or do not," Yoda croaks, implying success boils down to a binary switch. Forget pesky factors like practice, determination, or external circumstances. Then Yoda throws in a confusing "try not!" just to keep us on our toes. So, trying is bad, but not trying is somehow Jedi-approved? "Do or do not!" Sounds terrifying, doesn't it? Suddenly, the pressure is on for every action, turning every stumble into a personal Jedi failure. Talk about anxiety fuel.

Here are some photos I did take this weekend. I won't show you the pictures I tried to take. Special thanks to Docken once again for putting up with me over the phone and keeping me company.

Saturday. February 17th.

Speaking of external circumstances and this was my bad, I went out into 49º, damp, foggy weather dressed inadequately. Sure, that might not be cold wherever you live but I would assume dressing appropriately is also relative. I was cold and I walked rapidly trying to warm up but it wasn't enjoyable and the excursion was cut short. Sum total for the weekend mileage-wise was a mere 3.15 miles. 

This is a male Calypte anna hummingbird, not dusty. This bird seems to be establishing a territory only 40 yards north of Dusty's main hang. This little fellow was obviously fresh from a bath.

From there I went looking for Dusty but only briefly because I needed to get moving and try to warm up. Dusty wasn’t around his usual digs. This white crowned sparrow is the only other picture I care to show from Saturday.

Sunday, February 18th.

I left a little later, dressed more sensibly and it was also 7º warmer today at departure time. However, I just happened to feel a general malaise. What about that Master Yoda? Maybe Luke simply felt a tad crappy that day. Give the lad some credit for not completely blowing it and at least successfully landing his X-wing in the Dagobah swamp. The entire planet is a swamp. It could have been much worse. Sometimes, a good old-fashioned "try" is exactly what the Force needs.

Today I got a few quick shots of male Calypte anna, Dusty. He was mostly elusive though and the weather was once again not conducive for picture taking.

Another white crowned sparrow. 

This tree squirrel was also out on a limb.

The weather. Storms are about to move in. Honestly, I've had about enough for awhile and this week I have to go out in it.

Love it all and hold it in your hands.