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Colette

@criticalthinker11

Retired teacher, artist, amateur nature/wildlife photographer, book lover who seeks the truth through authentic, credible, reliable resources, and common sense. All nature photos are my own, unless otherwise indicated

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18.01.2025
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Latest posts by Colette @criticalthinker11

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This is just sick.

via @ktla.com: Footage obtained by KTLA shows a young man crying, saying his mother had just been taken, and children and protesters running from tear gas that was deployed when a crowd gathered at an immigration raid at a Ventura County farm this afternoon

10.07.2025 22:50 πŸ‘ 15777 πŸ” 7661 πŸ’¬ 1865 πŸ“Œ 977

Thank you, Gerrit. 😊

08.07.2025 23:56 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you, Kim. 😊

08.07.2025 12:43 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Beautiful shot, Paul. 🀩
I would love to see and photograph one of these. Someday… 🀞

07.07.2025 21:57 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you. 😊

07.07.2025 17:28 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Warm, golden brown tones in this photo of a foggy sunrise over silhouetted trees.

Warm, golden brown tones in this photo of a foggy sunrise over silhouetted trees.

Here’s one for #MinimalMonday… a moody sunrise on a foggy morning.
#fog #sunrise #ArtChallenges #PhotographersOfBluesky #EastCoastKin #PhotographersUnited #photography #silhouettes #trees #sky #nature #naturephotography #MoodyMonday #morning #canon

07.07.2025 17:09 πŸ‘ 31 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
Art challenges: July 7-13

Monday, July 7
#BlueSkyMonday (anything blue)
#MacroMonday (any macro)
#MountainMonday (mountains)
#MinimalMonday (minimalism)
#ColorADay (#PinkMon)
#smArtist (#bison)
#JuliArty (#wrapper)

Tuesday, July 8
#RockinTuesday (rocks)
#TidesOutTuesday 
#TagTuesday (graffiti/street art)
#ContemporaryTuesday (contemp. art)
#ColorADay (#BlueTue)
#smArtist (#roots)
#JuliArty (#game)

Wednesday, July 9
#WaterfallWednesday
#WackyWednesdayArt (odd/unusual)
#ColorADay (#RedWed)
#smArtist (#chemicals)
#JuliArty (#cookie)

Thursday, July 10
#HumansOfBlueSky (people)
#UrbanGaze (anything urban)
#ColorADay (#YellowThu)
#smArtist (#sound)
#JuliArty (#picnic)

Friday, July 11
#scape (any kind of scape)
#FishyFriday
#ForestFriday
#FoodOnFriday
#FloralFriday / #FlowersOnFriday
#FiveMinFri (quick projects & WIP)
#ColorADay (#BWFri)
#smArtist (#network)
#JuliArty (#geek)

Saturday, July 12
#bnw_macro
#BlueSkyArtShow (#SummerDaze)
#ColorADay (#GreenSat)
#smArtist (#colony)
#JuliArty (#simple)

SUNday, July 13
#Stunday (stunning)
#bnw_macro
#SelfPortraitSunday (#MutedTones)
#ColorADay (#OrangeSun)
#smArtist (#fungi)
#JuliArty (#fried)

All week
#ArtYear (any art)
#ArtOfSelfPortraiture 
#ClassicMono (monochrome)
#dyicad2025 (create on an index card 
a day in June & July)
#smArtist (purposeful art of any theme)
#AlphabetChallenge (#WeekBforBars)
#LLJP (#OnTheJob)*
#SensoryArt (#celebrate)

*Live, love, joy, pain

Art challenges: July 7-13 Monday, July 7 #BlueSkyMonday (anything blue) #MacroMonday (any macro) #MountainMonday (mountains) #MinimalMonday (minimalism) #ColorADay (#PinkMon) #smArtist (#bison) #JuliArty (#wrapper) Tuesday, July 8 #RockinTuesday (rocks) #TidesOutTuesday #TagTuesday (graffiti/street art) #ContemporaryTuesday (contemp. art) #ColorADay (#BlueTue) #smArtist (#roots) #JuliArty (#game) Wednesday, July 9 #WaterfallWednesday #WackyWednesdayArt (odd/unusual) #ColorADay (#RedWed) #smArtist (#chemicals) #JuliArty (#cookie) Thursday, July 10 #HumansOfBlueSky (people) #UrbanGaze (anything urban) #ColorADay (#YellowThu) #smArtist (#sound) #JuliArty (#picnic) Friday, July 11 #scape (any kind of scape) #FishyFriday #ForestFriday #FoodOnFriday #FloralFriday / #FlowersOnFriday #FiveMinFri (quick projects & WIP) #ColorADay (#BWFri) #smArtist (#network) #JuliArty (#geek) Saturday, July 12 #bnw_macro #BlueSkyArtShow (#SummerDaze) #ColorADay (#GreenSat) #smArtist (#colony) #JuliArty (#simple) SUNday, July 13 #Stunday (stunning) #bnw_macro #SelfPortraitSunday (#MutedTones) #ColorADay (#OrangeSun) #smArtist (#fungi) #JuliArty (#fried) All week #ArtYear (any art) #ArtOfSelfPortraiture #ClassicMono (monochrome) #dyicad2025 (create on an index card a day in June & July) #smArtist (purposeful art of any theme) #AlphabetChallenge (#WeekBforBars) #LLJP (#OnTheJob)* #SensoryArt (#celebrate) *Live, love, joy, pain

Here's your art challenge cheat sheet for July 7-13

NEW: #FoodOnFriday and #ColorADay themes

See comments for host list + posts by hosts for more info.

#ArtChallenges #EastCoastKin #PhotographersUnited #PhotographersOfBluesky #photography #dailyart #art #painting #drawing #ArtPrompts

07.07.2025 01:29 πŸ‘ 180 πŸ” 54 πŸ’¬ 21 πŸ“Œ 10

Thank you, Paul. 😊

07.07.2025 14:59 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
A cloud of mist appears after a humpback whale spouts. The humpback’s tail is visible above the water’s surface after it dives. Background is deep blue cliffs.

A cloud of mist appears after a humpback whale spouts. The humpback’s tail is visible above the water’s surface after it dives. Background is deep blue cliffs.

For #BlueSkyMonday, from a trip to Alaska… a humpback whale’s flukes appear after spouting on Kachemak Bay one morning.
#ArtChallenges #EastCoastKin #PhotographersUnited #PhotographersOfBluesky #photography #whales #Alaska #KachemakBay #blue #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography

07.07.2025 14:28 πŸ‘ 119 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

Awesome capture, Archer! This photo really captured my eye while I was scrolling. Welcome to Bluesky! 😊

06.07.2025 16:37 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I love the soft light in this photo. Beautiful capture, Paul! 😍

06.07.2025 16:34 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Gorgeous shot, Gerrit! 😍

06.07.2025 16:16 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Wow! Stunning!

06.07.2025 16:12 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Incredible photo, Mary! 😍

06.07.2025 16:11 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
A Northern Cardinal with its head tilted, perched on a diagonal branch against a green background.

A Northern Cardinal with its head tilted, perched on a diagonal branch against a green background.

A Northern Cardinal facing #Sideways for #BlueSkyArtShow Saturday.

#Birds #Birding
#Nature #Photography
#PhotographersUnited
#PhotographersOfBlueSky
#ArtYear #cardinals #BirdPhotography #Birdwatchers #Wildlife
#EastCoastKin πŸͺΆ

06.07.2025 00:44 πŸ‘ 112 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
Bald Eagle in flight against a blue sky. Bird has a white head, powerful hooked yellow bill, dark brown body and wings, and white tail feathers.

Bald Eagle in flight against a blue sky. Bird has a white head, powerful hooked yellow bill, dark brown body and wings, and white tail feathers.

Another Bald Eagle in flight for #BlueSkyMonday. I hope everyone had a great start to your week. 😊
#eagle #baldeagle #wildlife #wildlifephotography #photography #EastCoastKin #birds #nature #naturephotography #PhotographersUnited #PhotographersOfBluesky #ArtYear #birdsinflight πŸͺΆ

30.06.2025 20:28 πŸ‘ 51 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you, Gerrit. 😊

30.06.2025 01:07 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
An American Bumblebee pollinating a musk thistle. Two other insects on the thistle. Green background.

An American Bumblebee pollinating a musk thistle. Two other insects on the thistle. Green background.

For #Stunday and #MacroMonday a day early, an American Bumblebee pollinating a musk thistle, with 2 other insects.
#photography #flowers #bumblebees #insects #naturephotography #PhotographersUnited #PhotographersofBluesky #onlybeautifulthings #ArtYear #nature #thelittlethings #EastCoastKin #canon

29.06.2025 13:54 πŸ‘ 46 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you, Gerrit. 😊

28.06.2025 15:58 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Beautiful capture! Beautiful reflection! 🀩

28.06.2025 15:47 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
A Great Egret in flight against a blue water background. Bird is all white with a long, bright yellow bill, and long, thin black legs and feet stretched out behind it.

A Great Egret in flight against a blue water background. Bird is all white with a long, bright yellow bill, and long, thin black legs and feet stretched out behind it.

#GetOutside and feel the excitement of becoming one with nature, as you free yourself from the worries of civilization! It’s #BlueSkyArtShow Saturday!
#birds #birding #egret #ArtYear #EastCoastKin #PhotographersOfBluesky #PhotographersUnited #AlphabetChallenge #WeekZforZoology #photography #canon πŸͺΆ

28.06.2025 12:55 πŸ‘ 53 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you, Gerrit. 😊

27.06.2025 13:37 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
A Forster’s Tern flying downward in a dive against a light gray sky. Back and wings are gray. White patch on tail, black cap on head, and slim orange bill.

A Forster’s Tern flying downward in a dive against a light gray sky. Back and wings are gray. White patch on tail, black cap on head, and slim orange bill.

Happy #Flyday everyone! 😊
A unique perspective of a Forster’s Tern
#birds #birders #Grey #birdphotography #nature #ArtChallenges #EastCoastKin
#PhotographersUnited #ArtYear #Monochrome #ClassicMono #terns #PhotographersOfBluesky #Photography #Canon πŸͺΆ

27.06.2025 10:17 πŸ‘ 38 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

I use the same lens, but with the R7, because of its crop factor. I’ll just keep trying. Thanks for your input, Gerrit. 😊

26.06.2025 19:00 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Ocean waves crashing into a jetty on a stormy day

Ocean waves crashing into a jetty on a stormy day

Ocean waves crashing into a jetty on a stormy day
#JuneSea #Grey #ArtChallenges #EastCoastKin #PhotographersUnited #ArtYear #PhotographersOfBluesky #Photography #Canon #seascapes #ocean #sea #storm #waves #spray #blue

26.06.2025 18:33 πŸ‘ 59 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you. 😊

26.06.2025 17:35 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
A river otter sitting out on some river rocks.

A river otter sitting out on some river rocks.

I love when animals just seem to strike a pose for the camera, like this river otter. 😊 πŸ“·

#AlphabetChallenge #WeekZforZoology #ArtYear #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #otters #photography #EastCoastKin #PhotographersUnited #PhotographersOfBluesky #canon

26.06.2025 15:46 πŸ‘ 110 πŸ” 8 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you, Gerrit. Still amazed how you can get such a great photo at 1/1300. Do you use a tripod? I’m stumped. I’ve used 1/4000 without a tripod (stabilizers on my lens are incredible) and I still can’t get a decent shot of a hummingbird.

26.06.2025 15:25 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Wow! Incredible capture, Gerrit! Beautiful!! 😍
Would you mind sharing your settings for this photo? I still have yet to capture a decent hummingbird photo.

26.06.2025 14:24 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you, Gerrit. 😊

25.06.2025 13:26 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0